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.

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 Short Program Results

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Tatiana VOLOSOZHAR / Maxim TRANKOV	RUS	73.46	37.53		35.93	8.96	8.64	9.18	9.00	9.14	0.00	#6
2	Vera BAZAROVA / Yuri LARIONOV	RUS	70.14	37.16		32.98	8.25	8.07	8.29	8.25	8.36	0.00	#5
3	Qing PANG / Jian TONG	CHN	64.74	32.06		32.68	8.25	7.93	8.25	8.29	8.14	0.00	#4
4	Meagan DUHAMEL / Eric RADFORD	CAN	64.20	35.02		29.18	7.39	7.07	7.29	7.36	7.36	0.00	#2
5	Kirsten MOORE-TOWERS / Dylan MOSCOVITCH	CAN	60.95	32.57		28.38	7.11	6.96	7.11	7.21	7.07	0.00	#1
6	Yuko KAVAGUTI / Alexander SMIRNOV	RUS	58.02	28.80		30.22	7.64	7.39	7.43	7.61	7.71	1.00	#3

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.

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.

Skate America Pairs Free Skate Results

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Tatiana VOLOSOZHAR / Maxim TRANKOV	RUS	129.29	62.47		67.82	8.54	8.21	8.36	8.64	8.64	1.00	#7
2	Qing PANG / Jian TONG	CHN	123.20	57.59		65.61	8.29	7.93	8.21	8.36	8.21	0.00	#6
3	Caydee DENNEY / John COUGHLIN	USA	117.47	59.97		57.50	7.18	6.82	7.36	7.29	7.29	0.00	#5
4	Vanessa JAMES / Morgan CIPRES	FRA	111.90	58.87		53.03	6.68	6.32	6.86	6.71	6.57	0.00	#4
5	Marissa CASTELLI / Simon SHNAPIR	USA	108.52	56.10		52.42	6.50	6.25	6.79	6.61	6.61	0.00	#3
6	Gretchen DONLAN / Andrew SPEROFF	USA	90.72	45.54		46.18	5.75	5.50	5.82	5.93	5.86	1.00	#1
7	Danielle MONTALBANO / Evgeni KRASNOPOLSKI	ISR	78.36	40.12		42.24	5.36	5.11	5.21	5.46	5.25	4.00	#2

FPl.	Name	Nation	Points	SP	FS
1	Tatiana VOLOSOZHAR / Maxim TRANKOV	RUS	195.07	1	1
2	Qing PANG / Jian TONG	CHN	185.16	2	2
3	Caydee DENNEY / John COUGHLIN	USA	178.22	3	3
4	Vanessa JAMES / Morgan CIPRES	FRA	167.66	4	4
5	Marissa CASTELLI / Simon SHNAPIR	USA	164.19	5	5
6	Gretchen DONLAN / Andrew SPEROFF	USA	131.26	7	6
7	Danielle MONTALBANO / Evgeni KRASNOPOLSKI	ISR	119.02	6	7

Skate America Pairs Short Program

Group 1

Donlan/Speroff, USA: 19.37 TES + 22.17 PCS -1.00 = 40.54

• Gorgeous partner spiral transition movement into their triple twist
• Not a lot of height but clean catch and a nice exit from her
• Step out on the side by side triple toes
• Not a lot of variations in the death spiral
• Awkward fall from her in their step sequence
• Their steo sequence had a nice flow and quality of movement despite the fall
• Good unison on their side by side spins and nice positions although they were a little far apart
• Hands down on the throw triple salchow although she got great height and distance
• Nice lift position into a beautiful attitude position and a flip into a dance lift hold for an exit
• A few little bobbles but there is a lot of promise in this program if they skate it clean

Montalbano/Krasnopolski, ISR: 20.83 TES + 20.83 PCS -1.00 = 40.66 and into 1st place

• Solid double twist but seemed a little slow in the rotation
• A little bobble on the landing of the triple toe from her
• Straight up in the air on the throw triple loop with no distance and she falls
• A lot of traveling in their side by side spins but decent synchronization
• Awkward leg positions from her getting into the lift and she could use more stretch through her legs during the lift
• Nice flow in their step sequence but they seem a little tired and aren't really attacking the end of this program
• Bent free leg in the death spiral but a nice low position of her head

Castelli/Shnapir, USA: 30.59 TES + 25.08 PCS = 55.67 and into 1st place

• Lots of confidence and attack at the start of this program
• Good height on the triple twist with a good landing
• Side by side triple salchow was decent--she fought for her landing but held on
• A lot of speed in their side by side spins but they're not together and also aren't side by side
• Gorgeous throw triple salchow with a ton of height and distance
• Nice use of the arms and stretch through the legs to really finish off all the elements of their step sequence
• Nice press lift right to a stomach hold and their signature split lift
• Good heel stretch into a low death spiral with a nice exit
• Very nice program for them!

