A NEVER ENDING RIVALRY
The one between Virtue/Moir and Davis/White is probably the greatest rivalry in figure skating history and everytime a competition is behind the corner, picking one of the two teams is quite impossible.
Meryl and Charlie will attend worlds as the unbeated couple of the season, as they took the gold at both grand prix final and four continents over their team mates. The reason why they have been such tough competitors this seaso is that they are alway very consistant from a technical perspective and as they are artistically judged the same as Virtue/Moir at the end it all comes down to elements' levels.
Tessa and Scott have been struggling with their free dance. Although it could be considered one of the most innovative Carmen in figure skating's history this program hasn't been performed to its fullest potential by the Canadian couple. Their passionate and dramatic interpretation alone won't lift them to the top of the podium, but I am sure that they will give 200 % of themselves in front of the home crowd and if they hit all their levels, a third world title is theirs.
Tessa and Scott have been struggling with their free dance. Although it could be considered one of the most innovative Carmen in figure skating's history this program hasn't been performed to its fullest potential by the Canadian couple. Their passionate and dramatic interpretation alone won't lift them to the top of the podium, but I am sure that they will give 200 % of themselves in front of the home crowd and if they hit all their levels, a third world title is theirs.
CHALLENGE FROM EUROPE
The European teams, after decades of dominance in the discipline, have been fighting with North Americans for medals in the last year, but now the gap is slightly redemensioned.
Bobrova/Soloviev are having their best season ever winning their first European titles after two silver medals. Their switch to Zhulin was the smartest move that this couple could have done after a disappointing result at last year's worlds (they finished seventh) as he gave a new fresh style to them. In somebody's opinion, the Russian champions would be the favourites for the bronze medal, but their compatriots Ilinykh/Katsalapov are just behind.
I really can't recall hating a figure skating program as much as Ilinykh/Katsalapov's free dance to "Ghost". There is nothing particularly interesting about the choreography and the music cut is just embarassing in my opinion. However, Elene and Nikita are the most talented dancers coming from Europe in a long time and that is why I think they will do great things in London. They have amazing skating skills and a deep edge control, and considering that they always improve as the season goes on, I think they will be ready for a medal contention at Worlds.
OUT FOR INJURY
Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje started off the season struggling with their programs and, after missing the grand prix final, they have reworked the free dance, but they skipped Nationals and Four Continents because Kaitlyn broke her left ankle and couldn't practice for a month. They have fully recovered now and aim to do well at home worlds, but I am afraid their stop will influence their performances as well.
Something similar happened to Pechalat/Bourzat, defending bronze medalists, as Fabian caused an injury that left them out of European Championships. Their free dance is a very demanding one and they could be not in top form as the other teams.
PODIUM PICKS
Gold: Virtue/Moir (CAN)
Silver: Davis/White (USA)
Bronze: Ilinykh/Katsalapov (RUS)
No comments:
Post a Comment