US Nationals Senior Ladies Short Program

Group 1
Samantha Cesario: 30.74 TES + 25.00 PCS = 55.74

• Great sophistication and character at the top of her Carmen program 
• Nice triple flip + double toe
• Great ice coverage on her double axel and nice flow out of it
• Good positions in the layback but seemed to have a bit of trouble hanging on to the Biellman
• Decent speed in the sit spin but she could stretch through her position just a tad more
• Nice triple loop 
• Good fire and performance in this step sequence, but she is getting a few ice sprays so some of the edges might not be 100% clean 
• Nice speed and position in the camel spin with good catchfoot position

Mirai Nagasu: 34.73 TES + 29.66 PCS = 64.39 and into 1st place

• I absolutely love her dress and the color looks great on her
• Great height and nice landings on the triple toe + triple toe
• Nice Ina Bauer 
• Good triple loop
• Flying entry to the camel spin with great positions and nice entry into a catchfoot donut
• I feel that this is a great vehicle for her this season as it really shows her carefree approach and love of skating
• Nice spiral into a double axel
• Good character in the step sequence and some nice edgework
• Iffy illusions in the combo spin but all the other positions are nice
• Really nice layback spin into a great Biellman

Angela Wang: 28.94 TES + 24.12 PCS -1.00 = 52.06 and into 3rd place

• Fall on her opening triple lutz--intended to be her combo
• Triple flip + double toe nice
• The big advantage of seniors is that you can move your combo if you mess up your first jump, but juniors have a required solo jump and cannot repeat it in the combo so they must take a penalty
• Good double axel
• She could use more flexibility through the donut and catchfoot positions in her camel spin
• Nice use of her arms through the step sequence but I feel like she can really stretch through her free leg more and finish off the lines
• She could fix her arms in the layback but the Biellman is good
• She's capable of a lot more because she lost out on her triple + triple but she'll be back in the free skate

Hannah Miller: 28.63 TES + 25.84 PCS = 54.47 and into 3rd place

• She's really skating to her music and hitting all the accents in the opening choreography
• Solid double axel right on the music
• Triple flip a little back on the landing and didn't get a great exit
• Good camel positions with good speed
• Nice triple loop + double loop
• Nice layback into a good Biellman
• You can tell this girl loves to be on the ice and she is really selling the program and hitting everything with the intensity this program requires
• Last season there was a lot of talk about how her jumps were tiny and wouldn't last a growth spurt but she seems to be getting a lot more height on her jumps this season and they seem more secure as well
• Traveling a lot on the upright spin in her final combo spin but lots of speed

Haley Dunne: 22.07 TES + 22.89 PCS = 44.96 and into 5th place

• Nice triple flip + double toe
• She has such grace and ease on the ice and really uses her arms to finish off her moves
• Popped the lutz into a single
• Gorgeous layback with one arm down; could use more stretch in the Biellman
• Nice step sequence that really flows across the ice and seems more like choreography than an element
• Nice sit spin
• Double axel went straight up and didn't travel so she had to fudge the ending a bit with a step out
• Nice final combination spin that included a good layback

Group 2
Yasmin Siraj: 32.14 TES + 25.74 PCS = 57.88 and into 2nd place

• Triple toe + triple toe very tight but she lands it and gets the free leg out
• Triple lutz and ekes out the free leg
• Good Ina Bauer into her layback spin with good arm variations and a decent Biellman
• I feel like there's not a lot of connection between the music and her choreography in the step sequence and it seems like an odd music choice for this part of the program
• Decent camel spin positions and nice transition between the catchfoot and the donut positions
• Really difficult hop into a double axel
• Good speed in her final combination spin

Courtney Hicks: 34.07 TES + 25.65 PCS = 59.72 and into 2nd place

• Triple flip + triple toe with huge height and great ice coverage
• Good layback spin but not very stretched out in the Biellman
• She could stretch through her free leg in teh camel spin but great speed and nice transition between the donut and catchfoot variations
• She's backloaded her program to take advantage of the 10 percent bonus
• Giant triple lutz
• Nice double axel
• She seems to be leaning forward a lot in her step sequence and I'd like to see her use the edges more than her upper body to propel her across the ice
• Signature Tw-Hicks spin in her combo spin and ending with a fast scratch spin
• Huge roar from the crowd when she finished

Amanda Hofmann: 21.48 TES + 20.77 PCS = 42.25 and into 8th place

• Triple loop + double toe
• Triple flip stepped out
• Camel spin into a really nice catch foot; great flexibility in the upright spin
• Rough double axel two footed the landing
• Goregeous Biellman with her leg completely straight up
• A little slow on the step sequence and she needs more power to really get across the ice 
• A lot of really great moments but a lot of things that she can work on

Becky Bereswill: 16.80 TES + 21.66 PCS = 38.46 and into 9th place

• Really rough triple lutz but she manages to not fall
• Triple salchow + double toe putting hands down the second jump
• Nice layback into a good Biellman but very slow
• Double axel off in the air and landing a little sideways but she hangs on to it
• It's a shame because she was landing gorgeous jumps in warmup 
• Nice spiral into her sit spin
• Decent camel spin, great upright spin but not a lot of speed

