Medal contenders for figure skating worlds

2009-03-20 19:52:02 -

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Leading contenders at the world figure skating championships, which begin on Tuesday at the Staples Centers: WOMEN
MAO ASADA _ Reigning world champ is co-favorite with South Korea's Kim Yu-na. The pair have had a stranglehold on the top titles the last two years, and it's likely to be more

of the same at the worlds. ... Won Grand Prix final with a free skate that included not one, but two triple axels, a jump so difficult few women even try it. ... Had a rare poor outing at Four Continents, yet still finished third. ... Has won three straight Japanese titles, a difficult task. ... Her jumps get most of the attention, but she's graceful, as well.
KIM YU-NA _ Topped a powerhouse field at Four Continents, held in what will be the Olympic arena. ... Bronze medalist at last two worlds. ... Exciting skater with great spins and spirals, quick but precise jumps. ... Has the edge on Asada in artistry, but isn't quite as athletic. Does do a triple-triple combination. ... Trains in Canada with Olympic silver medalist Brian Orser. ... First major contender from South Korea gets royal treatment at home. Nickname is «Queen Yu-na.
CAROLINA KOSTNER _ Reigning world silver medalist from Italy. ... Can be breathtakingly beautiful but woefully inconsistent. ... After winning European title in 2007 and '08, finished second this year after a faulty short program. ... Distant third to Asada and Kim at Grand Prix final.
JOANNIE ROCHETTE _ Breakout season gives Canada hope of ending its 20-year medal drought at worlds. ... Won both her Grand Prix events, Skate Canada and Trophee Eric Bompard, and finished fourth at Grand Prix final. ... Beat Asada to win silver medal at Four Continents. ... Five-time Canadian champion.
RACHAEL FLATT _ Two-time U.S. silver medalist. ... Too young for senior worlds last year, won junior world title. ... Bubbly and energetic, is captivating when her personality comes through on the ice. Should benefit from decision to go back to last year's «Romantic Rhapsody» free skate. ... Mentored by Olympic gold medalist Dorothy Hamill.
Others to watch: ALISSA CZISNY, U.S. champion is quite possibly the most beautiful skater in the world, but consistency and nerves a major problem. ... LAURA LEPISTO, upset Kostner to give Finland its first European women's title. ... FUMIE SUGURI, Japan's classy veteran back at worlds after a two-year absence.
MEN
PATRICK CHAN _ Thrust into spotlight after surprise retirement of reigning world champion Jeffrey Buttle and hasn't flinched, keeping Canada in medal contention. ... Easily won at Four Continents. ... Won at Skate Canada and Trophee Bompard, but stumbled to fifth at Grand Prix final. ... Doesn't do a quad, but doesn't need to with strong skating skills and exquisite expression and artistry. ... Coached by Don Laws, who worked with Scott Hamilton.
BRIAN JOUBERT _ Back injury has made for troublesome season for 2007 world champion. Withdrew from Grand Prix final after finishing a distant third in short program, then skipped French nationals. Came back to win European title in impressive fashion, but said the back was still a problem in his steps and spins. ... Short program, with intricate steps to music of congas and bongos, worth the price of admission. ... Retooled free skate before Europeans, going back to music from the «Matrix» movies. ... Free skate has two quads. ... Has medaled at last three worlds.
EVAN LYSACEK _ Devastated after third-place finish at U.S. championships, rebounded to win silver medal, beat other Americans at Four Continents. ... Landed first quad of season at Four Continents. ... When he's on, expression and energy make his programs electrifying. ... Actually makes a blue velvet tuxedo _ free skate is to Gershwin's «Rhapsody in Blue» _ look good. ... Was world bronze medalist in 2005 and '06. ... Missed worlds last year after a freak training injury. ... L.A.-based, he'll be the hometown favorite.
JEREMY ABBOTT _ Breakout season includes first U.S. title and win at Grand Prix final. ... Struggled in free skate at Four Continents and finished fifth. ... One of few skaters who doesn't struggle to balance artistry and athleticism. Has beautiful expression and emotion, his skating is fluid, yet he can do the tough tricks. ... Was 11th at worlds last year, his first.
