The Big Surprise at Worlds

[icenut84]

If the favourites falter and don't win the gold...

Men - I think Ilia Klimkin will definitely be in with a shot. Also possibly Emanuel Sandhu (I haven't seen him since 03 Worlds so I'm just going by what I've read re: Eman). I don't see either Weir or Weiss winning (never seen Weir skate though). Lambiel's definitely a possibility - he's such an amazing skater, and when he's on, he's ON. (I'd love to see him on the podium!) Griazev - I think he's got a chance for a medal, but I don't see him winning either.

Ladies - Suguri and Sokolova are definitely in with a shot of winning. I haven't seen Arakawa since last year either, but judging from reports she's a hot contender. Sebestyen and Liashenko could be the dark horses for the podium, along with Kirk, Kostner and Ando.

Pairs - Obertas & Slavnov. (Tove - I don't understand why you say they're "unfinished"? I actually think that's one of their strengths.) Petrova & Tikhonov are also definitely contenders - they were terrific at Euros, it was very close with Totmianina & Marinin for gold. Plus there's the two other Chinese teams, and Zagorska & Siudek, who could medal. There could even be a surprise in the top 2 - it depends how Totmianina's injury recovers.

Dance - Joesitz - you didn't mention Grushina & Goncharov. I think they'd have the best chance, seeing as they were 3rd at Euros (and 2nd in the OD). Chait & Sakhnovsky, Delobel & Schoenfelder, Belbin & Agosto and possibly Dubreil & Lauzon are also possibly medallists.

 

[Doggygirl]

Hi Icenut...

I'm just a fan, not very knowledgeable in the details. So maybe I'm the only one LOL. But Johnny Weir's performance at US Nationals brought me to tears. I love that music anyway, and he skated so well it really moved me. That might be one to try to catch on video if you can.

Now...I'm not suggesting where he might place at World's, but I sure hope he can put down a skate like that one, then let the chips fall where they may.

DG

 

[Dee4707]

DG, I'm with you. I am hoping for the biggest surprise and that Johnny will give them a run for their money.

Dee

 

[Ogre Mage]

We all know about Plush and Brian, and Kwan and Cohen but what about some surprise happening?

Ladies - What about these gals?: Arakawa, Suguri, Liashenko, Sebastyen, Kostner, Sokolova?

By next week at this time, we will know it all. Are there any surprises?

Joe

Arakawa: Could be a surprise.
Suguri: Could be a surprise.
Liashenko: No.
Sebastyen: No.
Kostner: Very unlikely. The talent is there, but she has not even finished in the Top 3 at Euros yet. How is she going to win Gold at Worlds?
Sokolova: Only if everyone else splats. Her presentation needs help.

 

[boggartlaura]

Petrova&Tikhonov could win with the way they've been skating.

 

[Ladskater]

Joe:

You forgot to mention Sandhu!!!! He will be going for the gold.

 

[lulu]

For men I see Johnny Weir, Ilia Klimkin, Emanuel Sandhu as being the "darkhorse" in the event.
I don't think they are going to win the Gold (despite his knee injuries my money is still on Plushenko) but I wouldn't be suprised to see any of them on the podium.

 

[Tove]

why I say Obertas & Slavnov is unfinished, is because it's still lacking a little something in their programs, the speed and especially their flow is not always as good as I would wish for. that doesn't stop me from beeing a big fan though!
just think they need a little more time together, and with their new coach and new ideas.

 

[Matt]

There are a couple definite "dark horses", as far as I can see...

Ladies: ARAKAWA. I don't think enough of the posters give her credit. She's been in the top three at each one of her GP events, Japanese Nats, and the GP Final. If she skates anywhere near the way she was skating earlier in the season, then getting into the top three at Worlds shouldn't be all that difficult for her.

