Skate America Pairs Preview

Savchenko and Szolkowy separated themselves from the field last year by winning every event they entered by huge margins.  They proved they had the technical skills by executing their elements with ease and adding throw triples in the final seconds of their program.  They also have the performance skills to pull off everything from a lyrical emotional piece to a playful Pink Panther program.

Bazarova and Larionov are one of the classic Russian teams.  They have solid elements and her positions in the lifts and lines are extraordinary to watch.  Their weaknesses are in their individual jumps and their connection on the ice.  Although they can effectively tell a story and put emotion into their programs, that emotion is not always directed toward each other.  They set new personal bests in almost every event last season and had their best finish at Worlds and if they can keep up this momentum, they should be very competitive here.

Zhang and Zhang are making their competitive comeback after sitting out last season due to injury.  They have had big highs, finishing 2nd at the Olympics in 2006 and going for quad throws.  They have fallen off in recent years and finished off the podium at the Olympics and Worlds in 2010.  They did recently win Chinese nationals beating out Sui and Han, but this will be their first international competition back.

Also in the mix are Denney and Coughlin who are making their Grand Prix debut and have ambitious goals and big elements to back it up.  They've enjoyed a lot of pre-season hype and won a bronze medal at the Nebelhorn Trophy, but this will be their first chance to really show what they're made of.

Moore-Towers and Moscovitch won two medals on the Grand Prix last season en route to the Grand Prix Final.  They set a high mark at their first event but never quite reached that success again.  They'll have to up their game to make the podium again this season.

My podium predictions:
Gold: Savchenko/Szolkowy
Silver: Bazarova/Larionov
Bronze: Zhang/Zhang

Bios of the competitors:
Moore-Towers/Moscovitch, CAN: They finished 8th at Worlds and 5th at Four Continents.  They won silver at Skate Canada and Skate America last season to qualify for the Grand Prix Final where they finished 6th.  Their personal best is 175.48.  She is 19 and he is and he is 27.

Zhang/Zhang, CHN: They sat out last season due to injury.  They are the 2006 Olympic silver medalists; 2009, 2008 and 2006 World silver medalists; 2005 World bronze medalists; 2010 and 2005 Four Continents Champions; 2008 and 2004 Four Continents silver medalists; 2009, 2003 and 2002 Four Continents bronze medalists; and 2003 and 2001 World Junior Champions.  Their personal best is 197.92.  She is 26 and he is 27.

Hausch/Wende, GER: They finished 12th at Worlds and 6th at Europeans.  They placed 7th at NHK Trophy and won bronze at Trophee Eric Bompard last season.  Their personal best is 157.42.  She is 22 and he is 27.

Savchenko/Szolkowy, GER: They are the reigning World Champions and European Champions.  They won Skate America and Trophee Eric Bompard last season to qualify for the Grand Prix Final where they won gold.  They are the 2010 Olympic bronze medalists; the 2009 and 2008 World Champions; 2010 World silver medalists; 2007 World bronze medalists; 2009, 2008 and 2007 European Champions; and the 2010 and 2006 European silver medalists.  Their personal best is 217.85.  She is 27 and he is 32.

Bazarova/Larionov, RUS: They finished 5th at Worlds and are the reigning European bronze medalists.  They won silver at NHK Trophy and Trophee Eric Bompard last season.  They are the 2007 World Junior silver medalists.  Their personal best is 188.24.  She is 18 and he is 25.

Denney/Coughlin, USA: This is their first season together.  She is 18 and he is 25.

Marley/Brubaker, USA: They finished 8th at Four Continents.  Their personal best is 144.46.  She is 16 and he is 25.

Vise/Baldwin, USA: This is their Grand Prix debut.  She is 25 and he is 33.