SHANGHAI, March 25 – R-Sport, Andrew Simonenko. World Figure Skating Championships kick off in Shanghai on Wednesday. Without heroes Olympics in Sochi Russian team has a good chance of a medal only in women’s figure skating, plus a relatively real – in the men’s singles and doubles.
The detachment did not notice the loss Sotnikova and Lipnitskaya
women’s singles skating for the Russian fans – the most in the medal plan for the future of the program even without the World Cup heroines Sochi Adelina Sotnikova and Julia Lipnitskaya season which failed. Nothing unexpected will happen if Tuktamysheva Elizabeth, Helen and Anna Radionova Pogorilaya occupy the entire podium of the championship. Moreover, there is no sensation of any order of the names in the trio, except that the chances of gold Pogoriloy, considering not the most stable of her skating, below. But potentially can win each.
In an equal fight may be the key nuances, and there is a serious statement in the form of difficult jumps – a triple axel – prepares Tuktamysheva. However, there is doubt whether she will risk – the fact that this purely jump champion of Europe has made so far in one tournament, and then the domestic insignificant, then plucked a few other elements of the program.
Among those who may still struggle to break into three Russians, should be called the three Americans: bronze medalist Final Grand Prix of the season Ashley Wagner and Gracie Gold and Polina Edmunds. It is possible that high scores pick one of the three Japanese women, although replacing the triple world champion Mao Asada in Japan has not yet found.
The only chance to express themselves – to dance safely
Dancing on the ice were the most “victims” of the post-Olympic syndrome overlooking the Russian figure skating, where our in Shanghai is likely to have no chance. In Shanghai from Russia arrived three dancing couples World Cup debutants. One of these pairs, however, only newcomer to a new combination. And Elena Ilyina and Ruslan Zhiganshin at the world championships since previous partners – respectively Nikita Katsalapovym and Victoria Sinitsina – performed.
To predict what the result Ilyinykh Zhiganshin and be able to show at this World Cup, it is impossible even that ice dancing is the most conservative view of figure skating. At the Moscow Grand Prix Elena and Ruslan got a very promising evaluation and took second place. But in the future did not skate cleanly in any competition, therefore, in the Grand Prix finals of the remaining six, and at the European Championship – Fourth, although there, and there claimed the medals.
Medal of the European Championship but failed to win Alexandra Stepanova and Ivan Bukin conducting their first full season adult. But at the World Cup to get into the top three junior world champion in 2013 will be extremely difficult. Because three Canadian and three American couples potentially weaker. Ride safely, backhand – the only way in which a judge may give preference to those on adult competitions have not yet proved itself fully.
The same applies to the third Russian dance duo, participating in the World Cup – Xenia Monki and Cyril Halyavin. European Championship debut was formed for the winners of the world junior championship in 2011 so poorly – they only took tenth place. Monki and potentially Halyavin able to ride much better, but only if, in the words of their coach Alexander Zhulin, will be liberated and will not be afraid.
In the list of contenders for the gold – three dance couples: Americans Madison Chalk / Evan Bates, Canadians Kaitlyn Weaver / Andrew Poje and French Gabriella Papadakis / Guillaume Cizeron. More chances in this fight from the Canadian duo, who excelled in the Grand Prix Final and Four Continents Championships. But can surprise the French, won this year’s European Championship. Last year’s world champions Italians Anna Cappellini / Luca Lanotte, missed half the season due to various problems now rather dark horses.
Kawaguchi and Smirnov against two Canadians and six Chinese
In figure skating, after two-time Olympic champions Tatiana Volosozhar / Maxim Trankov missed season due to health problems in the partner and Olympic champions in the team and silver medalist in the individual tournament Sochi Xenia Stolbov / Fedor Klimov decided not to play in the World Cup to work in the future, the situation is not the Russians too optimistic. Most real chance to get in the top three at the two-time European champions Yuko Kawaguchi and Alexander Smirnov. They have to do there is a serious technical arsenal includes emissions in four turns, and credibility in the eyes of the judges.
But even they claim the prize will not be easy. Out of competition this season, Canadians Meagan Duhamel / Eric Radford, who in addition to the most complex elements (parallel triple Lutz, the same quadruple release) suddenly compared to past seasons appeared artistry. And they won the Grand Prix Final and Four Continents Championships, and apparently, in pure rolling will be the main contenders for the World Championship gold.
But this statement is unlikely to agree to the owners of the championship, which was prepared for the home World Cup serious team. Firstly, sharply gained Peng Cheng and Zhang Hao. Highly experienced silver medalist yet Turin Olympics with a young partner – has rolled up a couple who won a silver medal this season on four continents. Progress and triple world champion Junior Sui Wenjing / Han Cong. Finally, specifically to Shanghai returned to service veterans – double world champion Pang Qing / Tong Jian. All three Chinese couples are able to win any medal.
A lot of two Russian duo that will debut at the World Cup, is likely to be a struggle for the approaches to the pedestal – that is, for the future. And the prospects, according to experts, and silver medalists last year’s Junior World Championship Yevgeniya Tarasova / Vladimir Morozov, and existing only this season the pair Christina Astakhova / Alexei Rogonova there.
Will there be a time in Shanghai Kovtun?
Men’s figure skating – the only kind of program the World Cup, where the Russians incomplete representation. However, and two members in the face of Maxim Kovtun and Sergei Voronov – a step forward compared to two consecutive world championships, where the country was represented by only one person. It was just Kovtun, and if in 2013 in the Canadian London he inexperience and youth was only 17th, the last year in Japan Saitama – already the fourth.
Based on the logic of events, on the the current world championship may well come a time Kovtun to win a medal. Above the third place, however, he will be able to climb barely, as Olympic champion Japanese Yuzuru Hanyu and three-time European champion Spaniard Javier Fernandez – it rivals with whom the Russians until the objective can not fight. They were up on last year’s Maxim and the World Cup, but the third skater standing then on the podium – Japanese Tatsuki Machida – this season suddenly ended his career.
However, the current Japanese men’s figure skating is famous for its interchangeability. Silver medalist at the world championship in 2011 Takahiko Kozuka and winner of the Grand Prix in Canada this season Takahito Mura potential to win medals. In great shape bronze medalist of the Olympics in Sochi Denis Ten of Kazakhstan, to prove this victory in the Championship on four continents. Can “shoot” the Americans – young Jason Brown and Joshua Farris, as well as more experienced Adam Rippon.
Can a breakthrough and the second Russian party – Sergei Voronov. Skater, who two years ago has almost no one took seriously, opened a new group after the transition to coach Etery Tutberidze and became eligible for the award of all major competitions. Proof that the Ravens – a force became Bronze Final Grand Prix of the season, as well as two consecutive European Championships medals.
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