Trophee Eric Bompard Dance Preview

This should be an easy win for Pechalat and Bourzat and with a second gold medal they'll secure a spot in the Final.  If they can bring their scores up here, they could put themselves in a position to be competitive with Davis and White at the Final.  They also have a lot of room for mistakes as a medal of any color will get them into the Final.  Chock/Zuerlein, Riazanova/Tkachenko and Carron/Jones will battle it out for the final two podium spots.  I give the edge to the Americans and Russians as both countries have had successful outings on the Grand Prix this season.  Chock and Zuerlein have an exciting free skate and that should make them competitive for the silver medal here but if they win bronze, they'll be in a tiebreaker with the Shibutanis for the final Grand Prix Final slot.  Carron and Jones do have home ice advantage here which could boost them onto the podium.  The rest of the field is made up mostly of young teams looking to improve their scores and set themselves up for nationals.

My podium predictions are:
Gold: Pechelat/Bourzat
Silver: Chock/Zuerlien
Bronze: Riazanova/Tkachenko

My USFSA Fantasy Team is:
A) Pechelat/Bourzat
B) Riazanova/Tkachenko
C) Cannuscio/Lorello

Information on all the competitors is below.

Kharis Ralph/Asher Hill, CAN: Ralph and Hill placed 6th at the Four Continents Championships.  They won silver medals at both their Junior Grand Prix assignments last season and placed 4th at the Junior Grand Prix Final.  They finished 7th in their Grand Prix debut at Cup of China.

Xintong Huang/Xun Zheng, CHN: They placed 19th at the Olympics and 4th at Four Continents.  They placed 7th and 5th at their two Grand Prix assignments last season.  They finished 5th earlier this season at Cup of China.

Pernelle Carron/Lloyd Jones, FRA: They finished 12 at both Worlds and Europeans.  They finished 9th at Trophee Eric Bompard last season.  They finished 5th earlier this season at Skate Canada.

Nathalie Pechalat/Fabian Bourzat, FRA: They placed 7th at the Olympics and 4th at both Worlds and Europeans.  They won silver last season at both their Grand Prix assigments in Paris and Canada and won bronze at the Grand Prix Final.  They won gold earlier this season at Cup of China. 

Dora Turoczi/Balazs Major, HUN: They finished 12th at World Juniors last season.  They finished 10th at both their Junior Grand Prix assignments last season.  They finished 10th at their Grand Prix debut at NHK Trophy.
Ekaterina Riazanova/Ilia Tkachenko, RUS: They finished 6th at their Grand Prix debut in Moscow last season.  They finished 5th at Skate America earlier this season.
Isabella Cannuscio/Ian Lorello, USA: They won bronze at both of their Junior Grand Prix assignments last season and placed 6th in the Junior Grand Prix Final.  They finished 10th at their Grand Prix debut at Cup of Russia.

Madison Chock/Greg Zuerlein, USA: Chock and Zuerlein finished 5th at Four Continents.  They are the 2009 World Junior Champions.  They finished 8th and 6th at their two Grand Prix assignments last season.  They won bronze at Skate Canada earlier this season.

Cup of China Final Results Thoughts

I haven't caught up on the Free Programs yet, but here are my thoughts based on the scores and placements.  Based on pageviews, it seems like pairs is the discipline most people are interested in so I'll start with reviewing those performances later today. 

Men: Kozuka won the free program and Mroz and Verner continue their comeback with 2nd and 3rd place finishes in the free skate.  Contesti made up for his poor short program with a fourth place finish in the free.  Joubert had a bit of a meltdown on his jumps, with poor landings and doubling several intended triples.  Kozuka received the highest element score while Verner received the highest program components with his crowd pleasing Michael Jackson program.

For my podium predictions, I did not guess any of the medal positions accurately and only one of my three picks medaled.  My fantasy picks finished 4, 5 and 10. 

