How will the 'best skaters' who have never won a World medal fare this year?

[slutskayafan21]

How will the 'best skaters' who have never won a World medal fare this year?

The current group of best skaters to never win a World medal who have been around awhile, and might be running short of time are:

Dance- Delobel/Schoenfeldner
Men- Johnny Weir
Women- Joannie Rochette (although I might be generous here)
Pairs- Inoue/Baldwin

What are the chances of any of these removing themselves from the list of best skaters to not win a World medal, and fulfilling that elusive achievement this year, before it gets even harder to ever pull off?

Some of the younger skaters who have alot more opportunity ahead, but who at this point moment are among the best to not win a World medal are:

Dance- Domnina/Shabalin
Men- Nobinaru Oda

 

[rain]

Well, I think chances have never been better for Del/Scho with both Denk/Stav and Dub/Lau taking a pass on the season. They may still not be able to win gold, as there are still senior teams to contend with, most notably Belbin/Agosto, but a world medal should be a shoe-in, unless the judges go for a wholesale changing of the guard and thrust up-and-comers Dom/Shab and Virtue/Moir into the big spotlight (though I actually could envision a concerted push this year to hoist Dom/Shab as high up the podium as possible....).

The other disciplines are murkier. I don't think Inoue/Baldwin have any shot. Too many teams do too many things better. Weir could always land on the podium if he's serious and stops being such a headcase, but it will be tough in the mens field, especially if Plushenko shows for Worlds. And much as I love Rochette and would dearly wish to see her on the podium, it's a very tall order for her as well. I also think the best she could hope for would be a bronze.

 

[slutskayafan21]

I agree Delobel/Schoenfeldner have a great shot this year, their best shot ever, although it seemed they had a pretty good one for a few years now. If they dont do it this year I am not sure they ever will. Still I could see them with the possability of finishing anywhere from 1st to 4th. Belbin/Agosto would go into the season as favorites but there is a bit of vurnerability to them the last 18 months. Delobel/Schoenfeldner often come very close to beating them but never quite pull it off. However Domnina/Shabalin from behind are a threat, many were quite surprised they only came 5th at Worlds last year. There is also a threat from behind from Moir/Virtue. So I would say their odds of a medal are very good, and they have a shot to potentialy win, but there is still an outside shot they dont medal as crushing as that would be. I guess Davis/White are a dark horse but I am not sure if they could pass a team like the French this year, maybe close the gap.

Weir is in tough like you say. The mens field already has Joubert, a potentialy revitalized Lambiel, a seemingly more consistent Takahashi. Plushenko maybe or maybe not back, and who knows what shape and form. Lysacek who has had his number lately. Highly touted up and comer Oda. Last years new surprise Verner. Buttle cant even be discounted yet. He will need to really bring it this year if he has a shot of a medal, I think it is important for him to make an impression on the GP circuit.

I dont think Inoue/Baldwin have much of a shot but you never know. If 1 of the big 3 teams of Zhang/Zhang, Pang/Tong, Savchenko/Szokoly crash and burn a bit then 1 of the Ukranians, Yawaguchi/Smirnov, Dube/Davison, Inoue/Baldwin could wind up on the podium. Actually when I look at those names I wonder why I even picked Inoue/Baldwin the best not at this point, I guess since those ones before dont have enough experience to say that yet but they all have potential IMO.

Rochette is really reaching the now or never point I think. The Asian powerhouse is building up a mighty wall, and the Americans still have Meissner, with Zhang and Nagasu on the way (though not eligible for Worlds this year).
She would really want to try and have the performances of her life and sneak out a medal somehow this year, before Zhang and Nagasu join the mix. By then there will probably be too many top people needing to have serious mistakes, for her to have a realistic chance. I like her, but I am wondernig if she may have already maxed out her abilities in some ways, and she still isnt the strongest competitor in crunch time, and she still doesnt seem to believe she can be one of the best or project that while she is skating.

 

[cmego500]

All that keeps Johnny Weir from not winning is his head. He's too much of a head case even though he has gorgeous lines and technique.

Inoue/Baldwin, they're a mediocre pair who could only get to the podium at worlds if everyone did horribly. The only thing these two do ok on is the triple axle throw. But even that, it's really shaky and doesn't have a nice elegance. Everything else, it feels as though they're competing at the junior level and not the senior. They don't have any clean lines, their ice stroking is rough, horrible presentation, and finally, horrible positions in everything.

 

[hockeyfan228]

Rena Inoue is one of the best women's pairs skaters, with beautiful edges and flow, albeit less than perfect air position in lifts. She most likely will fare in the bottom half of the top ten, because she has a partner who does not match her skills, and who, despite being a top ten national men's singles skater in his time, cannot land the simplest triples as a pairs skater, and doesn't have her skating skills or line.

 

[slutskayafan21]

Rena Inoue is one of the best women's pairs skaters, with beautiful edges and flow, albeit less than perfect air position in lifts. She most likely will fare in the bottom half of the top ten, because she has a partner who does not match her skills, and who, despite being a top ten national men's singles skater in his time, cannot land the simplest triples as a pairs skater, and doesn't have her skating skills or line.

I agree. Too bad they are in love, so she is sort of tied to him. Would be hard to dump her life partner as her skating partner.

