Canadian Nationals Ladies Results

Senior Women

Rank	Competitor(s)	Section	SP	FP	Points
1	Amelie Lacoste	QC	52.43	107.08	159.51
2	Cynthia Phaneuf	QC	49.66	108.28	157.94
3	Kaetlyn Osmond	AB/NT/NU	56.94	98.53	155.47
4	Alexandra Najarro	CO	52.34	99.22	151.56
5	Adriana DeSanctis	CO	46.05	96.61	142.66
6	Kate Charbonneau	MB	45.54	96.52	142.06
7	Vanessa Grenier	QC	47.49	88.56	136.05
8	Roxanne Rheault	QC	47.58	84.63	132.21
9	Alaine Chartrand	EO	39.45	89.32	128.77
10	Alexandra Gagnon	QC	41.46	83.24	124.70
11	Sarah Jourdain	QC	43.45	80.32	123.77
12	Kaleigh Hole	MB	37.50	80.85	118.35
13	Devon Neuls	AB/NT/NU	42.74	67.05	109.79
14	Christina Yan	CO	42.46	66.73	109.19
15	Rachel Gendron	QC	40.73	68.27	109.00
16	Cambria Little	BC/YT	39.62	68.77	108.39
17	Alexie Gélinas	QC	39.34	66.26	105.60
18	Izabel Valiquette	QC	39.35	62.34	101.69

Four Continents Championships: Ladies Free Skate

Group 1
1. Crystal Kiang, TPE: 23.75 TES + 30.96 PCS = 54.71 Total: 86.60

• She was in 21st place after the short program
• The feed I'm on is a little jumpy so I'm waiting for the other feed before I do a play by play

2. Chaochi Liu, TPE: 22.26 TES + 29.50 PCS -2.00 = 49.76 Total: 78.28 and into 2nd place

• She is in 24th place after the short program

3. Melanie Swang, THA: 26.11 TES + 26.47 PCS = 52.58 Total: 82.08 and into 2nd place

• She is in 23rd place after the short program

4. Mericien Venzon, PHI: 23.41 TES + 30.12 PCS = 53.53 Total: 84.17 and into 2nd place

•  She is in 22nd place after the short program
• Triple salchow + double toe very weak landings 
• Double axel
• Triple + double loop + double loop
• Nice positions on her sit spin but not a lot of speed
• Her second double axel was really nicely done
• A nice donut position in her combination spin and a decent haircutter position
• Her step sequence seems to be a little bouncy on top of the ice and she doesn't really get into her knees and edges; not very much upper body movement or use of arms
• Good stretch through her spiral position
• Triple salchow but not a good landing
• Triple + double toe
• Double loop
• Her hand positions are not very good in the camel spin, good flexiblity through the catch foot position

5. Lejeanne Marais, RSA: 37.07 TES + 32.84 PCS = 69.91 Total: 101.90 and into 1st place

•  She is in 19th place after the short program
• This is a really pretty dress, white with flowers over the top but in interesting patterns 
• A turn out and step out of her opening triple loop
• Big lead in to her double salchow double toe and no speed coming out of the jump
• Turn out of her double axel but she keeps the free leg up
• Good positions in her sit spin but not a lot of difficult in the variations
• She needs a little more extension through her spiral and I'd like to see her drop her hip a little bit more and get a better position
• Slow through her layback spin and she has no difficult variations
• Double salchow + double toe was better than her other jumps
• Double jump--she has a lot of preparation before all of these jumps
• Double toe + double toe + double toe and I'm not sure how much credit she'll get for these because she didn't seem to be going in a straight line
• Not really any transitional steps or choreography in this program
• Some upper body movement here but mostly leaning forward and not a lot of difficult footwork
• Might have ended just after the music

6. Jaimee Nobbs, AUS: 28.58 TES + 30.41 PCS -1.00 = 57.99 Total: 89.93 and into 2nd place

• She is currently in 20th place
• Her dress seems a tad bit short but I like the bright red color on her and it really stands out against the ice
• A step out of her double axel and she puts  hand down
• Triple loop double toe but no real ride out of her landing
• Double axel with a low landing but she hangs on to it
• Double jump but I missed the entry
• Not a lot of stretch through her camel position and not a lot of speed
• She has no speed or power even in transition movements and this is likely affecting all her elements
• Needs a lot more flexibility and stretch through the back on those spiral positions
• Double toe
• Double lutz with a one arm variation
• Interesting combination spin--started with a scratch spin
• I wish she would have picked a more lyrical piece of music because this music is really out pacing her
• A fall on her final double jump
• Finished after the music

Group 2
7. Melinda Wang, TPE: 27.04 TES + 32.60 PCS = 59.64 Total: 96.15 and into 2nd place

• She is in 14th place after the short program
• She has some nice expression and musicality 
• She popped her first jump and two footed the landing
• Double flip + double toe
• Nice height on her double axel + double toe but not a lot of speed out of the second jump
• Loss of centering on her combination spin and slow 
• She has some really nice transition moments well choreographed to the music
• Very nice stretch through both of her spiral positions and nice extension
• Double lutz + double toe
• Double loop
• Double salchow--she's really landing her jumps well 
• She seems a little scratchy on this step sequence and could work on her edge quality and getting into her knees but she has nice use of her upper body
• Good twist variation in her sit spin and a nice low position

