World Championships Ladies Preview

Mao Asada is entering this event as the favorite and seems to have reclaimed her top competitive form.  After winning gold at both of her Grand Prix assignments, she claimed gold at the Grand Prix Final.  At the Four Continents Championships she included the triple axel in her programs en route to another gold medal finish.  She is the only skater to cross the 200 point mark this season at an ISU competition and the triple axel in her short program gives her a seven point advantage over the rest of the field.  Her season's best score is over 10 points better than the next skater and she has the ability to blow the field away if she can stay focused and land her jumps.

Carolina Kostner is the reigning World Champion and had a breakout season last year.  After sitting out of the Grand Prix series, she's entered a few Senior B events before defending her European title.  Although she didn't win either segment of the competition at Europeans, her performances were good enough to land her on top of the podium after others faltered.  She won her World title with lower technical content last season but was able to skate cleanly while others made mistakes.  If everyone else skates clean she might find herself off the podium but her strategy allows her to focus on the performance and to minimize errors.

Ashley Wagner started off the season on a hot streak claiming her first Grand Prix title at Skate America and backing it up at Trophee Eric Bompard.  Her choreography is stunning and she's given great performances this season.  The one thing she's been lacking is a triple + triple combination, but she still has the third highest short program score of the season despite not having the more difficult combination in her programs.  At the beginning of the season her solid performances had her as a favorite for the World title but she's hit some stumbling blocks along the way.  She had two uncharacteristic falls in her free skate at the Grand Prix Final and one caused a hip pointer injury which had her off the ice after the event.  At US Nationals, food poisoning and nerves led to a shaky free skate which nearly cost her her title.  She declined to attend Four Continents to take time to recover and train properly for Worlds and is planning a triple + triple combination in her programs.  

Akiko Suzuki won the bronze medal at Worlds last season.  She has always been a very consistent skater but seems to fly under the radar and not always get the attention she deserves.  Her Cirque du Soleil free skate is quirky and suits her personality perfectly and is one of the highlights of the season.  For the first part of the season she seemed to struggle with her short program and was faced with making a comeback in the free skate.  While she skated her best short program of the season at Four Continents, she couldn't back it up with a clean free skate.  If she wants to land in the medals again this season, she'll need two clean programs.

Elizaveta Tuktamisheva and Adelina Sotnikova have been big names in figure skating for several years despite the fact that they only became eligible to compete in Senior ISU Championships this season.  After success in the past, they have both struggled this season with injuries and growing but have fought through.  Both won a medal on the Grand Prix this season and Tuktamisheva qualified for the Final.  They both won medals at their first European Championships, Sotnikova the silver and Tuktamisheva the bronze.  Sotnikova is stronger in the short program while Tuktamisheva is stronger in the free skate.  This is their first World Championships and the pressure is on to hang on to three spots for Russia at the Olympics next year, but both young ladies have a good chance to make the podium with their triple + triple combinations.  

Kanako Murakami made a big splash in her first senior season but hit the sophomore slump last year.  She has been showing major improvements in consistency and confidence throughout the season and won the bronze medal at Four Continents to complete the Japanese sweep of the podium.  She finished 5th at Worlds last season, and will be looking to make the jump to the podium.

A trio of young skaters is also looking to make their mark.  Zijun Li of China has impressed this season with her lyrical quality and has nearly made the podium at each of her events this season.  This is her first Senior Worlds and while she likely won't be in the medals, should be able to secure a top 10 finish.  Kaetlyn Osmond captured the Canadian audience with her gold medal finish at Skate Canada.  She went on to win her first national title but faltered a bit at Four Continents.  This is only her third senior event, so gaining experience is key going into the Olympic year.  Gracie Gold has struggled with her nerves and the pressure of being the new darling of US figure skating but has some of the most difficult technical content in the world.  Her jumps are textbook and soar above the ice but she's still working on developing the artistic side of her skating.  After a disastrous short program at US Nationals, it seemed she wouldn't be heading to Worlds but rebounded with a fantastic free skate that nearly won her the US title.  If she can skate both programs cleanly she could find herself in a position to medal, but she not only has to overcome her own nerves but the pressure of securing three spots for the US in Sochi.

Yuna Kim is a wild card at this event as she has only competed in one event this season, a Senior B in which she scored over 200 points.  She had several jump mistakes in her program and was likely overscored so it is difficult to assess how she would really score with clean programs and if she is well trained enough to hit clean programs.  If she is at her 2010 level, she could blow the field away as her personal best of 228 eclipses anyone else.

Another wild card is Alena Leonova who claimed the silver medal at Worlds last season.  She had horrible Grand Prix outings and didn't even make the podium at Russian nationals and was left off the European team.  After monitoring, the Russian Federation decided to send her to Worlds.  The past two season she's put out her best performance at Worlds so it's too soon to count her out of the running.

My podium predictions:
Gold: Mao Asada
Silver: Yuna Kim
Bronze: Ashley Wagner

Bios of the competitors:
Brooklee Han, AUS: She finished 12th at Four Continents.  She placed 8th at JGP USA and 12th at JGP Turkey.  Her personal best is 134.90.  She is 17 years old.

Kerstin Frank, AUT: She placed 21st at Worlds last year.  She finished 12th at Europeans. Her personal best is 143.56.  She is 24 years old.

Kaat Van Daele, BEL: She finished 18th at Europeans.  Her personal best is 139.00.  She is 23 years old.

Isadora Williams, BRA: She placed 26th at Four Continents.  Her personal best is 123.93.  She is 17 years old.

