The battle of the bronze at Cup of China dance competition

Three of the couple attending cup of China will hope for a bronze medal in this season. As the French Pechalat/Bourzat claimed their bronze medal at home Worlds and will probably try to defend it, the Canadians Weaver/Poje are giving their best for being able to reach the same home glory at Worlds 2013 in London, Ontario.

Pechalat/Bourzat proved to be very solid last year, with a program (on an Egyptian theme) that wasn’t appealing to me, but they were able to transform it and take it to its best.

In my opinion, the best free dance of last year was Weaver/Poje’s: their “Je suis malade” was an absolute masterpiece, it was intense and suited them perfectly. They have already had a grand prix debut at Skate America where they earned the bronze medal giving up an expected silver to the Russian Bobrova/Soloviev. They lost a position during the free dance (that is beautifully choreographed but will hardly top “Je suis Malade”) where, as they said, they left something on the technical side.

Bobrova/Soloviev improved a lot from last year. As said before, they won silver at Skate America where they scored the free around 97 points, the best free dance score in this season so far (with the exception of Davis/White and Virtue/Moir who are on another planet) and will be competitive for a podium finish, if not for the gold.

Chock/Bates won’t be a bronze at Worlds, but for them a bronze at US Nationals will be a necessity for a World spot, as they didn’t earn it last year when they finished fourth at Nationals. Bronze last year was given to Hubbell/Donohue, who were fourth at Skate Canada last week.

Sinitsina/Zhiganshin of Russia, who won Junior Grand Prix final and Junior Worlds last year, will be also competing.

PICKS
Gold: Pechalat/Bourzat (FRA)
Silver:Weaver/Poje (CAN)
Bronze:Bobrova/Soloviev (RUS)