8. Mimi Tanasorn Chindasook, THA: 28.93 TES + 30.88 -2.00 = 57.81 Total: 91.54 and into 3rd place

• She is in 18th place after the short program
• Fall on her opening double axel
• Triple toe + double toe with a big set up
• Fall on a triple salchow
• Double flip + double toe + it looked like she tried to tack on a third jump but I'm not sure she'll get credit for it
• Nice scorpion spiral position and great flexibility with her leg held in the front
• Not a great leg position for her in the layback but she does the haircutter and the biellman but not a lot of speed
• This is a tango and I'd really like to see her attack this footwork sequence and she's not--seems to be slowing down as she reaches the end
• Triple toe nicely done but a long set up
• Pops her second axel and two foots the landing
• No speed going into this double but she pulls it out
• Nice positions in her combination spin but not a lot of centering and she's really scratching the ice

9. Victoria Muniz, PUR: 30.79 TES + 33.16 PCs = 63.95 Total: 99.40 and into 2nd place

• She is in 15th place after the short program
• She's a little too stiff for these ballet moves at the beginning
• Singles her axel and two foots the landing
• Singles her loop
• Hand down on the triple salchow
• She has good speed hrough her camel spin and a nice donut position
• A nice layback position and nice use of her arms into a haircutter position
• Triple flip was nicely done
• Singles her loop
• A little bit of an awkward entry to her spiral but a nice position
• Triple toe + double toe
• She has no expression and seems really unhappy on the ice right now
• She seems to be struggling a little bit to get through this step sequence and is really slow by the end
• Double axel + double toe + double toe was nice
• Good positions in her combination spin and really good speed

10. Bingwa Geng, CHN: 29.86 TES + 38.52 PCS -3.00 = 65.38 Total: 104.58 and into 1st place

• She is currently in 13th place
• Doubled her lutz and fell on the landing
• Triple flip but a big ice spray on the landing
• Double salchow
• Nice speed and positions in her combination spin but she seems to lose her centering a little bit
• She has a nice quality on the ice and good speed, but not a lot of expression
• A very nice scorpion spiral with one hand hold
• Two footed the landing of her triple lutz
• Triple toe nicely done
• Really nice position in her layback spin and tons of flexibility into a fully extended biellman and she keeps up the speed
• Some nice variety in her step sequence but I'd like to see more use of her upper body in different ways and more power across the ice
• Fall on her triple salchow
• Fall on her double axel
• Nice camel position and she picks up speed into the donut position
• She's one of the skaters caught up in the Chinese age scandal and I wonder if that's affecting her performance here

11. Qiuying Zhu, CHN: 33.30 TES + 36.00 TES -2.00 = 67.30 Total: 102.38 and into 2nd place

• She is currently in 16th place
• This is a little nitpicky but I wish she'd do her bun properly and make it look neat, because this just makes her look unpolished
• Fall on her opening triple flip and she had an interesting entry to the jump
• Triple toe + double toe
• Double salchow + double toe--her jump entry is with both knees bent and her back slightly hunched over--If she fixed her technique these jumps could be better
• Very slow in her sit spin
• Triple toe
• Fall on her double axel
• Nice extension through her spiral position with her leg to the side
• Double salchow with a lot of ice spray
• Double axel with a turn out but she doesn't put her foot down and adds a single loop
•  She could use more stretch through her sit spin position
• She needs a lot more attack through this step sequence, more stretch through her legs, and more use of her upper body
• Nice camel position but her arms are very awkwardly placed and very stiff

12. Chae-Hwa Kim, KOR: 32.33 TES + 36.70 PCS -1.00 = 68.03 Total: 101.79 and into 4th place

• Triple toe nicely done to start her program
• Fall on the triple salchow
• Triple loop--a little tight on the landing
• Nice camel position into a nice donut position and a really interesting variation where she's kind of at an angle with her leg pulled up almost to a biellman
• Nice flexibility through the combination spin, nice low sit spin, just not a lot of speed
• Nice stretch through her spiral and good eye contact with the judges as she passes their table
• Two footed and a little forward on the landing of her triple salchow
• Pops open a triple toe and kind of goes flying
• Nice double axel + double toe 
• Single axel--she just doesn't seem to have enough speed to get enough height to get around in these jumps
• It looks like she's going through the movements in this step sequence and not really truly performing each step
• Good positions in her combination spin and good speed

Group 3
13. Min-Jeong Kwak, KOR: 51.09 TES + 45.59 PCS = 96.68 Total: 147.15 and into 1st place

• She is in 8th place after the short program
• Triple lutz and she barely eked out the combination
• Triple flip nicely done
• Pretty double axel
• Nice positions in her sit spin but very slow
• Nice entry into her spiral in a Biellman position and great extension
• Very nice triple lutz
• Triple salchow well done
• I'm not crazy about her leg position in the layback spin but she has a beautiful haircutter and Biellman position and really nice speed
• Popped open a salchow
• Nice variety in her step sequence but she doesn't really seem to finish all her movements and really lengthen through all the steps
• Double axel + double toe + double loop very nice
• Great flexibility in her final combination spin but some trouble centering

14. Cheltzie Lee, AUS: 34.90 TES + 44.28 PCS = 79.18 Total: 127.90 and into 2nd place

• She is in 10th place after the short program
• Triple toe + double toe + double loop with really nice height and good speed out of the landings
• Triple salchow and she steps out of the landing
• Nice sit spin position but she could be a little lower and have more speed
• Triple toe but a little forward on the landing
• She seems to not have enough power and speed to really get through this step sequence and there are a few places she needs to really stretch through her free leg more
• Triple salchow with a nice landing
• Good camel position but she loses her centering a little bit into a nice sit position and good extension through the upright spin but not much speed
• Nice double axel 
• Decent layback position but her hands and arms are very stiff 
• Nice spiral position but it takes her a while to get into it
• Nice double axel + double toe
• She ends before her music and comes out of her ending pose before the music stops

