Complete article can be found at http://en.ria.ru/sports/20111226/170504044.html
SARANSK, Russia, December 26 (RIA Novosti)
Evgeny Plushenko was victorious Monday in his first competition since his figure skating silver medal at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, but two shaky routines proved much work lies ahead if he is to complete a much-trumpeted comeback.
Plushenko chose the Russian national championships in Saransk as the springboard to revive a glittering career that he seeks to round off with a gold medal at his home Olympics in Sochi in 2014. He admitted he had found the going hard, and had yet to fully recover from knee surgery earlier this year.
"It was tough," Plushenko said. "First and foremost, psychologically. I haven't performed in a long time, and the injury has an effect."
"But I'm happy I'm back, I'm happy I won."
Plushenko skated a rough-around-the-edges free program Monday with a quad toeloop that he fluffed the previous night in the short program. He under-rotated some jumps and stepped out of others, but the ordinary competition meant the points were still enough for his ninth Russian national title.
The 2006 Turin Games gold medalist said landing the quad was "very important, because I needed to conquer the painful fear of a knock to the left leg."
Monday, December 26, 2011
Plushenko returns triumphant
Complete article can be found at
http://www.goldenskate.com/2011/12/plushenko-returns-triumphant/
December 25, 2011 - by Anna Kondakova
Evgeni Plushenko’s second comeback to eligible figure skating turned out to be as triumphant as the first one at the 2012 Russian National Figure Skating Championships. The 2006 Olympic champion currently leads the field ahead of training mate Artur Gachinski and last year’s bronze medalist Zhan Bush.
Skating to music arranged by his long-time collaborator Edvin Marton, Plushenko did not appear to be a day older than he had been at this event two years ago. His strongest points remain the same: power, attack, and charisma to spare. Surprisingly, his weakest points were the jumps.
The 29-year-old failed to attach the second jump to his opening quad toe loop, and with no steps preceding it, the element received a negative Grade of Execution (GOE). He also was only able to improvise a triple-double combination later in the program. Still, the eight-time national champion currently leads the field with 88.24 (42.30/45.94) points on the strength of his program components score.
The panel did not quite agree on the numerical value: Plushenko earned a few 9.75s, but no 10s. In addition, someone on the panel gave him as low as 7.50 for transitions. Nevertheless, there was no doubt that his performance overall deserved the highest score of the night.
The skater himself remained grounded and critical of his performance.
http://www.goldenskate.com/2011/12/plushenko-returns-triumphant/
December 25, 2011 - by Anna Kondakova
Evgeni Plushenko’s second comeback to eligible figure skating turned out to be as triumphant as the first one at the 2012 Russian National Figure Skating Championships. The 2006 Olympic champion currently leads the field ahead of training mate Artur Gachinski and last year’s bronze medalist Zhan Bush.
Skating to music arranged by his long-time collaborator Edvin Marton, Plushenko did not appear to be a day older than he had been at this event two years ago. His strongest points remain the same: power, attack, and charisma to spare. Surprisingly, his weakest points were the jumps.
The 29-year-old failed to attach the second jump to his opening quad toe loop, and with no steps preceding it, the element received a negative Grade of Execution (GOE). He also was only able to improvise a triple-double combination later in the program. Still, the eight-time national champion currently leads the field with 88.24 (42.30/45.94) points on the strength of his program components score.
The panel did not quite agree on the numerical value: Plushenko earned a few 9.75s, but no 10s. In addition, someone on the panel gave him as low as 7.50 for transitions. Nevertheless, there was no doubt that his performance overall deserved the highest score of the night.
The skater himself remained grounded and critical of his performance.
Sotnikova finds her rhythm at Russian Nationals, leads after short
Complete article can be found at
http://www.examiner.com/figure-skating-in-national/sotnikova-finds-her-rhythm-at-russian-nationals-leads-after-short
Jackie Wong , Figure Skating Examiner
December 26, 2011
Most skating observers will find their jaws dropping today when they see what happened in the ladies’ short program at the Russian Figure Skating Championships. It was not so much that defending champion Adelina Sotnikova has the lead, but more that the skater who has been the Russian star this season, Elizaveta Tuktamisheva, is in a shocking seventh place. The strong field of ladies took the ice and showed why they are the most talented bunch in the world.
Sotnikova, who has struggled this season with the short program, saved her best so far for her own national championships, hitting her opening triple lutz-triple loop combination to put herself in prime position for her third title. With the most difficult and best executed short program of the bunch, her first place standing was well-deserved. The judges rewarded her with a 68.65, giving her a four-point advantage going into the free skate.
