World Championships Pairs Free Skate Results

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Tatiana VOLOSOZHAR / Maxim TRANKOV	RUS	149.87	76.36		74.51	9.39	9.07	9.36	9.32	9.43	1.00	#16
2	Aliona SAVCHENKO / Robin SZOLKOWY	GER	132.09	64.18		68.91	8.68	8.50	8.39	8.86	8.64	1.00	#14
3	Meagan DUHAMEL / Eric RADFORD	CAN	130.95	65.75		65.20	8.11	7.89	8.25	8.25	8.25	0.00	#13
4	Qing PANG / Jian TONG	CHN	130.69	64.75		65.94	8.29	8.00	8.29	8.32	8.32	0.00	#11
5	Kirsten MOORE-TOWERS / Dylan MOSCOVITCH	CAN	130.25	66.78		63.47	7.89	7.82	8.14	7.86	7.96	0.00	#9
6	Vera BAZAROVA / Yuri LARIONOV	RUS	122.81	62.41		60.40	7.68	7.43	7.46	7.64	7.54	0.00	#10
7	Yuko KAVAGUTI / Alexander SMIRNOV	RUS	121.61	56.39		65.22	8.04	8.04	8.04	8.36	8.29	0.00	#15
8	Vanessa JAMES / Morgan CIPRES	FRA	119.19	61.38		57.81	7.39	7.07	7.32	7.29	7.07	0.00	#12
9	Alexa SCIMECA / Chris KNIERIM	USA	117.78	61.15		56.63	7.07	6.79	7.29	7.11	7.14	0.00	#7
10	Stefania BERTON / Ondrej HOTAREK	ITA	112.70	58.83		53.87	6.86	6.32	6.89	6.71	6.89	0.00	#5
11	Cheng PENG / Hao ZHANG	CHN	108.66	56.50		54.16	7.14	6.71	6.61	6.75	6.64	2.00	#8
12	Marissa CASTELLI / Simon SHNAPIR	USA	108.32	56.96		51.36	6.43	6.21	6.57	6.50	6.39	0.00	#1
13	Wenjing SUI / Cong HAN	CHN	108.24	55.55		53.69	6.75	6.46	6.82	6.64	6.89	1.00	#6
14	Nicole DELLA MONICA / Matteo GUARISE	ITA	88.21	45.24		42.97	5.68	5.00	5.32	5.54	5.32	0.00	#3
15	Mari VARTMANN / Aaron VAN CLEAVE	GER	85.76	44.30		44.46	5.82	5.54	5.25	5.75	5.43	3.00	#2
16	Stacey KEMP / David KING	GBR	84.96	43.32		42.64	5.43	5.18	5.32	5.54	5.18	1.00	#4

Total

FPl.	Name	Nation	Points	SP	FS
1	Tatiana VOLOSOZHAR / Maxim TRANKOV	RUS	225.71	1	1
2	Aliona SAVCHENKO / Robin SZOLKOWY	GER	205.56	3	2
3	Meagan DUHAMEL / Eric RADFORD	CAN	204.56	2	3
4	Kirsten MOORE-TOWERS / Dylan MOSCOVITCH	CAN	199.50	5	5
5	Qing PANG / Jian TONG	CHN	194.64	6	4
6	Yuko KAVAGUTI / Alexander SMIRNOV	RUS	191.59	4	7
7	Vera BAZAROVA / Yuri LARIONOV	RUS	184.72	7	6
8	Vanessa JAMES / Morgan CIPRES	FRA	180.17	8	8
9	Alexa SCIMECA / Chris KNIERIM	USA	173.51	12	9
10	Stefania BERTON / Ondrej HOTAREK	ITA	171.77	9	10
11	Cheng PENG / Hao ZHANG	CHN	167.18	10	11
12	Wenjing SUI / Cong HAN	CHN	165.89	11	13
13	Marissa CASTELLI / Simon SHNAPIR	USA	164.00	13	12
14	Nicole DELLA MONICA / Matteo GUARISE	ITA	136.03	15	14
15	Stacey KEMP / David KING	GBR	133.56	14	16
16	Mari VARTMANN / Aaron VAN CLEAVE	GER	133.12	16	15
17	Elizaveta MAKAROVA / Leri KENCHADZE	BUL	FNR	17
18	Magdalena KLATKA / Radoslaw CHRUSCINSKI	POL	FNR	18

World Championships Pairs Preview

Savchenko and Szolkowy are competing for their third consecutive and 5th total World title in hopes of setting themselves up for Olympic gold next year in Sochi.  They have had some troubles this season and had to withdraw from their second Grand Prix assignment due to her sinus infection and missed the chance to qualify for the Grand Prix Final.  They have been battling with Volosozhar and Trankov for the top placements but have always come out on top until Europeans.