Group 3
Caroline Zhang: 23.70 TES + 26.29 PCS = 49.99 and into 7th place

• Same program as last season but new costume and it is very elegant on her
• Triple loop + triple loop really nice
• Good triple flip
• Nice camel spin positions and great entry into the donut; not super fast, but in time with the music and maintaining speed throughout
• Good speedy rotation in the double axel
• Nice positions in the camel spin and good flexibility through the upright position
• I like her expression through the step sequence; it's soft, appropriate for the program and you can tell she's enjoying being out on the ice
• Layback spin with good speed into her signature pearl and a nice Biellman
• Definitely a big improvement from her Grand Prix assignments
• There must have been a few downgrades for her scores to be that low and the crowd was not happy with her placement

Joelle Forte: 24.59 TES + 21.23 PCS = 45.82 and into 8th place

• Triple lutz + double toe very tight on the landing and no flow out of the jump
• Good position in the sit spin with nice variations but starting to lose speed through the back tuck position
• She seems a bit slow and hesitant in the step sequence and is not really giving much performance 
• Triple salchow
• Nice height in the double axel and snappy rotation
• Ok layback position and a decent haircutter
• Good camel spin position with a flying change to the sit spin and ending with an upright spin

Kiri Baga: 24.80 TES + 22.86 PCS -1.00 = 46.66 and into 8th place

• Hard fall on her opening triple flip
• Triple loop, hand down, double toe
• Really nice combo spin positions especially in the sit spin with a nice stretched free leg
• Solid double axel with a nice landing position and good ride out
• Good camel spin and picking up rotation through the donut and a nice catchfoot that is almost a Biellman
• Pretty layback spin picking up a lot of speed through the haircutter and a great Biellman

Gracie Gold: 28.74 TES + 26.34 PCS -1.00 = 54.08 and into 6th place

• Huge triple flip + triple toe--almost started to go horizontal a bit on the triple toe and can't hang on to it and falls 
• Triple lutz--was supposed to be a Rippon but likely playing it safe after the fall
• Popped the axel into a single
• Nice speed in her spins but needs more flexibility in the catchfoot and a little wild at the end
• I think this is definitely a case of nerves getting to her with her senior debut and a spot on the World team on the line
• Nice layback spin with a good Biellman
• Good positions in the final combination spin 
• She also seemed to be lacking a lot of the fire and spunk she's shown in this program in the past and the jumps likely took the wind out of her sails

Laney Diggs: 11.35 TES +19.22 PCS -2.00 = 28.57 and into 14th place

• Triple salchow fall
• Triple toe fall
• No combo so she will receive a penalty
• She did say that she hadn't really been training for nationals so when she got the call last week she had to prepare quickly to get back in shape
• She seems super thrilled just to be competing though and I don't think anything is going to take the smile off her face
• Really awkward axel take off and pops it 
• Decent camel position into a good upright catchfoot

Group 4
Christina Gao: 31.93 TES + 27.81 PCS -1.00 = 58.74 and into 3rd place

• Gorgeous triple toe + triple toe with really nice toe point and great height on her jumps
• Good double axel
• Loses her edge on the change of foot in her spin and she falls, she did complete some of the spin so she won't lose the element completely but that will cost her
• A little tight on the triple loop but pulls it off
• Nice speed in the layback spin and a good haircutter
• She's really started to come into her own this season and you can see her letting go and giving more of a performance on the ice, especially in her step sequences
• Nice final combo spin

Ashley Cain: 25.28 TES + 25.55 PCS = 50.83 and into 9th place

• Huge opening triple loop + double toe
• Nice triple salchow
• Good double axel
• Interesting that she changed her jump layout since she had to do a flip for her JGP assignment earlier this season
• Interesting sideways leaning spin but losing spin in the haircutter and fell out of the Biellman
• She is really performing this step sequence and getting the crowd behind her; she does seem to be on top of her edges sometimes during the step sequence though
• Good camel position into a nice upright spin, losing the centering a tiny bit on the camel after the change of foot
• She'll be really happy with that skate

Sophia Adams: 18.38 TES + 21.16 PCS -2.00 = 37.54 and into 16th place

• Fall on the opening triple salchow
• This might be one of my favorite dresses of the night with such a unique design in the back and a great color
• Triple loop looked good in the air with good height but a tough fall
• Good camel spin but she could have a bit more speed
• Really choppy and on top of her edges in the step sequence
• Good speed in the sit spin pulling in to a nice upright spin
• She could have a bit more arch and better arm positions in the layback and really losing speed in the haircutter

Morgan Bell: 18.24 TES + 21.54 PCS -2.00 = 37.78 and into 16th place

• Fall on her opening triple lutz
• Triple toe and another fall
• Really nice catchfoot position in the camel spin
• She has a great personality on the ice
• Nice spread eagle into a double axel
• Good speed in the layback but losing the speed into the Biellman
• A little slow and hunched over on the combo spin and a bit of struggle holding the leg up in the upright catchfoot position
• Fun step sequence to end the program

