Skate America Dance Preview

Davis and White are the reigning World Champions and won every event they entered last season.  They have amazing lifts, clean technique and invest completely in their performances.  In their exhibition performances this off season they have shown increased speed and improved lines.  They recently scrapped their free dance and will be competing their new program for the first time here.  I don't expect them to be at their Worlds caliber here but I don't think it will take long to get the new program up to speed.

Pechalat and Bourzat had a great season last year winning silver at the Grand Prix Final and taking their first European title.  They barely missed the Worlds podium after a disappointing fall in their free dance.  They also changed coaches in the off-season and this will be first look at how their coaches are packaging them..  They start their road to redemption  here and will be looking to close in on Davis and White.

Paul and Islam impressed in their first Grand Prix event last season, showcasing an elegant style and their resemblance to Virtue and Moir.  They withdrew from their second event due to injury and didn't compete internationally for the rest of the season.  They have set a goal of being in the top 3 at Canadian nationals this season and making the World team.  They've had a lot of time to improve but also a lot of time for the reputation to grow.

Also in the hunt are Hubbell/Donohue and Zhiganshina/Gazsi.  Hubbell and Donohue are in their first season together and won gold at their first international event, the Nebelhorn Trophy.  Zhiganshina and Gazsi finished just behind them but went on to win Finlandia Trophy.

My podium predictions:
Gold: Davis/White
Silver: Pechalat/Bourzat
Bronze: Paul/Islam

Bios of the competitors:
Paul/Islam, CAN: They finished 4th at Skate Canada last season.  They are the 2010 World Junior silver medalists. Their personal best is 138.16.  She is 20 and he is 20.

Ralph/Hill, CAN: They finished 7th at Cup of China and 6th at Trophee Eric Bompard last season.  Their personal best is 121.39.  She is 19 and he is 20.

Pechalat/Bourzat, FRA: They finished 4th at Worlds and are the reigning European Champions.  They won gold at Cup of China and Trophee Eric Bompard last season to qualify for the Grand Prix Final where they won silver.  Their personal best is 167.40.  She is 27 and he is 31.

Zhiganshina/Gazsi, GER: They finished 11th at Worlds and 7th at Europeans.  Their personal best is 140.95.  She is 24 and he is 26.

Tobias/Stagniunas, LTU: They finished 14th at Worlds and 12th at Europeans. Their personal best is 131.01. She is 20 and he is 26.

Cannuscio/Lorello, USA: They finished 10th at Cup of China and 7th at Trophee Eric Bompard last season.  Their personal best is 116.60.  She is 20 and he is 21.

Davis/White, USA: They are the reigning World and Four Continents Champions.  They won gold at NHK Trophy and Skate America last season to qualify for the Grand Prix Final where they won gold.  They are the 2010 Olympic silver medalists; 2010 World silver medalists; 2009 Four Continents Champions; 2008 Four Continents silver medalists; and 2006 World Junior bronze medalists.  Their personal best is 185.27.  She is 24 and he is 23.

Hubbell/Donohue, USA: This is their first season together.  She is the 2010 Four Continents bronze medalist with her brother.  She is 20 and he is 20.