We have a thread already of which World Champion you would most like to see defend their World title. Which Champion do you think is most "likely" to defend their World title next year?
Pang and Tong
Stephane Lambiel
Denkova and Stayvinski
Kimmie Meissner
We have a thread already of which World Champion you would most like to see defend their World title. Which Champion do you think is most "likely" to defend their World title next year?
I would definitely say Stephane Lambiel, because he doesn't appear to be winding down anytime soon, and because he's been winning sans-Plushenko competitions quite consistently.
Pang and Tong also have a chance, but they are going to have to stay very clean, because the Zhangs will be RIGHT there.
I predict Lambiel's will allow him to make his triple axel more consistent, and maximize his spinning ability better under COP. If he does so nobody will have a chance of touching him, unless Plushenko returns of course. Pang and Tong will have a tough battle with the other two Chinese teams, I just really hope they can make it, they atleast now look in a position that they are comeptitive with them, where after the Olympics it looked like all hope was lost since their nearly best there was judged worse then very sluggish performances by their teammates. I doubt Meissner will repeat with Asada and Kim on the scene. Denkova/Stayvinski will also have a tough time, Belbin/Agosto will be stronger next year then they were this year I predict, and if the French return I would not be surprised to see them have a big year as well.
I agree with that assessment. Anything can happen, but Lambiel does seem to be markedly the best in men's, while in the other three disciplines there are several skaters/teams at the top who could contend.
A battle between Lambiel and Joubert, and one male skater from among Asia, US, Canada and Belgium as of now. But there are the GPs to watch and see if Lambiel's knee is holding up, Joubert can repeat a good skate. still too early to predict.
Joe
I agree, Joe. And now we've got Lambiel's back problem to consider, too. If he can make it to SC, I'm looking forward to the matchup between him, Buttle, Takahashi, and Weir. Things will get very interesting if those four plus Oda and Joubert make it to the GP final.Originally Posted by Joesitz
I don't see how Lysacek can miss the GP finals. At Skate America his only competition appears to be Oda (unless Lindemann or Van der Perren surprise), and in Cup of China has strongest opponents are Sandhu and Li.
Van der Perren was super last year in SA until the LP which wasn't terrible but he couldn't keep the ball rolling.
Joe
I would LOVE to see The Prince deffending title!
P.S. I think so many votes for my choice may be a bad luck to him
I am surprised Pang/Tong dont have more votes, and that Meissner have so many more than them. I would give them better odds to beat a past-their-
primes Shen/Zhou and Zhang/Zhang who they have started to challenge again, then Meissner holding off Asada and Kim next year personaly.
Statistically, the odds favor Lambiel repeating more so than Meissner, reflecting the fact that the ladies' field has been more competitive in recent history than men's.
Since 1989 only two ladies have been able successfully to defend their titles. Kristi Yamaguchi won in 1991 and 1992, and Michelle Kwan won squeakers in 2000 and 2001.
In contrast, Kurt Browning won in 1989, 1990 and 1991, Elvis Stoiko won in 1994 and repeated in 1995, Alexei Yagudin had a hat trick, 1998, 1999 and 2000, it was Plushenko in 2003 and 2004, and now Lambiel in 2005 and 2006.
You put the Topic Title in the singular, so posters had to reply to only one selection.
Joe
I voted for Kimmie.
Dee
True that, but I would believe that a skater who has the 2nd most believing they are their first bet to repeat, would have the 2nd most votes if you opened it up to vote for the 2 you think have the best chance to repeat, dont you think?
Stephane Lambiel gets my vote. He's got spin. He's got jumps. He's got presentation skills. He's a true competitor. He's the total package, if he stays healthy.
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