Little is known about the progress of the 2007 Junior World silver medalists, but an invitation to this event speaks volumes about their federation's confidence in them as a team. As such, Bazarova and Larionov are the dark horses in this event, and could surprise everyone with a medal winning performance in their home country.
Wow, JR has Czisny behind Wagner, Leonova, McCorkel and Sebestyen.
This is not quite true. They competed in the Russia Cup in Perm and Samara and won both events in dominating fashion. You can see their skates from the Russia Cup in Perm on YT. Their FS is particularly impressive: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIdelTyw7MY
Plushy has looked very rough to me so far and like Joubert, if he doesn't land most of his jumps he may find himself off the podium. But I wouldn't be surprised in he skates well considering his abilty to rise to the occassion at competitions.
I think Kozuka will beat Plushenko and Weir will finish ahead of Mroz.
This is not quite true. They competed in the Russia Cup in Perm and Samara and won both events in dominating fashion.
They were marked way too low in the CD at TEB last week; it was rather a scandal in Russian quarters, as judges placed them behind Gorshkova/Butikov.
A scandal? Really? When they still kicked the *censored* of everyone, G&B included, below Samuelson and Bates, in the OD and FD, and beat the last in both segments too?(Which would be an indication in itself that they could do very well here indeed.)
Sadly, Alissa Czisny is not the dark horse, but the Trojan horse of US Figure Skating.
Actually I can't understand why everyone is so high on Leonova. She can jump but as of last year had juniorish presentation. She certainly is not going to beat Mao.
Actually, hardly anyone has Leonova above Asada....IMO, Asada would have to skate like Kostner did in her Worlds 09 LP for that to happen.
But I don't think it's inconceivable that Leonova's going to make the podium by placing above the likes of Czisny and Wagner...Czisny has superior presentation, but Leonova is less likely to bomb and more likely to land more than 3 triples in her LP. And Leonova has beaten both Czisny and Wagner last season, anyways.