Various news about skating

www.startribune.com/sports/olympics...L7PQLanchO7DiUr
By RACHEL BLOUNT, Star Tribune, January 14, 2010 - 1:55 AM

U.S. Figure Skating Championships: Men take the ice first

It might be an omen that the men will go first when the U.S. Figure Skating Championships begin this week. They're likely to lead the American delegation in Vancouver as well, where the United States could see its ice princesses upstaged by a king and his court.

World champion Evan Lysacek, current U.S. champ Jeremy Abbott and veteran star Johnny Weir top a loaded men's field at the nationals in Spokane, Wash., where the U.S. Olympic team will be selected. They're also among the best male skaters on the planet, which could translate to history at the 2010 Olympics next month. The United States hasn't put more than one man on the Olympic podium since a sweep in 1956, and Lysacek and Abbott are first and third in the world rankings.

The American women, who have done poorly in international competition over the past year, earned only two spots in the Olympic field and will compete for them next weekend. The men will slug it out in Friday's short program and Sunday's free skate for three Winter Games berths. U.S. teams also stand first and third in the world rankings in ice dancing, giving it a shot at its best Olympic showing ever.

THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Competition in novice, junior and senior events runs from Thursday through Jan. 23 at Spokane Arena. The U.S. Olympic team -- two women, three men, two pairs and three dance teams -- will be chosen after the event finals, with the top finishers at nationals almost certain to make the roster.

THE SCHEDULE

For the first time, the championships stretch out over 10 days. Friday includes the pairs short program (3:30 p.m.) and men's short program (9:30 p.m.); Saturday, the pairs free skate (1 p.m.); and Sunday, the men's free skate (12:30 p.m.). Up next week: Jan. 21, compulsory dance (12:30 p.m.) and women's short program (9:30 p.m.); Jan. 22, original dance (8 p.m.); and Jan. 23, free dance (1:40 p.m.) and women's free skate (6 p.m.). For the full schedule and results, go to www.usfsa.org

ON TV

NBC and Universal Sports will show live and taped events throughout the 10 days. NBC's live coverage includes the pairs free skate (Saturday, 3:30 p.m.); men's free skate (Sunday, 3:30 p.m.); free dance (Jan. 23, 2 p.m.) and women's free skate (Jan. 23, 8 p.m.) The full TV schedule is at www.usfsa.org

http://www.isu.org/vsite/vcontent/content/...ws-item,00.html
15 Jan 2010 10:18

ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2010 - Preview

The ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2010 will open in Tallinn, Estonia, on January 19. Estonia is hosting an ISU Championship for the first time in history. 177 skaters/couples from 38 ISU members have been entered for the Championships. All skaters/couples will compete in the Short Program/Compulsory Dance and Original Dance, and the top 20 Men and Ladies and the top 16 Pairs/Ice Dance couples will proceed to the Free Skating.

Overview over the top contenders

Reigning European Champion Brian Joubert (FRA) will face stiff competition from Olympic Champion Evgeni Plushenko (RUS) and two-time World Champion Stéphane Lambiel (SUI) who both returned to competition this season. Joubert posted a seasons best of 232.70 points at the NHK Trophy, while Plushenko scored 240.65 at the Rostelecom Cup in the Grand Prix series. Lambiel didn’t compete in the Grand Prix but only at the ISU Olympic Qualifying Competition Nebelhorn Trophy in Oberstdorf last September. 2008 European Champion Tomas Verner (CZE) would like to step on to the European podium again (seasons best 229.96 points). Reigning European silver medallist Samuel Contesti (ITA/seasons best 207.85) as well as two-time and reigning European bronze medallist Kevin van der Perren (BEL/ seasons best 189.33 points) are in the running again. Yannick Ponsero (FRA) was edged out of a medal last year by a slim margin and wants to take his revenge (seasons best 205.74 points). Sergei Voronov (RUS/seasons best 220.39), World junior silver medallist Michal Brezina (CZE/seasons best 217.48) and Alban Préaubert (FRA/seasons best 212.28) are other contenders. 2005 European bronze medallist Stefan Lindeman (GER) makes his comeback after missing the past two seasons.