Another skater who has struggled this season, 2010 champion Ksenia Makarova, showed that she is not ready to give up on her season just yet. She put down a clean short program as well, landing a triple toe-triple toe and a solo triple loop on her way to a 64.30 and second place in the short.
http://www.examiner.com/figure-skating-in-national/sotnikova-finds-her-rhythm-at-russian-nationals-leads-after-short
Jackie Wong , Figure Skating Examiner
December 26, 2011
Most skating observers will find their jaws dropping today when they see what happened in the ladies’ short program at the Russian Figure Skating Championships. It was not so much that defending champion Adelina Sotnikova has the lead, but more that the skater who has been the Russian star this season, Elizaveta Tuktamisheva, is in a shocking seventh place. The strong field of ladies took the ice and showed why they are the most talented bunch in the world.
Sotnikova, who has struggled this season with the short program, saved her best so far for her own national championships, hitting her opening triple lutz-triple loop combination to put herself in prime position for her third title. With the most difficult and best executed short program of the bunch, her first place standing was well-deserved. The judges rewarded her with a 68.65, giving her a four-point advantage going into the free skate.
Another skater who has struggled this season, 2010 champion Ksenia Makarova, showed that she is not ready to give up on her season just yet. She put down a clean short program as well, landing a triple toe-triple toe and a solo triple loop on her way to a 64.30 and second place in the short.
Beharry and Bobak, one hot junior pair
Complete article can be found at
http://www.guelphmercury.com/sports/local/article/644573--beharry-and-bobak-one-hot-junior-pair
Rob Massey, Mercury staff
December 24, 2011
WATERLOO — Guelph skaters Ian Beharry and Katie Bobak might just be the hottest pair in international junior figure skating.
“The way it feels is amazing,” Bobak said this week prior to a workout at the RIM Park arena. “I couldn’t ask for anything better.”
Competing for the Kitchener-Waterloo Skating Club, the pair has finished on the podium three times in an as many international junior events — winning gold at Estonia and silver at Poland and Quebec City.
“It’s been a great year,” Beharry said. “We’ve had other local competitions that we’ve also medalled in.”
And it’s all come in their first season together. After last winter, both were looking for new partners.
“What your coach usually does is just contact people all around, either all around Canada or just locally, other coaches to see if they have anybody for you to try out with,” Beharry said. “Katie had just recently broke up with her partner and same as me, so we decided to have a tryout.”
“We had a tryout and it just kind of went really well,” Bobak said.
It went so well, neither had a tryout with any other skater.
In front of both of their coaches — Beharry, 20, was moving over from the Preston Figure Skating Club — the pair skated a bit to see if their styles matched. Then they did some side-by-side jumps to see how similar they were.
http://www.guelphmercury.com/sports/local/article/644573--beharry-and-bobak-one-hot-junior-pair
Rob Massey, Mercury staff
December 24, 2011
WATERLOO — Guelph skaters Ian Beharry and Katie Bobak might just be the hottest pair in international junior figure skating.
“The way it feels is amazing,” Bobak said this week prior to a workout at the RIM Park arena. “I couldn’t ask for anything better.”
Competing for the Kitchener-Waterloo Skating Club, the pair has finished on the podium three times in an as many international junior events — winning gold at Estonia and silver at Poland and Quebec City.
“It’s been a great year,” Beharry said. “We’ve had other local competitions that we’ve also medalled in.”
And it’s all come in their first season together. After last winter, both were looking for new partners.
“What your coach usually does is just contact people all around, either all around Canada or just locally, other coaches to see if they have anybody for you to try out with,” Beharry said. “Katie had just recently broke up with her partner and same as me, so we decided to have a tryout.”
“We had a tryout and it just kind of went really well,” Bobak said.
It went so well, neither had a tryout with any other skater.
In front of both of their coaches — Beharry, 20, was moving over from the Preston Figure Skating Club — the pair skated a bit to see if their styles matched. Then they did some side-by-side jumps to see how similar they were.
Main rivals absent, Bazarova and Larionov lead at Russian Nationals
Complete article can be viewed at
http://www.examiner.com/figure-skating-in-national/jackie-wong
Jackie Wong , Figure Skating Examiner
December 25, 2011
European bronze medalists Vera Bazarova and Yuri Larionov find themselves with a sizeable eight-point advantage after a clean short program that propelled them to the top of the standings at the Russian Figure Skating Championships. With the two top Russian pairs opting out of the competition in favor of much-needed rest after a busy fall, Bazarova and Larionov are in prime position to take their first national title.
