To view photos of the practice, go to http://yunakimfan.com/2011/04/23/4768/
Moscow welcomes world’s skating stars
April 24, 2011 By
The World Figure Skating Championships will open in Moscow on Monday April 25. Despite the fact only one month was available for preparations, Moscow has managed to get ready for the top level competition.
The world’s biggest annual skating event has been moved to Russia following the devastating earthquake that has affected the original venue of Tokyo.
The US, Canada, Finland, Croatia and Austria had also bid to replace Japan. Meanwhile, France, the 2012 host, has expressed its readiness to step aside and let Japan organize the championships next year.
This is the third time for Russia to stage the World Figure Skating Championships. This year the total prize money is $710,000, with $45,000 for the winners of both the men's and women's championships, while the winning pairs will share $67,500.
Public excitement in Moscow is high, with more than 70 per cent of the tickets already sold and full houses expected on every day of the tournament. This is despite the absence of Russia’s biggest skating star, Evgeny Plyushchenko, who has been banned from participating by the International Skating Union, as in 2010 he competed without permission in exhibitions following his withdrawal from the World Championships in Italy in March citing an injury.
Competition is expected to be very stiff as all four reigning World Champions are back on the ice and determined to defend their titles.
Original source:http://rt.com/news/moscow-welcomes-skating-world/?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed
Skating Championships Take The Rink In Alternate
April 24, 2011 By
http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=135678917&m=135678892
click above link to listen:
Top figure skaters are lacing up for the World Figure Skating Championships beginning Monday in Moscow, and the host city is as newsworthy as the skaters. The contests were to be held a month ago in Tokyo, but the massive earthquake in Japan forced the International Skating Union to scramble for a substitute venue. Host Liane Hansen talks to USA Today sports columnist Christine Brennan about the World Figure Skating Championships.
Original source: http://www.npr.org/2011/04/24/135678917/skating-championships-take-the-rink-in-alternate-city
Kim and Asada rekindle rivalry
April 24, 2011 By
MOSCOW (AFP) ― Figure skating superstars Kim Yu-na and Mao Asada will rekindle their long-running rivalry in the relocated world figure skating championships starting here on Monday.
The championships, originally scheduled to take place in Tokyo a month ago, were moved to Russia following the devastating earthquake and tsunami on March 11. All four reigning champions are back to defend their titles with the highlight the rematch between South Korea’s Kim and Japan’s Asada which dominated the 2010 season.
Olympic champion Kim beat Asada to gold in Vancouver but has not competed since losing her world title to Asada in Turin last year. Since then Kim split with Brian Orser, the coach who had helped her win Olympic gold, for reasons that remain unclear, and now trains in California with former Olympic pairs medalist Peter Oppegard.
Kim Yu-na leads Mao Asada 7-6 in a rivalry going back six years. (Yonhap News) In the absence of her perennial rival, two-time world champion Asada has struggled this season, overshadowed by compatriot Miki Ando, the 2007 world champion, and settling for silver at nationals.
But the scene is nevertheless set for a much-anticipated clash between the Asian golden girls with Kim the favorite if she hits all her jumps and skates cleanly. She leads Asada 7-6 in a rivalry going back six years.
Podium challengers include Grand Prix final winner Alissa Czisny of the United States, three-time uropean champion Carolina Kostner of Italy and American Rachael Flatt.Original source: http://www.koreaherald.com/national/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20110424000235