Group 2

James/Cipres, FRA: 30.28 TES + 25.48 PCS = 55.76 and into 1st place

• Big triple twist and she almost went past horizontal
• She hung on to that side by side triple toe
• Very nice throw triple flip with great height
• Nice stretched out death spiral with her head below her knee
• Decent attempt at some latin moves in this program but they could commit to them more to really sell the program
• Fun flying camels perfectly together in the middle of their step sequence was a real highlight and good stretch through their free legs in the hold section of their footwork
• Nice entry to the lift but she could stretch her bottom leg more after the change of position into the hip hold with a catch foot
• Good position variations in their side by side spin with good timing

Denney/Coughlin, USA: 33.14 TES + 27.61 PCS = 60.75 and into 1st place

• Caydee's look is much more toned down this year with no crazy hair pieces and more subtle makeup
• Huge triple twist that looked amazingly easy
• Nice side by side triple toes
• Nice throw triple flip with good distance and she held the landing
• Good relationship between them in the side by side spins with nice timing until the very end when she finished a rotation before him
• She still could work on her lift positions and really stretch through her legs and arch her back more 
• I'd like to see more Spanish character during this routine to really accentuate the feeling of the music especially through this footwork sequence
• Good stretched leg in the death spiral with a really nice arch in her back

Pang/Tong, CHN: 31.50 TES + 31.46 PCS -1.00 = 61.96 and into 1st place

• A lot more Spanish feel in this program from the carriage to the facial expression to the arm movements
• He is very tilted in the air on the triple toes and falls
• Beautiful triple twist with her arms above her head on the catch
• Huge throw triple loop and she has to eke that free leg out to hang on to it
• Good death spiral
• Press up into a split lift rotating in both directions and a hip hold with her lying on her side--very difficult and they made it look easy
• They seem a little slow through the middle of this step sequence but I like the touches they've added to really carry the theme of the program
• Very nice timing on their side by side spins and nice stretch in all of their positions

Volosozhar/Trankov, RUS: 32.87 TES + 32.91 PCS = 65.78 and into 1st place

• I think she borrowed her costume from Kaitlin Weaver...the necklaces on the dress make me a little nervous considering the lifts and throws these pairs are doing
• Bluesy beginning of the program but everything seems very placed and staged and lacking the chemistry they normally have
• Crashy landing on the landing of the triple twist and he seemed to not have his balance
• Triple salchows he turned out but kept his free leg up
• Big throw triple loop and she hangs on but not their best
• Decent death spiral
• Backwards entry into their lift with a great side hold position--very different from what other teams have been doing
• For this music the step sequence needs to be smooth and seems to be lacking the feeling of the piece
• Beautiful positions in their side by side spins
• They seemed a little tight overall with little errors on many of their elements and they didn't seem to really be in the program.  I don't think it suits them as well as their programs have in the past.

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Tatiana VOLOSOZHAR / Maxim TRANKOV	RUS	65.78	32.87		32.91	8.25	7.96	8.25	8.39	8.29	0.00	#7
2	Qing PANG / Jian TONG	CHN	61.96	31.50		31.46	8.00	7.64	7.75	8.11	7.82	1.00	#6
3	Caydee DENNEY / John COUGHLIN	USA	60.75	33.14		27.61	7.04	6.54	7.00	7.07	6.86	0.00	#5
4	Vanessa JAMES / Morgan CIPRES	FRA	55.76	30.28		25.48	6.43	6.04	6.61	6.39	6.39	0.00	#4
5	Marissa CASTELLI / Simon SHNAPIR	USA	55.67	30.59		25.08	6.18	6.00	6.46	6.32	6.39	0.00	#3
6	Danielle MONTALBANO / Evgeni KRASNOPOLSKI	ISR	40.66	20.83		20.83	5.32	4.86	5.25	5.39	5.21	1.00	#2
7	Gretchen DONLAN / Andrew SPEROFF	USA	40.54	19.37		22.17	5.64	5.36	5.39	5.79	5.54	1.00	#1

Skate America Pairs Preview

Volosozhar and Trankov finished just tenths of a point away from gold behind Savchenko and Szolkowy at two events last season.  They have shown they have the ability to be the top pairs team in the World.  After two straight World Silver medals they'll look to put up a strong score here and set themselves up for the season.  Their 196 points at Nebelhorn put them on the right track and they'll be almost unbeatable here with good lifts and jumps, beautiful lines and great performance quality.

