We'll Be the Judge of That: 2014 Sochi Olympics - Results

So this was a much more massive undertaking than I originally thought.  I'm not the Excel wiz I wish I were otherwise this might not have taken so long.  Regardless, it was still a fun project.  I'm not surprised with the outcome but I am surprised with some of the scores we came up with.

Let's see if our judges agreed with the standings

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

Off Season Fun 2015-2016: Favorite Short Programs

Off Season Fun continues onward!  Next up I'll take a look back a my favorite programs from the 2015-2016 season.  First up, the Short Program...

5. Anna Pogorilaya: "Bolero for Violin and Orchestra"

2016 National Championships Round-Up

Happy New Year everyone!  While most of us were on a holiday hiatus, these skaters were not. A number of national championship battles were fought and won over the past few weeks.  Here's my nationals round-up...

2016 Russian National Championships

A new Russian queen is crowned

2015 Rostelecom Cup: Ladies Review

There were plenty of big Russian names at this event.  We had the reigning national champ, the reigning world junior champ and the reigning Olympic champ...needless to say inflation was expected.

It's a Russian sweep!

2015 Japan Open, Ondrej Nepela Trophy & JGP Logrono: Ladies Reviews

Things are starting to heat up! Lots of skating to cover again this week.  The biggest pre-season competition took place this weekend (Japan Open) as well as another Senior B event (Ondrej Nepela Trophy) and we had another JGP event this week.  Let's get to it...

2015 Japan Open

Team Japan crushed the competition!

2015 JGP Cup of Austria: Ladies Review + Russian Test Skates (Yay!)

I always pick a bad time to go out of town.  Lots of skating and skating news happened last week, so I'm playing catch-up.  I'll take a very quick look back at JGP Cup of Austria as well as give my thoughts on the Russian test skates from last week.  Here we go!

2015 JGP Cup of Austria: Ladies Review

The final results:

Around the World in Skating: November 12, 2014

I haven't posted a single "Around the World in Skating" all season long.  With plenty going on this past week, now is as good a time as any.

Adelina Sotnikova Out of the GP Series

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 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:

Off Season Fun: 2013-2014 Season Photo Album

And now, for the last bit Off Season Fun.  It's time for my second annual Season Photo Album.  Here are some of the pictures and moments from the past season:

Off Season Fun 2013-2014: Favorite Short Programs

Continuing on with Off Season Fun, now it's time to take a look back at the programs that made last season great.  First up, my favorite Short Programs...

5. Ashley Wagner - "Shine on You Crazy Diamond"

2014 Sochi Olympics: Ladies Review

The ladies' event at the 2014 Sochi Olympics was full of highs, lows and some of the most controversial scoring we've seen in a very long time.

Whether you like it or not, here's the 2014 Olympics ladies' podium

2014 Sochi Olympics: Top Teams of Ladies

It's a dream come true or a life's goal for some, and a chance to do it all again for others.  The 2014 Sochi Olympics are right around the corner.  The ladies won't begin their quest for gold until February 19 (though some of them will take part in the team event which starts this Thursday).  Here's a look at the countries with the top entrants for these Games.

2014 European Championships + Canadian and Korean Nationals Round Up

I barely had time to process the results of last weekend's US national championships before I had to turn my attention to these European championships.  Let's just say after all of the feels, I'm very grateful for the distraction. I'll take a quick look at Euros and also a look at Canadian nationals and end with a very belated look at South Korean nationals.

2014 European Championships

The Russian ladies are in it to win it!

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!

End of Grand Prix Power Rankings: 2013-2014

Now that the regular season is over, we have an accurate snapshot to base the second half of the season on.  Of course things can and often do change once the year rolls over so nothing is set in stone. However, based on what we've seen so far and what we expect to see in the next few weeks, here are my power rankings for the top ten ladies:

10. Anna Pogorilaya (RUS)   

2013-2014 Grand Prix Final & Junior Grand Prix Final: Ladies Reviews + Yu-Na Kim's Debut at 2013 Golden Spin of Zagreb

I picked a terrible week to go on vacation!  So much skating has happened in the last week or so, but no worries...I'm going to cover it all.  I'll start with the Grand Prix Final, then look at the Junior Grand Prix Final and wrap up with the debut of Yu-Na Kim at Golden Spin of Zagreb.  Let's get to it!

2013 Grand Prix Final

A glimpse of things to come.  Maybe...maybe not.

2013 Trophee Eric Bompard: Ladies Review

The penultimate event of the Grand Prix season did not disappoint.  With a mini rivalry/feud brewing and trips to the Grand Prix Final on the line, the top competitors brought their "A" game.

All three As brought their "A" game!

2013 Cup of China: Ladies Review

We've seen some good skating so far this season so, naturally, we were due for a splatfest.  Cup of China was a very disappointing competition for everyone but the winner...

Who had Anna as the #1 fantasy pick? No one, I'm sure...