2016 Skate America Preview Part 1: Ladies & Pairs
SYWTW FS
The 2016 Grand Prix Series starts with Skate America this week, and things are heating up as we go into the pre-Olympic season!
SYWTWFS recently gained many new followers, so we’ll try our best to write previews for as many competitions as possible this season in order to introduce everyone to some of the top skaters in the current field. This part of our Skate America preview will cover the ladies and pairs fields.
LADIES
Ladies’ figure skating features a varied mixture of talents - from young ingenues to skating legends. Domestic rivals Ashley Wagner and Gracie Gold of the USA once again go head-to-head in their fight to claim the top spot. Meanwhile, Mao Asada, the skating icon from Japan, is looking for good performances to solidify her standing and set a baseline for the next competition, while Gabby Daleman from Canada, who had solid performances last season, is looking to break into those top placements. But in a sport where “ice is slippery” and a field where one mistake could make the difference, it’s too early to call the frontrunners just yet.
ASHLEY WAGNER
Representing: USA
Age: 25
ISU personal bests: SP 73.16, FS 142.23, total 215.39
Notable titles: 2016 World Silver Medalist, 2012 4CC Champion, 3-time US National Champion
Programs: SP - Sweet Dreams; FS - Exogenesis Symphony Part 3
Ashley is coming fresh off her stellar performances at 2016 Worlds, where she ended the infamous 10-year medal drought for the US ladies with a silver medal. In the past, Ashley was known as the “almost girl”: her results were good, but not enough to make podiums. In the last four years, she has turned that image around and become not only one of the top ladies’ competitors in the United States, but in the entire world. Known for her confidence, fierce expression, and dynamic charisma on the ice, Ashley is giving her fans a taste of what she’s known for in her new Sweet Dreams SP, which she debuted at 2016 Carnival on Ice. However, not content with staying safe, Ashley is also pushing her artistic envelope with a sensitive Exogenesis FS, which she debuted at 2016 Japan Open to a solid third place finish. Ashley certainly has the capability to win and put out two great performances, but her victory will depend on the consistency and cleanness of her jumps.
Ashley shares a coach, Rafael Arutunian, with 2016 US National Champion Adam Rippon (who also happens to be her best friend). She has a weakness for cookies.
GRACIE GOLD
Representing: USA
Age: 21
ISU personal bests: SP 76.43, FS 137.41, total 211.29
Notable titles: 2-time US National Champion
Programs: SP - Assassin’s Tango; FS - Daphnis et Chloe
Despite winning US Nationals last season, Gracie faced grave disappointment at Worlds as both the title of World Champion and a medal of any color slipped out of her grasp with a lukewarm free skate in front of a home crowd. However, she rallied from the heartbreak and was able to help Team North America to first place at the Team Challenge Cup a few weeks later. Coached and advised by Michelle Kwan’s former team, Gracie’s jumps are her strength, while her mental fortitude and struggle to perform under pressure are her weaknesses. After taking some time off, Gracie started her competitive season at the Japan Open, where a disastrous free skate performance placed her last. Despite that, you can’t count her out - Gracie has certainly shown us in the past that she has the capability to win, with a combination of high PCS and clean jumps. At Skate America, she’ll have to deal with the pressure and deliver solid skates to achieve the redemption she seeks.
MAO ASADA
Representing: Japan
Age: 26
ISU personal bests: SP 78.66, FS 142.71, total 216.69
Notable titles: 2010 Olympic Silver Medalist, 3-time World Champion, 4-time GPF Champion, 3-time 4CC Champion, 6-time Japanese National Champion
Programs: SP - Ritual Fire Dance; FS - Ritual Fire Dance
Returning to the skating world last season after a year-long break, veteran Mao Asada looks to continue her illustrious career path that has already established her as a living legend in the skating community. Since she was a young teen, she’s been wowing the crowd with her trademark triple axel (a jump with 3.5 rotations that is rarely seen in ladies’ skating) and her mature, polished skating. From her Olympic performances to her three World titles, Mao has already accomplished what most skaters can only dream of, and skating fans adore her every move. However, despite being one of the most artistically beautiful skaters in the field, Mao’s jumps have often led her to less-than-stellar results during her comeback. After finishing 7th at 2016 Worlds, she looks to rise again and establish herself as a contender for podiums. Her 2016-17 season started at Finlandia Trophy, where she received the silver medal with lower technical content than usual, having taken out her triple axel and triple-triple combination. Mao has proven over the years that she has the inner strength, ability, and experience to be the best skater in the world - but for her appearance at Skate America, her effortless artistry and skating skills will need to be supported by a solid jump layout. Of additional concern are reports of pain in her left knee that appeared after Finlandia Trophy, which could hinder her further.
