So we open in France this year with the Grand Prix, and close in Canada. And everything in between is all re-shuffled as well. I’ve got to get used to that!
No matter when the events take place, no matter what the order… there are still some fierce SHOWDOWNS to be had. Especially in an Olympic season. And now that the quasi-retirees are back in the game, good Lord, what exactly is everyone in for come October/November/December??
Using the ISU rankings (in parentheses), past history, and a little bit of imagination, I’ve got a few guesses at “what everyone is in for”…
For Trophee Eric Bompard (TEB): Kim (1) vs. Asada (2) vs. Kostner (4) vs. Cohen (Not Ranked). “Hey, I know how to get this season started with a bang (said someone in the ISU)… put three of the top 5-ranked ladies in the world in TEB, then add Sasha Cohen to the mix. Everyone will be dying to know how Cohen fares among the best in the world… then compare it to the Olympics four months later…it’s perfect!!” Indeed it is. Well, if Rochette were there…
Funny thing is, in any other year a Kim vs. Asada rematch would be enough.
For Cup of Russia (I think it’s called something new this year, but I don’t feel like looking it up at the moment): Chan (1) vs. Kozuka (5) vs. Weir (7) vs. Plushenko (NR). Chan is reportedly working on learning the quad right now. Kozuka and Weir are, hopefully, working on gaining some consistency with each of their quads. Plushenko is, one would guess, working on getting his quad(s) back.
And then, after that little contest is over, perhaps the best overall skater will be awarded appropriately. I’d love to see the ultra low-key Kozuka on top in this race—I’m afraid he’ll get lost in the Japanese shuffle once Oda and Dice-K are back at full throttle—but I suspect Chan is a more likely bet for the top spot. Unless it goes to Plushy, of course… wonder how these two will look competing alongside each other?
As for Weir, I think staying ahead of smaller names such as Brandon Mroz will be a victory in itself. Though what reaction might be generated if Plushy and Weir happened to be 1-2 going into the free skate—just as they were in Torino?
For Cup of China: Zhang/Zhang (2) vs. Shen/Zhao (NR). Sorry, but all other pairs at this event can just stay home… that’s how inconsequential they’re likely to be in the giant shadows cast in Beijing by China’s past and present pairs’ greatness all at once. No wonder the 3rd Chinese team is listed as TBA (Pang/Tong already have two assignments)… no one wants to be the third wheel on that train!
The Clip of the Day is Cohen’s FS from Trophee Lalique (what Trophee Eric Bompard used to be called), back in 2003. She won handily that year, with her closest competition being an up-and-coming Japanese skater by the name of Shizuka Arakawa…
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