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Jeff Buttle has retired. Stephane Lambiel has retired. This year there might even be room for both Evan Lysacek and Johnny Weir on the same podium at worlds. But first they have to get through the Grand Prix. And then there's Adam Rippon, Jr. World champion, and Kevin van der Perren, perhaps the Worlds most powerful jumper all at the same competition.
It's time to make some watered down Swiss Miss cocoa, buy a tray of soggy french fries, and attend to the preview of the Men's Event at Skate America.
The Everett Washington area paper is pumping up the competition
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20081019/SPORTS/710199960&SearchID=73333430017733
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20081019/NEWS01/710199887
Ice Network reports on the Men's Rankings and previews the season:
http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081017&content_id=53526&vkey=ice_news
I don't think the importance of the Grand Prix can be underestimated this year. Jeff Buttle, the reigning World Champion, has retired. Stephane Lambiel has retired. Stephane was fifth at Worlds last year, and the reigning Olympic silver medallist. The Olympics are next year, soof course all the men will be vying for that edge in placement going in to them.
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First up is:
1 Kevin VAN DER PERREN BEL 1
Kevin van der Perren placed sixth at Worlds last year, his highest placement ever. ( Ice Network places him seventh in World standings. ) But more important, he placed third in the long program ahead of Johnny Weir. Kevin has HUGE jumps, especially his 3F+3T+3Lo, which he performs in the second part of his program and which has a 15.95 base value with the bonus. Kevin's skating is all about power and animal magnetism. He upgraded his spins to level 4 last year, but still uses relatively simple step sequences. Both of the musical pieces he's chosen will lend themselvs very well to displaying his particular strong points. However, he has had some kind of injury that caused him to withdraw from Finlandia, and he has been getting married and swapping coaches and locations in the off season. At worlds, they said he was getting surgery for a recurring hip problem in the off season. He may not be quite up to full strength here. In general, Kevin is an LP program skater, so even if his SP is sub par, be sure to show up for the LP.
Coach: Silvie De Rijcke Choreographer: Juri Bureiko
SP: Night on Bald Mountain by Modest Mussorgski
LP: Hero's in Action by Safri Duo
Personal Best Total Score 216.02 World Championships 2008
Personal Best Score Short Program 72.83 ISU Grand Prix Final 2008
Personal Best Score Free Skating 145.78 World Championships 2008
Recent Competitive History
Withdrew from the recent Finlandia competition due to injury
2008 World Championships 9 3 6 (216.02)
2008 European Championships 4 5 5 (199.57)
2008 Grand Prix Final 5 6 6 (189.52)
2007 Trophée Eric Bompard 3 4 4 (204.75)
2007 Skate Canada 5 1 2 (202.55)
2007 Finlandia Trophy 6 3 3 (168.64)
2007 Ondrej Nepela Memorial 2 1 1 (165.71)
2007 European Championships 4 2 3 (204.85)
2006 NHK Trophy 5 7 6 (178.90)
2007 Belgian National Championships 1 1 1 (173.11)
2006 Skate America 5 5 4 (178.52)
2006 Olympic Games 13 8 9 (197.39)
2006 European Championships 11 7 7 (182.32)
2005 NHK Trophy 6 6 5 (170.55)
2005 Skate America 2 4 4 (185.09)
Videos:
His Finlandia 2008 SP (Night On Bald Mountain) home video (his 3A and 3F3t are fine, but it
looks like his stamina is not yet up to snuff)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3jevQ0BTu4
His best ever LP, 3rd place at Worlds, covered by the BBC; Safri Duo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4omQ7oW9Iew
2007 Europeans Exhibition Tango Roxanne from Moulin Rouge (France 3)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctF-ZzFmWeg
2007 World Celebration Gala Exhibition to another piece from Safri Duo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpYW552maf4
2007 Europeans LP Pirates of the Caribbean (2nd in LP, 3rd overall)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNQjn5gEItc (ESPN)
Lord of the Dance Exhibition
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6wwdpCRDYQ&feature=related
2004 Worlds LP Robin Hood (BBC) (wonderful performance & wonderful commentary) watch this one!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSz7EozAWJo
Articles:
Kevin's Ice Network Biography
http://web.icenetwork.com/skaters/detail.jsp?id=100211&mode=I
Kevin married Jenna McCorkell, Senior Ladies' competitor from GBR in May. Jenna's
website has pictures and an article.
http://www.jennamccorkell.com/
Articles about Kevin are mostly not in English. However, the pictures that go with them are
great.Here's an example.
http://www.sport-planet.eu/news/149/ARTICLE/13357/2008-10-14.html (Dutch)
P.S. Kevin's wife Jenna did really well at Finlandia. I hope she has enhanced his style and
transitions as much as he has helped her jumps!
http://www.colerainetimes.co.uk/sport/ICE-SKATING-FintastIc-Jenna.4592856.jp
Fan Website
http://www.kevinvdperren.com/
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2 Ian MARTINEZ CAN 2
With Jeff Buttle retiring, and Fedor Andreev and Chris Mabee having lost interest in competing, at least so it seems, young Canadian skaters are taking their places on the Grand Prix. I could only find one video clip of Ian, but he is clearly a skater of great panache and style.Ian skated in the JGP last year. He earned his place here at Skate America by skating very well in the Quebec summer competition, finishing third behind Shawn Sawyer. He has 3Lz3T and was
rotating his 3A in Quebec. He has a lot of rhythm and personality on the ice.
Coach: Manon Perron Choreographer: Sebastien Britten, Julie Marcotte
Personal Best Total Score 153.49 JGP Tallinn Cup 2007
Personal Best Score Short Program 52.13 JGP Budapest 2006
Personal Best Score Free Skating 101.70 JGP Tallinn Cup 2007
Recent Competitions:
2008 Canadian National Championships 9 10 10 (171.90)
2008 Senior Challenge 11 4 6 (161.91)
2007 John Curry Memorial [JGP] 10 9 10 (147.97)
2007 Tallinn Cup [JGP] 6 5 5 (153.49)
2007 Canadian Junior National Championships 6 2 4 (142.09)
2007 Junior Eastern Challenge 2 1 1 (135.88)
2006 JGP Liberec 16 9 10 (139.80)
2006 JGP Hungary 5 5 5 (144.23)
2006 Junior North American Challenge Skate - Vancouver 1 2 1 (145.53)
2006 Canadian Junior National Championships 10 5 6 (127.93)
2006 Junior Eastern Challenge 2 8 7 (116.00)
2006 Québec Junior Sectionals 3 3 3 (125.34)
2005 Junior North American Challenge Skate - Pierrefonds 7 4 6 (109.62)
2005 Canadian Novice National Championships 11 2 3 (87.63)
2005 Novice Eastern Challenge 3 6 6 (79.33)
2005 Québec Novice Sectionals 3 4 4
Videos:
2008 Canadian Nationals SP Mambo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VR2KBw76tsE
======================================================
3 Kevin REYNOLDS CAN 2
Kevin Reynolds has a 4S, a 4T, triple axels, and quad three jump combinations. However, he has gotten horrible PCS scores in the past. He did some work with Tarasova this summer to improve on his footwork and PCS. Preliminary evidence is that it did some good, as he won Golden West in LA with a huge score of 215.85 this summer. Granted, summer competitions are overgraded, but 18 year old Kevin is a skater to watch for in the future.