 

[Hsuhs]

I know, Johnny's been called a headcase before. I guess the meaning behind this, is that his problems in skating are mental, for the most part. But it doesn't really help, b/c he has been kind of denying it. Looks like he does some stuff to "fight nerves": like he always squats before stepping onto the ice, and inhales-exhales seconds before the music starts. This kind of actions might be helpful as far as physiology is concerned. Maybe he does something to get over his mental anxiety as well, but keeps it to himself, but I'm not sure about that.

 

[waxel]

I don't see I&B being contenders for a world medal. Possibly not even a US medal if the rest of the field is healthy.

I agree it's now or never for Joannie.

I totally think Johnny can medal this year. Especially if the new focus he is striving for holds true.

 

[flying camel]

Well I have high hopes for Alissa Czisny & Bebe Liang. They need to come out swinging this year. The newcomers are nipping at their heels. It is time to put up! Eventhough, Alissa did make the world team this year, I would really like to see Bebe get her turn.

 

[hockeyfan228]

I'd love to see Liang skate well and earn her turn.

 

[Tinymavy15]

Bebe Liang, Alissa, Caroline and Marai, Elena Gadavansvill ( whatever her last name is)... And yeah, i didn't realize up till now that Johnny has never medaled at worlds. wierd.

 

[Kypma]

Bebe Liang, Alissa, Caroline and Marai, Elena Gadavansvill ( whatever her last name is)... And yeah, i didn't realize up till now that Johnny has never medaled at worlds. wierd.

Actually, it's Mirai (not Marai... although IFS got it wrong on one of its only articles, calling her Nagusa insteau of Nagasu), and Elene Gedevanishvili. Not the easier name to spell...

Kypma

 

[billyelliot1971]

Men : Emanuel Sandhu!

 

[Tonichelle]

well if the 'new Johnny' isn't just a bunch of talk and he actually is in a better mental state this year... I think he could definitely regain his national title and possibly be the US man on the podium (though if he and Evan were to both make it I would be over teh moon...)

I don't want to count him out, yet... not into lookin like a fool

 

[Angelluv]

I'm hoping Johnny gets over the mental thing this year. He looked very promising at An Eveninng For Iveta. He was very strong and had nice high jumps! :yes:

 

[Kypma]

Men : Emanuel Sandhu!

Definitely. However, given that he's not on the Grand Prix and appeared to be focusing on his singing career back in May (which was the last time I heard of him), I'm not sure he'll even make the World Team. Canada is down to two spots, I'm sure Jeff will get one, and Chris Mabee now knows how to train and I think he wants to go back. I'm just not sure skating is Emanuel's top priority anymore... although I really like him when he's on, he was these refreshing innovative programs, but he has a real problem with nerves, and being in Vancouver for Nationals could either help him or increase pressure, not sure.

Kypma

 

[slutskayafan21]

Definitely. However, given that he's not on the Grand Prix and appeared to be focusing on his singing career back in May (which was the last time I heard of him), I'm not sure he'll even make the World Team. Canada is down to two spots, I'm sure Jeff will get one, and Chris Mabee now knows how to train and I think he wants to go back. I'm just not sure skating is Emanuel's top priority anymore... although I really like him when he's on, he was these refreshing innovative programs, but he has a real problem with nerves, and being in Vancouver for Nationals could either help him or increase pressure, not sure.

Kypma

I am sure Sandhu wont make the World team if he even attempts to try at Canadians. In fact I would not be surprised if he missed the top 5 and did not make the National team, given a strong hint to call it a career (although it also wouldnt surprise me if he already does that before Canadians and does not show up, probably a smart decision if he does).

He no longer would be that impressive a skater even if he were "on". This was true 2 or 3 years ago, but not now. The quality of his skating deteriorated rapidly last season. His spins and footwork are now mediocre, and his overall skating was heavy and sloppy and slow. I am not sure if this is the function of age or no longer doing even an adequate amount of training, but his quality marks bear out my opinion.

I give Sandhu about a 0% to beat Mabee at Canadians last year. Mabee was getting comparable PCS to Sandhu, both in Canada and internationaly last year, and that just shows how much these younger skaters have gained on Sandhu. Mabee beat Sandhu 3 times in a row to end last season, Mabee is only getting better while Sandhu gets worse. There is also Sawyer, Chan, Reynolds to worry about.

The CFSA are probably astute enough to see he is now a sinking ship that will never come back up. He used to be able to place top 10 in the World even with his worst performances. Now he would need his absoulute best performances just to get a top 10 finish at Worlds. He no longer has any potential to ever reach a World podium. It is better to start giving the newer skaters some experience and try to build for the future and drop the past.

 

[GoldMedalist]

All of the Canadians are out of the running for a Medal until at least 2010 Worlds when they've had time to improve and other skaters have retired. Patrick Chan is the best hope for a Canadian Medal in the future if he keeps improving like he has.

 

[Kypma]

GoldMedalist, you're talking about the Men's competition, right? Because I have a feeling Vitue and Moir will be on the World Podium very soon and I hope they will contend for a medal in Vancouver 2010.

Kypma

 

[GoldMedalist]

I was talking about the entire Canadian skating team. I don't see a good chance of any of them getting a medal at 2008 Worlds, 2009 Worlds, or 2010 Olympics.

Virtue and Moir are the strongest bet but even there the top 3 look very solidly locked in...Delobel + Schoenfelder, Tanith + Ben, Domnina + Shabalin...and to me it seems like more of a competition between those 3 pairs to decide medal placements up through 2010 Olympics. This is not an uncommon occurrence in ice dancing.