Volosozhar and Trankov not only beat the Germans at Europeans, but did so by 7 points, a far cry from the point or less margin they've been separated by in the past.  They also have a four point lead over the Germans in the free skate this season.  Both teams had a slow start to the season and neither has spectacular programs this season.  Both have great twists and throws and nice lifts.  Volosozhar and Trankov are chasing their first World Championship title and are Russia's best homes of a Pairs gold in Sochi after all the Russian teams finished off the podium in 2010.

Bazarova and Larionov have had one of their best seasons, winning two Grand Prix medals and claiming the silver medal at the Grand Prix Final.  An injury kept them out of Russian nationals and Europeans.  They are still having struggles with their side by side jumps, a problem that has plagued them each season, but they've been able to improve their other elements in order to compensate for those errors.  They crossed the 200 point at the Final and seem poised to take over as the top Russian pair after Sochi.  They placed 6th at Worlds last season and seem ready to claim their first World medal.

Duhamel and Radford have been continuing to improve and claimed their first Four Continents title last month.  They finished just off the podium at the Grand Prix Final and have some of the most difficult content planned in their side by side jumps along with solid throws and an improved triple twist.  They finished just a hair shy of the 200 point mark at Four Continents and have the advantage of competing in front of the home crowd.

Moore-Towers and Moscovitch have been chasing Duhamel and Radford all season.  They finished ahead of their teammates in the free skate at Four Continents to claim the silver medal.  The rivalry between the two teams has helped to push them to the top of the world standings and they'll also have the support of the home crowd.  If both Canadian teams skate their best, they could qualify a third pairs team for their country at the Olympics next year.

Pang and Tong have had a consistent if underwhelming season.  They have been vocal about their difficulties with injuries that have effected their ability to train at full capacity.  They've struggled with their side by side jumps because of their injuries and had to withdraw from Four Continents.  They won two medals on the Grand Prix and took home the bronze from the Final, but they'll need to land all their elements if they hope to claim a spot on the Worlds podium.

Sui and Han are a wild card at this event.  After winning three Junior World titles, winning a Four Continents title and finishing in the top 10 at Worlds last season, they sat out the entirety of this season due to her growth injury.  Their training has been restricted and they spent time off the ice.  They haven't competed in a year and will be showing off new programs for the first time.  However, they have quads in their arsenal along with an infectious personality on the ice.  Their personal best is over 200 points, so at their best they are podium threats.

Berton and Hotarek placed 11th at Worlds last season but seem poised to make a big jump in the standings.  After winning bronze at both of their Grand Prix events, they had a 15 point improvement in their scores to claim the bronze medal at Europeans.  They would need another 13 point improvement to be podium contenders but they're likely to have a personal best performance at Worlds and set themselves up well for next year.

My podium predictions:
Gold: Volosozhar/Trankov
Silver: Savchenko/Szolkowy
Bronze: Bazarova/Larionov

Bios of the competitors:
Makarova/Kenchadze, BUL: They placed 11th in the preliminary round at Worlds last season.  They placed 12th at Europeans.  Their personal best is 115.96.  She is 17 and he is 26.

Duhamel/Radford, CAN:  They placed 5th at Worlds last season.  They are the reigning Four Continents Champions.  They won silver at Skate Canada and Trophee Eric Bompard to qualify for the Grand Prix Final where they finished 4th.  They are the 2011 Four Continents Silver Medalists.  Their personal best is 199.18.  She is 27 and he is 28.  They have the 3rd best short program, 5th best free skate and 4th best total scores.

Moore-Towers/Moscovitch, CAN: They are the reigning Four Continents Silver Medalists.  They placed 4th at Cup of China and won silver at NHK Trophy to qualify for the Grand Prix Final where they finished 5th.  Their personal best is 196.78.  She is 20 and he is 28.  They have the 7th best short program, 4th best free skate and 5th best total scores.

Pang/Tong, CHN: They finished 4th at Worlds last season.  They won silver at Skate America and gold at Cup of China to qualify for the Grand Prix Final where they won bronze.  They are the 2010 Olympic Silver Medalists; 2006 and 2010 World Champions; 2007 World Silver Medalists; 2004 and 2011 World Bronze Medalists; 2002, 2004, 2008, 2009 and 2011 Four Continents Champions; and 2003, 2005 and 2007 Four Continents Silver Medalists.  Their personal best is 213.31.  She is 33 and he is 33.  They have the 5th best short program, 6th best free skate and 6th best total scores.

Peng/Zhang, CHN: They placed 5th at Four Continents.  They finished 5th at Cup of China and 4th at Trophee Eric Bompard.  Their personal best is 167.76.  She is 15 and he is 28.

Sui/Han, CHN: They placed 9th at Worlds last season.  They are the 2012 Four Continents Champions and the 2010, 2011 and 2012 Junior Worlds Champions.  Their personal best is 201.83.  She is 17 and he is 20.

James/Cipres, FRA: They finished 16th at Worlds last season.  They placed 4th at Europeans.  They placed 4th at Skate America and 6th at Trophee Eric Bompard.  Their personal best is 178.81.  She is 25 and he is 21.  They have the 10th best free skate and total scores.

