Buttle, Rochette should shine in Moscow
Tuesday, November 20, 2007 | 08:45 PM ET
Moscow is the home of this year’s ISU Grand Prix Cup of Russia, the fifth of six Grand Prix events. In looking over the “who’s who” in the entries lists, three out of four events have noteworthy competitors.
The other event? Well, my favourite, the ice dance, is a little light on the heavyweights. No Canadian entries will be in Russia, but the list includes some interesting teams to watch for like France’s Nathalie Pechalat and Fabian Bourzat, whose creativity in the original and free dance has been inspiring over the last couple of seasons
Also on my “to watch” list are the 2007 junior world champion duo of Ekaterina Bobrova and Dmitri Soloviev from Russia. The pair wasn’t at their best at Skate Canada, but their potential is clearly evident. The list also includes the veteran American team of Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov, who were last seen in Canada being transported to hospital directly from the free dance warm-up at Skate Canada in Quebec City. Gregory was dropped from a lift and Petukhov crashed into the boards. They are both said to be fine.
In the pairs, call me crazy, but I have always liked the athletic style of 2006 Olympic silver medallists Dan Zhang and Hao Zhang of China, whose biggest competition this week will come from the German team of Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy. There is something about the on-ice partner connection from the Chinese pair that tips the scale in their favour for me. Skating pairs is all about that connection, whether it is reached through romance or friendship or focus on a common goal - you have to have the feeling that this unique relationship matters as much to each of them. Some will no doubt prefer the more edgy style of the Germans. In watching them, I get the feeling I am seeing two skaters “parallel skating” on the ice, like toddlers “parallel playing” side by side in a sandbox, peaceful, together but not connected.
For the women, 2007 world bronze medallist Yu-Na Kim (KOR) should be head and shoulders above the rest of a field that includes Japan’s Yukari Nakano and Canada’s Joannie Rochette. Kim has an amazing disposition as a competitor; she is virtually unflappable. She and Rochette both have beautifully choreographed programs that are unique, use their music, are technically difficult and utilize strong transitions. What pulls Nakano into this group is her ability to jump, specifically the possibility of a triple axel in the free program.
I am of two minds when it comes to the men. Actually, three minds. Jeffrey Buttle of Canada, Stephane Lambiel of Switzerland and Johnny Weir of the United States will compete this week and all men have something to prove. These three skaters have enjoyed huge career successes in the world of skating and all three struggled last season with results below the level of their expectations. Lambiel, a two-time world champion finished third in his Grand Prix debut at this year’s Cup of China to three-time American champion Weir. Buttle, the 2006 Olympic bronze medallist, was also third at the Skate Canada Grand Prix and needs to hit the top of the podium to secure a spot in the Grand Prix Final taking place in Turin, Italy, next month.
Pj’s picks:
Dance: Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin (RUS)
Pairs: Dan Zhang and Hao Zhang (CHN)
Men: Jeffrey Buttle (CAN)
Ladies: Yu-Na Kim (KOR)
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About the Author
Pj Kwong is CBC Country Canada's figure skating expert. A television commentator since 2001, the veteran figure skating coach has covered five of the last seven ISU World Figure Skating Championships, two ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships, several Four Continents and Grand Prix Finals for CBC, CTV, TSN and TBS, to name a few.
Fluent in English, French, German and Spanish, Pj has travelled the world as public address announcer, working at three Olympic Games, two world figure skating championsips and several Skate Canada and Canadian national championships.
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Comments
Brigitte Laskowski
Jeff's going to bring his A+++ game to the ice this week in Russia and nail everything as planned because well, he said so and was mad at himself for the Skate Canada showing. No changing his program around at the last minute this time. It really wasn't what placement he had at Skate Canada but how he did it that bothered him. You watch. You'll see.
Joannie is one determined never give upper and will prove to everyone that she can do that 3/3 combo. Who knows maybe she might bring that quad Salchow out of the closet to play?
Just Have Fun Jeff and Joannie!
Posted November 22, 2007 09:54 AM
Billy
Hamilton
I have disagree with your pick from the mens event. I see Jeff as not being in the running for top spot this weekend. In the mens event I see it entirely between Weir and Lambiel. Jeff's missing quad will hold him back yet again and should he play the same game prior to the freeskate as he did at Skate Canada he will likely be another house of cards in the breeze. My best to Jeff this weekend I hope he skates his best but I feel that his success this weekend depends purely on any errors by Lambiel and Weir.
Posted November 22, 2007 12:07 AM