Female FS has already changed guard when Shizuka won her gold medal. What we have seen in the past years was just the decline in US figure skating dominance, in women's anyway and the true emergence of Japanese women skaters. Miki Ando and Mao Asada would have beaten Yukari consistently. While Miki Ando had a disastrous LP in Torino, she is still the more technically superior one of the bunch. So I say this could be the last WS Yukari may skate in as Mao will be 16 next year and Miki is just miles ahead of her.Kwanford Wife said:ITA... Fumie is a clutch skater, so for her to win this title won't surprise anyone... I remember last year all the chatter about Joannie and I'm glad to see that she is truly emerging as a star at this year's worlds. I'd also like to see Yukari stand on the podium. She should've been given the berth to the Olympics, so a medal here would be tres cool.
Here's hoping that Sasha pulls it together for what is most likely her last competitive event at this level... I hope she doesn't live to regret tempting the skate gods with the comment that the competition wouldn't be as great...
This year's worlds will signal a changing of the guard and it should be interesting to see how the sport changes & develops...