Skate Canada Ladies Short Program Results

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Gracie GOLD	USA	69.45	38.53		30.92	7.61	7.54	7.79	7.82	7.89	0.00	#7
2	Julia LIPNITSKAIA	RUS	66.89	37.95		28.94	7.25	6.96	7.32	7.43	7.21	0.00	#8
3	Akiko SUZUKI	JPN	65.76	33.19		32.57	8.25	7.86	8.18	8.18	8.25	0.00	#9
4	Christina GAO	USA	62.82	33.96		28.86	7.07	7.04	7.29	7.29	7.39	0.00	#6
5	Kaetlyn OSMOND	CAN	60.32	32.49		28.83	7.04	7.18	7.14	7.36	7.32	1.00	#3
6	Amelie LACOSTE	CAN	59.13	32.10		27.03	6.79	6.36	6.93	6.82	6.89	0.00	#5
7	Natalia POPOVA	UKR	52.36	27.96		24.40	6.14	5.82	6.29	6.25	6.00	0.00	#4
8	Veronik MALLET	CAN	50.71	27.31		24.40	6.21	5.89	6.07	6.21	6.11	1.00	#1
9	Courtney HICKS	USA	50.70	26.67		24.03	6.18	5.82	6.00	6.07	5.96	0.00	#2

Skate Canada Ladies Preview

Julia Lipnitskaia has followed the past of the last few Russian wonderbabies.  After winning everything on the junior circuit in 2012 she made her Grand Prix debut last season and won two medals which qualified her for the Grand Prix Final.  She was not old enough for Worlds last season and lost her Junior World title to the next generation of Russian juniors.  She is old enough to qualify for the Olympics this year but with only two Russian spots available, she'll have to stay injury free this season and consistently hit her triple + triples.

Akiko Suzuki dropped to 12th at Worlds after winning bronze the year prior.  She won a medal at every other event she entered last season including the Final.  Her Worlds performance seemed to have been a fluke as she was remarkably consistent the rest of the season and has been consistent over the past several seasons.

Courtney Hicks started off her season with a surprise gold medal finish at the US International Figure Skating Classic.  She has long been known for her jumps but has committed to her artistry this season.  She has triple + triples and innovative spins and is passionate about her programs which comes out in her skating.  She started the season with no Grand Prix assignments and now has two and is ready to make the most of her opportunity.

Kaetlyn Osmond won gold at this event last season but has been off the ice with an ankle injury and has admitted that she's not back to 100%.  

Gracie Gold has struggled to put together two clean programs at the same event all year last year.  She split from her long time coach suddenly this summer and moved to Frank Carroll but her new coaching situation is not yet permanent.  

My podium predictions:
Gold: Julia Lipnitskaia
Silver: Akiko Suzuki
Bronze: Courtney Hicks

Bios of the competitors:
Amelie Lacoste, CAN: She finished 9th at Four Continents.  She placed 8th at Skate Canada and 6th at Cup of China last season.  Her personal best is 157.26.  She is 24 years old.

Veronik Mallet, CAN: This is her Grand Prix debut.  Her personal best is 159.67.  She is 19 years old.

Kaetlyn Osmond, CAN: She placed 8th at Worlds and 7th at Four Continents.  She won gold at Skate Canada last season.  Her personal best is 176.82.  She is 17 years old.  

Akiko Suzuki, JPN: She finished 12th at Worlds and is the reigning Four Continents Silver Medalist.  She won silver at Skate Canada and NHK Trophy last season to qualify for the Grand Prix Final where she won bronze.  She is the 2012 World Bronze Medalist and 2010 Four Continents Silver Medalist.  Her personal best is 199.58.  She is 28 years old.  

Julia Lipnitskaia, RUS: She is the reigning Junior World Silver Medalist.  She won silver at Cup of China and bronze at Trophee Eric Bompard last season to qualify for the Grand Prix Final but withdrew due to injury.  She is the 2012 Junior World Champion.  Her personal best is 187.05.  She is 15 years old.

Natalia Popova, UKR: She finished 15th at Worlds and placed 19th at Europeans.  This is her Grand Prix debut.  She finished 10th at JGP Austria last season.  Her personal best is 155.52.  She is 20 years old.

Christina Gao, USA: She finished 4th at Four Continents.  She won silver at Skate America and finished 4th at Trophee Eric Bompard last season to qualify for the Grand Prix Final where she finished 6th.  Her personal best is 176.28.  She is 19 years old.