Coach: Joanne McLeod Choreographer: Joanne McLeod
SP
LP
Personal Best Total Score 186.69 Cup of Russia 2007
Personal Best Score Short Program 59.52 World Junior Championships 2007
Personal Best Score Free Skating 127.23 Cup of Russia 2007
Recent Competitions
http://www.allyearfsc.com/events/GOLDEN_WEST/2008results/Senior/SEG004.HTM
His LP at Golden West:
1 Kevin REYNOLDS 139.94 79.56 60.38 6.19 5.56 6.00 6.25 6.19 0.00 #6
His SP at Golden West:
1 Kevin REYNOLDS 75.91 43.65 32.26 6.50 5.88 6.50 6.69 6.69 0.00 #5
2008 World Junior Championships 13 4 6 (180.78)
2008 Canadian National Championships 7 5 6 (182.58)
2007 Cup of Russia 11 6 8 (186.69)
2007 Skate America 7 9 9 (169.12)
2007 World Junior Championships 4 5 5 (178.32)
2007 Canadian National Championships 16 6 11 (169.47)
2007 Junior Grand Prix Final 7 3 3 (161.30)
2006 Chinese Taipei Cup [JGP] 4 1 2 (169.43)
2006 JGP Mexico 1 2 1 (156.19)
2006 World Junior Championships 11 5 7 (165.14)
2006 Canadian National Championships 11 6 9 (197.67)
Videos:
2008 Canadian Nationals SP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyNzWt6HTEA
Articles:
Kevin's Ice Network Biography
http://web.icenetwork.com/skaters/detail.jsp?id=100252&mode=I
October article about training with Tarasova
http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/sports/story.html?id=1f7d2d0b-44a1-4dd2-8f1c-d17f06b99d6c
2004 Golden Skate Article about Kevin when he was really young!
http://www.goldenskate.com/articles/2003/020504.shtml
Post 2007 Cup of Russia-Kevin is the first skater ever to land 4S3T2Lp
http://www.goteborg.com/templates/FullPage.aspx?id=25948
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4 Shawn SAWYER CAN 2
He just needs a bit more height in his jumps! Great creativity and musicality, and greatflexibility in everything he does. David Wilson is his choreographer, and other than the jumps, Shawn gives him everything a choreographer could want to display his creations. Shawn's the Canadian male version of Alissa Czisny, and I just wish Brian Boitano & Linda Leaver would take him under their wings as they did Alissa. Shawn was the little kid in the 1997 Goodbye Tribute to Toller Cranston. Shawn skates in parts 1 and 3. I only have part 4
Coach: Annie Barabe Choreographer: David Wilson
SP: Another Brick in the Wall by Pink Floyd (he used the same program last year)
LP: Amadeus
Personal Best Total Score 195.17 HomeSense Skate Canada Intern. 2006
Personal Best Score Short Program 67.20 XX Olympic Winter Games 2006
Personal Best Score Free Skating 128.42 HomeSense Skate Canada Intern. 2006
Recent Competition Results:
2008 Quebec Summer Competition 1st
2008 Four Continents Championships 10 7 9 (187.18)
2008 Canadian National Championships 6 3 3 (197.48)
2007 NHK Trophy 9 8 9 (180.35)
2007 Cup of China 5 10 7 (170.94)
2007 Canadian National Championships 4 3 4 (199.24)
2006 Trophée Eric Bompard 8 8 8 (177.51)
2006 Skate Canada 6 3 4 (195.17)
2006 World Championships 25 17 21 (201.05)
2006 Olympic Games 12 12 12 (190.83)
2006 Canadian National Championships 3 4 3 (232.90)
2005 Cup of Russia 9 5 7 (185.65)
2005 Skate Canada 5 5 6 (180.76)
Videos:
2008 Summer Competition first part of program
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nF8kfBIckZ0
2008 Summer competition second part of program
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p472bpFDHNA&feature=related
2008 Canadian Nationals LP Moments in Love by The Art of Noise (I
this program!!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teoT7J5ZS7I
2008 Canadian Nationals SP Another Brick in the Wall
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evU0Yhlt63Y&feature=related
2007 Canadian Nationals Gala music Home by Michael Buble
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZxJEqlp4qE&feature=related
2006 Skate Canada Exhibition (4th place) This is a Song for the Broken Hearted (back flip)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MztipvqEr6w
2006 Olympics SP (his best ever SP) Libertango (BBC)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMZ7S8kCIoA
2005 Canadian Nationals Exhibition (bronze medal) La Cucaracha Flamenco
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcj2vL0YWq8
Rockabilly Christmas Exhibition
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZsPigsZqIA
Articles:
Shawn's Ice Network Biography
http://web.icenetwork.com/skaters/detail.jsp?id=100434&mode=I
Shawn will replace Buttle at Skate Canada by Laurie Nealin (& Shawn is an artist with paint as well as on ice)
http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080922&content_id=51948&vkey=ice_news
fan website (lots more videos here!)
www.skateshawn.com
==============================================
5 Takahiko KOZUKA JPN 3
With Oda doing a timeout, Takahiko is the Japanese Nationals silver medallist in seniors. He is the son of figure skaters. His father was Japanese champion, and his mother was an ice dancer. He was Junior World champion in 2006.
Coach: Nobuo Sato Kumiko Sato, Tsuguhiko Kozuka (his father) Choreographer: Yuko Sato
SP: Take Five by David Brubeck
LP: Romeo and Juliet (soundtrack) by Nino Rota
Personal Best Total Score 208.34 NHK Trophy 2006
Personal Best Score Short Program 70.91 World Championships 2008
Personal Best Score Free Skating 140.39 NHK Trophy 2006
Recent Competitions
2008 World Championships 8 8 8 (205.15)
2008 Four Continents Championships 7 6 8 (196.38)
2008 Japanese National Championships 2 2 2 (219.34)
2007 Cup of Russia 7 4 5 (199.98)
2007 Skate America 10 7 8 (177.47)
2007 Japan Open - 4 1 (Team)
2007 Asian Winter Games 5 4 4 (177.11)
2007 Japanese National Championships 5 6 6 (200.88)
2006 NHK Trophy 4 3 3 (208.34)
2006 Trophée Eric Bompard 11 6 6 (177.85)
2006 World Junior Championships 2 1 1 (180.05)
2006 Japanese National Championships 10 3 4 (193.00)
2006 Junior Grand Prix Final 1 1 1 (178.72)
2005 SBC Cup [JGP] 3 1 1 (158.94)
2005 JGP Montréal 3 2 2 (157.27)
2005 Japanese National Championships 1 6 4 (182.69)
Videos:
2006 Jr Worlds SP Sing, Sing, Sing by Benny Goodman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ya-kgkmAiw
2006 Jr Worlds LP Piano Concerto in F by George Gershwin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho2ia2FSpdE&feature=related
2008 Worlds LP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QImZThvC3c0&feature=related
2008 Worlds SP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpOvvHic-J0&feature=related
Articles:
Takahiko's IceNetwork Biography
http://web.icenetwork.com/skaters/detail.jsp?id=100221&mode=I
This website has an interview with Takahiko
Here's the translated from Russian version
http://translate.google.com/transla.../search?q=Takahiko+kozuka&start=20&hl=en&sa=N
The Russian version of the page
http://fsnews.ru/page-id-43.html
Fan Website
http://takahiko-kozuka.com/takahiko_top_2.htm
English Translated version of website
http://translate.google.com/transla.../search?q=Takahiko+kozuka&start=20&hl=en&sa=N
Another fan website (English)
http://takahikokozuka.com/Eng/index.html
And the Japanese version
http://takahikokozuka.com/
=============================================
6 Alexander USPENSKI RUS 4
Alexander's brother, Vladimir is also an active competitive skater for Russia. Alexander has never quite broken through to the top ranks of the sport in seniors. He has not medalled at Russian senior championships yet, either.
I'm hoping he'll really break through this year.