Kaetlyn Osmond, CAN: She placed 7th at Four Continents.  She won gold at Skate Canada.  Her personal best is 176.45.  She is 17 years old.  She has the 10th best free skate score.

Zijun Li, CHN: She placed 5^th at Four Continents.  She finished 5th at Cup of China and 4th at NHK Trophy.   Her personal best is 174.11.  She is 16 years old.  She has the 9th best free skate score.

Kexin Zhang, CHN: She finished 7th at Worlds last season.  She placed 10th at Four Continents.  Her personal best is 162.59.  She is 17 years old.

Anita Madsen, DEN: She placed 16th at Europeans.  She placed 11th at JGP France and 17th at JGP Turkey.  Her personal best is 133.35.  She is 17 years old.

Elena Glebova, EST: She placed 13th at Worlds last year.  She finished 13th at Europeans.  She placed 7th at Trophee Eric Bompard.  Her personal best is 148.71.  She is 23 years old.

Juulia Turkkila, FIN: She placed 18th at Worlds last year.  She finished 17th at Europeans.  Her personal best is 136.68.  She is 18 years old.

Mae Berenice Meite, FRA: She placed 10th at Europeans.  She finished 6th at Skate America and 5th at Trophee Eric Bompard.  Her personal best is 157.58.  She is 18 years old.

Elene Gedevanishvilli, GEO: She finished 10th at Worlds last season.  She placed 14th at Europeans.  She placed 5th at Skate Canada.  She is the 2010  and 2012 European Bronze Medalist.  Her personal best is 165.93.  She is 23 years old.

Nathalie Weinzierl, GER: She placed 9th at Europeans and 10th at Junior Worlds.  She finished 9th at JGP Austria and 10th at JGP Germany.  Her personal best is 147.52.  She is 18 years old.

Jenna McCorkell, GBR: She finished 14th at Worlds last year.  She placed 21st at Europeans.  She finished 8th at Trophee Eric Bompard.  Her personal best is 150.90.  She is 26 years old.

Carol Bressanutti, ITA: Her personal best is 119.40.  She is 19 years old.

Carolina Kostner, ITA: She is the reigning World Champion and European Champion.  She is the 2008 World Silver Medalist; 2005 and 2011 World Bronze Medalist; 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2012 European Champion; 2009 and 2011 European Silver Medalist; 2006 European Bronze Medalist; and 2003 World Junior Bronze Medalist.  Her personal best is 194.71.  She is 26 years old.  She has the 5th best short program, 3rd best free skate and 2nd best total scores of the season.  

Valentina Marchei, ITA: She finished 8th at Worlds last season.  She finished 4th at Europeans.  She placed 4th at Skate America and 9th at Rostelecom Cup.  Her personal best is 171.06.  She is 26 years old.

Mao Asada, JPN: She placed 6th at Worlds last season.  She is the reigning Four Continents Champion.  She won gold at Cup of China and NHK Trophy to qualify for the Grand Prix Final where she won gold.  She qualified for the Grand Prix Final last season.  She is the 2010 Olympic Silver Medalist, 2008 and 2010 World Champion, 2007 World Silver Medalist, 2008 and 2010 Four Continents Champion, 2011 and 2012 Four Continents Silver Medalist, 2009 Four Continents Bronze Medalist, 2005 World Junior Champion and 2006 World Junior Silver Medalist.  Her personal best is 205.50.  She is 22 years old.  She has the best short program, 2nd best free skate and best total scores of the season.

Kanako Murakami, JPN: She placed 5th at Worlds last season.  She is the reigning Four Continents Bronze Medalist.  She won bronze at Skate Canada and placed 4th at Rostelecom Cup.  She is the 2010 World Junior Champion.  Her personal best is 181.03.  She is 18 years old.  She has the 6th best short program, 8th best free skate and 7th best total scores of the season.  

Akiko Suzuki, JPN: She is the reigning World Bronze Medalist.  She is the reigning Four Continents Silver Medalist.  She won silver at Skate Canada and NHK Trophy to qualify for the Grand Prix Final where she won bronze.  She is the 2010 Four Continents Silver Medalist.  Her personal best is 190.08.  She is 27 years old.  She has the 4th best short program, 5th best free skate and 5th best total scores of the season.  

Alina Fjodorova, LAT: She placed 27th at Worlds last season.  She finished 26th at Europeans.  She placed 19th at JGP Turkey and 23rd at JGP Slovenia.  Her personal best is 133.48.  She is 17 years old.

Inga Januleviciute, LTU: She placed 16th in the preliminary round at Worlds last season.  She finished 31st at Europeans.  She finished 15th at JGP Austria.  Her personal best is 104.60.  She is 17 years old.

Anne Line Gjersem, NOR: She finished 22nd at Europeans.  She placed 10th at JGP Turkey and 14th at JGP Germany.  Her personal best is 124.48.  She is 19 years old.

Yuna Kim, KOR: She is the 2010 Olympic Champion, 2009 World Champion, 2010 and 2011 World Silver Medalist, 2007 and 2008 World Bronze Medalist, 2009 Four Continents Champion, 2006 World Junior Champion and 2005 World Junior Silver Medalist.  Her personal best is 228.56.  She is 22 years old.

Alena Leonova, RUS: She is the reigning World Silver Medalist.  She placed 7th at Skate America and 6th at Rostelecom Cup.  She is the 2009 Junior World Champion.  Her personal best is 184.28.  She is 22 years old.

Adelina Sotnikova, RUS: She is the reigning European Silver Medalist.  She won bronze at Skate America and placed 5th at Rostelecom Cup.  She is the 2011 Junior World Champion and 2012 Junior World Bronze Medalist.  Her personal best is 193.99.  She is 16 years old.  She has the 2nd best short program, 6th best free skate and 3rd best total scores of the season.  

