There have been a lot of substitutions for the men’s event at Grand Prix Espoo this week, including World silver medalist Junhwan Cha withdrawing because of injury just earlier this week. But the guys who have realistic shots at the podium are still very much in play, and if their skating earlier this season are any indication, we are in for a real treat.
Grand Prix Espoo predictions
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GOLD Kao Miura JPN - It was a come-from-behind second at Skate Canada three weeks ago for Miura, but he’s proven that he’s got the goods to take the title. And it’s been all silvers for him on the Grand Prix—two last year and then one this year. It may be time for him to finally take that top spot, and he seems to be heading in the right direction for that. He’s got more difficult technical content than Aymoz, and that might just be the difference this week in Espoo.
SILVER Kevin Aymoz FRA - His fourth-place finish at Worlds last season was a true career propeller, as Aymoz has come into this season looking different, more confident. It sure doesn’t hurt that he’s not skating hurt. He comes in with a silver from Skate America, and another silver will put him in a very good spot to qualify for the Final for the first time since his breakthrough season four years ago.
BRONZE Matteo Rizzo ITA - Speaking of come-from-behind, Rizzo—much like Miura—had to play catch-up at Skate Canada after a poor short program. He comes into Finland with a bronze at Skate Canada with some momentum and confidence. His obstacle is always the full-rotation of his quads, and if he can figure his way out of those, some big numbers will come.
4. Shun Sato JPN - Sato enters Espoo after a very strong set of performances at Eastern Sectionals at home. He took bronze at Skate America to start the Grand Prix, and he returns to Finland as the reigning silver medalist at the event. Of the four top skaters here, he will likely have the lowest component marks, so clean skates will be even more important for him to get on the podium again.
5. Koshiro Shimada JPN - Bronze at Nebelhorn Trophy and then tenth (and 30 points lower) at Grand Prix de France, Shimada has not really been able to show the kind of consistency that he’s been hoping to put together. And that was his obstacle last year as he was trying to qualify for the World team. A strong competition here will be very important for him as he tries to get that World spot for the first time.
6. Nikolaj Memola ITA - After winning Budapest Trophy in mid-October, Memola had high hopes for his Grand Prix debut in France, but he skated with some nerves and ended in 11th. He’s got the goods to be in the top half of this field, and he will be looking to rebound with Italian Nationals coming up soon.
7. Jimmy Ma USA - Ninth at Cup of China two weeks ago, Ma returns to the Grand Prix and will be looking to clean up some of the issues he had in Chongqing. He’s looking to be in better condition than earlier in the season, but his reflexes weren’t yet quick enough for clean jump checkouts in China.
8. Liam Kapeikis USA - After a rough go earlier in the season, Kapeikis rebounded with a solid free skate at Skate Canada to finish eighth. Getting this second GP assignment last week after Andreas Nordeback withdrew was a chance for him to make more of a statement with US Nationals coming up in January.
9. Ivan Shmuratko UKR - Injuries took him out of the second half of last season, but Shmuratko is back and skating well. He was originally slated for Warsaw Cup this week, but he got called up this week as a late replacement. He was eighth at Nepela Memorial earlier this season.
10. Arlet Levandi EST - Two eighth-place finishes and then a fourth-place on the Challenger Series, Espoo will be his second career Grand Prix appearance. He was seventh at this event last year.
11. Nikita Starostin GER - The German champ makes his Grand Prix debut after getting the call this week with the late withdrawals. He was most recently seventh at the Denis Ten Memorial Challenge two weeks ago.
12. Makar Suntsev FIN - 13th at Lombardia and 10th at Finlandia, Suntsev makes his Grand Prix debut this week at home.