After a long hiatus, I'm back- just in time for the start of the 2017-18 Grand Prix.
I love the Grand Prix circuit in the Olympic year- skaters are competing for Olympic team spots and know they have to be in prime shape early to make their case for the Olympics. (Unless you're Hanyu). Hopefully, we're in for a some great flights of competition this season as the skaters lay the groundwork for Pyeongchang. While the Grand Prix is certainly for comparing skaters internationally, for some skaters, how their fare against their compatriots is even more important. Here's the national battles I'll be keeping an eye on doing the Grand Prix: Japan: Despite the exquisite talent of their ladies field, Japan has only two ladies spots for the Olympics. With World medallist Satoko Miyahara retuning from injury, fans will be looking for how well she's skating after her absence. Wakaba Higuchi and Mai Mihara had good debut seasons last year and are entering the Grand Prix after stellar skates in the preseason. Not to mention World junior silver medallist Marin Honda who has all the makings of a star and could quite well make a statement early on. The men have two spots wrapped up with Shoma Uno and Yuzuru Hanyu but there are a few players who could grab the third spot. Russia: Two mens spots are available in Russia, and virtually all of their major players have been wildly inconsistent (#quads). Perhaps the most sure prospect is Mikhail Kolyada but your guess is as good as mine for who steps up to the plate for the second. The ladies are always a bloodbath in Russia and other than Evegnia's guaranteed spot, Zagitova, Radionova, Pogorilaya and Sotskova are in the mix for a place on the team. Tarasova/Morosov seem a sure bet for one of their three pairs spots, with Fedor/Klimov, Zabiiako/Enbert, and Astokhova/Rogonov lobbying for the other two. Similarly, Bobrova/Soloviev should be one of two dance spots, with Stepanova/Bukin perhaps the best shot at number two. United States: There is only one pairs spot available for the U.S. and while Scimeca-Knierim/Knierim are favored for he spot, I wouldn't say it's a given until we see how Stellate/Bartholomay, Denney/Frazier and Cain/LeDuc fare in the Grand Prix in comparison. A healthy Nathan Chen will be headed to South Korea, but it could be any combination of Rippon, Zhou, Aaron, and Brown that accompany him. Karen Chen, Mirai Nagasu and Ashley Wagner would really solidify their chances for the Olympic team with strong results in the Grand Prix, with Mariah Bell, Bradie Tennell and Courtney Hicks looking to play spoiler. Canada: The greatest intrigue for Canada will be their three pairs spots, with Duhanel/Radford trying to rebound from a rough year, Seguin/Bilodeau back for a full season after injury and Ilyushechkina/Moscovitch and MooreTowers/Marinaro trying to find the right consistency in their "new" partnerships. The second mens spot is still up for grabs to join Patrick Chan in South Korea. China: Xiangning Li and Zijun Li will both compete twice on the Grand Prix (once head-to-head at Cup of China) for China's one ladies spot. Ready or not, here comes the Olympic season....
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About the Blog:Reviews, predictions and opinions in the magical, sparkly and dramatic field of figure skating. Archives
November 2017
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