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: 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 World Championships: Ladies Preview

Oftentimes the World Championships are glossed over in a Olympic year.  After the high of the Olympics, going to worlds is a bit like stepping down.  Well, gloss or no, the World Championships are still a huge deal and winning a medal here, even if it's in an emotionally/physically depleted field, is also a huge deal.

The top ladies vying for gold

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: Team Event - Ladies Review

We saw some of the top skaters from each discipline take the ice to battle in the team event.  There weren't any surprises in the overall standings but there was a rather large shift that took place in the ladies event...

The Russians reigned supreme

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.

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 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!

Off Season Fun 2012-2013: Favorite Short Programs

Yay for Off Season Fun!  Now I’m going to take a look back at my favorite programs from the 2012-2013 season.  First up, the Short Program!  Here are my favorites from last season…

5. Mao Asada - “I’ve Got Rhythm”

2012 Rostelecom Cup: Ladies Review

This event wasn’t the most exciting but there were still a number of good performances.

Not the podium I was expecting but good nonetheless

2012 Skate America: Ladies Review

Excellent first event for the US ladies! It was so exciting to see the Americans looking strong at Skate America for a change…well, most of them anyway.

Two Americans on the podium?! What's this?!