ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating: Cup of Russia
Preview
The 2007/2008 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating continues
this week with the Cup of Russia in Moscow from November 22
to 25. The Cup of Russia is the fifth of six events in the
series. The skaters compete for 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).
By now, most skaters have started their Grand Prix season
and quite a few are hoping to assure their spot in the Final
here in Moscow while others are entering the series just now.
Two-time World Champion Stéphane Lambiel (SUI) and
2006 Olympic bronze medalist Jeffrey Buttle (CAN) headline
the Men’s field in Moscow. Both Lambiel and Buttle finished
third in their first Grand Prix event – the Swiss with
192.22 points at the Cup of China and Buttle with 198.77 points
at Skate Canada – and are looking to improve on that
finish. Johnny Weir (USA) won the Cup of China with a new
personal best score of 231.78 points and wants to end up on
the top of the podium in Moscow again. Three Russian men are
challenging the leaders: Russian Champion Andrei Griazev,
who is competing in his first event this season, Andrei Lutai
(7th at Skate America/180.88 points) and Alexander Uspenski
(5th at the Cup of China/179.94 points). Other competitors
to watch include 2006 World Junior Champion Takahito Kozuka
(JPN), Yannick Ponsero (FRA), Kristoffer Berntsson (SWE) and
Gregor Urbas (SLO).
Reigning World bronze medalist Yu-Na Kim (KOR) comes to Moscow
with a gold medal and a new personal best of 180.68 points
from the Cup of China. Competition should come from Skate
Canada silver medalist Yukari Nakano (JPN/169.43 points) and
Skate Canada bronze medalist Joannie Rochette (CAN/168.18
points). 2006 World silver medalist Fumie Suguri (JPN) and
2004 European Champion Julia Sebestyen hope to improve from
their fourth place (137.13 points) respectively fifth place
finish in China (136.60 points). Also competing are European
bronze medalist Kiira Korpi (FIN), Beatrisia Liang (USA) and
Arina Martynova (RUS).
European Champions Aliona Savchenko/Robin Szolkowy (GER)
and 2006 Olympic silver medalists Dan Zhang/Hao Zhang (CHN)
both took the gold at their first Grand Prix events and are
facing each other for the first time this season. The Germans
won Skate Canada with 188.63 points, while the Chinese couple
comes fresh from a victory at Trophee Bompard where they established
a new personal total score best of 196.96 points. Also aiming
for a podium finish in Moscow are Russia’s two top teams,
Skate Canada bronze medalists Yuko Kawaguchi/Alexander Smirnov
(165.19 points total score) and Trophee Bompard bronze medalists
Maria Mukhortova/Maxim Trankov (169.82 points total score).
2007 World Junior bronze medalists Ksenia Krasilnikova/ Konstantin
Bezmaternykh (RUS) debut on the senior scene. The field is
completed by Adeline Canac/Maximin Coia, Laura Magitteri/Ondrej
Hotarek (ITA), Maria Sergejeva/Ilja Glebov (EST).
European silver medalists Oksana Domnina/Maxim Shabalin (RUS)
lead the ice dancers in Moscow. After finished second at the
Cup of China with 188.66 points, the Russian Champions are
hoping to top the podium in their home event. Skate America
silver medalists Nathalie Pechalat/ Fabian Bourzat (FRA/181.84
points) are challenging the Russians and want to qualify for
the Grand Prix Final for the first time in their career. Reigning
World Junior Champions Ekaterina Bobrova/ Dmitri Soloviev
(RUS) are looking to improve on their fifth place finish from
Skate Canada (151.97 points total score). Other teams competing
are Anastasia Grebenkina/Vazgen Azrojan (ARM), Ekaterina Rubleva/Ivan
Shefer (RUS), Anna Zadarozhniuk/Sergei Verbillo (UKR), Nelli
Zhiganshina/ Alexander Gazsi (GER) and Kamila Hajkova/David
Vincour (CZE).
The schedule of the Cup of Russia is as follows:
Friday, November 23: Compulsory Dance, Men, Ladies, Pairs
Short Program
Saturday, November 24: Original Dance, Ladies, Pairs and Men
Free Skating
Sunday, November 25: Free Dance, Exhibition Gala
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