Savchenko/Szolkowy, GER: They are the reigning World Champions and European Silver Medalists.  They won gold at Skate Canada.  They are the 2010 Olympic Bronze Medalists; 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2012 World Champions; 2010 World Silver Medalists; 2007 World Bronze Medalists; 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011 European Champions and 2006 and 2010 European Silver Medalists.  Their personal best is 217.85.  She is 29 and he is 33.  They have the 2nd best short program, free skate and total scores.

Vartmann/Van Cleave, GER: They placed 14th at Worlds last season.  They finished 8th at Europeans.  Their personal best is 154.99.  She is 24 and he is 25.

Kemp/King, GBR: They finished 19th at Worlds last season.  They placed 10th at Europeans.  Their personal best is 139.94.  She is 24 and he is 28.

Berton/Hotarek, ITA: They finished 11th at Worlds last season.  They are the reigning European Bronze Medalists.  They won bronze at Skate Canada and at Trophee Eric Bompard.  Their personal best is 187.45.  She is 22 and he is 29.  They have the 8th best short program, 7th best free skate and 8th best total scores.

Della Monica/Guarise, ITA: They placed 15th at Worlds last season.  They finished 9th at Europeans.  They finished 7th at Rostelecom Cup and 7th at NHK Trophy.  Their personal best is 142.53.  She is 23 and he is 24.

Klatka/Chruscinski, POL: They placed 15th at Europeans.  Their personal best is 118.48.  She is 15 and he is 21.

Bazarova/Larionov, RUS: They finished 6th at Worlds last season.  They won silver at Rostelecom Cup and gold at NHK Trophy to qualify for the Grand Prix Final where they won silver.  They are the 2012 European Silver Medalists, 2011 European Bronze Medalists and 2007 World Junior Silver Medalists.  Their personal best is 201.60.  She is 20 and he is 26.  They have the 4th best short program, 3rd best free skate and 3rd best total scores.

Kavaguti/Smirnov, RUS: They finished 7th at Worlds last season.  They placed 5th at Europeans  They won silver at Cup of China and gold at Trophee Eric Bompard to qualify for the Grand Prix Final where they placed 6th.  They are the 2009 and 2010 World Bronze Medalists, 2010 European Champions, 2009 and 2011 European Silver Medalists and 2008 European Bronze Medalists.  Their personal best is 213.15.  She is 31 and he is 28.  They have the 6th best short program, 8th best free skate and 7th best total scores.

Volosozhar/Trankov, RUS: They are the reigning World Silver Medalists and European Champions.  They won gold at Skate America and Rostelecom Cup to qualify for the Grand Prix Final where they won gold.  They are the 2011 World Silver Medalists and 2011 European Champions.  Their personal best is 212.45.  She is 26 and he is 29.  They have the best short program, free skate and total scores of the season.

Castelli/Shnapir, USA: They are the reigning Four Continents Bronze Medalists.  They placed 5th at Skate America and won bronze at NHK Trophy.  They are the 2009 World Junior Bronze Medalists.  Their personal best is 174.51.  She is 22 and he is 25.  They have the 9th best short program score.

Scimeca/Knierim, USA: They placed 4th at NHK Trophy.  Their personal best is 163.10.  She is 21 and he is 25.

Four Continents Pairs Free Skate Results

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Kirsten MOORE-TOWERS / Dylan MOSCOVITCH	CAN	130.45	68.14		63.31	7.75	7.61	7.93	8.14	8.14	1.00	#7
2	Meagan DUHAMEL / Eric RADFORD	CAN	128.74	68.06		60.68	7.54	7.43	7.50	7.82	7.64	0.00	#4
3	Marissa CASTELLI / Simon SHNAPIR	USA	117.04	59.03		58.01	7.21	7.11	7.14	7.36	7.43	0.00	#6
4	Felicia ZHANG / Nathan BARTHOLOMAY	USA	114.32	61.27		54.05	6.64	6.43	6.75	6.96	7.00	1.00	#5
5	Paige LAWRENCE / Rudi SWIEGERS	CAN	113.54	61.15		52.39	6.61	6.39	6.57	6.71	6.46	0.00	#1
6	Cheng PENG / Hao ZHANG	CHN	112.36	62.67		50.69	6.46	6.11	6.32	6.54	6.25	1.00	#3
7	Wenting WANG / Yan ZHANG	CHN	94.30	51.96		42.34	5.54	5.14	5.21	5.36	5.21	0.00	#2

Total

FPl.	Name	Nation	Points	SP	FS
1	Meagan DUHAMEL / Eric RADFORD	CAN	199.18	1	2
2	Kirsten MOORE-TOWERS / Dylan MOSCOVITCH	CAN	196.78	2	1
3	Marissa CASTELLI / Simon SHNAPIR	USA	170.10	3	3
4	Felicia ZHANG / Nathan BARTHOLOMAY	USA	167.30	4	4
5	Cheng PENG / Hao ZHANG	CHN	164.82	5	6
6	Paige LAWRENCE / Rudi SWIEGERS	CAN	162.30	7	5
7	Wenting WANG / Yan ZHANG	CHN	145.56	6	7
WD	Alexa SCIMECA / Chris KNIERIM	USA