In the Ladies event, reigning European Champion Laura Lepistö (FIN) will be challenged by a group of strong competitors. Lepistö comes with a seasons best of 158.52 points to Tallinn. Her teammate, 2007 European bronze medallist Kiira Korpi (FIN) posted 163.27 points, which is the highest seasons best score of an European Lady in the Grand Prix series. Two-time European Champion and reigning European silver medallist Carolina Kostner (ITA/seasons best 154.18) is looking to recapture the title. Two-time European silver medallist Sarah Meier (SUI) wants to stand on the top of the podium this time. Russia’s hopes rely on 2009 World Junior Champion Alena Leonova (seasons best 160.85) and the new Russian Champion Ksenia Makarova (seasons best 147.29), who debuts at the international senior level. Former European Champion Julia Sebestyen (HUN/seasons best 159.03) celebrated a comeback by winning the bronze medal at Cancer.Net Skate America last fall. Other skaters to watch include reigning European bronze medallist Susanna Pöykiö (FIN) and new Italian Champion Valentina Marchei.

Two-time World Pairs Champions Aliona Savchenko/Robin Szolkowy (GER) are aiming at their fourth consecutive European title in Tallinn. The Germans were once again the top European pair on the Grand Prix circuit and won the bronze medal in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. They earned a seasons best of 206.71 points at HomeSense Skate Canada International. Current World bronze medallists Yuko Kavaguti/Alexander Smirnov (RUS) and their teammates Maria Mukhortova/Maxim Trankov (RUS) want to challenge the Germans. The Russian couples took silver and bronze last year. Kavaguti/Smirnov have a seasons best of 193.05 points while Mukhortova/Trankov got 198.35 points at the Trophée Bompard, where they beat Savchenko/Szolkowy for the first time. After finishing fourth in the past two years at the ISU European Championships, Tatiana Volosozhar/Stanislav Morozov (UKR) finally want to make the podium this time (seasons best 171.82). 2007 World Junior silver medallists Vera Bazarova/Juri Larionov (RUS/seasons best 156.28 points) are debuting at European Championships.

The Ice Dance competition promises to become an exciting battle. Reigning World Champions Oksana Domnina/Maxim Shabalin (RUS) are coming back to international competition only now as they sat out the Grand Prix series. They will face their teammates and reigning European Champions Jana Khokhlova/ Sergei Novitski (RUS), who will present a brand-new Free Dance (seasons best 180.57 points). Nathalie Pechalat/Fabian Bourzat (FRA) missed the podium last year just narrowly and have the highest sesaons best score of any European dance couple at 185.07. The bronze medal at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final gives the French additional confidence. Reigning European silver medallists Federica Faiella/Massimo Scali (ITA/seasons best 179.92) and European bronze medallists Sinead Kerr/John Kerr (GBR/seasons best 177.73) want to be on the podium again. Other couples to watch include Anna Cappellini/Luca Lanotte (ITA/seasons best 171.86 points), Alexandra Zaretsky/Roman Zaretsky (ISR/seasons best 171.77), Nora Hoffmann/Maxim Zavozin (HUN), Ekaterina Bobrova/Dmitri Soloviev (RUS/seasons best 161.68) and Anna Zadarozhniuk/Sergei Verbillo (UKR/seasons best 158.09).

Please note that for the seasonal best total scores only the ISU Grand Prix competitions (senior and junior) have been taken into consideration, not other international competitions or National Championships.

Prize money and World standing bonus

The ISU awards a global prize money of US$ 350,000 at the European Championships to skaters/couples placed 1st to 12th. The prize money is awarded to winners and placed skaters/couples as follows:

Men and Ladies
1st place US$ 20,000
2nd place US$ 13,000
3rd place US$ 8,000
....
Pairs and Dance (per couple)
1st place US$ 30,000
2nd place US$ 19,500
3rd place US$ 12,000
...

By competing in the ISU European Figure Skating Championships the athletes earn points towards the World Standings as well. The three skaters/couples per discipline having earned most World Standing points during the 2009/2010 season will be awarded with the World Standing Bonus. The following amounts will be awarded to the concerned skaters/couples:

Ladies & Men
1st: US$ 45,000
2nd: US$ 27,000
3rd: US$ 18,000

Pairs & Dance (per couple)
1st: US$ 67,500
2nd: US$ 40,500
3rd: US$ 27,000


The schedule of the ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2007 is as follows:

Tuesday, January 19: Compulsory Dance, Pairs Short Program
Wednesday, January 20: Men Short Program, Pairs Free Skating
Thursday, January 21: Original Dance, Men Free Skating
Friday, January 22: Ladies Short Program, Free Dance
Saturday, January 23: Ladies Free Skating
Sunday, November 24: Exhibition Gala

For more information, full entry lists and results please see: Entries/Results and www.euroskate2010.eu

http://blog.taragana.com/sports/2010/01/15...-ability-65786/
By Jim Armstrong, AP January 15th, 2010

Morozov says Asian success in figure skating a product of hard work, natural ability

TOKYO — Russian coach Nikolai Morozov says the recent dominance of Asian skaters in women’s figure skating is due to bodies that are suited to the sport and disciplined training.