TAKAHIKO KOZUKA _ World junior champion in 2006. ... Kicked season off in impressive fashion with win over star-studded field at Skate America. ... Second at Grand Prix final. ... Bronze medalist at Four Continents. ... Father, Tsuguhiko, skated in 1968 Olympics for Japan. ... Choreographer is Yuka Sato, the 1994 world champion.
Others to watch: YANNICK PONSERO, Frenchman won free skate at Europeans to finish second overall to teammate Brian Joubert. ... TOMAS VERNER, collapse at Europeans could spur enigmatic Czech.
PAIRS
PANG QING/TONG JIAN _ 2006 world champions have dominated the international scene this year, easily winning Grand Prix final and Four Continents. Only blemish was a third-place finish at Cup of China, their first Grand Prix event. ... Programs packed with difficulty _ their throw jumps and twists are huge _ but have upgraded their artistry. ... Long program choreographed by Sarah Kawahara, who did their programs in '06. ... Participated in torch relay before Beijing Olympics. ... Coached by Bin Yao, member of China's first world championships team (Dortmund, 1980).
ZHANG DAN/ZHANG HAO _ Olympic silver medalists and two-time world silver medalists still chasing gold. ... Beat Pang and Tong at Cup of China, but have been chasing teammates ever since. Second to Pang and Tong at Grand Prix final, and surprising third _ behind Canadians Jessica Dube and Bryce Davison _ at Four Continents. ... Might be most athletic team in world. They've done a quad twist, and have tried a throw quadruple salchow.
ALIONA SAVCHENKO/ROBIN SZOLKOWY _ Defending world champions have won all but one competition dating back to fall of 2007. Only blemish was this year's Grand Prix final, where the Germans finished third behind both Chinese pairs. ... Rallied to win third straight European title with spectacular free skate. ... Unusual entries into lifts and jumps set them apart. ... His jumps their only real weakness. ... Coached by Ingo Steuer, the '97 world champion with Mandy Woetzel.
KEAUNA McLAUGHLIN/ROCKNE BRUBAKER _ Precocious Americans making world debut in McLaughlin's hometown. ... Together only three years, have already won two U.S. senior titles and junior world title, shockingly fast rise in discipline where it usually takes years to develop. ... She's just 16, but has presence and poise on the ice of someone much older.
Others to watch: JESSICA DUBE/BRYCE DAVISON, reigning world bronze medalists from Canada should get boost from second-place finish at Four Continents.
ICE DANCE
ISABEL DELOBEL/OLIVIER SCHOENFELDER _ Reigning world champs should be team to beat, but her shoulder injury makes French team a question mark. After winning three titles, including Grand Prix finals, she hurt her shoulder in December and had surgery Jan. 5. ... Compulsories are their strength, usually giving them a substantial lead. ... In their 19th season together.
TANITH BELBIN/BEN AGOSTO _ Olympic silver medalists eager to return to competition after tumultuous season. Dropped out of Grand Prix final and missed U.S. championships because of his back injury. ... Layoff could actually help, forcing Belbin to focus more on her speed and skating skills. ... Left longtime coach Igor Shpilband after disastrous showing at last year's worlds, where failed to make medals podium for first time in four years.
OKSANA DOMNINA/MAXIM SHABALIN _ Favored to win gold at last year's worlds, Russians had to withdraw because of his knee problems. They dropped out of Europeans in January after he aggravated the knee injury in fall during compulsories. ... Split Grand Prix events, winning Cup of China but finishing second at Cup of Russia, then were second to the French at Grand Prix final. ... Also moved to train with Linichuk and Karponosov this year.
MERYL DAVIS/CHARLIE WHITE _ Easily won their first U.S. title with Belbin and Agosto out. Would have given longtime champs a fight had Belbin and Agosto been healthy. ... Medaled in every event they've been at this year, including bronze at Grand Prix final and win at Skate Canada. ... Winners at Four Continents. ... Together since 1997, they have seamless chemistry. ... Seventh at first senior worlds, sixth last year, impressive finishes for a young team.
Others to watch: TESSA VIRTUE/SCOTT MOIR _ Reigning silver medalists missed most of the year after she had surgery in September to correct compartment syndrome in both her shins. Only returned to ice in December, yet won second straight Canadian title.