Friday, January 20, 2017

2017 U.S. Figure Skating Championships-- Predictions Pt. 2

Predictions continue with Senior Dance (SP starts at 6 PM ET on the evening of Friday 1/20):

GOLD: Maia Shibutani/Alex Shibutani
SILVER: Madison Chock/Evan Bates
BRONZE: Kaitlyn Hawayek/Jean Luc-Baker

DARK HORSE: Anastasia Cannuscio/Colin McManus

Yeah, I shook this up a little. Not at the top, where I think the Shib Sibs will keep a steady presence and C/B (who had a rough GPF, you’ll recall) will stay at 2nd. But where’s Hubbell/Donohue (who outscored C/B at said GPF)? I’ve got them being edged out of the podium by way of Hawayek/Baker… not because of their respective free dances (both of which I’m quite fond of), but because H/D’s short dance. I appreciate the “history of hip-hop” theme, but even with the changes made since the start of the season it still feels like a frantic lesson… and if the judges happen to agree, it could be the point or two difference between 3rd and 4th.

And finally, predictions for the Men (whose SP starts at 8:30 PM ET, just after the SD)

GOLD: Nathan Chen
SILVER: Max Aaron
BRONZE: Jason Brown

DARK HORSE: Vincent Zhou

Because if Chen doesn’t win it this year (with a skating-while-injured Brown, and no Rippon at all), it’s gotta be because zombies attack him in the locker room or something.

But after that, who…?? Brown suffers from a stress fracture, and even though it wasn’t diagnosed until December I’m still wondering how much it might have impacted his very “off” NHK performance. So I’m looking for Aaron to repeat as silver medalist this year. And teenager Zhou’s got the goods to shake up the podium, especially if Brown is unable to deliver.


I’ll post more after U.S. Nats are over! Till then, I’m @KLBSt8ofSk8 if you want to chat or follow on Twitter.

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