Four Continents Pairs Short Program Results

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Meagan DUHAMEL / Eric RADFORD	CAN	70.44	40.33		30.11	7.50	7.14	7.71	7.57	7.71	0.00	#6
2	Kirsten MOORE-TOWERS / Dylan MOSCOVITCH	CAN	66.33	36.47		29.86	7.32	7.11	7.50	7.64	7.75	0.00	#8
3	Marissa CASTELLI / Simon SHNAPIR	USA	53.06	28.06		26.00	6.46	6.36	6.43	6.54	6.71	1.00	#5
4	Felicia ZHANG / Nathan BARTHOLOMAY	USA	52.98	29.60		24.38	6.07	5.86	6.11	6.25	6.18	1.00	#4
5	Cheng PENG / Hao ZHANG	CHN	52.46	27.95		24.51	6.39	5.93	5.96	6.29	6.07	0.00	#1
6	Wenting WANG / Yan ZHANG	CHN	51.26	28.87		22.39	5.68	5.43	5.54	5.68	5.68	0.00	#2
7	Paige LAWRENCE / Rudi SWIEGERS	CAN	48.76	25.13		25.63	6.61	6.25	6.18	6.54	6.46	2.00	#7
WD	Alexa SCIMECA / Chris KNIERIM	USA											#3

Grand Prix Final Pairs Free Skate Results

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Vera BAZAROVA / Yuri LARIONOV	RUS	131.46	65.59		65.87	8.14	8.14	8.36	8.32	8.21	0.00	#5
2	Tatiana VOLOSOZHAR / Maxim TRANKOV	RUS	131.09	63.21		69.88	8.82	8.54	8.64	8.82	8.86	2.00	#6
3	Qing PANG / Jian TONG	CHN	128.07	61.67		66.40	8.46	8.04	8.32	8.32	8.36	0.00	#4
4	Meagan DUHAMEL / Eric RADFORD	CAN	122.89	63.11		59.78	7.64	7.25	7.43	7.61	7.43	0.00	#3
5	Yuko KAVAGUTI / Alexander SMIRNOV	RUS	120.70	59.50		61.20	7.68	7.54	7.71	7.64	7.68	0.00	#1
6	Kirsten MOORE-TOWERS / Dylan MOSCOVITCH	CAN	119.50	61.05		58.45	7.36	7.21	7.32	7.32	7.32	0.00	#2

FPl.	Name	Nation	Points	SP	FS
1	Tatiana VOLOSOZHAR / Maxim TRANKOV	RUS	204.55	1	2
2	Vera BAZAROVA / Yuri LARIONOV	RUS	201.60	2	1
3	Qing PANG / Jian TONG	CHN	192.81	3	3
4	Meagan DUHAMEL / Eric RADFORD	CAN	187.09	4	4
5	Kirsten MOORE-TOWERS / Dylan MOSCOVITCH	CAN	180.45	5	6
6	Yuko KAVAGUTI / Alexander SMIRNOV	RUS	178.72	6	5

Grand Prix Final Pairs Preview

Volosozhar and Trankov had a slow start to their season despite winning gold at both of their events. They had a better showing at home at Rostelecom Cup breaking the 200 point mark.  With Savchenko and Szolkowy not competing here, this should be their event to lose.  They have the best short program, free skate and total scores of the season.

Bazarova and Larionov have always struggled with their side by side jumps but the rest of their elements are often strong enough to keep them in the running.  They won their first Grand Prix gold medal at NHK Trophy and also took the silver medal behind Volosozhar/Trankov at Rostelecom Cup.  They have the 5th best short program, 3rd best free skate and 3rd best total scores of the season.

Duhamel and Radford have had a strong start to their season winning silver at both of their Grand Prix assignments.  Skate Canada historically has inflated scores and they had the advantage of competing at home, but their scores held up at Trophee Eric Bompard.  They have the 7th best short program, 4th best free skate and 4th best total scores of the season.

Pang and Tong have had injury issues this season but persevered to claim a silver and gold on the Grand Prix.  Their knee injuries can cause them problems with their jumps.  They'll need them if they want to land on top of the podium, but a medal is within their reach here.  They have the 3rd best short program, 5th best free skate and 5th best total scores of the season.

Kavaguti and Smirnov have been slowly improving throughout the season and won a silver and gold medal on the Grand Prix.  This will be their first real test against a deeper field and especially against two other Russian teams to see where they stack up this season.  They have the 4th best short program, 6th best free skate and 6th best total scores of the season.

