JGP Czech Republic Ladies Preview

There are four ladies still in contention for the Junior Grand Prix Final here.  Alexandra Proklova won the silver medal at her JGP debut in Slovakia.  She won the free skate at that event and was only a few points away from the gold medal.  Maria Sotskova also won the silver medal at her JGP debut in Latvia.  After winning the short program, she finished 2nd in the free skate but it wasn't enough to hang on for the gold medal.  Angela Wang took home the silver medal from JGP Poland.  It was her first silver and her third consecutive JGP medal, although she did not set any personal best scores.  These ladies can all punch their ticket to the Final with a gold medal while a silver or a bronze would keep them in the running.

Riona Kato won the bronze medal at JGP Slovakia behind Proklova, making a significant jump from her 11th place finish a year prior.  She needs a gold medal to qualify while a silver will keep her in the running.

Kaori Sakamoto is making her JGP debut after winning the Asian Figure Skating Trophy earlier this season.  Her score there puts her firmly in contention for the podium here.

Amber Glenn is also making her JGP debut.  She finished 5th at US Nationals right behind Karen Chen last season.  If she can replicate Chen's results, she also has a great shot at the podium.

My podium predictions:
Gold: Alexandra Proklova
Silver: Riona Kato
Bronze: Maria Sotskova

Bios of the competitors:
Cristina Lin, ARG: This is her international debut.  She is 18 years old.

Anastasia Galustyan, ARM: She placed 7th at JGP Slovakia.  Her personal best is 125.53.  She is 13 years old.

Brooklee Han, AUS: She placed 21st at Worlds, 12th at Four Continents and 16th at Junior Worlds.  She finished 8th at JGP Mexico.  Her personal best is 141.88.  She is 18 years old.

Nina Larissa Wolfslast, AUT: She placed 27th at JGP Austria last season.  Her personal best is 96.26.  She is 17 years old.

Arijana Tirak, BIH: She placed 31st at JGP Slovakia.  Her personal best is 56.48.  She is 17 years old.

Julianne Seguin, CAN: She placed 11th at Four Continents.  She finished 6th at JGP Mexico.  Her personal best is 146.58.  She is 16 years old. 

Kelsey Wong, CAN: This is her international debut.  She is 15 years old.

Valentina Mikac, CRO: She placed 24th at JGP Austria and 25th at JGP Croatia last season.  Her personal best is 84.69.  She is 16 years old.

Klara Svetlikova, CZE: This is her JGP debut.  She is 16 years old.

Elizaveta Ukolova, CZE: She placed 33rd at Junior Worlds.  She finished 9th at JGP Slovakia.  Her personal best is 124.41.  She is 15 years old.

Alicia Tsingisser, EST: This is her international debut.  She is 13 years old.

Jenni Saarinen, FIN: She placed 14th at Junior Worlds.  She placed 10th at JGP Poland.  Her personal best is 129.81.  She is 14 years old.

Minami Hanashiro, GER: This is her JGP debut.  She is 16 years old.

Lana Bagen, GBR: She placed 25th at JGP Slovakia.  Her personal best is 92.33.  She is 17 years old.

Dorka Havasi, HUN: This is her international debut.

Riona Kato, JPN: She won bronze at JGP Slovakia.  Her personal best is 165.09.  She is 15 years old.

Kaori Sakamoto, JPN: This is her JGP debut.  She is 13 years old.

Mila Morelissen, NED: She placed 30th at JGP Austria last season.  Her personal best is 72.84.  She is 17 years old.

Hae Jin Kim, KOR: She placed 19th at Junior Worlds.  She finished 10th at JGP Slovakia.  Her personal best is 149.71.  She is 16 years old.

Alexandra Proklova, RUS: She won silver at JGP Slovakia.  Her personal best is 175.11.  She is 13 years old.

Maria Sotskova, RUS: She won silver at JGP Latvia.  Her personal best is 166.49.  She is 13 years old.

Katarina Knezevic, SRB: This is her JGP debut.  She is 16 years old.

Dominika Murckova, SVK: She placed 17th at JGP Mexico.  Her personal best is 104.66.  She is 17 years old.

Naja Ferkov, SLO: She placed 30th at JGP Slovenia last season.  Her personal best is 71.41.  She is 17 years old.

Thita Lamsam, THA: This is her JGP debut.  She is 13 years old.

Selin Hafizoglu, TUR: This is her JGP debut.  She is 14 years old.

Amber Glenn, USA: This is her international debut.

Angela Wang, USA: She won silver at JGP Poland.  Her personal best is 162.65.  She is 17 years old.