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva, RUS: She is the reigning European Bronze Medalist.  She placed 4th at Skate Canada and won silver at Trophee Eric Bompard to qualify for the Grand Prix Final where she placed 5th.  She is the 2011 World Junior Silver Medalist.  Her personal best is 188.85.  She is 16 years old.  She has the best free skate and 6th best total scores of the season.  

Monika Simancikova, SVK: She placed 15th at Europeans.  She finished 11th at JGP Austria and 7th at JGP Germany.  Her personal best is 137.47.  She is 17 years old.

Patricia Glescic, SLO: She placed 28th at Europeans and 28th at World Juniors.  She finished 14th at JGP Austria and 11th at JGP Slovenia.  Her personal best is 125.46.  She is 18 years old.

Sonia Lafuente, ESP: She placed 15th at Worlds last season.  She finished 7th at Europeans.  Her personal best is 152.29.  She is 21 years old.

Viktoria Helgesson, SWE: She finished 11th at Worlds last season.  She placed 5th at Europeans.  She placed 8th at Skate America and 8th at Rostelecom Cup.  Her personal best is 161.79.  She is 24 years old.

Tina Stuerzinger, SUI: She placed 20th at Europeans.  She placed 12th at JGP USA.  Her personal best is 128.38.  She is 17 years old.

Natalia Popova, UKR: She finished 17th at Worlds last season.  She placed 19th at Europeans.  She finished 10th at JGP Austria.  Her personal best is 138.60.  She is 19 years old.

Gracie Gold, USA: She placed 6th at Four Continents.  She finished 7th at Skate Canada and won silver at Rostelecom Cup.  She is the 2012 World Junior Silver Medalist.  Her personal best is 175.03.  She is 17 years old.  She has the 10th best short program score.

Ashley Wagner, USA: She finished 4th at Worlds last season.  She won gold at Skate America and Trophee Eric Bompard to qualify for the Grand Prix Final where she won silver.  She is the 2012 Four Continents Champion and 2007 and 2009 World Junior Bronze Medalist.  Her personal best is 192.41.  She is 21 years old.  She has the 3rd best short program, 4th best free skate and 4th best total scores of the season.  

Rostelecom Cup Ladies Short Program Results

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Gracie GOLD	USA	62.16	34.92		27.24	6.86	6.57	7.04	6.86	6.71	0.00	#1
2	Kiira KORPI	FIN	61.55	31.51		30.04	7.54	7.07	7.57	7.57	7.79	0.00	#9
3	Agnes ZAWADZKI	USA	60.18	33.01		27.17	6.64	6.57	7.04	7.00	6.71	0.00	#4
4	Alena LEONOVA	RUS	58.85	28.91		29.94	7.46	6.82	7.68	7.75	7.71	0.00	#10
5	Adelina SOTNIKOVA	RUS	57.11	29.11		28.00	7.07	6.64	7.07	7.21	7.00	0.00	#6
6	Kanako MURAKAMI	JPN	56.78	29.01		28.77	7.39	6.79	7.14	7.36	7.29	1.00	#7
7	Viktoria HELGESSON	SWE	54.10	26.67		27.43	6.82	6.50	6.96	7.00	7.00	0.00	#8
8	Polina KOROBEYNIKOVA	RUS	51.45	26.42		25.03	6.54	5.79	6.29	6.46	6.21	0.00	#3
9	Valentina MARCHEI	ITA	46.25	20.48		25.77	6.25	6.11	6.50	6.64	6.71	0.00	#5
10	Caroline ZHANG	USA	46.15	21.84		24.31	6.21	5.64	6.29	6.14	6.11	0.00	#2

Skate America Ladies Free Skate Results

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Ashley WAGNER	USA	127.76	63.83		63.93	8.08	7.67	8.04	8.13	8.04	0.00	#10
2	Christina GAO	USA	117.62	60.64		56.98	7.25	6.79	7.29	7.25	7.04	0.00	#8
3	Adelina SOTNIKOVA	RUS	110.03	51.36		59.67	7.67	7.08	7.33	7.58	7.63	1.00	#9
4	Haruka IMAI	JPN	107.82	56.82		52.00	6.63	6.21	6.54	6.58	6.54	1.00	#4
5	Alena LEONOVA	RUS	106.77	53.23		53.54	6.88	6.25	6.79	6.83	6.71	0.00	#2
6	Valentina MARCHEI	ITA	104.78	50.46		54.32	6.67	6.42	6.79	7.04	7.04	0.00	#6
7	Mae Berenice MEITE	FRA	101.54	52.81		49.73	6.25	5.83	6.29	6.38	6.33	1.00	#7
8	Viktoria HELGESSON	SWE	94.56	43.15		52.41	6.67	6.21	6.58	6.71	6.58	1.00	#5
9	Rachael FLATT	USA	92.37	47.44		44.93	5.83	5.25	5.58	5.79	5.63	0.00	#1
10	Sarah HECKEN	GER	85.98	41.57		45.41	5.88	5.33	5.67	5.75	5.75	1.00	#3

FPl.	Name	Nation	Points	SP	FS
1	Ashley WAGNER	USA	188.37	1	1
2	Christina GAO	USA	174.25	3	2
3	Adelina SOTNIKOVA	RUS	168.96	2	3
4	Valentina MARCHEI	ITA	158.79	5	6
5	Haruka IMAI	JPN	157.72	7	4
6	Mae Berenice MEITE	FRA	155.95	4	7
7	Alena LEONOVA	RUS	153.49	9	5
8	Viktoria HELGESSON	SWE	144.85	6	8
9	Rachael FLATT	USA	136.09	10	9
10	Sarah HECKEN	GER	134.09	8	10

Skate America Ladies Preview

Ashley Wagner went from 'almost girl' last season to a top contender with gold medal finishes at U.S. Nationals and Four Continents.  She just missed the podium at Worlds but is ready to show that last season was not a fluke.  Her scores at Four Continents were the highest recorded last season and if she hits all of her jumps she will be tough to beat.  Her recent victory at the Japan Open over both the reigning World silver and bronze medalists shows she's on the right track and ready for the season.  