Moore-Towers and Moscovitch took advantage of a weak NHK field to claim the silver medal and a spot in the Grand Prix Final.  They set personal best scores at NHK but still are near the bottom of the pack.  They have a ways to go to catch Duhamel and Radford but they've proven themselves to be one of the top Canadian pairs teams this season.  They have the 6th best short program, 9th best free skate and 7th best total scores of the season.

My podium predictions:Gold: Volosozhar/Trankov
Silver: Bazarova/Larionov
Bronze: Duhamel/Radford

Bios of the competitors:
Duhamel/Radford, CAN:  They placed 5th at Worlds and 4th at Four Continents.  They won silver at Skate Canada and Trophee Eric Bompard to qualify for the Grand Prix Final.  They qualified for the Grand Prix Final last season and finished 5th.  Their personal best is 190.49.  She is 26 and he is 27.

Moore-Towers/Moscovitch, CAN: They placed 4th at Cup of China and won silver at NHK Trophy to qualify for the Grand Prix Final.  Their personal best is 180.63.  She is 20 and he is 28.

Pang/Tong, CHN: They finished 4th at Worlds.  They won silver at Skate America and gold at Cup of China to qualify for the Grand Prix Final.  They are the 2010 Olympic Silver Medalists; 2006 and 2010 World Champions; 2007 World Silver Medalists; 2004 and 2011 World Bronze Medalists; 2002, 2004, 2008, 2009 and 2011 Four Continents Champions; and 2003, 2005 and 2007 Four Continents Silver Medalists.  Their personal best is 213.31.  She is 32 and he is 33.

Bazarova/Larionov, RUS: They finished 6th at Worlds and are the reigning European Silver Medalists.  They won silver at Rostelecom Cup and gold at NHK Trophy to qualify for the Grand Prix Final.  They are the 2011 European Bronze Medalists and 2007 World Junior Silver Medalists.  Their personal best is 193.79.  She is 19 and he is 26.

Kavaguti/Smirnov, RUS: They finished 7th at Worlds last season.  They won silver at Cup of China and gold at Trophee Eric Bompard to qualify for the Grand Prix Final.  They qualified for the Grand Prix Final last season and won bronze.  They are the 2009 and 2010 World Bronze Medalists, 2010 European Champions, 2009 and 2011 European Silver Medalists and 2008 European Bronze Medalists.  Their personal best is 213.15.  She is 30 and he is 28.

Volosozhar/Trankov, RUS: They are the reigning World Silver Medalists and European Champions.  They won gold at Skate America and Rostelecom Cup to qualify for the Grand Prix Final.  They qualified for for the Grand Prix Final last season and won silver.  They are the 2011 World Silver Medalists.  Their personal best is 212.08.  She is 26 and he is 29.

NHK Trophy Pairs Free Skate Results

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Vera BAZAROVA / Yuri LARIONOV	RUS	126.41	63.04		63.37	7.89	7.82	8.00	8.11	7.79	0.00	#7
2	Kirsten MOORE-TOWERS / Dylan MOSCOVITCH	CAN	115.49	56.56		59.93	7.68	7.39	7.43	7.64	7.32	1.00	#6
3	Marissa CASTELLI / Simon SHNAPIR	USA	112.66	55.33		58.33	7.07	7.21	7.21	7.50	7.46	1.00	#5
4	Alexa SCIMECA / Chris KNIERIM	USA	108.69	58.87		49.82	6.46	5.89	6.43	6.29	6.07	0.00	#3
5	Anastasia MARTIUSHEVA / Alexei ROGONOV	RUS	105.18	53.76		51.42	6.68	6.39	6.32	6.57	6.18	0.00	#4
6	Lindsay DAVIS / Mark LADWIG	USA	98.09	50.62		48.47	6.29	5.86	6.00	6.18	5.96	1.00	#2
7	Nicole DELLA MONICA / Matteo GUARISE	ITA	79.39	38.08		43.31	5.64	5.29	5.25	5.68	5.21	2.00	#1

FPl.	Name	Nation	Points	SP	FS
1	Vera BAZAROVA / Yuri LARIONOV	RUS	192.02	1	1
2	Kirsten MOORE-TOWERS / Dylan MOSCOVITCH	CAN	180.63	2	2
3	Marissa CASTELLI / Simon SHNAPIR	USA	174.51	3	3
4	Alexa SCIMECA / Chris KNIERIM	USA	163.10	5	4
5	Anastasia MARTIUSHEVA / Alexei ROGONOV	RUS	162.25	4	5
6	Lindsay DAVIS / Mark LADWIG	USA	143.70	6	6
7	Nicole DELLA MONICA / Matteo GUARISE	ITA	121.53	7	7