Gracie Gold, USA: She placed 6th at Worlds and 6th at Four Continents.  She finished 7th at Skate Canada and won silver at Rostelecom Cup last season.  She is the 2012 World Junior Silver Medalist.  Her personal best is 188.03.  She is 18 years old.

Courtney Hicks, USA: She placed 5th at Junior Worlds.  She won silver at JGP USA and finished 4th at JGP Slovenia last season.  Her personal best is 153.77.  She is 17 years old.

World Team Trophy Ladies Free Skate Results

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Akiko SUZUKI	JPN	133.02	65.76		67.26	8.36	8.07	8.50	8.57	8.54	0.00	#11
2	Ashley WAGNER	USA	128.83	63.74		65.09	8.07	8.00	8.25	8.25	8.11	0.00	#9
3	Gracie GOLD	USA	127.05	65.28		61.77	7.79	7.32	7.96	7.79	7.75	0.00	#10
4	Zijun LI	CHN	118.34	61.79		56.55	7.14	6.75	7.25	7.14	7.07	0.00	#4
5	Mao ASADA	JPN	117.97	53.38		64.59	8.11	7.79	7.93	8.29	8.25	0.00	#8
6	Adelina SOTNIKOVA	RUS	115.97	56.28		60.69	7.82	7.36	7.61	7.64	7.50	1.00	#12
7	Kaetlyn OSMOND	CAN	109.67	52.55		58.12	7.11	7.18	7.21	7.43	7.39	1.00	#6
8	Elizaveta TUKTAMYSHEVA	RUS	102.22	50.83		52.39	6.75	6.25	6.39	6.82	6.54	1.00	#3
9	Mae Berenice MEITE	FRA	101.20	51.05		51.15	6.50	6.00	6.43	6.50	6.54	1.00	#7
10	Kexin ZHANG	CHN	100.52	54.25		46.27	6.07	5.43	5.96	5.89	5.57	0.00	#5
11	Gabrielle DALEMAN	CAN	92.00	48.35		45.65	5.89	5.43	5.68	5.82	5.71	2.00	#1
12	Lenaelle GILLERON-GORRY	FRA	72.39	33.43		41.96	5.61	4.96	5.00	5.54	5.11	3.00	#2

Total

FPl.	Name	Nation	Points	SP	FS	Team Points
1	Akiko SUZUKI	JPN	199.58	2	1	12
2	Ashley WAGNER	USA	188.60	4	2	11
3	Gracie GOLD	USA	188.03	3	3	10
4	Adelina SOTNIKOVA	RUS	183.10	1	6	9
5	Mao ASADA	JPN	177.36	5	5	8
6	Zijun LI	CHN	171.50	9	4	7
7	Kaetlyn OSMOND	CAN	164.85	7	7	6
8	Mae Berenice MEITE	FRA	159.71	6	9	5
9	Kexin ZHANG	CHN	155.49	8	10	4
10	Elizaveta TUKTAMYSHEVA	RUS	152.16	10	8	3
11	Gabrielle DALEMAN	CAN	140.82	12	11	2
12	Lenaelle GILLERON-GORRY	FRA	121.80	11	12	1

World Team Trophy Ladies Short Program Results

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Adelina SOTNIKOVA	RUS	67.13	36.53		30.60	7.64	7.36	7.86	7.68	7.71	0.00	#9
2	Akiko SUZUKI	JPN	66.56	33.95		32.61	8.11	7.93	8.36	8.11	8.25	0.00	#12
3	Gracie GOLD	USA	60.98	33.47		28.51	7.29	6.82	7.18	7.18	7.18	1.00	#5
4	Ashley WAGNER	USA	59.77	29.17		30.60	7.75	7.54	7.50	7.75	7.71	0.00	#10
5	Mao ASADA	JPN	59.39	28.90		31.49	8.11	7.54	7.75	8.00	7.96	1.00	#11
6	Mae Berenice MEITE	FRA	58.51	32.13		26.38	6.61	6.25	6.79	6.57	6.75	0.00	#6
7	Kaetlyn OSMOND	CAN	55.18	28.07		28.11	6.93	6.89	7.07	7.14	7.11	1.00	#4
8	Kexin ZHANG	CHN	54.97	32.19		22.78	5.86	5.29	5.86	5.82	5.64	0.00	#3
9	Zijun LI	CHN	53.16	26.93		27.23	7.04	6.68	6.82	6.89	6.61	1.00	#7
10	Elizaveta TUKTAMYSHEVA	RUS	49.94	24.15		27.79	7.14	6.79	6.68	7.18	6.96	2.00	#8
11	Lenaelle GILLERON-GORRY	FRA	49.41	26.70		22.71	5.96	5.14	5.82	5.79	5.68	0.00	#2
12	Gabrielle DALEMAN	CAN	48.82	27.13		22.69	6.04	5.32	5.71	5.71	5.57	1.00	#1