Pang and Tong sat out the majority of last season and were disappointed to find themselves in 4th place at Worlds.  They've committed to competing the full season in preparation for the 2014 Olympics in Sochi.  They still have the goods to compete with the best but they'll need to stay healthy and up their game if they want to challenge Volosozhar and Trankov.

Denney and Coughlin won the silver medal at Nebelhorn Trophy earlier this season but scored nearly 20 points less than Volosozhar and Trankov.  They have amazing technical elements and nearly tied the Russians on the technical side but they've admitted their focus for this season is bringing up their 2nd mark.  They're unlikely to catch the top two teams here but how close they can get will tell the story for this season.

Donlan and Speroff will have to pull out the performance of their lives to medal here in their Grand Prix debut but their Sleeping Beauty free skate is stunning and will be a highlight of the competition regardless of how they finish.

My podium predictions:
Gold: Volosozhar/Trankov
Silver: Pang/Tong
Bronze: Denney/Coughlin

Bios of the competitors:
Pang/Tong, CHN: They finished 4th at Worlds.  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.

James/Cipres, FRA: They finished 15th at Worlds and 6th at Europeans.  They placed 8th at Trophee Eric Bompard.  Their personal best is 151.93.  She is 25 and he is 21.

Montalbano/Krasnopolski, ISR: They finished 17th at Worlds and 11th at Europeans.  Their personal best is 120.32.  She is 23 and he is 24.

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

Castelli/Shnapir, USA: They placed 7th at NHK Trophy last season.  They are the 2009 World Junior Bronze Medalists.  Their personal best is 137.47.  She is 22 and he is 25.

Denney/Coughlin, USA: They placed 8th at Worlds and are the reigning Four Continents Silver Medalists.  They placed 4th at Skate America and 5th at NHK Trophy last season.  Their personal best is 185.42.  She is 19 and he is 26.


Donlan/Speroff, USA: This is their Grand Prix debut.  She is 18 and he is 24.

Potential Grand Prix Pairs

There are 30 pairs on the list including several that have split but could still receive assignments.


There are 48 Grand Prix slots (including host picks) with 42 of the 48 slots filled from this list.  Some of these teams may elect to remain junior and once the split teams are removed, there will be more opportunities for second assignments. 

Note that this season the top 6 finishers at Worlds will not be able to compete at three events.  Also, teams will no longer be able to compete on both the Junior and Senior Grand Prix.  

The assignments will be released on May 21st.  

Top 12 finishers at Worlds (guaranteed 2 GP spots, top 6 are seeded and may do 3 events)

1 Savchenko/Szolkowy

2 Volosozhar/Trankov

3 Takahashi/Tran

4 Pang/Tong

5 Duhamel/Radford

6 Bazarova/Larionov

7 Kavaguti/Smirnov

8 Denney/Coughlin

9 Sui/Han

10 Marley/Brubaker

11 Berton/Hotarek

12 Dube/Wolfe

Top 24 Seasons Best (guaranteed 1 spot)

10 Zhang/Zhang (split)
12 Moore-Towers/Moscovitch
13 Stolbova/Klimov
14 Evora/Ladwig (split)
16 Yu/Jin (Junior)
17 Iliushechkina/Maisuradze (split)
18 Lawrence/Swiegers
20 Vise/Baldwin
21 Vartmann/Van Cleave
22 Davankova/Deputat (Junior)
23 Bobak/Beharry (rumored to have split)
24 James/Cipres

Top 24 World Standings (guaranteed 1 assignment)

10 Hausch/Wende
15 Gerboldt/Enbert
21 Dong/Wu
22 Kadlecova/Bidar (split)
23 Kemp/King

Top 3 at Junior Grand Prix Final and Jr. Worlds (considered for 1 spot)

