This looks to be a sweep for Zoueva and Shpilband's three teams competing at this event.
Davis and White should have no trouble winning their third consecutive title. Their worst score of the season was at Skate America where they had several uncharacteristic falls and is still better by 12 points than any other team in the field's best. Their free skate is incredibly difficult and they skate in a class unmatched by any other world teams except Virtue and Moir (also a Zoueva/Shpilband team).
The Shibutanis are skating their first year on the senior circuit and are the first ice dance team to ever win two Grand Prix medals in their first year. I adore their short dance but they have had bobbles at all their events which have cost them points. They have some of the best twizzles in the world and really showcase their talent and speed in their free dance which is the 5th best internationally so far this season. Their total score is ranked 7th. Their scores are slightly higher than Chock/Zuerleins and there should be a close fight between these two for the silver medal.
Chock and Zuerlein won two medals in their second season on the Grand Prix. Their short dance is ranked 8th and their free dance is 10th internationally. They have had some problems with their programs and these errors have cost them points. If they've corrected these problems they can contend with their younger training mates, but they should have no problem placing at least third and securing a spot on the World team. The placement between these two teams is especially important going into next season with an injured Samuelson and Bates back at nationals and 4 world class teams fighting for 3 World Team spots).
The other two teams that should round out the top 5 are the Hubbells and Kriengkrairut/Giuletti-Schmitt. While neither one is likely to really challenge for the podium, they should secure themselves Grand Prix assignments for next season.
For an analysis of all the best and worst scores of the season go to: http://backstagebarbie.blogspot.com/2011/01/us-nationals-preview-senior-ice-dance_17.html
My podium predictions:
Gold: Davis/White
Silver: Shibutani/Shibutani
Bronze: Chock/Zuerlein
Pewter: Kriengkrairut/Giuletti-Schmitt
My USFSA Fantasy Picks:
A) Davis/White
B) Kriengkrairut/Giuletti-Schmitt
C) Hoptman/Filchenkov
Davis/White: They won silver at Olympics and Worlds. They are the 2009 Four Continents champions and 2008 silver medalists. They are the 2006 World Junior bronze medalists. They won gold at NHK Trophy and Skate America to qualify for the Grand Prix Final where they won gold. They are the 2004 National Junior silver medalists, 2006 National Junior Champions, 2007 National bronze medalists and 2008 National silver medalists. They are competing for their third consecutive national title.
Chock/Zuerlein: Chock and Zuerlein finished 5th at Four Continents. They are the 2009 World Junior Champions. They won bronze at Skate Canada and Trophee Eric Bompard. They are the 2008 National Junior Bronze medalists and 2009 National Junior Champions. They finished 5th at nationals last season.
Hubbell/Hubbell: They won bronze at Four Continents. They They finished 6th at Cup of China and withdrew from Cup of Russia after the short dance. They are the 2007 National Junior silver medalists, 2008 National Junior Champions and 2009 National pewter medalists. They finished 6th at nationals last season.
Kriengkrairut/Giuletti-Schmitt: They finished 6th at Skate America. They are the 2007 National Junior bronze medalists. They finished 8th at nationals last year.
Shibutani/Shibutani: They finished 4th at World Juniors last season. They are the 2009 World Junior Silver Medalists. They won bronze at the NHK Trophy and Skate America. They are the 2008 National Junior pewter medalists, 2009 National Junior silver medalists and the reigning National Junior Champions.
Tibbetts/Brubaker: They finished 7th at the World Junior Championships. They finished 9th at Skate Canada. They are the reigning National Junior silver medalists.
Cannuscio/Lorello: They finished 10th at Cup of Russia and 7th at Trophee Eric Bompard. They are the reigning National Junior pewter medalists.
Carey/Van Natten:
Nardozzi/Cuthbertson: They finished 12th at nationals at the junior level last season.
Wingle/McKernan: They qualified with a 1st place finish at Midwestern sectionals. They finished 10th at nationals last season.
Hoptman/Filchenkov: They qualified with a 1st place finish at Eastern sectionals.
Aronow/Donohue: They qualified with a 2nd place finish at Midwestern sectionals.
Zuber/Herring: They qualified with a 2nd place finish at Eastern sectionals.
Zeigler/Burbank: They qualified with a 3rd place finish at Eastern sectionals. They finished 10th at nationals at the junior level last year.
Pilgrim/Lorello: They qualified with a 4th place finish at Eastern sectionals.
Ponomaryova/Kelling had qualified for nationals but have withdrawn.
Samuelson/Bates had qualifed for nationals but are out for the season due to injury.
No comments:
Post a Comment