World Championships Ladies Free Skate

Group 2
Sonia Lafuente, ESP: 41.22 TES + 46.00 PCS = 87.22 Total: 139.66 and into 5th place

• Nice triple flip
• Double lutz
• Triple loop + double toe--she has tiny jumps and not enough speed going into them
• Triple toe
• Triple loop turn out
• Good layback position into a nice haircutter and a decent Biellman with speed maintained throughout
• Double toe
• Double axel forward on the landing but hangs on
• She could have more stretch and her upper body up higher on the camel spin
• A little slow on the step sequence and very still through the upper body; she could also accentuate and perform her music more

Jenna McCorkell, GBR: 41.28 TES + 49.76 PCS = 91.04 Total: 142.27 and into 4th place

• Good opening double lutz
• Triple flip
• Double toe + double toe
• Nice camel spin position into a decent haircutter and good stretch through the sit position
• Triple flip + Double toe
• Single salchow--didn't even pull in for the rotation so not sure what went wrong
• Double axel
• Triple toe + double axel sequence
• Good spin positions with decent speed
• A little bouncy and choppy on the step sequence and not a lot of content through the first half; could stretch and hold the lines more
• Flying sit spin with a good crossed position into a nice tuck

Alena Leonova, RUS: 48.11 TES + 55.65 PCS -1.00 = 102.76 Total: 159.06 and into 1st place

• Triple toe + triple toe a little forward on the landing but manages to hang on
• Triple loop two foots and hops out of 
• Triple lutz
• Good speed in the camel spin with decent positions
• Triple flip two footed + double toe almost into the boards
• Triple salchow sideways in the air and a fall
• Triple flip two footed + double toe
• Side ways double axel with a two footed landing
• This is a completely different skater from last year and the fire and passion is gone from this step sequence; it's also choppy and on top of the ice instead of in her edges
• Nice camel position with good speed into a good camel and a decent haircutter but losing speed through the change of foot
• She seems to really be going through the motions with this program and it's clear she's struggling

Elizaveta Tuktamisheva, RUS: 62.28 TES + 57.24 PCS = 119.52 Total: 174.24 and into 1st place

• Triple lutz + double toe (planned triple)
• Triple lutz nearly put her hand down and just managed to save it
• Triple flip
• Good speed in her first spin but not a lot of difficult positions which will affect her levels
• Decent step sequence but doesn't seem to have the usual Liza spunk
• Huge ice coverage on the double axel + triple toe
• Big triple salchow + double toe + double loop
• A bobble in her flying sit spin and it seems like she almost lost her glove trying to grab her blade and spends the rest of the spin trying to get it back on
• Nice triple loop
• Good double axel
• Good speed in her final spin but the positions could use some work 

Elena Glebova, EST: 47.70 TES + 51.20 PCS -1.00 = 97.90 Total: 152.49 and into 3rd place

• Fall on opening triple loop
• Triple toe + double toe
• Tiny double axel
• Triple toe + double toe
• Nice speed in the layback spin
• Very bouncy in the step sequence and not a lot of connection to the music
• Triple salchow + Double toe + double toe
• Triple salchow
• Double axel
• No speed by the end of the sit spin and not matching the pace of the music
• Camel spin with decent catchfoot into a good sit spin and an alright upright spin

Natalia Popova, UKR: 54.01 TES + 49.84 PCS = 103.85 Total: 155.52 and into 3rd place

• Nice opening triple flip
• Good triple loop
• Triple toe + double toe + double toe--barely squeaked out those last jumps
• Nice camel position with excellent stretch through the catchfoot
• Nice high free leg in the camel with good speed into a nice stretched sit spin and a good upright catchfoot spin 
• Triple toe + double toe
• Triple salchow + double toe
• She has really nice toe point but in the jumps but is a little hesitant on the combos
• Triple salchow
• Double axel
• Decent flow through her edges on the step sequence and good use of her whole body
• Good spirals in the choreographic step sequence
• Nice layback position but she could have a much better arm position

