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.