Coach: Marina Kudriavtseva, Leonid Raitsin Choreographer:Morosov, according to his website
SP: music by Richard Clayderman
LP: music by Sergei Rachmaninoff
Personal Best Total Score 189.17 Cup of Russia 2007
Personal Best Score Short Program 65.64 Budapest Junior Grand Prix 2004
Personal Best Score Free Skating 125.43 Cup of Russia 2007
Recent Competitions:
2008 Russian National Championships 5 6 5 (180.96)
2007 Cup of Russia 8 7 7 (189.17)
2007 Cup of China 6 4 5 (179.94)
2007 Nebelhorn Trophy 5 7 7 (162.66)
2006 NHK Trophy 6 5 5 (183.36)
2006 Cup of China 9 5 6 (178.59)
2006 Finlandia Trophy 3 3 2 (184.63)
2006 World Junior Championships 12 8 8 (157.68)
2006 Russian National Championships 4 4 4
2006 Junior Grand Prix Final 2 5 4 (160.76)
2005 Gdansk Cup [JGP] 1 1 1 (176.43)
2005 JGP Slovakia 1 1 1 (169.69)
Articles:
Alexander's IceNetwork Biography
http://web.icenetwork.com/skaters/detail.jsp?id=100408&mode=I
2004/2005 season Q&A with Absolute Skating
http://www.absoluteskating.com/interviews/2005interviewsashau.htm
2006/2007 interview with figureskating-online after NHK
http://www.figureskating-online.com/pageID_4544472.html
2008/2009 season news from his website
http://www.uspenski.ru/site/epages/iframenews.html
2008 Q&A with Korean fans (translated)
http://www.uspenski.ru/site/epages/iframepress17.html
Videos:
2008 Russian Nationals LP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFmZqD4Gg5w&feature=related
2008 Russian Nationals SP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26bMRpHNHQU&feature=related
Stars of 2014 Exhibition Danse Macabre
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zNezT9AkNE
2007 Cup of Russia SP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgK5QGDVi0c
2007 Cup of China Exhibition Shostakovich waltz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbN8uIfZMq0
2004 Budapest JGP (His highest ever SP score)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fPwm0tnTPQ
Fan website
http://www.uspenski.ru/ (Russian/English)
============================================
7 Igor MACYPURA SVK 5
Igor struggles a bit with his jumps, but has a 3A and a 3F3T in his SP. He tends to fall apart a bit in the LP. His step sequences are only level one, so he leaves a lot of points on the table there. He used to skate for the US, but like many with dual citizenship, has chosen to skate for another country, in this case Slovakia. He has changed coaches to Delilah Sappenfield which I find odd. I wonder whether he is considering skating pairs?
Coach: Delilah Sappenfield Choreographer: Ivan Dinev
SP:
LP:
Personal Best Total Score 174.94 World Championships 2007
Personal Best Score Short Program 61.25 World Championships 2007
Personal Best Score Free Skating 113.69 World Championships 2007
Recent Competitions:
2008 Coupe de Nice (187.71) 3 2 3 (Preaubert and Ponsero are ahead of Igor)
For Igor to be 2nd in the LP is very promising for him!
2008 Karl SCHÄFER Memorial 5 7 6 (160.22)
2008 Nebelhorn Trophy 9 17 13 (152.36)
2008 Triglav Trophy 2 2 2 (149.94)
2008 World Championships 19 21 21 (169.93)
2008 European Championships 33 33 (FNR)
2007 Nebelhorn Trophy 4 3 4 (177.13)
2007 Ondrej Nepela Memorial 5 8 6 (143.28)
2007 World Championships 21 22 21 (174.94)
2007 European Championships 20 12 17 (159.61)
2007 Czech and Slovak National Championships 2 2 2 (155.31)
2006 Karl Schäfer Memorial 9 7 9 (153.66)
2006 Nebelhorn Trophy 15 4 9 (149.34)
2006 Ondrej Nepela Memorial 1 3 3 (145.07)
2006 World Championships 28 27
2006 European Championships 30 30 (42.00)
2005 Karl Schäfer Memorial 9 8 8 (146.55)
2005 Ondrej Nepela Memorial 16 7 10 (133.15)
2004 U.S. Junior National Championships 1 9 8
2004 U.S. Pacific Coast Junior Sectionals 1 2 2
2004 U.S. Central Pacific Junior Regionals 1 2 2
2003 U.S. Pacific Coast Junior Sectionals 3 7 6
2003 U.S. Central Pacific Junior Regionals 1 1 1
2002 U.S. Junior Pacific Coast Sectionals 7 7 7
Videos:
2008/2009 Karl SCHÄFER Memorial SP where he finished 5th
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uz9jNsmC6bQ
Igor Being Crazy Enough to try a Quad Axel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uG_uc4O3DVE&feature=related
2008 Worlds LP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL_J612IPO0
2008 Worlds SP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wOHKP32GCA&feature=related
2007 Worlds LP The Rock (Eurosport France)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLEV_D7BO0E
2007 Europeans SP Carmina Burana (Eurosport France)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78Bw38Euh8k
Articles:
Tracings biography
http://tracings.net/mats-igor.html
Website:
http://www.figureskatingonline.info/skaterbio.php?id=FSSVK11004198501
============================================
Adrian did a dyn-o-mite job, skating at home at Worlds last year, garnering
personal best scores in every category.
8 Adrian SCHULTHEISS SWE 6
Coach: Evgeni Lutkov Choreographer: Galina Lutkova
Personal Best Total Score 194.39 World Championships 2008
Personal Best Score Short Program 66.45 World Championships 2008
Personal Best Score Free Skating 127.94 World Championships 2008
Recent Results:
2008 World Championships 13 13 13 (194.39)
2008 World Junior Championships 19 15 18 (154.12)
2008 European Championships 8 6 6 (184.94)
2008 Swedish National Championships 2 2 2 (192.78)
2007 Golden Spin of Zagreb 2 2 2 (175.90)
2007 Sofia Cup [JGP] 5 7 6 (153.66)
2007 Vienna Cup [JGP] 2 5 4 (166.46)
2007 World Junior Championships 9 15 14 (151.29)
2007 Nordic Championships 2 3 2 (145.70)
2007 Swedish National Championships 3 2 2 (150.18)
2006 Coupe Internationale de Nice 4 3 3 (150.25)
2006 JGP Liberec 7 4 5 (153.77)
2006 Spin of Norway [JGP] 3 7 6 (139.69)
2006 World Junior Championships 16 16 16 (146.27)
2006 Junior Heiko-Fischer-Pokal 2 7 8 (122.58)
2006 Nordic Championships 1 2 1 (177.41)
2006 European Championships 17 22 20 (149.10)
2006 Swedish National Championships 2 1 1 (174.99)
2006 Junior Grand Prix Final 5 9 9 (135.72)
Videos:
2008 Worlds Ex My Way (BBC)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XKzbgdKQig
2008 Worlds SP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nc6pmOLATXk
2008 Worlds LP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxEDo1K3hIY&feature=related
Articles:
Adrian's Ice Network Biography
http://web.icenetwork.com/skaters/detail.jsp?id=100631&mode=I
Great New Interview with Scandanavian Skating
http://www.scandinavianskating.net/content/view/50/1/
Q&A with Absolute Skating "Gold is Always Golden"
http://www.absoluteskating.com/interviews/2008adrianschultheiss.htm
Fan Website
http://adrianschultheiss.t35.com/
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Evan is seeking to widen his artistic range by having Tarasova choreograph
for him. This didn't work out that well for other American skaters, even the
Russo-phile and Russian speaker Johnny Weir. I'm puzzled why Evan made
this particular choice. It isn't like Tarasova picked out something stunningly
original for him to skate to. (And Bolero is still Spanish influence...)
Here at Skate America, US Figure Skating has chosen to handicap its two best men by insuring that one of them loses at least 2 Grand Prix score points. I guess they are trying to grow the gate at Everett, but I think it is a bit short sighted.
