PAIRS
Caitlin Yankowskas and John Coughlin, the newly minted U.S. champions, make their first appearance at the World Championships. The duo won their first Grand Prix series medal, a bronze, at the Cup of China after finishing in fourth at the NHK Trophy. Most recently, they finished fifth at the Four Continents Championships. Two-time U.S. silver medalists Amanda Evora and Mark Ladwig also earned their first Grand Prix medal with a third-place finish at the Rostelecom Cup. They placed fifth at the Cup of China before winning their second consecutive U.S. silver medal in Greensboro and placing sixth at the Four Continents Championships. Evora and Ladwig look to improve on their ninth-place finish at this event a year ago.
ICE DANCING
Meryl Davis and Charlie White look to cap a perfect season with their sixth gold medal in six events. Before winning their third straight U.S. title in January, Davis and White swept their Grand Prix assignments, the NHK Trophy and Skate America, and repeated as Grand Prix Final champions. They also won their second Four Continents title in February. Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani, the 2011 U.S. silver medalists, won bronze at the 2010 NHK Trophy and 2010 Skate America, making them the first ice dancing team to medal at both of their Grand Prix assignments in their first year as seniors. They added a silver medal at the Four Continents Championships. Rounding out the U.S. ice dancing contingent are Madison Chock and Greg Zuerlein, the 2011 U.S. bronze medalists. The pair earned two bronze medals in their Grand Prix assignments, Skate Canada and Trophée Bompard, and placed fifth at the Four Continents Championships. The three U.S. ice dancing teams are training mates in Canton, Mich., and are coached by Igor Shpilband and Marina Zoueva.
