Rostelecom Cup 2015 - Double Duels (Short Dance)

It's day one of the 2015 Rostelecom Cup, and as all the attention is directed at the skaters, Russian fans must be at a loss. Who to cheer for - Sinitsina/Katsalapov or Ilinikh/Zighansin? Past history aside, they're the best the host has got competing in Moscow, and the decision must be hard. Not that picking a favourite couple for the gold medal is any easier. Weaver/Poje and Cappellini/Lanotte have both been outstanding this season. The ruling will likely be in the details.

We start with Victoria Sinitsina/Nikita Katsalapov, who are very literally at home in Moscow. Their routine is a classic Russian waltz with music by Tchaikovski and balletic costumes. Although elegant, it's not as sharp as at Skate America. The twizzles, in particular, are messy. Their score: 63.63.

Rebeka Kim/Kirill Minov choose a Parisian theme for the short. Not good, not bad, they have a few cute moments in the choreography. Nice twizzles and rotational lift. They get 51.83 points.

Elena Ilinykh/Ruslan Zhighanshin seem to be out of the equation as he falls on the twizzles and can't get back into position. I'm still not alright with the sudden change in musical style, especially because the costumes don't match the second part in the least. Loved the first bit though. Their score: 54.46.

Watching Charlene Guignard/Marco Fabbri is like going to the opera or the theatre. Every single emotion is amplified in their presentation. They're having a fantastic season, mainly because their elements are sharper than before. The presentation is just as exuberant as always. They get 60.58 points.

Anna Cappellini/Luca Lanotte are glamorous, witty and just a tinge amusing on The Merry Widow. The twizzles are without a doubt the best of the night so far, but the rotational lift looks a bit too long. Compared to their co-nationals, I have to say, although both couples are very expressive, Anna and Luca's style is more sophisticated and complex. Their score: 67.82.

Just when you think it can't get better, Kaitlyn Weaver/Andrew Poje step on the ice. I love it when skaters get creative with the storytelling, and these two definitely did when choosing to dress as if attending the Tsar's birthday ball. It just comes off as more beautiful than the Italians' to me. I'm actually surprised how easy I find it to pick out a clear favourite here. They get 69.49 points.

Canada is in the lead for now, but the Italians have a tremendous free skate, which might just get them a gold medal. Don't miss Elena and Ruslan's final battle to get the bronze medal either. Can they do it? Stay tuned for the final and find out.

Check out the boy's short programme here: http://bit.ly/1Nilxj1

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