The first Grand Prix event starts on Friday! I will be going through each of the four disciplines, detailing any withdrawals, additions after the initial entries, giving my opinion on each skater and an overall guess of how the competitors will end up.
Next up, the Ladies!
None of the disciplines had any withdrawals, so the only change to the original was that Karen Chen was announced as the host pick. She was one of my top guesses, being the reigning US Bronze Medalist, so yay for me.
Now for the competitors, again in order of country and name:
Basically, this competition could go one of three ways.
Alaine Chartrand - Canada - She had a decent senior debut season last year, winning a surprise bronze medal at Rostelecom Cup and placing 11th at Worlds. (Too bad for her and Canada that her fellow Canadian Gabrielle Daleman placed 21st, giving them only one spot for Worlds this year and Katelyn Osmond returning. That's another story, though.) Anyway, she has what it takes to place in the top five, and skating clean could do just that. In this field, she'll need to be clean in order to do so. This is her second season on the GP circuit.
Haruka Imai - Japan - Her performance at the Skate Canada Autumn classic was a step in the right direction for her. In this field, though, she could get buried. She has placed as high as fourth, but it'll be hard to repeat unless she's perfect. She isn't known for her consistency. This is her sixth season on the circuit.
Satoko Miyahara - Japan - The reigning Japanese Champion and World Silver Medalist debuted as a contender last year, and cemented that fact. She's looking good this year, and could win her first GP title this weekend. The boost in components should help, and as long as she's clean, it shouldn't be a problem. This is her third season on the circuit.
Miyu Nakashio - Japan - Another beautiful skater from Japan, she doesn't have the consistency to compete with the other girls. She won't be in the top five. This will be her GP debut.
Elizabet Tursynbaeva - Kazakhstan - A talented up and coming skater, she's not really podium potential for me, but fourth or fifth are certainly possible for her. She isn't known for her consistency, though, so watch out for that. This will be her GP debut.
Park So-youn - South Korea - A beautiful but inconsistent skater, if she can keep it together, she's top five potential. I don't see that happening, though. this is her second season in the circuit.
Julia Lipnitsakaia - Russia - At her best, she isn't just podium worthy, she's gold medal worthy as her gold medal in the team event at the Olympics is proof of. She isn't a favorite here, though, because last year was rather disastrous. Her skate earlier this season at Finlandia was better, but not good enough to medal here. She is easily in the top five, though. This is her fourth season on the circuit.
Evgenia Medvedeva - Russia - Another gold medal contender, she's the reigning Junior World Champion. She's got all the makings to win here, but it'll be hard to beat Miyahara. She can't afford mistakes. This is her Grand Prix debut.
Nicole Rajicova - Slovakia - Last year was a bit better for her with a top-15 showing at Worlds. She's outclassed here, though, and should be near the bottom. This is her GP debut.
Mariah Bell - USA - She has the jumps, but not when it counts. She'll be in the bottom five. This is her GP debut.
Karen Chen - USA - Another beautiful but inconsistent skater, if she can skate the way she did at Nationals, she's top-five potential. Chances are, that's not going to happen. This is her GP debut.
Gracie Gold - USA - The third of the gold medal contenders, she has everything it takes to win here. The early season is not her friend, though. Her Firebird free skate is a step in the right direction for her as an artist. If she can put it all together, she can win her second GP title. This is her fourth season on the circuit.
Now for the predictions:
GOLD - Satoko Miyahara - Things look good for her.
SILVER - Evgenia Medvedeva - She could surprise.
BRONZE - Gracie Gold - Early season inconsistency.
4th - Elizabet Tursynbaeva - Another suprise?
5th - Julia Lipnitskaia - A slip for her?
6th - Karen Chen - Hopeful for her.
7th - Park-so youn - Hard to be higher here.
8th - Alaine Chartrand - Tough for her here.
9th - Haruka Imai
10th - Mariah Bell
11th - Miyu Nakashio
12th - Nicole Rajicova
Next up, Pairs!
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