I do hope Yu-Na would defend the Olympic title to make her tie with Katarina! That would be amazing!
Mao Asada is definitely going to be one of the major contenders for the title.
Miki Ando- should she stay as well.
Adelina Sotnikova- is one of the best skaters I have ever seen on the Junior stage- so exquisite and she has it all! She is a major Olympic gold medal contender for me.
Mirai Nagasu- Should she pull things together- she also can win. 2011-2012 is a crucial year to establish herself on the senior circuit and really live up to her potential.
Alissa Czisny- She is one of the best for me and should she stay who knows.
Carolina Kostner- she is getting better and better in her artistry! Jump difficulty could increase a bit.
Courtney Hicks- this girl is special! Hope she could live up to her potential.
Kanako Murakami- If her presentation really matures and she improves further her artistry and difficulty of jumps then she is also going to be one of the skaters to watch out for.
I wouldn't bet on Alissa or Carolina being at Sochi at all. And if they are, I wouldn't bet on them being medal contenders. I hope Alissa stays around as long as possible because she is one of my favorites. But you have to question if her jump difficulty will really be enough to make her an Olympic contender in 2014 - and that assuming it doesn't deteriorate.
Carolina - I agree she has improved her artistry but it wasn't a weakness to begin with. I don't pay enough attention to her to be the best judge. I suppose she could keep going and finally have her Olympic moment late the way Joannie Rochette lives. But I think she is benefiting from a weak European ladies field and she still has consistency issues. Plus she has been struggling with injuries.
Mao - I sincerely hope she is not only around for Sochi but that she is one of the gold medal favorites. But the way things have been going for her I don't see how anyone can say she will definitely be one of the medal contenders. Still, it is one of my great hopes.
Yuna - it all depends on what she herself decides to do and whether she is able to come back from a break, should she choose be there. I agree - I would LOVE to see her try to defend her gold. I would be a treat for fans.
Mirai. I really want her to step her game and be an Olympic medal contender. But first she should collect a few more international medals on the way.. she has a long way to go. But she's the one I'm rooting for the most.
I hope that Agnes and at least one or two of the younger Americans can also step up to the top but it's a hope for now.
All of these Vancouver vets will have to contend with Adelina, Elizaveta and Kanako. I like all three of these girls but I still think the sophistication and over all ice presence needs work. Adelina is an amazing competitor and her lines are very lovely but she still leaves me cold. Obviously, she is so young it's understandable. But regardless of the reason I still have to warm up to her. Two and half years before Vancouver, I think over all Mao and Yuna were more impressive than Adelina and Elizaveta are this stage. I expect to see both of those Russian girls at Sochi and maybe even be the favorites but there are bigger question marks over them than there were over Mao and Yuna. Mostly because of the puberty issue and because it remains to be seen how they fare at the senior level. Still, you can bet the vets are looking over their shoulders at them!!
