Virtue and Moir are returning to the Grand Prix circuit after missing the majority of last season as she recovered from surgery to relieve compression syndrome in her legs. They have turned their free dance that won them the world silver medal into their short dance for this season. They debuted their programs earlier this season at Finlandia Trophy, and while their scores were good, Davis and White set the bar high at Skate America. They have never won a Grand Prix Final and have made it clear that they want their World title back. They'll need to keep pace with the Americans if they want to show the judges that they're healthy and can contend for the title.
Pechalat and Bourzat had a great shot at claiming their second medal here, but had to withdraw due to his bronchitis. This gives the other teams in this field a shot at the podium and the Final. Pechalat and Bourzat's training mates Weaver and Poje had a breakout season last year showcasing their elegant style in a classy short dance and finishing in the top 5 at Worlds. They struggled with their free dance all season, however, and it seemed like their nerves got the best of them and caused them to make mistakes that cost them placements and medals all season long. If they can get a handle on that and if they are packaged appropriately they have all the skills to be serious contenders. One of the successes of the Canton system is that there are several top skaters practicing and pushing each other every day, and this will be the first chance to see how Weaver and Poje are improving having another World class team at their rink.
Riazanova and Tkachenko are a young team from Russia who are in their second senior season. They won their first medal last season and finished 5th at Europeans but were left off the World team as there were only two Russian spots. The Russians have three spots this season, but there is a lot of young talent coming up from the junior ranks and they'll need to up their game if they want to remain competitive.
One of those young Russian teams is Pushkash and Guerreiro, who are the reigning World Junior silver medalists. With Monko and Khaliavin, the Russian World Junior Champions out of the Grand Prix series due to injury, this team has a great shot at making a name for themselves and showing they have what it takes to compete at the senior level.
Chock and Bates are making their Grand Prix debut and are a wild card here. He sat out last season after his achilles tendon was severed in a training accident. Chock finished in the top 10 at Worlds with Greg Zuerlein who retired at the end of last season. They teamed up this summer and have made quick strides and could be one of the dark horses in this event. They both have had success and lots of experience and with their height difference can pull off some impressive lifts.
My podium predictions:
Gold: Virtue/Moir
Silver: Weaver/Poje
Bronze: Riazanova/Tkachenko
Bios of the competitors:
Harvey/Gagnon, CAN: This is their Grand Prix debut. She is 21 and he is 23.
Virtue/Moir, CAN: They are the reigning World silver medalists. They sat out the majority of last season as she recovered from injury. They are the 2010 Olympic Champions, 2010 World Champions, 2008 World Silver Medalists, 2009 World Bronze Medalists, 2008 Four Continents Champions, 2009 Four Continents silver medalists, 2006 and 2007 Four Continents bronze medalists, 2006 World Junior Champions and 2005 World Junior silver medalists. Their personal best is 181.79. She is 22 and he is 24.Pechalat and Bourzat had a great shot at claiming their second medal here, but had to withdraw due to his bronchitis. This gives the other teams in this field a shot at the podium and the Final. Pechalat and Bourzat's training mates Weaver and Poje had a breakout season last year showcasing their elegant style in a classy short dance and finishing in the top 5 at Worlds. They struggled with their free dance all season, however, and it seemed like their nerves got the best of them and caused them to make mistakes that cost them placements and medals all season long. If they can get a handle on that and if they are packaged appropriately they have all the skills to be serious contenders. One of the successes of the Canton system is that there are several top skaters practicing and pushing each other every day, and this will be the first chance to see how Weaver and Poje are improving having another World class team at their rink.
Riazanova and Tkachenko are a young team from Russia who are in their second senior season. They won their first medal last season and finished 5th at Europeans but were left off the World team as there were only two Russian spots. The Russians have three spots this season, but there is a lot of young talent coming up from the junior ranks and they'll need to up their game if they want to remain competitive.
One of those young Russian teams is Pushkash and Guerreiro, who are the reigning World Junior silver medalists. With Monko and Khaliavin, the Russian World Junior Champions out of the Grand Prix series due to injury, this team has a great shot at making a name for themselves and showing they have what it takes to compete at the senior level.
Chock and Bates are making their Grand Prix debut and are a wild card here. He sat out last season after his achilles tendon was severed in a training accident. Chock finished in the top 10 at Worlds with Greg Zuerlein who retired at the end of last season. They teamed up this summer and have made quick strides and could be one of the dark horses in this event. They both have had success and lots of experience and with their height difference can pull off some impressive lifts.
My podium predictions:
Gold: Virtue/Moir
Silver: Weaver/Poje
Bronze: Riazanova/Tkachenko
Bios of the competitors:
Harvey/Gagnon, CAN: This is their Grand Prix debut. She is 21 and he is 23.
Weaver/Poje, CAN: They finished 5th at Worlds and 4th at Four Continents. They won silver at NHK Trophy and placed 4th at Skate America last season to qualify for the Grand Prix Final where they finished 5th. They are the 2010 Four Continents Champions and 2007 Junior World bronze medalists. Their personal best is 160.32. She is 22 and he is 24.
Cappelini/Lanotte, ITA: They placed 8th at Worlds. They finished 5th at NHK Trophy last season. Their personal best is 153.77. She is 24 and he is 26.
Pushkash/Guerreiro, RUS: They are the reigning World Junior silver medalists. This is their Grand Prix debut. They won silver at JGP Japan and gold at JGP Czech Republic last season to qualify for the JGP Final where they placed 4th. Their personal best is 136.80. She is 19 and he is 20.
Riazanova/Tkachenko, RUS: They finished 6th at Europeans. They placed 5th at Skate America and won silver at Trophee Eric Bompard last season. Their personal best is 146.79. She is 20 and he is 24.
Chock/Bates, USA: This is their first season together and their Grand Prix debut. With Emily Samuelson, Bates is the 2009 Four Continents bronze medalist and 2008 World Junior Champion. With Greg Zuerlein, Chock is the 2009 World Junior Champion. She is 19 and he is 22.
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