Group 3
Gracie Gold, USA: 65.22 TES + 60.18 PCS = 125.40 Total: 184.25 and into 1st place

• Huge triple lutz + triple toe--turnout on the end but she added an arm and made it look nice
• Double axel + triple toe really nice
• Triple loop 
• Nice layback spin with good speed into a good Biellman
• Flying camel spin with a good catchfoot into a nice tucked sit spin and a stretched upright spin with good speed throughout
• Difficult entry into her double axel and she lands awkwardly and narrowly avoids hitting the boards
• Good triple lutz
• Triple flip + double toe + double toe
• Nice flow to her step sequence and use of her full body but she could have a bit more speed and push across the ice
• Triple salchow flip out and misses the rest of the combo
• Nice broken leg camel spin into a good scratch spin

Viktoria Helgesson, SWE: 45.12 TES + 55.32 PCS = 100.44 Total: 158.80 and into 4th place

• Double flip
• Triple toe
• Triple loop hand down
• Nice quality of movement in her step sequence with good use of her full body
• Triple toe + double toe
• Triple salchow
• Triple loop nice
• Stepped out of the double axel
• Camel spin a little slow but nice sit positions and catchfoot upright spins
• Nice spiral in the choreographic sequence
• Double axel + double toe with a turnout on the landing
• She needs more stretch through her sit position

Akiko Suzuki, JPN: 44.49 TES + 59.93 PCS -1.00 = 103.42 Total: 164.59 and into 3rd place

• Triple flip hand down
• Double axel fell almost into the splits
• Triple lutz two footed
• Nice camel spin position with good stretch through the catchfoot
• Nice timing with the music on her step sequence and good light flow across the ice
• Good camel spin into a really nice upright catch foot spin with good speed
• Triple flip
• Triple loop + double toe
• Triple salchow
• Double loop a bit wonky on the landing but hangs on
• Beautiful spiral in her choreographic step sequence
• Nice camel spin into a good sit spin and ending with a haircutter

Mae Berenice Meite, FRA: 55.62 TES + 52.51 PCS = 108.13 Total: 165.03 and into 3rd place

• Triple flip catches an edge and puts her knee and hand down
• Triple lutz
• Triple loop + double toe
• Double axel
• Not a lot of transitions between these jumps and a really front loaded program are going to bring her overall scores down a bit
• Really slow step sequence with no ice coverage and very little use of the upper body; she's also on top of her edges for most of the pattern
• Good camel position into a decent upright catchfoot and a slightly awkward sit position
• Double axel + triple toe
• Triple loop + double toe
• Triple toe
• Good layback into a Biellman with decent speed maintained throughout
• A bit of an awkward flying entry to a catchfoot camel spin

Adelina Sotnikova, RUS: 55.73 TES + 60.63 PCS = 116.36 Total: 175.98 and into 2nd place

• Triple lutz + triple toe two footed on the 2nd jump and a step back out of it but great height on the lutz
• Really nice triple flip
• Good triple loop
• Nice speed in her camel spin with interesting position variations
• Double axel a little forward on the landing + triple toe two footed
• Triple lutz two footed hand down and flip out
• Double axel a little forward on the landing but hangs on
• Triple salchow
• Nice layback spin with good speed into a one arm Biellman
• Lots of content in her step sequence but she could go for it a bit more and stretch through her lines
• Great flexibility in final spin
• Nice full split spiral

Zijun Li, CHN: 69.41 TES + 58.13 PCS = 127.54 Total: 183.85 and into 2nd place

• Triple flip + triple toe
• Double axel + triple toe
• Triple lutz
• Nice camel spin position into a good donut and catchfoot picking up speed
• Nice upright catchfoot spin and good twisted sit position
• Triple salchow + double toe + double loop
• Triple flip
• Triple loop
• She has such long legs and I'm not sure she knows quite what to do with them yet as she doesn't always stretch fully through her lines in the step sequence
• Double axel
• Nice spiral and split leap in her choreographic step sequence
• REally pretty layback into a nice one foot Biellman and the crowd is so loud you can't hear her music at the end

Group 4
Ashley Wagner, USA: 61.34 TES + 63.02 PCS -1.00 = 123.36 Total: 187.34 and into 1st place