9 Evan LYSACEK USA 7
Coach: Frank Carroll Choreographer: Tatiana Tarasova
SP: Bolero by Maurice Ravel
LP: Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin
Personal Best Total Score 233.11 Four Continents Championships 2008
Personal Best Score Short Program 84.06 Four Continents Championships 2008
Personal Best Score Free Skating 159.23 Four Continents Championships 2007
Recent Competitions:
2008 Four Continents Championships 2 3 3 (233.11)
2008 U.S. National Championships 2 1 1 (244.77)
2008 Grand Prix Final 3 3 3 (229.78)
2007 Cup of China 1 2 2 (229.36)
2007 Skate America 2 1 2 (220.08)
2007 World Championships 5 5 5 (222.18)
2007 Four Continents Championships 4 1 1 (226.27)
2007 U.S. National Championships 1 1 1 (248.88)
2006 Cup of China 2 1 1 (220.04)
2006 Skate America 3 1 2 (221.09)
2006 Campbell's Cup N/A 2 1 (Team)
2006 World Championships 8 3 3 (255.22)
2006 Olympic Games 10 3 4 (220.13)
2006 U.S. National Championships 3 1 2 (224.47)
Videos:
2008 4CC's SP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnBIf8wbazI&feature=related
2008 4CC's LP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XFEaZFlV1U
Doing a Pair throw with Jeff Buttle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_PXHg5qs3o&feature=related
2007 COI exhibition Need You Tonight
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgXoNfTNbeQ
2003 Jr Worlds EX Time to Say Goodbye
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i6vJr2XPoo&feature=related
2001 Jr Worlds LP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMf77ij4VWo
2001 Jr Worlds EX Let's Get Loud
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLglkhozLe4&feature=related
Articles:
Evan's IceNetwork Biography
http://web.icenetwork.com/skaters/detail.jsp?id=100081&mode=I
Seattle Times pre Skate America puff piece on Evan
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/othersports/2008283514_skate19.html
Ice Network article, Lysacek and friends host "An Evening of Hope" by Paul LaTour
http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080929&content_id=52192&vkey=ice_news
August Icenetwork interview with Evan, about reinventing himself and about a friend who died of cancer
http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080812&content_id=50722&vkey=ice_news
February Golden Skate Article by Elvin Walker; Photo by Barry Mittan "Lysacek sees mental toughness as key to retaining U.S. National title"
Fan website
http://www.figureskatersonline.com/evanlysacek/
===================================================
10 Adam RIPPON USA 7
Adam is the US Jr Champion and the World Jr Champion. This is his first trip to Skate America, but I am sure it will not be his last.
Coach: Nikolai Morozov Choreographer: Nikolai Morozov
SP: Storm by Vanessa Mae
LP: Send In The Clowns by various artists; I Pagliacci by by Ruggero Leoncavallo
Personal Best Total Score 203.20 ISU Junior Grand Prix Final 2008
Personal Best Score Short Program 69.35 World Junior Championships 2008
Personal Best Score Free Skating 134.77 ISU Junior Grand Prix Final 2008
Recent competitions:
2008 World Junior Championships 1 1 1 (199.90)
2008 U.S. Junior National Championships 1 1 1 (213.76)
2008 Junior Grand Prix Final 1 1 1 (203.20)
2007 Sofia Cup [JGP] 1 2 2 (187.67)
2007 Harghita Cup [JGP] 1 1 1 (185.94)
2007 U.S. Junior National Championships 7 7 6 (158.50)
2007 U.S. Eastern Junior Sectionals 1 1 1 (177.69)
2007 U.S. South Atlantic Junior Regionals 1 1 1 (139.44)
2006 U.S. Junior National Championships 8 12 11 (134.19)
2006 U.S. Eastern Junior Sectionals 3 2 3 (151.28)
2006 U.S. South Atlantic Junior Regionals 1 1 1
2005 Croatia Cup [JGP] 6 5 6 (146.57)
2005 Junior Triglav Trophy 4 1 1
2005 U.S. Novice National Championships 1 2 2
2005 U.S. Eastern Novice Sectionals 1 1 1
2005 U.S. South Atlantic Novice Regionals 2 4 4
Videos:
2008 Jr Worlds SP Bach Toccata and Fugue
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWeBYxSj8pI
2008 Jr Worlds LP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6j_pmIZxAS0
2008 Nationals Exhibition
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSGZh5hiJrw&feature=related
2007 Liberty LP Moonlight Sonata
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i6vJr2XPoo&feature=related
2008 Liberty SP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZDQ8qMwhk4
2007 Ingolstadt Gala (German Eurosport)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-B1kpuSKsbI&feature=related
Articles
Adam's IceNetwork Biography
http://web.icenetwork.com/skaters/detail.jsp?id=100071&mode=I
2008 Golden Skate Article and interview by Barry Mittan
http://www.goldenskate.com/articles/2007/041208.shtml
July IceNetwork article about Adam by Lynn Rutherford
http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080728&content_id=49656&vkey=ice_news
2007 NBC Interview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fM3A0c9WOE&feature=related
Fan website
http://www.figureskatersonline.com/adamrippon/
===============================================
Just like any year, I can't wait to see what Johnny is going to put out for programs. I can't wait to see how he and Evan stack up against each other this year. I hope he will land his quad with no two footedness. I can't wait to see what crazy things he does and says. No one is as interesting in skating today as Johnny Weir.
11 Johnny WEIR USA 7
Coach: Galina Zmievskaya, Viktor Petrenko Choreographer: Denis Petukhov, Faye Kitarieva, Nina Petrenko
SP: "On the Wings of Time" by Saint-Preux
LP: music from French-Canadian musical "Notre Dame de Paris"
Personal Best Total Score 231.78 Cup of China 2007
Personal Best Score Short Program 80.79 World Championships 2008
Personal Best Score Free Skating 151.98 Cup of China 2007
Recent Competitions:
2008 World Championships 2 5 3 (221.84)
2008 U.S. National Championships 1 2 2 (244.77)
2008 Grand Prix Final 4 4 4 (216.16)
2007 Cup of Russia 2 1 1 (229.96)
2007 Cup of China 2 1 1 (231.78)
2007 International Counter Match 1 1 (Team)
2007 World Championships 4 10 8 (206.97)
2007 U.S. National Championships 2 4 3 (213.20)
2007 Grand Prix Final 5 - W
2006 Cup of Russia 2 5 2 (196.28)
2006 Skate Canada 2 4 3 (198.70)
2006 Campbell's Cup 1 N/A 1 (Team)
2006 World Championships 5 8 7 (235.57)
2006 Olympic Games 2 6 5 (216.63)
2006 U.S. National Championships 1 3 1 (225.34)
Videos:
2008 Festa on Ice in South Korea; Ave Maria; I'm Feeling Good
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjF6Y5ivRLM
2008 Worlds Championship SP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmQqSkZO2U0
2006 Olympics SP The Swan (he called it Camille) (BBC)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXki1fI8ejo
2005 US Nationals Otonal LP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ttNzEwPMLM&feature=related
2005 US Nationals Exhibition Unchained Melody
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxO4Z1dq-80
Articles:
Johnny's IceNetwork Biography
http://web.icenetwork.com/skaters/detail.jsp?id=100084&mode=I
Weir Blogs for the Washington Post, lamenting COP (scroll down)
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/olympics/?hpid=news-col-blog-viewall
October 2008 article by Johnny Weir
Weir visits St. Petersburg to skate in "Ice Stories"
http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081008&content_id=52658&vkey=ice_news
Johnny won the Skating Reader's Choice award back in July
http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080724&content_id=49649&vkey=ice_pressrelease
February Golden Skate article by Elvin Walker' Photo by Barry Mittan
Weir fired up to win fourth U.S. National title
http://www.goldenskate.com/articles/2007/011708.shtml
Fan website
http://www.figureskatersonline.com/johnnyweir/
=======================================================
So that's it for the men. It will be quite a competition for sure.