15. Myriane Samson, CAN: 28.81 TES + 46.06 PCS = 74.87 Total: 121.20 and into 3rd place

•  She is in 11th place after the short program
• I think this shade of blue is absolutely stunning on her
• Pops her opening loop and two foots the landing
• Pops her lutz as well
• She's such a gorgeous skater and has great musicality and presence on the ice
• Double salchow
• Nice layback spin with interesting position variations but she only does a haircutter
• Hand down on the triple lutz
• Nice spiral but could be a bit smoother getting into her first position
• Triple flip
• Single salchow--just didn't get any height on the takeoff
• Nice position variations in the combination spin but she's lacking speed in the middle
• Single axel + single axel
• She needs more stretch through her free leg in this step sequence but its nice to see her still performing with a smile on her face
• Really pretty twist sit position
• An unfortunate skate for her

16. Yea-Ji Yun, KOR: 34.76 TES + 38.73 PCs -1.00 = 72.49 Total: 111.86 and into 4th place

• She is in 12th place after the short program
• This shade of pink is maybe a little too pale for her as it washes her out
• Fall on her opening triple lutz--she has a really bent free leg on the takeoff
• Triple salchow + double toe
• Triple flip + double toe
• This step sequence seems pretty repetitive and basic
• Nice layback position but I'd like to see more softness in her arms and a good Biellman
• Triple flip with a step out
• Double axel and she tries to tack on a combination but almost seems to stumble around
• Her leg is really to the side on that spiral instead of being directly behind her
• Popped open a salchow
• Nice low sit spin position with ok speed
• Double axel with a two footed landing
• A nice camel position into an upright twist variation; nice flexibility through her upright catch foot spin

17. Amelie Lacoste, CAN: 40.18 TES + 48.24 PCS -1.00 = 87.42 Total: 137.48 and into 2nd place

• She is in 9th place after the short program
• Nice double axel sequence with nice height on the free leg in the landing
• Triple loop + double loop + double loop but not a lot of speed in the landing
• Double flip
• Nice low sit spin position
• Double flip
• Nice layback position into a haircutter but not a lot of speed
• Double toe
• Good spiral position
• Two footed landing on the triple salchow and a fall--her feet just got tangled up underneath her
• Not too much power in this step sequence and not a lot of energy or difficulty
• Triple loop looked two footed to me
• Really rough illusion spins into a slow sit spin and a slow upright spin

18. Cynthia Phaneuf, CAN: 52.35 TES + 55.14 PCS = 107.49 Total: 163.14 and into 1st place

• She is in 7th place after the short program
• Very solid triple toe to open her program
• Pops a triple flip
• Triple loop + double toe 
• Nice speed through her layback spin with some interesting positions but no difficult variations
• Double salchow
• Nice height on her leg in the spiral but she could have more arch in her back
• Triple loop with a very low landing but she hangs on to it
• Nice triple lutz
• Double axel + double toe is well done
• Good posiiton in her sit spins with good speed
• Some nice attack in this step sequence and she has some good variety  but doesn't always stretch all the way through her free leg
• Good camel position but she needs to straighten her bottom leg in the upright spin

Group 4
19. Rachael Flatt, USA: 60.94 TES + 57.14 PCS = 118.08 Total: 180.31 and into 1st place

• She is currently in 3rd place
• Double Axel + triple loop--a little tight on the landing but an impressive combo
• Triple flip + double toe--a little off on the landing of the first jump
• Not as good in the catch foot position of her camel spin as I've seen her do other times
• Really nice triple lutz
• Needs a little more stretch through her free leg in the sit spin position but otherwise good combination spin
• Much better position on her arabesque spiral 
• Triple lutz + double toe + double loop--a little tight on the first landing
• Triple flip 
• Really nice triple salchow with good flow out of the jump
• Nice expression from Rachael through the footwork and good speed throughout
• Nice double axel
• Really nice Ina Bauer on a musical crescendo
• Good camel position into a nice donut 
• Seemed a little tight on the jumps but she fought for all of her landings

20. Mirai Nagasu, USA: 69.61 TES + 60.07 PCS = 129.68 Total: 189.46 and into 1st place

• She is in 4th place after the short program
• She looks really nervous--that look usually isn't good when she takes the ice
• Triple lutz + double toe was nicely done
• Double axel + triple toe and both jumps had a ton of height
• Triple flip with good flow out of the jump
• Great speed in her layback spin and beautiful positions but her Biellman didn't seem as stretched out as it normally is
• Nice position in her scorpion Biellman but I'd like to see some expression and performance from her here
• Nice triple lutz
• Triple toe + double toe + double loop
• Nice triple loop
• Great double axel
• She could have a little more stretch in her free leg in the sit spin but good speed
• Nice camel spin position with good speed and nice position changes with good flexibility in her upright spin
• A huge improvement for Mirai over her program at nationals