JGPF
3 Simpson/Blackmer (Junior)

Number of skaters eligible by country (not including host picks):

Russia: 7 (one split)
Canada: 5 (one split)
China: 5 (one split)
USA: 5 (one split)
Czech Republic: 1 (split)
France: 1
Germany: 3
Great Britain: 1
Italy: 1
Japan: 1

World Championships: Pairs Free Skate

Vartmann/Van Cleave, GER: 51.04 TES + 44.34 PCS = 95.38 Total: 143.29 and into 1st place

• Nice timing on their sbs triple toe + double toe combo
• Clean double twist
• She's low on the landing of the throw triple loop and two foots it and turns out of it
• Not the best death spiral position and he seems to get closer to her as it progresses and she struggles to hold the position
• Decent unison on the side by side spins but their positions don't always match
• Not a lot of in between choreography to this program...they move from one element to the next 
• Nice secure hand to hand hold lift with a flip exit
• Good throw triple salchow
• Press up into a nice hand to hip hold with her in a Biellman but she could extend more through the carry feature when she releases her leg
• Interesting positions in the pairs spiral
• Side by side double salchows with a one arm variation on the landing
• Not as good of an air position in the final lift with a one arm exit
• Good speed through the pairs spin with ease through the transitions

James/Cipres, FRA: 37.96 TES + 42.23 PCS = 80.19 Total: 130.70 and into 2nd place

• Nice ice coverage in their first lift with a good air position for her
• Triple toe + double toes with a one arm variation nicely timed
• Nice double twist
• She singles the throw triple loop
• Good distance from each other on the side by side spins with decent unison
• Decent death spiral but she flattens out after the change of hold
• Had to abort the second lift--not really sure what happened but it almost looked like he jumped and then lost the lock out in his arms, perhaps caught a rough patch of ice
• Side by side double axels good but very far apart
• Very slow through parts of their pairs spin
• Good hand to hip lift with a flip exit

Hausch/Wende, GER: 49.57 TES + 48.75 PCS -1.00 = 97.32 Total: 145.80 and into 1st place

• Nice double twist with her arms over her head and good speed
• Solid throw triple loop with him matching her landing position
• He steps out of the side by side triple toes and can only tack on a single for the combination
• She has a small stumble on a transition step but seems alright
• He singles the side by side double axels and two foots the landing
• Good unison and speed on their side by side spins
• I'd like to see her not so hunched over with her hip in the air on that spiral
• Nice entry from a spread eagle into their hand to hand lift
• She needs to stretch through her free leg on the hand to hip hold but a nice carry feature with him in a spread eagle
• Really tough landing on that throw triple flip--no speed, too far forward and a fall
• Nice change of rotation in their final lift but she looks like she's struggling to hold her position
• Decent death spiral position but she has a really high free leg
• Good speed through their pairs spin

Della Monica/Guarise, ITA: 43.21 TES + 45.03 PCS = 88.24 Total: 137.31 and into 3rd place

• She was a little forward on the landing of their side by side double axels but didn't touch down
• Nice double twist
• Triple salchow--looked like she doubled and he fell out but they recover to tack on the triple toe for their sequence
• Hand down and low on the throw triple axel landing
• She has her leg way out to the side on her spiral position instead of right behind her
• They are a little far apart and off unison the whole time on their side by side spins
• Nice speed and transition between positions in their pairs spin
• She could use more stretch through the hand to hip lift but a good flip exit
• Not a lot of height on the throw double loop
• She needs to really stretch through her bottom leg in the one armed carry feature of their hand to hip lift
• Looks like she went for the skate grab on the hand to hand hold but couldn't quite get it
• Decent death spiral position

Berton/Hotarek, ITA: 53.76 TES + 54.01 PCS = 107.77 Total: 168.16 and into 1st place

• Nice triple toe + double toe + double toe combination
• A little crashy on the landing of the double twist--that will hurt them as they needed those GOE points 
• Nice position in the hand to hip hold with a flip exit
• Nice matching lines on the pairs spiral with a good position
• She doubles the side by side salchows
• A little loss of unison in the middle of their side by side spins but they pick it back up
• Good speed and ice coverage through the hand to hand hold
• She doubles the throw salchow
• Good speed and nice transitions with good positions in their pairs spin
• Nice throw triple loop
• She doesn't quite get the split position in the final lift and is slightly stuck between two positions
• Gorgeous death spiral position
• They are beautiful skaters but they made a lot of little mistakes today

