China's Sui Wenjing / Han Cong of China, the reigning World Silver Medalists, skated a beautiful and slightly flawed program to win their first Grand Prix title. They were in second place after the short, but couldn't be touched in the long. They received a total score 202.00. They were elegant and breathtaking and if they can skate these two programs clean? Watch out world. They must medal in their next Grand Prix to qualify for their third Grand Prix Final, second in a row. Their next GP is their home GP, Cup of China, in two weeks where they are also favorites.
Winning their first medal on the GP circuit is Alexa Scimeca / Chris Knierim of the United States, who proved that they were ready to play with the rest of the world. They lead after the short, but were fourth in the free for an overall score of 191.97. They have a good shot, at the moment, of qualiying for the Grand Prix Final. However, they must medal in their next competition to have a shot. Their next GP is the final one, NHK Trophy, and they face very stiff competition there - the reigning Olympic Champs, the reigning World Champs,and the two-time Junior World Champs.
In a suprising but well deserved third are Canada's Julianne Seguin/Charlie Bilodeau. They skated two beautiful programs, though they weren't perfect. They earned a total score of 189.49. They have a chance of making the GP final - but it will require at least a second place finish at their next competition. Their next GP is the Trophee Bompard in three weeks, where they face the reigning Olympic Champs, the talented Tarasova / Morozov of Russia as well as the powerhouse Peng / Zhang of China. It'll be tough - but it is possible.
Ksenia Stolbova / Fedor Klimov of Russia, the reiging Olympic Silver Medalists, had a troubled short program that put them in a hole. Their second-place free wasn't enough to medal against the cleaner Canaidans, and they ended up in second place with a total score of 186.06. They have a chance at making the GP Final still, but it will require a win - and only a win. It'll be very tough for them to do that there, but they are more than capable.
Tarah Kayne / Daniel O'Shea of the US skated very well, earning a 165.99 for sixth place. The third America pair, Jessia Pfund / Joshua Santillan, skated to a 151.40 for last place. I only had two placements right - the winners Sui / Han and Kayne / O'Shea for 6th.
The ladies medals were awarded next.
Evgenia Medvedeva of Russia had a fantastic competition, with only a couple of mistakes. She was mature and elegant, though I think overscored on PCS a bit. She won with a huge 206.01. Her next competition is the Rostelecom cup, her own GP. She will face stiff competition, but she is easily capable of doing so and earning her first trip to the GP Final.
Gracie Gold of the US had one of her best competitions in years. In fact, a doubled jump stopped her from winning. Without it, she would have won. She earned a personal best 202.80. Her next GP is the Trophee Bompard, where is favored to win. She should earn another trip to the GP Final, which will be her first since he she had to withdraw last year.
Satoko Miyhara of Japan earned the bronze, with two good but flawed programs. She earned a 188.07, placing third in both the short and the free. She will need to place at least second to have a chance making the GP Final. Her next competition is the final one, NHK Trophy. She will have to face off against Mao Asada, also of Japan, Ashley Wagner of the US, and Kaetlyn Osmond of Canada.
The other two Americans skated well. Karen Chen earned 172.54 for fifth, and Mariah Bell earned 160.94 for eighth. I had two placements right - Elizabet Tursynbaeva of Kazakhstan who was 4th and Miyu Nakashio of Japan who was 11th.
The Ice Dancers were next.
Madison Chock / Evan Bates of the US won, as predicted, for two clean programs with a score of 173.22. This sets them up for making the GP Final. Their next GP is the Cup of China in two weeks, where they will face former World Champs from Italy, Anna Cappellini / Luca Lanotte. They should be at the Final though for the second straight year. They must simply medal, and they should do more than that just medal.
Victoria Sinitsina / Nikita Katsalapov of Russia were second, who looked very good, almost breaking 100 points in the free program with a total score of 162.21. They have a shot at making the GP Final. Their next GP is the Rostelecom Cup, where they will face off against Cappellini / Lanotte, world medalists Weaver / Poje of Canada and follow Russians Ilinykh / Zhinganshin. They must equal their placement here to be through for sure, though a bronze would put them in good position. Anything else wouldn't.
In bronze with two slightly flawed programs are Canada's Piper Gilles / Paul Poirier. This wasn't the competition for them, but they got bronze for 157.58. I don't think they'll make the Final, but it is possible. Their next competition is the Trophee Bompard, where the face regining World Champs Papadakis / Cizeron of France, Americans Hubbell / Donahue and Russians Stepanova / Bukin. They need to place second to secure a spot. Anything else and they're out.
The other two American couples did very well. Kaitlin Hawayek / Jean-luc Baker were fourth with a 150.69 while Anastasia Cannuscio / Colin McManus were fifth with a 143.67.
Previews for Skate Canada will come soon.
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