The best performances of 2011-2012 season

Now the season is over, it's time to look back to this beautiful, sometimes controversial year. I tried to pick up my twelve best performances, three per each category, and it was a hard choice! I know that I have left some honourable programs out of my list but I had to cut down on that. Please comment and let me know what your favourite performances were!

Volosozhar Trankov worlds fs: Tatiana and Maxim were kind of upset after their short program. They were in eighth place going into the free in a competition where they were expected to challenge for gold. In the free they gave all they could in a fierce version of the black swan. Well, their performance was very near to perfection.

Takahashi Tran worlds sp: This is a very young team. I remember Narumi meeting fans just outside the arena in Nice and she really looked like a baby! Her flowers were almost bigger than her. Anyway, despite their young age, they gave a mature, elegant, sophisticated program to Imagine. Just a couple to wacht at in the future

Savchenko Szolkowy gpf fs: The great champions, fourth time world champions, they surely wanted to try something new this year. To me, their free program has one of the most glorious and original choreographies they had ever had. It is inspired by Pina Bausch and I think they delivered that style.

Daisuke Takahashi wtt sp: That is a must have in all best performances' lists. A lot of people (me included) is kind of upset that judges seem not to give Daisuke the scores he should deserve, but that didn't happen at World Team Trophy where Daisuke offered to his audience two amazing performances. This short program literally blew me away, because apart from the technical content (that was supreme) he looked like he wanted to let his soul guide him on the ice. A world record score for a stunning program.

Yuzuru Hanyu worlds fs: A younger Japanese skater took the scene at world championships. I hardly can describe what happened in Nice. I think all the crowd felt the same as I did. I knew that Yuzuru is a wonderful skater, but maybe the fact he wasn't in the last group made myself amazed by his skating.

Patrick Chan Canadian nationals fs: It sounds so funny considering that Patrick have won everything but world team trophy this year, but I think that was a sort of disappointing season for him. He had a masterpiece free program and I had a lot of expectations on it but he didn't really deliver it at worlds (and also in other occasions) with an awful fall at the end of the program that was, in my opinion, a piece of choreography that could make me cry. Anyway he performed it superbly at Canadian nationals, with no errors, beautiful expressions and a standing crowd.

Carolina Kostner worlds fs: I know, everytime I talk about her, I feel my objectivity is disappearing. I am sorry for that, but being an Italian fan who loves Carolina's skating, I was so happy about her performance in Nice. She gave Italy the first figure skating gold medal at worlds (Fusar-poli/Margaglio won one for ice dance back in 2001) with a beautiful yet not perfect program. All the Italian flags and the great cheers along with a wonderful performance made it one of the best experiences ever.

Akiko Suzuki nhk sp: Akiko is a delightful skater who at the age of 27 reached her best. She is one of that skaters who makes you smile while skating. She created two joyful programs this year. I picked the short done in front of her home audience. she performed with soul and happiness like she wanted to give her best for the Japanese crowd, and she did it amazingly

Ashley Wagner 4cc fs: The black swan program was her program. Ashley stole the scene of Us ladies skating this year by winning Nationals, Four Continents and performing so well all season long. It is so evident that under the fair hair and a gentle face there is a pure fighter and I think she will be on top for a long time. I can see her very well on every podium next year. For now I just can watch her great program and wish a successfull future.

Weaver Poje worlds fd: The whole last group at worlds caused my goosebumps, but in the case of Kaytlin and Andrew it was a matter of tears. My seat was very high and distant from the rink but I could feel their energy and emotions like I was near the boards. And then when I went back to my hotel I was thinking again about their program and I couldn't stop myself from overcome. That program was so strong, it gave me a lot.

Davis White wtt sd: I guess they were a little bit disappointed for not being world champions again, but they have demonstrated they are here for fighting! Their world team trophy short dance was fabolous. I have to admit that when I knew that latin rythms would have been chosen for short dance this year, I thought that Meryl and Charlie would have had some troubles, because that's not their style. But they did it! Maybe it was different from other sultry programs, but they have worked it out so well!

Virtue Moir worlds sd: Ok, that was the sultry program I was talking about. No doubt they have a supreme chemistry, great technique and edges. Althought I really loved the free dance from last year and I thought that was revolutionary, I felt like they had lost something about it converting it to the short dance, but maybe it's because I expect a lot from them (I think I could die for their lift taken from the spiral!). 

So that's it, a very long list but I really loved anything from it! If you can, rewatch some videos from the links above, I've just watched Yuzuru's program and I realized I Had almost forget how brilliant it was!

Omg! I now know that Yuzuru is now with Brian Orser! That is a thrilling couple!