Ashley Wagner: 34.74 TES + 32.83 PCS = 67.57 and into 1st place

• Nice triple flip + double toe with both arms over the head
• She skates this program so effortlessly
• Good layback spin into a nice Biellman
• She has the art of performing down as well including subtle moves like an eyebrow or a shoulder
• Nice camel positions and picking up speed through the catchfoot position
• Great ice coverage on the double axel
• Really nice triple loop--two elements in the bonus will give her a bit of an edge
• Losing some speed in her final spin

Agnes Zawadzki: 35.94 TES + 30.37 PCS -1.00 = 65.31 and into 2nd place

• Really nice triple lutz with tons of height
• Great triple toe + triple toe, great height, nice toe point and right on the music
• Nice Biellman spin 
• Good Ina Bauer
• Split jump into double axel but she falls on the landing
• Good camel spin with a nice donut and good catchfoot
• Looks like she might have caught an edge and bobbled a bit a couple times in the step sequence--might cost her a Level or a Grade of Execution
• Nice positions in her final spin and speeding up at the end with great toe point in her upright catchfoot

\

Place	Start No.	Name	Score
1	20	Ashley Wagner, SC of Wilmington	67.57
2	21	Agnes Zawadzki, Broadmoor SC	65.31
3	2	Mirai Nagasu, Pasadena FSC	64.39
4	8	Courtney Hicks, All Year FSC	59.72
5	16	Christina Gao, SC Of Boston	58.74
6	6	Yasmin Siraj, SC Of Boston	57.88
7	1	Samantha Cesario, SC of New York	55.74
8	4	Hannah Miller, Lansing SC	54.47
9	14	Gracie Gold, Wagon Wheel FSC	54.08
10	3	Angela Wang, Salt Lake Figure Skating	52.06
11	17	Ashley Cain, Stars FSC of Texas	50.83
12	11	Caroline Zhang, All Year FSC	49.99
13	13	Kiri Baga, FSC of Bloomington	46.66
14	12	Joelle Forte, SC of New York	45.82
15	5	Haley Dunne, University of Delaware FSC	44.96
16	9	Amanda Hofmann, Portland ISC	42.25
17	10	Becky Bereswill, Detroit SC	38.46
18	19	Morgan Bell, Rocky Mountain FSC	37.78
19	18	Sophia Adams, All Year FSC	37.54
20	15	Laney Diggs, St. Moritz ISC	28.57
EW		Alissa Czisny, Detroit SC
WD		Leah Keiser, All Year FSC
EW		Vanessa Lam, All Year FSC

US Nationals: Senior Ladies Preview

This is an extremely talented ladies field and with only two spots on the World team, every skater will need to bring their best.  Collectively, they have won seven Grand Prix medals and eight Junior Grand Prix medals.  There have also been two withdrawals from this event due to injury: Alissa Czisny and Vanessa Lam.

No U.S. lady has won two consecutive national titles since Michelle Kwan but Ashley Wagner looks poised to do just that.  She has been hitting her programs solidly this season and picked up two Grand Prix golds to earn herself a trip to the Grand Prix Final.  The reigning Four Continents Champion suffered a hard fall and a hip pointer injury in Sochi but has been back training and is ready to compete in Omaha.  The only question seems to be whether she will go for the triple + triple combination at nationals.  She's going for the clean skate, but will need the technical content if she wants to contend for the gold medal at Worlds.  She suffered two falls in her free skate at the Final and still claimed the silver medal so I think she's a pretty safe bet to repeat here.

Mirai Nagasu has been flying under the radar this season.  Her new coaching situation has given her more time in the rink and for herself instead of in the car.  She's seem much more relaxed and happy skating this season and her new confidence paid off in a bronze medal at NHK Trophy.  Under-rotated jumps have cost her valuable points in the past but if she can clean them up she has a good shot at the World team.  She has a triple toe + triple toe planned in her short program and a double axel + triple toe planned in the free skate.  

Agnes Zawadzki wasn't really considered a threat in San Jose last year until she won the short program.  Nerves got to her in the free skate, but she still claimed the bronze medal.  She's had a good start to her season claiming gold at the International Figure Skating Classic and winning bronze at Rostelecom Cup.  She just missed out on a spot on the World team last season and after taking two trips to Junior Worlds is ready to make the jump.  She has a triple toe + triple toe in her short program and her free skate.

Gracie Gold has seen more hype surrounding her this season than any reigning Junior Ladies Champion in recent memory.  After winning silver at Junior Worlds last season, she received her senior debut at the World Team Trophy.  She had a subpar performance at Skate Canada in her Grand Prix debut and admitted after that the size of the event had her intimidated.  She was able to refocus and claim the silver at Rostelecom Cup.  She'll be under the media spotlight in Omaha and will have to show the same mental strength if she wants to make it to the podium.  Since the Grand Prix, she's been working with renowned Ice Dance coach Marina Zoueva on improving her program components and adding finishing touches to her programs.  Her biggest weakness seems to be the free skate, where jump errors later in the program have cost her placements.  She has a triple flip + triple toe planned for the short and a triple lutz + triple toe and double axel + triple toe planned in the free.

