ISU World Figure Skating Championships opens today
The 2009 ISU World Figure Skating Championships will open in Los Angeles, USA, on March 24. Los Angeles will host the World Figure Skating Championships for the first time. A new record number of 216 skaters from 52 ISU members have been entered for the Championships. Montenegro is represented for the first time in an ISU Championship. Brazil and Ireland will participate for the first time in an ISU World Championship.
Overview over the top contenders
Reigning World and Grand Prix Champion Mao Asada (JPN) is back to defend her title, but she will face stiff competition. Asada, who established a seasons best of 191.13 points at the NHK Trophy, lost to current World bronze medallist Yu-Na Kim (KOR) at the ISU Four Continents Championships last month. 18-year-old Kim has a seasons best of 193.54 points from Skate America earlier this season. After a successful season so far with podium finishes in all but one international event she entered, Joannie Rochette (CAN) is hoping to earn her first World medal.
The two-time and reigning Four Continents silver medallist earned a seasons best of 188.89 points at Skate Canada. Current World silver medallist Carolina Kostner (ITA) is also aiming at a medal in Los Angeles. The two-time European Champion comes with a seasons best of 170.72 points to the World Championships. 2007 World Champion Miki Ando (JPN), who withdrew due to injury during her Free Skating at the World Championships last year, is back and ready to fight for a top spot again (seasons best 170.88 points). Other contenders include new European Champion Laura Lepistö (FIN/seasons best 167.32 points), 2008 World Junior Champion Rachael Flatt (USA/seasons best 166.06 points), 2006 World silver medallist Fumie Suguri (JPN/seasons best 167.74 points) as well as Cynthia Phaneuf (CAN/seasons best 169.41 points) and U.S. Champion Alissa Czisny (seasons best 159.81 points). 2009 World Junior Champion Alena Leonova (RUS/seasons best 157.18) debuts at the World Championship level.