21. Miki Ando, JPN: 73.03 TES + 61.73 PCS = 134.76 Total: 201.34 and into 1st place

•  She is in 1st place after the short program
• Triple lutz + triple loop with great height
• Triple loop with nice flow
• Nice speed in her sit spin
• Good position in her camel spin and a nice low sit spin position into a nice catchfoot in her upright spin
• It's nice to see Miki smiling on the ice!
• Nice stretch through her spiral
• Double axel + triple toe
• Triple lutz with a big ice spray on the landing
• Triple flip and she's making this look too easy
• Triple toe
• Double axel + double loop + double loop
• The crowd is getting behind her on this step sequence and she has some nice attack and a good use of her upper body
• Good camel position with good speed, not a very good illusion variation, nice sit spin, good haircutter
• That should be enough to win

22. Akiko Suzuki, JPN: 49.18 TES + 55.77 PCS = 104.95 Total: 162.59 and into 5th place

• She is in 6th place after the short program
• She got a hair cut and I think it looks really nice on her and really suits this program and costume
• Popped open her triple flip
• Double axel + double toe
• A nice triple lutz + double axel sequence
• Nice positions in her combination spin but her change foot always looks a little wild
• Nice extension through her spiral but her leg could be more behind her shoulder instead of out to the side
• Stumble out of her triple lutz but she tacks on a double toe
• Low on a triple flip but she hangs on
• Triple loop with a really though landing
• Another low landing and a turnout out a triple slchow
• A nice camel spin but not a lot of speed
• This is such a cute step sequence and is really a crowd pleaser and there's a ton of difficulty in here
• Nice final combination spin with good positions and good speed

23. Alissa Czisny, USA: 52.82 TES + 58.05 PCS -1.00 = 109.87 Total: 168.81 and into 4th place

•  She is in 5th place after the short program
• Triple lutz + double toe
• Fall on a triple flip
• Triple toe + double toe + double loop
• Her camel spin is exquisite and no one can match her speed
• Tight on the landing of the triple loop but she hangs on
• Alissa just looks really cautious here
• I love her spiral--no one else can take their leg from the side to the back without dropping it
• Doubled a lutz and two footed the landing
• Double axel a little tight on the landing
• Triple toe + double toe
• Hopefully this is her bad program for the season and she can go clean at worlds because she could be world champ if she just skates clean
• This step sequence is so much better from the beginning of the season and is really well timed to the music
• Gorgeous layback spin into a nice Biellman with tons of speed

24. Mao Asada, JPN: 70.18 TES + 62.71 PCS = 132.89 Total: 196.30 and into 2nd place

• She is in 2nd place after the short program
• Triple axel--maybe double footed on the landing
• Triple flip + double loop--her arms looked very far out on that jump instead of pulled in to speed up the roration
• Triple lutz
• A nice camel spin with a nice transition to a sit position with a spiral and good flexibility through the upright spin
• Triple axel + double toe--really tight on the landing of the second jump
• Triple flip + double loop + double loop tight on the landings again
• Triple salchow--another tight landing with no speed or flow
• I'm not sure these jumps are clean enough to overtake Miki and Mao has only broke 200 once in her career.  
• Nice triple loop
• Good positions and speed in her final spin with lots of speed in the Biellman
• Nice spiral but not a lot of speed

Gold: Miki Ando
Silver: Mao Asada
Bronze: Mirai Nagasu

Four Continents Championships: Ladies Preview

Miki Ando's free skate has been propelling her to the top most of the season.  She came from behind to claim two gold medals on the Grand Prix with solid free skates.  She debuted a new short at the Grand Prix Final and it went so badly, that despite again finishing first in the free skate, she wasn't able to move up a single spot.  She seemed to have rectified that problem at nationals when she soundly defeated a very strong field of Japanese ladies (two who beat her at the GPF).  If her short program woes are behind her, she should make a good run for the top of the podium.  She has the top free skate and 4th best total score for the season.

Alissa Czisny has beat all of the top ladies at this event and is arguably entering as the favorite with a GPF win in her belt.  She was able to go clean at nationals and skate two beautiful programs and each successful program seems to build her confidence more and more.  She still has some small errors on her jumps which affect her GOE so she will have trouble defeating a Miki Ando who skates two clean programs.  Barring a major disaster, I don't think Alissa will have any problem medaling here.  She has the top short program score, 3rd best free skate score and best total score of the season.

Akiko Suzuki finished 4th at Japanese nationals and has been left off the World Team, so she has something to prove here and nothing to lose.  I think her programs are absolutely charming and think she's underscored on some of her program components.  A medal here could help her hold on to her place among the top Japanese ladies.  She has the 9th best short program, 5th best free skate and 5th best total score for the season.

The other two Americans at this event are Mirai Nagasu and Rachael Flatt.  Both have had struggles this season, but if they skate clean they could both wind up on the podium.  Nagasu tends to suffer a crisis of confidence when she finds herself in first after the short and will melt down in the free skate.  If she's not in first after the short, look for her to put out a fantastic free skate.  Flatt has struggled with injury this season but after a new short program, has come back healthy and with a new love for the sport.  She's working on some difficult jump combinations which could earn her huge points if they're landed.  This could be the perfect opportunity to try them out prior to worlds, but too many mistakes could leave her behind in the standings.  Mirai has the 6th best short program, 9th best free skate and 8th best total score of the season.  Rachael has the 7th best free skate score of the season.

Mao Asada has really struggled this season.  Her jumps abandoned her in her two Grand Prix assignments and her scores were over 30 points behind the top scores for the season.  She greatly improved at Japanese nationals and while nationals scores are generally inflated, if she skates like she did at nationals she should be within the mix of the top ladies.