NHK Trophy Pairs Short Program Results

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Vera BAZAROVA / Yuri LARIONOV	RUS	65.61	34.67		30.94	7.75	7.54	7.93	7.75	7.71	0.00	#7
2	Kirsten MOORE-TOWERS / Dylan MOSCOVITCH	CAN	65.14	35.12		30.02	7.46	7.14	7.54	7.71	7.68	0.00	#6
3	Marissa CASTELLI / Simon SHNAPIR	USA	61.85	33.64		28.21	6.86	6.86	7.25	7.07	7.21	0.00	#5
4	Anastasia MARTIUSHEVA / Alexei ROGONOV	RUS	57.07	31.07		26.00	6.75	6.21	6.61	6.68	6.25	0.00	#3
5	Alexa SCIMECA / Chris KNIERIM	USA	54.41	30.77		23.64	6.11	5.50	6.11	5.96	5.86	0.00	#1
6	Lindsay DAVIS / Mark LADWIG	USA	45.61	22.44		23.17	6.04	5.57	5.71	5.89	5.75	0.00	#2
7	Nicole DELLA MONICA / Matteo GUARISE	ITA	42.14	20.21		22.93	5.96	5.68	5.46	5.93	5.64	1.00	#4

NHK Trophy Pairs Preview

Pang/Tong, Volosozhar/Trankov, Kavaguti/Smirnov and Duhamel/Radford have all earned their tickets to Sochi while Denney/Coughlin and Berton/Hotarek await the outcome of this event.

Bazarova and Larionov started off their season with a silver medal at home at Rostelecom Cup.  They have struggled to put together two clean programs and land the side by side jumps but in this field they should be able to claim the top spot.  They need a 4th place finish or higher to qualify for the Final.

Moore-Towers and Moscovitch have approached the season with a new vigor, determined to reclaim their spot at the top Canadian pairs team.  They finished a disappointing 4th at Cup of China and will need a silver medal or better to qualify for the Final, which they should be able to do in this field.

Castelli/Shnapir and Martiusheva/Rogonov can qualify if they win the gold medal.  While this would be a tall order, Castelli and Shnapir have been gaining confidence all season and if they can sneak past Moore-Towers and Moscovitch for the silver medal, they can send their teammates Denney and Coughlin to the Final.

Scimeca and Knierim earned their spot at this event by winning Cup of Nice earlier this season.  They are still a relatively new team in their first season together but could be a spoiler at this event if they can clean up their free skate.

My podium predictions:
Gold: Bazarova/Larionov
Silver: Moore-Towers/Moscovitch
Bronze: Castelli/Shnapir

Bios of the competitors:
Moore-Towers/Moscovitch, CAN: They placed 4th at Cup of China.  Their personal best is 177.43.  She is 20 and he is 28.

Della Monica/Guarise, ITA: They placed 15th at Worlds.  They finished 7th at Rostelecom Cup.  Their personal best is 142.53.  She is 23 and he is 24.

Bazarova/Larionov, RUS: They finished 6th at Worlds and are the reigning European Silver Medalists.  They won silver at Rostelecom Cup.  They are the 2011 European Bronze Medalists and 2007 World Junior Silver Medalists.  Their personal best is 193.79.  She is 19 and he is 26.

Martiusheva/Rogonov, RUS: They placed 5th at Rostelecom Cup.  They are the 2009 World Junior Silver Medalists.  Their personal best is 151.10.  She is 17 and he is 24.

Castelli/Shnapir, USA: They placed 5th at Skate America.  They are the 2009 World Junior Bronze Medalists.  Their personal best is 164.19.  She is 22 and he is 25.

Davis/Ladwig, USA: They placed 7th at Skate Canada.  Their personal best is 122.26.  She is 20 and he is 32.

Scimeca/Knierim, USA: This is their Grand Prix debut.  She is 21 and he is 25.

Cup of China Pairs Free Skate

Group 1
Wang/Zhang, CHN: 51.83 TES + 42.90 PCS -1.00 = 93.73 Total: 143.52

• Interesting spiral into a cartwheel move at the beginning of their program
• Huge quad twist but he almost threw her away from him instead of straight up and she had a two foot landing
• Problems on their side by side triple salchows (she falls) and they can't complete the sequence
• He squeaks out the landing on their side by side double salochows
• Nice spiral entry from both of them into the death spiral; very slow but good position for her
• Very far apart on their side by side spins but good timing for the most part 
• She needs to really stretch through her legs in this lift and it could flow across the ice better
• Throw triple flip a little forward on the landing but she hangs on
• Really difficult entry into the throw triple loop with tons of ice coverage
• Again she could use more stretch through her lift but a bit better on the rotation
• Difficult lift entries but they also look difficult so they could work on smoothing things out; nice one foot carry feature but not a lot of speed
• Decent positions and speed in their pairs spin
• They have a lot of potential but I worry about their age difference in terms of longetivity

Stolbova/Klimov, RUS: 58.14 TES + 58.75 PCS -1.00 = 115.89 Total: 172.55 and into 1st place

