I haven't seen enough of the ladies this year to make any sort of educated guess as to who the best six will be. So I'll just give my preferences.
Yukari Nakano. IMHO a far ore aesthetically pleasing skater than Mao. I love her Memoirs of a Geisha program and her overall style. And her leg wrap on her jumps doesn't really bother me at all.
Kimmie Meissner. I like that she attacks every single program, even if it doesn't always work out. She has really made strides in her artistry this year, definitely has a more athletic style but she has polished it a lot since last year. She's not just content to rest on her laurels and think that her World Title will hold her up for the rest of her career.
Sarah Meier. She's had a fantastic year so far and I hope she goes into Worlds with a lot of confidence. She's such a pretty skater and I really like her programs this year.
Carolina Kostner. I'd love to see her make a combeack this year after her early injuries, and also prove that her bronze at Worlds a few eyars ago wasn't a fluke. I love the speed and attack that she skates with and she has a nice style, and she really uses her long limbs to her advantage as far as getting into nice positions in spins and spirals.
Alissa Czissny. A long shot, I know. A very long shot. But jumps aside, everything she does is so beautiful. Obviously it is a very big "if", but if she can go clean she could most definitely be in the top six, if not on the podium.
Yu-Na Kim. I don't love love love her yet, but she is a pleasant skater to watch. I'd like to see a little more personality come out in her skating without her beautiful jumps going downhill.
Mao Asada. I applaude her for attempting the triple axel so often, and with such a difficult entrance. If she can land it solidly, or learn to not let the whole program fall apart if she doesn't land the axel, then she should be up in the top six without a doubt. I'm not sold on her LP, but her SP is gorgeous.