2016 Trophee de France: Ladies & Pairs Preview
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Welcome to the second part of our Trophee de France preview, where a deep ladies’ field makes for one of the most unpredictable events of the season so far, and several pairs fight to secure a ticket to the Grand Prix Final!
LADIES
The ladies’ event at Trophee de France features an exceptionally deep field, with one clear favorite to win and an intriguing mix of veterans and debutantes who could potentially stand on the podium. Evgenia Medvedeva, Russia’s reigning World Champion, is practically skating against herself as she seeks yet another gold medal to continue her winning streak. USA’s Gracie Gold, on the other hand, will be skating against herself in an entirely different sense as she struggles to regain her confidence after a heavy defeat at Worlds and a disastrous showing at Skate America. Veteran and living legend Mao Asada, who suffered from a knee injury at her first Grand Prix event, will mainly be looking for solid performances to improve on her initial competition, while Gabrielle Daleman seeks to improve her standing among the top ladies. Trophee de France will also feature the senior debuts of two young ladies with great success on the junior level, Wakaba Higuchi of Japan and Maria Sotskova of Russia, both of whom could land a spot on the podium if they skate well.
EVGENIA MEDVEDEVA
Representing: Russia
Age: 16
ISU personal bests: SP 76.24, FS 150.10, total 223.86
Notable titles: 2016 World Champion, 2016 European Champion, 2016 Russian National Champion, 2015 Grand Prix Final Champion, 2015 Junior World Champion
Programs: SP - River Flows in You/The Winter; FS - Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close/Piano Lesson with Grandma
Can anyone stop Evgenia Medvedeva? The answer so far appears to be no. After winning nearly every single competition in her senior debut last season, including the World Championships, Evgenia has proven that she isn’t like the ephemeral Russian ladies of yesteryear and is here to stay. Kicking off her Grand Prix season with an easy win at Skate Canada despite suffering from a cold, Evgenia enters Trophee de France as the heavy favorite, with a combination of high technical content, consistency, and high program component scores. She looks right on track to qualifying for her second Grand Prix Final (and truth be told, winning it too).
Evgenia is good friends with 2-time Junior World Bronze Medalist Wakaba Higuchi of Japan, who will be making her senior Grand Prix debut at this competition. Look for them to appear on each other’s social media accounts. (Evgenia’s Twitter and Instagram)
*Warning: Evgenia’s free skate may be triggering for those who have been directly affected by the 9/11 incident.
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
Although (or possibly because) she was often hailed as the future of American ladies’ skating, Gracie’s string of fourth-place finishes at major competitions, especially the one at 2016 Worlds, seems to have badly eroded her confidence this season. A disastrous performance at Skate America dropped her to fifth place and a ticket to the Grand Prix Final has likely already slipped from her grasp. If she is anywhere close to top form at Trophee de France, she could challenge for a medal and possibly even the title, but her condition remains to be seen, and she could just as easily finish off the podium again. Solid performances here could help her self-confidence heading into US Nationals and the rest of the season.
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 Grand Prix Final Champion, 3-time Four Continents Champion, 6-time Japanese National Champion
Programs: SP - Ritual Fire Dance; FS - Ritual Fire Dance
The most highly decorated skater in this field and a beloved icon in Japan, Mao has seen some hard times since her return to competition last season. Suffering from a knee injury at Skate America, she removed her trademark triple axel from her programs and will not be attempting it at Trophee de France either. With a base value disadvantage compared to other skaters in this field, Mao will need nearly clean performances to contend for a spot on the podium, but her injury leaves her physical condition in question, and her tendency to underrotate jumps will also hurt. Having finished sixth at Skate America, Mao’s chances for the Grand Prix Final are already gone. Nevertheless, her skating skills are unparalleled in this field, and her skating is beautiful to watch regardless of her jumps.
