Skate Canada: Ladies Short Program

Adriana Desanctis (Canada): Handdown on the triple lutz to start, followed by an alright triple salchow-double toe combo. Her layback spin was nice but it lost speed at the end. Telegraphed double axel, she pitched forward on the landing a bit. Okay combo spin, then slow footwork and a slow spin to end. Her overall program was slow and her music had a strange, moseying feel to it which really didn't help.  26.18 TE + 20.96 PCS = SP 47.14 (9th)


Elizaveta Tuktamisheva (Russia): This is her senior GP debut. Opened with a very nice triple lutz-triple toe, followed by an okay triple loop and a very light, airy double axel (clearly a frontloaded program, but certainly an impressive display regardless). Her layback traveled, and her other two spins weren't particularly great either. Her posture during her footwork could be better, but there was some nice elements to it. She needs maturity, but she's still only 14... she has plenty of time yet and she has a spark about her.  33.95 TE + 25.62 PCS = SP 59.57 (1st)


Sarah Hecken (Germany): Skating to one of the warhorse pieces... Malaguena. Messy triple toe-double toe, followed by a triple salchow that was okay. Her layback could use a lot of improvement. Nice double axel, then she finished up with a couple of okayish spins and footwork sequence. Not a very exciting performance, but it seemed like she was making an effort to try to perform, which I have to appreciate.  22.78 TE 21.72 PCS = SP 44.50 (10th)


Ashley Wagner (USA): Opened with a very nice triple flip-double toe with a Rippon variation on the latter. The landing of her triple lutz was kind of hoppy and she flutzed as well. Finished her jumping passes with a nice double axel. Her spins had nice positions, her footwork was alright, and I really liked her outside edge spread eagle. I liked her program; it was pleasant and suited her well. The thing I like best about Ashley's skating is that she has her own unique feel about her skating that makes her stand out from the other girls. TE 30.02 PCS 24.48 = SP 54.50 (2nd)


Amelie Lacoste (Canada): Okay double axel, a good triple loop-double loop combo, and then a fall on an downgraded triple flutz. Rough day for her. TE 26.71 PCS 24.89 Deduction -1.00 = SP 50.60 (6th)


Cynthia Phaneuf (Canada): I question the design of the back of her skirt...  Nice double axel, and then she popped her triple lutz into a single, followed by a triple toe-double toe. One of her spins was alright, , the others weren't as good. Her footwork sequence that had a bit of sass to it. TE 23.36 PCS 25.34 = SP 48.70 (8th)


Rachael Flatt (USA): I actually forgot that she planned to keep this East of Eden short program, so I was a little surprised to hear it when she started skating, haha. Triple flip-double toe, triple lutz (that one looked possibly a little underrotated to me), and double axel were all completed fine, but her strange technique on all three is still there. That's definitely something I'd love to see her improve on - she'll get more height in her flips/lutzes without the highkick and could get more height of the axel with a different takeoff technique. Her foot position on her layback was nice and turned out, though it'd be nice to see more bend in her back position. Good speed on her footwork but the arm movements could be toned down still. TE 29.14 PCS 25.69 = SP 54.23 (3rd)


Mirai Nagasu (USA): I love her dress, especially the skirt. Lovely Ina Bauer to a nice triple loop and good general speed across the ice. Fall on a downgraded triple lutz, leaving her without a combination. She got it back together with a good double axel, followed by a very pretty layback spin with a good Biellmann variation (free foot in the layback could be turned out a little more, but honestly, that's just nitpicking, considering the overall quality of it). Nice spin position on her flying camel and her footwork was a little slow, but had some nice elements. She finished with nice positions but again, on the slow side. I love Mirai's skating, but I'm not really sold on this program so far. TE 27.61 PCS 26.12 Deduction -1.00 = SP 52.73 (5th)


Alena Leonova (Russia): Interesting pirate costume. Fallout on her combination, a triple toe-triple toe; the second was tilted in the air. Alright triple flip, then a singled axel. Her footwork was character driven but there was a lot of stopping and standing. TE 23.86 PCS 2589 = SP 49.75 (7th)