GABRIELLE DALEMAN
Representing: Canada
Age: 18
ISU personal bests: SP 67.38, FS 128.30, total 195.68
Notable titles: 2015 Canadian National Champion
Programs: SP - Hérodiade; FS - Rhapsody in Blue
Last season was a breakout season for Gabby. At the World Championships, she was able to put together two good performances to receive personal best scores in the short program, free skate, and combined total, landing her in the top 10 for the first time. She continued this upward streak at the Team Challenge Cup, where an electric short program performance placed her first in her group. This season, Gabby looks to continue this upwards trajectory, and perhaps challenge for a place on the Grand Prix podiums. She began her competitive season at the Nebelhorn Trophy, where she won the bronze medal. Gabby is known for her strong, athletic style - and also, her abs (which one can see on her Instagram.)
MAI MIHARA
Representing: Japan
Age: 17
ISU personal bests: SP 63.55, FS 125.92, total 189.03
Notable titles: 2016 Nebelhorn Trophy Champion
Programs: SP - Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso; FS - Cinderella
Fresh out of juniors, Mai got her senior debut season off to a good start by winning the 2016 Nebelhorn Trophy ahead of experienced older skaters. Last season, she qualified for the Junior Grand Prix Final, but her season was somewhat derailed by an injury. Mai is a consistent skater with solid jumps and difficult content, but still has some weaknesses when it comes to presentation. As an “unknown”, she likely won’t get high PCS from the judges. However, she’s a bit of a dark horse - if other skaters falter, it’s possible for Mai to place quite well at Skate America.
KANAKO MURAKAMI
Representing: Japan
Age: 21
ISU personal bests: SP 68.51, FS 132.18, total 196.91
Notable titles: 2014 4CC Champion, 2010 GPF Bronze Medalist, 2010 Junior World Champion, 4-time Japanese National Medalist
Programs: SP - Carmen; FS - Tosca
Kanako burst onto the senior scene in the 2010-11 season, winning a bronze medal at her first Grand Prix Final, and settled comfortably into the role of one of Japan’s leading ladies in the years after. She won two small World medals for the short program segment, the 2014 Four Continents title, and participated in the 2014 Sochi Olympics. But she’s fallen on hard times since - in the last two seasons, Kanako has struggled heavily with her jumps, often underrotating or popping them, especially in the free skate. She placed 6th at Japanese Nationals last season and failed to make the World team for the first time in her senior career. A passionate and expressive skater with a bubbly personality and radiant smile, Kanako nevertheless needs to avoid major jump errors at Skate America if she hopes to place well. It’s unlikely that she will medal at this competition, but she’ll be looking to improve her consistency and bolster her confidence with two good skates heading into the new season.
Kanako loves Disney movies, especially The Little Mermaid. She shares coaches with 2015 GPF bronze medalist Shoma Uno.
Other skaters to watch:
So Youn Park (KOR): 2015 South Korean National Champion. Broke out onto the scene at the 2014 World Championships, where she placed in the top ten. An expressive skater, but recently hindered by underrotations and other jump issues, resulting in an 18th place finish at 2016 Worlds. Looks to regain her standing.
Mariah Bell (USA): 8th at Skate America last season. This season, picked up two medals on the Challenger Series. Will be looking for two strong skates and to increase competition experience.
*Julia Lipnitskaia (RUS) has withdrawn from Skate America with no replacement.
PAIRS
A dynamic (and dangerous) discipline where female skaters are thrown several feet into the air, accomplishing impossible-looking elements, the pairs’ field has seen considerable technical advancement in recent years, but the core appeal of pairs skating lies in the trust and chemistry between partners. Although the Skate America field is somewhat depleted due to the withdrawals of 2-time World Silver Medalists Wenjing Sui/Cong Han of China and 2015 US National Champions Alexa Scimeca/Chris Knierim (both due to injury), there are still several talented teams left to make this an exciting competition.
EVGENIA TARASOVA / VLADIMIR MOROZOV
Representing: Russia
Ages: 21/24
ISU personal bests: SP 73.06, FS 134.27, total 206.27
Notable titles: 2-time European Bronze Medalists, 2-time Russian National Medalists
Programs: SP - GLAM; FS - Music (by John Miles)
Evgenia and Vladimir are a relatively young team who have medaled three times on the Grand Prix since turning senior in the 2014-15 season. Always on the cusp of making the Grand Prix Final, they may get their chance this season if they can snag a win at Skate America - but they will face tough competition from other teams in this field. Tarasova/Morozov are known for their beautiful technical elements, especially their triple twist (they have also performed quad twists in competition), but they still have room to improve in presentation and performance. They are usually a consistent team, having established themselves as one of Russia’s top pairs in the last two seasons, but they are sometimes vulnerable to random errors, and a gold medal at Skate America is definitely not guaranteed.