Cynthia Phaneuf, Amelie Lacoste and Myriane Samson are representing Canada.  All three ladies are solid skaters and Lacoste and Samson are very consistent.  On their own, they would be unlikely to make the podium, but if other skaters make mistakes they could move up the rankings and onto the podium.  Phaneuf has the 10th best short program score of the season.

My podium predictions:
Gold: Miki Ando
Silver: Alissa Czisny
Bronze: Akiko Suzuki

My USFSA Fantasy Team:
A) Miki Ando
B) Amelie Lacoste
C) Victoria Muniz

The competitors:

Cheltzie Lee, AUT: She finished 20th at the Olympics with personal best short program and total scores and 17th at Worlds with a personal best free skate.  She finished 14th at Four Continents last season.

Jaimee Nobbs, AUT: She finished 47th at the World Junior Championships.  She finished 16th at JGP Japan.

Amelie Lacoste, CAN: Lacoste placed 7th at Four Continents last season.  She won bronze at Skate Canada with personal best scores across the board and 5th at Skate America.

Cynthia Phaneuf, CAN: Phaneuf finished 12th at the Olympics and 5th at Worlds with a personal best free skate and total score.  She is the 2004 Four Continents silver medalist.  She finished 4th at Skate Canada and Trophee Eric Bompard.

Myriane Samson, CAN: Samson finished 29th at the World Championships and 8th at Four Continents last season.  She finished 7th at Skate Canada earlier this season with personal best scores across the board and 8th at Cup of Russia with a personal best free skate. 

Bingwa Geng, CHN: She placed 18th at the 2009 World Junior Championships.  She finished 5th at Cup of China with personal best scores across the board.

Quiying Zhu, CHN: Zhu placed 19th at last year's World Junior Championships.  She withdrew from Cup of China after a personal best short program.

Crystal Kiang, TPE: She finished 43rd at Worlds and 18th at Four Continents last season with personal best scores across the board.

Chaochih Liu, TPE: She finished 30th at Four Continents last season.  She finished 19th at JGP Japan.

Melinda Wang, TPE: Wang finished 19th at Four Continents last season.  She finished 33rd at the World Junior Championships.

Tiffany Packard Yu, HKG: She finished 28th at Four Continents last season.

Miki Ando, JPN (D): Ando placed 5th at the Olympics and 4th at the World Championships.  She is the 2004 World Junior Champion and 2007 World Champion.  She is the only lady to ever land a quadruple jump in competition.  She won Cup of China and Cup of Russia to qualify for the Grand Prix Final where she placed 5th.

Mao Asada, JPN (D): Asada won silver at the Olympics with a personal best total score and is the reigning World and Four Continents Champion.  She is the 2007 World silver medalist and 2008 World Champion.  She is the 2008 Four Continents Champion and 2009 bronze medalist.  She won the World Junior title in 2005 and took silver in 2006.  She finished 8th at NHK Trophy and 5th at Trophee Eric Bompard.

Akiko Suzuki, JPN: Suzuki placed 8th at the Olympics Games with personal best short and free program scores.  She also placed 11th at the World Championships and 2nd at Four Continents last season.  She won silver at Cup of China and Cup of Russia to qualify for the Grand Prix Final where she placed 4th.

Reyna Hamui, MEX: She finished 20th at JGP Austria.

Mary Ro Reyes, MEX: She finished 26th at Four Continents last season.  She placed 22nd at JGP Germany.

Mericien Venzon, PHI: She finished 24th at Four Continents last season.  She placed 23rd at JGP Japan.

Victoria Muniz, PUR: She finished 31st at the World Championships.

Chae-Hwa Kim, KOR: She finished 13th at Four Continents last season with personal best free skate and total scores.

Min-Jeong Kwak, KOR: Kwak placed 13th in her Olympic debut with personal bests in the free skate and total score and finished 22nd at the World Championships.  She finished 6th at Four Continents last season.  She finished 9th at Cup of China and 11th at Skate America.

Yea-Ji Yun, KOR: She finished 12th and 11th at her two JGP assignments in 2009.

Brittany Lau, SIN: She finished 46th at World Juniors.  She finished 18th at JGP Japan.

Lejeanne Marais, RSA: She finished 16th at World Juniors last season with personal best scores across the board.

Mimi Tanasorn Chindasook, THA: Chindasook placed 29th at World Juniors last season.  She finished 12th at JGP Japan and 21st at JGP Austria.

Taryn Jurgensen, THA: She finished 33rd at Four Continents last season.  She finished 20th at JGP France.

Melanie Swang, THA: She finished 25th at her JGP assignment in 2009.

Alissa Czisny, USA: Czisny won Skate Canada with personal best free and total scores and won bronze at Trophee Eric Bompard to qualify for the Grand Prix Final where she won gold with personal best scores across the board.

Rachael Flatt, USA: Flatt placed 7th at the Olympics with personal best scores across the board and 9th at Worlds.  She is the 2008 World Junior Champion.  She won silver at NHK Trophy and Skate America to qualify for the Grand Prix Final where she finished 6th.

Mirai Nagasu, USA: Nagasu placed 4th at her Olympic debut with personal bests in the free skate and total score.  She placed 7th at the World Championships after a personal best short program.  She won a silver and bronze medal at the World Junior Championships. She finished 4th at Cup of China and took silver at Trophee Eric Bompard.

