Four Continents is the final major senior event of the 2015-2016 before we head into Worlds - but given the travel distance for North American skaters and its proximity to Worlds, many major players are already looking past it. Ashley Wagner dropped out with no explanation (as she has every time she's been assigned the event since winning it in 2012). Julianne Seguin/Charlie Bilodeau and Gabrielle Daleman are out to manage injuries and be ready for Worlds. Polina Edmunds wasn't able to break in new skates in time. In general, some years, it just seems like Four Continents falls off everyone's competitive radar.
Regardless, the skaters who remain in the competition all have a lot to gain in this event. Gracie Gold will want to reestablish her international competitiveness after a poor showing at the Grand Prix Final. With Yuzuru Hanyu in their way, the men have an opportunity to make a big impression. Chock and Bates are in stiff competition not only with the Canadian teams but with their own compatriots, the Shibutanis, who upset them at Nationals. And after an exceptional showing of pairs strength at Europeans, even without some of the top contenders present, Duhamel/Radford may have a long way to go to prove to international judges that they deserve to repeat as World Champions.
We have six judges joining us to navigate this mess:
Hannah (@hannahskates96)
What's your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? Ashley Wagner's 2015 WTT FS. I mean, really?!?
Keira (@keirailene_) | Tumblr
What's your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? There are so many... the first two that come to mind are Akiko Suzuki's FS at NHK Trophy 2012 and Weaver/Poje's FD from the 2015 World Championships!!
Mark (@TheRealEmLeezy) | Instagram
Favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years: Mao Asada Sochi Olympics LP - as if it could be anything else!
MJ (@arabesquing)
What's your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? Not *grossly* underscored, but Kanako Murakami's short program at 2015 Worlds. That should have been her small bronze :(
Nori (@NakedIceBlog) | Naked Ice
What's your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? Christina Gao at the 2013 National Championships. She had a case for silver but definitely should have received bronze at the very least. Close second is Mao Asada's FS from the 2014 Sochi Olympics. She should have placed top 3 in the FS.
Shannon (@gameofspirals)
What's your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? Mao Asada's Sochi free skate, Adam Rippon's short program at '15 Nationals.
Come back next week to find out what our judges thought of Four Continents and as we gear up for the Junior and Senior World Championships in March!
To keep up with those who have Twitter during the competitions, subscribe to our list and follow The Judges' Table. And check out the updated Judges' Page to quickly find all of our judges online.
Regardless, the skaters who remain in the competition all have a lot to gain in this event. Gracie Gold will want to reestablish her international competitiveness after a poor showing at the Grand Prix Final. With Yuzuru Hanyu in their way, the men have an opportunity to make a big impression. Chock and Bates are in stiff competition not only with the Canadian teams but with their own compatriots, the Shibutanis, who upset them at Nationals. And after an exceptional showing of pairs strength at Europeans, even without some of the top contenders present, Duhamel/Radford may have a long way to go to prove to international judges that they deserve to repeat as World Champions.
We have six judges joining us to navigate this mess:
Hannah (@hannahskates96)
What's your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? Ashley Wagner's 2015 WTT FS. I mean, really?!?
Keira (@keirailene_) | Tumblr
What's your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? There are so many... the first two that come to mind are Akiko Suzuki's FS at NHK Trophy 2012 and Weaver/Poje's FD from the 2015 World Championships!!
Mark (@TheRealEmLeezy) | Instagram
Favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years: Mao Asada Sochi Olympics LP - as if it could be anything else!
MJ (@arabesquing)
What's your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? Not *grossly* underscored, but Kanako Murakami's short program at 2015 Worlds. That should have been her small bronze :(
Nori (@NakedIceBlog) | Naked Ice
What's your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? Christina Gao at the 2013 National Championships. She had a case for silver but definitely should have received bronze at the very least. Close second is Mao Asada's FS from the 2014 Sochi Olympics. She should have placed top 3 in the FS.
Shannon (@gameofspirals)
What's your favorite grossly underscored skate of the last five years? Mao Asada's Sochi free skate, Adam Rippon's short program at '15 Nationals.
Come back next week to find out what our judges thought of Four Continents and as we gear up for the Junior and Senior World Championships in March!
To keep up with those who have Twitter during the competitions, subscribe to our list and follow The Judges' Table. And check out the updated Judges' Page to quickly find all of our judges online.
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