Figure skatingAll eyes on Canada's Rochette at Grand Prix final

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Men's event most unpredictable

The most unpredictable event is the men’s event because all six competitors have the potential to be brilliant and take the top spot. If I had to choose a winner, it would be Japan’s Nobunari Oda. He was confident and strong in both of his Grand Prix events, taking the title in each and becoming the first man to qualify for the final. He is also the only man to arrive at the Grand Prix final with two gold medals from this season’s series.

There are three American men competing in Tokyo, including the defending world champion Evan Lysacek, whose Skate America title and silver medal from the Cup of China would make him the logical choice as the top challenger in the men's event. In my opinion, Lysacek seems to be repeating history from last season where he was on a slow build to his brilliant win at the world championships. Despite this, I think Oda’s real threat will come from the U.S.'s Jeremy Abbott, last year’s Grand Prix final winner who already seems to be in top competition form.

The defending women's world champion from Korea, Yu-Na Kim, won both of her Grand Prix events, despite faltering in the free program at Skate America. The stumble showed that she is vulnerable in a way that didn't seem possible at the start of the season. That said, Kim’s fierce, competitive spirit, undeniable prowess and superior programs will make her the one to beat at the Grand Prix final.

Japan’s Miki Ando also arrives in Tokyo with two Grand Prix golds but isn’t standing out as the big competition for Kim. Canada’s Joannie Rochette, on the other hand, rallied at Skate Canada after stumbling in her first Grand Prix. She claimed the title and a new personal best of 70.00 in the short program. It's the second highest this season, making Rochette the real challenger for the final title.

Surprise pairs contenders

The pairs event has three Chinese teams, two Russian teams and a German team competing. Up until Skate Canada, it would have been a 'no-brainer' to say that China’s three-time world champions and two-time Olympic bronze medallists Xue Shen and Hongbo Zhao were not only the final favourites but also the Olympic favourites. A lot can happen in a couple of weeks.

Germany’s two-time and defending world champions, Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy, originally seemed to be write-offs as Olympic contenders after their first Grand Prix. They went back to the drawing board and created a new free program at Skate Canada to the Out of Africa soundtrack that was absolutely breathtaking. They come to Tokyo with the highest posted overall total score for the season. Of all the events, this is the one that looks most like what could make up the final flight at the Olympic Games.

Ice dance’s long-time rivals – Americans Meryl Davis and Charlie White, and Canada’s two-time world medallists Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir – are the dance skaters to watch at the final. Trained by the same team of Igor Shpillband and Marina Zueva, they are friends off the ice but get down to business when it comes to competition. The edge goes to Virtue and Moir based on the strength of a higher overall total score for the season and, for my money, a slightly more compelling free dance. The podium should also include the brother and sister team of Sinead and John Kerr of Great Britain, whose daring creativity is refreshing.

Pj’s Picks:

• Men: Nobunari Oda JPN
• Ladies: Yu-Na Kim KOR
• Pairs: Xue Shen and Hongbo Zhao CHN
• Ice dance: Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir CAN

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