Marley/Brubaker, USA: 57.36 TES + 54.92 PCS -1.00 = 111.28 Total: 170.90 and into 1st place

• Nice side by side triple toe + double toes
• Good triple twist
• She falls on the side by side double axels
• They keep getting off and then catching back up on their spins so the unison is spotty throughout
• Good death spiral with nice change of hold
• Really good throw triple flip with lots of height
• Nice air position for her her in the one armed hand to hand hold
• Good matching lines and position in the pairs spiral
• Difficult three changes of position and a one leg carry feature in their second lift
• She could use a bit more stretch in these hip hold positions but otherwise solid lift
• Two foots the landing of the throw triple salchow but hangs on
• Good speed through their pairs spin with nice positions

Kavaguti/Smirnov, RUS: 58.27 TES + 64.56 PCS = 122.83 Total: 182.42 and into 1st place

• Good side by side triple toes
• A little crashy on the landing of that triple twist
• Good throw triple salchow
• Nice distance between them and unison on their side by side spins with good positions
• Nice pairs spiral and I love the change of hold in the middle that takes him from behind her to in front of her
• She two foots the landing on the 2nd double axel in their sequence
• Good throw triple loop
• He can't muscle her up into that lift and she holds the position resting on his shoulder
• Good hand to hand hold with her exiting in the catch foot position
• Now for their signature lift with her in a Biellman and him on one foot but not the ice coverage they normally get
• A little slow through parts of their pairs spin but some nice positions

Dube/Wolfe, CAN: 51.88 TES + 51.65 PCS -3.00 = 100.53 Total: 156.36 and into 4th place

• Good triple twist but she has her hands on his shoulders on the landing
• She falls on the side by side triple salchows
• Beautiful lift position for her and nice position with him holding her by the hip and her arms free
• Good double axel sequence
• Nice death spiral position and good change of hold
• Nice unison on their side by side spins 
• Off in the air on the throw triple loop and she falls
• Her hip is a little to the side on the pairs spiral 
• Fall on the throw triple lutz--again she seemed off in the air
• No stretch through this lift position which is very unusual for her
• Much better position in the hand to hip hold with a spread eagle carry
• Decent speed through their pairs spin  but she seems to really be struggling

Duhamel/Radford, CAN: 63.73 TES + 57.99 PCS = 121.72 Total: 185.41 and into 1st place

• Nice triple twist
• Completely off on timing in their three jump combo and she has a really low landing on the first jump (triple lutz + double toe + double toe)
• Nice side by side triple salchows
• Nice flexibility through their upright spins and good low sit spins with great unison
• Nice lines in their pairs spiral
• good ice coverage on their first lift with a unique through the legs exit
• Good throw triple salchow
• Nice position in the 2nd lift but I'd like to see her lower her chin a little
• Wow she really ekes out the landing on that throw triple flip
• Really nice stretched out position in the hand to hip lift
• Good speed through their pairs spin 

Sui/Han, CHN: 59.19 TES + 56.98 PCS = 116.17 Total: 179.44 and into 3rd place

• Tons of speed into that throw quad salchow and she lands it (two footed though)!
• Triple toe + double toe + double toe a little off on the timing 
• A little crashy on the landing of the quad twist but they're off to a huge start on the TES side
• Good arch on the death spiral and not a lot of speed at the end
• God timing on their side by side spins and I like the arm positions they use to show off the tango character of the program
• Amazing spiral sequence with her in a pearl like position
• Good side by side double axels
• Huge ice coverage on that throw triple flip but she may have tapped her hand down
•  Flip into a hip hold with him in a spread eagle  and a nice transition of positions--the big thing for them in the lifts is their change of hold is sometimes choppy
• Decent speed on their pairs spin 
• Can't muscle her up into that lasso lift although they give it a valiant effort
• Nice speed through the hand to hip lift with a flip exit

Denney/Coughlin, USA: 59.04 TES + 58.85 PCS = 117.89 Total: 180.37 and into 3rd place