Akiko Suzuki (Japan): Good presence from the start. Hop out on her triple toe- single loop. Triple lutz looked underrotated to me and got an edge call. Nice double axel and well performed, difficult footwork. Her spins are some of the nicer ones in the competition, with pretty positions and alright speed. I really like this program a lot - it's interesting and she works it. TE 26.14 PCS 26.68 PCS = SP 52.85 (4th)


Short Program Results
Protocols

Skating Updates

Daisuke Takahashi is not retiring and plans to compete next season. He says he wants to take things one season at a time, but has also stated in several interviews that he would like to compete in Sochi. Daisuke will be having knee surgery to remove the screw left from his prior surgery to repair his ACL and meniscus (this month, if I am not mistaken).

Daisuke also spoke to Icenetwork about his 5 favorite things.

Controversy abounds about whether or not Rachael Flatt should have competed at Worlds with her fractured tibia. While I am of the opinion that she should have withdrawn, I think it's more important to be asking why her coach Zakrajsek would even let her compete in such pain (and in fact, has a history of letting or supporting his skaters do so.)

Meryl Davis and Charlie White make history as the first American ice dance team to ever win Worlds. Alongside Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir and Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani, they created another historic moment; it was also the first time that North America swept the entire ice dance podium at Worlds.

The ISU President gave out some more details on the team skating event for Sochi.

Caitlin Yankowskas and John Coughlin are calling it quits (despite their 6th place finish at Worlds...). She is looking for another partner while he is weighing his options.

Yu-Na Kim donated her prize money from her silver medal win at Worlds to UNICEF to help Japanese children.

An article on Alena Leonova.

Takahiko Kozuka talks about his flawless freeskate at Worlds.

Worlds Ladies Freeskate and Final Results

Freeskate results

Protocols

Overall results

Post freeskate interviews

Miki Ando (1st)

Yu-Na Kim (2nd)





Carolina Kostner (3rd)



Alissa Czisny (5th)



Rachael Flatt (12th)

Worlds Ladies Short Results

Short Program Results

Protocols

Post short program interviews

Yu-Na Kim (1st)



Miki Ando (2nd)



Ksenia Makarova (3rd)



Alissa Czisny (4th)



Rachael Flatt (8th)



Kanako Murakami (10th)



Scott Hamilton's take on the ladies short

Skating Updates

 Takahiko Kozuka won the qualifying round in a stunning fashion, his sole mistake being an underrotated quad toe.

An article on Rachael Flatt concerning Worlds and her future skating and college plans.

An article on Yankowskas & Coughlin, Savchenko & Szolkowy, and Alexander Majorov.

Lastly, it is Alex Shibutani's 20th birthday today! Happy birthday Alex, and good luck at Worlds! (see _skating for a celebration post)

Skating Updates

So sorry for the lack of posting! I've been enjoying the calm before the storm that is Worlds. Updates will definitely be a LOT more frequent when it is about to start. That said, here's some recent skating news!

There will be a free Russian live stream of Worlds!

Japanese skating fans should be pleased to hear that Fuji TV will be covering Worlds.

A new Alissa Czisny article by Phil Hersh.

Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir talk about Tessa's injury at 4 Continents, and how the delay of Worlds has enabled them to polish their free dance.They have changed a lift to avoid straining her quad again.

Meryl Davis and Charlie White also believe that the wait has been beneficial, but haven't made any changes to their programs.They're trying not to think about the prospect of being the first U.S. Dance team to win Worlds too much.

An interview with Rachael Flatt.

The Final Round of Fantasy Skating is open!

Patrick Chan talks about his hopes for Worlds. 

Ryan Bradley talks about Worlds (of course) and competing against Daisuke Takahashi at World Juniors in 2002. 

Maia and Alex Shibutani spoke to Icenetwork about their five favorite things.

