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Predictions

ImaginaryPogue

Record Breaker
Joined
Jun 3, 2009
It's interesting to see my opinion fracture with the last GP event of the season. I have my desired result in a vacuum (my favourite skaters, etc), my desire result knowing that it'll decide the final GPF slot(s), and then of course the straight up predictions. So all three in one fell swoop.

MEN, Predictions
1. Artur Gachisnki
2. Javier Fernandez
3. Jeremy Abbott
4. Yuzuru Hanyu
5. Konstantin Menshov

WHY: Gachinski will not only get a hometown boost to go along with his quad, the early reports from the test skates suggested he was actually ramping up the PCS difficulty of his programs. Mishin has mentioned that he understands theat COP is more than just jumps (he specifically used the word "transitions"). Fernandez must be flying high since Skate Canada and he'll want to prove that those scores weren't flukey. Jeremy Abbott has a lot of people impressed, and I suspect he's someone who'll benefit from the intra-rink competition that Rippon provides. Hanyu's stamina problems won't disappear overnight, and Menshov? Why not?

In a vacuum: Yuzuru and Javier as 1-2. Rogozine on the podium. Jeremy in fourth, Menshov beating Gachinski

Re the GPF: Yuzuru, Javier, Brezina, Gachinski, Abbott so Javier, Yuzuru and Song join Brezina, Chan and Takahashi.

LADIES
1. Mao Asada
2. Adelina Sotnikova
3. Alena Leonova
4. Kiira Korpi
5. Haruka Imai

WHY: Asada is probably the best skater of the group and will show that. Sotnikova vs Leonova is interesting. If you presume that part of her struggle in CoC was living up the expectation set by Tuktamisheva, I think she'll either be doubly prepared or doubly nervous. I'll go with the former. Leonova? Eh, hometown skater that usually does all right in front of the crowd (CoR 2009, Nationals 2010, Worlds 2011). Korpi will have the PCS to support a so-so skate. Imai's just a guess.

In a Vacuum: Asada, Sotnikova, Korpi, Biryukova, LaCoste

re: the GPF: Don't really care, just want Asada and Sotnikova to make it.

PAIRS
1. Savchenko/Szolkowy
2. Kavaguti/Smirnov
3. Berton/Hotarek
4. Gerboldt/Enbert
5. Stolbova/Klimov
6. Cain/Regan
7. Jones/Gaskell

WHY: Lets see what sticks

In a Vacuum: S/S and K/S tie for Gold. Stolbova/Klimov 3rd.

re: the GPF: S/S, K/S, B/H

DANCE
1. Davis/White
2. Bobrova/Soloviev
3. Weaver/Poje
4. Riazanova/Tkachenko
5. Tobias/Stagniunas

Why: Self explanatory

Hopes: That D/W win with a total score (over both this and SA) that ties V/M's total score from SC and TEB. The conspiracy theories and fan-wars would be epic. That Weaver/Poje have a total that suggests they could flirt with the idea of beating Bobrova/Soloviev on more neutral territory (Nice) without B/S screwing up a la 2011 Worlds (if not beating them here outright). That Riazanova/Tkachenko actually make a play for the second spot and not just settle for third-fending-off-upcoming-juniors.
 

sequinsgalore

Record Breaker
Joined
Dec 12, 2008
My predictions

Mens
1. Javier Fernandez ESP
2. Jeremy Abbott USA
3. Artur Gachinski RUS
4. Yuzuru Hanyu JPN
5. Michal Brezina CZE

I think (hope) Fernandez can repeat or better his performances from SC. Abbott looked solid at CoC but he tech content is not the highest in the field, so he could drop lower if the other guys skate clean. Gachinski is on home turf - perhaps this arena can bring him luck as it did in May. If he delivers a strong long, he could place higher. The same applies for Hanyu who has the jumps, but not the stamina. Brezina has not delivered the promised quads yet so it will be hard for him to place high without others making mistakes. Having already qualified for the Final, he should try the quads.

Ladies
1. Mao Asada JPN
2. Adelina Sotnikova RUS
3. Alena Leononova RUS
4. Kiira Korpi FIN
5. Sofia Biryukova RUS

Asada looked strong at NHK and she usually gets better as the season progresses. Gold will depend on whether she tries the triple axel - she doesn't need the risk. I think Sotnikova will do better than CoC. Leonova could place higher or lower than third, I'm not really sure. She has the jumps, but she placed 9th here last year. Korpi doesn't have the difficulty, but she gets high PCS and the other ladies are inconsistent.

Pairs
1. Savchenko/Szolkowy GER
2. Kavaguti/Smirnov RUS
3. Gerboldt/Enbert RUS
4. Berton/Hotarek ITA
5. Stolbova/Klimov RUS

Either S/S or K/S for the gold. I think S/S will definitely win if they don't attempt the 3A in the SP, as they generally are strong SP skaters. But having qualified for the Final, they might try it again. G/E and B/H fight for the bronze.

Ice Dance
1. Davis/White USA
2. Bobrova/Soloviev RUS
3. Weaver/Poje CAN
4. Riazanova/Tkachenko RUS
5. Tobias/Stagniunas LTU

D/W for gold for sure - even if they fall 3 times. B/S and W/P for silver and bronze, though B/S has achieved the highest score so far this season and they skate on home turf. Perhaps if they skate sloppy, the Canadians can overtake them. Does anyone know if R/T has fixed the FD music?
 
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