Canadian Nationals Recap and International Teams

Mens:

Patrick Chan won this competition to no one's surprise, but what was surprising was the margin he won by.  His total competition score was 285.85, a Canadian record, and even taking into account score inflation, this is an astronomical score.  He landed two solid quads in his free skate (one in combination) and a nice triple axel.  The choreography and the performance will give you goosebumps and it's definitely a World Championship winning performance.  Video of his free skate can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPcPTXUh1uA

Shawn Sawyer delivered a brilliant performance to win the silver medal and secure his spot on the World team.  He has a very entertaining free program and it's nice to see him match his artistic ability with technical skills.  Here's his program: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dv2hBOJALYM

A relative unknown internationally, Joey Russell was able to finish third in both segments and claim the bronze medal.  Kevin Reynolds struggled and was only able to finish 4th.

The Four Continents Team will be Sawyer, Russell and Reynolds.  The Worlds Team will be Chan, Sawyer and Russell.

Liam Firus had a strong showing to finish 6th while Andre Rogozine struggled and was only able to finish 13th.  Both will represent Canada at the World Junior Championships.

Ladies:

Cynthia Phaneuf was able to claim her second Canadian title, her first won back in 2004.  She won by nearly 15 points against several strong competitors.  Here's her free skate: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEzIR1k0Dkk

Myriane Samson had a strong free skate to claim the silver medal and her spot on the World team.  She beat out bronze medalist Amelie Lacoste by 6 points.  Samson's free skate is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEm6hEtoGyo

The Four Continents Team will be Phaneuf, Samson and Lacoste.  The World Team will be Phaneuf and Samson.

Alexandra Najarro finished 4th and Vanessa Grenier finished 7th to qualify for the World Juniors Team.

2010 Pairs Champion Jessica Dube finished a strong 6th in singles.  She plans to return to pairs skating with her partner Bryce Davison next season.

Pairs:

Moore-Towers and Moscovitch have emerged as a top pairs team in Canada and the World after their trip to the Grand Prix Final.  They had two strong programs and easily took the title by 16 points.  Here's their free skate from Skate Canada: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cB8MGg1HOwE

The new team of Duhamel and Radford had a strong free skate to climb up to second place in the standings.  They had a strong outing at their Grand Prix debut and have continued to improve.  They had a few blips with their short program that they'll want to clean up before worlds, but this team could definitely contend for the national title next season.  Here's their free skate from earlier this season: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzC3JSg7Ji4

The Four Continents Team is Moore-Towers/Moscovitch, Duhamel/Radford, and Lawrence/Swiegers.  The Worlds Team is Moore-Towers/Moscovitch and Duhamel/Radford.

Jones and Gaskell finished 6th.  They will be joined on the World Junior Team by Purich and Schultz.

Ice Dance

Virtue and Moir unfortunately had to pull out of nationals.  This means that Four Continents will be the first time we get a look at their programs and how they've been training since Tessa's surgery.  I have no doubts they can make the World podium, just what color medal they'll receive.

Nationals did show how incredibly talented and deep Canada's field is.  Unfortunately there are four teams that all could do well at nationals and are continuing to climb the ranks and Canada can only have three spots on their International teams.  And their top teams are all relatively the same age and in a sport where competitors can easily go into their late 20s and 30s, there may not be room for new teams for some time.

Crone and Poirier are actually the youngest of the bunch and were able to squeak out their first ever Canadian title by only 1.03 points.  They're still not ready to challenge the very top tier of teams as Davis and White have scored over 100 points on their free skate internationally and Crone and Poirier were just shy of this mark at nationals where scores are generally elevated.  Here's their free dance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWnfkJZk020

Right on their tails are Weaver and Poje.  These teams have such different styles and their scores and abilities are so close that it often comes down to a matter of preference.  Both of these teams made the Grand Prix Final and I think they'll continue to battle it out at home and internationally for years to come.  Their free dance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6F_KyIlDBY

The Four Continents and Worlds Team is: Virtue/Moir, Crone/Poirier, and Weaver/Poje.

The Junior World Team is Orford/Williams and Oliveira/Hockley.

