ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating: Cup of China Preview
The 2007/2008 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating continues
this week with the Cup of China in Harbin from November 8
to 11. The Cup of China is the second of six events in the
series. The skaters compete for a a global prize money of
US $ 180, 000 per individual event of the ISU Grand Prix of
Figure Skating and receive points according to their placements.
The top six skaters/couples then qualify for the ISU Grand
Prix of Figure Skating Final in Torino, Italy (December 13-16).
Two-time World Champion Stéphane Lambiel of Switzerland
enters the Grand Prix series this week in China. Two-time
World bronze medalist Evan Lysacek (USA), who earned the silver
at Skate America two weeks ago, and Johnny Weir (USA) are
looking to challenge Lambiel. Also aiming for a podium finish
are 2006 Cup of China silver medalist Sergei Davydov (BLR)
and former Four Continents Champion Chengjiang Li (CHN). Other
competitors to watch include Alexander Uspenski (RUS), Shawn
Sawyer (CAN), Ming Xu (CHN) and Jamal Othman (SUI).
Reigning World bronze medalist Yu-Na Kim of Korea and European
Champion Carolina Kostner of Italy headline the Ladies’
event in Harbin and compete in their first Grand Prix event
this season. 2007 World Junior Champion Caroline Zhang (USA),
who took the bronze medal at Skate America is hoping for another
podium finish in China. Competition should come from 2005
European silver medalist Susanna Pöykiö (FIN), 2006
World silver medalist Fumie Suguri (JPN) and 2004 European
Champion Julia Sebestyen (HUN). Also competing are Binshu
Xu (CHN), Arina Martynova (RUS), Alissa Czisny and Beatrisa
Liang (USA)
Two weeks after their victory at Skate America, reigning
World bronze medalists Tanith Belbin/Benjamin Agosto (USA)
are looking for another gold medal at the Grand Prix. They’ll
be challenged by 2006 Cup of China Champions Oksana Domnina/Maxim
Shabalin (RUS). Also aiming for a medal are Skate America
bronze medalists Federica Faiella/Massimo Scali (ITA) and
Sinead Kerr/John Kerr (GBR). Other competitors include Xintong
Huang/Xun Zheng (CHN), Alexandra Zaretski/Roman Zaretski (ISR)
and Anna Zadarozhniuk/Sergei Verbillo (UKR).
2007 World silver medalists Qing Pang/Jian Tong (CHN) lead
the pairs and want to secure their spot in the Grand Prix
Final after finishing second at Skate America two weeks ago.
Reigning World Junior Champions Keauna McLaughlin/Rockne Brubaker
(USA) are debuting on the senior Grand Prix. Also competing
are Jessica Miller/Ian Moram (CAN), Jiaqi Li/Jiankun Xun (CHN),
Mari Vartmann/Florian Just (GER) and Dominika Piatkowska/Dmitri
Khromin (POL).
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