WAKABA HIGUCHI
Representing: Japan
Age: 15
ISU personal bests: SP 66.66, FS 125.65, total 185.57
Notable titles: 2015 & 2016 Junior World Bronze Medalist, 2014 Junior Grand Prix Final Bronze Medalist, 2-time Japanese National Medalist, 2-time Japanese Junior National Champion
Programs: SP - Nocturne (from Lady Caliph); FS - Scheherazade
The youngest skater in this field, Wakaba has a lot to prove at her senior Grand Prix debut. Already well-known in Japan for her accomplishments on the junior level and for making the senior National podium for the last two seasons, she must weather the media’s expectations as she seeks to make a name for herself on the senior international stage. Wakaba first made a splash as a junior during the 2014-15 season, when she became the first Japanese lady to medal at both the Junior Grand Prix Final and Junior World Championships in several years, heralding a new era of strong Japanese ladies on the junior level. An injury affected her performances on the 2015 Junior Grand Prix and she failed to qualify for the Final, but she rallied back to win her second Junior National title and eventually repeated her bronze medal at 2016 Junior Worlds.
Known for her speed, power, and big, solid jumps, Wakaba has also worked on her artistry and presentation this season, and the improvement is especially apparent in her short program. She has ambitious jump layouts, attempting two triple lutz-triple toe combinations in her free skate, one in the second half. However, she is sometimes prone to popping her jumps and making other mistakes when she’s nervous. As a new senior, Wakaba’s component scores likely won’t be as high as those of older competitors, so she will have to rely on her technical score to make it onto the Trophee de France podium. Wakaba started her season off at Lombardia Trophy, where she won the gold medal (albeit with costly mistakes in the free skate), and placed 5th at Japan Open in the free skate segment.
Wakaba is good friends with 2016 World Champion Evgenia Medvedeva, having competed with her in juniors, and they make frequent appearances on each other’s social media accounts. (Wakaba’s Twitter and Instagram)
MARIA SOTSKOVA
Representing: Russia
Age: 16
ISU personal bests: SP 64.82, FS 128.38, total 189.96
Notable titles: 2016 Junior World Silver Medalist, 2015 Junior Grand Prix Final Silver Medalist, 2016 Youth Olympic Silver Medalist, 2013 Junior Grand Prix Final Champion, 3-time Russian Junior National Silver Medalist
Programs: SP - Butterflies Are Free; FS - Adagio (Schnittke)
Another debutante on the senior Grand Prix circuit, Maria’s consistency carried her to major podiums on the junior level last season, and could do the same for her this year. Debuting as a junior in the 2013-14 season, Maria won the 2013 Junior Grand Prix Final, but an injury forced her to miss 2014 Junior Worlds. The following season saw her struggling with injury and inconsistency brought on by a growth spurt, but Maria finally found her groove again last season, finishing second at both the 2015 Junior Grand Prix Final and 2016 Junior World Championships. She began her 2016-17 season with a solid win at the Ondrej Nepela Memorial, and similar performances could see her claim a podium spot at Trophee de France. Since she is a new senior, it’s difficult to predict how her program component scores might look, but her consistency and high technical content should carry her through - if she can avoid succumbing to nerves at her senior Grand Prix debut.
Maria is one of the tallest skaters in the ladies’ field, standing at 170 cm (5’7”).
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
After a breakthrough that saw her place 9th at the World Championships last season, Gabby hasn’t quite managed to capitalize on that momentum yet this season, finishing a close fourth at Skate America. However, her scores have seen a significant increase, and consistent performances at Trophee de France could land her on the podium. Known for her power and enormous jumps, Gabby could use this competition to further improve her standing with the judges heading into Canadian Nationals.
Other skaters to watch:
Alena Leonova (RUS): 2012 World Silver Medalist. Due to inconsistency and a deep field, hasn’t repeated her success since on the international stage. Known for having quirky/weird programs. Placed 6th at Ondrej Nepela Memorial earlier this season.
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 10. An expressive skater, but recently hindered by underrotations and inconsistency. Placed 8th at Skate America.
Mae-Berenice Meite (FRA): 3-time French National Champion. Inconsistent, but looking for good performances in front of a home audience. Known for her strong, powerfully expressive style. Recently won 2016 Cup of Nice.
Yuka Nagai (JPN): 2015 Skate Canada Bronze Medalist. An elegant skater with good jumps when she’s on, but often pops her jumps. Placed 11th overall at 2016 Skate Canada after a disastrous short program.