Complete results here: http://www.isuresults.com/results/gpchn2010/SEG002.HTM

Ladies: Once again, Nagasu blew an opportunity and leaves another Grand Prix without a medal.  She seems to do well in the free when she is coming from behind, but sitting in 1st place after the short seems to lead to messy free programs.  Suzuki had a good showing to place second in the free.  Miki Ando had a great free program and is just tenths of a point from having top scores for the season thus far.  If she can bring up her short program scores she should be a real contender this year.  The whole event seemed to be a mess with only three of the twelve skaters not receiving a deduction.  Ando received the highest element marks and Suzuki received the highest program components.

For my podium predictions, I accurately predicted Miki Ando would win gold.  Two of the skaters I picked for the podium medaled.  My fantasy picks finished 1, 6 and 7.

Complete results here: http://www.isuresults.com/results/gpchn2010/SEG004.HTM

Pairs: The top three teams all had errors at this event, but in a rare occurrence, the placements after the short program were exactly the same after the free.  Sui and Han again made it a close contest with just 5 points separating them from the reigning world champions.  They landed the throw quad salchow although she two footed the landing.  Yankowskas and Coughlin had a good outing of their Ave Maria program to win their first Grand Prix medal.  The Russians were unable to medal again after their Gold medal finish last weekend.  Evora/Ladwig need to step up their programs if they want to return to the world championships as they are only the third best senior team this season on the Grand Prix.  Sui and Han had the highest element scores while Pang and Tong had the highest program components.

For my podium predictions, I accurately picked Pang and Tong to win the gold medal.  Two of my podium picks one medals here.  My fantasy picks finished 4, 3 and 7.

Complete results here: http://www.isuresults.com/results/gpchn2010/SEG006.HTM


Dance: Faiella and Scali again had a problem with a skirt here which resulted in a fall and two deductions and cost them the silver medal.  Having the exact same costume problem in both their programs here is not a good sign and they need to be doing something different when they're training at home.  Pechalat and Bourzat put out another strong program to win gold and the Russians received their first Grand Prix medal with a silver.  The Hubbells seemed to have a better program in the free dance section but still only managed a 5th place finish.  Pechelat/Bourzat received the highest element and program component scores.

For my podium predictions, I did not accurately predict any of the exact placements but all three of my predictions medaled.  My fantasy team finished 3, 2 and 7.

Complete results here: http://www.isuresults.com/results/gpchn2010/SEG008.HTM

Overall, I accurately predicted 2/12 skaters in their exact placements and 8/12 of the medal winners.

Cup of China Short Dance

1. Isabella Cannuscio/Ian Lorello, USA

•  This is a great piece of music (Piano Man) and they really grab your attention from the beginning
• I think Isabella throws her head a little too much in some of the transitions
• Simple but elegant rotational lift at the top of the routine
• Nice jump into the twizzles for extra points and a difficult twizzle sequence without a step in between the twizzles
• Sometimes it looks like his arm positions are too high for her to grab
• Nice step sequence on the music change but their edges could be a little deeper
• Golden Waltz looked a little clunky and they didn't cleanly hit all the positions
• Her leg could be more parallel to the ice in the shoot the duck position
• The over the head lift into the rotational lift looked labored here but should be nice with a bit more practice
• The back walkover into the ending pose needed straight knees from her and made getting into the ending pose difficult
• Overall a good program from a young team.  They have some nice elements but have room to improve.

