Now that the assignments are published in the Grand Prix for about 13 days ... here are some thoughts!
Couples
It Clearly it is still early and that changes arrivont in the summer, and probably a few weeks before the start of the Grand Prix ... But there's still surprising to see some names on the list.
Firstly, the presence of Qing Pang / Jian Tong: After 2 world championship titles, an Olympic silver medal, all having the 2 thirty, I thought that retirement would be in the air . Present for the NHK Cup in China, it might be a nice healthy walk to the Grand Prix Final ... should they decide to stay. The presence of
Rena Inoue / John Baldwin NHK made me almost fall off my chair. I understood that their performance at Nationals was the last ... and the statements of Mr. Baldwin had been done in this direction. Having all the thirty two well underway, I doubt very much they will be in Japan in October ... unless Inoue wants to do one last performance on the ice in Japan.
I must say that I do not believe that couples will not be the most exciting competition. The first two podium positions seem fairly easy to determine, there are 3rd places which are quite open. With the breakdown of
Keauna McLaughlin / Rockne Brubaker, this opens the door to even more surprises for the podium.
Also, it seems that the new French couple composed of Vanessa James / Maximin Coia is outdated, if you look at the latest rumors that run on the web ... Stay tuned!
Dance
In dance, we can already predict that it will be a quiet autumn for Davis / White and Virtue / Moir, who fileront easily to the Final.
Pechalat / Bourzat the Kerrs, Faiella / Scalla, Crone / Poirier and Cappellinni / Lanotte could pick up some medals too. I would love to see
Weaver / Poje add another medal to the Grand Prix won at Skate Canada last year.
Bobrova / Soloviev and Samuelson / Bates could cause some surprises, given their strong performances during last season.
I'm curious to know who will inherit the place free from Zaretski, who retired a few weeks ago.
I wish that the Kerrs are given their presence at Skate Canada. (It is necessary that I think about my own happiness! Haha)
Ladies For the ladies, I'm glad to see that Yu-Na Kim was present ... although I keep a small reserve to see whether it is really at the Cup of China and Cup of Russia. At least she knows
similar difficulties during the Grand Prix of the season Last, I believe that this Grand Prix will be under the total domination of Mao Asada ... especially if Yu-Na Kim withdraws before the end of summer.
In the absence of Joannie Rochette, who decided to take a break from Grand Prix (which is more than understandable), I hope that Cynthia Phaneuf continued its strong momentum since its 5th place Worlds 2010. She might have good chances of being on the podium for Skate Canada, in my opinion ... and perhaps also for the Trophee Eric Bompard-. Thus, with a beautiful renewed confidence, who knows if we will not be entitled to a superb duel for Phaneuf and Rochette Nationals 2011?!
Gentlemen
First, I was surprised by the presence of Kevin Van Der Perren and Evgeni Plushenko. Despite what was said at the recent World Championships, it seems that Van Der Perren has set aside his retirement plans for one more season. Regarding the presence of Plushenko at the Cup of Russia, I have big big doubts about this and I expect to see a replacement soon.
Is Yasuharu Nanri changed his mind to retire too? It seems only 4 Continents 2010, it had said it was his last competition.
I am a little surprised that Florent Amodio has inherited a single Grand Prix ... and even not the Trophée Eric Bompard, and more. Hoping that the "TBA" is for him ... I doubt very much that
Johnny Weir will review the Grand Prix ... my impression is that it is definitely went elsewhere, and that skating is below.
I hope the "TBA" for the U.S. team for Evan Lysacek ... Otherwise, I hope it will only take a break from the Grand Prix and revert to the National ...
Overall, the category of men seems to be well balanced between events on the other ... we should see some nice surprises.
Until the Grand Prix begins, we monitor the development of lists ...