• Triple flip + double toe + double toe with both arms over head
• Double axel + triple toe two footed and probably underrotated but she hangs on to it
• Triple salchow
• Good positions in her flying sit spin stepping right up into a nice layback spin with and a good Biellman but she could have a bit more speed
• Nice triple loop
• Good triple lutz
• Triple loop + double axel sequence stepped back on the landing a bit
• Great performance quality in her step sequence, nice stretch through her lines but falls on a step so that's going to cost her some levels and maybe some PCS for interrupting the flow
• Almost slips again on some cross overs into her final triple flip
• Nice spiral and strong choreography into her final camel spin with a good twisted position and nice speed through the sit spin into the change of foot

Kanako Murakami, JPN: 60.98 TES + 62.11 PCS = 123.09 Total: 189.73 and into 1st place

• Triple lutz (looked to be an edge call though)
• Triple loop + double toe
• Triple flip
• A little clunky and on top of the edges in her footwork and I'm not a huge fan of the bent arm gesture she's using in the program
• Good layback into haircutter into Biellman
• Triple loop
• Triple toe + single axel sequence--huge double axel 
• Triple salchow + double toe + double loop
• Nice final triple toe
• She could have more stretch through her sit position
• Good camel spin into an upright catchfoot

Carolina Kostner, ITA: 61.34 TES + 70.69 PCS -1.00 = 131.03 Total: 197.89 and into 1st place

• Nice opening triple lutz
• Good double axel
• Triple flip + triple toe
• Nice camel spin with a flying change into a broken leg sit spin
• Flying camel spin with a broken leg variation into an upright catchfoot
• She seems to really be having fun with this program and it's nice to see an extroverted Carolina
• Popped her loop
• Triple toe + double toe
• Triple salchow + double toe + double loop
• Good speed in her camel spin but an almost non existent illusion
• Great step sequence with tons of personality and style, hitting all the musical accents and lots of difficulty in the turns
• Fall on a triple salchow in the very last seconds of the program

Mao Asada, JPN: 65.96 TES + 68.41 PCS = 134.37 Total: 196.47 and into 2nd place

• Triple axel two footed and a step out
• Triple flip bit of an odd landing and missed her combo
• Triple lutz
• Triple loop + double loop
• Great camel position, not so great illusion spin 
• Nice Biellman
• Beautiful double axel + triple toe
• Nice triple salchow
• Good upright catchfoot spin
• Triple flip + double loop + double loop
• Great speed and flow on her step sequence with tons of difficult content and perfectly timed with the music
• Gorgeous spiral 

Kaetlyn Osmond, CAN: 53.49 TES + 60.60 PCS -2.00 = 112.09 Total: 176.82 and into 7th place

• Triple flip + double toe--couldn't quite get the rotation in to pull off a triple
• Triple lutz
• Double axel + triple toe step out
• Great camel spin position into a nice upright catch foot 
• Triple salchow
• Hard fall on a triple flip and landed on her hip
• Triple toe another fall
• Double axel + double toe + double toe eking out some really messy landings
• Nice variety of movement in her step sequence but not really pushing across the ice to get the speed and ice coverage
• Illusion into a layback spin with a decent haircutter and Biellman

Yuna Kim, KOR: 74.73 TES + 73.61 PCS = 148.34 Total: 218.11 and into 1st place

• Huge triple lutz + triple toe
• Gorgeous triple flip
• Nice spin positions in her opening spin
• Triple salchow--her jumps have such an ease, lightness and height to them
• Just an ok step sequence and doesn't fully utilize the lyricalness of the music
• Nice triple lutz
• Spread eagle into a double axel + double toe + double loop
• Triple salchow + double toe
• Not crazy about her arms in the layback spin and only a haircutter position
• I'd like to see her look up and project a bit more in the choreographic step sequence
• Ina Bauer into a double axel
• The crowd is on their feet screaming over her music for the entire last spin