An update from the ISU. Of interest is the fact they have approved the idea of 3 new pro am competitions, as well as allowing (requiring?) seeded skaters to compete in 3 Grand Prixs each season.

Skating Updates

The International Olympic Committee has approved six new events for the winter Olympics, a team skating event among them.  Some more info. According to Blazing Blades, it is planned to be the first of the skating events in Sochi.

Christina Gao and Rachael Flatt are the recipients of grants from the Women's Sports Foundation.

An interview with Amelie Lacoste.

Universal Sports spoke to Adam Rippon.

An interview with Evan Lysacek.

Nobunari Oda is back in Canada to train for Worlds.

A Patrick Chan article.

Japan may potentially have Worlds in 2015 

Ryan Bradley hopes to medal at Worlds. 

Skating Updates

Shawn Sawyer & Myriane Samson will not be competing at Worlds; Myraine is injured & Shawn is choosing to skate in Canadian Stars on Ice instead. They will be replaced by Kevin Reynolds and Amelie Lacoste

Russia will expedite the visa process for Worlds.

Hungarian ice dancer Nora Hoffman is undergoing treatment for an illness.

Melissa Gregory & Denis Petukhov are holding a skating show.


Alexe Gilles has left Tom Z for Yuka Sato & Jason Dungjen

A recent article on Rachael Flatt.

A recent article on Alissa Czisny.

Sinead Kerr & John Kerr have withdrawn from Worlds - she is having shoulder surgery today.

Sarah & Drew's latest blog - it contains a little more info on the Kerrs' withdrawal and more about the Skaters Care show.

Alissa Czisny's coach Jason Dungjen will be going to Worlds.

UPDATED: Sinead Kerr & John Kerr have announced their retirement from competition. I wish them all the best in future endeavors and a swift recovery for Sinead.

Skating Updates

Marina Zoueva & Carol Lane talk about waiting for Worlds

A translation of the French Federation's offer to give Japan next year's Worlds

Yu-Na Kim gave a sneak peek of her new short program


& will make a pitch for Korea's bid for the 2018 Olympics

All That Skate Korea announcement

 Finally and most importantly, Worlds has been moved to Russia and will take place April 24th - May 1st!


The ISU announcement

Phil Hersh's take on it - includes snippets with Meryl Davis 

Universal Sports spoke to Ross Miner about Worlds' relocation . Apparently the rink in Sendai, Japan, is gone, which is where World Junior Champion and 2011 Four Continents Silver Medalist Yuzuru Hanyu trains if I'm not mistaken. :-/

They also spoke to Rachael Flatt, Mark Ladwig, Michal Brezina, & Meryl Davis 

Patrick Chan article

4 Continents Exhibition Part 1

Alissa Czisny (I Like the Way You Move)


Rachael Flatt (I Wanna Hold Your Hand)


Mirai Nagasu (Fireflies - Owl City)


Mao Asada (Ballad #1 - Chopin)


Miki Ando (Why Do People Fall In Love - L. Edder)