It's time to make some watered down Swiss Miss cocoa, buy a tray of soggy french fries, and attend to the preview of the Men's Event at Skate America.
The Everett Washington area paper is pumping up the competition
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20081019/SPORTS/710199960&SearchID=73333430017733
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20081019/NEWS01/710199887
Ice Network reports on the Men's Rankings and previews the season:
http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081017&content_id=53526&vkey=ice_news
I don't think the importance of the Grand Prix can be underestimated this year. Jeff Buttle, the reigning World Champion, has retired. Stephane Lambiel has retired. Stephane was fifth at Worlds last year, and the reigning Olympic silver medallist. The Olympics are next year, soof course all the men will be vying for that edge in placement going in to them.
=================================================
First up is:
1 Kevin VAN DER PERREN BEL 1
Kevin van der Perren placed sixth at Worlds last year, his highest placement ever. ( Ice Network places him seventh in World standings. ) But more important, he placed third in the long program ahead of Johnny Weir. Kevin has HUGE jumps, especially his 3F+3T+3Lo, which he performs in the second part of his program and which has a 15.95 base value with the bonus. Kevin's skating is all about power and animal magnetism. He upgraded his spins to level 4 last year, but still uses relatively simple step sequences. Both of the musical pieces he's chosen will lend themselvs very well to displaying his particular strong points. However, he has had some kind of injury that caused him to withdraw from Finlandia, and he has been getting married and swapping coaches and locations in the off season. At worlds, they said he was getting surgery for a recurring hip problem in the off season. He may not be quite up to full strength here. In general, Kevin is an LP program skater, so even if his SP is sub par, be sure to show up for the LP.
Coach: Silvie De Rijcke Choreographer: Juri Bureiko
SP: Night on Bald Mountain by Modest Mussorgski
LP: Hero's in Action by Safri Duo
Personal Best Total Score 216.02 World Championships 2008
Personal Best Score Short Program 72.83 ISU Grand Prix Final 2008
Personal Best Score Free Skating 145.78 World Championships 2008
Recent Competitive History
Withdrew from the recent Finlandia competition due to injury
2008 World Championships 9 3 6 (216.02)
2008 European Championships 4 5 5 (199.57)
2008 Grand Prix Final 5 6 6 (189.52)
2007 Trophée Eric Bompard 3 4 4 (204.75)
2007 Skate Canada 5 1 2 (202.55)
2007 Finlandia Trophy 6 3 3 (168.64)
2007 Ondrej Nepela Memorial 2 1 1 (165.71)
2007 European Championships 4 2 3 (204.85)
2006 NHK Trophy 5 7 6 (178.90)
2007 Belgian National Championships 1 1 1 (173.11)
2006 Skate America 5 5 4 (178.52)
2006 Olympic Games 13 8 9 (197.39)
2006 European Championships 11 7 7 (182.32)
2005 NHK Trophy 6 6 5 (170.55)
2005 Skate America 2 4 4 (185.09)
Videos:
His Finlandia 2008 SP (Night On Bald Mountain) home video (his 3A and 3F3t are fine, but it
looks like his stamina is not yet up to snuff)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3jevQ0BTu4
His best ever LP, 3rd place at Worlds, covered by the BBC; Safri Duo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4omQ7oW9Iew
2007 Europeans Exhibition Tango Roxanne from Moulin Rouge (France 3)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctF-ZzFmWeg
2007 World Celebration Gala Exhibition to another piece from Safri Duo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpYW552maf4
2007 Europeans LP Pirates of the Caribbean (2nd in LP, 3rd overall)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNQjn5gEItc (ESPN)
Lord of the Dance Exhibition
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6wwdpCRDYQ&feature=related
2004 Worlds LP Robin Hood (BBC) (wonderful performance & wonderful commentary) watch this one!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSz7EozAWJo
Articles:
Kevin's Ice Network Biography
http://web.icenetwork.com/skaters/detail.jsp?id=100211&mode=I
Kevin married Jenna McCorkell, Senior Ladies' competitor from GBR in May. Jenna's
website has pictures and an article.
http://www.jennamccorkell.com/
Articles about Kevin are mostly not in English. However, the pictures that go with them are
great.Here's an example.
http://www.sport-planet.eu/news/149/ARTICLE/13357/2008-10-14.html (Dutch)
P.S. Kevin's wife Jenna did really well at Finlandia. I hope she has enhanced his style and
transitions as much as he has helped her jumps!
http://www.colerainetimes.co.uk/sport/ICE-SKATING-FintastIc-Jenna.4592856.jp
Fan Website
http://www.kevinvdperren.com/
===========================================================
2 Ian MARTINEZ CAN 2
With Jeff Buttle retiring, and Fedor Andreev and Chris Mabee having lost interest in competing, at least so it seems, young Canadian skaters are taking their places on the Grand Prix. I could only find one video clip of Ian, but he is clearly a skater of great panache and style.Ian skated in the JGP last year. He earned his place here at Skate America by skating very well in the Quebec summer competition, finishing third behind Shawn Sawyer. He has 3Lz3T and was
rotating his 3A in Quebec. He has a lot of rhythm and personality on the ice.
Coach: Manon Perron Choreographer: Sebastien Britten, Julie Marcotte
Personal Best Total Score 153.49 JGP Tallinn Cup 2007
Personal Best Score Short Program 52.13 JGP Budapest 2006
Personal Best Score Free Skating 101.70 JGP Tallinn Cup 2007
Recent Competitions:
2008 Canadian National Championships 9 10 10 (171.90)
2008 Senior Challenge 11 4 6 (161.91)
2007 John Curry Memorial [JGP] 10 9 10 (147.97)
2007 Tallinn Cup [JGP] 6 5 5 (153.49)
2007 Canadian Junior National Championships 6 2 4 (142.09)
2007 Junior Eastern Challenge 2 1 1 (135.88)
2006 JGP Liberec 16 9 10 (139.80)
2006 JGP Hungary 5 5 5 (144.23)
2006 Junior North American Challenge Skate - Vancouver 1 2 1 (145.53)
2006 Canadian Junior National Championships 10 5 6 (127.93)
2006 Junior Eastern Challenge 2 8 7 (116.00)
2006 Québec Junior Sectionals 3 3 3 (125.34)
2005 Junior North American Challenge Skate - Pierrefonds 7 4 6 (109.62)
2005 Canadian Novice National Championships 11 2 3 (87.63)
2005 Novice Eastern Challenge 3 6 6 (79.33)
2005 Québec Novice Sectionals 3 4 4
Videos:
2008 Canadian Nationals SP Mambo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VR2KBw76tsE
======================================================
3 Kevin REYNOLDS CAN 2
Kevin Reynolds has a 4S, a 4T, triple axels, and quad three jump combinations. However, he has gotten horrible PCS scores in the past. He did some work with Tarasova this summer to improve on his footwork and PCS. Preliminary evidence is that it did some good, as he won Golden West in LA with a huge score of 215.85 this summer. Granted, summer competitions are overgraded, but 18 year old Kevin is a skater to watch for in the future.
