Dolensky working hard to continue windfall

It’s been a roller coaster ride for USA’s Timothy Dolensky these past 18 months. The 19-year-old experienced the highs and lows of competitive figure skating firsthand, and is beginning to understand what life is like in the glare of the spotlight.

As the 2012 U.S. junior men’s silver medalist, Dolensky seems to be climbing the ladder of success. Following his bronze medal win as a novice in Spokane, Wash., Dolensky had a stellar summer/fall season. His summer competitions were solid, and earned him an invitation to compete on the Junior Grand Prix circuit for the first time.

With a 4th place finish at the event in Sheffield, England, Dolensky was a favorite at the 2011 Eastern Sectional Championships to earn a berth to the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Greensboro,…

Perseverance pays off for Leonova

Since Irina Slutskaya’s retirement in 2006, there has been a medal draught for Russia in the ladies figure skating discipline. However, Alena Leonova became the first of an up-and-coming group of Russian girls that has taken six medals at Junior Worlds since 2009.

Leonova herself was the first Russian lady to capture the Junior World title in eight years when she won in 2009. Now, at age 21, she concluded a successful season when she took the World silver medal.

“Now, after some time has passed, I realize that I am the World silver medalist,” said the Russian skater. “People are congratulating me for this success, which is very nice. It was a surprise to me that I finished second in Nice, but it makes me very…

Takahashi and Tran prepare for next season with new confidence

Japan’s Narumi Takahashi and Mervin Tran made history in April when they took the bronze at the 2012 World Figure Skating Championships, becoming the first pair team representing Japan to win a medal at a senior World Championships.

Three weeks later, the young team also helped to secure the gold medal for Team Japan at the 2012 ISU World Team Trophy in Figure Skating.

“It (the World medal) actually still hasn’t quite settled in,” said 21-year-old Tran. “I do feel like we were a bit lucky, yes, but at the same time we fought for that spot. We are happy that we were there and that we could achieve it.”

Tran believes that winning the bronze at Worlds will give them extra momentum…

Italy’s Berton and Hotarek gain ground

Stefania Berton and Ondrej Hotarek drew attention this season by winning the first ever Grand Prix medal for an Italian pair skating team at the 2011 Cup of Russia. They also came close to the podium at the European Figure Skating Championships in the past two years, finishing fourth and fifth, respectively.

The bronze medal from Cup of Russia was a big motivation for the team.

“This is really, really important,” Hotarek, 28, stressed. “The medal means a lot to us and shows why we started skating together. It gives us confidence and is an encouragement that we can do more. We received appreciation from the judges and from the people. Everybody gave great response to our programs and to the…

Takahashi gets a confidence boost

Daisuke Takahashi of Japan ended the season on a high note when he won the Men’s event at the 2012 ISU World Team Trophy of Figure skating in Tokyo, Japan, last week, setting a new record Short Program score of 94.00 and a personal best free skating score.

For the first time since he won his World title in 2010, the Japanese beat two-time World Champion Patrick Chan of Canada.

“I don’t really have any feelings that I have to remain at the top,” Takahashi answered when asked what he needs to do to beat Chan in the future. “Patrick wasn’t perfect, he made mistakes. We both weren’t perfect. If he was perfect I know that Patrick’s program would have more points. I just need to do what…

Suzuki takes ladies event at World Team Trophy; seals Team Japan’s win

The 2012 ISU World Team Trophy of Figure Skating concluded Saturday with the Ladies Long Program. Akiko Suzuki of Japan won the event, securing 12 points to seal Team Japan’s victory. Carolina Kostner of Italy slipped to second overall, while USA’s Ashley Wagner rose from fifth to third overall after placing first in the event.

Suzuki’s waltzy routine to Die Fledermaus was highlighted by a double Axel-triple toe and four more triples, but she doubled a Lutz and singled a loop at the end. The Grand Prix Final silver medalist scored 120.28 points and was ranked second in the free skating, but overtook overnight leader Carolina Kostner with 187.79 points.

“I am very happy for team Japan,” the 27-year-old said. “I moved up to first place, but my…

Bazarova and Larionov win pairs event at World Team Trophy

The 2012 ISU World Team Trophy of Figure Skating continued Saturday with the Pairs Long Program. Vera Bazarova and Yuri Larionov of Russia won the event, while Canada’s Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford pulled up to second and helped to secure Team Canada’s bronze medals. Overnight leaders Narumi Takahashi and Mervin Tran of Japan tumbled to third place.

Performing to Doctor Zhivago, Bazarova and Larionov opened with a triple toe, but were out of sync. A huge triple twist followed, but then Bazarova went down on the throw triple flip, and later underrotated the first jump in the double Axel-double Axel sequence. Nevertheless, the Russian Champions held it together and produced a throw triple loop as well as…

Takahashi takes men’s event at World Team Trophy; Team Japan leads

The 2012 ISU World Team Trophy continued with the Men’s Long Program. Japan’s Daisuke Takahashi won the event, out-skating World Champion Patrick Chan of Canada. The Japanese beat Chan for the first time since the 2010 World Figure Skating Championships. Brian Joubert of France pulled up to third place.

Takahashi put out a mesmerizing performance of his Blues for Klook routine. He was on the music from the beginning to the end, and his jumps were smooth— especially the two triple Axels.

The five-time Japanese Champion also hit a quad toe and earned a level four on both spins. His only error came when he underrotated the triple toe in the combination with a triple Axel.

With 182.72 points, the reigning World silver medalist surpassed his old personal…