Alena Leonova won her first World medal last season.  While she lacks the grace and finesse of Ashley Wagner she makes up for it on the strength of her jumps including consistent triple+triple combinations.  Among a tough field of Russian wonderbabies, Leonova has been able to hold her place and show she's still at the top.  Her biggest problem is her lack of consistency and she can end up anywhere in the standings depending on her jumps that day.  Wagner soundly defeated her by nearly 16 points at the Japan Open so Leonova will have some ground to cover to win the gold.

Leonova will be fighting off one of her young compatriots, Adelina Sotnikova.  Sotnikova took home two medals from the Grand Prix last season but lost ground to Elizaveta Tuktamisheva and Julia Lipnitskaia and fell to 3rd at Junior Worlds.  This is her first year of Senior Worlds eligibility and she'll need good showings if she wants to snag one of the spots on the Russian team.  Sotnikova was expected to easily walk away with a victory at Nebelhorn Trophy but was upstaged by Kaetlyn Osmond and had to settle for silver.

Also in the mix are Haruka Imai, Valentina Marchei and Viktoria Helgesson.  Imai's best finish came at Skate America last season where she finished 4th.  At Nebelhorn Trophy, Imai came back from a 9th place finish in the short program to win the bronze medal behind Adelina Sotnikova.  Marchei showed improvement throughout the season and landed in 8th place at Worlds.  Viktoria Helgesson is the reigning bronze medalist at this event but finished a disappointing 6th at Nebelhorn Trophy earlier this season.

My podium predictions:
Gold: Ashley Wagner
Silver: Alena Leonova
Bronze: Adelina Sotnikova

Bios of the competitors:
Mae Berenice Meite, FRA: She placed 13th at Europeans.  She finished 7th at NHK Trophy and 6th at Trophee Eric Bompard last season.  Her personal best is 150.44.  She is 18 years old.

Sarah Hecken, GER:: She finished 20th at Worlds.  She placed 8th at Skate Canada last season.  Her personal best is 155.83.  She is 19 years old.

Valentina Marchei, ITA: She finished 8th at Worlds and Europeans.  She placed 9th at Skate America and Cup of China.  Her personal best is 153.71.  She is 25 years old.

Haruka Imai, JPN: She finished 9th at Four Continents.  She placed 4th at Skate America and 6th at Rostelecom Cup last season.  Her personal best is 155.29.  She is 19 years old.

Alena Leonova, RUS: She is the reigning World Silver Medalist and placed 7th at Europeans.  She placed 4th at Skate Canada, won bronze at NHK Trophy and silver at Rostelecom Cup last season to qualify for the Grand Prix Final where she won bronze.  She is the 2009 Junior World Champion.  Her personal best is 184.28.  She is 21 years old.

Adelina Sotnikova, RUS: She is the reigning Junior World Bronze Medalist.  She won bronze at Cup of China and Rostelecom Cup last season.  She is the 2011 Junior World Champion.  Her personal best is 178.87.  She is 16 years old.

Viktoria Helgesson, SWE: She finished 11th at Worlds and 5th at Europeans.  She won bronze at Skate America and placed 5th at Trophee Eric Bompard last season.  Her personal best is 161.79.  She is 24 years old.

Rachael Flatt: She She placed 10th at Skate Canada and 9th at Rostelecom Cup last season.  She is the 2008 World Junior Champion.  Her personal best is 182.49.  She is 20 years old.

Christina Gao, USA: She placed 7th at Junior Worlds.  She placed 5th at Cup of China and 10th at Rostelecom Cup last season.  Her personal best is 167.14.  She is 18 years old.

Ashley Wagner, USA: She finished 4th at Worlds and is the reigning Four Continents Champion.  She won bronze at Skate Canada and finished 4th at NHK Trophy last season.  She is the 2007 and 2009 World Junior Bronze Medalist.  Her personal best is 192.41.  She is 21 years old.

Potential Grand Prix Ladies

There are 33 ladies on the list including Miki Ando who did not compete last season but could still receive assignments and several skaters that competed as juniors and may choose to move up to seniors or return to the Junior Grand Prix.


There are 60 Grand Prix slots (including host picks) with 45 of the 60 slots filled from this list, meaning few skaters outside of top 12 finishers at worlds will be given a 2nd assignment unless they are given a host pick.  If some of these ladies choose to remain junior, more spots will be available. 

Note that this season the top 6 finishers at Worlds will not be able to compete at three events. 


The assignments will be released on May 21st. 