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Yuna KIM	KOR	148.34	74.73		73.61	9.21	8.89	9.36	9.18	9.36	0.00	#24
2	Mao ASADA	JPN	134.37	65.96		68.41	8.61	8.21	8.61	8.64	8.68	0.00	#22
3	Carolina KOSTNER	ITA	131.03	61.34		70.69	8.96	8.46	8.79	8.93	9.04	1.00	#21
4	Zijun LI	CHN	127.54	69.41		58.13	7.29	7.00	7.43	7.36	7.25	0.00	#18
5	Gracie GOLD	USA	125.40	65.22		60.18	7.57	7.25	7.61	7.57	7.61	0.00	#13
6	Ashley WAGNER	USA	123.36	61.34		63.02	7.93	7.64	7.82	8.04	7.96	1.00	#19
7	Kanako MURAKAMI	JPN	123.09	60.98		62.11	7.89	7.50	7.82	7.75	7.86	0.00	#20
8	Elizaveta TUKTAMYSHEVA	RUS	119.52	62.28		57.24	7.39	6.79	7.14	7.21	7.25	0.00	#10
9	Adelina SOTNIKOVA	RUS	116.36	55.73		60.63	7.71	7.32	7.61	7.57	7.68	0.00	#17
10	Kaetlyn OSMOND	CAN	112.09	53.49		60.60	7.64	7.39	7.57	7.57	7.71	2.00	#23
11	Mae Berenice MEITE	FRA	108.13	55.62		52.51	6.64	6.25	6.68	6.68	6.57	0.00	#16
12	Natalia POPOVA	UKR	103.85	54.01		49.84	6.36	6.04	6.29	6.25	6.21	0.00	#12
13	Akiko SUZUKI	JPN	103.42	44.49		59.93	7.68	7.25	7.39	7.57	7.57	1.00	#15
14	Alena LEONOVA	RUS	102.76	48.11		55.65	7.32	6.50	6.96	6.96	7.04	1.00	#9
15	Viktoria HELGESSON	SWE	100.44	45.12		55.32	6.96	6.68	6.93	6.96	7.04	0.00	#14
16	Elena GLEBOVA	EST	97.90	47.70		51.20	6.50	6.21	6.54	6.39	6.36	1.00	#11
17	Monika SIMANCIKOVA	SVK	97.84	53.43		44.41	5.86	5.21	5.68	5.54	5.46	0.00	#2
18	Valentina MARCHEI	ITA	96.82	43.57		54.25	6.86	6.36	6.82	6.86	7.00	1.00	#6
19	Nathalie WEINZIERL	GER	94.34	52.02		43.32	5.75	4.96	5.50	5.43	5.43	1.00	#4
20	Brooklee HAN	AUS	91.26	48.10		43.16	5.50	5.11	5.50	5.36	5.50	0.00	#1
21	Jenna MCCORKELL	GBR	91.04	41.28		49.76	6.46	5.82	6.32	6.25	6.25	0.00	#8
22	Kexin ZHANG	CHN	88.61	48.37		41.24	5.64	4.82	5.14	5.18	5.00	1.00	#5
23	Sonia LAFUENTE	ESP	87.22	41.22		46.00	6.11	5.50	5.75	5.75	5.64	0.00	#7
24	Kerstin FRANK	AUT	78.32	38.79		40.53	5.46	4.79	5.04	5.11	4.93	1.00	#3

Total

Pl.	Name	Nation	Points	SP	FS
1	Yuna KIM	KOR	218.31	1	1
2	Carolina KOSTNER	ITA	197.89	2	3
3	Mao ASADA	JPN	196.47	6	2
4	Kanako MURAKAMI	JPN	189.73	3	7
5	Ashley WAGNER	USA	187.34	5	6
6	Gracie GOLD	USA	184.25	9	5
7	Zijun LI	CHN	183.85	12	4
8	Kaetlyn OSMOND	CAN	176.82	4	10
9	Adelina SOTNIKOVA	RUS	175.98	8	9
10	Elizaveta TUKTAMYSHEVA	RUS	174.24	14	8
11	Mae Berenice MEITE	FRA	165.03	11	11
12	Akiko SUZUKI	JPN	164.59	7	13
13	Alena LEONOVA	RUS	159.06	13	14
14	Viktoria HELGESSON	SWE	158.80	10	15
15	Natalia POPOVA	UKR	155.52	17	12
16	Elena GLEBOVA	EST	152.49	15	16
17	Monika SIMANCIKOVA	SVK	149.02	19	17
18	Valentina MARCHEI	ITA	147.23	21	18
19	Nathalie WEINZIERL	GER	142.48	24	19
20	Jenna MCCORKELL	GBR	142.27	18	21
21	Brooklee HAN	AUS	141.88	20	20
22	Sonia LAFUENTE	ESP	139.66	16	23
23	Kexin ZHANG	CHN	137.41	23	22
24	Kerstin FRANK	AUT	127.98	22	24

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.