• A little crashy on the landing of their double twist
• Really nice triple toe + double toe + double toe side by side jumps
• A little labored into their first lift but nice changes of position
• A little flat for her on the death spiral but nice transition
• Her dress doesn't seem to be very Addams Family and they both seem to be going through the motions with this choreography
• Interesting positions in their pairs spin with good speed
• Good positioning on their side by side spins with good timing and nice positions
• A little bit of an awkward entry and exit into their second lift
• Fall on the throw triple lutz
• Nice side by side double axels
• Cartwheel up into a really nice hip hold lift with good flexibility from her
• Nice throw triple salchow with great toe point from her in the air
• This team has a lot of potential as they have a lot of really nice qualities but some things still looked labored but it's early in the season 

Peng/Zhang, CHN: 55.71 TES + 52.27 PCS -2.00 = 105.98 Total: 163.87 and into 2nd place

• Gorgeous quad twist with tons of height and a nice catch
• She falls on the sbs triple toe and can't complete the three jump combo
• Nice stretch through her positions in the first lift and good ease in the position changes
• A little bit of difficulty in their transition hydroblade move
• Fall on the throw triple loop--seemed a bit hesitant on the takeoff
• Side by side double axels
• Nice positions and distance between them on the side by side spins with good flexibility and nice timing
• A bit bobbly getting out of another transition move
• Huge throw triple salchow and she made the landing look effortless
• Good positions in the lift with a one foot carry feature but he has to tap his foot down a few times
• Nice arch in her back in the death spiral
• Good positions and decent speed in their pairs spin
• Good speed on their final lift but no flow at the end
• They have a lot of the big elements but make mistakes on simple transition steps which costs them PCS points

Group 2
Moore-Towers/Moscovitch, CAN: 55.24 TES + 58.00 PCS = 113.24 Total: 172.36 and into 2nd place

• Not a lot of height on the triple twist but they pulled it off
• Good fast rotation on the triple toe; he stepped out but they were able to pull off the sequence
• Nice side by side triple salchows
• Unattractive death spiral positions especially after the change of hold and she is almost completely flat and twisted sideways
• A few hops in their pairs spin 
• Lunge up into a nice split lift with good fast rotation from him
• Big throw triple salchow with a nice landing from her
• Two footed landing on the throw triple loop
• Nice split lift but she needs a bit more stretch through the carry feature; nice change of rotation
• Fast side by side spins with good distance between them and nice timing
• REally difficult lift from a kneeling position and a change of rotation

Kavaguti/Smirnov, RUS: 57.09 TES + 62.74 PCS = 119.83 Total: 183.53 and into 1st place

• Just slightly off on both jumps in the triple toe + triple toe sequence but both landed
• Really far forward on the landing of the throw triple salchow but she hangs on
• Crashy landing on their twist (underrotated?)
• Nice death spiral position but lack of speed by the end 
• Good distance on their side by side spins but very slow and some unattractive arm positions 
• Good one foot hold in the lift but he seems slow in his rotation
• They eke out those side by side double axels
• Hangs on to the throw triple loop
• Nice change of positions in their 2nd lift including one with her completely vertical upside down
• Final lift into her signature haircutter carry feature with him on one leg
• Decent speed and positions in their pairs spin
• This whole program seemed slow and a bit of a struggle but they fought for everything in it

Pang/Tong, CHN: 53.74 TES + 66.51 PCS = 120.25 Total: 188.82 and into 1st place

• Double axel + double axel sequence--she singled the first and I believe he singled the second
• Nice triple twist
• Side by side triple toes (she doubled)
• Good spacing on their side by side spins and good timing
• Really awkward death spiral with her working leg bent and her free leg in a bent catch foot position; not very low, completely side ways and not a lot of rotations
• Nice entry to their first hand to hand lift with a good position for her
• She's become so much more expressive over the years and she is lovely to watch on the ice
• Big throw triple salchow with a nice landing
• Not as big on the throw triple loop but still nice
• Press lift with a change in rotation and position and a one handed exit
• Spiral into a lift with a spread eagle carry feature 
• Overall a lovely program 

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Qing PANG / Jian TONG	CHN	120.25	53.74		66.51	8.36	8.04	8.39	8.32	8.46	0.00	#6
2	Yuko KAVAGUTI / Alexander SMIRNOV	RUS	119.83	57.09		62.74	7.93	7.68	7.75	7.96	7.89	0.00	#5
3	Ksenia STOLBOVA / Fedor KLIMOV	RUS	115.89	58.14		58.75	7.36	7.04	7.32	7.46	7.54	1.00	#2
4	Kirsten MOORE-TOWERS / Dylan MOSCOVITCH	CAN	113.24	55.24		58.00	7.29	7.00	7.29	7.29	7.39	0.00	#4
5	Cheng PENG / Hao ZHANG	CHN	105.98	55.71		52.27	6.79	6.39	6.46	6.57	6.46	2.00	#3
6	Wenting WANG / Yan ZHANG	CHN	93.73	51.83		42.90	5.54	5.14	5.39	5.43	5.32	1.00	#1