Top 12 finishers at Worlds (guaranteed 2 GP spots, top 6 are seeded)

1 Carolina Kostner

2 Alena Leonova

3 Akiko Suzuki

4 Ashley Wagner

5 Kanako Murakami

6 Mao Asada

7 Kexin Zhang

8 Valentina Marchei

9 Ksenia Makarova

10 Elene Gedevanishvili

11 Viktoria Helgesson

12 Yretha Silete

Top 24 Seasons Best (guaranteed 1 spot)

5 Julia Lipnitskaia (Junior)
7 Elizaveta Tuktamisheva
8 Alissa Czisny
9 Caroline Zhang
11 Mirai Nagasu
12 Gracie Gold (Junior)
13 Adelina Sotnikova
14 Kiira Korpi
15 Sofia Biryukova
17 Polina Korobeynikova
19 Polina Shelepen (Junior)
20 Satoko Miyahara (Junior)
23 Risa Shoji (Junior)
24 Zijun Li (Junior)

Top 24 World Standings (guaranteed 1 assignment)

15 Mae Berenice Meite

17 Joshi Helgesson

18 Haruka Imai

19 Agnes Zawadzki

21 Amelie Lacoste

22 Miki Ando (did not compete in 2011-2012)

24 Sarah Hecken

Top 3 at Junior Grand Prix Final and Jr. Worlds (considered for 1 spot)

All meet one of the criteria above

Number of skaters eligible by country (not including host picks):

Russia: 8
Japan: 7
USA: 6
China: 2 
France: 2
Italy: 2
Sweden: 2
Canada: 1
Finland: 1 
Georgia: 1
Germany: 1

World Championships: Ladies Free Skate

Alisa Mikonsaari, FIN: 33.59 TES + 33.65 PCS -1.00 = 66.24 Total: 110.40 and into 1st place

• Fall on the opening triple salchow
• Double lutz
• Triple toe
• Nice double axel
• Good speed through the camel spin and nice donut position into a decent catchfoot extension
• Triple salchow + double toe
• Single toe turn out double toe
• Spiral into a single axel
• Awkward getting into the haircutter but lovely once she's in it and very slow on the Biellman
• A little slow on the footwork and she seems to be very stiff and cautious
• She needs more stretch through all the positions in this combination spin and really starts to lose speed by the end

Polina Korobeynikova, RUS: 42.53 TES + 40.74 PCS = 83.27 Total: 129.98 and into 1st place

• Not sure why but she's wearing nude gloves on her hands 
• Hits her opening triple flip but it was a planned triple + triple combo
• Triple lutz + double toe
• Under rotates and doubles her flip
• Could use more stretch through her free leg in the sit spin but good speed
• Nice double axel + double toe
• Single loop with a two footed landing
• Triple salchow + double toe with a turn out on hte landing
• Solid double axel
• She seems a little stiff today and you can see the nerves--I wonder if the pressure of coming in as the top Russian ladies finisher at Euros got to her
• Lovely layback and haircutter positions in her spin but she loses speed in the Biellman
• Nice edges through her step sequence and good flow across the ice
• A little slow through her final combination spin

Romy Buhler, SUI: 35.12 TES + 38.07 PCS -1.00 = 72.19 Total: 116.21 and into 2nd place

• Big opening triple lutz and she hangs on to the landing
• Hands down and fall out on the triple salchow
• Double toe + single toe + single loop
• Nice double axel
• Interesting take on the catch foot camel extension into a catchfoot front upright spin
• Double toe and she is almost completely stopped on the landing
• Nice arabesque spiral
• Single salchow + double toe
• Double axel + double toe
• Needs a straighter leg on that sit spin
• She has lots of lovely elements but needs to really stretch through her legs and finish everything off
• Very nice way to get into the Biellman but she loses speed and centering

Natalia Popova, UKR: 48.54 TES + 41.22 PCS = 89.76 Total: 136.36 and into 1st place

• Triple flip + double toe
• Hung on to the landing of the triple loop
• Triple toe with a turn out on the landing
• Nice speed through the sit spin
• Triple toe + double toe--she gets nice height on her jumps but not a lot of ice coverage
• Triple salchow + double toe
• Triple salchow
• Double axel
• Decent camel spin but she struggles a bit to grab the foot for the catchfoot position but a nice stretched out upright catchfoot spin at the end
• I'd like to see more stretch through her free leg in the footwork 
• Pretty layback spin into a nice haircutter

Sarah Hecken, GER: 44.57 TES + 39.24 PCS -1.00 = 82.81 Total: 129.20 and into 3rd place

• Ekes out the landing on that triple flip
• Triple salchow step out
• Triple toe turn out double toe
• Nice speed and position in the donut spin but needs more flexibility through the back for the catchfoot
• Decent layback and haircutter
• Fall on a triple toe
• Triple salchow + double toe + double toe
• Double axel + double toe
• Double axel
• Seems to be a bit choppy through this step sequence and skimming over the tops of the edges
• Needs more stretch through her sit position and finishes the spin after the music

Kerstin Frank, AUT: 42.19 TES + 38.18 PCS = 80.37 Total: 126.17 and into 4th place

• Hmm she has the nude gloves on too...
• Down on one side on the triple lutz landing and had to put a hand down
• Nice triple toe + double toe
• Double salchow + double toe
• Decent position in her camel spin into a nice sit spin and decent flexibility through the catchfoot upright spin
• Triple salchow + double toe was nice
• Singled her toe jump and two footed the landing
• Good double axel
• Double axel step out and hand down--with no combination she won't get full credit for the jump
• Not a very attractive position on the bent leg camel spin--leg was way out in front of her instead of behind in an arabesque position
• She seems very bobbly in places in this step sequence and her upper body is very stiff
• Does about two rotations in her final spin after the music ends before hitting her final pose

Sonia Lafuente, ESP: 50.04 TES + 42.84 PCS = 92.88 Total: 140.24 and into 1st place

