The Contenders…The Olympics

I'm not sure if you're keeping track, but I am. Just 7 days until the Olympics hit Vancouver. There's already major fever around here and I live kinda far from the epicenter. There are free and low cost events/activities (email me at coachkortney at gmail dot com if you want me to forward you the list) and I do plan on attending some. We'll go during the week, as opposed to the weekend, in hopes that the people will be slightly lower. I haven't done a lot of research as of yet, but we have plans to attend the Russian figure skating team's practices (which are happening in Abbotsford). You have to rotate in and out every 20 minutes, but it'll be worth it to watch Evgeni Plushenko. He's a machine. My mom and I also received Ladies Short Program tickets from my aunt for Christmas last year. I cannot even WAIT. I'm like a 6-year-old in a room of candy – that's just how excited I am.

On that note, what does figure skating look like at this Olympics? Can I make this my official guess list? My official predictions? Weigh in. I wanna know what you think. (Oh and you might only get through this post if you're hardcore about skating. Like I am. Just saying). I've listed my actual predictions (not my favourites/hopes) and included a "sentimental" podium, too – that's just who I'd like to see. I've tried to include some reasoning, too. I'm doing just Ladies and Mens in this post, and will follow it up with Dance and Pairs another day.

Men:

I'm not going to lie. This WILL be the most difficult event to predict, because I think there are about 16 contenders on any given day. Seriously. How odd to know you could potentially medal at these games, but you could also finish out of the top 10. That's gotta suck.

GOLD: RUS Evgeni Plushenko
SILVER: USA Jeremy Abbott
BRONZE: JPN Daisuke Takahashi
**This is Evgeni's to lose. I can't stand his actual skating, but his jumps are out of a textbook. I don't get his PCS scores, but it's gonna take a miracle (read: Evgeni bombing) for anyone else to win. Jeremy is on FIRE. I think he's attractive (hey, that's bonus points in my books!), but not only that, he's got what it takes – consistency, PCS, determination…he's skated well this season. I can see it happening. And Daisuke – well, if he's on, I think he's the only one who can actually challenge Evgeni, since he has the jumps. But I still don't think he's 100 percent after coming back from injury.

4-6:
CAN Patrick Chan
FRA Brian Joubert
USA Evan Lysacek
**I love Patrick Chan, but he hasn't competed enough this season. That hurts. Brian. I REALLY don't get his PCS. He is SO boring – and he's not 100 percent consistent. And Evan? Well, he has the jumps some days and he has determination. He is the reigning world champion. And he's mad he came 2nd at Nationals. Major podium spoiler alert.

SPOILERS:
BEL Kevin van der Perren – Previously this guy was getting up there. Lately, he's just been bad. But he could throw in a spoiler on a good day.
CZE Tomas Verner – Had a rough season, but same comment as above.
FRA Florent Amodio – The new French guy in town – not the one I expected to get the 2nd place at the Olympics for France, but hey. He could be up there too.
JPN Nobunari Oda – He's great. But still young for a guy (early 20s?). Again. Could be up there on a good day. Tends to bomb (at least that's what I recall).
SUI Stephane Lambiel – Former world champion. Great PCS. I wish him well…he's making a comeback. I don't think he'll do it.
USA Johnny Weir – Never count out this guy. He's the Lady Gaga of skating. Love it.

2014 CONTENDERS:
ITA Samuel Contesti – Rocked it a couple competitions this year. Great PCS. Could throw in a spoiler here too.
JPN Takahito Kozuka – Had a great senior debut a few years ago. Hasn't been great this season. He is awesome, his time is coming.
KAZ Denis Ten – Can you say Kazakhstan? I can't even spell it. That's where he's from. He's young – he's going to shine one day.
CZE Michal Brezina – Surprise this season. Watch out Tomas.
CAN Patrick Chan *See above.
FRA Florent Amodio *See above.

SENTIMENTAL PODIUM:
GOLD: Patrick Chan – Hey, I'm Canadian. I'd like to see the Canadian Men's curse end.
SILVER: Jeremy Abbot
BRONZE: Johnny Weir – There's just something about him that deserves it.


Ladies:
This event isn't quite as deep, but I still think it'll be interesting who spoils what – for different reasons from the men. I have a (sad) feeling that the men's spoilers will come from a lot of clean skates all around, and that the women might have spoilers due to a lot of splatting. It's usually the long where the splatting takes place.


GOLD: KOR Yu-Na Kim
SILVER: CAN Joannie Rochette
BRONZE: JPN Miki Ando
**This is also Yu-Na's event to lose. Truly. If she's on, no one can or will beat her. She's got it all. Joannie can medal. I know it. As long as she skates clean, she'll be fine. A clean Joannie and a 1 or 2 error Yu-Na? Joannie might have the Gold. And Miki? Also the gold-spoiler. She's had a great season, despite a 4th place at Nationals. She'll want redemption from that, that's for sure.

4-6:
JPN Akiko Suzuki
JPN Mao Asada
USA Rachael Flatt
**Akiko has had a fabulous season. She will depend on others' errors while she is consistent, but her PCS are not quite up to snuff. Mao. Well, she should have switched coach's – Tarasova was a BAD decision and ruined her. She needs better programs and needs to get over doing the triple axel. It's too bad. Rachael – wow. I don't really like her skating style and she has potential for the future definitely – but she is just SO consistent in a field that is not…you can't count her out.

SPOILERS:
CAN Cynthia Phaneuf – Great SP spoilage right here. Tends to bomb the long.
EST Elena Glebova – I don't know why I'm including her. She can pull out a great SP once in a while too. Won't spoil a medal or top 6, but could bump out 9th or 10th, I bet.
FIN Kiira Korpi – Great skater. No jumps. Will do well if she's clean and others falter.
FIN Laura Lepistö – See above.
HUN Julia Sebestyen – The grandma of the event. Literally. But when she's on, hey…you gotta give it to her!
ITA Carolina Kostner – She has a lot of redemption to do. I wish her well, but I don't see it happening after losing Italy's second spot to the Olympics at World's last year. Sucks to be the girl at home (Valentina).
SUI Sarah Meier – Can't count her out either.
TUR Tugba Karademir – See what I wrote for Elena.

2014 CONTENDERS:
GEO Elene Gedevanishvili
RUS Alena Leonova
RUS Ksenia Makarova
GER Sarah Hecken
USA Mirai Nagasu
**All these ones have potential for top 10 this games too…but I don't see them bumping out the top 6, except maybe Alena Leonova. Mirai has too many downgrades in the long usually to be a factor.

SENTIMENTAL PODIUM:
GOLD: Joannie Rochette. I'd die. And cry.
SILVER: Carolina Kostner. She deserves it. But she needs to earn it. Prove herself to herself.
BRONZE: Yu-Na. I really do love her, and I love her coach (Brian Orser). If she was Canadian, then I'd have her 2nd ;) But I am Canadian…with Italian heritage, you know ;)

Well, that's my 2 cents 10 dollars.

Anyone following this? Any predictions?
kortney elise xoxo