Of sequins and salchows ...
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EVERETT, Wash. -- Random thoughts before the ice dance and women’s finales at Skate America today:
Skate America has traditionally been the first event of the Grand Prix series and first major event of the figure skating season, meaning that the quality of the skating is uneven and that the programs you see are likely to change quite a bit as the season goes on and skaters add or subtract elements in search of higher scores.
The schedule will change next season, leading up to the Vancouver Olympics, and hooray for that.
This season, the schedule is Skate America; Skate Canada next weekend; Cup of China Nov. 6-9; Trophee Eric Bompard (France) Nov. 13-16; Cup of Russia Nov. 20-23; NHK Trophy (Japan) Nov. 27-30, and the Grand Prix Final Dec. 11-14.
Next season the schedule will be:
Trophee Eric Bompard Oct. 15-18; Cup of Russia Nov. 22-25; Cup of China Oct. 29-Nov. 1; NHK Trophy Nov. 5-8; Skate America (at a site to be determined) Nov. 12-15; Skate Canada Nov. 19-22, and the Grand Prix Final Dec. 3-6.
With Skate America later in the season, the caliber of skating should be better and the programs closer to those you’ll see during the Olympics. And Skate America will have a greater impact on who qualifies for the Grand Prix final, so it will be more meaningful.
Skater to keep an eye on: Takahiko Kozuka, the Skate America men’s champion. He’s a dynamic jumper and amazing spinner who doesn’t travel on his spins, meaning he stays in one spot while he’s rotating. His next Grand Prix assignment is Trophee Eric Bompard.
Runner-up Johnny Weir, who acknowledged being somewhat subdued during his free skate Saturday because he was intent on focusing on each element of his program, will make his next Grand Prix appearance at the NHK Trophy event. Evan Lysacek gets right back at it next weekend at Skate Canada, in Ottawa.
Speaking of Canada, Beverley Smith of the Globe and Mail maintains the best figure skating blog in the business. She knows everyone and often breaks stories in this always fascinating little world.
-- Helene Elliott