Figure skatingCanadian figure skaters expect big results at worlds

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Brushing off the rust

In ice dance, the Canadian champions Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir have the talent to be on the top of the podium, but are struggling to catch up after sitting out most of the season.

Virtue had an ongoing problem with chronic exertional compartment syndrome which required surgery on both shins in the fall and they were not able to get back on to the ice until December. Virtue and Moir’s first competition of the season was the Canadian championships in January where they defended their crown.

Their original dance and free dance are both innovative and extremely difficult. At the ISU Four Continents event in February, Virtue and Moir’s performances didn’t quite have the polish that comes from repetition during the season and they ended up in second place.

The American dance champions, Meryl Davis and Charlie White, have enjoyed a break-out year, earning a bronze at the Grand Prix Final and winning the Four Continents title. Their momentum could propel them onto the podium. The other team to watch has to be Jana Khokhlova and Sergei Novitski, the Russian and European champions, who have the strength and flow needed to carry them to the top having finished as world bronze medallists a year ago.

Chan aiming for top

Canadian and Four Continents champion Patrick Chan is undoubtedly the one to beat in the men’s event.

After a bit of a disappointment at the Grand Prix Final, Chan has been brilliant in his last two competitions. His ability to express music and skate with a sense of joie de vivre makes his performances compelling and often unforgettable. Chan will be challenged in Los Angeles by France’s Brian Joubert, the 2007 world and three-time European champion.

The other real threat comes from American Evan Lysacek, who has earned bronze medals in his two of three appearances at worlds. Lysacek started out slowly at the beginning of this season. Some of his jumps were downgraded and his programs were not well received. He has been re-working his jumps and other aspects of his program and with his experience and maturity he’s a very strong competitor and not one to be counted out. American champion Jeremy Abbott was disappointing with a fifth-place finish at Four Continents, but his outstanding gold medal performance at the Grand Prix Final also puts him in contention.

Tight race for ladies crown

The ladies event could be decided a couple of different ways. One scenario would be the 2008 world champion and current Grand Prix champion Mao Asada from Japan defending her title. The other scenario could be a repeat of what we saw at Four Continents with Yu-Na Kim of Korea, world bronze medallist for the last two years, finally taking the top spot.

Canada’s five-time national champion Joannie Rochette has been outstanding this season, continuing to improve and show confidence. She earned the season’s third-highest total score of 188.89, behind Kim and Asada, making her a real podium possibility. A couple of other names to watch are European champion Laura Lepisto of Finland and defending world silver medallist Carolina Kostner of Italy.

In pairs, China’s Qing Pang and Jian Tong, the 2006 world champions, will be the ones to watch.

This veteran team re-invented themselves this season due in some part to the creation of a brilliant tango-inspired free program showcasing their maturity, improved connection and Tong’s musicality. Conversely, Germany’s Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy, the defending world champions, have been scrambling all year, hampered by programs that do nothing to highlight their skill.

Defending world bronze medallists Jessica Dube and Bryce Davison of Canada have had some inconsistencies over the season, but have the advantage of beautiful choreography, elegance and unison, which should help the national champions hold on to a podium spot. The other team to put into the mix is the defending world silver medallists Dan Zhang and Hao Zhang of China, who have the potential to be wonderful, but more often than not fall short due to nerves.

CBCSports.ca will be streaming the world figure skating championships live beginning March 24. Please check the schedule for details.

Pj’s Picks:

Ladies: Yu-Na Kim (KOR)
Men: Patrick Chan (CAN)
Pairs: Qing Pang and Jian Tong (CHN)
Ice dance: Jana Khokhlova and Sergei Novitski (RUS)

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