Morozov helped Shizuka Arakawa win the gold medal at the 2006 Turin Games for Japan’s first Olympic figure skating victory and has resurrected the career of Miki Ando, one of three women who will represent Japan at the Vancouver Olympics.

South Korean Kim Yu-na is the gold medal favorite for Vancouver but will be challenged by rival Mao Asada and Ando. An Asian sweep of the podium is not out of the question.

“Asian skaters have a very good body structure for skating,” Morozov said Friday. “They have a lower center of gravity so it’s much easier for them to jump.

“They also have very good discipline, when you tell them what to do they just listen and do it.”

Morozov, 34, was in Tokyo on Friday to promote his new book “Kiss and Cry,” a Japanese-language account of his coaching career.

When Ando finished a disappointing 15th in Turin, many felt it might be the end of her competitive career, even though she was only 18. But in stepped Morozov, and one year later Ando was the world champion inTokyo.

Under Morozov’s guidance, the 22-year-old Ando has flourished this season, winning two Grand Prix events and earning a silver medal at the Grand Prix final in Tokyo last month.

Ando is the only woman to complete a quadruple jump in competition, hitting one at the 2002 junior Grand Prix final. While there has been speculation she will attempt one in Vancouver, Morozov said it’s unlikely.

“She is capable of doing it anytime,” Morozov said. “I’ve seen her do four in practice but she isn’t 15 anymore and has so much else to work on in her routine.”

Morozov also coaches Nobunari Oda, one of three Japanese men who will compete in Vancouver, and American-Japanese ice dancers Cathy and Chris Reed, who will also represent Japan at the Olympics.

Japanese fans are desperate for another figure skating gold following Arakawa’s win in Turin. Figure skating is one of the few sports where Japan is expected to medal in Vancouver.

“Everyone wants a gold but it won’t be easy,” Morozov said. “Japan got spoiled with Arakawa and wants it to happen again.”

Morozov competed in the ice dancing event at the 1998 Nagano Olympics. After his retirement from competitive skating, he became a coaching assistant to Tatiana Tarasova, who now coaches Asada.

According to this article, Worlds 2010/2011 (21-27 March, 2011) will be held in Yoyogi National Gymnasium (Tokyo, Japan). Apparently, Japan Skating Federation changed venue from Nagano to Tokyo.

http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20100121-00000099-mai-spo

http://www.examiner.com/x-20118-Figure-Ska...n-Championships
February 7, Figure Skating Examiner, Jackie Wong

Opining on the European Championships

A few thoughts on the European Championships last month as we move toward the Olympics this coming week.

Aboriginal?
This season’s folk/country dance theme for the original dance has certainly seen its share of reactions. While the ISU has encouraged dance teams to skate to music from their home countries, many of the top teams have opted against doing so. U.S. champions Meryl Davis and Charlie White have had much success both with the judges and casual viewers with their Indian folk dance.

But there was quite a lot of hubbub about Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin’s Aboriginal folk dance. An Australian Aboriginal leader even told a newspaper that the dance was “offensive” and was a way of “stealing Aboriginal culture.” While it’s true that to most observers, Domnina and Shabalin’s costumes and interpretations seem cartoonish and almost a bit absurd, it is difficult to imagine that they really meant any harm in their choreography.

Ice dance is a tough discipline, because it does rely so heavily on interpretation and, at times, histrionics. Some writers have commented that these original dances are caricatures. But really, how different is it for ice dancers to be skating to another culture’s music than it is for, say, Michelle Kwan to skate to a flamenco or for Miki Ando to portray Cleopatra?

The Russian pairs dynasty still has some hope of continuing.
Even with a mistake and some shoulder adjustment in the middle of their free skate, Russians Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov succeeded in dethroning Germany’s Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy as European champions. Through the Grand Prix Final, when the two top Chinese teams and the Germans outperformed and outscored the two Russian teams, it seemed like the Russian pairs dynasty would end at 12 consecutive gold medals. But the results at Europeans indicate that there may be hope yet for them.