Harvard Freshman Christina Gao almost gave up skating until she made a trip to the Skating Club of Boston.  She has improved since last season and claimed her first Grand Prix medal, a silver at Skate America.  She backed it up with a 4th place finish at Trophee Eric Bompard.  As the first alternate, she was able to travel to Sochi and participate in the Grand Prix Final after Julia Lipnitskaia withdrew.  She finished 5th at nationals the last three seasons and is ready to take the next step and land on the podium.  She has a triple toe + triple toe planned in her short program.  

Samantha Cesario has missed the past two nationals due to injury and her goal all season was to stay healthy enough to compete.  After winning acclaim for her programs at summer competitions she won a bronze medal at JGP Austria.  She had to withdraw from her 2nd assignment due to injury but went on to win Eastern Sectionals.  She had the second highest scores from qualifying, behind Vanessa Lam who has since withdrawn.  

Hannah Miller was one of the only junior ladies not attempting a triple + triple this season but her clean programs and program components earned her two Junior Grand Prix silver medals and a silver medal at the Junior Grand Prix Final.  She's shown that she has the full package to compete with the best and after winning medals at the novice and junior level, is ready to make her senior debut.

Angela Wang also won acclaim on the Junior Grand Prix this season, especially for her opening triple lutz + triple toe + double toe combination in her free skate.  She also qualified for the Junior Grand Prix Final where she finished 4th.  She has had mistakes in her short programs this season that have left her trying to make up ground in her free skate.  She's looking for a spot on the Junior Worlds team and will need a clean short to earn her spot.  She has a triple lutz + triple toe planned for her short and a triple toe + double axel sequence in the free skate.    

Also in the mix are Courtney Hicks who won a medal on the Junior Grand Prix this season and Midwestern Sectionals Champion Ashley Cain who won the silver medal as a junior last season.

Not only are there two World team spots up for grabs, but several ladies are junior age eligible and will be aiming for one of the three spots on the Junior Worlds team.  

My podium predictions:
Gold: Ashley Wagner
Silver: Gracie Gold
Bronze: Mirai Nagasu
Pewter: Christina Gao    

Bios of the competitors:
Sophia Adams: She is 19 years old and represents the All Year Figure Skating Club.  She placed 17th in 2012.  She won the bronze at Southwest Pacific Regionals and bronze at Pacific Coast Sectionals to qualify for nationals.

Kiri Baga: She is 17 years old and represents the Figure Skating Club of Bloomington.  She finished 8th in Intermediate in 2007, is the 2009 Novice Champion and 2010 Junior pewter medalist.  She placed 10th in 2012.  She won gold at Upper Great Lakes Regionals and bronze at Midwestern Sectionals to qualify for nationals.  Nationally, she has the 7th best short program, 8th best free skate and 8th best total scores.

Morgan Bell: She is 21 and represents the Rocky Mountain Figure Skating Club.  She finished 17th in 2011 and 18th in 2012.  She won silver at Southwestern Regionals and pewter at Midwestern Sectionals to qualify for nationals.  Nationally, she has the 10th best short program.

Becky Bereswill: She represents the Detroit Skating Club.  She finished 10th in 2008, 18th in 2009 and 13th in 2010.  She won gold at Eastern Great Lakes Regionals and silver at Midwestern Sectionals to qualify for nationals.  Nationally, she has the 9th best short program, 7th best free skate and 7th best total scores. 

Ashley Cain: She is 17 years old and represents the Stars Figure Skating Club of Texas.  She placed 5th at JGP France.  She is the 2010 Novice Ladies silver medalist, finished 6th in Junior Ladies in 2011 and is the reigning Junior Ladies silver medalist.  She won gold at Southwestern Regionals and gold at Midwestern Sectionals to qualify for nationals.  Nationally, she has the 2nd best short program, 3rd best free skate and 4th best total scores.

Samantha Cesario: She is 19 years old and represents the Skating Club of New York.  She won bronze at JGP Austria.  She placed 8th in Juvenile in 2005, 6th in Juniors in 2009 and 14th in 2010.  She won gold at Eastern Sectionals to qualify for nationals.  Internationally as a junior, she has the 9th best short program, 7th best free skate and 6th best total scores.  Nationally, she has the 4th best short program, 2nd best free skate and 2nd best total scores.

Haley Dunne: She is 19 years old and represents the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club.  She finished 13th in Juniors in 2010, 8th in Juniors in 2011 and 16th in Seniors in 2012.  She won gold at South Atlantic Regionals and bronze at Eastern Sectionals to qualify for nationals.  Nationally, she has the 3rd best short program, 5th best free skate and 6th best total scores.