• Gorgeous triple twist
• Nice throw triple loop
• Solid side by side triple toes
• She singles the first side by side double axel in their sequence
• Good speed through their side by side spins, slight loss of unison through some of the position changes, would like to see more toe point from her in the sit spin
• Good speed through the pairs spin
• Decent position for her in the lasso lift with a flip exit
• She muscles out that free leg on the throw triple flip
• Decent death spiral but only a couple rotations and no change of hold
• I'd like to see her tuck her butt under and use her back muscles to hold the legs up in the lift to get a nicer position
• Stag lift with a carry feature into the death drop

Volosozhar/Trankov, RUS: 71.42 TES + 69.48 PCS = 140.90 Total: 201.38 and into 1st place

• Gorgeous triple twist with a clean catch
• Nice side by side triple salchows
• Great triple toe + double toe combination
• Nice arch and free arm in the death spiral and a nice change of hold
• A little off on the timing at the beginning of their side by side spins but very nice matching lines 
• Huge throw triple loop with great ice coverage
• Nice position with her in a catchfoot and twisted in the hand to hip hold
• Backwards entry into the lasso and a nice air position for her
• Huge throw triple salchow and so confident on the landing
•  A bit of a muscle into the last lift and not a lot of ice coverage toward the end but great stretched out air position for her
• Nice speed through their pairs spin

Pang/Tong, CHN: 55.36 TES + 64.59 PCS -1.00 = 118.95 Total: 186.05 and into 2nd place

• He takes a bad fall on their opening side by side triple toes
• She singles the first double axel in their sequence
• Nice press into the lift but she could use more split in her position
• A little far apart on their pairs spins but nice timing 
• Nice speed in the death spiral and secure change of hold
• She came down really hard on that triple twist--he couldn't catch her high enough
• Nice throw triple salchow
• Nice timing with the music on that lift including the flip exit
• Good speed through the pairs spin
• Two foots the landing of the throw triple loop
• Good pairs spiral
• Good carry feature with him in a spread eagle but no speed at the end of the lift

Bazarova/Larionov, RUS: 57.64 TES + 63.02 PCS -2.00 = 118.66 Total: 183.68 and into 4th place

• Nice side by side triple toes
• Great height and nice catch on the triple twist
• She falls on the throw triple flip but I love her toe point in the jump
• He stumbles badly on their side by side double axels and can't complete the sequence
• Nice positions and speed with good exit out of their pairs spin
• Nice pairs spiral
• Great stomach hold lift with a good carry feature
• Nice landing on the throw triple loop
• Great entry into the hand to hip lift with a stretched out Biellman position and nice position change to a hand to hand hold
• Good timing on their side by side spins but some of the positions really accentuate her flexibility but show off his weakneses
• Nice hand to hand hold lift with rotations in both directions
• Beautiful death spiral position but a little flat after the change of hold and a nice exit from behind his back

Savchenko/Szolkowy, GER: 64.24 TES + 68.62 PCS = 132.86 Total: 201.49 and into 1st place

• Open with a huge triple flip
• Good triple toe + triple toe sequence
• Nice positions in the pairs spiral and good connection to the music
• Good speed and unison on the side by side spins but they seem to start a little far apart
• I absolutely love the choreography of this program; so different from everything else out there
• Nice death spiral with good change of hand 
• Nice triple twist with good catch
• Good side by side double axels
• Nice entry to the hand to hip lift with a change of rotation and a nice exit 
• Spread eagle into the lasso lift with a change of position and a nice extension from her while he is in a spread eagle position
• Crowd starts to go crazy at his hip rolls!
• Not a lot of speed in the pairs spin and they seem a little awkward getting out of it
• Backwards lasso into their last lift and she changes her catchfoot in the lift
• Nice throw triple salchow 
• Had to wait for their ending pose as they were a few seconds ahead of their music

Takahashi/Tran, JPN: 61.34 TES + 62.98 PCS = 124.32 Total: 189.69 and into 3rd place

• Nice triple twist
• He stumbles out of the side by side triple salchows and she two foots hers
• Nice spiral entrance to the death spiral 
• Good unison on their side by side spins with good positions
• Beautiful position for her in the hand to hand hold lift
• Nice throw triple salchow
• Good throw triple flip
• Nice positions in their pairs spin with good speed
• Good dance lift with a press right into the lift and change of position into a split
• Pretty pairs spiral
• Another really nice lift position with good stretched out legs and a flip exit