4 Continents Ladies Short Videos

Akiko Suzuki


Alissa Czisny


Mirai Nagasu


Rachael Flatt


Mao Asada


Miki Ando

4 Continents Ladies Freeskate & Final Results

1. Miki Ando TE 73.03 PCS 61.73 ;FS 134.76 = 201.34 Total (JPN)
2. Mao Asada TE 70.18 PCS 62.71 ;FS 132.89 = 196.30 Total (JPN)
3. Mirai Nagasu TE 69.61 PCS 60.07 ;FS 129.68 = 189.46 Total (USA)
4. Rachael Flatt TE 60.94 PCS 57.14 ;FS 118.08 = 180.31 Total (USA)
5. Alissa Czisny TE 52.82 PCS 58.05 -1.00 ;FS 109.87 = 168.81 Total (USA)
6.Cynthia Phaneuf TE 52.35 PCS 55.14 ;FS 163.14 = 107.49 Total (CAN)
7. Akiko Suzuki TE 49.18 PCS 55.77 ;FS 104.95 = 162.59 Total (JPN)
8. Min-Jeong Kwak TE 51.09 PCS 45.59 ;FS 96.68 = 147.15 Total (KOR)
9. Amelie Lacoste TE 40.18 PCS 48.24 -1.00 ;FS 87.42 = 137.48 Total (CAN)
10. Cheltzie Lee TE 34.90 PCS 44.28 ;FS 79.18 = 127.90 Total (AUS)
11. Myriane Samson TE 28.81 PCS 46.06 ;FS 74.87 = 121.20 Total (CAN)
12. Yea-Ji Yun TE 34.76 PCS 38.73 -1.00 ;FS 72.49 = 111.86 Total (KOR)
13. Bingwa Geng TE 29.86 PCS 38.52 -3.00 ;FS 65.38 = 104.58 Total (CHN)
14. Qiuying Zhu TE 33.30 PCS 36.00 -2.00 ;FS 67.30 = 102.38 Total (CHN)
15. Lejeanne Marais TE 37.07 PCS 32.84 ;FS 69.91 = 101.90 Total (RSA)
16. Chae-Hwa Kim TE 32.33 PCS 36.70 -1.00 ;FS 68.03 = 101.79 Total (KOR)
17. Victoria Muniz TE 30.79 PCS 33.16 ;FS 63.95 = 99.40 Total (PUR)
18. Melinda Wang TE 27.04 PCS 32.60 ;FS 59.64 =  96.15 Total (TPE)
19. Mimi Tanasorn Chindasook TE 28.93 PCS 30.88 -2.00 ;FS 57.81 = 91.54 Total (THA)
20. Jaimee Nobbs TE 28.58 PCS 30.41 -1.00 ;FS 57.99 = 89.93 Total (AUS)
21. Crystal Kiang TE 23.75  PCS 30.96 ;FS 54.71 = 86.60 Total (TPE)
22. Mericien Venzon TE 23.41 PCS 30.12 ;FS 53.53 = 84.17 Total (PHI)
23. Melanie Swang TE 26.11 PCS 26.47 ;FS 52.58 = 82.08 Total (THA)
24. Chaochih Liu TE 22.26 PCS 29.50 -2.00 ;FS 49.76 = 78.28 Total (TPE)

Detailed Freeskate Results
Protocols

*Note: Some interesting calls made by the technical panel. I believe I saw several underrotations by the final group of skaters that they didn't mark. Also, while some of the final girls skated really well, these scores are INSANELY inflated.