Sokolova had a great skate at Euros, and now that she's got her jumps under her will definitely go fo the gold in Dortmund. I don't think she can win it, though. Even though Sokolova may have two triple-triple combos, I just don't see her as refined and polished artistically to be a clean MK. Remember, "the presentation mark is the deciding mark"

Pairs: I'd say Zagorska/Siudek can get back up on the podium. I haven't seen their FP, but regaining the bronze at Euros was a significant achievement for them, and just might be the inspiration they need. Plus, with the comments made about the other Chinese teams not being refined artistically, you have to say this favours them (and Petrova/Tikhonov) more, because they are stronger on the presentation mark

Ice Dance: No surprises, probably, but I'm still going to keep me fingers crossed for Belbin/Agosto


Men: This is the one where we're all looking for a dark horse, isn't it? I think it will very likely go to Plushenko, but that's not to say Plushenko isn't untouchable. I do think Joubert and company can give him a run for his money. You also have to bring up the issue of the knee. It's held up through most of the season, but we're also six months plus into the season, and one's meniscus can only hold so long. If Plushenko was in so much pain at Euros, it will be interesting to see how the pain will affect him at Worlds, which is ten times more demanding

yes,and how many mistakes plushy made for brian to win with a perfect skate that tell you how difficult it is to beat plushy. noone can touch a clean evgeny.

:

Au contraire, mon ami , one cannot touch a SMART Evgeny. Plushenko has been beaten while clean, at the GP Final, remember? Yes, it may have been CoP's fault, but Evgeny should have known not to do three combos. The mistake at Euros, too, came partly as a result of him trying the triple axel over and over until he finally landed it in Plushenko-esque style. As good as Plushenko is, he's very adamant; he skates his brazen style and he skates it his way, whether you like it or not. What our dear Evgeny needs to learn is that the figure skating community is not just going to bow at his feet and hand him the title because he is Evgeny Plushenko and he is the greatest. He needs to skate well, which for Evgeny needs to mean not only skating cleanly, but skating wisely.

 

[PrincessLeppard]

What our dear Evgeny needs to learn is that the figure skating community is not just going to bow at his feet and hand him the title because he is Evgeny Plushenko and he is the greatest.

But they should!

I'M KIDDING.

If my beloved doesn't win, and with injuries, it's not a given, my dark horse wins would be Johnny or Matt Savoie. They skate with a very European style, and if clean, and others aren't, they could medal. Win? Hmmm. How dark is this horse?

For the ladies, I can totally see a clean Shizuka winning.

I really have no clue about pairs and dance...

Laura

 

[mzheng]

Ladies: ARAKAWA. I don't think enough of the posters give her credit. She's been in the top three at each one of her GP events, Japanese Nats, and the GP Final. If she skates anywhere near the way she was skating earlier in the season, then getting into the top three at Worlds shouldn't be all that difficult for her.

Yeah. I pick her as dark horse as well. My guess by switching to TT, her chance (skating better her own. or in the eye of judges, since I believe she was consistant under marked in those events) is better.

 

[curious]

There are a couple definite "dark horses", as far as I can see...

Ladies: ARAKAWA. I don't think enough of the posters give her credit. She's been in the top three at each one of her GP events, Japanese Nats, and the GP Final. If she skates anywhere near the way she was skating earlier in the season, then getting into the top three at Worlds shouldn't be all that difficult for her.

Sokolova had a great skate at Euros, and now that she's got her jumps under her will definitely go fo the gold in Dortmund. I don't think she can win it, though. Even though Sokolova may have two triple-triple combos, I just don't see her as refined and polished artistically to be a clean MK. Remember, "the presentation mark is the deciding mark"

Pairs: I'd say Zagorska/Siudek can get back up on the podium. I haven't seen their FP, but regaining the bronze at Euros was a significant achievement for them, and just might be the inspiration they need. Plus, with the comments made about the other Chinese teams not being refined artistically, you have to say this favours them (and Petrova/Tikhonov) more, because they are stronger on the presentation mark

Ice Dance: No surprises, probably, but I'm still going to keep me fingers crossed for Belbin/Agosto


Men: This is the one where we're all looking for a dark horse, isn't it? I think it will very likely go to Plushenko, but that's not to say Plushenko isn't untouchable. I do think Joubert and company can give him a run for his money. You also have to bring up the issue of the knee. It's held up through most of the season, but we're also six months plus into the season, and one's meniscus can only hold so long. If Plushenko was in so much pain at Euros, it will be interesting to see how the pain will affect him at Worlds, which is ten times more demanding