Joelle Forte: She is 26 and represents the Skating Club of New York.  She finished 9th in Novice in 2000, 12th in 2009, 9th in 2011 and 14th in 2012.  She won bronze at North Atlantic Regionals and pewter at Eastern Sectionals to qualify for nationals.

Christina Gao: She is 18 years old and represents the Northern Kentucky Skating Club.  She won silver at Skate America and finished 4th at Trophee Eric Bompard to qualify for the Grand Prix Final where she finished 6th.  She placed 12th in Juvenile Girls in 2005, 12th in Novice in 2008, is the 2009 Junior bronze medalist and finished 5th in 2010, 2011 and 2012.  Internationally, she has the 10th best total score.

Gracie Gold: She is 17 years old and represents the Wagon Wheel Figure Skating Club.  She is the reigning World Junior silver medalist.  She finished 7th at Skate Canada and won silver at Rostelecom Cup.  She is the 2010 Novice Ladies pewter medalist and reigning Junior Ladies Champion.  Internationally, she has the 6th best short program and 9th best total score.

Courtney Hicks: She represents the All Year Figure Skating Club.  She won silver at JGP USA and finished 4th at JGP Slovenia.  She won silver at Pacific Coast Sectionals to qualify for nationals.  Internationally as a junior, she has the 8th best free skate and total scores.  Nationally, she has the 5th best short program, 4th best free skate and 3rd best total scores.  

Amanda Hofmann:  She represents the Portland Ice Skating Club.  She won gold at Northwest Pacific Regionals and pewter at Pacific Coast Sectionals to qualify for nationals.

Leah Keiser: She is 15 years old and represents the All Year Figure Skating Club.  She won gold at JGP Turkey and finished 4th at JGP Germany to qualify for the Junior Grand Prix Final where finished 6th.  She is the 2008 Juvenile Girls Champion and 2010 Novice Champion.  She placed 12th in 2012.  Internationally as a junior, she has the 6th best short program, 6th best free skate and 7th best total scores.

Hannah Miller: She is 16 years old and represents the Lansing Skating Club.  She won silver at JGP Austria and silver at JGP Croatia to qualify for the Junior Grand Prix Final where she won silver.  She finished 8th in Juvenile Girls in 2009, 5th in Intermediate Ladies in 2010, is the 2011 Novice Ladies Champion and the reigning Junior Ladies bronze medalist.  Internationally as a junior, she has the 2nd best short program, 4th best free skate and 2nd best total scores.

Mirai Nagasu:  She is 19 years old and represents the Pasadena Figure Skating Club.  She finished 4th at Cup of China and won bronze at NHK Trophy.  She is the 2011 Four Continents bronze medalist, 2007 World Junior silver medalist and 2008 World Junior bronze medalist.  She is the 2007 Junior Ladies Champion, 2008 Champion, finished 5th in 2009, is the 2010 silver medalist and 2011 bronze medalist.  She finished 7th in 2012.  Internationally, she has the 7th best short program, 8th free skate and 7th best total scores.

Yasmin Siraj: She is 16 years old and represents the Skating Club of Boston.  She is the 2007 Juvenile silver medalist, finished 6th in Intermediate Ladies in 2008, 5th in Novice in 2009, is the 2010 Junior silver medalist, finished 8th in 2011 and 15th in 2012.  She won gold at New England Regionals and silver at Eastern Sectionals to qualify for nationals.  Nationally, she has the 6th best short program, 6th free skate and 5th best total scores.

Ashley Wagner:  She is 21 years old and represents the Skating Club of Wilmington.  She is the reigning Four Continents Champion.  She won gold at Skate America and gold at Trophee Eric Bompard to qualify for the Grand Prix Final where she won silver.  She is the 2007 and 2009 World Junior bronze medalist.  She finished 17th in Intermediate in 2003, 7th in Novice in 2005, is the 2006 Junior pewter medalist, 2007 Junior bronze medalist, 2008 bronze medalist, 2009 pewter medalist, 2010 bronze medalist and finished 6th in 2011.  She is the reigning Champion.  Internationally, she has the 2nd best short program, 2nd best free skate and 2nd best total scores.

Angela Wang: She is 16 years old and represents the Salt Lake Figure Skating Club.  She won bronze at JGP USA and gold at JGP Croatia to qualify for the Junior Grand Prix Final where she finished 4th.  She finished 9th in Intermediate in 2007, is the 2008 Intermediate Ladies pewter medalist, the 2009 Novice bronze medalist, finished 7th in Juniors in 2010 and 8th in Seniors in 2012.  Internationally as a junior, she has the 3rd best short program, 2nd best free skate and 4th best total scores.

Agnes Zawadzki: She is 18 years old and represents the Broadmoor Skating Club.  She won bronze at Rostelecom Cup and placed 5th at NHK Trophy.  She is the 2010 World Junior silver medalist and is the 2011 World Junior bronze medalist.  She is the 2007 Intermediate silver medalist, 2008 Novice pewter medalist, 2010 Junior Champion, 2011 pewter medalist and reigning bronze medalist.  Internationally, she has the 10th best short program score.

