CBC expert Paul Martini says rising Japanese star Mao Asada is the future poster child of figure skating. (Canadian Press)

Sun shines on Japan

Over the last several years, Japan has grown to become the pre-eminent nation in women's figure skating.

In 2006, Shizuka Arakawa delivered a stirring performance to claim Olympic gold at the Winter Games in Torino. Arakawa has since retired, but CBC expert Paul Martini argues there are nearly a half-dozen more Japanese skaters ready to take her place atop the world figure skating podium.

"Miki Ando, Mao Asada and Fumie Suguri are just as good — if not better than Arakawa," said Martini. "And there are three or four others that are outstanding."

Ando and Asada finished first and third at Skate America last month. Suguri finished second at the last World Championships in Calgary.

Martini said the Japanese skaters are successful because they're willing to go anywhere to find top-notch coaches.

"I think the Japanese are showing that great success can be had if you utilize all the talent that's out there and available," he said.

"The Japanese are very aggressive in terms of getting the best coaches from around the world, no matter where they are from."

Russia falling?

While the Japanese star is rising, the Russian star appears to be fading.

The end of Russian dominance is something many figure skating observers predicted 20 years ago, with the fall of the communist block. While the Russian program continued to churn out contenders, medal winners and Olympic champions, they appear to be losing ground in recent competitions.

At the Winter Games in Torino, Russian skaters won the men's, pairs and ice dance disciplines.

But if the results at Skate America are any indication, the predictions of the Russian fall may still come to fruition.

"At Skate America, they didn't win medals and that's very, very unusual. The Russians generally find a way to put somebody in one of the disciplines on the podium."

Martini also said the Russian talent pool is shallower than he's seen in a long time, and he doesn't see anyone on the horizon capable of filling the void left by stars Evgeni Plushenko and Irina Slutskaya, both of whom have decided to skip the 2006 season.

"Maybe after all these years the lack of support and the lack of adequate facilities has finally caught up with the Russian program," Martini said.

Buttle's back

In Canada, the biggest story is the status of national champion Jeff Buttle. The Olympic bronze medallist is nursing an injured back and hasn't been on skates for several weeks. Martini doesn't expect him to return to competition until the new year.

"I think he's got his work cut out for him," said Martini. "It's going to be a tough year for [Buttle] no matter what."

The ice-dancing team of Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon decided to put off their retirement for at least another year. The duo is ranked second in the world and, according to Martini, represents Canada's best chance at being on the podium at the world championships.

In the women's singles event, two-time national champion Joannie Rochette has worked hard during the summer and is hoping to rebound after a disappointing performance at the last world championships.

One-time Canadian skating darling Cynthia Phaneuf has been battling injuries for the past year, but says she's busy preparing for the Canadian Championships, which begin Jan. 9 in Ottawa.

As for everyone's favourite enigma, Emanuel Sandhu, Martini — like every other skating observer — doesn't know what to expect from the gifted, but chronically underachieving, skater.

"How's your crystal ball?" said Martini. "I don't think anybody really knows what's going on with Emanuel Sandhu."

Meissner versus Asada

With Arakawa, Slutskaya and U.S. champion Sasha Cohen gone, the women's figure skating world is now being ruled by two rival teen queens.

On one hand, there is the 17-year-old reigning world champion, Kimmie Meissner. On the other is the 16-year-old Grand Prix champion, Mao Asada.

"This will be a great rivalry this year and for the foreseeable future," said Martini. "It will do a lot to regenerate some interest lost since in the Salt Lake City scandal."

A technically gifted skater, Meissner, of the United States, capped off a so-so season in 2006 — which included a sixth-place finish at the Olympics — with a win at the world championships in Calgary.

Martini describes Asada, who was too young to compete for Japan at the 2006 Winter Olympics or worlds, as the "future poster child for the sport of figure skating."

"She's extremely talented," said Martini when asked about the Japanese star. "She's one of those skaters that come along every once in a while that seems to have it all."

Men's field wide open

The men's figure skating scene is going to be an "interesting creature" this year, according to Martini.

"The men's event is going to be good competition, but I don't know that there's a definitive favourite," said Martini. "There are four or five guys that could win the worlds."

Leading the way is reigning world champion Stéphane Lambiel and American Evan Lysacek, the two-time world bronze medallist.

The only thing limiting Lambiel is injuries. The Swiss skater has been plagued by ankle and knee injuries in recent years. What has impressed Martini is the way Lambiel is able to put together podium-worthy routines, despite all the aches and pains.

"He's been able to win a couple of world championships along the way which tells you something about his ability to deliver when it counts," said Martini.

Other contenders include Frenchman Brian Joubert, who according to Martini is skating very well at the moment, and Johnny Weir, the American version of Sandhu.

"Weir is extremely talented, but will he be able to capture the moment?" asks Martini.

Another possibility is former junior world champ Nobunari Oda of Japan, who won gold at the recent Skate America event.

"Oda's a solid competitor with potential to be on the podium," said Martini.

[an error occurred while processing this directive]