Patrick Chan struggled at the beginning of the season landing his jumps but his PCS scores were still high enough to keep him at the top of the podium. He nailed both of his programs at the Grand Prix Final to take gold and post a total score over 10 points higher than any other competitor this season. He has since added a second quad to his free skate. His performance to Phantom of the Opera is stunningly choreographed and every element is effortlessly placed throughout the program. He struggled with injury last season and wants the title of World Champion. He has a nice lead over the field and can afford to make a mistake or two and still take home the gold. He has the 2nd best short program score and best free skate and total scores for the season.
A trio of Japanese men will be fighting for the remaining two spots on the podium. With all the turmoil going on in their country, these skaters may be under additional stress to perform well and likely will have other thoughts on their minds, but they are all remarkable competitors.
Takahiko Kozuka has the ability to fly under the radar, but can put up some impressive scores. He lands his jumps with ease and has been remarkably consistent throughout the season. At the GPF and Four Continents Championships, he had some problems with his short program and couldn't come back to claim the top of the podium. He has the advantage of coming in as the Japanese champion, but he'll have to skate in the qualifying round. How he performs here could set the tone for the rest of his competition and could leave him tired by the time the free skate rolls around. He has the 5th best short program, 2nd best free skate and 2nd best total score of the season.
Right behind him is reigning World Champion, Daisuke Takahashi who took home the top title from Four Continents in February. His jumps have been inconsistent this season, but he is putting the quad back into his programs and his trademark personality on the ice is just as strong. He definitely is a crowd pleaser and the home field advantage should give him a big boost. He has the 3rd best short program, free skate and total score for the season.
Nobunari Oda has been skating lights out short programs all season, but his free skates have been less than inspiring and riddled with technical errors that have cost him medals. He has had problems counting his jumps and adding extra combinations. He also wasn't sent to the Four Continents Championships and hasn't been in front of the international judges since the GPF. He has the best short program score and 4th best free skate and total scores of the season.
Tomas Verner has a charming short program to Singing in the Rain and is one of several skaters performing a Michael Jackson themed free skate. He has been reworking his jump technique and has recently started adding the quad back into his programs. He is also the only skater to beat Patrick Chan all season. He has the 5th best free skate and 6th best total score of the season.
Florent Amodio is the reigning European Champion and is having a fantastic breakthrough season. Although he was beat by Brian Joubert at home, the international judges have consistently ranked him ahead of the older Frenchman. I think his free skate is awkwardly choreographed but the judges and audiences seem to enjoy it. He has the 5th best short program and 7th best free skate and total score for the season.
Brian Joubert has had quite a tumultuous season, which included withdrawing from his home Grand Prix event. He lives and dies by the quads in his program, and if they go badly it can effect the rest of his program. He took home the silver from Europeans, but is seeing a changing of the guard internationally. He and Amodio share the same short program music and if they skate close to each other the difference between the two skaters is readily apparent (and I prefer the attack in Amodio's program). He has the 10th best short program, 8th best free skate and 10th best total score of the season.
A trio of American skaters are also looking to make their mark. At 27, Ryan Bradley is attending his third World Championships but for the first time as National Champion. His programs are chock full of technical content and are full of personality and entertainment value. He is definitely looking to redeem himself after his 18th place finish last year, and when he is on, he can compete with the best in the world. As he was in semi-retirement earlier this season, he sat out the Grand Prix, and this will be his first international competition.
Richard Dornbush competed as a junior at the beginning of the season and won the Junior Grand Prix Final. His Sherlock Holmes free skate is his strength and he performed it perfectly at nationals. He should be solidly among the top 10 skaters and has the most international experience of the U.S. team this season.
Ross Miner didn't have great results in his first year on the Senior Grand Prix, but after competing with the world's best, he went home and changed the way he trained. His commitment paid off when he edged out Jeremy Abbott for the final spot on the team with a nice free skate to Casablanca. He'll be looking to see whether the international judges agree with his changes.
Alexander Majorov is coming to this event fresh off his bronze medal winning performance at Junior Worlds. He won't have as much mileage on his senior programs as some of the other skaters but he'll definitely have a lot of momentum behind him.
Artur Gachinski, Samuel Contesti and Kevin van der Perren all have good shots at being in the final two groups.
Absent from this event are Adam Rippon (5th best total score) and Jeremy Abbott (9th best total score) of the United States and Yuzuru Hanyu (8th best total score) of Japan. Both countries have incredibly deep mens fields and were outscored at their nationals events.
My podium predictions:
Gold: Patrick Chan
Silver: Takahiko Kozuka
Bronze: Daisuke Takahashi
My USFSA Fantasy Team:
A) Patrick Chan
B) Ryan Bradley
C) Misha Ge
The competitors (a D indicates a direct entry into the short program):
Sarkis Hayrapetyan, ARM: He finished 42nd at the World Championships last season.
Mark Webster, AUS: He finished 16th at Four Continents last season. He placed 39th at the World Championships last season.
Viktor Pfeifer, AUT: He placed 21st at the Olympics last season. He finished 18th at Europeans. He finished 12th at Skate America. He placed 20th at Worlds last year.
Vitali Luchanok, BLR: He placed 23rd at World Juniors. He finished 11th at JGP Romania.
Jorick Hendrickx, BEL: He finished 13th at the World Junior Championships and 16th at Europeans. He finished 7th and 6th at his two JGP assignments this season.
Kevin van der Perren, BEL (D): He placed 17th at the Olympics last year. He finished 4th at Europeans. He is the two-time European bronze medalist (2007, 2009). He finished 8th at Cup of China and 6th at Skate America. He placed 8th at Worlds last season. He is married to Jenna McCorkell who competes for Great Britain.
Georgi Kenchadze, BUL: He finished 20th in the preliminary round at Europeans. He was 40th at Worlds last season.
Patrick Chan, CAN (D): Chan finished 5th at the Olympics. He is the reigning World Silver Medalist. He is the 2009 Four Continents Champion and World Silver Medalist. He is the 2007 World Junior Silver Medalist. He won gold at Skate Canada with a personal best free skate and silver at Rostelecom Cup to qualify for the Grand Prix Final were he won gold with a personal best free skate and total score.