Pl.	Name	Nation	Points	SP	FS
1	Qing PANG / Jian TONG	CHN	188.82	1	1
2	Yuko KAVAGUTI / Alexander SMIRNOV	RUS	183.53	2	2
3	Ksenia STOLBOVA / Fedor KLIMOV	RUS	172.55	5	3
4	Kirsten MOORE-TOWERS / Dylan MOSCOVITCH	CAN	172.36	3	4
5	Cheng PENG / Hao ZHANG	CHN	163.87	4	5
6	Wenting WANG / Yan ZHANG	CHN	143.52	6	6

Cup of China Pairs Short Program Results

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Qing PANG / Jian TONG	CHN	68.57	35.48		33.09	8.32	7.89	8.32	8.36	8.46	0.00	#6
2	Yuko KAVAGUTI / Alexander SMIRNOV	RUS	63.70	31.93		31.77	7.89	7.57	8.07	8.04	8.14	0.00	#5
3	Kirsten MOORE-TOWERS / Dylan MOSCOVITCH	CAN	59.12	30.52		28.60	7.11	6.82	7.21	7.18	7.43	0.00	#3
4	Cheng PENG / Hao ZHANG	CHN	57.89	31.66		26.23	6.75	6.32	6.71	6.61	6.39	0.00	#1
5	Ksenia STOLBOVA / Fedor KLIMOV	RUS	56.66	27.85		28.81	7.21	6.86	7.21	7.36	7.36	0.00	#4
6	Wenting WANG / Yan ZHANG	CHN	49.79	27.47		22.32	5.75	5.32	5.71	5.54	5.57	0.00	#2

Cup of China Pairs Preview

Due to injuries, the field at this event has shrunk to only six teams but there will still be a fierce battle for the podium.  Pang and Tong won the silver medal at Skate America despite toning down some of their technical fire due to knee injuries.  If they can maintain their level of skating or even improve the number of successful jumps, they could earn their second Grand Prix medal of the season.

Kavaguti and Smirnov open their season here.  After four Grand Prix medals last season (including one at the Final) they missed Europeans due to injury and finished 7th at Europeans.  She's had shoulder injuries that have impacted their career for years and make some of their innovative lifts difficult to perform.

After Moore-Towers and Moscovitch failed to make the Grand Prix Final last season and then missed out on the Canadian Worlds team, they vowed to retool their training and programs and regain their competitiveness.  They won gold at the U.S. Figure Skating Classic earlier this season and are determined to regain their spot as the top Canadian Pairs team.

Stolbova and Klimov are an up and coming Russian Pairs team.  They already have two World Junior medals as well as a European medal.  They won the silver medal at Cup of Nice this past weekend so they'll have a quick turnaround for this event which could affect their ability to perform at the highest level.

My podium predictions:
Gold: Pang/Tong
Silver: Kavaguti/Smirnov
Bronze: Moore-Towers/Moscovitch

Bios of the competitors:
Moore-Towers/Moscovitch, CAN: They won bronze at Skate America and Cup of China last season.  Their personal best is 177.43.  She is 20 and he is 28.

Pang/Tong, CHN: They finished 4th at Worlds.  They won silver at Skate America.  They are the 2010 Olympic Silver Medalists; 2006 and 2010 World Champions; 2007 World Silver Medalists; 2004 and 2011 World Bronze Medalists; 2002, 2004, 2008, 2009 and 2011 Four Continents Champions; and 2003, 2005 and 2007 Four Continents Silver Medalists.  Their personal best is 213.31.  She is 32 and he is 33.

Peng/Zhang, CHN: This is their international debut.  She is 15 and he is 28.

Wang/Zhang, CHN: This is their international debut.  She is 15 and he is 24.

Kavaguti/Smirnov, RUS: They finished 7th at Worlds last season.  They won gold at Cup of China and NHK Trophy and silver at Rostelecom Cup last season to qualify for the Grand Prix Final where they won bronze.  They are the 2009 and 2010 World Bronze Medalists, 2010 European Champions, 2009 and 2011 European Silver Medalists and 2008 European Bronze Medalists.  Their personal best is 213.15.  She is 30 and he is 28.

Stolbova/Klimov, RUS: They are the reigning European Bronze Medalists.  They placed 7th at Trophee Eric Bompard and 5th at Rostelecom Cup last season.  They are the the 2011 World Junior Silver Medalists and 2010 World Junior Bronze Medalists.  Their personal best is 171.81.  She is 20 and he is 22.

US Figure Skating Classic Pairs Short Program Results

Place	Start No.	Name	Score
1	5	Kirsten MOORE-TOWERS Dylan MOSCOVITCH, CAN	63.34
2	1	Paige LAWRENCE Rudi SWIEGERS, CAN	54.43
3	4	Felicia ZHANG Nathan BARTHOLOMAY, USA	47.44
4	3	Lindsay DAVIS Mark LADWIG, USA	45.58
5	6	Tiffany VISE Don BALDWIN, USA	40.99
6	2	Danielle MONTALBANO Evgeni KRASNOPOLSKY, ISR	38.76