• She seems to be starting so slow with the intensity of this music
• Nice opening triple flip
• Good triple loop
• Triple toe + double toe
• A lot of traveling on her combination spin and not a lot of speed
• Triple loop + double toe
• She seems very hesitant and looks down at the ice and not up at the audience when she skates 
• Double axel + double toe
• Triple toe
• Nice position in her spiral 
• Good double axel
• Lots of turns and changes of edge in her footwork
• Nice extension through the upright catchfoot spin at the end of the program

Juulia Turkkila, FIN: 46.59 TES + 41.22 PCS = 87.81 Total: 135.56 and into 3rd place

• Triple toe + double toe
• Nice height on the triple salchow + double toe
• Triple loop with one arm variation
• Double axel + double toe + double loop and she two foots the last jump with no speed left
• Triple salchow with a step out
• Some of her choreography doesn't seem to go quite with the music
• Triple toe
• Nice double axel with good transition out of the jump
• Good speed on her sit spin into a nice upright spin 
• One foot section to open the step sequence

Elena Glebova, EST: 50.94 TES + 44.30 PCS = 95.24 Total: 144.28 and into 1st place

• Triple lutz
• Triple loop but not a lot of flow out of the jump
• Double axel + triple toe with good spring in the second jump
• Triple salchow + double toe + double toe
• Nice layback into haircutter
• Skimming over the top of the edges a bit on this step sequence
• Double salchow + double toe very close to the boards
• Nice double axel
• Forward on the landing of the triple toe and has to put a hand down
• Nice low sit spin with good speed right into the final combination speed maintaining good speed throughout

Amelie Lacoste, CAN: 44.89 TES + 46.34 PCS -2.00 = 89.23 Total: 138.60 and into 3rd place

• Nice triple loop to open the program
• Double flip + double loop
• Triple salchow hand down and then a fall
• Beautiful camel position into a (not so pretty) illusion but the rest of the combination spin is nice with good speed
• Double flip
• Triple loop + double loop
• Nice low position in the sit spin with a good twist variation
• She has so many great qualities as a skater and is a joy to watch but she lacks the technical content to really be competitive with only two different triples in her free skate
• Fall on the double axel
• Triple salchow + single toe
• Nice layback spin into a good haircutter

Alissa Czisny, USA: 33.13 TES + 47.67 PCS -5.00 = 75.80 Total: 124.11 and into 9th place

• I am not a fan of this costume with the sheer white skirt over the darker white briefs as it breaks the line of the costume and is distracting
• Fall on the opening triple lutz
• Fall on the triple loop
• Hangs on to that triple flip
• Nice spiral positions 
• Great speed in her camel spin into a pretty donut position and stretching out to the catchfoot
• Two foots the landing and hand down on the triple toe
• Fall on the triple lutz
• Hand down and fall on the triple loop
• Really off in the air on the double axel and she falls
• Nice speed and extension through her upright spin
• Something is clearly going on because this is so unlike even Old Alissa to miss so many jumps
• Gorgeous layback into a beautiful Biellman

Yretha Silete, FRA: 55.85 TES + 44.91 PCS -1.00 = 99.76 Total: 148.18 and into 1st place

• Big opening double axel + double toe + double toe
• Cat like legs to land that triple lutz
• Fall on the triple flip
• Nice triple loop
• Good layback into haircutter but losing a lot of speed through the Biellman
• Triple salchow + double toe--she has so much spring on those combination jumps and almost gets more height on the 2nd jump than the first
• Triple toe + double toe
• Double axel
• She needs to really stretch through her free leg on that last spin
• Hard to tell if she finished after her music--spun three or four times after a crash that may have been the ending but then there was a low whistling sound

Valentina Marchei, ITA: 48.87 TES + 49.09 PCS = 97.96 Total: 150.10 and into 1st place

• Nice triple lutz + double toe
• Hands down on the triple flip but she magically stays on her feet
• Really sideways in the air on the triple salchow but manages to land it with a hand down
• Good speed through her combo spin with nice positions and a good transition out of it
• Nice layback into a haircutter
• Pretty spiral position with nice stretch
• Triple lutz a little scratchy on the landing
• Triple toe forward on the toe pick on the landing but she hangs on
• Double axel turn out double toe
• Triple salchow turnout double toe
• Nice energy through her footwork sequence
• A little slowon the final combination spin

Kexin Zhang, CHN: 58.07 TES + 45.50 PCS -1.00 = 102.57 Total: 157.57 and into 1st place

• Big easy opening triple toe + triple toe combination
• Fall on the triple lutz, slowly slides into the boards and takes a bit to get back up
• Triple flip + double toe
• Good speed through the donut position in the camel spin with an inventive hold 
• Pretty stretched out scorpion spiral
• Triple toe
• Scratchy on the triple loop but landed
• Really nice layback spin with good speed on the Biellman
• Triple salchow + double toe + double loop
• Nice double axel
• Good long strokes in this one foot sequence that take her half way across the ice and lots of upper body movement in the 2nd half
• Nice position in her camel spin with great flexibility in the upright catchfoot

Jenna McCorkell, GBR: 46.91 TES + 46.51 PCS = 93.42 Total: 143.84 and into 5th place

• Nice opening triple lutz
• Good triple flip
• Triple toe + double toe
• Decent layback position but she needs more lift through her arms
• Single salchow
• Single loop
• Double axel + double toe
• Triple toe + double axel sequence
• Seems very slow on this step sequence and she's not getting much ice coverage

Elene Gedevanishvili, GEO: 41.51 TES + 51.20 PCS -2.00 = 90.71 Total: 149.20 and into 3rd place