4 Continents Ladies Short Program Results

 1.Miki Ando TE 35.69 PCS 30.89 = 66.58 Total (JPN)
2.Mao Asada TE 33.20 PCS 30.21 = 63.41 Total (JPN)
3.Rachael Flatt TE 33.43 PCS 28.80 =  62.23 Total (USA)
4.Mirai Nagasu TE 30.55 PCS 29.23  = 59.78 Total (USA)
5.Alissa Czisny TE 31.00 PCS 28.94 -1.00 = 58.94 Total (USA)
6.Akiko Suzuki TE 29.61 PCS 28.03= 57.64 Total (JPN)
7.Cynthia Phaneuf TE 28.90 PCS 27.75 -1.00 = 55.65 Total (CAN)
8.Min-Jeong Kwak TE 26.81 PCS 23.66  = Total 50.47 (KOR)
9.Amelie Lacoste TE 25.03 PCS 25.03  = 0.06Total (CAN)
10.Cheltzie Lee TE 25.40 PCS 23.32 =  48.72 Total (AUS)
11.Myriane Samson TE 22.22 PCS 25.11 -1.00 = 46.33 Total (CAN)
12.Yea-Ji Yun TE 22.08  PCS 17.29 = 39.37 Total (KOR)
13.Bingwa Geng TE 19.80 PCS 20.40 -1.00 =  39.20 Total (CHN)
14.Melinda Wang TE 18.61 PCS 17.90 = 36.51 Total (TPE)
15.Victoria Muniz  TE 18.11 PCS 18.34 -1.00 = 35.45 Total (PUR)
16.Qiuying Zhu TE 19.02 PCS 17.06 -1.00 =  35.08 Total (CHN)
17.Chae-Hwa Kim TE 15.56 PCS 18.20 = 33.76 Total (KOR)
18.Mimi Tanasorn Chindasook TE 17.76 PCS 15.97 = 33.73 Total (THA)
19.Lejeanne Marais TE 17.39 PCS 15.60 -1.00 = 31.99 Total (RSA)
20.Jaimee Nobbs TE 17.11 PCS 15.83  -1.00 = 31.94 Total (AUS)
21.Crystal Kiang TE 15.95 PCS 15.9 = 31.89 Total (TPE)
22.Mericien Venzon TE 16.19 PCS 15.45 -1.00 = 30.64 Total (PHI)
23.Melanie Swang TE 16.33 PCS 13.17 = 29.50 Total (THA)
24.Chaochih Liu TE 14.81  PCS 13.71 =  28.52 Total (TPE)
25.Tiffany Packard Yu TE 12.96  PCS 14.55 = 27.51 Total (HKG)
26.Brittany Lau TE 13.14 PCS 13.47 =  26.61 Total (SIN)
27.Taryn Jurgensen TE 14.10 PCS 14.18 -2.00 = 26.28 Total (THA)
28.Reyna Hamui TE 11.32 PCS 13.41 -1.00 = 23.73 Total (MEX)
29.Mary Ro Reyes TE 9.71 PCS 12.51 = 22.22 Total (MEX)


Detailed Results
Protocols

U.S. Nationals: Ladies Freeskate

Unfortunately, this year's ladies event was basically what I'd expected - a messy event full of splats and pops, and had little in the way of inspiration. There were some shining moments where lesser known skaters delivered, and I'm glad to see that the champion skated a good program, but I am really hoping that in the near future the ladies will step up and give us an all around more enjoyable ladies championship.

That said, let's get started.

The first couple of groups opened up the competition with few successful triple attempts until Kristiene Gong landed five in her routine,(albeit, a couple received a slight negative GOE) and was easily the best so far, pulling up from 17th to 9th overall with a total of 143.30.

After Kristiene, Ellie Kawamura struggled, landing just one triple. Kelsey Traunero was somewhat more successful, landing two triple flips (one in combination with a double toe) and a pair of triple salchows. Unfortunately, her triple toe attempt was downgraded, as was the latter half of her double axel-double toe. Like many of the girls, her spins, footwork, and spiral were passable, but for the most part not particularly noteworthy.

Melissa Bulanhagui appeared to two foot her opening triple salchow, but proceeded to land a nice triple lutz, triple flip, an okay triple lutz-double toe-double loop (the latter deemed underrotated), and landed the following triple toe, triple salchow-double toe, and a big double axel pretty well. Spins weren't amazing, but still, a pretty impressive display. My only slight disappointment was that she didn't go for her triple axel. Total 144.53 (10th)

Danielle Kahle and Kristine Musademba both struggled with their jumps, but the latter had some nice spins. They finished 18th and 15th, respectively.

Alexe Gilles opened the second to last group, marking the beginning of the ladies freeskate coverage on NBC. Unfortunately, she only landed one clean triple (a lutz) and proceeded to pop or two foot everything else.

Caroline Zhang appeared to be in better shape than she was during the Grand Prix season. She landed a triple flip-double toe that was actually kind of nice, before she went for a high kick triple lutz and crashed. I wonder if it wouldn't be better for her to just leave that jump out of her programs until her coaches can the kick under control. After that was a triple salchow, which was downgraded and fallen on. Her triple loop-double axel sequence was fine, and then she popped her second flip attempt into a single. She finished her jumping passes with a triple loop-double loop- double loop with a tano variation on the end and a double axel that was just okay. She had some nice spin positions, especially on the layback, and her spiral sequence was nice. She skated a bit better than I had expected overall. 140.95 total, 12th overall.