Kevin Reynolds, CAN (D): He placed 11th at Four Continents. He finished 4th at Skate Canada with a personal best total score and 4th at Trophee Eric Bompard. Reynolds finished 11th at Worlds with a personal best free skate score last season.
Joey Russell, CAN: Russell finished 14th at Four Continents.
Nan Song, CHN (D): Song placed 9th at the Four Continents Championships. He finished 10th in his Grand Prix debut at Skate America and 6th at Trophee Eric Bompard.
Stephen Li-Chung Kuo, TPE: He placed 20th at Four Continents.
Michal Brezina, CZE: He finished 10th at the Olympics. He finished 8th at Europeans. He is the 2009 World Junior Silver Medalist. He sat out the Grand Prix season due to injury. He was 4th at Worlds last season.
Tomas Verner, CZE (D): Verner 19th at the Olympics. He is the reigning European Bronze Medalist. He was the silver medalist at Europeans in 2007 and won the title in 2008. Verner won bronze at Cup of China and gold at Rostelecom Cup with a personal best free skate to qualify for the Grand Prix Final where he placed 5th.
Justus Strid, DEN: He finished 28th at Europeans with personal best scores across the board.
Bela Papp, FIN: He placed 22nd at World Juniors. He finished 14th at JGP Romania and 16th at JGP Germany.
Florent Amodio, FRA (D): Amodio finished 12th at the Olympics. He is the reigning European Champion with a personal best short program score. He won bronze at NHK Trophy with personal best free skate and total scores and silver at Trophee Eric Bompard with personal best scores across the board to qualify for the Grand Prix Final where he placed 6th.
Brian Joubert, FRA (D): Joubert placed 16th at the Olympics and is the reigning World Bronze Medalist. He won silver at Europeans. He is the 2004, 2007 and 2009 European champion and has medaled at Europeans every year since 2004. He has won one gold medal at Worlds, two silvers and two bronzes. He finished 4th at Cup of China and withdrew from Trophee Eric Bompard.
Peter Liebers, GER (D): He finished 11th at Europeans with a personal best free skate and total score. He finished 9th at Cup of China and 7th at Trophee Eric Bompard. Liebers finished 25th at last seasons World Championships.
David Richardson, GBR: He finished 12th in the preliminary round at Europeans.
Harry Hau Yin Lee, HKG: He placed 20th in the preliminary round at World Juniors. He finished 22nd at JGP Japan.
Tigran Vardanjan, HUN: He was 13th in the preliminary round at Europeans. He finished 41st at the World Championships.
Maxim Shipov, ISR: He placed 23rd at Europeans with personal best scores across the board. He finished 43rd at Worlds last season.
Paolo Bacchini, ITA : He finished 20th at the Olympics. He placed 12th at Europeans. He placed 12th at Skate Canada.
Samuel Contesti, ITA (D): He placed 18th at the Olympics. He finished 6th at Europeans. He won a silver at Europeans in 2009. He finished 6th at Cup of China and 4th at Cup of Russia. Contesti placed 7th at Worlds last season.
Takahiko Kozuka, JPN: Kozuka placed 8th at the Olympics. He finished 4th at Four Continents. He is the 2006 World Junior Champion and the 2009 Four Continents bronze medalist. He won Cup of China and Trophee Eric Bompard with a personal best free skate and total score to qualify for the Grand Prix Final where he won bronze. He was 10th at Worlds last season.
Nobunari Oda, (D): He finished 7th at the Olympics. He is the 2006 Four Continents Champion and the 2005 World Junior Champion. He won silver at Skate Canada and silver at Skate America to qualify for the GPF where he won silver. He was 28th at Worlds last season.
Daisuke Takahashi, JPN (D): He won bronze at the Olympics with a personal best short program score. He is the reigning World Champion and Four Continents Champion. He has previously won gold and bronze at the Four Continents Championships and silver at the World Championships. He won the NHK Trophy and Skate America to qualify for the Grand Prix Final where he finished 4th.
Denis Ten, KAZ (D): Ten placed 11th at the Olympics. He finished 12th at the NHK Trophy and 11th at Skate America. He was 13th at Worlds last season.
Kim Lucine, MON: He finished 17th at Europeans with personal best scores across the board.
Min-Seok Kim, KOR: Kim placed 15th at Four Continents with a personal best free skate and total score. He finished 11th and 12th at his two Junior Grand Prix assignments this season. He finished finished 23rd at Worlds last season.
Zoltan Kelemen, ROU: Kelemen finished 29th at the Olympics. He finished 21st at Europeans with a personal best free skate. He finished 9th at Trophee Eric Bompard with personal best free skates and total scores. He was 32nd at Worlds last season.
Artur Gachinski, RUS (D): He finished 5th at Europeans. He finished 7th at Skate Canada with personal best scores across the board and 6th at Cup of Russia with a personal best short program.
Javier Fernandez, ESP (D): Fernandez finished 14th at the Olympics. He was 9th at Europeans. He finished 5th at Skate Canada with a personal best free skate score and 9th at Cup of Russia. He was 12th at Worlds last season.
Alexander Majorov, SWE: He is the reigning World Junior Bronze Medalist. He finished 5th at JGP Japan and won bronze at JGP Czech Republic.
Adrian Schultheiss, SWE (D): He placed 15th at the Olympics. He finished 13th at Europeans. He finished 10th at the NHK Trophy and 7th at Skate America. He was 9th at Worlds last season.
Mikael Redin, SUI: He is the reigning national champion. He finished 42nd the last time he attended Worlds in 2009.
Kutay Eryoldas, TUR: He finished 31st at Europeans last season.
Anton Kovalevski, UKR (D): Kovalevski finished 24th at the Olympics. He was 15th at Europeans. He finished 12th at Rostelecom Cup and 8th at Trophee Eric Bompard. He was 16th at Worlds last season.
Ryan Bradley, USA (D): Bradley finished 18th at Worlds last season.
Richard Dornbush, USA (D): He finished 4th at JGP Cup of Austria and won gold at Pokal der Blauen to qualify for the Grand Prix Final where he won gold with personal best scores across the board.