Xueting Guan/Meng Wang, CHN

• She drops her foot in the first set of twizzles so they may lose a level there
• She could use crisper positions and more extension through her legs in the Golden Waltz
• Pretty but simple rotational lift with a change of position
• I like where the footwork is placed musically but she leans forward too much during it and needs to work on her arm positions
• Nice lift where he swings her at different heights--something I haven't seen before
• Ending pose hit right on music

Xiayang Yu/Chen Wang, CHN:

•  She doesn't quite get her foot in between his on some of the turns in the Golden Waltz which is required
• Her arms look very placed and there isn't a lot of flow between movements
• She needs to keep her knee high through the whole attitude section
• Good speed through the Golden Waltz--there are places where they seem to float through it and it would be great if all the sections had that same quality
• Twizzles were solid and they did the third set for extra points on levels and grade of execution
• She needs more arch in her back on the rotational lift and I'd like to see her grab her foot
• The transition into the tango is still awkward and doesn't seem to go with the music
• Step sequence is together but feels a little slow and I really want them to attack it
• Last lift doesn't do much for me and she kind of flops back down on the ice
• I think they performed here much better than at NHK Trophy

Nora Hoffman/Maxim Zavozin, HUN

• I love the color of her dress, how it looks and the way it moves when she skates
• Great speed and coverage of the ice in the midline step sequence
• I love the way she uses her arms but some of the holds in the Golden Waltz could be more effortless
• Nice shoot the duck and attitude positions from Nora
• Awkward transition into the glide with her in a split position but once that gets worked out this could be a lovely move
• Fast twizzles but he doesn't grab his blade in the second set
• Her legs are in a really awkward position in the rotational lift but the entrance into the lift was nice
• This program had a lot of nice elements and I can't wait to see it progress

Kharis Ralph/Asher Hill, CAN

• These costumes are heinous
• She needs to really extend her free leg throughout her footwork 
• They really glide across the ice in the Golden Waltz, have great speed and nice coverage.  The use of her arms is the finishing touch on a lovely section.
• Great shoot the duck and attitude positions for Kharis
• Nice rotational lift but she needs to arch her back more; beautiful change of position
• Hop into the twizzles with some interesting arm positions, but they lost speed in the second set
• Midline step sequence is lovely but seems to lose a little steam midway through
• Death spiral into a dance spin into the world's most awkward ending pose

 Ekaterina Bobrova/Dmitri Soloviev, RUS

•  They start off with a bang and really grab your attention
• He almost falls out of his second set of twizzles but saves it
• The step sequence seems to slow considerably but shows off some great edges
• Great Golden Waltz sequence.  The steps go well with the music but I don't really like their song choice.  It's almost distracting
• LOVED the death drop.  It was really breathtaking.
• The rotational lift is fine but it's distracting to have her dress up over her head like that
• Loved this program.  Very impressed by a team I didn't know much about going into this competition.
• They received one deduction.  Will have to wait for the protocol sheets to see what for--likely an extended lift

Xintong Huang/Xun Zheng, CHN: 

• I really didn't get the beginning.
• Performed three sets of twizzles but their unison was off.
• They are making some awkward arm movements in their step sequence that must go with the story of the program (which I still don't understand) but are distracting from the actual steps.
• She doesn't get her foot between his on the turns
• Lift is fine but very simple
• Backwalkover to overhead lift and then he drops her between his legs and puts her down which is exactly as awkward as it sounds.  Also doesn't really look like a dance lift to me.

Madison Hubbell/Keiffer Hubbell, USA

• I love that they enter the ice in character
• Maybe we shouldn't kiss her shoulder if we're brother and sister
• Nice rotational lift with her leg in scorpion position and free leg fully stretched
• Good edges and positions throughout the Golden Waltz--she could be clearer about attitude vs arabesque positions
• He goes down on the footwork and she trips over him.  It takes them 5-10 seconds to get back into the choreography.
• Jump into the twizzles but he is significantly slower on the second set
• The fall plus the deduction (likely for an extended lift) really took the wind out of this team.  Their routine is good but I'm not sure it's good enough to compete with the other top American teams

Frederica Faiella/Massimo Scali, ITA:

• What a horrid costume for her.  Generally all white costumes past the knee do not work well with the white ice.
• Jump into the twizzles with great positioning and look effortless but he finishes before her on both sets
• Gorgeous Golden Waltz sequence
• He steps on her dress and can't get his skate unstuck
• Interesting lift but the entrance looked labored
• She's turning on the performance in the second half
• Awkward back walkover at the end of their program

