Off Season Fun 2014-2015: Favorite Free Skates

More Off Season Fun!  Now it's time to take a look back at my favorite Free Skates from last season

5. Rika Hongo - "Carmen"

Around the World in Skating: May 19, 2015

I'm going to post my End of Season Power Rankings soon (I haven't forgotten about that) but in the last week we've gained one skater and lost another, so I figure I better yap about that first.

Mao Will Return to Competition

The ethereal goddess returns!

2015 Four Continents Championships: Ladies Review

I always go into a competition knowing that anything can happen. I have to admit though, I really really was not expecting this...

The 2015 Four Continents Championships medalists...wait, what?

2015 U.S. National Championships: Ladies Review

All of the promos for this event centered on one thing: Gracie vs. Ashley.  This is the new "it" rivalry in U.S. skating.  Both want the crown...only one can wear it.  Drama, drama, drama!  Everyone was expecting a big showdown and, thankfully, that's pretty much what we got.

Diva Wagner reclaims the throne!

2015 U.S. Nationals: Ladies Preview

Nationals are right around the corner!  The senior ladies will take the ice for their SP in less than a week!  There have been plenty of story lines in US skating this year but it always comes down to who does what at nationals.  I'll take a look at where the top competitors stand coming in and give them a bottom line for these championships.

Battle of the Blondes!

2014 Trophee Eric Bompard: Ladies Review

After last week's disappointing competition, I could hardly wait to see what the ladies at Trophee Eric Bompard had in store.  The level of competition was higher than last week but it wasn't the throw-down I expected it to be.

The Russians are back on top

2014 Skate America: Ladies Review

Skate America is the opening event for the Grand Prix series and is always a great one. This one was touted as "Gracie Gold versus the Russians" by most of the US media and in the end, that was more or less (mostly less) of what ended up happening...

The Russian Reign has begun

2014 JGP Croatia Cup: Ladies Review & JGP Final Standings + Finlandia Trophy

Just like that, we're at the end of the Junior Grand Prix season! At this last event spots to the Final were on the line and it all came down to who could deliver.  I'll take a look back at the event as well as who has earned a trip to the Final.  Lastly I'll do a quick review of the ladies at this year's Finlandia Trophy

2014 JGP Croatia Cup

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 Free Skates

Off Season Fun pushes onward! I usually love this part of OSF, but I found myself struggling to complete my favorite FS list this year.  To be honest, none of the top skaters' programs stood out to me this Olympic season.  Everyone had good programs but I think nearly all of them had better programs last season.  As a result, I have a shorter list of favorites this year and then quite a few honorable mentions.

3. Julia Lipnitskaya - "Schindler's List"

Off Season Fun 2013-2014: Fashion Review - Free Skate

The Off Season Fun Fashion Review continues!  Time for my favorite Free Skate looks from the  2013-2014 season...

5. Samantha Cesario: "Carmen"

2014 Four Continents Championships: Ladies Review

Even though the Sochi Olympics are right around the corner, life in the skating world must go on.  This week was the last major competition before the Olympics kick off next week on February 6.  Four Continents is usually a warm up event for many of the top skaters before they head to worlds; this year it served as an Olympic warm up for some, and a final season appearance for others.

The changing of the guard has begun...

2014 U.S. National Championships: Ladies Review

This year's competition was like an amazing television drama.  There were so many story lines going on and everything played out in a shocking/unexpected way.  Tears, surprises, disappointments, revelations, heartbreak...this year's nationals deserves a Golden Globe for Best Drama!

Congrats to the medalists! And congrats to the blonds for making the team!

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 Skate America: Ladies Review

I spent nearly my entire weekend watching skating and I have to say I enjoyed all of it!  Men, pairs, ice dance and, of course, the ladies...it was an excellent competition across the board.  As always, I have to take a look back at the ladies and give my thoughts on this Olympic season Grand Prix opener.


First podium of the season...I approve!

2013 JGP Kosice & 2013 US International Figure Skating Classic: Ladies Review

So much went on this weekend!  I’ll start with my JGP Kosice ladies review and then recap the senior ladies event at the US International Classic.  Let’s get to it.

2013 JGP Kosice

Final results:

2013 Junior World Championships: Ladies Review

I can’t say it’s a surprise but I’m still a little shocked that my prediction (had I made one officially) ended up being correct. There was a Russian sweep of the podium at junior worlds in the ladies event. We saw some great skating, some bad skating and some questionable results but hey, this is figure skating after all…

Perfect end to a nearly perfect season!

2013 Junior World Championships: Ladies Preview

The ladies SP at junior worlds gets underway today in Milan, Italy. I have sworn off of making predictions for competitions this year (because I suck at it) but I think a preview is a safe way to make some “predictions” without really making them. Let’s take a look on a team by team basis…

Team Russia 

Elena Radionova, Julia Lipnitskaya, Anna Pogorilaya 

L to R: Lipnitskaya, Radionova, Pogorilaya

2013 U.S. Nationals: Ladies Predictions

The last major national competition is right around the corner! I’m talking about the US nationals, taking place this week in Omaha, Nebraska. I’ve stayed away from making predictions about competitions this season (mainly because I sucked so badly at it last year) but I think I’m going channel my inner Miss Cleo and try for this one...

This ought to be pretty good...

2012 JGP Pokal: Ladies Review & 2012-2013 JGP Final Standings

And just like that, the JGP season is over!  I'm proud to say I stuck to my guns and covered each event!  Here's the last JGP ladies review for the season:

Here were the final standings: