The 2007/2008 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating continues this week with the Cup of Russia in Moscow from November 22 to 25. The Cup of Russia is the fifth of six events in the series. The skaters compete for a global prize money of US $ 180, 000 per individual event of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating and receive points according to their placements. The top six skaters/couples then qualify for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Torino, Italy (December 13-16). By now, most skaters have started their Grand Prix season and quite a few are hoping to assure their spot in the Final here in Moscow while others are entering the series just now.
Two-time World Champion Stéphane Lambiel (SUI) and 2006 Olympic bronze medalist Jeffrey Buttle (CAN) headline the Men’s field in Moscow. Both Lambiel and Buttle finished third in their first Grand Prix event – the Swiss with 192.22 points at the Cup of China and Buttle with 198.77 points at Skate Canada – and are looking to improve on that finish. Johnny Weir (USA) won the Cup of China with a new personal best score of 231.78 points and wants to end up on the top of the podium in Moscow again. Three Russian men are challenging the leaders: Russian Champion Andrei Griazev, who is competing in his first event this season, Andrei Lutai (7th at Skate America/180.88 points) and Alexander Uspenski (5th at the Cup of China/179.94 points). Other competitors to watch include 2006 World Junior Champion Takahito Kozuka (JPN), Yannick Ponsero (FRA), Kristoffer Berntsson (SWE) and Gregor Urbas (SLO).
Reigning World bronze medalist Yu-Na Kim (KOR) comes to Moscow with a gold medal and a new personal best of 180.68 points from the Cup of China. Competition should come from Skate Canada silver medalist Yukari Nakano (JPN/169.43 points) and Skate Canada bronze medalist Joannie Rochette (CAN/168.18 points). 2006 World silver medalist Fumie Suguri (JPN) and 2004 European Champion Julia Sebestyen hope to improve from their fourth place (137.13 points) respectively fifth place finish in China (136.60 points). Also competing are European bronze medalist Kiira Korpi (FIN), Beatrisia Liang (USA) and Arina Martynova (RUS).
European Champions Aliona Savchenko/Robin Szolkowy (GER) and 2006 Olympic silver medalists Dan Zhang/Hao Zhang (CHN) both took the gold at their first Grand Prix events and are facing each other for the first time this season. The Germans won Skate Canada with 188.63 points, while the Chinese couple comes fresh from a victory at Trophee Bompard where they established a new personal total score best of 196.96 points. Also aiming for a podium finish in Moscow are Russia’s two top teams, Skate Canada bronze medalists Yuko Kawaguchi/Alexander Smirnov (165.19 points total score) and Trophee Bompard bronze medalists Maria Mukhortova/Maxim Trankov (169.82 points total score). 2007 World Junior bronze medalists Ksenia Krasilnikova/ Konstantin Bezmaternykh (RUS) debut on the senior scene. The field is completed by Adeline Canac/Maximin Coia, Laura Magitteri/Ondrej Hotarek (ITA), Maria Sergejeva/Ilja Glebov (EST).
European silver medalists Oksana Domnina/Maxim Shabalin (RUS) lead the ice dancers in Moscow. After finished second at the Cup of China with 188.66 points, the Russian Champions are hoping to top the podium in their home event. Skate America silver medalists Nathalie Pechalat/ Fabian Bourzat (FRA/181.84 points) are challenging the Russians and want to qualify for the Grand Prix Final for the first time in their career. Reigning World Junior Champions Ekaterina Bobrova/ Dmitri Soloviev (RUS) are looking to improve on their fifth place finish from Skate Canada (151.97 points total score). Other teams competing are Anastasia Grebenkina/Vazgen Azrojan (ARM), Ekaterina Rubleva/Ivan Shefer (RUS), Anna Zadarozhniuk/Sergei Verbillo (UKR), Nelli Zhiganshina/ Alexander Gazsi (GER) and Kamila Hajkova/David Vincour (CZE).
The full list of entries is available at www.isu.org
The schedule of the Cup of Russia is as follows:
Friday, November 23: Compulsory Dance, Men, Ladies, Pairs Short Program
Saturday, November 24: Original Dance, Ladies, Pairs and Men Free Skating
Sunday, November 25: Free Dance, Exhibition Gala