Caroline Zhang: She is 19 years old and represents the All Year Figure Skating Club.  She is the reigning Four Continents bronze medalist.  She placed 9th at Skate Canada and 10th at Rostelecom Cup.  She is the 2010 Four Continents bronze medalist, the 2007 Junior World Champion and the 2008 and 2009 Junior World silver medalist.  She is the 2003 Juvenile Girls pewter medalist, 2004 Intermediate Ladies bronze medalist, 2005 Novice pewter medalist, finished 8th in Juniors in 2006, is the 2007 Junior silver medalist, 2008 pewter medalist, 2009 bronze medalist, finished 11th in 2010 and 12th in 2011.  She is the reigning pewter medalist.

NHK Trophy Ladies Free Skate Results

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Akiko SUZUKI	JPN	126.62	64.51		62.11	7.82	7.39	7.93	7.86	7.82	0.00	#5
2	Mao ASADA	JPN	117.32	52.78		64.54	8.21	7.89	7.96	8.14	8.14	0.00	#9
3	Mirai NAGASU	USA	115.50	56.36		59.14	7.57	7.07	7.46	7.50	7.36	0.00	#8
4	Zijun LI	CHN	114.49	59.35		55.14	6.96	6.61	7.00	7.00	6.89	0.00	#7
5	Agnes ZAWADZKI	USA	105.35	51.61		54.74	6.89	6.54	7.11	6.89	6.79	1.00	#3
6	Elene GEDEVANISHVILI	GEO	99.46	43.54		56.92	7.21	6.79	7.11	7.25	7.21	1.00	#4
7	Ksenia MAKAROVA	RUS	97.59	43.37		54.22	7.07	6.50	6.82	6.75	6.75	0.00	#6
8	Haruka IMAI	JPN	97.32	50.03		48.29	6.36	5.71	6.04	6.14	5.93	1.00	#1
9	Sofia BIRYUKOVA	RUS	89.81	44.97		46.84	6.21	5.64	5.75	5.96	5.71	2.00	#2

FPl.	Name	Nation	Points	SP	FS
1	Mao ASADA	JPN	185.27	1	2
2	Akiko SUZUKI	JPN	185.22	5	1
3	Mirai NAGASU	USA	176.68	2	3
4	Zijun LI	CHN	174.11	3	4
5	Agnes ZAWADZKI	USA	160.37	7	5
6	Elene GEDEVANISHVILI	GEO	156.96	6	6
7	Ksenia MAKAROVA	RUS	156.52	4	7
8	Haruka IMAI	JPN	145.42	9	8
9	Sofia BIRYUKOVA	RUS	139.12	8	9

NHK Trophy Ladies Short Program Results

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Mao ASADA	JPN	67.95	35.70		32.25	8.04	7.68	8.18	8.14	8.29	0.00	#8
2	Mirai NAGASU	USA	61.18	32.36		28.82	7.32	6.89	7.39	7.18	7.25	0.00	#6
3	Zijun LI	CHN	59.62	32.92		26.70	6.64	6.43	6.89	6.71	6.71	0.00	#2
4	Ksenia MAKAROVA	RUS	58.93	29.85		29.08	7.07	7.00	7.46	7.39	7.43	0.00	#5
5	Akiko SUZUKI	JPN	58.60	28.26		30.34	7.71	7.43	7.57	7.64	7.57	0.00	#9
6	Elene GEDEVANISHVILI	GEO	57.50	28.39		29.11	7.32	7.00	7.39	7.29	7.39	0.00	#7
7	Agnes ZAWADZKI	USA	55.02	27.73		27.29	6.82	6.57	6.96	6.86	6.89	0.00	#4
8	Sofia BIRYUKOVA	RUS	49.31	25.16		24.15	6.29	5.79	6.07	6.11	5.93	0.00	#1
9	Haruka IMAI	JPN	48.10	24.86		24.24	6.36	5.79	6.00	6.11	6.04	1.00	#3

NHK Trophy Ladies Preview

We're down to the final event of the season and several skaters are still in the running to earn a trip to the Grand Prix Final and a chance to preview the Olympic venue.  Ashley Wagner and Kiira Korpi have already punched their tickets while Julia Lipnitskaia, Elizaveta Tuktamisheva and Christina Gao await this weekends results to see if they will travel to Sochi.

Mao Asada already has a gold medal this season from Cup of China.  A 5th place finish would put her into a potential tie breaker but she can guarantee herself a spot in the Final with a 4th place finish or higher.  She shouldn't have any problem taking home a medal here and should find herself on the podium.

Akiko Suzuki needs a 4th place finish to tie herself with Christina Gao and Elizaveta Tuktamisheva while a bronze medal or better will guarantee her ticket to Sochi.  She earned a silver medal earlier this season at Cup of China and tends to improve as the season continues.  She's beat Asada before at home and will look to repeat that feat here.