Coach: Joanne McLeod Choreographer: Joanne McLeod
SP
LP
Personal Best Total Score 186.69 Cup of Russia 2007
Personal Best Score Short Program 59.52 World Junior Championships 2007
Personal Best Score Free Skating 127.23 Cup of Russia 2007
Recent Competitions
http://www.allyearfsc.com/events/GOLDEN_WEST/2008results/Senior/SEG004.HTM
His LP at Golden West:
1 Kevin REYNOLDS 139.94 79.56 60.38 6.19 5.56 6.00 6.25 6.19 0.00 #6
His SP at Golden West:
1 Kevin REYNOLDS 75.91 43.65 32.26 6.50 5.88 6.50 6.69 6.69 0.00 #5
2008 World Junior Championships 13 4 6 (180.78)
2008 Canadian National Championships 7 5 6 (182.58)
2007 Cup of Russia 11 6 8 (186.69)
2007 Skate America 7 9 9 (169.12)
2007 World Junior Championships 4 5 5 (178.32)
2007 Canadian National Championships 16 6 11 (169.47)
2007 Junior Grand Prix Final 7 3 3 (161.30)
2006 Chinese Taipei Cup [JGP] 4 1 2 (169.43)
2006 JGP Mexico 1 2 1 (156.19)
2006 World Junior Championships 11 5 7 (165.14)
2006 Canadian National Championships 11 6 9 (197.67)
Videos:
2008 Canadian Nationals SP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyNzWt6HTEA
Articles:
Kevin's Ice Network Biography
http://web.icenetwork.com/skaters/detail.jsp?id=100252&mode=I
October article about training with Tarasova
http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/sports/story.html?id=1f7d2d0b-44a1-4dd2-8f1c-d17f06b99d6c
2004 Golden Skate Article about Kevin when he was really young!
http://www.goldenskate.com/articles/2003/020504.shtml
Post 2007 Cup of Russia-Kevin is the first skater ever to land 4S3T2Lp
http://www.goteborg.com/templates/FullPage.aspx?id=25948
============================================
4 Shawn SAWYER CAN 2
He just needs a bit more height in his jumps! Great creativity and musicality, and greatflexibility in everything he does. David Wilson is his choreographer, and other than the jumps, Shawn gives him everything a choreographer could want to display his creations. Shawn's the Canadian male version of Alissa Czisny, and I just wish Brian Boitano & Linda Leaver would take him under their wings as they did Alissa. Shawn was the little kid in the 1997 Goodbye Tribute to Toller Cranston. Shawn skates in parts 1 and 3. I only have part 4
Coach: Annie Barabe Choreographer: David Wilson
SP: Another Brick in the Wall by Pink Floyd (he used the same program last year)
LP: Amadeus
Personal Best Total Score 195.17 HomeSense Skate Canada Intern. 2006
Personal Best Score Short Program 67.20 XX Olympic Winter Games 2006
Personal Best Score Free Skating 128.42 HomeSense Skate Canada Intern. 2006
Recent Competition Results:
2008 Quebec Summer Competition 1st
2008 Four Continents Championships 10 7 9 (187.18)
2008 Canadian National Championships 6 3 3 (197.48)
2007 NHK Trophy 9 8 9 (180.35)
2007 Cup of China 5 10 7 (170.94)
2007 Canadian National Championships 4 3 4 (199.24)
2006 Trophée Eric Bompard 8 8 8 (177.51)
2006 Skate Canada 6 3 4 (195.17)
2006 World Championships 25 17 21 (201.05)
2006 Olympic Games 12 12 12 (190.83)
2006 Canadian National Championships 3 4 3 (232.90)
2005 Cup of Russia 9 5 7 (185.65)
2005 Skate Canada 5 5 6 (180.76)
Videos:
2008 Summer Competition first part of program
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nF8kfBIckZ0
2008 Summer competition second part of program
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p472bpFDHNA&feature=related
2008 Canadian Nationals LP Moments in Love by The Art of Noise (I
this program!!)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teoT7J5ZS7I
2008 Canadian Nationals SP Another Brick in the Wall
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evU0Yhlt63Y&feature=related
2007 Canadian Nationals Gala music Home by Michael Buble
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZxJEqlp4qE&feature=related
2006 Skate Canada Exhibition (4th place) This is a Song for the Broken Hearted (back flip)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MztipvqEr6w
2006 Olympics SP (his best ever SP) Libertango (BBC)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMZ7S8kCIoA
2005 Canadian Nationals Exhibition (bronze medal) La Cucaracha Flamenco
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcj2vL0YWq8
Rockabilly Christmas Exhibition
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZsPigsZqIA
Articles:
Shawn's Ice Network Biography
http://web.icenetwork.com/skaters/detail.jsp?id=100434&mode=I
Shawn will replace Buttle at Skate Canada by Laurie Nealin (& Shawn is an artist with paint as well as on ice)
http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080922&content_id=51948&vkey=ice_news
fan website (lots more videos here!)
www.skateshawn.com
==============================================
5 Takahiko KOZUKA JPN 3
With Oda doing a timeout, Takahiko is the Japanese Nationals silver medallist in seniors. He is the son of figure skaters. His father was Japanese champion, and his mother was an ice dancer. He was Junior World champion in 2006.
Coach: Nobuo Sato Kumiko Sato, Tsuguhiko Kozuka (his father) Choreographer: Yuko Sato
SP: Take Five by David Brubeck
LP: Romeo and Juliet (soundtrack) by Nino Rota
Personal Best Total Score 208.34 NHK Trophy 2006
Personal Best Score Short Program 70.91 World Championships 2008
Personal Best Score Free Skating 140.39 NHK Trophy 2006
Recent Competitions
2008 World Championships 8 8 8 (205.15)
2008 Four Continents Championships 7 6 8 (196.38)
2008 Japanese National Championships 2 2 2 (219.34)
2007 Cup of Russia 7 4 5 (199.98)
2007 Skate America 10 7 8 (177.47)
2007 Japan Open - 4 1 (Team)
2007 Asian Winter Games 5 4 4 (177.11)
2007 Japanese National Championships 5 6 6 (200.88)
2006 NHK Trophy 4 3 3 (208.34)
2006 Trophée Eric Bompard 11 6 6 (177.85)
2006 World Junior Championships 2 1 1 (180.05)
2006 Japanese National Championships 10 3 4 (193.00)
2006 Junior Grand Prix Final 1 1 1 (178.72)
2005 SBC Cup [JGP] 3 1 1 (158.94)
2005 JGP Montréal 3 2 2 (157.27)
2005 Japanese National Championships 1 6 4 (182.69)
Videos:
2006 Jr Worlds SP Sing, Sing, Sing by Benny Goodman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ya-kgkmAiw
2006 Jr Worlds LP Piano Concerto in F by George Gershwin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho2ia2FSpdE&feature=related
2008 Worlds LP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QImZThvC3c0&feature=related
2008 Worlds SP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpOvvHic-J0&feature=related
Articles:
Takahiko's IceNetwork Biography
http://web.icenetwork.com/skaters/detail.jsp?id=100221&mode=I
This website has an interview with Takahiko
Here's the translated from Russian version
http://translate.google.com/transla.../search?q=Takahiko+kozuka&start=20&hl=en&sa=N
The Russian version of the page
http://fsnews.ru/page-id-43.html
Fan Website
http://takahiko-kozuka.com/takahiko_top_2.htm
English Translated version of website
http://translate.google.com/transla.../search?q=Takahiko+kozuka&start=20&hl=en&sa=N
Another fan website (English)
http://takahikokozuka.com/Eng/index.html
And the Japanese version
http://takahikokozuka.com/
=============================================
6 Alexander USPENSKI RUS 4
Alexander's brother, Vladimir is also an active competitive skater for Russia. Alexander has never quite broken through to the top ranks of the sport in seniors. He has not medalled at Russian senior championships yet, either.
I'm hoping he'll really break through this year.
