(Not posted previously due to computer error)
Pairs
The Germans, the Russians, the Chinese and a dark horse team of Canadians.
The German team of Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szokowy have a good chance of adding the Olympic title to their tow World Championships. Even therough the russiaon team of Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov beat them at Europeans I still like their blend of artistry and technical skill. Their "Achilles Heel" is their free skate. They will need a clkean program to come out on top.
There are 3 powere hous Chinese teams that hope to sweep the podium. The wild card team of the event is Xue Shen and Hongbo Zhao. If they can come baclk as strong as when they left they will be a team to contend. The question is whether or not they are battle ready. The two time Olympic bronze medalists bring a wealth of experience and are the sentimental favorites. I think Qing Pang and Jian Tong have a better shot at the podium then the Zhang's who have not had a good year.
My heart hopes that the Canadian team of Jessica Dube and Bryce Davidson will be in the mix. Their freeskate reminds me of Sale and Pelletier's "Love Story". They will need to land their side by side jumbs and nail their vastly improved triple twist. To put themselves on the podium they will need a bit of magic.
Gold: Xue Shen and Hongbo Zhao, China,
Silver: Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szokowy, Germany
Bronze: Qing Pang and Jian Tong, China
Men
Next up on the Olympic program is the Men's event. The list of contenders for the podium keeps expanding but no matter how it pains me to say this, Evgeni Plushenko is once again the one to beat. It looks, unfortunately, to be his gold to lose.
Hoping to capitalize on any olf the big man's mistakes will be a growing list of skaters who may once agin be competing for the second and third spots on the Podium. Evan Lyschack will try to dispel the world champions curse and rotate his quad and triple axel. Brian Jourbert is a paler imitation of Plushenko, all jums and no spins or footwork. Returning former World Championship Stephane Lambiel will try to tame his 3 axel and recapture his former competitive form. Americans Abbott and Wier as well as the Japanese will also factor in.
Patrick Chan of Canada will try to prove that with excellent component scores and fabulous spins and footwork that you can compete without a quad. He will need to skate a clean program and pull the audiance in to put him over the top. Will competing at home be an asset or hindrance?
Gold: Evgeni Plushenko, Russia
Silver: Patrick Chan, Canada
Bronze: Evan Lyschachek, USA
Dance
This could be the year of the North American Ice Dancers.
Canada's Tess virtue and Scott Moir and America teams Meyril Davis and Charlie White and Tanith Belbin and Benjamin agasto are or are former training teammates and should be the ones to beat. There should be 3 NA teams on the podium baring any figure skating shenanigans.
From Europe Delobel and Shonfelder anr returning from a year off of competition and from becoming parents. The Olympics will be their first competition back.
The Russian European Champions generated controversy on the road to narrowly winning the European Championships. Will a compulsory dance win a gold medal?
Gold: Tessa Virtue and Scott Virtue, Canada
Silver: Meyril Davis and Charlie White, USA
Bronze: Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agasto, USA
Ladies
One name: Una Kim. This is her competition to lose. The Queen of ladies figures skating can put up marks that many men would be jealous of. She's the total package and should win if she can manage the pressure of being the reat medal hpe of her country.
Mao Asada will need to find her former self to be able to compete. She will need to be clean and rotate her jumps if she hopes to stand a chance.
Joanni Rochette will try to prove that a Lady can compete in Ladies figure skating. Clean skating and managing her nerves may mean a medal.
Miki Ando will also be in the mix. The constancy of American Rachel Flatt mean that she shouldn't be completely ruled out. Strange things happen at the Olympics.
Gold: Una Kim, South Korea
Silver: Mao Asada, Japan
Bronze: Joannie Rochette, Canada
No comments:
Post a Comment