After assessing Int B events and the Grand Prix Series I thought I would make a start of the favourites for the upcoming European Championships to be held in Sheffield - GB.
Ladies:
Favourite: Carolina Kostner - Italy
Great choice of programs this year for Carolina (as like last year) she has scaled down her technical repertoire which has helped her mentally and she has slowed slightly to adjust her timing on her jumps, good speed and flow and excellent transitions. Artistry is beautiful, a maturity on the ice.
Closest Challenger: Alena Leonova - Russia
Seems to be getting better as the season progresses, strong points are her mental toughness and a strong flair on the ice - full of emotion, needs to still work on the transitions but her 3+3 is good. finally a medal at Europeans for Alena - possibly Gold.
Other Challengers:
Elene Gedevanishvili - Georgia, Her change of coach has helped her, her spins and steps very good and her triple lutz is probably one of the best.
Viktoria Helgesson - Sweden - Has worked very hard this year and as always (like Caro) her artistry is lovely and a maturity on the ice - a diva. Her jumps seemed to let her down but she is renowned as a free skater, if she puts the jumps together she will be a threat. Programs are also lovely this year.
Elena Glebova - Estonia I thought I put Elena in because on evidence of her B Events she has improved very much (like Elene the change of coach has done her good) she seems to be more faster and her 3+3 is as good as Alena. Her SP in particular is very good. I see a top 8 finish for her next year.
Adelina Sotnikova - Russia, I am assuming she is eligible this year (unlike Liza) she reminds me a lot of Yu Na Kim and on evidence of the grand prix circuit a force to be reckoned with, but making the transition to senior level has not been easy for her, but she is the dark horse. She could win or plummet?.
I have not mentioned Kiira Korpi or Laura Lepisto, but Finland could struggle to get on the podium. The first time since 2006 (Finland has medaled between 2007-2011). Laura has struggled with injuries and we do not know whether she will be back and Kirra has had injury problems this year as well and it has showed as she has not had the time to master the timing on her jumps. Beautiful skaters in their own right we hope they will be back strong for 2013.
Ladies:
Favourite: Carolina Kostner - Italy
Great choice of programs this year for Carolina (as like last year) she has scaled down her technical repertoire which has helped her mentally and she has slowed slightly to adjust her timing on her jumps, good speed and flow and excellent transitions. Artistry is beautiful, a maturity on the ice.
Closest Challenger: Alena Leonova - Russia
Seems to be getting better as the season progresses, strong points are her mental toughness and a strong flair on the ice - full of emotion, needs to still work on the transitions but her 3+3 is good. finally a medal at Europeans for Alena - possibly Gold.
Other Challengers:
Elene Gedevanishvili - Georgia, Her change of coach has helped her, her spins and steps very good and her triple lutz is probably one of the best.
Viktoria Helgesson - Sweden - Has worked very hard this year and as always (like Caro) her artistry is lovely and a maturity on the ice - a diva. Her jumps seemed to let her down but she is renowned as a free skater, if she puts the jumps together she will be a threat. Programs are also lovely this year.
Elena Glebova - Estonia I thought I put Elena in because on evidence of her B Events she has improved very much (like Elene the change of coach has done her good) she seems to be more faster and her 3+3 is as good as Alena. Her SP in particular is very good. I see a top 8 finish for her next year.
Adelina Sotnikova - Russia, I am assuming she is eligible this year (unlike Liza) she reminds me a lot of Yu Na Kim and on evidence of the grand prix circuit a force to be reckoned with, but making the transition to senior level has not been easy for her, but she is the dark horse. She could win or plummet?.
I have not mentioned Kiira Korpi or Laura Lepisto, but Finland could struggle to get on the podium. The first time since 2006 (Finland has medaled between 2007-2011). Laura has struggled with injuries and we do not know whether she will be back and Kirra has had injury problems this year as well and it has showed as she has not had the time to master the timing on her jumps. Beautiful skaters in their own right we hope they will be back strong for 2013.
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