Ross Miner, USA (D): He finished 9th at NHK Trophy with personal bests in the short and free programs and 7th at Cup of China with personal best scores across the board.
Misha Ge, UZB: He finished 12th at Four Continents with personal best scores across the board.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Triglav Trophy
Men
1. Tatsuki Machida, JPN: 236.65
2. Daisuke Murakami, JPN: 212.03
3. Abzal Rakimgaliyev, KAZ: 196.58
4. Paul Bonifacio Parkinson, ITA: 187.27
5. Romain Ponsart, FRA: 185.48
Ladies
1. Akiko Suzuki, JPN: 147.98
2. Kana Muramoto, JPN: 139.58
3. Patricia Glescic, SLO: 137.23
4. Amelia Schwienbacher, ITA: 133.27
5. Carol Bressanutti, ITA: 131.71
Full results here.
1. Tatsuki Machida, JPN: 236.65
2. Daisuke Murakami, JPN: 212.03
3. Abzal Rakimgaliyev, KAZ: 196.58
4. Paul Bonifacio Parkinson, ITA: 187.27
5. Romain Ponsart, FRA: 185.48
Ladies
1. Akiko Suzuki, JPN: 147.98
2. Kana Muramoto, JPN: 139.58
3. Patricia Glescic, SLO: 137.23
4. Amelia Schwienbacher, ITA: 133.27
5. Carol Bressanutti, ITA: 131.71
Full results here.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Gardena Spring Trophy
Emmanuel Savary of the United States won the Novice Boys event with a total score of 115.17.
Junior Ladies
1. Lauren Dinh, USA: 127.21
2. Katarina Kulgeyko, USA: 113.51
3. Giada Russo, ITA: 108.89
Junior Men
1. Harrison Choate, USA: 158.76
2. Philip Warren, USA: 146.70
3. Shotaro Omori, USA: 130.87
Senior Ladies
1. Carolina Kostner, ITA: 168.00
2. Ayumi Goto, JPN: 138.25
3. Haruka Imai, JPN: 136.32
4. Joelle Forte, USA: 125.00
5. Kerstin Frank, AUT: 124.92
6. Carol Bressanutti, ITA: 123.63
7. Romy Buhler, SUI: 111.42
8. Henriikka Hietaniemi, FIN: 105.68
9. Amelia Schwienbacher, ITA: 103.59
10. Minna Parviainen, FIN: 101.68
Senior Men
1. Vladislav Sezganov, RUS: 196.09
2. Paolo Bacchini, ITA: 194.45
3. Takahito Mura, JPN: 192.82
4. Abzal Rakimgaliyev, KAZ: 173.90
5. Paul Bonifacio Parkinson, ITA: 173.69
6. Ryuju Hino, JPN: 163.51
7. Michael Neuman, SWE: 122.67
Complete results and protocols here.
Junior Ladies
1. Lauren Dinh, USA: 127.21
2. Katarina Kulgeyko, USA: 113.51
3. Giada Russo, ITA: 108.89
Junior Men
1. Harrison Choate, USA: 158.76
2. Philip Warren, USA: 146.70
3. Shotaro Omori, USA: 130.87
Senior Ladies
1. Carolina Kostner, ITA: 168.00
2. Ayumi Goto, JPN: 138.25
3. Haruka Imai, JPN: 136.32
4. Joelle Forte, USA: 125.00
5. Kerstin Frank, AUT: 124.92
6. Carol Bressanutti, ITA: 123.63
7. Romy Buhler, SUI: 111.42
8. Henriikka Hietaniemi, FIN: 105.68
9. Amelia Schwienbacher, ITA: 103.59
10. Minna Parviainen, FIN: 101.68
Senior Men
1. Vladislav Sezganov, RUS: 196.09
2. Paolo Bacchini, ITA: 194.45
3. Takahito Mura, JPN: 192.82
4. Abzal Rakimgaliyev, KAZ: 173.90
5. Paul Bonifacio Parkinson, ITA: 173.69
6. Ryuju Hino, JPN: 163.51
7. Michael Neuman, SWE: 122.67
Complete results and protocols here.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Moscow World Championships: Schedule
All times are EST. I've bolded the events I plan to cover here live. Please check back as I may add additional events.
April 25th 6:00am-10:40am Mens Preliminary Round
April 26th 4:00am- 7:00am Ice Dance Preliminary Round
7:30am-12:05pm Ladies Preliminary Round
April 27th 5:30am-9:55am Mens Short Program
11:30am-3:10pm Pairs Short Program
April 28th 5:00am-9:05am Mens Free Skate
10:00am-12:55pm Pairs Free Skate
April 29th 5:30am-9:25 am Ladies Short Program
10:30am-2:20pm Short Dance
April 30th 5:30am-9:25am Ladies Free Skate
10:30am-1:50pm Free Dance
April 25th 6:00am-10:40am Mens Preliminary Round
April 26th 4:00am- 7:00am Ice Dance Preliminary Round
7:30am-12:05pm Ladies Preliminary Round
April 27th 5:30am-9:55am Mens Short Program
11:30am-3:10pm Pairs Short Program
April 28th 5:00am-9:05am Mens Free Skate
10:00am-12:55pm Pairs Free Skate
April 29th 5:30am-9:25 am Ladies Short Program
10:30am-2:20pm Short Dance
April 30th 5:30am-9:25am Ladies Free Skate
10:30am-1:50pm Free Dance
Thursday, March 17, 2011
The Where and When of the 2011 World Championships
The ISU announced on Monday, March 14th that they would be postponing Worlds and the World Team Trophy due to the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear troubles in Japan. Immediately following this announcement, it was reported from other sources that Lausanne, Torino, Vancouver and Taipei were all being considered as replacement locations.
On March 16th the ISU announced that a decision would be available on either Friday or Monday. The Japanese Skating Federation has indicated to the ISU that the earliest they would be able to host Worlds would be in September or October. ISU President Cinquanta said in interviews that April would not be possible due to tour commitments, in May skaters would be getting ready for a new season, September was too early and October before the Grand Prix would be the best time for Worlds. He also said they are waiting for a response from the Japanese Federation before the make a decision on Worlds, but if they don't hear in the next few days, the ISU will make a decision without their feedback.
