Figure skatingTakahashi faces American challengers at NHK Trophy

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Japan’s three-time national champion, Daisuke Takahashi, makes his return to ISU competition after taking last season off to recover from surgery for torn ligaments in his right knee. I am banking on him to re-invent himself in his season debut. Takahashi’s return to Japan for coaching and training, plus his desire to get back on the world stage after finishing as the silver world medallist in 2007 will be a big motivator.

Takahashi’s biggest obstacle to finishing first shouldn’t be the 2007 world champion from France, Brian Joubert. His fourth-place finish in the Trophee Eric Bompard event in Paris at the beginning of the season left a lot to be desired.

The real challenge for Takahashi will be from the American men’s team. Adam Rippon, the two-time world junior champion, has already started his season with a bronze medal from Trophee Eric Bompard. Jeremy Abbott, the Grand Prix Final champion, is making his season debut and with a coaching change to “edge sorceress” Yuka Sato should be on track to impress. Although Johnny Weir’s season debut and fourth-place finish in Moscow at the Rotelecom Cup was lacklustre, his programs are not, and if he skates well here, he could be the one to beat.

The other events pale by comparison, but have a sprinkling of top names that will make the race for Grand Prix series placement points just a little more interesting.

In pairs, it will be a two-way fight for the top podium spot between China’s 2006 world champions, Qing Pang and Jian Tong of China and Russian rivals and 2009 European silver medallists Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov. Making their season debut and in their first Grand Prix event are American silver medallists Caydee Denney and Jeremy Barrett, whose energy and speed helped them crack the world’s top 10 at last spring’s world championships in Los Angeles.

With a second win projected for American ice dancers, Meryl Davis and Charlie White, to add to the one from the Cup of Russia, their trip to the Grand Prix final seems secure. Look for the brother and sister team of Sinead and John Kerr of Great Britain to be Davis and White’s biggest threat having finished with a bronze medal in Paris three weeks ago. There is a real possibility of Canadian ice dancers Vanessa Crone and Paul Poirier to also hit the podium. Although Poirier contracted a stomach virus at their first Grand Prix event, they were able to finish in fourth place in Moscow, which speaks very well of their level of training and preparedness.

There are a number of this season’s Grand Prix women’s medallists making their second and final series appearance in Nagano.

Miki Ando, the Cup of Russia gold medallist, is looking to improve in her short program performance and solidify her position as an Olympic contender with a win here. American Ashley Wagner, the silver medallist at the same event in Russia, showed renewed confidence, improved technique and sophistication to make her a threat. Also in hot pursuit will be Russia’s junior world champion, Alena Leonova, and Yukari Nakano of Japan, who both earned bronze medals in their Grand Prix season debuts.

The coverage continues on CBC’s main network and with ongoing live chat throughout the broadcast. Check CBCSports.ca for scheduling details.

Pj’s Picks:

Men: Daisuke Takahashi (Japan)
Women: Miki Ando (Japan)
Dance: Meryl Davis and Charlie White (United States)
Pairs: Qing Pang and Jian Tong (China)

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