• Off in the air on the triple lutz and falls
• Single lutz and two footed
• Nice height on the double axel + double toe but stumbles over her free leg a bit on the landing of the second jump
• Good triple salchow
• Triple loop very forward in the air and a fall
• Triple toe + double toe with a step out
• Triple toe
• Great speed and position on camel spin, nice stretch through the sit position after the change of foot
• A little bouncy through the one foot section of the step sequence instead of really pushing through her edges to get across the ice
• Great speed in the camel spin into a nice layback and haircutter
• She's got a lot of shoulder tape on so she must be battling an injury

Viktoria Helgesson, SWE: 46.19 TES + 50.16 PCS -2.00 = 94.35 Total: 148.54 and into 4th place

• Triple flip
• Double lutz
• Nice triple loop
• Nice passion through the step sequence with good edges although she seems to get stuck toward the middle
• Good camel position with nice speed into a good catchfoot
• Triple toe + double toe
• Nice spiral and nice set up into it coming out of choreography
• Two foots the double axel and am not sure she got the full rotation
• Good speed through the combination spin but she could use more stretch through the upright catchfoot
• Triple loop and a fall and without a combo on that one she won't receive full credit for the jump
• Good triple salchow stepping right into her final sit spin and ending a few beats after the music

Ashley Wagner, USA: 62.91 TES + 57.44 PCS = 120.35 Total: 176.77 and into 1st place

• Nice triple flip + double toe + double loop
• Double axel + triple toe was too footed
• Nice triple lutz
• I love her attention to detail in this program down to her fingertips and the angle of her chin
• Nice speed through the sit spin
• Gorgeous spiral positions
• Nice layback spin into a good haircutter and Biellman picking up a bit of speed
• Spread eagle into triple loop right on the music
• Nice triple salchow with great flow out of the jump
• Triple loop + double toe looked two footed on the first jump
• Good triple flip
• Nice edges in the step sequence and a cheer from the crowd for her ballet walks in the middle
• Good position on the twisted camel and good speed through the position changes ending with a scratch spin

Alena Leonova, RUS: 60.57 TES + 59.10 PCS = 119.67 Total: 184.28 and into 1st place

• Triple toe + triple toe might have been a bit two footed on the second jump
• Triple loop has to fight to hang on to the landing a bit
• Triple flip with a step out
• Nice positions and speed in the camel spin
• Triple flip + double toe so close to the boards that she can't get her free leg all the way out on the second jump
• Double salchow + double toe
• She seems to be wobbling a bit on transition moves so I wonder if her free just aren't completely under her
• Double axel was good
• Really slow in the sit spin and flexed foot on the bent leg position
• She seems to be running out of gas at the end of this step sequence and is moving slower and seems to be forcing herself to do the movements
• Ugly illusion spin into a sit and then a haircutter losing speed by the end

Mao Asada, JPN: 45.01 TES + 60.02 PCS = 105.03 Total: 164.52 and into 3rd place

• This dress is just stunning and the perfect color on her
• Single axel (popped an intended triple)
• Triple flip + double loop
• Nice triple lutz with great flow out of it
• Good speed through the camel spin into a broken leg sit spin and picking up speed through the upright catchfoot
• Double axel + double toe (looked like she opened up on an intended triple)
• Double flip
• Triple salchow
• Nice straight leg in the sit spin 
• This program suits her so nicely and she looks really relaxed when she's skating it
• Not a lot of power in her step sequence but nice choreography
• Single loop
• Flying entry to the sit spin pulling into a donut and a nice catchfoot extension and ending with her trademark spiral
• Those mistakes are going to be too costly for her to hang on for a medal

Kanako Murakami, JPN: 55.53 TES + 57.21 PCS = 112.74 Total: 175.1 and into 3rd place

• Really high kick into her opening triple lutz
• Triple loop--interesting bounce before the takeoff
• Two foots the landing of the triple flip and has no flow out of the jump
• Nice layback but she loses lots of speed in the Biellman
• Good broken leg sit spin
• Triple toe + triple toe might have been a bit tight on the landing
• Triple flip + single axel sequence
• Single axel--she's hitting most of her jumps today but her jump technique is really flawed and leads to her inconsistency 
• Not a lot of power through this step sequence and she's not getting much ice coverage
• Triple salchow + double loop + double loop
• Nice upright catchfoot spin with good speed into a tucked sit spin
• Those mistakes will cost her and she'll likely drop off the podium as well

Carolina Kostner, ITA: 63.22 TES + 65.72 PCS = 128.94 Total: 189.94 and into 1st place

• Nice opening triple loop with nice extension of the free leg on the landing
• Nice triple flip
• Nice double axel + triple toe with great ice coverage
• Double flip + double toe
• Nice double axel
• Good triple salchow and she is making these jumps look easy
• Triple salchow + double toe + double toe very light and easy and right on the music
• Nice step sequence with good edges although it looks like she was struggling to stay on her feet for a minute there in the middle
• Nice speed and position in the camel spin into a nice stretched out sit spin with a flying change of foot to a layback spin
• Losing a big of her centering in the final combination spin but that should be enough to put her into first.