Coach: Marina Kudriavtseva, Leonid Raitsin Choreographer:Morosov, according to his website
SP: music by Richard Clayderman
LP: music by Sergei Rachmaninoff
Personal Best Total Score 189.17 Cup of Russia 2007
Personal Best Score Short Program 65.64 Budapest Junior Grand Prix 2004
Personal Best Score Free Skating 125.43 Cup of Russia 2007
Recent Competitions:
2008 Russian National Championships 5 6 5 (180.96)
2007 Cup of Russia 8 7 7 (189.17)
2007 Cup of China 6 4 5 (179.94)
2007 Nebelhorn Trophy 5 7 7 (162.66)
2006 NHK Trophy 6 5 5 (183.36)
2006 Cup of China 9 5 6 (178.59)
2006 Finlandia Trophy 3 3 2 (184.63)
2006 World Junior Championships 12 8 8 (157.68)
2006 Russian National Championships 4 4 4
2006 Junior Grand Prix Final 2 5 4 (160.76)
2005 Gdansk Cup [JGP] 1 1 1 (176.43)
2005 JGP Slovakia 1 1 1 (169.69)
Articles:
Alexander's IceNetwork Biography
http://web.icenetwork.com/skaters/detail.jsp?id=100408&mode=I
2004/2005 season Q&A with Absolute Skating
http://www.absoluteskating.com/interviews/2005interviewsashau.htm
2006/2007 interview with figureskating-online after NHK
http://www.figureskating-online.com/pageID_4544472.html
2008/2009 season news from his website
http://www.uspenski.ru/site/epages/iframenews.html
2008 Q&A with Korean fans (translated)
http://www.uspenski.ru/site/epages/iframepress17.html
Videos:
2008 Russian Nationals LP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFmZqD4Gg5w&feature=related
2008 Russian Nationals SP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26bMRpHNHQU&feature=related
Stars of 2014 Exhibition Danse Macabre
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zNezT9AkNE
2007 Cup of Russia SP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgK5QGDVi0c
2007 Cup of China Exhibition Shostakovich waltz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbN8uIfZMq0
2004 Budapest JGP (His highest ever SP score)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fPwm0tnTPQ
Fan website
http://www.uspenski.ru/ (Russian/English)
============================================
7 Igor MACYPURA SVK 5
Igor struggles a bit with his jumps, but has a 3A and a 3F3T in his SP. He tends to fall apart a bit in the LP. His step sequences are only level one, so he leaves a lot of points on the table there. He used to skate for the US, but like many with dual citizenship, has chosen to skate for another country, in this case Slovakia. He has changed coaches to Delilah Sappenfield which I find odd. I wonder whether he is considering skating pairs?
Coach: Delilah Sappenfield Choreographer: Ivan Dinev
SP:
LP:
Personal Best Total Score 174.94 World Championships 2007
Personal Best Score Short Program 61.25 World Championships 2007
Personal Best Score Free Skating 113.69 World Championships 2007
Recent Competitions:
2008 Coupe de Nice (187.71) 3 2 3 (Preaubert and Ponsero are ahead of Igor)
For Igor to be 2nd in the LP is very promising for him!
2008 Karl SCHÄFER Memorial 5 7 6 (160.22)
2008 Nebelhorn Trophy 9 17 13 (152.36)
2008 Triglav Trophy 2 2 2 (149.94)
2008 World Championships 19 21 21 (169.93)
2008 European Championships 33 33 (FNR)
2007 Nebelhorn Trophy 4 3 4 (177.13)
2007 Ondrej Nepela Memorial 5 8 6 (143.28)
2007 World Championships 21 22 21 (174.94)
2007 European Championships 20 12 17 (159.61)
2007 Czech and Slovak National Championships 2 2 2 (155.31)
2006 Karl Schäfer Memorial 9 7 9 (153.66)
2006 Nebelhorn Trophy 15 4 9 (149.34)
2006 Ondrej Nepela Memorial 1 3 3 (145.07)
2006 World Championships 28 27
2006 European Championships 30 30 (42.00)
2005 Karl Schäfer Memorial 9 8 8 (146.55)
2005 Ondrej Nepela Memorial 16 7 10 (133.15)
2004 U.S. Junior National Championships 1 9 8
2004 U.S. Pacific Coast Junior Sectionals 1 2 2
2004 U.S. Central Pacific Junior Regionals 1 2 2
2003 U.S. Pacific Coast Junior Sectionals 3 7 6
2003 U.S. Central Pacific Junior Regionals 1 1 1
2002 U.S. Junior Pacific Coast Sectionals 7 7 7
Videos:
2008/2009 Karl SCHÄFER Memorial SP where he finished 5th
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uz9jNsmC6bQ
Igor Being Crazy Enough to try a Quad Axel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uG_uc4O3DVE&feature=related
2008 Worlds LP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL_J612IPO0
2008 Worlds SP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wOHKP32GCA&feature=related
2007 Worlds LP The Rock (Eurosport France)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLEV_D7BO0E
2007 Europeans SP Carmina Burana (Eurosport France)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78Bw38Euh8k
Articles:
Tracings biography
http://tracings.net/mats-igor.html
Website:
http://www.figureskatingonline.info/skaterbio.php?id=FSSVK11004198501
============================================
Adrian did a dyn-o-mite job, skating at home at Worlds last year, garnering
personal best scores in every category.
8 Adrian SCHULTHEISS SWE 6
Coach: Evgeni Lutkov Choreographer: Galina Lutkova
Personal Best Total Score 194.39 World Championships 2008
Personal Best Score Short Program 66.45 World Championships 2008
Personal Best Score Free Skating 127.94 World Championships 2008
Recent Results:
2008 World Championships 13 13 13 (194.39)
2008 World Junior Championships 19 15 18 (154.12)
2008 European Championships 8 6 6 (184.94)
2008 Swedish National Championships 2 2 2 (192.78)
2007 Golden Spin of Zagreb 2 2 2 (175.90)
2007 Sofia Cup [JGP] 5 7 6 (153.66)
2007 Vienna Cup [JGP] 2 5 4 (166.46)
2007 World Junior Championships 9 15 14 (151.29)
2007 Nordic Championships 2 3 2 (145.70)
2007 Swedish National Championships 3 2 2 (150.18)
2006 Coupe Internationale de Nice 4 3 3 (150.25)
2006 JGP Liberec 7 4 5 (153.77)
2006 Spin of Norway [JGP] 3 7 6 (139.69)
2006 World Junior Championships 16 16 16 (146.27)
2006 Junior Heiko-Fischer-Pokal 2 7 8 (122.58)
2006 Nordic Championships 1 2 1 (177.41)
2006 European Championships 17 22 20 (149.10)
2006 Swedish National Championships 2 1 1 (174.99)
2006 Junior Grand Prix Final 5 9 9 (135.72)
Videos:
2008 Worlds Ex My Way (BBC)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XKzbgdKQig
2008 Worlds SP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nc6pmOLATXk
2008 Worlds LP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxEDo1K3hIY&feature=related
Articles:
Adrian's Ice Network Biography
http://web.icenetwork.com/skaters/detail.jsp?id=100631&mode=I
Great New Interview with Scandanavian Skating
http://www.scandinavianskating.net/content/view/50/1/
Q&A with Absolute Skating "Gold is Always Golden"
http://www.absoluteskating.com/interviews/2008adrianschultheiss.htm
Fan Website
http://adrianschultheiss.t35.com/
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Evan is seeking to widen his artistic range by having Tarasova choreograph
for him. This didn't work out that well for other American skaters, even the
Russo-phile and Russian speaker Johnny Weir. I'm puzzled why Evan made
this particular choice. It isn't like Tarasova picked out something stunningly
original for him to skate to. (And Bolero is still Spanish influence...)
Here at Skate America, US Figure Skating has chosen to handicap its two best men by insuring that one of them loses at least 2 Grand Prix score points. I guess they are trying to grow the gate at Everett, but I think it is a bit short sighted.