Joelle Forte skated better than many of the top ladies, which was pretty surprising to me since I don't believe I've ever heard of her before this event. She landed a triple flip, triple lutz-double toe-double loop (slight negative GOE), triple salchow, double axel, triple lutz, triple toe-triple toe sequence, and a triple salchow double toe, and for the most part, they were actually pretty well done. She had poor spins, but the jumps were there, which was pretty unusual that night. 149.28 total, good enough for 9th place.

Yasmin Siraj had trouble on her early jumping passes,  singling her triple flip, having to eek out the latter half of her triple lutz-double toe, and falling on her double axel-triple toe (she was forward on the landing of the axel, but went for the triple toe anyway - she is definitely gutsy). Yasmin did pull it together for her jumping passes after that though, landing a triple salchow, triple lutz, triple toe, and double axel-double toe-double loop pretty well. Her spins were okay, but she had a nice spiral (though I wish she'd not have to hold it) and a footwork sequence that had some interest to it. There's a nice quality to her skating that makes you want to watch her; I'm looking forward to seeing how well she develops. 152.47 overall, 8th place.

Morgan Bell had a rough go of it, only having one entirely succesful jump, a double axel. While her second triple toe was alright, neither it nor the prior attempt were in combination, so it was marked triple toe+SEQ, lowering the base value of the jump. The other jumps were all either popped, fallen on, or marked as underrotated or downgraded. She finished in 17th place.

Ashley Wagner started off well with a triple flip-double toe, which was fine, followed by a double axel-triple toe, the latter of which was two footed and underrotated. After that was a triple flutz (which was nice other than the edge :-/),  triple loop-double toe-double toe that was alright, a triple salchow that was good, and then another two foot, this time on a triple loop and she singled her second flip. Her spins and spiral sequence were all good and she's fairly interesting to watch. There were a lot of nice things in that program; it's a shame that she had so many little errors, they really add up. 165.36 total, 6th place.

Vanessa Lam started her program with a triple lutz-double toe-double loop combo that was alright, as well as a triple flip-double toe. Her jumps don't get much height, but she rotates them quickly. Layback spin was nice, but she turned out and possibly two footed a triple toe. She may have two footed the triple loop after that too, it looked a little rough. Her spiral sequence was nice, as well as the spin after that. Double axel-double axel sequence with no speed going into it, followed by a two footed triple lutz. The footwork had no energy or life at all to it, and then she fell on a downgraded triple flip, finishing with a slow spin. Vanessa didn't really perform; seemed to be all about the elements for her. 162.91, 7th.

Agnes Zawadzki opened with a double axel-triple toe that seemed a little tough on the latter half to me, followed by a good triple flip. Combo spin was okay,  then a triple lutz attempt that was doubled - it looked like she slipped on the entry. Layback position could be more more impressive. Triple lutz-double toe was nice, followed by a biellmann spiral sequence that wobbled a bit. Fall on an underrotated triple loop, but good comeback with a nice triple salchow. She fell out of a triple toe, but tacked on a double toe and double loop. Footwork was okay, and she ended with an alright combo spin. Agnes could use more refinement in her skating, but when she hits them, her jumps are HUGE! 173.84, 4th.

Christina Gao started off with a nice triple flip-triple toe and triple salchow. Lots of speed going into the jumps too. Ran out of room at the end of her triple lutz-double toe-double loop and had to stepout. She did a nice spin and then a decent biellmann spiral, followed by an okay triple loop and double axel. Fall on the second triple flip, which was downgraded. Combo spin was alright, and she had a little slip in the footwork but it was okay other than that. Triple toe was a little tough, maybe two footed? Her final spin was nice, until the bit of traveling at the end of it. I like her a good bit; she surprised last year at Nationals, so I'm glad to see her skate decently here. Definitely hoping she places well at Junior Worlds. 167.20 total, 5th.

