This is a very talented field led by Davankova and Deputat, the reigning World Junior Bronze Medalists. They did not compete on the JGP last season and made their debut at Junior Worlds. They have all the classic Russian technique and should continue to improve with additional international competitions.
Denney and Frazier improved throughout the season and won the U.S. Junior title before finishing 4th, just 3 points behind the Russians, at Junior Worlds. They have a lot of personality and confidence on the ice and train in Colorado Springs, one of the top pair locations in the U.S. Haven's sister is the U.S. senior pairs champion.
Purdy and Marinaro won a medal on the JGP last season and placed 5th at Junior Worlds. They are a good bet for the podium but will have to hit their programs if they want to challenge for a higher medal.
Pfund and Reiss earned a trip to the International Challenge Cup last year after their 5th place showing at U.S. nationals. They won that event and will be looking to add to their medal count here. If they can repeat their showing from last season they have a good chance at landing on the podium.
Six of these teams are making their international debut and two additional teams are making their JGP debut.
My podium predictions:
Gold: Davankova/Deputat
Silver: Denney/Frazier
Bronze: Purdy/Marinaro
Bios of the competitors:
Smyth/Dodds, AUS: This is their international debut. She is 14 and he is 18.
Desjardins/Bilodeau, CAN: This is their international debut. She is 15 and he is 19.
Purdy/Marinaro, CAN: They finished 5th at Junior Worlds. They won bronze at JGP Latvia and placed 10th at JGP Austria last season. Their personal best is 141.76. She is 17 and he is 20.
Rau/Simpson, CAN: This is their international debut. She is 13 and he is 16.
Prolls/Blommaert, GER: This is their international debut. She is 13 and he is 20.
Foresti/Sforza, ITA: This is their international debut.
Davankova/Deputat, RUS: They are the reigning Junior World Bronze Medalists. This is their JGP debut. Their personal best is 153.66. She is 14 and he is 19.
Gainetdinova/Bich, RUS: They finished 11th at Junior Worlds. This is their JGP debut. Their personal best is 127.85. She is 14 and he is 19.
Kuklina/Petukhov, RUS: This is their international debut.
Lavrentieva/Rudik, UKR: They placed 14th at Junior Worlds. They finished 9th at JGP Poland and 12th at JGP Austria last season. Their personal best is 110.03. She is 15 and he is 20.
Aaron/Settlage, USA: They placed 5th at JGP Poland last season. Their personal best is 118.51. She is 17 and he is 19.
Denney/Frazier, USA: They placed 4th at Junior Worlds. They finished 8th at JGP Latvia and 7th at JGP Austria last season. Their personal best is 150.55. She is 16 and he is 19.
Oltmanns/Santillan, USA: They finished 7th at JGP Latvia and 11th at JGP Austria last season. Their personal best is 118.45. She is 15 and he is 20.
Pfund/Reiss, USA: This is their JGP debut. She is 14 and he is 20.
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