Probably the biggest shock was how similar the Russians’ Program Components Score (PCS) was to that of the Germans. The leap in their Program Components Score (PCS) from earlier in the season to the European Championships, however, was pretty significant. The Russians have been averaging about one point in average PCS below the Germans, but at Europeans, they were practically the same. It will be interesting to see how Kavaguti and Smirnov stack up against the top pairs in Vancouver with a different judging panel.

Kostner is looking better, but not quite a medal contender yet.
A month of practice and regrouping was good for two-time World medalist Carolina Kostner. After faltering all season, including placing second at Italian Nationals in December, Kostner rediscovered her triple lutz and her triple-triple combination to win Europeans for a third time.

But even with the win, she will still be considered an outside shot for the podium in Vancouver. Her competition at Europeans was sparse at best. But her performances in Tallinn were still a great sign for a skater who, at her best, can beat pretty much anyone else in the world.

The European men's podium could very well be the Olympic podium.
The three medalists at Europeans, Evgeni Plushenko, Stephane Lambiel, and Brian Joubert, could very well be at the top again in Vancouver. But interestingly enough, the men's field will be so deep at the Olympics that it is even possible that none of them end up on the podium. It will likely take two clean performances to just win a medal for the men.

www.isuresults.com/results/wc2010/CAT003RS.HTM

Pairs - Final results

1 Qing PANG / Jian TONG CHN 211.39 1 1
2 Aliona SAVCHENKO / Robin SZOLKOWY GER 204.74 3 2
3 Yuko KAVAGUTI / Alexander SMIRNOV RUS 203.79 2 3
4 Maria MUKHORTOVA / Maxim TRANKOV RUS 197.39 4 4
5 Dan ZHANG / Hao ZHANG CHN 195.78 5 5
6 Jessica DUBE / Bryce DAVISON CAN 177.07 8 6
7 Caydee DENNEY / Jeremy BARRETT USA 172.47 6 8
8 Vera BAZAROVA / Yuri LARIONOV RUS 172.04 7 7

www.isuresults.com/results/wc2010/CAT004RS.HTM

Ice Dance - Final Result

FPl. Name Nation Points CD OD FD
1 Tessa VIRTUE / Scott MOIR CAN 224.43 1 1 2
2 Meryl DAVIS / Charlie WHITE USA 223.03 2 2 1
3 Federica FAIELLA / Massimo SCALI ITA 197.85 3 3 4
4 Nathalie PECHALAT / Fabian BOURZAT FRA 194.39 4 4 3
5 Sinead KERR / John KERR GBR 189.11 6 5 5
6 Alexandra ZARETSKY / Roman ZARETSKY ISR 181.26 8 6 6
7 Vanessa CRONE / Paul POIRIER CAN 180.30 9 7 7
8 Ekaterina BOBROVA / Dmitri SOLOVIEV RUS 177.23 11 8 8
9 Emily SAMUELSON / Evan BATES USA 168.77 10 10 10
10 Nora HOFFMANN / Maxim ZAVOZIN HUN 166.90 13 11 9
11 Anna CAPPELLINI / Luca LANOTTE ITA 164.52 7 12 14
12 Pernelle CARRON / Lloyd JONES FRA 161.86 15 13 12
13 Ekaterina RUBLEVA / Ivan SHEFER RUS 161.20 16 16 11
.....
WD Jana KHOKHLOVA / Sergei NOVITSKI RUS 5 9

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Men - Final Result ... here: #entry386767964

I like very much about women's results!!! Finnish Laura Lepistö is third! First time in history: Women's single Figure Skating medal to Finland! :o) BRONZE!!!

Congratulations Anuradha - nice success!

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www.isuresults.com/results/wc2010/index.htm

