2017-2018 Season Preview

Is it just me or did those last three and half years fly by?  The Olympic season is here!  This is going to be an exciting season full of drama and tension.  There are so many skaters all aiming for the same target: a trip to the 2018 Olympic Games in Pyeongchang.  For some, the way should be easy; for others it's going to be a season long battle.  Here's where the top competitors stand as we head into the 2017-2018 season...

Evgenia Medvedeva (RUS)

Can she go undefeated 3 seasons in a row?

It's been two straight seasons of total domination for Evgenia and, as I've said several times, she's showing no signs of slowing down.  Though there are a few skaters in the field who can top her in the technical score, Evgenia is so far ahead in the component marks that it doesn't make a difference.  When she delivers her content cleanly she is untouchable.  She has a strong set of programs this season and all of the momentum in the world backing her.  If she delivers this season the way she delivered last season, without a doubt Evgenia will be the Olympic champion next year.

Kaetlyn Osmond (CAN)

Can she keep the momentum going?

Kaetlyn had an excellent season last year and comes into this season as the reigning World silver medalist.  She's been keeping busy during the off season by competing at a few events and, judging from her performances, she looks strong.  The jumps are steady and relaxed and she's hitting them early which is a great sign.  With Canada's women's field being so sparse, Kaetlyn's ticket to Pyeongchang is already stamped which means she can focus on maintaining her position internationally.  She's still a podium favorite for the Olympics but she'll have to deliver to get there.

Gabrielle Daleman (CAN)

Can she stay at the top?

After struggling for several seasons to establish herself Gabrielle finally had her breakthrough last season and made it all the way to the World podium.  Like Kaetlyn, Gabrielle's ticket to the Olympics is already stamped; however, the field has gotten even deeper this year which means she has to do everything she did last year and then some to stay on top.  Gabrielle scores well when she's clean but there are several skaters in the field capable of beating her now.  She's going to need to be on her A game all season long if she hopes stay in the top 5.

Mai Mihara (JPN)

Will she become Japan's new permanent #1?

Mai stepped into that #1 position for Japan during Satoko's absence and has managed to catapult herself into the top tier of women.  She's always had strong technical content and now she's getting noticed for the improvements she's made to her artistry.  The scores Mai earned at her last two events were massive; however, both events were in Japan.  If she can earn those kinds of scores internationally Mai will separate herself from her teammates who are vying for Japan's two spots to the Olympics and establish herself as a medal threat in Pyeongchang.

Alina Zagitova (RUS)

Can she handle the pressure and deliver?

Alina's debut senior season is already underway.  She's skated in a few senior events so far and has already established herself as a technical force.  Alina's strategy of putting all of her jumps in the bonus section of the program along with her ability to hit difficult combinations makes her a major threat.  More mature established skaters should have an edge over her in PCS; however, as is the case with most technically brilliant skaters, the judges may overlook her shortcomings in those areas as long as she hits the jumps.  If she can do that, she'll be a favorite for the podium in Pyeongchang.

Maria Sotskova (RUS)

Will she claim that #3 spot for Russia?

Maria had a great debut season on the Grand Prix last year but lost steam in the second half of the season at the European and World championships.  Even though Russia has three spots to the Olympics, Medvedeva and Zagitova are almost certain to get two of those spots.  That means there is only one spot that is up for grabs and Maria is one of the main contenders for it.  She has strong content and a nice style that the judges appreciate and reward when she skates well.  If Maria can outshine her Russian teammates she has a great shot at securing that third spot to Pyeongchang.

Mirai Nagasu (USA)

Can she get the triple axel consistent?

Mirai is coming into this season with a lot of buzz due to her triple axel.  She successfully completed it several times despite not landing it perfectly.  There's still a lack of performance when Mirai competes which hurts her in the second mark.  If she can land the axel in both programs the point advantage could make up for what she lacks in the component score.  Mirai has been gaining momentum from competition to competition and is looking good heading into the Grand Prix.  Strong performances at her events will help solidify her case for one of those three spots to the Olympics.