Agnes Zawadzki earned her first career Grand Prix medal at Rostelecom Cup and can qualify for the Grand Prix Final with a silver medal or higher.  She's shown improved consistency this season but little mistakes in her free skate can cost her in this field, so she'll need to go clean if she hopes to challenge the top two Japanese ladies.  

Mirai Nagasu can qualify for the Final with a gold medal finish.  She has the ability to do it and has shown a more relaxed persona on the ice this season but under-rotation calls dropped her to 4th place at Cup of China.

Elene Gedevanishvili, Haruka Imai and Zijun Li can only qualify if they win a gold medal, but they still could face a potential tie breaker or fall just outside the top 6.  Of the three Gedevanishvili has the best chance if she can repeat her Skate Canada performance in the short program and skate a clean free skate.

My podium predictions:
Gold: Mao Asada
Silver: Akiko Suzuki
Bronze: Agnes Zawadzki

Bios of the competitors:
Zijun Li, CHN: She placed 5^th at the World Junior Championships.  She finished 5th at Cup of China.   Her personal best is 160.06.  She is 15 years old. 

Elene Gedevanishvilli, GEO: She finished 10th at Worlds and is the reigning European Bronze Medalist.  She placed 5th at Skate Canada.  She is the 2010 European Bronze Medalist.  Her personal best is 165.93.  She is 22 years old.

Mao Asada, JPN: She placed 6th at Worlds and is the reigning Four Continents Silver Medalist.   She won gold at Cup of China.  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, 2001 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.

Haruka Imai, JPN: She finished 9th at Four Continents.  She placed 5th at Skate America.  Her personal best is 157.72.  She is 19 years old.

Akiko Suzuki, JPN: She is the reigning World Bronze Medalist.   She won silver at Skate Canada.  She qualified for the Grand Prix Final last season and won silver.  She is the 2010 Four Continents Silver Medalist.  Her personal best is 187.79.  She is 27 years old.

Sofia Biryukova, RUS: She finished 9th at Cup of China.  Her personal best is 166.07.  She is 18 years old.

Ksenia Makarova, RUS: She placed 9th at Worlds and 6th at Europeans.  She placed 6th at Skate Canada.  Her personal best is 171.91.  She is 19 years old.

Mirai Nagasu, USA: She finished 4th at Cup of China.  She is the 2011 Four Continents bronze medalist, 2007 World Junior silver medalist and 2008 World Junior bronze medalist.  Her personal best is 190.15.  She is 19 years old.

Agnes Zawadzki, USA: She placed 6th at Four Continents.  She won bronze at Rostelecom Cup.  She is the 2010 World Junior Silver Medalist and 2011 World Junior Bronze Medalist.  Her personal best is 166.61.  She is 18 years old.

Cup of China Ladies Free Skate

Group 1
Ying Zhang, CHN
Sofia Biryukova, RUS
Joshi Helgesson, SWE: 38.16 TES + 47.60 PCS -1.00 = 84.76  Total: 134.43 and into 1st place

• Fall on her opening triple flip
• Nice triple salchow
• Good height on her triple loop 
• Nice flexibility in her catch foot position in the camel spin
• Awkward music cut
• She seems a bit slow today 
• A lot of ice spray on some of these edges in her step sequence which means her edge changes weren't clean and not a lot of upper body movement
• Spiral into triple lutz
• Double salchow + double toe
• Choreographic step sequence into a double axel
• Flying entry to a camel spin with a flying change to a sit spin into a nice haircutter but losing a lot of speed in the Biellman
• Double axel turnout double toe
• She needs more stretch and toe point in her sit spin but nice upright catch foot

Amelie Lacoste, CAN: 31.06 TES + 48.97 PCS -2.00 = 78.03 Total: 135.46 and into 1st

• Fall on her opening triple lutz
• Really fought for the landing on that triple flip--almost in a lunge
• Spiral into a triple loop--again almost a lunge in the landing
• Flying sit spin with nice positions
• I think this music with her elegant style will be great when she hits the program but it seems to overwhelm her when she's struggling on the jumps
• Nice illusions in the camel spin
• Triple salchow a little huched over on the landing and a turn out
• Triple loop fall
• Double salchow
• I almost wonder if she's putting so much pressure on herself to achieve the minimum technical score in the free skate for Worlds that it's affecting her programs
• Lovely choreography in her step sequence but it is lacking a bit of speed and power as well as energy and commitment
• She needs to fix her arm position in her layback but a nice haircutter

Group 2
Zijun Li, CHN: 51.58 TES + 51.27 PCS -2.00 = 100.85 Total: 160.06 and into 1st place

• Nice opening triple flip + triple toe
• Good double axel + triple toe
• Triple lutz a little two footed on the landing and she can't hang on and falls
• Beautiful camel spin into a nice donut and catch foot which picks up speed
• This music suits her very well as it compliments her light and airy style on teh ice
• Gorgeous positions in her combination spin but running out of speed by the end
• Triple salchow + double toe +double loop very tight on the end
• Triple flip fall
• Nice triple loop
• Nice difficulty and variety in her step sequence with good use of her full body
• Double axel 
• Losing her balance a bit at the end of her spiral but she hangs on 
• Beautiful layback spin into a nice one arm Biellman

