Better Know a Contender?

WHO YUH GOT?!?

The current standings place the stunning Korean, Kim Yu-Na at the top of the heap. Her Japanese rival, Asada Mao currently sits in second. And hometown favorite, the bereaved Joannie Rochette would be bringing home bronze if the medal were handed out this afternoon.  But of course they are not, since we still have the Women's Free Skate to enjoy!

The Americans?  Well, they're currently sitting 5 and 6 (Rachel Flatt and Mirai Nagasu, respectively).  Neither of them probably have a shot at the podium, and I don't know if you've heard about that little streak or not, but it will be interesting to see who comes out on top in this inter-country battle.  Personally, I think Nagasu skates circles and lutzes around Flatt, but who am I to judge judges.

The real question here though is, can anyone even compete with the Korean superstar, Kim Yu-Na?  Not only is she a more talented skater and with more personality than anyone else in the competition, but she might be the hottest thing in the Olympic games (you heard me, Dupont!).

Players What to Watch:

Joannie Rochette -  Her mother just died and yet this girl still had the courage and concentration to go out there and kill it on Tuesday night.  She is a very good skater, but one has to wonder how much the judges are influenced by both her story, and the home ice advantage, because in all honesty her performance, aside from the drama, was no where near the quality of the top 2 skaters even though it was judged that way.  I'm rooting for her anyway.

Rachel Flatt - She is considered to be America's best chance at a medal, but if that's truly the case, then we don't have a chance.  While solid, Flatt has neither the aerial assault, nor the grace to compete with the top flight skaters.  Plus, I mean, she's kinda chunky, no?

Mirai Nagasu - To be honest, I thought Nagasu was judged pretty poorly the other night, but that happens to young skaters a lot of the time in their first Olympic appearance.  Flatt may get the better scores this time around, but Nagasu is definitely the future of US Women's figure skating.  Her spins dazzle and she is incredibly smooth in her exhibition.  A definite Gold medal contender in 2014... Even if she is potentially a cokehead.

Asada Mao - Perhaps the only skater in the competition that is theoretically capable of beating Kim Yu-Na, Mao (wait, a Japanese girl named Mao?  I'm so confused) is considered to be stronger in the long program than she is in the short.  If that is the case, then we could certainly have some drama on our hands considering how well she skated the other night.  I can guarantee that every Korean on the planet will be pulling for her to face plant off her first triple axel (which Kim does not have), but for the sake of competition, let's hope this doesn't happen

Kim Yu-Na - Oh my darling, Kim Yu-Na.  Already a superstar in her homeland, appearing in all kinds of ridiculous Korean commercials... Wait, all Korean commercials are ridiculous.  Please forgive the redundancy... the hopes of Korean pride fall squarely on the shoulders of this skating phenom.  Kim has the ability to make the most technical jumps (eg. her triple-triple combinations) look smooth and easy and perhaps better than anyone else, has an appreciation for the entertainment value that fans and judges expect. 

Oh, and I love her.