Rostelecom Cup 2014 - Ladies' First Day

The only Russian wonder-child present here, Anna Pogorilaya, is a certainty for the ladies' lead. But second and third place is open for almost everyone to take. Let's see who does it.

Maria Artemieva is the first of the two skaters Russia is presenting today. I see poise and the elegance you expect from someone skating to the soundtrack of Coco Chanel, but it is very obvious that she's at the start of her career. Her step sequence is really slow and she falls on the triple Loop. Her score: 51.88.

Ashley Cain took the lead from the Russian novices
Photograph: Kevin Lee/Getty Images Asia

Maria Stavitskaia, the second new face, has just as much class. She is equally inexperienced, although her mistake, a hand down on the triple Loop, is less serious. Her music: Slave of Love. She gets 54.78 points.

Ashley Cain's ambition will get her far if she improves her skating skills. She aces every element, never afraid to attack them. I'm not sure that Mission Impossible is a good theme for her though. It doesn't say anything to me. Her score: 57.18.

Eliska Brezinova's choice of programmes is just as interesting as her brother's. However, there is a huge difference in delivery. Her interpretation of Megapolis lacks charisma and her costume is a bit all over the place; plus, pink and blue should never be paired. She falls on the triple Lutz as well. She gets 46.64 points.

I just love So Youn Park's little jumps to match the sharp sound of the violins. That's what you want to see with classical music: movements that follow the tempo. Her Introduction et Rondo Capriccioso by Camille Saint-Saens is a good routine artistically, but she messes up the triple Toeloop. Her score: 53.71.

Miyabi Oba represents her home country with a beautiful musical piece by a Japanese composer. I've never heard of Rephoina before, but I'm glad I do now. Her skating is so graceful and that purple ombre dress is to die for. Unfortunately, her technical is rough around the edges with a fall on the triple Salchow and another during the step sequence, where she loses her balance. She gets 46.76 points.

Alaine Chartrand is just fabulous in that red costume, feeling the music of La Lleyenda del Beso (The Legend of the Kiss). She makes no mistake whatsoever, which when combined with the presentation should put her in first place. Her score: 61.18.

Rika Hongo, a pleasant surprise from Japan
Photograph: Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images Asia

Rika Hongo's Le Corsaire is so merry, you can't help but smile along. She is expressive and benefits from a complex choreography, which makes up for the low level of difficulty of her elements. And she joins the ranks of ladies in purple. Is this the colour of the season? She gets 59.85 points.

I was disappointed when Joshi Helgesson withdrew from Skate America, so I'm happy to see her here. She is one of the skaters who look like they're having extra fun on ice and she transmits that to the audience. This is not her day though as the only jump she lands is the double Axel. The fault lies mostly with her injury. Her score: 44.00.

Mirai Nagasu has had a tough couple of years, but she's showing signs of getting back in form. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini is my favourite short programme of hers. It's just incredibly graceful and smooth. Although she lands all the jumps, some of them might be under-rotated. She gets 58.90 points.

Adagio is such an emotional, powerful song that it requires a lot more conviction than Anna Pogorilaya shows today. I don't know what's happened, but the jumps aren't all that good either. Her score: 59.32.

Never assume something's certain in figure skating! This event turns out to be just as mind-boggling as Cup of China. Who would've thought Pogorilaya would be overtaken not only by Alaine Chartrand, but also by Rika Hongo? Can't wait to see what happens next.