Following the mention of Worlds in October, several countries stepped in to volunteer to host in the near future. The Russian Minister of Sport, Tourism and Youth Policy has sent a letter to the ISU saying they are ready to host in Moscow in the near future, promising competition and practice rinks, hotels and visa support. The US has offered Colorado Springs and Lake Placid as possible Worlds locations in April or May. Torino, Italy has said they have availability to host Worlds in April and would be willing. Oberstdorf, Germany has also offered to step in and put on Worlds. Malmo, Sweden has said they are ready and willing to step in and host quickly. Korea has said they have not been contacted about hosting Worlds, but would consider it.
Russian ice dancer Elena Ilinykh has said she would prefer Worlds be canceled to holding it in October. U.S. based coaches Jason Dungjen, Igor Shpilband and Pasquale Camerlengo have all spoken out against an October Worlds.
As the nuclear situation in Japan continues to worsen, it is looking less and less likely that Japan will be back to normal by October and there is the possibility for long term effects on the air and water supply due to potential release of radiation. There have already been questions as to whether Japan will be ready to host NHK, a much smaller event, in November. To postpone until October and then find later that Japan has to cancel would be very unfortunate for all of the athletes who have worked so hard. The right thing to do is to take one of the countries up on their offer to host in April or May and find another event for Japan to host in the future as well as rescheduling the World Team Trophy.
Updates after the page break...
Friday, March 11, 2011
Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan
Update 11:53PM EST: The French Federation has suggested having an April or May Worlds, giving Japan the 2012 Worlds, bumping France back to 2013 and Canada to 2014. This would give France the envious position of having the pre-Olympics Worlds. Skate Canada has said there is no way they would go for this suggestion: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/more-sports/a-world-figure-skating-championship-nightmare/article1945001/
Update 9:52PM EST: The US has offered Colorado Springs and Lake Placid as possible Worlds locations in April or May: http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/sports_globetrotting/2011/03/us-russia-offer-sites-for-figure-skating-worlds-this-spring.html
Cinquanta says that he is waiting to hear from the Japanese Federation before deciding on Worlds but will make a decision without their input if he doesn't hear in the next few days. He also says that complete cancellation is unlikely: http://www.thespec.com/sports/article/502710--skating-officials-may-rule-on-what-to-do-about-world-championships
Jason Dugjen who coaches Alissa Czisny says he would prefer cancelation over an October Worlds. Igor Shpilband (who coaches five dance teams headed to Worlds) said that April or May would be fine for Worlds and that the ISU is not taking the skaters into consideration. Pasquale Camerlengo who has two dance teams going to Worlds said that October wouldn't be possible: http://www.freep.com/article/20110316/SPORTS17/110316052/World-Figure-Skating-Championships-coaches-not-favor-move-October
Update 6:16PM EST: The Russian Minister of Sport, Tourism and Youth Policy has sent a letter to the ISU saying they are ready to host in Moscow in the near future, promising competition and practice rinks, hotels and visa support: http://allsportinfo.ru/index.php?id=48454
Update 4:50PM EST: Malmo, Sweden say they are ready and able to step in to host Worlds and can do it quickly: http://svt.se/2.84274/1.2363021/svenskt_intresse_for_konstaknings-vm
Update 4:10PM EST: An interview with Russian Ice Dancer Elena Ilinykh in which she says she would not be in favor of an October Worlds but that the athletes could adapt their training to compete in April: http://www.gzt.ru/topnews/sport/-otsrochka-chempionata-mira-poshla-nam-na-poljzu-/352418.html
Update 3:53PM EST: Cinquanta in an interview has ruled out April-September as possible dates for Worlds. He said April was too soon and May was not in the best interest of the ISU. He also thinks the performances will be better in October than in May: http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/sports_globetrotting/2011/03/cinquanta-would-like-worlds-to-stay-in-japan-sees-october-as-best-option.html
Update 11:30AM EST: ISU President Cinquanta has confirmed that they are looking at October in Japan just prior to Skate America as "we must take into account that Japan got the right to hold a World Championships." He has also said that some skaters have informed him they cannot come to Worlds in April due to tour contracts. When asked about how the skaters would feel about the change in schedule, he responded "You cannot always listen to what the skaters want. These are exceptional circumstances. Some of the skaters are even minors."
