The
pairs’ competition at Cup of China is going to be again a showdown
between Russia and China, but this time former world champions Pang/Tong won’t
face Volosozhar/Trankov as at Skate America.
Pang/Tong are one of the most
experienced couple in the bunch and had proved a magnificent artistry year
after year. Lately, they have been
struggling with injuries and their debut at Skate America didn’t show them in a
very good shape. Yet if they can overcome their frailties on the side by side
jump, they can be real contenders (and for me even favourites) for the gold
agaist the Russian pair Kavaguti/Smirnov. The Russians had to deal with several
injuries as well (they did not compete at Europeans nor at Worlds last year)
but, again, if their condition has improved, they surely will show some
consistency and a great ability of reinventing themselves.
Another Russian pair can be competitive for a
podium finish, the same couple that surprisingly landed on the third spot of
the podium at European Championships last January. Stolbova/Klimov made their
senior debut last year, after a successful junior career, didn’t shine in the
grand prixs but certainly did at Europeans, agaist all expectations and maybe
helped by some important withdrawals (Kavaguti/Smirnov and Savchenko/Szolkowy
left the door wide open in that occasion).
Other contenders could be Canadian
Moore-Towers/Moscovitch who were able to finish on the podium on a couple of
grand prixs, but disappointingly didn’t qualify for Worlds last year.
In this
competition we will see another Chinese couple, made up from the split of
Zhang/Zhang, the 2006 Olympic silver medalists.
PICKS
Gold:Pang/Tong
Silver: Kavaguti/Smirnov
Bronze:Moore-Towers/Moscovitch
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