9 Evan LYSACEK USA 7
Coach: Frank Carroll Choreographer: Tatiana Tarasova
SP: Bolero by Maurice Ravel
LP: Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin
Personal Best Total Score 233.11 Four Continents Championships 2008
Personal Best Score Short Program 84.06 Four Continents Championships 2008
Personal Best Score Free Skating 159.23 Four Continents Championships 2007
Recent Competitions:
2008 Four Continents Championships 2 3 3 (233.11)
2008 U.S. National Championships 2 1 1 (244.77)
2008 Grand Prix Final 3 3 3 (229.78)
2007 Cup of China 1 2 2 (229.36)
2007 Skate America 2 1 2 (220.08)
2007 World Championships 5 5 5 (222.18)
2007 Four Continents Championships 4 1 1 (226.27)
2007 U.S. National Championships 1 1 1 (248.88)
2006 Cup of China 2 1 1 (220.04)
2006 Skate America 3 1 2 (221.09)
2006 Campbell's Cup N/A 2 1 (Team)
2006 World Championships 8 3 3 (255.22)
2006 Olympic Games 10 3 4 (220.13)
2006 U.S. National Championships 3 1 2 (224.47)
Videos:
2008 4CC's SP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnBIf8wbazI&feature=related
2008 4CC's LP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XFEaZFlV1U
Doing a Pair throw with Jeff Buttle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_PXHg5qs3o&feature=related
2007 COI exhibition Need You Tonight
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgXoNfTNbeQ
2003 Jr Worlds EX Time to Say Goodbye
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i6vJr2XPoo&feature=related
2001 Jr Worlds LP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMf77ij4VWo
2001 Jr Worlds EX Let's Get Loud
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLglkhozLe4&feature=related
Articles:
Evan's IceNetwork Biography
http://web.icenetwork.com/skaters/detail.jsp?id=100081&mode=I
Seattle Times pre Skate America puff piece on Evan
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/othersports/2008283514_skate19.html
Ice Network article, Lysacek and friends host "An Evening of Hope" by Paul LaTour
http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080929&content_id=52192&vkey=ice_news
August Icenetwork interview with Evan, about reinventing himself and about a friend who died of cancer
http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080812&content_id=50722&vkey=ice_news
February Golden Skate Article by Elvin Walker; Photo by Barry Mittan "Lysacek sees mental toughness as key to retaining U.S. National title"
Fan website
http://www.figureskatersonline.com/evanlysacek/
===================================================
10 Adam RIPPON USA 7
Adam is the US Jr Champion and the World Jr Champion. This is his first trip to Skate America, but I am sure it will not be his last.
Coach: Nikolai Morozov Choreographer: Nikolai Morozov
SP: Storm by Vanessa Mae
LP: Send In The Clowns by various artists; I Pagliacci by by Ruggero Leoncavallo
Personal Best Total Score 203.20 ISU Junior Grand Prix Final 2008
Personal Best Score Short Program 69.35 World Junior Championships 2008
Personal Best Score Free Skating 134.77 ISU Junior Grand Prix Final 2008
Recent competitions:
2008 World Junior Championships 1 1 1 (199.90)
2008 U.S. Junior National Championships 1 1 1 (213.76)
2008 Junior Grand Prix Final 1 1 1 (203.20)
2007 Sofia Cup [JGP] 1 2 2 (187.67)
2007 Harghita Cup [JGP] 1 1 1 (185.94)
2007 U.S. Junior National Championships 7 7 6 (158.50)
2007 U.S. Eastern Junior Sectionals 1 1 1 (177.69)
2007 U.S. South Atlantic Junior Regionals 1 1 1 (139.44)
2006 U.S. Junior National Championships 8 12 11 (134.19)
2006 U.S. Eastern Junior Sectionals 3 2 3 (151.28)
2006 U.S. South Atlantic Junior Regionals 1 1 1
2005 Croatia Cup [JGP] 6 5 6 (146.57)
2005 Junior Triglav Trophy 4 1 1
2005 U.S. Novice National Championships 1 2 2
2005 U.S. Eastern Novice Sectionals 1 1 1
2005 U.S. South Atlantic Novice Regionals 2 4 4
Videos:
2008 Jr Worlds SP Bach Toccata and Fugue
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWeBYxSj8pI
2008 Jr Worlds LP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6j_pmIZxAS0
2008 Nationals Exhibition
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSGZh5hiJrw&feature=related
2007 Liberty LP Moonlight Sonata
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i6vJr2XPoo&feature=related
2008 Liberty SP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZDQ8qMwhk4
2007 Ingolstadt Gala (German Eurosport)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-B1kpuSKsbI&feature=related
Articles
Adam's IceNetwork Biography
http://web.icenetwork.com/skaters/detail.jsp?id=100071&mode=I
2008 Golden Skate Article and interview by Barry Mittan
http://www.goldenskate.com/articles/2007/041208.shtml
July IceNetwork article about Adam by Lynn Rutherford
http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080728&content_id=49656&vkey=ice_news
2007 NBC Interview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fM3A0c9WOE&feature=related
Fan website
http://www.figureskatersonline.com/adamrippon/
===============================================
Just like any year, I can't wait to see what Johnny is going to put out for programs. I can't wait to see how he and Evan stack up against each other this year. I hope he will land his quad with no two footedness. I can't wait to see what crazy things he does and says. No one is as interesting in skating today as Johnny Weir.
11 Johnny WEIR USA 7
Coach: Galina Zmievskaya, Viktor Petrenko Choreographer: Denis Petukhov, Faye Kitarieva, Nina Petrenko
SP: "On the Wings of Time" by Saint-Preux
LP: music from French-Canadian musical "Notre Dame de Paris"
Personal Best Total Score 231.78 Cup of China 2007
Personal Best Score Short Program 80.79 World Championships 2008
Personal Best Score Free Skating 151.98 Cup of China 2007
Recent Competitions:
2008 World Championships 2 5 3 (221.84)
2008 U.S. National Championships 1 2 2 (244.77)
2008 Grand Prix Final 4 4 4 (216.16)
2007 Cup of Russia 2 1 1 (229.96)
2007 Cup of China 2 1 1 (231.78)
2007 International Counter Match 1 1 (Team)
2007 World Championships 4 10 8 (206.97)
2007 U.S. National Championships 2 4 3 (213.20)
2007 Grand Prix Final 5 - W
2006 Cup of Russia 2 5 2 (196.28)
2006 Skate Canada 2 4 3 (198.70)
2006 Campbell's Cup 1 N/A 1 (Team)
2006 World Championships 5 8 7 (235.57)
2006 Olympic Games 2 6 5 (216.63)
2006 U.S. National Championships 1 3 1 (225.34)
Videos:
2008 Festa on Ice in South Korea; Ave Maria; I'm Feeling Good
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjF6Y5ivRLM
2008 Worlds Championship SP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmQqSkZO2U0
2006 Olympics SP The Swan (he called it Camille) (BBC)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXki1fI8ejo
2005 US Nationals Otonal LP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ttNzEwPMLM&feature=related
2005 US Nationals Exhibition Unchained Melody
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxO4Z1dq-80
Articles:
Johnny's IceNetwork Biography
http://web.icenetwork.com/skaters/detail.jsp?id=100084&mode=I
Weir Blogs for the Washington Post, lamenting COP (scroll down)
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/olympics/?hpid=news-col-blog-viewall
October 2008 article by Johnny Weir
Weir visits St. Petersburg to skate in "Ice Stories"
http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081008&content_id=52658&vkey=ice_news
Johnny won the Skating Reader's Choice award back in July
http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080724&content_id=49649&vkey=ice_pressrelease
February Golden Skate article by Elvin Walker' Photo by Barry Mittan
Weir fired up to win fourth U.S. National title
http://www.goldenskate.com/articles/2007/011708.shtml
Fan website
http://www.figureskatersonline.com/johnnyweir/
=======================================================
So that's it for the men. It will be quite a competition for sure.
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