Cup of China 2014 or How Skaters Get Over Break-Ups
This season's Cup of China, taking place in the slick Oriental Sports Centre of Shanghai, will introduce us not only to new routines from top-of-the-pile skaters, but also to some intriguing new pairings (ahem, the Ilinykh-Katsalapov Affair).
So let's begin with ice dance. Last season, there was a crazy rumour circling around the World Championships that Elena Ilinykh and Nikita Katsalapov were calling it quits. They didn't deny or admit it at first, but they did give themselves away pretty easily (unless rolling your eyes at your partner's mistake is a friendly gesture). When they finally confirmed their partnership was over, it was clear that this was no sudden decision. They had both already procured for themselves brand new partners: Ruslan Zighanshin for Elena and his partner, Victoria Sinitsina for Nikita. Now, I don't know what strings were pulled backstage to mix and match these couples so quickly, but then I don't really care either. The point of the matter is Elena and Ruslan are competing together for the first time in Shanghai and I'm more than curious to see if giving up on a partnership that got her an Olympic Bronze medal was a good idea.
A little less dramatic, but equally unexpected was Yuri Larionov's decision to end his collaboration with Vera Bazarova. Although they weren't quite as successful as the ice-dancers, they were considered creme de la creme and personally, I thought they were starting to go places last season. Anyhow, as any girl who respects herself, Vera wasted no time getting over it, and she is now debuting a new partnership with Andrei Deputat. On the list of things to watch for is if this new pair will follow the same classical path as her and Yuri.
The individual events can't boast with daring new couples, but they can brag with names such as Yuzuru Hanyu and Julia Lipnitskaia taking the spotlight. They're both bound to win the gold, but it's also worth keeping an eye on Elizaveta Tuktamysheva and Han Yan.
Stay tuned for more on Cup of China 2014.
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| Elena and Nikita's last free skate together Photograph: Chris McGrath/Getty Images Asia |
A little less dramatic, but equally unexpected was Yuri Larionov's decision to end his collaboration with Vera Bazarova. Although they weren't quite as successful as the ice-dancers, they were considered creme de la creme and personally, I thought they were starting to go places last season. Anyhow, as any girl who respects herself, Vera wasted no time getting over it, and she is now debuting a new partnership with Andrei Deputat. On the list of things to watch for is if this new pair will follow the same classical path as her and Yuri.
The individual events can't boast with daring new couples, but they can brag with names such as Yuzuru Hanyu and Julia Lipnitskaia taking the spotlight. They're both bound to win the gold, but it's also worth keeping an eye on Elizaveta Tuktamysheva and Han Yan.
Stay tuned for more on Cup of China 2014.
yes, I'd set all for the royal battle between Liza & Yulia. I also watch for Bazarova/Deputat, I always like Vera, though she hardly smiles or shows emotions, but... she's a strong minded woman, I admire her, though I know this pair won't get good result as yet. And finally, of course, Yuzu-chan
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