Alissa Czisny: Triple lutz-double toe was nice, followed by a good triple flip and triple toe-double toe-double loop. Spin was nice, but she had to fight for the underrotated triple loop. Spiral sequence was good, and her triple lutz-double toe, double axel, and triple toe were all okay. She finished with two really nice spins and an alright footwork sequence. As I've noted in prior posts, I don't really care for Alissa's skating much, but kudos to her on skating a nearly clean freeskate and not giving up on that loop. I wasn't sure what to expect from her, but she did hold it together. 191.24, 1st place.

Mirai Nagasu: Love her dress. Triple lutz-double toe just okay, she had to work for it. Double axel-double toe, okay. Edge deduction on the triple flip, alright otherwise. Lovely layback and biellmann positions. Triple lutz, underrotated. Triple toe-double toe-double loop,  okay. Great spiral sequence, followed by another just okay jump, a triple loop. Ina bauer to a double axel, which she fell out off and then she screwed up a flying sit spin, receiving no credit for it. Last spin was fine, but the damage was done. She looked nervous before she even started the program and then was tentative throughout. It's a shame, she's my favorite of all of these girls. 177.36, 3rd place.

Rachael Flatt: Double axel-triple toe, wobbly and the latter was underrotated. Doubled the intended triple lutz after that, followed by a camel spin with a variation I can't stand.  Not really a fan of the choreography either. Triple flip was alright, as well as a combo spin. Spiral sequence, meh. Triple lutz-double toe okay, triple flip-double toe-double loop with a bit of a high kick on the flip. Triple loop was okay, as well as the footwork. Fallout on the triple salchow. Ending combo spin was okay. 183.38, 2nd. I'd probably have sent Mirai to Worlds, but c'est la vie.

Full Results

Check back  for the men's freeskate post sometime today or tomorrow. 

Skating Updates

U.S. Nationals Icenetwork Streaming Times (All Eastern Standard Time). NBC should be airing the last group or two in each senior event live. Check local listings.

Icenetwork spoke to Rachael Flatt about her new short program to East of Eden. They also spoke to Agnes Zawadzki and Brandon Mroz about their preparations and hopes for Nationals and about Brandon's shoulder injury.

Yasmin Siraj spoke to Universal Sports about the Junior Grand Prix, Nationals, and triple axels. 

Caitlin Yankowskas and John Coughlin are excited about how their Grand Prix season went and think that their results will help them be taken more seriously at Nationals. 

Armin Mahbanoozadeh took the time to chat with Universal Sports on Skype.

Lastly, don't forget to make your Fantasy Skating picks for U.S. Nationals and Europeans!

Skating Updates

Meryl Davis and Charlie White talk about their preparations for Nationals, including changing a section of the music in their free dance and how that program differs from ones they've had in the past.

Patrick Chan is planning on putting two quad toes into his freeskate at Canadian Nationals as a test drive for Worlds. They will be back to back and he is also taking out his first triple axel.

Evan Bates talks about what he and Emily Samuelson have been doing while he's been off the ice and how he is recovering. He and Emily are also planning to attend the free dance in Greensboro.

Richard Dornbush was interviewed by Universal Sports and shares what he learned from Nationals last year, who his favorite skaters are, and how he started skating.

Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir are still uncertain that they will be competing at Nationals. They reportedly are leaving the decision until the last minute but should be announcing their final decision in the next few days.

Lastly, Rachael Flatt has gotten a new short program to East of Eden, a Michelle Kwan staple. Comparisons are inevitable and likely to be unfavorable, but at least it is something different for her. She will be debuting the program at Nationals.

P.S. If anyone has any suggestions for things you'd like me to write about, feel free to leave a comment to let me know! I'd love to have some new ideas. =)

Skating Updates

Ryan Bradley talked to Universal Sports about the heartbreak of missing out on the Olympics by one placement and what is inspiring him to compete at Nationals this season. I wish him all the best at Nationals!

Sarah and Drew also spoke to Ryan about his comeback and to Rachael Flatt about her debutante ball that she attended with Patrick Chan as one of her escorts. They also spoke to several other skaters about their New Years Resolutions.