Nathalie Pechalat/Fabian Bourzat, FRA:

• They are in performance mode the second their names are called
• Love the look up through her eyelashes she does on the first beat of the music
• Twizzles seemed clean and they did three sets
• It looked like she had a bobble on the midline step sequence
• Their Golden Waltz looks a little choppy and it seems as if they don't quite finish all their steps
• Nice lunge straight into the lift
• I'm not sure I understand why they have such a big lead over the Italians

Cup of China Dance Preview

This is a fairly weak field in my favorite event.  Nearly half of the teams are making their Grand Prix debut and the Chinese are not know for their ice dance skills and they have three spots here.  None of the top ranked North American teams are competing as well.  For the top of the podium it will be a battle between Pechelat/Bourzat and Faiella/Scali.  I give the edge to the Italians as they really came into their own last season and ended on the podium at Worlds.  With their higher ranked rinkmates retiring it will be interesting to see if they have the drive to continue to push themselves with no one to chase at practice sessions.  The French have lovely programs but seem to always finish slightly behind the Italians.  Bobrova/Soloviev have flown under the radar, continuously finishing just off the podium at their Grand Prixs.  The Hubbells also need a medal here to keep them in the mix at home.  They are the only top five senior US dance team that does not train with Zouva/Shpilband.  As Samuelson and Bates will likely be out all season, there are two spots on the World team up for grabs for the younger teams (who have both already medaled this season on the Grand Prix) and the Hubbells want to contend for one of those spots.

My podium predictions:
Gold: Faiella/Scali
Silver: Pechelat/Bourzat
Bronze: Bobrova/Soloviev

Information on all the teams competing is below.

Kharis Ralph/Asher Hill, CAN: Ralph and Hill placed 6th at the Four Continents Championships.  They won silver medals at both their Junior Grand Prix assignments last season and placed 4th at the Junior Grand Prix Final.  This is their Grand Prix debut.

Xueting Guan/Meng Wang, CHN: They placed 9th at Four Continents.  They placed 8th and 9th at their Junior Grand Prix assignments last season.  This is their Grand Prix debut.

Xintong Huang/Xun Zheng, CHN: They placed 19th at the Olympics and 4th at Four Continents.  They placed 7th and 5th at their two Grand Prix assignments last season.

Xiaoyang Yu/Chen Wang, CHN: They placed 18th at the World Championships and 8th at Four Continents.  They placed 9th and 10th at their two Grand Prix assignments last season.  They placed 9th at the NHK Trophy two weeks ago.

Nathalie Pechelat/Fabian Bourzat, FRA: They placed 7th at the Olympics and 4th at both Worlds and Europeans.  They won silver last season at both their Grand Prix assigments in Paris and Canada and won bronze at the Grand Prix Final. 

Nora Hoffman/Maxim Zavozin, HUN: Hoffman and Zavozin placed 13th at the Olympics and 10th at the World and European Championships.  Zavozin used to compete for USA and won the World Junior title in 2005.  This is their Grand Prix debut. 

Frederica Faiella/Massimo Scali, ITA: Faiella and Scali placed 5th at the Olympics and won bronze at the World Championships and silver at Europeans.  They won silver at their lone Grand Prix, Cup of China, last season. 

Ekaterina Bobrova/Dmitri Soloviev, RUS: They placed 15th at the Olympics, 8th at Worlds and 9th at Europeans.  They are the 2007 World Junior Champions.  They placed 4th at both of their Grand Prix assignments last season. 

Isabella Canuscio/Ian Lorello, USA: They won bronze at both of their Junior Grand Prix assignments last season and placed 6th in the Junior Grand Prix Final.  This is their Grand Prix debut.

Madison Hubbell/Keifer Hubbell, USA: They won bronze at Four Continents.  They finished 8th and 6th at their two Grand Prix assignments last season.