Figure skatingJapan’s Oda put the men on notice

Beginning of Story Content

There were no real surprises in the respective disciplines. What was interesting was the shuffling of placings from the short to free programs. It indicates that the skaters still aren’t as prepared for competition as they would like at this point in the season. It also further confirms that with very few decisive winners over the course of the series, many of the medals could be up for grabs come Worlds in March 2009.

The ladies ended up with a podium sweep for Japan with defending world champion Mao Asada holding down the top spot. Asada’s performance wasn’t perfect in either the short or the free skate, but she held enough of a lead over her competitors that she was able to hold on for the gold and a spot in the Grand Prix Final. Her teammate, Akiko Suzuki, skated a terrific free program and moved up from fourth place in the short to take the silver. Japan’s Yukari Nakano has a ticket to Korea, moving up from fifth place in the short to capture the bronze.

As predicted, Japan’s Nobunari Oda captured the gold. He’s really put the men on notice that he is back after a year’s absence and is serious about competing. American Johnny Weir was second heading into the free skate and was able to hold onto the silver to earn a spot at the Grand Prix Final. For the first time during this series, France’s Yannick Ponsero took the bronze. Canada’s Kevin Reynolds was amazing in his free program and moved up from sixth place after the short to finish just off the podium in fourth place.

The current world bronze pair medalists, Canadians Jessica Dube and Bryce Davison finished third, struggling technically in both the short and free programs. Their bronze medal was not enough to qualify them as one of the top six entries in pairs so they will have to sit out the Final. The 2006 World champions from China, Qing Pang and Jian Tong also struggled somewhat but led both segments of the competition to take the gold and their spot in Korea. Their Tango-inspired free program is a perfect fit for them. It demonstrates both amazing technical ability and wonderful sophistication in their choreography. Americans Rena Inoue and John Baldwin took the silver.

The competition was really tight in ice dance between the ultimate champions from Italy, Federica Faiella and Massimo Scali and the French team of Nathalie Pechalat and Fabian Bourzat who ended up with the silver. The Italian champions won their trip to Korea with a victory of only 1.25 points. The young American team of Emily Samuelson and Evan Bates got the bronze but only by skating a really strong compulsory Paso Doble.

End of Story Content

Back to accessibility links