The overall picture for the Grand Prix Final will look much clearer after this competition is all said and done. Three of the top names- Ashley Wagner, Elena Radionova, and Julia Lipnitskya- will be hoping for a podium finish to keep them in the race for a spot at the Final. Watching the matchup between countrywomen Radionova and Lipnitskya may be the highlight of the event. Hmmm, this is a tough one to call, with both of the Russians highly capable of running away with the competition with clean skates.
GOLD: However, I'm going with my gut and predicting Elena Radionova will edge out Lipnitskya for the gold medal. Elena was on fire at Skate America and I look for her to bring that competitiveness to France. I think Julia will be ahead after the short, but Radionova's point-packed long program will put her on top overall. A first or second place here will guarantee her a spot in the Final. SILVER: After the "worst skate of her life" at Cup of China, I look for Julia Lipnitskya to come back strong and win the silver medal in a close fight. I don't think she'll make the same mistakes in the long program that she did two weeks ago, but she's struggled with consistency since the Olympics. A second place here will assure her a spot in the Final, where we will really see a great competition, with the possibility of four extremely talented Russians as the headliners. BRONZE: For Ashley Wagner, a bronze medal here is the realistic outcome. She doesn't have the technical points to compete with the Russians, but has enough program components to keep her in the game. A second place or better would get her in the Final for sure, and a third place would put her on the bubble. She had a good start at Skate Canada so I hope she takes that confidence to this competition to stay on her feet and get on the podium. Other Contenders: Americans Samantha Cesario and Courtney Hicks had great starts to their seasons with fourth place finishes at Skate America and Skate Canada, respectively. If Wagner falters, either of these two have the point potential to grab a medal.
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