Canadian Nationals: Ladies Free Skate

1. Cynthia Phaneuf: 51.03 TES + 60.52 PCS = 111.55
1. She executed a Triple Toe, Triple Lutz, Triple Loop + Double Toe, Level 3 Layback Spin, Triple Salchow, Triple Loop + Double Toe, Triple Toe + Salchow, Single Axel, Level 3 Sit Spin, Level 2 Step Sequence and Level 3 Combination Spin with only two negative GOEs.
2. Myriane Samson: 55.20 TES + 52.87 PCS = 108.07
1. She executed a Triple Loop, Triple Flip, Triple Loop + Double Loop + Double Loop, Level 3 Layback Spin, Triple Lutz (edge call), Triple Flip + Double Toe, Triple Salchow, Level 4 Combination Spin, Single Axel, Level 3 Step Sequence, and Level 3 Sit Spin with only one negative GOE.
3. Amelie Lacoste: 49.57 TES + 51.29 PCS = 100.86
1. She executed a Double Axel + Double Axel Sequence, Triple Loop + Double Loop, Double Lutz, Level 4 Sit Spin, Double Flip, Level 3 Layback Spin, Triple Toe + Double Toe, Triple Salchow, Level 3 Step Sequence, Triple Loop and Level 4 Combination Spin with only one negative GOE.
4. Adriana DeSanctis: 50.46 TES + 45.96 PCS = 96.42
1. She executed a Triple Lutz + Double Toe, Triple Salchow + Double Toe, Triple Flip (edge call), Level 4 Camel Spin, Triple Toe, Triple Lutz, Triple Salchow, Double Axel + Double Axel Sequence, Level 2 Layback Spin, Level 1 Step Sequence, and Level 4 Combination Spin with only 3 negative GOEs.
5. Alexandra Najarro: 44.92 TES + 50.34 PCS = 95.26
1. She executed a Triple Toe, Triple Flip + Double Toe, Double Axel, Level 4 Combination Spin, Triple Salchow + Double Toe, Triple Flip (under-rotated), Double Axel (under-rotated) + Double Toe (downgraded), Level 2 Camel Spin, Level 2 Step Sequence, Triple Salchow and Level 3 Layback Spin with only three negative GOEs.
6. Dallas Daniel: 45.69 TES + 44.99 PCS = 90.68
1. She executed a Triple Toe + Double Toe, Triple Lutz, Double Axel, Level 3 Sit Spin, Triple Loop (under-rotated), Double Salchow, Double Axel + Toe, Level 3 Layback Spin, Triple Toe + Double Toe, Level 3 Step Sequence and Level 4 Combination Spin with only one negative GOE.
7. Vanessa Grenier: 44.27 TES + 42.53 PCS -1.00 = 85.80
1. She executed a Triple Flip, Triple Lutz (under-rotated and fall), Double Salchow, Level 4 Combination Spin, Triple Toe, Triple Toe + Double Toe + Double Loop, Triple Salchow + Double Toe, Level 4 Layback Spin, Double Axel + Double Toe, Level 2 Step Sequence, Level 4 Combination Spin with 5 positive GOEs.
8. Jessica Dube: 34.61 TES + 48.48 PCS -1.00 = 82.09
1. She executed a Double Axel, Triple Flip (edge call and fall), Double Salchow, Single Lutz, Level 4 Combination Spin, Double Salchow, Double Axel + Double Toe, Level 3 Step Sequence, Double Flip (edge call), Level 4 Sit Spin and Level 2 Layback Spin with only three negative GOEs.
9. Kate Charbonneau: 38.41 TES + 44.48 PCS -1.00 = 81.89
1. She executed a Triple Toe (downgraded) + Salchow, Double Lutz, Triple Flip, Triple Salchow + Double Toe + Double Toe, Level 3 Sit Spin, Level 4 Combination Spin, Double Toe, Triple Salchow + Double Toe, Double Axel (downgraded), Level 2 Step Sequence, and Level 3 Layback Spin with 8 positive GOEs.
10. Devon Neuls: 38.40 TES + 40.61 PCS -2.00 = 77.01
1. She executed a Triple Toe + Double Toe, Triple Lutz, Triple Salchow + Double Toe, Double Axel (underrotated and fall), Level 3 Sit Spin, Triple Lutz + Salchow (fall), Triple Salchow, Level 2 Step Sequence, Double Lutz + Single Toe (invalid), Level 4 Combination Spin and Level 4 Combination Spin with four positive GOEs.

Final Results

1. Cynthia Phaneuf: 172.32
2. Myriane Samson: 157.82
3. Amelie Lacoste: 151.72
4. Alexandra Najarro: 147.38
5. Adriana DeSanctis: 144.23
6. Jessica Dube: 130.90
7. Vanessa Grenier: 129.93
8. Dallas Daniel: 129.67
9. Kate Charbonneau: 120.50
10. Sarah Jourdain: 115.92

Canadian Nationals: Ladies Short Program

1. Cynthia Phaneuf: 30.85 TES + 29.92 PCS = 60.77
1. She executed a Double Axel, Triple Lutz + Double Toe, Triple Toe, Level 3 Layback Spin, Level 4 Sit Spin, Level 2 Step Sequence and Level 4 Combination Spin with no negative GOEs.
2. Alexandra Najarro: 28.24 TES + 23.88 PCS = 52.12
1. She executed a Triple Toe + Double Toe, Triple Flip, Level 3 Layback Spin, Double Axel, Level 3 Camel Spin, Level 2 Step Sequence and Level 4 Combination Spin with only one negative GOE.
3. Amelie Lacoste: 25.32 TES + 25.54 PCS = 50.86
1. She executed a Double Axel, Triple Loop + Double Loop, Single Lutz, Level 4 Sit Spin, Level 3 Layback Spin, Level 3 Step Sequence and Level 4 Combination Spin with only one negative GOE.
4. Myriane Samson: 25.81 TES + 24.94 PCS -1.00 = 49.75
1. She executed a Triple Lutz (edge call and fall), Double Axel, Level 3 Layback Spin, Triple Flip, Level 4 Sit Spin, Level 3 Step Sequence and Level 4 Combination Spin with only two negative GOEs.
5. Jessica Dube: 25.31 TES + 24.50 PCS -1.00 = 48.81
1. She executed a Double Axel, Triple Lutz + Double Toe, Triple Salchow (fall), Level 3 Layback Spin, Level 2 Step Sequence, Level 4 Sit Spin and Level 4 Combination Spin with only two negative GOEs.
6. Adriana DeSanctis: 26.93 TES + 21.88 PCS -1.00 = 47.81
1. She executed a Triple Lutz + Double Toe, Triple Flip (edge call and fall), Level 3 Layback Spin, Double Axel, Level 4 Combination Spin, Level 3 Step Sequence, and Level 4 Camel Spin with 4 positive GOEs.
7. Sarah Jourdain: 26.36 TES + 19.33 PCS = 45.69
1. She executed a Double Axel, Triple Flip + Single Toe, Triple Loop, Level 4 Camel Spin, Level 4 Combination Spin, Level 3 Step Sequence and Level 3 Layback Spin with only two negative GOEs.
8. Vanessa Grenier: 23.01 TES + 21.12 PCS = 44.13
1. She executed a Triple Lutz (downgraded), Triple Salchow + Double Toe, Level 4 Layback Spin, Double Axel, Level 4 Sit Spin, Level 2 Step Sequence, and Level 4 Combination Spin with only one negative GOE.
9. Rylie McCulloch-Casarsa: 19.73 TES + 18.88 PCS = 38.61
1. She executed a Triple Toe + Double Toe, Triple Loop (downgraded), Level 2 Layback Spin, Double Axel, Level 2 Camel Spin, Level 2 Step Sequence and Level 3 Combination Spin with only two negative GOEs.
10. Dallas Daniel: 18.30 TES + 20.69 PCS = 38.99
1. She executed a Single Lutz, Triple Toe, Level 2 Sit Spin, Double Axel, Level 4 Combination Spin, Level 3 Step Sequence, and Level 3 Layback Spin with two positive GOEs.

