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With rivals pulling out Asada sees her chance
Source: Agencies |
November 11, 2011, Friday
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WITH two of her biggest rivals on a sabbatical, two-time world champion Mao Asada of Japan is aiming for a confidence-boosting win to open her figure skating season at this weekend's NHK Trophy in Sapporo.
With archrival Kim Yu-na of South Korea sitting out the season and world champion Miki Ando of Japan also taking the year off, Asada would appear to have a clear path to another world title, but will need to overcome a recent spell of inconsistency.
The November 11-13 NHK Trophy is the fourth event of the 2011 International Skating Union's Grand Prix series.
At last year's NHK Trophy, Asada, the Vancouver 2010 silver medalist, placed a dismal eighth in her hometown of Nagoya, a result that ensured she would not qualify for the ISU's Grand Prix Final.
The disappointing performance was the beginning of what would be the worst season of her competitive career in which she failed to win a single event.
Asada will debut a new program in Sapporo as she bids to regain the form that allowed her to claim world titles in 2008 and 2010.
Asada's primary competition in Sapporo will come from compatriot Akiko Suzuki, who was second at Skate Canada two weeks ago, American Ashley Wagner, third at Skate Canada, Russia's Alena Leonova and Finland's Kiira Korpi.
Suzuki and Wagner have a good shot to qualify for the Grand Prix final here.
Vancouver Olympic bronze medalist Daisuke Takahashi of Japan will headline a strong field in the men's event. Takahashi is coming off a third-place finish at Skate Canada. Takahashi and 2011 world silver medalist Takahiko Kozuka, third at Skate America, could both book spots for Japan in the Grand Prix final with strong performances here.
Tomas Verner of the Czech Republic and Brandon Mroz of the United States will compete in their first grand prix event this season.
Favorites
In the pairs event, three-time world champion Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany will be the favorites after winning gold at Skate America. They will be challenged by 2010 European champions Yuko Kawaguchi and Alexander Smirnov of Russia, who took gold this season at the Cup of China last week.
World ice dance bronze medalists Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani of the United States claimed silver at the Cup of China and will be looking to secure a spot in the Grand Prix final in Sapporo along with Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje of Canada, who took silver at Skate Canada.
The NHK Trophy begins today with the short dance, women's free skate and the pairs short program.
With archrival Kim Yu-na of South Korea sitting out the season and world champion Miki Ando of Japan also taking the year off, Asada would appear to have a clear path to another world title, but will need to overcome a recent spell of inconsistency.
The November 11-13 NHK Trophy is the fourth event of the 2011 International Skating Union's Grand Prix series.
At last year's NHK Trophy, Asada, the Vancouver 2010 silver medalist, placed a dismal eighth in her hometown of Nagoya, a result that ensured she would not qualify for the ISU's Grand Prix Final.
The disappointing performance was the beginning of what would be the worst season of her competitive career in which she failed to win a single event.
Asada will debut a new program in Sapporo as she bids to regain the form that allowed her to claim world titles in 2008 and 2010.
Asada's primary competition in Sapporo will come from compatriot Akiko Suzuki, who was second at Skate Canada two weeks ago, American Ashley Wagner, third at Skate Canada, Russia's Alena Leonova and Finland's Kiira Korpi.
Suzuki and Wagner have a good shot to qualify for the Grand Prix final here.
Vancouver Olympic bronze medalist Daisuke Takahashi of Japan will headline a strong field in the men's event. Takahashi is coming off a third-place finish at Skate Canada. Takahashi and 2011 world silver medalist Takahiko Kozuka, third at Skate America, could both book spots for Japan in the Grand Prix final with strong performances here.
Tomas Verner of the Czech Republic and Brandon Mroz of the United States will compete in their first grand prix event this season.
Favorites
In the pairs event, three-time world champion Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany will be the favorites after winning gold at Skate America. They will be challenged by 2010 European champions Yuko Kawaguchi and Alexander Smirnov of Russia, who took gold this season at the Cup of China last week.
World ice dance bronze medalists Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani of the United States claimed silver at the Cup of China and will be looking to secure a spot in the Grand Prix final in Sapporo along with Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje of Canada, who took silver at Skate Canada.
The NHK Trophy begins today with the short dance, women's free skate and the pairs short program.
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