I agree Mike, If Michelle decides to go I think she has a good shot to win. She is still the most well rounded skater IMO. Sasha is close but still too inconsistent and Irina, so far, has been very unmotivated but who knows she could get in shape by then. If MK goes, I think we may see another MK/Irina finale.
Michelle and Irina are both looking unmotivated so far. To win GPF, you must do well in 2 LP's. Neither Michelle nor Irina has really aced even 1 LP this year (But never count out Michelle!!) Vika has only done 1 great LP in her whole life.
Sasha is a bad bet for 2 back to back great LP's.
By process of elimination, this may be a Yoshie vs Michelle final, Yoshie winning on the technical mark if Michelle does not get back to skating great LP's.
Well, I think if Michelle conveys that attitude and speed we saw in "The Feeling Begins" into her long program (or both for that matter!), and doesn't have any problems with the loop (or any other fluke falls), she could definitely win. Might be a tuff decision, though, if Sasha or Irina skate cleanly. It could easily go in either direction. It could just come down to those elusive triple-triples, but I kind of doubt it.
If all three fail to skate cleanly and Onda puts in a smashing performance, I wouldn't bar out a win for Japan. And as for Viktoria Volchkova, who knows! I was dumbstruck after her Cup of Russia performance. I had just become so used to seeing her fall apart and underperform that I never really expected her to put it together. So, this final should be much more exciting that last years in my opinion.
I really think Michelle still has what it takes. Sasha is never really consistent, and though I love Yoshie, she doesn't have any artistry. I'd love to see Fumie win, either her or Michelle. I didn't see Irina skate at her competitions this year, but she didn't win them, so I guess she's not doing as well as she usually does. And Viktoria Volchkova doesn't skate well often.
I voted for Sasha. I think she has the determination and is skating solidly so far. Michelle has not been out there that much and so has lot a bit of her edge. Irina has not really gotten out of the starting gate as it were this season and Victoria and Yoshie are not that consistent. Sasha is the favored skater this time round.
In order to beat Kwan, the fans of others had to go for the technical. Now, that Sasha has the presentation, there are ladies who have more of the technical. Is it the same, that technial is the important factor in winning?