Figure skatingNew talent, old faves in Cup of Russia

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Moscow is the fifth stop on the six-city ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. The Rostelecom Cup, or Cup of Russia, should have the makings of a great competition featuring new talent, old favourites and skaters looking to snag one of the top six spots in each discipline to qualify for the Grand Prix final next month in Beijing.

The pairs event will feature veteran Russsian competitors and defending and two-time world bronze medallists Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov in their only Grand Prix appearance. They would have normally appeared in two events, but both skaters are recovering from surgery in the off-season - Yuko to her shoulder and Alexander to his groin. They have the seniority and the experience to make them the frontrunners in Moscow.

The real medal threats in this event are the "up and comers" like Canadians Paige Lawrence and Rudi Swiegers, who were bronze medallists at Skate Canada and are making a strong showing in their first Grand Prix season.

The other young team making a splash this season is the junior world silver medallists and NHK Trophy bronze medallists Narumi Takahashi and Mervin Tran of Japan.

Japan strong in ladies 

In the ladies event, look for skaters from Russia and Japan to be the favourites for the podium. Miki Ando, the 2007 world champion from Japan, is looking to clinch a Grand Prix final spot hot on the heels of winning her first Grand Prix event this season at the Cup of China.

Japanese teammate Akiko Suzuki has the capability to be a threat after taking the silver at the same event, but needs to improve her consistency. Russia has two very solid competitors aiming for the podium in Moscow in Ksenia Makarova, who took the silver at Skate Canada, and Alena Leonova, who was the bronze medallist in Beijing.

Junior world silver medallist Agnes Zawadzki from the United States is still getting her senior feet under her, but could be one to watch as a spoiler.

Ice dance rematch

The ice dance event features a rematch of the Cup of China, which had Russians Ekaterina Bobrova and Dmitri Soloviev taking the silver ahead of Federica Faiella and Massimo Scali of Italy, who took bronze. The Italians, the defending world bronze medallists, suffered a fall in both the short and free dance segments of their first competition, as a result of her skirt being too long. It is a situation that will have been remedied by the time the take the ice in Moscow, making them the heavy favourites.

The other podium should see world junior rivals going head to head. The world junior champions from Russia, Elena Ilinykh and Nikita Katsalapov, will have to square off against Canadian junior world silver medallists Alexandra Paul and Mitchell Islam, who impressed in their Grand Prix debut at Skate Canada.

Chan the man

The men's event will likely be the premier event in Moscow and features Patrick Chan, the two-time and defending world silver medallist from Canada. Having already won his first Grand Prix of the season at Skate Canada with less than ideal performances, his programs and overall skating skills give him the edge as he looks for the podium finish he needs to qualify for the final.

American champion Jeremy Abbott, the silver medallist at Tokyo, is equally adept at skating skills, but needs his performance on the day to be of the highest calibre in order to compete. Tomas Verner, the 2008 European champion from the Czech Republic, was cautious on his way to a bronze medal in China, but has the personality and the arsenal of tricks to be able to challenge.

Artur Gachinski from Russia is looking to become the one to take over from legendary countryman Evgeni Plushenko in the mind of their mutual coach, Alexander Mishin, and could be the potential spoiler.

Pj's Podium Picks:

Men: Patrick Chan, Canada
Ladies: Miki Ando, Japan
Pairs: Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov, Russia
Ice Dance: Federica Faiella and Massimo Scali, Italy

(Photo of Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images) 

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