PAIRS
After a spate of withdrawals, the pairs field at Trophee de France has narrowed down to only six pairs in total, but competition at the top will still be fierce. Competing for the second week in a row, 2016 World Bronze Medalists and newly-minted Rostelecom Cup champions Aliona Savchenko and Bruno Massot are gunning for another win at Trophee de France en route to qualifying for their first Grand Prix Final together. They are the favorites to win, but a challenge could emerge in the form of two Russian teams, Evgenia Tarasova/Vladimir Morozov and Natalia Zabiiako/Alexander Enbert, who both have a shot at qualifying for the Final if they can make the podium. Meanwhile, hometown favorites Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres of France will be looking for some redemption after a disastrous free skate at Skate America left them wallowing in the standings.
ALIONA SAVCHENKO / BRUNO MASSOT
Representing: Germany
Ages: 32/27
ISU personal bests: SP 76.30, FS 142.98, total 216.17
Notable titles: 2016 World Bronze Medalists, 2016 European Silver Medalists
Programs: SP - That Man; FS - Lighthouse
In only their second season competing together on the international scene, Savchenko/Massot have proven themselves one of the top teams on the Grand Prix, winning their first event, Rostelecom Cup, despite some major technical errors. In Moscow, they attempted a difficult throw triple axel in the short program, and both a throw triple axel and throw quadruple salchow in the free skate. Although they are still far from consistent with these risky elements, the base value advantage they could gain is a point in their favor, coupled with their strong program component scores. Savchenko/Massot did not compete on the Grand Prix last season, and will be aiming to qualify for their first Grand Prix Final together with a podium finish at Trophee de France - preferably a win, in order to set themselves up as contenders for the Grand Prix Final title. Although they are the favorites in this field, competing two weeks in a row could affect their performances. They will have to avoid making too many errors, since clean programs from the Russian teams could present a viable threat.
EVGENIA TARASOVA / VLADIMIR MOROZOV
Representing: Russia
Ages: 21/24
ISU personal bests: SP 75.24, 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)
Tarasova/Morozov looked poised to take their first Grand Prix title at Skate America after a winning short program performance that updated their personal best score. However, a scary fall on a quadruple twist attempt in their free skate derailed the rest of their program, and they finished in a disappointing third place. Tarasova/Morozov are a young team with quality technical elements that are capable of gaining huge Grades of Execution when they’re on, but so far they have struggled to find consistency. Nevertheless, if they have two clean skates at Trophee de France and capitalize on Savchenko/Massot’s mistakes, they are entirely capable of capturing the title. In order to give themselves a chance at qualifying for the Grand Prix Final for the first time, they will need to secure at least a silver medal at this competition.
NATALIA ZABIIAKO / ALEXANDER ENBERT
Representing: Russia
Age: 22/27
ISU personal bests: SP 69.76, FS 128.58, total 197.77
Notable titles: 2016 Rostelecom Cup Silver Medalists
Programs: SP - Snowstorm; FS - Cry Me a River
Although both skaters in this team have competed with several other partners in the past, it wasn’t until they found each other that they began to experience success on the international scene. After teaming up in 2015, Zabiiako/Enbert immediately won medals on the Challenger Series and placed fifth at Russian Nationals. Though they entered 2016 Rostelecom Cup practically as unknowns, they surprised skating fans by winning the short program and the silver medal overall. Zabiiako/Enbert will definitely be a threat for the podium at Trophee de France, and will be looking for at least a bronze medal (preferably silver) to give themselves a shot at qualifying for their first Grand Prix Final. However, like Savchenko/Massot, they will have to quickly adjust to competing again after only one week.
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
After a dismal free skate at Skate America left them in fourth place, James/Cipres will no doubt be seeking stronger performances in front of a home crowd at Trophee de France. Upping their technical level this season with an ambitious throw quad salchow in their free skate, James/Cipres have the potential to medal if they’re clean, but regardless of podium placements, solid performances here could refuel them with some much-needed confidence heading into the rest of the season. Look out for their “Rippon” style throw jumps, where Vanessa holds both arms above her head.
Other skaters to watch:
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 consistency in the free skate and Mervin’s side-by-side jumps. Placed 7th at Skate America.