Full article here: http://www.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110316&content_id=16975754&vkey=ice_news
Update 10:02AM EST: Oberstdorf is saying they are ready to step in and put on Worlds: http://www.rsa-radio.de/aktuelles/nachrichten/Nachrichten-Eissportzentrum-Oberstdorf-koennte-fuer-Tokio-bei-Eiskunstlauf-WM-einspringen;art14,23676
Update 8:11AM EST: Turin is saying that they will move events to make room for the World Championships and their arena has ice ready in April for the athletes to use: http://www3.lastampa.it/sport/sezioni/pattinaggio/lstp/393575/
The Japanese Skating Federation has offered up autumn to the ISU as a possible date for the country to host Worlds: http://www.asahi.com/sports/update/0316/TKY201103160273.html
Update 8:09AM EST: This Korean sources says the Korean Federation has not been contacted about hosting Worlds but if they were, they would consider it: http://sports.media.daum.net/general/news/moresports/breaking/view.html?cateid=1076&newsid=20110316154546099&p=nocut
Update March 16 7:59AM EST: The ISU is hoping to make a decision about Worlds on Friday or Monday: http://www.isu.org/vsite/vcontent/content/transnews/0,10869,4844-128590-19728-18885-312863-3787-4771-layout160-129898-news-item,00.html
Update 7:52PM EST: The ISU President is now saying that Worlds will either be canceled, moved to another city or moved to October in Tokyo: http://english.gazzetta.it/More_sports/15-03-2011/three-options-for-the-world-championship-80502610822.shtml
Update 5:10 PM EST: Elena Glebova has left Japan according to this news article from Estonia. They also claim that Turin and Lausanne have been offered up as venues by their respective countries: http://news.err.ee/sports/d2afc6a7-5b0f-426e-a1a7-1f4e51ba2ce7
Update 4:26PM EST: The Russian Figure Skating Federation has spoken to officials in Moscow and has decided not to put in an offer to host Worlds. They were not approached by ISU: http://www.lenta.ru/news/2011/03/15/champ/
Update March 15 7:25AM EST: According to the Washington Post, US Figure Skating offered a location in the US for Worlds but received no response from the ISU: http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/world-figure-skating-championships-in-tokyo-postponed-indefinitely-after-japan-earthquake-tsunami/2011/03/14/ABwOS9U_story.html
Update 8:47PM EST: This Washington Post article states that ISU officials spent the day seeking an alternate venue for Worlds and reiterates that U.S. Figure Skating has offered assistance but has not been asked to host: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/14/AR2011031404381.html
A nice article about how Yuka Sato and Jason Dungjen are planning on adjusting Alissa Czisny and Jeremy Abbott's training schedules with Worlds and the World Team Trophy postponed: http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/sports_globetrotting/2011/03/with-family-safe-dungjen-and-sato-deal-with-their-skaters-uncertainty.html
Update 2:56PM EST: In this article: ISU VP David Dore said switching venues is not an option, and that if Worlds is still going to occur, it will need to be in the next 6 weeks: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/blogs/pjkwong/2011/03/switching-skating-venues-not-a-likely-option.html
Update 11:17AM EST: The ISU President has said that a final decision regarding Worlds will be made in the next three to four days and the Council will meet tomorrow. He did suggest that moving the event is a possibility. U.S. Figure Skating officials are reporting that they have not been contacted regarding hosting Worlds. http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/sports_globetrotting/2011/03/cinquanta-isu-must-decide-worlds-fate-within-three-or-four-days-.html
Update 10:51AM EST: This German article lists Lausanne, Turin, Vancouver and Taipei as cities that have been contacted about holding the Championships: http://www.abendblatt.de/sport/article1816516/Weltverband-sagt-Eiskunstlauf-WM-in-Tokio-ab.html Phil Hersh has reported on Twitter that Skate Canada will not be hosting the event. The article also mentions that the ice rink where Savchenko and Szolkowy train does not have ice past March. This may be a problem for other competitiors as well if the competition is delayed too long.
Update 9:06AM EST: The ISU has released a statement this morning postponing Worlds and the World Team Trophy. No date has been given. The continued postponement or cancellation is under final evaluation. The full statement is here: http://www.isu.org/vsite/vcontent/content/transnews/0,10869,4844-128590-19728-18885-312813-3787-4771-layout160-129898-news-item,00.html
Update March 14th 12:19AM EST: This site is reporting that Worlds will be delayed 21 days but will still be in Tokyo: http://www.47news.jp/news/flashnews/. Still awaiting official decision of the ISU.
Update 11:53PM EST: This Japanese site is reporting that Worlds have been postponed: http://english.kyodonews.jp/
And another article which says the Championships have been postponed and an official statement will be available later today: http://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2011/03/14/kiji/K20110314000426490.html
Still no official word from the ISU or the JSF.
Update 8:39PM EST: It has been reported that Kim Lucine (from Monaco) has posted the following on his Facebook: "A little message while i have internet, we woke up at 2AM to try to find a ticket to go back to europe, it's 5AM now and i think we found a ticket for 10AM but we have to go to the airport to check. i won't have internet anymore so i'll keep you posted when i'll be somewhere else. World Championnship are gonna be reported in Lausan, Korea or Canada!!!"
Update 2:38PM EST: It has been reported that Florent Amodio is saying on his Facebook that Worlds has been canceled. Thanks to a reader for sharing this image of his FB page: http://i.imgur.com/azoo9.png
Ingo Steuer has said even if Worlds did go on, he would not send Savchenko and Szolkowy. Now the German Federation has announced that they have withdrawn their entire team: http://www.eislauf-union.de/_NEWS_WM2011.html
Michael Slipchuk has said on Canadian TV that if Worlds occurs, it will be up to individual Canadian skaters whether they wanted to attend. He was also asked about the possibility of holding Worlds in Canada and said that Skate Canada would do whatever it could to support the ISU.
Update 10:34AM EST: The ISU has released a new statement indicating that they are reevaluating the feasibility of holding Worlds in Tokyo. The statement indicates that they will either hold the championships as planned or cancel, and does not mention the possibility of a delay or a new venue. They said a final decision would be available by tomorrow morning at the latest. http://www.isu.org/vsite/vcontent/content/transnews/0,10869,4844-128590-19728-18885-312807-3787-4771-layout160-129898-news-item,00.html
The British government has also issued a travel advisory warning against all non-essential travel to Tokyo. They are reporting that while Narita airport is open, many flights are still being canceled and transportation to and from the airport is difficult: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/asia-oceania/japan
Update March 13th 12:44AM EST: Japanese officials are now operating under the assumption that a partial meltdown of the nuclear reactor cores is underway. They insist, however, that no radiation has been leaked.
The U.S. Geological Survey is also reporting that there have been 140 aftershocks of magnitude 4.5 or higher.
Airports are back up and running as is limited rail service and those without electricity have dropped to 2.5 million from 6 million.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/asia-pacific/170000-evacuated-amid-worries-of-nuclear-meltdown-in-japan/article1939779/
http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/03/12/japan.quake/index.html?hpt=T1&iref=BN1
Update 9:01PM EST: A few US journalists have begun posting news articles advocating either canceling, postponing or changing venues for Worlds: http://www.freep.com/article/20110312/SPORTS17/110312035/Jo-Ann-Barnas-ISU-needs-postpone-world-figure-skating-event-Japan?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Sports
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/sports_globetrotting/2011/03/too-soon-figure-skating-world-championships-in-tokyo-catastrophe.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Based on the information I've been gathering, it seems that the U.S. media coverage has differed from other countries. The ISU is set to make a final decision early this week. I know that a lot of people reading this post are from Japan. If you have any thoughts or insights please share them in the comment section.
Update 12:39PM EST: International Figure Skating on Facebook is reporting that they've heard from Daisuke Takahashi's manager and Takahashi is safe.
