2017 Skate America: Review + Final Grand Prix Standings

I don't think I'd be out of line in saying that this event was cursed by the skating gods.  Thankfully, some good came out of it for a few people.

Tiny Queen back on top!

2017 NHK Trophy: Review

We're into the second half of the Grand Prix season.  Most skaters are on their second event but we still had a few late debuts at this event. 

New meets old

Off Season Fun 2016-2017: Fashion Review - Short Program

It's that time again!  We're about halfway through the summer off season which means it's time for my Off Season Fun series of posts.  I always love going back and reviewing some of my favorite looks, programs and moments from the past season.  First up, my favorite short program looks!

5. Kaetlyn Osmond: "Sous le Ciel de Paris"

2016 Trophee de France: Review

This competition was a strong one for quite a few skaters but, unfortunately, it was a bit of a disaster for quite a few as well.

The new generation has arrived

2016 Russian Test Skates

I always look forward to the test skate videos.  It's always good to have an idea of what's coming before it gets here, especially when it comes to the Russian women.  I saw a number of programs I liked, a few I didn't, and even some I'm on the fence about.

I Like!

Anna Pogorilaya

2015 NHK Trophy: Ladies Review + Final Grand Prix Standings

With so many well-known names at this event I expected this to be the best competition of the series.  Unfortunately, it turned out to be the most disappointing...

I'll give you a million dollars if you predicted this correctly...

2015 U.S. International Challenge & Nebelhorn Trophy: Ladies Review + 2015 JGP Corpernicus Stars & JGPF Standings

There's always this flurry of events around this time of the season.  The ISU Challenger Series, affectionately known as "Senior B" events, have started.  I'll take a quick look at the first two events of the series and, of course, continue my coverage of the ladies at last week's JGP event...

2015 U.S. International Classic

The 2015 U.S. International Classic medalists

Off Season Fun 2014-2015: Favorite Short Programs

Off Season Fun continues! Time for my favorite Short Programs from last season...

5. Alena Leonova - "Charlie Chaplin"

Off Season Fun 2014-2015: Fashion Review - Short Program

It's time! This marks the 4th straight year of my Off Season Fun Series of posts.  It's my absolute favorite way to waste time until the new season starts.  It's always fun to revisit some of the best outfits, programs and moments from the past season.  As usual, I'll start with my Fashion Review.  First up, my top 5 Short Program looks from last season!

5.  Maria Artemieva: "Coco Chanel"

2015-2016 Grand Prix Assignments: Thoughts, Speculations & Non-Predictions

Skating fans got a big off-season boost last week when the Grand Prix assignments for this upcoming 2015-2016 season were released.  It's always entertaining to take a look at the line up of competitors and allow our minds to run rampant with speculations and predictions.  I'll take a quick look at each Grand Prix event and then give my Non-Prediction as to how I think it will turn out.

Skate America: October 23-25

2015 National Championships Round-Up

Happy New Year everyone!  It's time for a fresh new start in 2015, and that goes for figure skating too.  Several countries held their national championships over the past couple of weeks including two of the major ones: Russia and Japan.  New champions were crowned in many of the competitions.  So here's my national championship round-up...

2015 Russian National Championships

A new Russian Queen is crowned!

End of Grand Prix Power Rankings: 2014-2015

The Grand Prix series is over and we're moving into the second half of the season.  Based on what we've seen and what we can expect to see, here are my Power Rankings for the top 10 ladies of the 2014-2015 season so far...

10. Rika Hongo (JPN)

2014 NHK Trophy: Ladies Review & 2014 Grand Prix Final Standings

This final event started off as a real nail biter but, like so many of the competitions this year, turned out to be a little less thrilling than I expected it to be.

Gracie is finally Golden!

2014 Skate Canada: Ladies Review

The second event of the season, Skate Canada, once again had a young Russian squaring off against a top American.  The skating was a different but, ultimately, the outcome was mostly the same.

Russia is 2 for 2 so far...

Top Ladies 2014-2015 Season Preview

It's almost time!  It has been a long summer full of speculation, rumors and rehashing (as it always is) but the light at the end of the tunnel is rapidly approaching: the 2014-2015 season is upon us!  The top names of the last era are gone and as much as I'll miss them, I am super excited to see what this new crop of post-Sochi ladies can do.  Here's my speculation-filled preview of what the top ladies have in store for us this season.

Julia Lipnitskaya (RUS)

Can she win it all this year?

2014 Nebelhorn Trophy, JGP Tallinn Cup & Lombardia Trophy: Ladies Reviews

Lots of skating last week plus I'm behind from the week before, so there's a lot to catch up on.  I'll start with Nebelhorn Trophy before taking a look at JGP Tallinn Cup and wrapping up with a quick review of Lombardia Trophy.

2014 Nebelhorn Trophy

The final results:

2014 JGP Czech Skate + 2014 Russian Test Skates (Finally!)

Just that fast, we're nearing the halfway point of the JGP season.  Pretty soon it will be time for the senior ladies to make their debut on the Grand Prix.  I'll take a look at the junior ladies from JGP Czech Skate and give my thoughts on the long awaited test skate videos from the top women in Russia.

Here are the final results:

2013-2014 National Championships Round-Up

A number of countries held their national championships over the last few weeks.  Here's a look-see at the two major ones (Japan and Russia) and a few of the minor ones as well.

Japanese National Championships

I never would have predicted these results!

2013 NHK Trophy: Ladies Review

And just like that we're already in the second half of the Grand Prix season.  NHK Trophy is always a big deal because Japan is where figure skating is the most popular.  It's the most exciting place to skate and, thankfully, NHK didn't disappoint this year...at least not too much.

Mao and Elena are on a roll! 

2013 World Championships: Ladies Review

So, um, this didn’t turn out to be the knock-down drag-out fight I thought it was going to be. In the end, only two people brought their "A" game for both segments of the competition.

The Queen reigns supreme once again...