Hitting their opening side-by-side triple toes and a strong throw triple flip, Bazarova and Larionov made it known that it was their opportunity for the gold, scoring a 68.83 for their short program effort. With reigning champions Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov and former championsYuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov opting to skip the competition, the door is wide open for Bazarova and Laronov to take the title.
http://www.examiner.com/figure-skating-in-national/jackie-wong
Jackie Wong , Figure Skating Examiner
December 25, 2011
European bronze medalists Vera Bazarova and Yuri Larionov find themselves with a sizeable eight-point advantage after a clean short program that propelled them to the top of the standings at the Russian Figure Skating Championships. With the two top Russian pairs opting out of the competition in favor of much-needed rest after a busy fall, Bazarova and Larionov are in prime position to take their first national title.
Hitting their opening side-by-side triple toes and a strong throw triple flip, Bazarova and Larionov made it known that it was their opportunity for the gold, scoring a 68.83 for their short program effort. With reigning champions Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov and former championsYuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov opting to skip the competition, the door is wide open for Bazarova and Laronov to take the title.
Japan's World team announced, Asada, Takahashi to lead the way in Nice
Complete article can be viewed at
http://www.examiner.com/figure-skating-in-national/japan-s-world-team-announced-asada-takahashi-to-lead-the-way-nice
Jackie Wong , Figure Skating Examiner
December 25, 2011
Following the conclusion of the Japan Figure Skating Championships, the Japanese teams for the World Championships, Four Continents Championships, and the World Junior Championships were announced. Ladies' gold medalist Mao Asada and men's gold medalist Daisuke Takahashi lead the way and look to repeat their gold medal-winning ways from two seasons ago. Full team below.
World Championships team
MEN - Daisuke Takahashi, Takahiko Kozuka, Yuzuru Hanyu
LADIES - Mao Asada, Akiko Suzuki, Kanako Murakami
PAIRS - Narumi Takahashi/Mervin Tran
DANCE - Cathy Reed/Chris Reed
http://www.examiner.com/figure-skating-in-national/japan-s-world-team-announced-asada-takahashi-to-lead-the-way-nice
Jackie Wong , Figure Skating Examiner
December 25, 2011
Following the conclusion of the Japan Figure Skating Championships, the Japanese teams for the World Championships, Four Continents Championships, and the World Junior Championships were announced. Ladies' gold medalist Mao Asada and men's gold medalist Daisuke Takahashi lead the way and look to repeat their gold medal-winning ways from two seasons ago. Full team below.
World Championships team
MEN - Daisuke Takahashi, Takahiko Kozuka, Yuzuru Hanyu
LADIES - Mao Asada, Akiko Suzuki, Kanako Murakami
PAIRS - Narumi Takahashi/Mervin Tran
DANCE - Cathy Reed/Chris Reed
Strength over adversity, Asada reclaims Japanese title
Complete article can be viewed at
http://www.examiner.com/figure-skating-in-national/strength-over-adversity-asada-reclaims-japanese-title
Jackie Wong , Figure Skating Examiner
December 25, 2011
Merely a few weeks removed from her mother’s death, two-time World champion Mao Asada made the decision to compete at the Japan Figure Skating Championships and found a way to prevail, winning her fifth career national title after finishing with the silver last year. The ladies’ free skatewas full of movement, with none of the top skaters able to deliver a clean performance.
Second coming into the free skate, Asada opted to take out her trademark triple axel once again in favor of a double axel and a more technically conservative approach. She hit three clean triples but doubled her two final triple jumps. The second half of her double axel-triple toe combination was called underrotated, further costing her base value points. She finished second in the free skate but still won the competition with a final score of 184.07.
http://www.examiner.com/figure-skating-in-national/strength-over-adversity-asada-reclaims-japanese-title
Jackie Wong , Figure Skating Examiner
December 25, 2011
Merely a few weeks removed from her mother’s death, two-time World champion Mao Asada made the decision to compete at the Japan Figure Skating Championships and found a way to prevail, winning her fifth career national title after finishing with the silver last year. The ladies’ free skatewas full of movement, with none of the top skaters able to deliver a clean performance.
Second coming into the free skate, Asada opted to take out her trademark triple axel once again in favor of a double axel and a more technically conservative approach. She hit three clean triples but doubled her two final triple jumps. The second half of her double axel-triple toe combination was called underrotated, further costing her base value points. She finished second in the free skate but still won the competition with a final score of 184.07.
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