Update 11:25AM EST: Elena Glebova has reported on her Facebook that she is in Japan and is safe.
Update 9:58AM EST: Florent Amodio has just tweeted that all the flights are full so he'll have to wait a few days before leaving, but he has confirmed that he is trying to leave Japan.
Update 9:15AM EST: A few rumors that I can't seem to back up but am putting here anyway. Javier Fernandez is already in Japan but is safe. The French Federation has ordered Florent Amodio to return home and will fly back tomorrow. Kim Lucine of Montenegro is also leaving Japan and returning home
Update March 12th 8:41AM EST: Nobunari Oda was in Canada at the time of the quake and he hopes to return to Japan soon to see his wife and son who were both unharmed: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/japanese-skater-oda-watches-and-waits-in-canada/article1939787/
Update 4:05PM EST: Skate Canada says the majority of their athletes are scheduled to leave for Tokyo on the 18th. They are evaluating the situation to determine if they will send their athletes and may leave the decision to attend up to the individual competitors. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/more-sports/tokyo-still-planning-to-host-world-figure-skating-championships/article1939033/
Update 2:22PM EST: A 6.6 quake has just hit Nagano along a different fault line than the first quake. Nagano is 110 miles from Tokyo. No word yet on impact.
Update 12:53PM EST: Yuka Sato says that both of her parents who coach in Japan are fine as well as students Takahiko Kozuka and Mao Asada: http://www.freep.com/article/20110311/SPORTS17/110311017/Detroit-Skating-Club-coach-Sato-Parents-safe-Japan?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Sports|s
Update 11:30AM EST: According to a statement by the ISU President, it looks like they are planning on moving forward with Worlds. http://www.isu.org/vsite/vcontent/content/transnews/0,10869,4844-128590-19728-18885-312800-3787-4771-layout160-129898-news-item,00.html
And the State Department has issued a Travel Alert to Japan through April 1st. According to the alert, airports and public transportation in Tokyo are shut down and some roads are damaged: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_5377.html
Update: 11:26AM EST Here is an article about Volozhar and Trankov and also states that a decision on whether to move Worlds will be made later this week: http://rt.com/sport/japan-earthquake-volosozhar-trankov/
Japan was hit with an 8.9 earthquake and massive tsunami overnight leaving a portion of the country devastated. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who was affected.
The World Figure Skating Championships are set to open in Tokyo in just 10 days and there is speculation about whether they will continue. Earlier today, the ISU released this statement (it has since been taken down from their website):
Japan Quake - ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2011 Situation
11 Mar 2011 10:32
The ISU is in close contact with the Japanese Skating Federation (JSF). Based on a first on-site assessment by the JSF we have been informed that the Yoyogi stadium remains in order and the JSF advised that everything will be ready to hold the Championships as foreseen. We will of course continue to monitor the situation closely in cooperation with the JSF and inform of any developments.
Yuzuru Hanyu is from the area where the quake hit, but he, his coach and family were all reported ok. Nikolai Morozov's skaters which include Miki Ando and Florent Amodio are already in Japan, but are also ok. Volozhar and Trankov of Russian landed with their coaches a few hours before the quake but have been in contact with the Russian Federation.
The US State Department is advising no non-essential travel to Japan.
Update 9:52PM EST: The US has offered Colorado Springs and Lake Placid as possible Worlds locations in April or May: http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/sports_globetrotting/2011/03/us-russia-offer-sites-for-figure-skating-worlds-this-spring.html
Cinquanta says that he is waiting to hear from the Japanese Federation before deciding on Worlds but will make a decision without their input if he doesn't hear in the next few days. He also says that complete cancellation is unlikely: http://www.thespec.com/sports/article/502710--skating-officials-may-rule-on-what-to-do-about-world-championships
Jason Dugjen who coaches Alissa Czisny says he would prefer cancelation over an October Worlds. Igor Shpilband (who coaches five dance teams headed to Worlds) said that April or May would be fine for Worlds and that the ISU is not taking the skaters into consideration. Pasquale Camerlengo who has two dance teams going to Worlds said that October wouldn't be possible: http://www.freep.com/article/20110316/SPORTS17/110316052/World-Figure-Skating-Championships-coaches-not-favor-move-October
Update 6:16PM EST: The Russian Minister of Sport, Tourism and Youth Policy has sent a letter to the ISU saying they are ready to host in Moscow in the near future, promising competition and practice rinks, hotels and visa support: http://allsportinfo.ru/index.php?id=48454
Update 4:50PM EST: Malmo, Sweden say they are ready and able to step in to host Worlds and can do it quickly: http://svt.se/2.84274/1.2363021/svenskt_intresse_for_konstaknings-vm
Update 4:10PM EST: An interview with Russian Ice Dancer Elena Ilinykh in which she says she would not be in favor of an October Worlds but that the athletes could adapt their training to compete in April: http://www.gzt.ru/topnews/sport/-otsrochka-chempionata-mira-poshla-nam-na-poljzu-/352418.html
Update 3:53PM EST: Cinquanta in an interview has ruled out April-September as possible dates for Worlds. He said April was too soon and May was not in the best interest of the ISU. He also thinks the performances will be better in October than in May: http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/sports_globetrotting/2011/03/cinquanta-would-like-worlds-to-stay-in-japan-sees-october-as-best-option.html
Update 11:30AM EST: ISU President Cinquanta has confirmed that they are looking at October in Japan just prior to Skate America as "we must take into account that Japan got the right to hold a World Championships." He has also said that some skaters have informed him they cannot come to Worlds in April due to tour contracts. When asked about how the skaters would feel about the change in schedule, he responded "You cannot always listen to what the skaters want. These are exceptional circumstances. Some of the skaters are even minors."