Marin Honda (JPN)

Can she handle the pressure and deliver?

Marin is expected to have a strong senior debut on the Grand Prix this season.  She has a gorgeous skating style, strong jumps and spins, lovely programs and a decent amount of hype behind her.  Marin has been in the spotlight in Japan for years and is now stepping to the forefront as a senior competitor.  Japan's women's field has gotten stronger over the last season but, unfortunately, there are only two spots available to the Olympics.  Marin has a great shot at making the trip but she'll need to have a stellar Grand Prix season to prove she's the best bet for the Olympic team.

Wakaba Higuchi (JPN)

Is this her season to make her mark?

Wakaba is coming into her sophomore season on the Grand Prix looking better than she did last season.  Last year she struggled to find her consistency and didn't make as much of an impact at her events as expected.  However, she seemed to turn the corner at the World Team Trophy earlier this year and has looked significantly stronger ever since.  Wakaba has the technical content and athletic ability to score huge numbers when she delivers.  Competition in Japan is going to be fierce for those two spots to Pyeongchang so if Wakaba wants to be considered, she has to bring it all season long.

Ashley Wagner (USA)

Can she get herself back on form?

Ashley had major issues with her jumps last season.  Even though she struggled, she managed to do well enough to remain in the top 10 at Worlds which proves she's still competitive.  Ashley has stated numerous times that her goal is to reach the podium in Pyeongchang.  The only way she'll have a shot at making that happen is if she has the technical content needed to back up her component scores.  She'll need to pace herself this season but at the same time she can't afford to hold back.  This is likely her last chance to chase after her dream.


Other notable skaters we'll see this season...


Satoko Miyahara (JPN):  Satoko has been out since nationals last season with a hip injury.  In her absence several skaters have emerged in Japan but she still has seniority.  Satoko will need to be great this season to erase any doubt about her injury, reestablish herself as Japan's #1 and get one of those spots to the Olympics.

Carolina Kostner (ITA):  Carolina is set to attend her fourth Olympic Games next year.  She can afford to coast on the Grand Prix this season if she needs to.  Her ticket is already stamped and the judges know and respect her.  She can just focus on ramping up and peaking when she needs to.

Anna Pogorilaya (RUS):  Anna has a lot of work to do to erase the disaster that was Worlds last year.  She hasn't competed since then so no one really knows what to expect.  Even if she does well this season it's not clear if her federation will trust her enough to send her to the Olympics.

Karen Chen (USA):  Karen comes into this season as the U.S. national champ and 4th place finisher at Worlds.  The iron is hot and now is the time to strike.  She struggled with consistency and rotation issues at her summer events but she can turn it all around if she delivers at her Grand Prix events.

Elena Radionova (RUS):  Elena has a long way to go this season.  She's in the mix for that final spot on the Olympic team but she's behind her competitors thanks to her technical issues.  The jumps aren't as strong as they need to be which may hurt her chances at getting that spot.

Polina Tsurskaya (RUS):  Polina is very capable of shaking up the standings in both Russia and internationally.  The only issue is whether she is going to be healthy enough to compete all season.  We haven't seen her this summer so we won't know what to expect until she debuts at NHK Trophy.


The first event of the 2017-2018 Grand Prix of Figure Skating is Rostelecom Cup which will take place October 20-22 in Moscow, Russia.  The headliner and winner of this event is Evgenia Medvedeva (RUS).  The other competitors at the event fighting for silver and bronze will be Carolina Kostner (ITA), Mirai Nagasu (USA), Wakaba Higuchi (JPN), Elena Radionova (RUS), Elizabet Turzynbaeva (KAZ), Kaori Sakamoto (JPN), Valeriia Mikhailova (RUS), Mariah Bell (USA), Mae Berenice Meite (FRA), Anastasia Galustyan (ARM) and Nicole Schott (GER).