2018 Rostelecom Cup Ladies Preview
Alina Zagitova looks poised for another victory, Mako Yamashita wishes to continue her consistent streak, Gracie Gold makes a comeback
The field is deep at the 2018 Rostelecom Cup, but perhaps not for gold: Alina Zagitova of Russia, the Olympic Champion, looks poised for another runaway win here at home.
Zagitova won her earlier Grand Prix Assignment, Grand Prix Helsinki, with wins in both segments of the competition despite uncharacteristic mistakes. She is still the holder of all three world records: the short program, the free skate, and the combined total, all achieved earlier this year at the Nebelhorn Trophy.
She will skate her short program to Phantom of the Opera and her free skate to Carmen Suite.
Mako Yamashita of Japan has medaled at eight out of her last nine international events. The cool-headed teenager grabbed the surprise silver medal in her Grand Prix debut at Skate Canada this year. Her short program is set to Gioachino Rossini's Una voce poco fa, and her free program is set to Puccini's Madama Butterfly.
Sofia Samodurova of Russia is likewise hoping to make her mark in her senior debut season. She grabbed the bronze medal at Skate America earlier this year and will be looking to repeat her clean performances here at home. She is skating her short program to the Mission Impossible soundtrack and her free skate to the musical Burlesque.
Gracie Gold, the two-time former U.S. national champion and 2014 Olympic team bronze medalist, is set to make her competitive comeback here at the Rostelecom Cup after almost two years away from competition. Gold was open about her struggles with an eating disorder and depression over the years, which prevented her from challenging for the 2018 Olympic team. This will be her first international competition since the 2016 Golden Spin of Zagreb.
Karen Chen, the 2017 U.S. national champion, recently withdrew from the event with a recurring foot injury. Wakaba Higuchi, the 2018 World silver medalist, also withdrew from the event earlier, and was replaced by Yuna Shiraiwa of Japan.
Also challenging for the podium are Nichole Schott of Germany, Yura Matsuda of Japan, Elizabet Tursynbaeva of Kazakhstan, Eunsoo Lim of South Korea, and Polina Tsurskaya of Russia.
Zagitova won her earlier Grand Prix Assignment, Grand Prix Helsinki, with wins in both segments of the competition despite uncharacteristic mistakes. She is still the holder of all three world records: the short program, the free skate, and the combined total, all achieved earlier this year at the Nebelhorn Trophy.
She will skate her short program to Phantom of the Opera and her free skate to Carmen Suite.
Mako Yamashita of Japan has medaled at eight out of her last nine international events. The cool-headed teenager grabbed the surprise silver medal in her Grand Prix debut at Skate Canada this year. Her short program is set to Gioachino Rossini's Una voce poco fa, and her free program is set to Puccini's Madama Butterfly.
Sofia Samodurova of Russia is likewise hoping to make her mark in her senior debut season. She grabbed the bronze medal at Skate America earlier this year and will be looking to repeat her clean performances here at home. She is skating her short program to the Mission Impossible soundtrack and her free skate to the musical Burlesque.
Gracie Gold, the two-time former U.S. national champion and 2014 Olympic team bronze medalist, is set to make her competitive comeback here at the Rostelecom Cup after almost two years away from competition. Gold was open about her struggles with an eating disorder and depression over the years, which prevented her from challenging for the 2018 Olympic team. This will be her first international competition since the 2016 Golden Spin of Zagreb.
Karen Chen, the 2017 U.S. national champion, recently withdrew from the event with a recurring foot injury. Wakaba Higuchi, the 2018 World silver medalist, also withdrew from the event earlier, and was replaced by Yuna Shiraiwa of Japan.
Also challenging for the podium are Nichole Schott of Germany, Yura Matsuda of Japan, Elizabet Tursynbaeva of Kazakhstan, Eunsoo Lim of South Korea, and Polina Tsurskaya of Russia.
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