Trophee de France 2016 Preview
Ladies and gentlemen, Trophee Eric Bompard is no more. The French Grand Prix event is now officially called Trophee de France after changing its name for the fourth time since 1987.
Originally known as Grand Prix International de Paris, its name changes happened in sync with main sponsor changes. Thus the competition was also called Trophee Lalique, after a French glass company, and of course, Eric Bompard, after a French fashion company. Does this mean it'll likely get a new name once a new sponsor is welcome on board? Likely so, but we'll have to wait at least another season to see. In the meantime, let's see who are the main skaters to watch this weekend in Paris.
Javier Fernandez - nothing's changed since last week when I listed the top skaters to watch at Rostelecom Cup. The Spaniard seems an even surer bet with none of his main rivals present in Paris.
Denis Ten - I know I just said none of his rivals are here, but the sad truth is the Kazakh's last season took him out of Javier's rival circle. He's nothing if not a comeback king though.
Adam Rippon - the American won a bronze at Skate America a few weeks ago, and has a gorgeous free skate this season, so you'd better not take your eyes off him in France.
Nathan Chen - I'm putting another newbie on the watchlist because a) he won the Junior Grand Prix Final last season, and b) he won the bronze at the 2016 Senior US Nationals.
Takahito Mura - a bit reluctant to name him as a contender for the podium as he's been quite inconsistent lately, but he's always a joy to watch.
Also worth mentioning Chafik Besseghier, Ivan Righini and Misha Ge, three very entertaining skaters who have been on the up recently.
Natalia Zabjiako/Alexander Enbert - no way I'm not putting them on the watchlist after they finished the short first in Moscow. I know circumstances had a big role, but they still got silver,
Evgenia Medvedeva - the Russian hasn't lost a competition since Rostelecom Cup 2015, so about this time last year, and it doesn't look like she's about to do it in Paris.
Mao Asada - the Japanese finished on a disappointing 6th place at Skate America and she had an injury last time we saw her which made her take the triple Axel out, but I'll always keep her on my list.
Gabrielle Daleman - she's been getting better and better each season, so I have a feeling her time to shine is not far away.
Gracie Gold - Skate America was not the best competition for her, so I'll abstain from making predictions about how she'll skate here and hope for the best.
Maria Sotskova - I've never seen Maria skate before, so I'm wondering if she'll prove out to be another Russian 'wonder-child'. She's a Junior World silver medalist.
Gabriella Papadakis/Guillaume Cizeron - first Grand Prix competition of the season for the World champs. They're doing music by a variety of artists among whom Lene Riebau and Olafur Arnalds.
Piper Gilles/Paul Poirier - I am a super fan of these two, so I'm looking forward to them winning at least another bronze medal in Paris. Pretty please?
Madison Hubbell/Zachary Donohue - with a beautiful free skate routine and a silver medal in their pockets already, this couple is showing signs they're the season's dark horses.
Elena Ilinykh/Ruslan Zhiganshin - after their performance in Chicago, this could well just be wishful thinking. I couldn't get into their routines at Skate America, but looking forward to a second viewing.
Isabella Tobias/Ilia Tkachenko - not podium material, but these two skaters have become far more interesting to me since pairing up.
So those are the main skaters I'll be keeping an eye on this weekend. Have any of your favourites made my list?
Originally known as Grand Prix International de Paris, its name changes happened in sync with main sponsor changes. Thus the competition was also called Trophee Lalique, after a French glass company, and of course, Eric Bompard, after a French fashion company. Does this mean it'll likely get a new name once a new sponsor is welcome on board? Likely so, but we'll have to wait at least another season to see. In the meantime, let's see who are the main skaters to watch this weekend in Paris.
MEN
Javier Fernandez - nothing's changed since last week when I listed the top skaters to watch at Rostelecom Cup. The Spaniard seems an even surer bet with none of his main rivals present in Paris.
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| Javier Fernandez during the free skate in Moscow Photograph: Joosep Martinson – ISU/ISU via Getty Images |
Adam Rippon - the American won a bronze at Skate America a few weeks ago, and has a gorgeous free skate this season, so you'd better not take your eyes off him in France.
Nathan Chen - I'm putting another newbie on the watchlist because a) he won the Junior Grand Prix Final last season, and b) he won the bronze at the 2016 Senior US Nationals.
Takahito Mura - a bit reluctant to name him as a contender for the podium as he's been quite inconsistent lately, but he's always a joy to watch.
Also worth mentioning Chafik Besseghier, Ivan Righini and Misha Ge, three very entertaining skaters who have been on the up recently.
PAIRS
Aliona Savchenko/Bruno Massot - I almost typed Robin Szolkowy. Ah, good memories. Back to the now, what I said about Javier applies to the Germans too. Moscow wasn't perfect, but it was a win.
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| Aliona and Bruno won gold at Rostelecom Cup 2016 Photograph: Joosep Martinson – ISU/ISU via Getty Images |
Evgenia Tarasova/Vladimir Morozov - if the Germans have any rivals here, it's them. They finished third in Skate America, but they'll be reaching for at least the silver in Paris.
I'll stop at three pairs given that there are only six in total, but not before saying the host's Vanessa James/Morgan Cipres are also likely to end up in the top 4.
LADIES
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| Evgenia Medvedeva is leading the ladies' GP standings Photograph: om Szczerbowski/Getty Images North America |
Mao Asada - the Japanese finished on a disappointing 6th place at Skate America and she had an injury last time we saw her which made her take the triple Axel out, but I'll always keep her on my list.
Gabrielle Daleman - she's been getting better and better each season, so I have a feeling her time to shine is not far away.
Gracie Gold - Skate America was not the best competition for her, so I'll abstain from making predictions about how she'll skate here and hope for the best.
Maria Sotskova - I've never seen Maria skate before, so I'm wondering if she'll prove out to be another Russian 'wonder-child'. She's a Junior World silver medalist.
ICE DANCE
Gabriella Papadakis/Guillaume Cizeron - first Grand Prix competition of the season for the World champs. They're doing music by a variety of artists among whom Lene Riebau and Olafur Arnalds.
Piper Gilles/Paul Poirier - I am a super fan of these two, so I'm looking forward to them winning at least another bronze medal in Paris. Pretty please?
Madison Hubbell/Zachary Donohue - with a beautiful free skate routine and a silver medal in their pockets already, this couple is showing signs they're the season's dark horses.
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| Madison and Zachary will be looking to get a medal in Paris Photograph: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images North America |
Isabella Tobias/Ilia Tkachenko - not podium material, but these two skaters have become far more interesting to me since pairing up.
So those are the main skaters I'll be keeping an eye on this weekend. Have any of your favourites made my list?
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