Well, most of us know my how my prediction for Michelle at the OWG '06 went (sigh), so just for the goof of it:
Ladies--I have two scenarios:
Scenario #1
G: Fumie Suguri--Because she's hungry and although the "all knees and elbows" on her positions hurt her, she's got the best controlled speed, unlike Kostner, and ice coverage of all the ladies, which helps her. A clean skate will get her gold.
S: Joannie Rochette--The home crowd will inspire her and the judges will be in the mood for Joannie's great edging, musicality, and mature choreographic interpretation.
B: Kimmie Meissner--Other people saw Kimmie as studying her elders in a kind of reverence to learn from them. It looked to me as if she was analyzing their weaknesses, thinking, "If I do x, y, z, I can beat 'em." She's got the 16-year-old "there's nothing else in the world besides winning a medal at Worlds" thing going for her, too. BTW, I consider all of these compliments
4. Sasha Cohen--I think this girl's body is just beat.
Scenario #2
G: Sasha Cohen--I think she knows that time is against her. It's now or never. An almost clean skate--no falls but something like a step-out or two-foot, will get her gold if she skates "R&J" with the expression and passion she did in Torino.
S: Fumie Suguri--Her position problems may hurt her too much against a close-to-clean Cohen.
B: Joannie Rochette--Same reasons as above.
4: Kimmie Meissner--Her component scores will hold her back.
Men's:
G: Jeffrey Buttle--I know everything he doesn't have, but I think he's going to have an "Irina in Moscow '05" skate.
S: Johnny Weir--I think Weir is PO'd at himself for giving up on his program in Torino, especially after seeing what not giving up got Lysacek, as well as Cohen. IMO, Weir wants to redeem himself as US champ with a World medal--and bronze won't do it for him.
S: Evan Lysacek--Normally I wouldn't put two US men on the podium, but I think both Evan and Johnny have something to prove and they want to prove it bad. If Buttle or Weir don't bring the goods, I'd say Evan for gold.
4. Stephane Lambiel--I was so in love with Lambiel, but for the "Little Prince" testosterone has not been his friend. Other's have improved their spins so his are not as dazzling as they were two years ago, and jumpwise, he needs more than a great quad/3t.
Ice Dancing:
G: Denkova/Staviyski--Because I think they are the best in every way.
S: Belbin & Agosto--Still lightweights. Not their fault. It takes time.
B: Drobiazko/Vanagas--I know, when donkeys fly. But, dammit! The judges OWE them! If they skate anywhere near well enough, IMO, this is a case where the "how they skate that night" rule is made to be broken.
4. Dubreuil & Lauzon--I'd love to see them win a medal on home ice, but I'm afraid her hip will hamper her too much. And this is the first FD of theirs I've really liked too! Maybe an ISU-approved numbing injecting will get Marie-France through the OD and FD that would enable them to legitimately earn a medal. I know, flying donkeys again.
Pairs:
G. Zhang/Zhang--If her hip holds up--again, an approved numbing injection may be all she needs.
S. Petrova/Tikhonov--In Torino, I thought they looked the best they have since they won Worlds way back when.
B. Savenchko/Szolkowy--I'm very impressed by this team. Best transitions of all the pairs. IMO, their strong athleticism is a great contrast to the Z/Zs lyricism--hers, anyway. I love Aliona's well-muscled body and the way both she and Robin attack their choreography, when appropriate, with the same amount of power. For me, they are the best example of "two shall skate as one" aspect of pairs skating.
4. Pang/Tong--Somehow they lost what they had.
Rgirl
