–
It’s the long-awaited moment: the return of the figure skating Grand Prix season, as we know it (or almost)! Six weeks of competition around the world await us, with the goal of reaching the final. First stop in the United States, in Las Vegas, for Skate America.
A first Grand Prix already very strong
No time for warming up in this Olympic season. In the individual categories, the field is very dense, and the places on the podium will be expensive. On the men’s side, Nathan Chen is making his comeback at home and will undoubtedly be the most scrutinized. Unlike many athletes, he did not perform in preseason competitions, keeping his Olympic schedules a mystery. This first outing is therefore essential in his duel from a distance with the Japanese Yuzuru Hanyu, the two big favorites for theor olympique.
If Chen seems a tone above the others entered, the podium remains very open. The other American Vincent Zhou, bronze medalist at the 2019 Worlds, showed great things by largely winning the Nebelhorn Trophy. The reigning Japanese Olympic vice-champion Shoma Uno will also be a serious candidate but, on the French side, we will turn to our two representatives: Kévin Aymoz and Adam Siao Him Fa. If Aymoz comes back from injury and will especially want to test himself for his next deadlines (although he can climb on the podium in full possession of his abilities), Siao Him Fa could well hang in the top 5 in view of his good form displayed at the start of the season.
As much to be warned, we will see as many quads in women as in men. Russia’s Alexandra Trusova, who had a five-quadruple free skate (as much as Chen), will be the favorite. But beware, his Russian compatriots Daria Usacheva and Kseniia Sinitsyna, who are making their senior debut, will be on the lookout. We can also mention the Japanese Satoko Miyahara and Kaori Sakamoto, or the Americans Amber Glenn and Starr Andrews, and you have seven skaters for three places. The competition is sure to be exciting.
Duels between compatriots in couples and in dance
In couples, the gold medal will (very) probably be Russian, but it remains to be seen who gets it. Between Aleksandra Boikova / Dmitrii Kozlovskii and Evgenia Tarasova / Vladimir Morozov, the margin is tiny. In a category with a lot of high risk items, the scale can tip over at any time. The bronze medal is much more uncertain, and the three American couples will be keen to shine. The surprise could come from the Japanese couple Riku Miura / Ryuichi Kihara, very prominent at the Autumn Classic a month ago.
In dance, a duel between Americans and training partners awaits us. Madison Hubbell / Zachary Donohue and Madison Chock / Evan Bates also stand in a handful of points. It is very difficult to predict which ones will be ahead of the others. For the rest of the podium, the fight should be between the Canadians Fournier Beaudry / Sørensen and the Russians Morozov / Bagin.
Find all the participants and the program here.
The race to Beijing really starts this weekend! Live the whole figure skating season on We Sport.
Photo credit one: International Skating Union (ISU)
