As we have mentioned, the pairs field had been an overwhelming one, but one thing is for sure is that a good impression on the first Grand Prix competition is crucial for the Road to Pyeongchang. In the end, the Russian pairs team swept the podium, and other teams made good impression. Here’s our recap:
GOLD: Evgenia Tarasova / Vladimir Morozov (RUS)
As expected, the World bronze medalists continued their winning streak in their home country. The team delivered solid performances that kept them in the lead all throughout the competition that the final standings were no surprise. That quad twist in the free skate seems to be getting more consistent as well. Their next competition will be in Internationaux de France, where they will be up against Cheng Peng / Yang Jin and Vanessa James / Morgan Cipres.
SILVER: Ksenia Stolbova / Fedor Klimov (RUS)
The Olympic silver medalists had to settle for silver this week. Stolbova struggled with the side-by-side jumps in both programs. It’s their PCS that saved them the second-place spot despite Astakhova / Rogonov having higher TES. They have more time to work on their technique for NHK Trophy, where they’ll be facing off with World champions Wenjing Sui / Cong Han.
BRONZE: Kristina Astakhova / Alexei Rogonov (RUS)
Astakhova / Rogonov completed the Russian sweep of the podium and established themselves as the team to watch out for to get the third pairs spot in the Olympics. The team gave off two solid performances that earned them a personal best in the free skate and in the total score. Like Stolbova / Klimov, their next Grand Prix assignment will be in NHK Trophy, where they’ll be aiming for another podium finish.
FOURTH: Valentina Marchei / Ondrej Hotarek (ITA)
Marchei and Hotarek were off to a good start in Rostelecom Cup, just less than three points away from a podium finish. The team started off with a solid performance in the short program, placing third. It’s perhaps Marchei’s fall on the side-by-side triple toe that threw away crucial points that would have led to their first Grand Prix medal. With this performance, however, they they may finally get a medal in Cup of China.
FIFTH: Julianne Seguin / Charlie Bilodeau (CAN)
Our bronze-medal favorites ended up in fifth place, placing fifth in both programs. While the jumps were almost clean, low level elements had cost them points that could have put them in medal contention. They will have plenty of time to work on that for NHK Trophy.
SIXTH: Miriam Ziegler / Severin Kiefer (AUT)
Ziegler and Kiefer have proven that they are improving competition after competition, but Rostelecom Cup was not that competition. Mistakes included a less than stellar triple twist and some saved side-by-side jumps that they had to settle for sixth, their usual placement in a Grand Prix competition.
SEVENTH: Marissa Castelli / Mervin Tran (USA)
Side-by-side jumps continue to be an issue for Castelli and Tran in this competition. That, and low levels on some elements kept them from moving up from their usual placement of seventh.
EIGHTH: Sumire Suto / Francis Boudreau-Audet (JPN)
After a heartbreaking showing in Nebelhorn Trophy, Suto/Boudreau-Audet plan on establishing themselves as a team to watch out for in Rostelecom Cup. We were certainly impressed with their interpretation to the music, though mistakes in both programs didn’t help them move up the rankings. They will aim for a better performance in NHK Trophy.
You Only Lutz Once 