ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships 2008
11 Feb 2008 04:58
The ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships 2008 will open in Goyang, the Republic of Korea, on February 13. Korea has hosted the Four Continents Championships twice before, in 2002 and in 2005. 99 skaters/couples from 16 ISU members have been entered for the Championships. Following a decision of the 51st Ordinary Congress of the ISU in June 2006, no Qualifying Rounds will be skated. All skaters/couples will compete in the Short Program, and the top 24 will proceed to the Free Skating.
Overview over the top contenders
2007 World Champion Miki Ando (JPN) headlines the Ladies field at the ISU Four Continents Championships and in an interesting rematch will meet compatriot and reigning World silver medallist Mao Asada. Ando achieved a seasonal best of 161.89 at Skate America, while Asada got 191.59 at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. Ando didn’t qualify for the ISU Grand Prix Final, where Asada finished second, but then beat her rival in the Free Skating at the Japanese Nationals in December. Both skaters are competing for the first time at Four Continents. Canadian Champion and reigning Four Continents bronze medallist Joannie Rochette is aiming for another podium finish in Goyang City (seasons best 169.91 points). World Junior bronze medallist Ashley Wagner (USA) debutes at the Four Continents Championships and is looking to challenge the leaders (seasons best 158.63 points). Other to watch include Mira Leung (CAN/seasons best 144.57), Chyntia Phaneuf (CAN/129.17), Yan Liu (CHN/126.14), Fumie Suguri (JPN/148.15) and Beatrisa Liang (USA/ 134.60).
World bronze medallist Yu-Na Kim (KOR) withdrew from the event, citing a hip injury.
Reigning World silver medallist Daisuke Takahashi of Japan leads the Men. Takahashi comes off a successful Grand Prix season and placed second at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, earning his seasonal best of 238.94. The Japanese hopes to take his first title at Four Continents, but he faces stiff competition from two-time and reigning Four Continents Champion Evan Lysacek (USA). Lysacek, who finished third at the Grand Prix Final and went on to defend his National title, comes with a seasonal best of 229.78 points to Korea. Canada’s Jeffrey Buttle, a two-time Four Continents Champion and silver medallist in 2007, is another top contender in Goyang City (seasons best 201.77 points).
Jeremy Abbott (USA), the defending Four Continents bronze medallist, is back with a seasonal best of 187.56 points and wants to challenge the favourites. Reigning World Junior Champion Stephen Carriere (USA) debutes at the Four Continents Championships and hopes to add another medal to his collection (seasons best 204.98 points). 2006 World Junior Champion Takahito Kozuka (JPN) enters his first senior-level ISU Championships as well (seasonal best 199.98). Veteran Chengjiang Li (CHN), who became the first Chinese man to win an ISU Championships when he took the gold at Four Continents in 2001, is back in action as well (seasons best 162.77 points). Other contenders to watch are: Kensuke Nakaniwa (JPN/seasons best 180.70), Vaughn Chipeur (CAN/187.41), Shawn Sawyer (CAN/180.35), Jialiang Wu (CHN/168.95).
Dan Zhang/Hao Zhang and Qing Pang/Jian Tong of China are entering the pairs event as the top contenders. Zhang/Zhang earned the gold in their two Grand Prix events and finished second in the Grand Prix Final. They posted a seasons best of 196.96 at the Trophee Bompard. Pang/Tong, who claimed the bronze at the Grand Prix Final, are ready to challenge their teammates again. The 2006 World Champions are coming with a seasons best of 186.93 points to Korea. Rena Inoue/John Baldwin (USA) are competing in their first international competition this season after sitting out the Grand Prix series. They won Four Continents in 2006 and earned the bronze in 2007. Other contenders include Tiffany Vise/Derek Trent (USA), who made history by performing the first quadruple throw Salchow in ISU competition at the Grand Prix Trophée Bompard in Paris last fall (seasons best 165.76), as well as Jiaqi Li/Jiankun Xu (CHN/125.08)
Canadian Champions Anabelle Langlois/Cody Hay withdrew from Four Continents due to Langlois being sick.
In the ice dancing event, young North American couples are aiming for their first major international title at the senior level. Defending Four Continents bronze medallists Tessa Virtue/Scott Moir of Canada medalled in both their Grand Prix competitions in the fall and competed in the Grand Prix Final, where they placed fourth (seasons best 197.07). Meryl Davis/Charlie White (USA), who are training together with Virtue/Moir and competing against them since they were in juniors, were ranked fourth at the 2007 Four Continents Championships. They got a seasonal best of 176.21 points and want to challenge Virtue/Moir. Other couples are also hoping for a podium finish: Kimberly Navarro/Brent Bommentre (USA/seasons best 159.93 points), Kaitlyn Weaver/Andrew Poje (CAN/154.20) and Allie Hann-McCurdy/Michael Coreno (CAN/152.16). Others to watch are Jennifer Wester/Daniil Barantsev (USA) and Cathy Reed/Chris Reed (JPN/143.85).
Note that for the seasonal best total scores only the ISU Grand Prix competitions (senior and junior) have been taken into consideration, not other international competitions or National Championships. |
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