Full article here: http://www.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110316&content_id=16975754&vkey=ice_news
Update 10:02AM EST: Oberstdorf is saying they are ready to step in and put on Worlds: http://www.rsa-radio.de/aktuelles/nachrichten/Nachrichten-Eissportzentrum-Oberstdorf-koennte-fuer-Tokio-bei-Eiskunstlauf-WM-einspringen;art14,23676
Update 8:11AM EST: Turin is saying that they will move events to make room for the World Championships and their arena has ice ready in April for the athletes to use: http://www3.lastampa.it/sport/sezioni/pattinaggio/lstp/393575/
The Japanese Skating Federation has offered up autumn to the ISU as a possible date for the country to host Worlds: http://www.asahi.com/sports/update/0316/TKY201103160273.html
Update 8:09AM EST: This Korean sources says the Korean Federation has not been contacted about hosting Worlds but if they were, they would consider it: http://sports.media.daum.net/general/news/moresports/breaking/view.html?cateid=1076&newsid=20110316154546099&p=nocut
Update March 16 7:59AM EST: The ISU is hoping to make a decision about Worlds on Friday or Monday: http://www.isu.org/vsite/vcontent/content/transnews/0,10869,4844-128590-19728-18885-312863-3787-4771-layout160-129898-news-item,00.html
Update 7:52PM EST: The ISU President is now saying that Worlds will either be canceled, moved to another city or moved to October in Tokyo: http://english.gazzetta.it/More_sports/15-03-2011/three-options-for-the-world-championship-80502610822.shtml
Update 5:10 PM EST: Elena Glebova has left Japan according to this news article from Estonia. They also claim that Turin and Lausanne have been offered up as venues by their respective countries: http://news.err.ee/sports/d2afc6a7-5b0f-426e-a1a7-1f4e51ba2ce7
Update 4:26PM EST: The Russian Figure Skating Federation has spoken to officials in Moscow and has decided not to put in an offer to host Worlds. They were not approached by ISU: http://www.lenta.ru/news/2011/03/15/champ/
Update March 15 7:25AM EST: According to the Washington Post, US Figure Skating offered a location in the US for Worlds but received no response from the ISU: http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/world-figure-skating-championships-in-tokyo-postponed-indefinitely-after-japan-earthquake-tsunami/2011/03/14/ABwOS9U_story.html
Update 8:47PM EST: This Washington Post article states that ISU officials spent the day seeking an alternate venue for Worlds and reiterates that U.S. Figure Skating has offered assistance but has not been asked to host: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/14/AR2011031404381.html
A nice article about how Yuka Sato and Jason Dungjen are planning on adjusting Alissa Czisny and Jeremy Abbott's training schedules with Worlds and the World Team Trophy postponed: http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/sports_globetrotting/2011/03/with-family-safe-dungjen-and-sato-deal-with-their-skaters-uncertainty.html
Update 2:56PM EST: In this article: ISU VP David Dore said switching venues is not an option, and that if Worlds is still going to occur, it will need to be in the next 6 weeks: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/blogs/pjkwong/2011/03/switching-skating-venues-not-a-likely-option.html
Update 11:17AM EST: The ISU President has said that a final decision regarding Worlds will be made in the next three to four days and the Council will meet tomorrow. He did suggest that moving the event is a possibility. U.S. Figure Skating officials are reporting that they have not been contacted regarding hosting Worlds. http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/sports_globetrotting/2011/03/cinquanta-isu-must-decide-worlds-fate-within-three-or-four-days-.html
Update 10:51AM EST: This German article lists Lausanne, Turin, Vancouver and Taipei as cities that have been contacted about holding the Championships: http://www.abendblatt.de/sport/article1816516/Weltverband-sagt-Eiskunstlauf-WM-in-Tokio-ab.html Phil Hersh has reported on Twitter that Skate Canada will not be hosting the event. The article also mentions that the ice rink where Savchenko and Szolkowy train does not have ice past March. This may be a problem for other competitiors as well if the competition is delayed too long.
Update 9:06AM EST: The ISU has released a statement this morning postponing Worlds and the World Team Trophy. No date has been given. The continued postponement or cancellation is under final evaluation. The full statement is here: http://www.isu.org/vsite/vcontent/content/transnews/0,10869,4844-128590-19728-18885-312813-3787-4771-layout160-129898-news-item,00.html
Update March 14th 12:19AM EST: This site is reporting that Worlds will be delayed 21 days but will still be in Tokyo: http://www.47news.jp/news/flashnews/. Still awaiting official decision of the ISU.
Update 11:53PM EST: This Japanese site is reporting that Worlds have been postponed: http://english.kyodonews.jp/
And another article which says the Championships have been postponed and an official statement will be available later today: http://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2011/03/14/kiji/K20110314000426490.html
Still no official word from the ISU or the JSF.
Update 8:39PM EST: It has been reported that Kim Lucine (from Monaco) has posted the following on his Facebook: "A little message while i have internet, we woke up at 2AM to try to find a ticket to go back to europe, it's 5AM now and i think we found a ticket for 10AM but we have to go to the airport to check. i won't have internet anymore so i'll keep you posted when i'll be somewhere else. World Championnship are gonna be reported in Lausan, Korea or Canada!!!"
Update 2:38PM EST: It has been reported that Florent Amodio is saying on his Facebook that Worlds has been canceled. Thanks to a reader for sharing this image of his FB page: http://i.imgur.com/azoo9.png
Ingo Steuer has said even if Worlds did go on, he would not send Savchenko and Szolkowy. Now the German Federation has announced that they have withdrawn their entire team: http://www.eislauf-union.de/_NEWS_WM2011.html
Michael Slipchuk has said on Canadian TV that if Worlds occurs, it will be up to individual Canadian skaters whether they wanted to attend. He was also asked about the possibility of holding Worlds in Canada and said that Skate Canada would do whatever it could to support the ISU.
Update 10:34AM EST: The ISU has released a new statement indicating that they are reevaluating the feasibility of holding Worlds in Tokyo. The statement indicates that they will either hold the championships as planned or cancel, and does not mention the possibility of a delay or a new venue. They said a final decision would be available by tomorrow morning at the latest. http://www.isu.org/vsite/vcontent/content/transnews/0,10869,4844-128590-19728-18885-312807-3787-4771-layout160-129898-news-item,00.html
The British government has also issued a travel advisory warning against all non-essential travel to Tokyo. They are reporting that while Narita airport is open, many flights are still being canceled and transportation to and from the airport is difficult: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/asia-oceania/japan
Update March 13th 12:44AM EST: Japanese officials are now operating under the assumption that a partial meltdown of the nuclear reactor cores is underway. They insist, however, that no radiation has been leaked.