JULIANNE SEGUIN / CHARLIE BILODEAU
Representing: Canada
Ages: 19/23
ISU personal bests: SP 71.40, FS 136.90, total 208.30
Notable titles: 2015 Junior World Silver Medalists, 2-time Canadian National Medalists
Programs: SP - Skokiaan; FS - Cinema Paradiso
Another young team, Julianne and Charlie had an excellent 2014-15 season, winning the 2014 Junior Grand Prix Final and the silver medal at the 2015 Junior World Championships. They had a successful senior debut last season, placing an impressive 4th at the Grand Prix Final. After winning the silver medal at the Canadian National Championships, they were assigned to the Four Continents and World teams, but Julianne sustained an injury in training and the team withdrew from both 4CC and Worlds. They returned to competition this season at the 2016 Autumn Classic International, where they picked up right where they left off, setting new personal best scores in all segments of the competition. Seguin/Bilodeau are a charming team whose greatest strength is their consistency, and if they can put together two clean performances at Skate America, it’s possible that they may win the competition.
VANESSA JAMES / MORGAN CIPRES
Representing: France
Ages: 29/25
ISU personal bests: SP 66.69, FS 133.32, total 198.90
Notable titles: 4-time French National Champions
Programs: SP - Earned It, FS - The Sound of Silence
Having teamed up in 2010, Vanessa and Morgan are one of the oldest partnerships in this field. They are a powerful team and enjoyable to watch, but they still haven’t quite broken out on the international scene yet. This season might just be their season, if their personal best performances at Autumn Classic International indicate anything. They have attempted the throw quad salchow a few times in competition, though without much success. Inconsistency has always been their weakness in the past and it might just rear its head again at Skate America, but if they can keep it together, a medal might be within reach.
Off-ice, Vanessa and Morgan are probably best known for embracing Team France’s shirts-optional policy (see: their Instagrampages).
TARAH KAYNE / DANIEL O’SHEA
Representing: USA
Ages: 23/25
ISU personal bests: SP 62.05, FS 122.45, total 182.02
Notable titles: 2014 4CC Silver Medalists, 2016 US National Champions, 2015 US National Bronze Medalists
Programs: SP - Take Me to Church; FS - Son of India/Marche Slave
Tarah and Danny teamed up in 2012 and steadily moved up the ranks of US pairs skating, winning the silver medal at the 2014 Four Continents Championships. Surgery for a labral tear in her right hip put Tarah out of commission for the 2014 Grand Prix season, but the team made a successful comeback at 2015 US Nationals, winning their first national medal - a bronze. Kayne/O’Shea performed well on the Grand Prix last season, but the real highlight of their season came at 2016 US Nationals, where they skated two lights-out performances to win the title ahead of then-reigning national champions Alexa Scimeca/Chris Knierim. Unfortunately, their Worlds debut ended with a disappointing 13th place, but Kayne/O’Shea will be back this season with a renewed desire to prove themselves on the international scene. They are an expressive team with good chemistry and a lot of potential, but consistency on their technical elements will be key.
Tarah and Danny are both active on Twitter, and Tarah posts makeup tutorials on her Youtube channel (Level 4 Look) in her spare time.
Other skaters to watch:
Kristina Astakhova/Alexei Rogonov (RUS): 2014 Rostelecom Cup Bronze Medalists, placed 4th twice at Russian Nationals. Teamed up in 2014. Technically strong and capable of placing well, but will depend on consistency. Known for their quirky music and programs.
Marissa Castelli/Mervin Tran (USA): 2016 US National Bronze Medalists. Teamed up in 2014. Marissa was an Olympian with former partner Simon Shnapir; Mervin a World bronze medalist for Japan with Narumi Takahashi. A fun team with loads of talent and potential, but haven’t quite gotten it together yet. Main weaknesses are Mervin’s side-by-side jumps and consistency in the free skate.
Valentina Marchei/Ondrej Hotarek (ITA): 2014-15 Italian National Champions, 5th at European Championships last season. Valentina was a singles skater for many years before teaming up for pairs with Ondrej in 2014. One of the few teams to attempt side-by-side triple lutz jumps. Consistency has been an issue lately, but they could place well if they’re on.
Haven Denney/Brandon Frazier (USA): 2nd at 2014 Skate America and 2015 US Nationals. Missed last season due to Haven’s injury. Placed 4th at Ondrej Nepela Memorial in a shaky but not disastrous comeback. Will be looking to regain competition experience.