Akiko Suzuki, JPN: 62.06 TES + 59.24 PCS = 121.30 Total: 180.68 and into 3rd place

• Huge opening triple lutz
• Nice double axel + triple toe
• Triple flip
• Nice combination spin with good speed and positions
• Nice broken leg camel spin from a flying entry but she could use more extension through the catchfoot
• Nice backwards arabesque spiral
• Triple lutz + double toe + double loop 
• Triple salchow had to fight for the landing a bit
• Singles her lutz and tacks on a double toe 
• Triple loop with a bit of a two footed landing
• Her step sequence is so light and airy and always full of energy
• A little off on centering in her final spin

Ksenia Makarova, RUS: 39.78 TES + 53.19 PCS -2.00 = 90.97 Total: 149.48 and into 9th place

• Botched her first jump and fell on the 2nd.  She needed 20 points above her season's best to medal so she's out of it now.
• Triple loop nice
• Pretty layback spin into a nice Biellman
• Triple loop + double toe
• Fall on the triple salchow
• Could use more stretch through her free leg in the sit spin
• The music editing for this program is so odd with no real rhyme or reason to what comes when and weird overlaps 
• A little slow on this step sequence and no real performance quality
• Nice final combination spin with good positions

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Carolina KOSTNER	ITA	128.94	63.22		65.72	8.39	7.96	8.25	8.11	8.36	0.00	#22
2	Akiko SUZUKI	JPN	121.30	62.06		59.24	7.64	7.07	7.46	7.32	7.54	0.00	#23
3	Ashley WAGNER	USA	120.35	62.91		57.44	7.25	6.75	7.36	7.25	7.29	0.00	#18
4	Alena LEONOVA	RUS	119.67	60.57		59.10	7.43	6.96	7.43	7.43	7.68	0.00	#19
5	Kanako MURAKAMI	JPN	112.74	55.53		57.21	7.39	6.96	7.18	7.11	7.11	0.00	#21
6	Mao ASADA	JPN	105.03	45.01		60.02	7.64	7.29	7.61	7.36	7.61	0.00	#20
7	Kexin ZHANG	CHN	102.57	58.07		45.50	6.00	5.43	5.71	5.68	5.61	1.00	#14
8	Yretha SILETE	FRA	99.76	55.85		44.91	5.68	5.25	5.68	5.64	5.82	1.00	#12
9	Valentina MARCHEI	ITA	97.96	48.87		49.09	6.21	5.75	6.32	6.04	6.36	0.00	#13
10	Elena GLEBOVA	EST	95.24	50.94		44.30	5.68	5.36	5.61	5.46	5.57	0.00	#9
11	Viktoria HELGESSON	SWE	94.35	46.19		50.16	6.39	5.96	6.29	6.25	6.46	2.00	#17
12	Jenna MCCORKELL	GBR	93.42	46.91		46.51	5.96	5.46	6.04	5.57	6.04	0.00	#15
13	Sonia LAFUENTE	ESP	92.88	50.04		42.84	5.54	5.07	5.46	5.32	5.39	0.00	#7
14	Ksenia MAKAROVA	RUS	90.97	39.78		53.19	6.79	6.39	6.57	6.75	6.75	2.00	#24
15	Elene GEDEVANISHVILI	GEO	90.71	41.51		51.20	6.61	6.14	6.39	6.43	6.43	2.00	#16
16	Natalia POPOVA	UKR	89.76	48.54		41.22	5.29	4.86	5.36	5.07	5.18	0.00	#4
17	Amelie LACOSTE	CAN	89.23	44.89		46.34	5.96	5.46	5.75	5.79	6.00	2.00	#10
18	Juulia TURKKILA	FIN	87.81	46.59		41.22	5.36	4.96	5.29	5.04	5.11	0.00	#8
19	Polina KOROBEYNIKOVA	RUS	83.27	42.53		40.74	5.29	4.75	5.07	5.07	5.29	0.00	#2
20	Sarah HECKEN	GER	82.81	44.57		39.24	5.18	4.57	4.89	4.89	5.00	1.00	#5
21	Kerstin FRANK	AUT	80.37	42.19		38.18	5.07	4.50	4.86	4.61	4.82	0.00	#6
22	Alissa CZISNY	USA	75.80	33.13		47.67	6.14	5.93	5.50	6.11	6.11	5.00	#11
23	Romy BÜHLER	SUI	72.19	35.12		38.07	4.93	4.54	4.71	4.75	4.86	1.00	#3
24	Alisa MIKONSAARI	FIN	66.24	33.59		33.65	4.50	3.86	4.32	4.21	4.14	1.00	#1

Pl.	Name	Nation	Points	SP	FS
1	Carolina KOSTNER	ITA	189.94	3	1
2	Alena LEONOVA	RUS	184.28	1	4
3	Akiko SUZUKI	JPN	180.68	5	2
4	Ashley WAGNER	USA	176.77	8	3
5	Kanako MURAKAMI	JPN	175.41	2	5
6	Mao ASADA	JPN	164.52	4	6
7	Kexin ZHANG	CHN	157.57	9	7
8	Valentina MARCHEI	ITA	150.10	11	9
9	Ksenia MAKAROVA	RUS	149.48	6	14
10	Elene GEDEVANISHVILI	GEO	149.20	7	15
11	Viktoria HELGESSON	SWE	148.54	10	11
12	Yretha SILETE	FRA	148.18	15	8
13	Elena GLEBOVA	EST	144.28	14	10
14	Jenna MCCORKELL	GBR	143.84	12	12
15	Sonia LAFUENTE	ESP	140.24	18	13
16	Amelie LACOSTE	CAN	138.60	13	17
17	Natalia POPOVA	UKR	136.36	20	16
18	Juulia TURKKILA	FIN	135.56	17	18
19	Polina KOROBEYNIKOVA	RUS	129.98	19	19
20	Sarah HECKEN	GER	129.20	21	20
21	Kerstin FRANK	AUT	126.17	22	21
22	Alissa CZISNY	USA	124.11	16	22
23	Romy BÜHLER	SUI	116.21	24	23
24	Alisa MIKONSAARI	FIN	110.40	23	24