:

Au contraire, mon ami , one cannot touch a SMART Evgeny. Plushenko has been beaten while clean, at the GP Final, remember? Yes, it may have been CoP's fault, but Evgeny should have known not to do three combos. The mistake at Euros, too, came partly as a result of him trying the triple axel over and over until he finally landed it in Plushenko-esque style. As good as Plushenko is, he's very adamant; he skates his brazen style and he skates it his way, whether you like it or not. What our dear Evgeny needs to learn is that the figure skating community is not just going to bow at his feet and hand him the title because he is Evgeny Plushenko and he is the greatest. He needs to skate well, which for Evgeny needs to mean not only skating cleanly, but skating wisely.

You are right. A smart clean Evgeny is unbeatable. I think plushy should concentrate more on the ice. too much loving is not good for his skating

 

[shine]

I love surprise winners. And as long as these surprises are not Weiss, Li, Griazev or Joubert for men, and not Ando, Arakawa or Sokolova for ladies, and not Pet/Tikh for pairs, and not Belbin/Agosto for dance I'll be happy.]

Not so sure about Savoie skating with a European style. Actually I don't know what a European style really is. But this generalized term strikes my intuition as a not so positive thing. There are some awesome skaters in Europe that I love. But somehow I don't think this particular beloved style of mine is common enough to be called THE European style. Other than that, I don't know if I like European style that much. So I'd rather Savoie not be skating with the European style if "that" style is what people are thinking. I'd love him to skate with the delicate and sensitive style of his own.

And what is the European style exactly. There are some European skaters I'm just absolutely crazy about, but some I just cannot stand watching. The same goes for NA skaters. There's got to be more than just one style in a continent.

 

[soogar]

Petr Barna was the epitome of European style. He wasn't as theatrical as the Soviets/Russians but was smooth and easy on the eyes. He was a masculine skater but quiet and understated. You have to see him (he won bronze in 1992) to get what I mean.

 

[shine]

But what would HE be the epitome of European style?

 

[PrincessLeppard]

My definintion of European style is just fluid and graceful, and not overly hung up on being "masculine." Not that they skate "like girls", but they feel the music and aren't afraid to skate with it.

That's what I meant. I should have clarified.

Laura

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

As I see the European Style for Men is basically front loaded quads and triple combos, for one third of the performance, then a spin or two and not anything rave about, and end with a triple toe triple toe and a scratch spin.

Klimkin and Lambiel are the exceptions. They actually skate choreography throughout.

Just my take.

Joe

 

[icenut84]

As I see the European Style for Men is basically front loaded quads and triple combos, for one third of the performance, then a spin or two and not anything rave about, and end with a triple toe triple toe and a scratch spin.

Why is almost every comment you make about Europeans negative?

And IMO, a whole continent has more than just "one style". Especially a continent as diverse and with as many different countries as Europe.

 

[soogar]

Joesitz, that's Russian style (not that I complain about that). Petr Barna was very well liked in the early 90's and always got good scores from the judges without a 3axel (though he did have a quad). He had the easy on the eyes smooth style that European judges tend to favor. PrincessLepperd describes it best.

Scotty talked alot about how well liked Petr was by the European judges.

Petr was a fabulous skater in the day and he was a good spinner and nice stylist: just an all around skater plus he is extremely handsome but not pretty.

 

[lulu]

And IMO, a whole continent has more than just "one style". Especially a continent as diverse and with as many different countries as Europe.

I agree. And if there was such a thing of a European Style, whose would it be? Would it be Jourbert, Cousins(Robin), Urmanov, Abt, Barna, Yagudin, Plushenko?

Even between skaters of the same country, there is usually no dominating style.
Of course cultural influences (Russia and ballet, China and acrobatics) do play a role in helping a develope a style. But I don't see every skater being pigeon holed as having a certain type of style, and I don't see a "European style" or an "American style" as always being set in stone.