Post by Logan on Mar 30, 2016 12:04:59 GMT -6
BOSTON -- The international figure skating community is in Boston this week for the World Championships that begin today at TD Garden. While the American skaters aren’t considered favorites in the premier men’s or women’s divisions, here’s a look at what to watch before the medals are bestowed:
REPLACEMENT PLAYERS
Injuries struck U.S. team members Nathan Chen and Polina Edmunds, sending men’s skater Grant Hochstein and ladies skater Mirai Nagasu to Boston. Both aren’t your normal substitutes. Nagasu arguably has been one of the most successful U.S. skaters internationally this season, most recently taking the silver at the Four Continents Championships. She finished three spots ahead of defending U.S. champion Gracie Gold there. Hochstein finished fourth at both of his Grand Prix events in the fall and had a career-best fourth-place finish at Nationals. Both are capable of outperforming their teammates who were named outright to the team.
MAN, OH MAN!
World records have been falling right and left this season in the men’s competition, with multiple quadruple jumps the norm among the top men. But what has also raised the bar has been the fact that two of the world’s top skaters, 2015 world champion Jaiver Fernandez of Spain and Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan, combine difficult quad jumps with high performance ability and other strong elements. In the past, such a combination was considered rare. Add into the mix Canada’s Patrick Chan, back after a year away, who has been delivering high scoring free skates all season, and you have a men’s event for the ages.
LET’S DANCE
Reigning world dance champions Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron of France missed the early portion of the season due to Papadakis’ concussion. They bounced back to win last month’s European Championships, but find themselves slowed by another injury headed into this week’s event. Healthy or not, they must contend with two U.S. teams at the top of their game — last year’s world silver medalists Madison Chock and Evan Bates and current national champions Maia and Alex Shibutani. And don’t forget Canadians Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje, who won bronze last year and silver in 2014. Unlike the ice dance competitions of 20 years ago, where results could seem predetermined, this year’s ice dance event is wide open.
Read more: www.bostonherald.com/sports/other/2016/03/what_to_watch_for_at_world_figure_skating_championships
REPLACEMENT PLAYERS
Injuries struck U.S. team members Nathan Chen and Polina Edmunds, sending men’s skater Grant Hochstein and ladies skater Mirai Nagasu to Boston. Both aren’t your normal substitutes. Nagasu arguably has been one of the most successful U.S. skaters internationally this season, most recently taking the silver at the Four Continents Championships. She finished three spots ahead of defending U.S. champion Gracie Gold there. Hochstein finished fourth at both of his Grand Prix events in the fall and had a career-best fourth-place finish at Nationals. Both are capable of outperforming their teammates who were named outright to the team.
MAN, OH MAN!
World records have been falling right and left this season in the men’s competition, with multiple quadruple jumps the norm among the top men. But what has also raised the bar has been the fact that two of the world’s top skaters, 2015 world champion Jaiver Fernandez of Spain and Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan, combine difficult quad jumps with high performance ability and other strong elements. In the past, such a combination was considered rare. Add into the mix Canada’s Patrick Chan, back after a year away, who has been delivering high scoring free skates all season, and you have a men’s event for the ages.
LET’S DANCE
Reigning world dance champions Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron of France missed the early portion of the season due to Papadakis’ concussion. They bounced back to win last month’s European Championships, but find themselves slowed by another injury headed into this week’s event. Healthy or not, they must contend with two U.S. teams at the top of their game — last year’s world silver medalists Madison Chock and Evan Bates and current national champions Maia and Alex Shibutani. And don’t forget Canadians Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje, who won bronze last year and silver in 2014. Unlike the ice dance competitions of 20 years ago, where results could seem predetermined, this year’s ice dance event is wide open.
Read more: www.bostonherald.com/sports/other/2016/03/what_to_watch_for_at_world_figure_skating_championships