Ladies - Short Program

Result Details

1 Mirai NAGASU USA 70.40 40.20 30.20 7.60 7.15 7.70 7.70 7.60 0.00 #50
2 Mao ASADA JPN 68.08 37.12 30.96 7.95 7.25 7.95 7.65 7.90 0.00 #45
3 Laura LEPISTO FIN 64.30 34.98 29.32 7.45 7.10 7.20 7.40 7.50 0.00 #48
4 Carolina KOSTNER ITA 62.20 33.20 29.00 7.25 6.90 7.25 7.35 7.50 0.00 #44
5 Ksenia MAKAROVA RUS 62.06 36.90 25.16 6.50 5.90 6.50 6.25 6.30 0.00 #42
6 Rachael FLATT USA 60.88 33.80 27.08 6.60 6.15 7.25 6.85 7.00 0.00 #53
7 Yu-Na KIM KOR 60.30 30.02 30.28 7.95 7.45 7.30 7.70 7.45 0.00 #51
8 Cynthia PHANEUF CAN 59.50 33.94 25.56 6.50 6.05 6.50 6.40 6.50 0.00 #30
9 Viktoria HELGESSON SWE 56.32 32.68 23.64 6.05 5.65 6.10 5.90 5.85 0.00 #39
10 Julia SEBESTYEN HUN 56.10 30.06 26.04 6.85 6.05 6.70 6.50 6.45 0.00 #54
11 Miki ANDO JPN 55.78 28.70 28.08 7.20 6.70 7.00 7.10 7.10 1.00 #47
12 Elene GEDEVANISHVILI GEO 55.26 30.34 25.92 6.55 6.00 6.65 6.45 6.75 1.00 #49
13 Sarah HECKEN GER 55.20 33.64 21.56 5.80 4.95 5.45 5.40 5.35 0.00 #33
14 Alena LEONOVA RUS 54.36 29.40 25.96 6.60 5.95 6.80 6.55 6.55 1.00 #55
15 Jenna MCCORKELL GBR 52.12 29.92 22.20 6.00 5.20 5.75 5.45 5.35 0.00 #37
16 Kiira KORPI FIN 51.72 26.68 26.04 6.70 6.25 6.60 6.55 6.45 1.00 #4

--------------------

Ladies - Free Skating

Result Details

1 Yu-Na KIM KOR 130.49 66.45 65.04 8.35 7.75 7.95 8.15 8.45 1.00 #15
2 Mao ASADA JPN 129.50 67.02 62.48 8.25 7.40 7.95 7.55 7.90 0.00 #20
3 Miki ANDO JPN 122.04 63.64 58.40 7.35 6.85 7.60 7.30 7.40 0.00 #14
4 Cynthia PHANEUF CAN 118.04 61.48 56.56 7.20 6.65 7.35 7.15 7.00 0.00 #17
5 Carolina KOSTNER ITA 115.11 54.87 60.24 7.70 7.20 7.55 7.55 7.65 0.00 #19
6 Laura LEPISTO FIN 114.32 54.24 60.08 7.60 7.40 7.45 7.50 7.60 0.00 #22
7 Akiko SUZUKI JPN 111.68 58.96 52.72 6.80 6.10 6.85 6.55 6.65 0.00 #6
8 Ksenia MAKAROVA RUS 107.58 55.14 53.44 6.80 6.20 7.00 6.70 6.70 1.00 #24
9 Rachael FLATT USA 106.56 53.20 53.36 6.75 6.45 6.75 6.75 6.65 0.00 #21
10 Viktoria HELGESSON SWE 105.47 54.91 50.56 6.40 6.05 6.55 6.40 6.20 0.00 #16
11 Mirai NAGASU USA 105.08 49.04 57.04 7.40 6.75 7.20 7.25 7.05 1.00 #23
12 Jenna MCCORKELL GBR 98.78 51.82 46.96 6.10 5.40 6.20 5.80 5.85 0.00 #10
13 Sarah HECKEN GER 98.74 54.14 45.60 5.90 5.35 5.85 5.70 5.70 1.00 #7
14 Alena LEONOVA RUS 98.50 51.50 48.00 6.25 5.75 6.00 6.00 6.00 1.00 #8

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Ladies - Final Result

1 Mao ASADA JPN 197.58 2 2
2 Yu-Na KIM KOR 190.79 7 1
3 Laura LEPISTO FIN 178.62 3 6
4 Miki ANDO JPN 177.82 11 3
5 Cynthia PHANEUF CAN 177.54 8 4
6 Carolina KOSTNER ITA 177.31 4 5
7 Mirai NAGASU USA 175.48 1 11
8 Ksenia MAKAROVA RUS 169.64 5 8
9 Rachael FLATT USA 167.44 6 9
10 Viktoria HELGESSON SWE 161.79 9 10
11 Akiko SUZUKI JPN 160.04 20 7
12 Sarah HECKEN GER 153.94 13 13
13 Alena LEONOVA RUS 152.86 14 14
14 Jenna MCCORKELL GBR 150.90 15 12
15 Julia SEBESTYEN HUN 147.66 10 15
16 Yan LIU CHN 141.29 18 16
17 Cheltzie LEE AUS 137.78 17 17
18 Elene GEDEVANISHVILI GEO 137.33 12 21

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