Christina Gao was interviewed and talks about training with Adam Rippon, her goals, and the Junior Grand Prix.

Johnny Weir is officially coming out in his autobiography "Welcome to My World" (which hits stores this Tuesday) and in the excerpt that is in the latest issue of People magazine .

 NTV apologized for filming Yu-Na Kim without permission, though still maintains that the footage they shot was shot in a public rink and wasn't filmed secretly with hidden cameras.

Universal Sports talks about two time Russian champion Adelina Sotnikova and this year's fourth place finisher at Russian Nationals, Julia Lipnitskaya.

Evan Lysacek will be skating in the exhibition at U.S. Nationals and filming his exhibition program for the RISE movie.

The starting orders for Canadian Nationals are online now and reveal that Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir plan to compete there.

Jeremy Ten will not be competing at Canadian Nationals, as he had surgery on a chronic foot injury. I for one am definitely wishing him a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him skate pain free in the future.

Lastly, the Stars on Ice tour is going to Japan. It has the skaters that are on  the Canadian and American tours this year as well as Takahiko Kozuka, Shizuka Arakawa, Daisuke Takahashi, Miki Ando, and a few others on select dates. If only the American tour had this kind of a lineup!

Brief thoughts of Skate America: Ladies Free (Final 6)

I did not take extensive notes during the ladies free, but I certainly did have a few thoughts on it.

Before I get started, I just wanted to give a quick shout out to Ms. Murakami; We're all indebted to her for helping keep Kostner off the top step of the podium, even if she still has some rough patches in her skating. Thanks Kanako!

Amelie Lacoste: Well... there goes that Fantasy pick! (Come on.. if you picked her, you were so thinking it too!:P)

Caroline Zhang: Gorgeous dress. Sorry to see that she's gained some weight... it's not gonna do her any favors on her jumps, especially with the technique corrections still in progress. The triple flip-double toe didn't seem so bad, but then the mega highkick into a 1 and 1/2 lutz results in that spectacular fall into a near split position. Dang Zhang! I don't think I've ever seen a singles girl manage to do that kind of a fall. One bright point though... she really does have a lovely layback spin, unlike most of the ladies I've seen recently.

Rachael Flatt: Her highkick on her flip and lutz made me insane today, worsened by the fact that she landed them cleanly aside from that, excepting the underrotated first lutz. It may sound mean, but I wish that the highkick would give her more trouble on those two jumps so that she'd be forced to learn a better technique for them if she wished to remain competitive. Other than that though, I was bored.

Joshi Helgesson: I kind of liked her dress.I think she underrotated the back end of two of her combos, but I appreciate the fact that she completed a triple lutz without a highkick, very, very much.

Kanako Murakami: She does the high kick too.... good heavens! (Why do these girl's coaches abide in this kind of poor technique? I was working on a single flip before I had to quit skating, and every single time that I would dp the highkick to try to tap in harder for more height,  my coach would screech at me not to do it. Every. Single. Time. And I never even tested!) Watching her and several other of these ladies makes me long for Dick Button's commentary- I can just imagine his reaction to their laybacks. ;)  It's good to to see a lady with some spunk though, although I do think it sometimes makes her skating appear sloppy. There's a glimpse of Yukari Nakano's infamous leg wrap in at least one of her combinations too, albeit to a lesser extent (thankfully!). I quite enjoyed her footwork though; that was pretty smooth, interesting, and well done.

Carolina Kostner: I am amazed that Scott Hamilton and the other commentators are trying so hard to make her lack of difficulty sound like a good thing! The upbeat outlook on that didn't do her many favors though; falling on her first triple loop and doubling the second, and even singled a double axel,  making her scant technical content even more watered down. She even was sloppy on a spin. She isn't my cup of tea to begin with, but that was a really poor freeskate. I'm so thankful that the judges didn't give her the win this time.

Overall, from what I've seen and heard from this event and the other Grand Prix's thus far, the ladies certainly have been lackluster this season. I'm certain that I am not alone in missing Michelle Kwan.