- Joined
- Feb 24, 2012
Well the first three Grand Prix events are over. So what is everyone's thoughts and opinions? How are your favourites doing? Any surprises? Any leading skaters for the world title?
After the first three events - Skate America, Skate Canada and Grand Prix of France these are my comments.
GENERAL
Russia is most notably missed in ladies, dance and pairs. The ultra elements are not their in ladies or pairs. Dance S/K definitely would have a chance with Chock and Bates being less than super impressive. In pairs Russia is definitely missed; After Japan and The usa it is a dog's breakfast. the ladies it looks like a whole new competition without a lot of triple axels or quads. And the men Russia is not nearly as formidable but nevertheless they would be medal contenders or pretenders.
PAIRS
Knerim and Fraser have not looked great though there is a lot of time for them to improve. They honestly should have lost to the Canadians. K/F dont have the best vehicles but will still battle for gold without a lot of competition minus Russia, China and Canada not as competitive as usual. However,
that being said S-D/D have better programs and rapidly improving. The Canadians don't have the hardest content but this is a very week year where content is weaker. They need to watch their levels. Knerim and Fraser though are world champs and that gives them a lot of confidence . The Japanese team looks like they are ready to avenge last year's disappointment where they were lucky to win silver. The Germans and Georgians were expected to challenge for the bronze but no one looks that great. Canada could sneak in for that bronze again.
MEN'Ssi,
Shoma looks good to defend his title but his teammates will make him work for for it. Adam from France is becoming a challenger. Jun, Sadovsky, Messing,Moris K, Boyang, Jason, Malinin et al can conest for medals too. Adam, Ilia and Jun stand out but I am hoping Messing puts it together as this appears to be his farewell. I don't have great hope for Roman though I think he has skating skills to rival Jason Brown and greats like Chan and Lambie and Buttle. Malinin is amazing technically A quad axel - not even Yuzuru could do that.
DANCE
I though this was a cake walk for Chock and Bates. But they don't have great vehicles and odn't look so hot. ice dance seems to be like a teeter totter up and down. H/B seemed to be losing ground to the new kids and now they are on the cusp of a medal. Last year Italy was moving up and still moving with retirements and Russian in limbo. They clearly had passed GP and now things have turned. GP appeared to have fallen down the Long and Winding road and now are back up maybe challenging for gold. Both the USA and Canada have a hhe final spots on their ice dance teams. The US clearly have C/B and H/B then it is a bunch of excellent up and coming if not world jr success teams. Canada has GP and the the Danadians who never have seemed to really click totally and move up fully and now they are facing the L teams. Poor Carolane and shane are not even in the mix for a bronze let alone a spot (one of two) for worlds.
LADIES
nOT having the Russians really makes a huge difference. Kaori and Loena are the class and have consistency we have seen BOth are getting better as the season progresses. THe US is rebuilding having lost Liu, Bell, Chen for this year, Nice to see Amber and STarr win medals but these are far cry from the Russians. TO be honest the Koreans should be like the Japanese ladies but have not excelled nearly as well. I wait anxiously for the return of Bradie T. Though I wonder if she is more like Polina Edmonds or even Rachel Flatt and she will retire?
THis is the year after olympics (season) and traditionally a weaker year for skating which it is.
After the first three events - Skate America, Skate Canada and Grand Prix of France these are my comments.
GENERAL
Russia is most notably missed in ladies, dance and pairs. The ultra elements are not their in ladies or pairs. Dance S/K definitely would have a chance with Chock and Bates being less than super impressive. In pairs Russia is definitely missed; After Japan and The usa it is a dog's breakfast. the ladies it looks like a whole new competition without a lot of triple axels or quads. And the men Russia is not nearly as formidable but nevertheless they would be medal contenders or pretenders.
PAIRS
Knerim and Fraser have not looked great though there is a lot of time for them to improve. They honestly should have lost to the Canadians. K/F dont have the best vehicles but will still battle for gold without a lot of competition minus Russia, China and Canada not as competitive as usual. However,
that being said S-D/D have better programs and rapidly improving. The Canadians don't have the hardest content but this is a very week year where content is weaker. They need to watch their levels. Knerim and Fraser though are world champs and that gives them a lot of confidence . The Japanese team looks like they are ready to avenge last year's disappointment where they were lucky to win silver. The Germans and Georgians were expected to challenge for the bronze but no one looks that great. Canada could sneak in for that bronze again.
MEN'Ssi,
Shoma looks good to defend his title but his teammates will make him work for for it. Adam from France is becoming a challenger. Jun, Sadovsky, Messing,Moris K, Boyang, Jason, Malinin et al can conest for medals too. Adam, Ilia and Jun stand out but I am hoping Messing puts it together as this appears to be his farewell. I don't have great hope for Roman though I think he has skating skills to rival Jason Brown and greats like Chan and Lambie and Buttle. Malinin is amazing technically A quad axel - not even Yuzuru could do that.
DANCE
I though this was a cake walk for Chock and Bates. But they don't have great vehicles and odn't look so hot. ice dance seems to be like a teeter totter up and down. H/B seemed to be losing ground to the new kids and now they are on the cusp of a medal. Last year Italy was moving up and still moving with retirements and Russian in limbo. They clearly had passed GP and now things have turned. GP appeared to have fallen down the Long and Winding road and now are back up maybe challenging for gold. Both the USA and Canada have a hhe final spots on their ice dance teams. The US clearly have C/B and H/B then it is a bunch of excellent up and coming if not world jr success teams. Canada has GP and the the Danadians who never have seemed to really click totally and move up fully and now they are facing the L teams. Poor Carolane and shane are not even in the mix for a bronze let alone a spot (one of two) for worlds.
LADIES
nOT having the Russians really makes a huge difference. Kaori and Loena are the class and have consistency we have seen BOth are getting better as the season progresses. THe US is rebuilding having lost Liu, Bell, Chen for this year, Nice to see Amber and STarr win medals but these are far cry from the Russians. TO be honest the Koreans should be like the Japanese ladies but have not excelled nearly as well. I wait anxiously for the return of Bradie T. Though I wonder if she is more like Polina Edmonds or even Rachel Flatt and she will retire?
THis is the year after olympics (season) and traditionally a weaker year for skating which it is.