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Tatiana VOLOSOZHAR / Maxim TRANKOV	RUS	140.90	71.42		69.48	8.79	8.25	8.93	8.82	8.64	0.00	#12
2	Aliona SAVCHENKO / Robin SZOLKOWY	GER	132.86	64.24		68.62	8.54	8.39	8.57	8.71	8.68	0.00	#15
3	Narumi TAKAHASHI / Mervin TRAN	JPN	124.32	61.34		62.98	7.86	8.00	7.75	8.00	7.75	0.00	#16
4	Yuko KAVAGUTI / Alexander SMIRNOV	RUS	122.83	58.27		64.56	8.14	7.79	8.07	8.32	8.04	0.00	#7
5	Meagan DUHAMEL / Eric RADFORD	CAN	121.72	63.73		57.99	7.32	7.14	7.29	7.29	7.21	0.00	#9
6	Qing PANG / Jian TONG	CHN	118.95	55.36		64.59	8.36	7.93	7.86	8.21	8.00	1.00	#13
7	Vera BAZAROVA / Yuri LARIONOV	RUS	118.66	57.64		63.02	8.00	7.75	7.75	8.14	7.75	2.00	#14
8	Caydee DENNEY / John COUGHLIN	USA	117.89	59.04		58.85	7.46	6.93	7.61	7.39	7.39	0.00	#11
9	Wenjing SUI / Cong HAN	CHN	116.17	59.19		56.98	7.14	6.93	7.25	7.18	7.11	0.00	#10
10	Mary Beth MARLEY / Rockne BRUBAKER	USA	111.28	57.36		54.92	7.00	6.61	6.96	6.96	6.79	1.00	#6
11	Stefania BERTON / Ondrej HOTAREK	ITA	107.77	53.76		54.01	6.86	6.50	6.75	6.96	6.68	0.00	#5
12	Jessica DUBE / Sebastien WOLFE	CAN	100.53	51.88		51.65	6.71	6.29	6.32	6.71	6.25	3.00	#8
13	Maylin HAUSCH / Daniel WENDE	GER	97.32	49.57		48.75	6.21	5.71	6.11	6.36	6.07	1.00	#3
14	Mari VARTMANN / Aaron VAN CLEAVE	GER	95.38	51.04		44.34	5.71	5.32	5.64	5.61	5.43	0.00	#1
15	Nicole DELLA MONICA / Matteo GUARISE	ITA	88.24	43.21		45.03	5.86	5.39	5.68	5.71	5.50	0.00	#4
16	Vanessa JAMES / Morgan CIPRES	FRA	80.19	37.96		42.23	5.71	5.11	5.14	5.36	5.07	0.00	#2

FPl.	Name	Nation	Points	SP	FS
1	Aliona SAVCHENKO / Robin SZOLKOWY	GER	201.49	1	2
2	Tatiana VOLOSOZHAR / Maxim TRANKOV	RUS	201.38	8	1
3	Narumi TAKAHASHI / Mervin TRAN	JPN	189.69	3	3
4	Qing PANG / Jian TONG	CHN	186.05	2	6
5	Meagan DUHAMEL / Eric RADFORD	CAN	185.41	5	5
6	Vera BAZAROVA / Yuri LARIONOV	RUS	183.68	4	7
7	Yuko KAVAGUTI / Alexander SMIRNOV	RUS	182.42	11	4
8	Caydee DENNEY / John COUGHLIN	USA	180.37	7	8
9	Wenjing SUI / Cong HAN	CHN	179.44	6	9
10	Mary Beth MARLEY / Rockne BRUBAKER	USA	170.90	10	10
11	Stefania BERTON / Ondrej HOTAREK	ITA	168.16	9	11
12	Jessica DUBE / Sebastien WOLFE	CAN	156.36	12	12
13	Maylin HAUSCH / Daniel WENDE	GER	145.80	15	13
14	Mari VARTMANN / Aaron VAN CLEAVE	GER	143.29	16	14
15	Nicole DELLA MONICA / Matteo GUARISE	ITA	137.31	14	15
16	Vanessa JAMES / Morgan CIPRES	FRA	130.70	13	16
17	Danielle MONTALBANO / Evgeni KRASNOPOLSKI	ISR	FNR	17
18	Anais MORAND / Timothy LEEMANN	SUI	FNR	18
19	Stacey KEMP / David KING	GBR	FNR	19
20	Ji Hyang RI / Won Hyok THAE	PRK	FNR	20