Kiira Korpi, FIN: 51.03 TES + 59.14 PCS = 110.17 Total: 169.86 and into 1st place

• Good speed in the triple toe + triple toe combination
• Triple lutz
• Single salchow--she had no speed and was too close to the boards to pull it off
• Nice positions in her sit spin with a nice transition out of the spin
• Good triple loop + double toe
• Triple salchow turnout + double toe + double loop--a bit of a mess and underrotated
• Single loop
• Nice layback positions but no haircutter or Biellman features
• Great interpretation of the music on her step sequence with good variety and use of her whole body
• Nice spread eagle highlight on the music
• Losing speed after the change of foot in her final spin and she needs more stretch through her sit spin position

Mirai Nagasu, USA: 45.89 TES + 57.81 PCS = 103.70 Total: 163.46 and into 2nd place

• Her dress is just stunning and she looks very mature on the ice
• Nice opening triple lutz
• Good height on the double axel but a little tight on the triple toe landing (underrotated)
• Triple flip
• Nice feel for the music in her step sequence
• Flying camel spin with good variations--not a lot of speed but consistent throughout
• Triple flip + double toe + double loop nicely done
• Nice triple loop + double toe
• Spiral into a double axel
• Arabesque spiral into triple loop
• Good speed and positions in the combination spin but a bit of a bobble on the exit
• Gorgeous Ina Bauer in the choreographic step sequence
• Nice layback spin into a good Biellman
• That's the program she's been looking for for the last several years
• She's going to get hit on some under-rotation calls though

Mao Asada, JPN: 54.53 TES + 64.34 PCS = 118.87 Total: 181.76 and into 1st place

• Beautiful toe point and height in her opening triple loop
• Double axel + triple toe likely two footed
• Good triple flip
• Popped that lutz into a double
• Nice speed and flexibility in her combination spin with good centering
• Triple salchow
• Triple loop + double loop
• Good extension and speed in her Biellman
• Triple flip + double loop + double loop close to the boards but she pulls it off
• Nice freedom in her step sequence but not a lot of ice coverage
• Beautiful spirals

Julia Lipnitskaia, RUS: 57.43 TES + 57.43 PCS = 114.86 Total: 177.92 and into 2nd place

• Really fights for that triple lutz + triple toe
• Double axel + triple toe hands down--not a lot of height on the axel
• Double axel again not a lot of height
• Triple loop
• Good camel spin picking up speed through the donut and catch foot
• I feel like she's just skating through this music and it could be any piece of music that she's skating to
• Triple lutz + double toe
• Triple flip
• Nice triple salchow
• Not a lot of speed through her step sequence and she's not fully using her body to help her get across the ice
• Gorgeous flexibility in her spiral
• A little bobble on her camel spin but interesting position variations showcasing her flexibility but no real transition out of the spin
• Gorgeous Bielmann

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Mao ASADA	JPN	118.87	54.53		64.34	8.14	7.75	7.96	8.11	8.25	0.00	#9
2	Julia LIPNITSKAIA	RUS	114.86	57.43		57.43	7.21	7.00	7.32	7.25	7.11	0.00	#10
3	Kiira KORPI	FIN	110.17	51.03		59.14	7.43	7.04	7.32	7.54	7.64	0.00	#7
4	Mirai NAGASU	USA	103.70	45.89		57.81	7.39	6.96	7.25	7.32	7.21	0.00	#8
5	Zijun LI	CHN	100.85	51.58		51.27	6.61	6.21	6.32	6.54	6.36	2.00	#6
6	Ying ZHANG	CHN	87.27	46.97		42.30	5.61	4.96	5.36	5.29	5.21	2.00	#2
7	Joshi HELGESSON	SWE	84.76	38.16		47.60	6.04	5.64	6.04	6.04	6.00	1.00	#4
8	Sofia BIRYUKOVA	RUS	82.97	37.07		45.90	6.21	5.50	5.50	5.86	5.61	0.00	#3
9	Amelie LACOSTE	CAN	78.03	31.06		48.97	6.46	6.11	5.71	6.25	6.07	2.00	#5
WD	Bingwa GENG	CHN											#1

Pl.	Name	Nation	Points	SP	FS
1	Mao ASADA	JPN	181.76	2	1
2	Julia LIPNITSKAIA	RUS	177.92	1	2
3	Kiira KORPI	FIN	169.86	4	3
4	Mirai NAGASU	USA	163.46	3	4
5	Zijun LI	CHN	160.06	5	5
6	Amelie LACOSTE	CAN	135.46	6	9
7	Joshi HELGESSON	SWE	134.43	7	7
8	Ying ZHANG	CHN	130.65	9	6
9	Sofia BIRYUKOVA	RUS	127.36	8	8