The U.S. Geological Survey is also reporting that there have been 140 aftershocks of magnitude 4.5 or higher.
Airports are back up and running as is limited rail service and those without electricity have dropped to 2.5 million from 6 million.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/asia-pacific/170000-evacuated-amid-worries-of-nuclear-meltdown-in-japan/article1939779/
http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/03/12/japan.quake/index.html?hpt=T1&iref=BN1
Update 9:01PM EST: A few US journalists have begun posting news articles advocating either canceling, postponing or changing venues for Worlds: http://www.freep.com/article/20110312/SPORTS17/110312035/Jo-Ann-Barnas-ISU-needs-postpone-world-figure-skating-event-Japan?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Sports
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/sports_globetrotting/2011/03/too-soon-figure-skating-world-championships-in-tokyo-catastrophe.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Based on the information I've been gathering, it seems that the U.S. media coverage has differed from other countries. The ISU is set to make a final decision early this week. I know that a lot of people reading this post are from Japan. If you have any thoughts or insights please share them in the comment section.
Update 12:39PM EST: International Figure Skating on Facebook is reporting that they've heard from Daisuke Takahashi's manager and Takahashi is safe.
Update 11:25AM EST: Elena Glebova has reported on her Facebook that she is in Japan and is safe.
Update 9:58AM EST: Florent Amodio has just tweeted that all the flights are full so he'll have to wait a few days before leaving, but he has confirmed that he is trying to leave Japan.
Update 9:15AM EST: A few rumors that I can't seem to back up but am putting here anyway. Javier Fernandez is already in Japan but is safe. The French Federation has ordered Florent Amodio to return home and will fly back tomorrow. Kim Lucine of Montenegro is also leaving Japan and returning home
Update March 12th 8:41AM EST: Nobunari Oda was in Canada at the time of the quake and he hopes to return to Japan soon to see his wife and son who were both unharmed: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/japanese-skater-oda-watches-and-waits-in-canada/article1939787/
Update 4:05PM EST: Skate Canada says the majority of their athletes are scheduled to leave for Tokyo on the 18th. They are evaluating the situation to determine if they will send their athletes and may leave the decision to attend up to the individual competitors. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/more-sports/tokyo-still-planning-to-host-world-figure-skating-championships/article1939033/
Update 2:22PM EST: A 6.6 quake has just hit Nagano along a different fault line than the first quake. Nagano is 110 miles from Tokyo. No word yet on impact.
Update 12:53PM EST: Yuka Sato says that both of her parents who coach in Japan are fine as well as students Takahiko Kozuka and Mao Asada: http://www.freep.com/article/20110311/SPORTS17/110311017/Detroit-Skating-Club-coach-Sato-Parents-safe-Japan?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Sports|s
Update 11:30AM EST: According to a statement by the ISU President, it looks like they are planning on moving forward with Worlds. http://www.isu.org/vsite/vcontent/content/transnews/0,10869,4844-128590-19728-18885-312800-3787-4771-layout160-129898-news-item,00.html
And the State Department has issued a Travel Alert to Japan through April 1st. According to the alert, airports and public transportation in Tokyo are shut down and some roads are damaged: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_5377.html
Update: 11:26AM EST Here is an article about Volozhar and Trankov and also states that a decision on whether to move Worlds will be made later this week: http://rt.com/sport/japan-earthquake-volosozhar-trankov/
Japan was hit with an 8.9 earthquake and massive tsunami overnight leaving a portion of the country devastated. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who was affected.
The World Figure Skating Championships are set to open in Tokyo in just 10 days and there is speculation about whether they will continue. Earlier today, the ISU released this statement (it has since been taken down from their website):
Japan Quake - ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2011 Situation
11 Mar 2011 10:32
The ISU is in close contact with the Japanese Skating Federation (JSF). Based on a first on-site assessment by the JSF we have been informed that the Yoyogi stadium remains in order and the JSF advised that everything will be ready to hold the Championships as foreseen. We will of course continue to monitor the situation closely in cooperation with the JSF and inform of any developments.
Yuzuru Hanyu is from the area where the quake hit, but he, his coach and family were all reported ok. Nikolai Morozov's skaters which include Miki Ando and Florent Amodio are already in Japan, but are also ok. Volozhar and Trankov of Russian landed with their coaches a few hours before the quake but have been in contact with the Russian Federation.
The US State Department is advising no non-essential travel to Japan.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
World Championships: Schedule
Note: The World Championships have currently been postponed. When the new dates/times/locations are added, I'll update this schedule.
All times are EST. I've bolded the events I plan to cover here live. Please check back as I may add additional events.
March 21st 3:00am-8:15am Mens Preliminary Round
8:30pm-11:45pm Ice Dance Preliminary Round
March 22nd 12:30am-5:35am Ladies Preliminary Round
11:15pm-2:55am Pairs Short Program
March 23rd 4:00am-8:25am Mens Short Program
March 24th 12:30am-3:25am Pairs Free Skate
4:25am-8:25am Mens Free Skate
11:30pm-3:20 am Short Dance
March 25th 4:00am-8:25am Ladies Short Program
March 26th 12:00am-3:20am Free Dance
4:30am-8:25am Ladies Free Skate
All times are EST. I've bolded the events I plan to cover here live. Please check back as I may add additional events.
March 21st 3:00am-8:15am Mens Preliminary Round
8:30pm-11:45pm Ice Dance Preliminary Round
March 22nd 12:30am-5:35am Ladies Preliminary Round
11:15pm-2:55am Pairs Short Program
March 23rd 4:00am-8:25am Mens Short Program
March 24th 12:30am-3:25am Pairs Free Skate
4:25am-8:25am Mens Free Skate
11:30pm-3:20 am Short Dance
March 25th 4:00am-8:25am Ladies Short Program
March 26th 12:00am-3:20am Free Dance
4:30am-8:25am Ladies Free Skate
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