Canadian Nationals: Ladies Preview

Canada has 3 spots at Four Continents and 2 spots at the World Championships.

Cynthia Phaneuf is looking to win her first national title since 2004.  She finished 4th at both of her Grand Prix assignments but has struggled with consistency.  She was in the lead after the short program at Skate Canada but mistakes in her free skate dropped her off the podium.  This is probably still her event to lose, but she faces competition and will need to skate clean.

Fighting for the top spot will be Amelie Lacoste, the only Canadian lady to medal at the Grand Prix this season.  She wasn't able to repeat this at Skate America, but still finished a respectable 5th.  She knows how to capitalize when other ladies make errors and I could see her slipping into 1st if Phaneuf has problems.

The third podium spot will likely go to Myriane Samson who has had a good season on the Grand Prix, breaking her own personal best scores at both competitions.

Vanessa Grenier, Alexandra Najarro, and Adriana DeSanctis took home the medals from Challenge.  Their scores were all close but they didn't have a huge lead over the rest of the pack.  Kate Charbonneau could also impress but she has not been the most consistent in her results.  Jessica Dube is also competing here due to the injury to Bryce Davison that ended their season.  With additional practice on her jumps and programs I could see her moving up a few spots here, but jumps have been her struggle in pairs over the last few seasons and she is attempting jumps she hasn't executed in years.

The skaters in reverse qualification order:

Daniela-Bella Favot: She qualified with a 15th place finish at Challenge.  She finished 11th at nationals last season.

Karine Chevrier: She qualified with a 14th place finish at Challenge.

Jessica-Amy Sergeant: She qualified with a 13th place finish at Challenge.

Kelsey McNeil: She qualified with a 12th place finish at Challenge.

Sarah Jourdain: She qualified with an 11th place finish at Challenge.

Jacqueline Lenuik: She qualified with a 10th place finish at Challenge.

Izabel Valiquette: She qualified with a 9th place finish at Challenge.  She finished 12th at nationals last season.

Rylie McCulloch-Casarsa: She finished 9th at her last international assignment, JGP Lake Placid 2009.  She qualified with an 8th place finish at Challenge.  She finished 9th at nationals last season.

Jessica Dube: Dube competed at the Olympics and World Championships with her partner Bryce Davison.  She qualified with a 7th place finish at Challenge.  She won gold in Pairs at nationals last season.

Devon Neuls: She qualified with a 6th place finish at Challenge.

Kate Charbonneau: Charbonneau finished 6th at the World Junior Championships with personal best scores across the board.  She finished 15th at JGP Cup of Austria and 13th at Pokal der Blauen.  She is the 2009 junior national champion.  She qualified with a 5th place finish at Challenge.  She finished 7th at nationals last season.

Dallas Daniel:  She qualified with a 4th place finish at Challenge.  She finished 10th at nationals last season.

Adriana DeSanctis: She qualified with a 3rd place finish at Challenge.  She finished 6th at nationals last season.

Alexandra Najarro: Najarro finished 10th at JGP Brasov Cup and 7th at the J. Curry Memorial.  She qualified with a 2nd place finish at Challenge.  She finished 15th at nationals last season.

Vanessa Grenier: She finished 12th at JGP Courcheval.  She qualified with a 1st place finish at Challenge.  Her highest finish at nationals was last season when she placed 8th.

Amelie Lacoste: Lacoste placed 7th at Four Continents.  She won bronze at Skate Canada with personal best scores across the board and 5th at Skate America.  She is the 2005 junior national champion and the 2009 national bronze medalist.  She finished 5th at nationals last season.

Myriane Samson: Samson finished 29th at the World Championships and 8th at Four Continents.  She finished 7th at Skate Canada earlier this season with personal best scores across the board and 8th at Cup of Russia with a personal best free skate.  Her best finish at nationals was last season when she won bronze.

Cynthia Phaneuf: Phaneuf finished 12th at the Olympics and 5th at Worlds with a personal best free skate and total score.  She is the 2004 Four Continents silver medalist.  She finished 4th at Skate Canada and Trophee Eric Bompard.  She is the 2004 national champion; 2005, 2009 and 2010 national silver medalist; and 2008 national bronze medalist.