The Grand Prix series makes its fifth stop on the tour, and the city of Espoo, Finland. The city is located west of the country’s capital, Helsinki. According to the city’s official website, it’s known as a hub of know-how, research and development, at the heart of which stands the Aalto University campus. Large natural areas are characteristic of Espoo: seashores, the archipelago, the wilderness in nature reserves and the waterways of the lake highlands. This is the second year in a row the city has hosted the event, and the third time Finland has hosted a Grand Prix event.
Men: Japan’s Kao Miura leads the 12-skater lineup. His last competition at Skate Canada garnered him silver, and a win this weekend will book his ticket to the Final in Beijing next month. His main competition will come from France’s Kevin Aymoz, who took home silver at Skate America in October. Italy’s Matteo Rizzo finished with bronze at Skate Canada and could make the final with a win. Japan’s Shun Sato also finished his last Grand Prix assignment with a bronze medal at Skate America. Other skaters looking to make the podium include Japan’s Koshiro Shimada, Estonia’s Arlet Levandi, Italy’s Nikolaj Memola and American Jimmy Ma.
Smooth’s Pick
1. Kao Miura (JPN)
2. Shun Sato (JPN)
3. Kevin Aymoz (FRA)
Women: Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto is the heavy favorite going into Finland this weekend. She’s already brought home gold by winning at Skate Canada, and can clinch a spot at the Grand Prix Final next month. South Korea’s Chaeyeon Kim was a big challenge for Sakamoto at that same Skate Canada contest, taking home silver. A win will put her in contention for a Grand Prix slot. Japanese teammate Rion Sumiyoshi took home bronze at the Grand Prix de France, and also has a shot at reaching the Final. Others skaters to watch include Americans Amber Glenn and Starr Andrews and home country favorite, Nella Pelkonen.
Smooth’s Pick
1. Kaori Sakamoto (JPN)
2. Chaeyeon Kim (KOR)
3. Rion Sumiyoshi (JPN)
Pairs: Italy’s Sara Conti and Niccolo Macii won gold at last year’s event in Espoo, and look to make it two in a row this weekend. The pair placed 2nd in Angers, France earlier this month in a surprise upset. They have their work cut out for them, as the lineup will be highly competitive. Hungary’s Maria Pavlova and Alexei Sviatchenko won the country’s first Grand Prix medal at Skate Canada, finishing with the silver medal. A win this weekend could give the country their first Grand Prix Finalist. China’s Cheng Peng and Lei Wang won bronze last weekend at Cup of China in third international competition and could find the podium. Germany’s Minerva Fabienne Hase teams up with a new partner, Nikita Volodin and will compete in their first senior Grand Prix together. So far this season, they’ve won medals at two Challenger events (1st, Nebelhorn; 2nd, Lombardia). France, Camille and Pavel Kovalev could also find a place on the podium with a win, after picking up bronze at the Grand Prix de France.
Smooth’s Pick
1. Cheng Peng and Lei Wang (CHN)
2. Sara Conti and Niccolo Macii (ITA)
3. Maria Pavlova and Alexei Sviatchenko (HUN)
Ice Dance: Americans Madison Chock and Evan Bates look to reach the Grand Prix Final for the seventh time in their history. They won gold at Skate America, and a win will punch their ticket to Beijing. However, they face a major challenge from Canadians Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Nikolaj Soerensen. The team has already beaten Chock and Bates at NHK Trophy last year, and looks to do the same in Espoo. The battle for the third spot on the podium should be exciting. Juulia Turkkila and Matthias Versluis will represent their home country, and look to bring home another medal, as they did last year in 3rd place. Americans Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko missed the podium in Angers in 4th and only have an outside chance for the Final. Other teams include Americans Emilia Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik and World Junior Champions Katerina Mrazkova and Daniel Mrazek of Chechia.
Smooth’s Pick
1. Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Nikolaj Soerensen (CAN)
2. Madison Chock and Evan Bates (USA)
3. Juulia Turkkila and Matthias Versluis (FIN)
Last Week’s Results: Big upsets during singles skating shut us out completely, but we correctly selected the gold medal team in pairs, and called it in ice dance, 1-2-3.
Men: 0/3
Women: 0/3
Pairs: 1/3
Ice Dance: 3/3
Season to Date
Men: 2/12
Women: 1/12
Pairs: 4/12
Ice Dance: 11/12
ISU GRAND PRIX STANDINGS
Next week: NHK Trophy
The Smooth Jazz and More Blog 