Skate America 2014
Chicago is less than a week away from hosting the 2014 Skate America and so it is time for me to start blogging again. Skate America will open the Grand Prix Series and as such it is the first truly important competition of the season.
2014/2015 will undoubtedly be the season a new generation of champions emerges, as many Olympic and World title holders have withdrawn from competitive ice. However, with the standards of the sport getting higher each year, it's become a lot less easy to predict who will climb the steps of the podiums.
But before we get to the medal predictions, there's one thing we've got to mention first. This season is the first time we are able to hear lyrics in all the events. To that, I can only say it is high time that the ISU allowed it. The words are making it less difficult for skaters to tell a story, especially those who don't have a partner to share the storytelling with. They also help the public understand a routine a lot better and thus, engage with it on a deeper level. Plus, they're fun! Many athletes have already made use of the new rule. Check out Elladj Balde's soulful James Brown short programme and the hauntingly beautiful Sweeney Todd of Alexander Johnson, who made good use of Johnny Depp's voice.
Neither Johnson nor Balde will skate in Chicago though, so let's see who the top male contenders for the Skate America gold medal are.
Out of the twelve participants, only four have a clear shot at victory. The top contender is Tatsuki Machida, who at last season's Worlds came from nowhere and almost defeated Yuzuru Hanyu. Machida is strong and focused and should have no problem defeating the likes of Denis Ten, who is usually inconsistent throughout the season until the last (or most important) competition, and James Abbott, who's had a couple of sloppy seasons recently. Jason Brown might also have a shot at the podium, but with no quad, he'd need the Japanese to be disastrous in order to win.
But if the boys' is a rather international friendly conflict, the ladies will give us a proper Russian battle, as Elena Radionova and Elizaveta Tuktamysheva will both aim for nothing less than gold. Gracie Gold could nevertheless put into practice the rule of 'when two fight, the third wins.' She is certainly qualified for a gold medal. Maybe we'll see that Triple Axel everyone's whispering about?
The pairs' event is bound to be dominated by Russians as well, since Yuko Kavaguti/Alexander Smirnov are back on ice and better than ever. Other pairs to look out for are Cheng Peng/Hao Zhang, who keep proving my initial predictions wrong and getting better each season, and Alexa Scimeca/Chris Knierim.
Finally, the dancers will most likely keep the gold medal in the US, as neither Madison Chock/Evan Bates, nor Maia/Alex Shibutani have much competition to worry about except each other.
So, with the preparations for 2014 Skate America fully underway, which skaters do you think will grab hold of the first Grand Prix gold medals of the season? And what's your take on the new rule, which allows lyrics on ice for everyone?
2014/2015 will undoubtedly be the season a new generation of champions emerges, as many Olympic and World title holders have withdrawn from competitive ice. However, with the standards of the sport getting higher each year, it's become a lot less easy to predict who will climb the steps of the podiums.
But before we get to the medal predictions, there's one thing we've got to mention first. This season is the first time we are able to hear lyrics in all the events. To that, I can only say it is high time that the ISU allowed it. The words are making it less difficult for skaters to tell a story, especially those who don't have a partner to share the storytelling with. They also help the public understand a routine a lot better and thus, engage with it on a deeper level. Plus, they're fun! Many athletes have already made use of the new rule. Check out Elladj Balde's soulful James Brown short programme and the hauntingly beautiful Sweeney Todd of Alexander Johnson, who made good use of Johnny Depp's voice.
Neither Johnson nor Balde will skate in Chicago though, so let's see who the top male contenders for the Skate America gold medal are.
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| Tatsuki Machida at last season's Worlds Photograph: Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images Asia |
But if the boys' is a rather international friendly conflict, the ladies will give us a proper Russian battle, as Elena Radionova and Elizaveta Tuktamysheva will both aim for nothing less than gold. Gracie Gold could nevertheless put into practice the rule of 'when two fight, the third wins.' She is certainly qualified for a gold medal. Maybe we'll see that Triple Axel everyone's whispering about?
The pairs' event is bound to be dominated by Russians as well, since Yuko Kavaguti/Alexander Smirnov are back on ice and better than ever. Other pairs to look out for are Cheng Peng/Hao Zhang, who keep proving my initial predictions wrong and getting better each season, and Alexa Scimeca/Chris Knierim.
Finally, the dancers will most likely keep the gold medal in the US, as neither Madison Chock/Evan Bates, nor Maia/Alex Shibutani have much competition to worry about except each other.
So, with the preparations for 2014 Skate America fully underway, which skaters do you think will grab hold of the first Grand Prix gold medals of the season? And what's your take on the new rule, which allows lyrics on ice for everyone?
I think that Liza and Lena will fight for gold, and the 3 B-series that Liza took part in really make me worried, she may be tired and can't skate her best, but nevertheless, I have faith in her. Gold may take the bronze medal, maybe even silver, but I can't see her defeat both Lena and Liza, honestly.
ReplyDeleteIn pair I vote for Kavaguti/Smirnov, I like them most, of course, but also, she landed a throw quad salchow, while Peng still has troubles with her 3S in FP, but we should wait and see, last season, Peng is still a girl, she is 18 now, she could improve.
I like the Shibsibs more than Chock/Bates, CB are like a poor copy-cat version of Davis and White. No one can be Davis/White, what they are trying to do is... uhm... ridiculous. But they also are the favour of US Skating Federation (what is wong with USF anyway), they have more support, so I don't know...
_TheGothicEme_
Machida is a lock for gold obviously. Liza and Radionova for the gold, and Gracie, sadly will have to try her best to get the bronze.
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