Rinkside Power Rankings (Ladies): Flatt shoots up to No. 2, Sebestyen debuts

November 18, 11:44 PMFigure Skating ExaminerJackie Wong

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Figure Skating Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Julia Sebestyen (HUN) is having her best
season in a few years, with a bronze medal
at Skate America.
Photo: AP/Mike Groll

South Korea's Yu-Na Kim retains her spot atop the Rinkside Power Rankings this week even after an uncharacteristically rough free skate at Skate America.  But her world record short program was still the best this season by far, and one of the best short programs in recent memory.

But it was U.S. silver medalist Rachael Flatt who made a huge splash with her strong performances to win the silver medal.  Flatt is the first American senior lady this season to successfully land a triple-triple combination.  With a consistent triple-triple combination, she can really be competitive with the best ladies in the world.

The veteran this season, Hungary's Julia Sebestyen, delivered her best performances of the season and won her seventh career Grand Prix medal, her first in three seasons.  She seems to be getting stronger and stronger with each competition, and a top ten finish at the Olympics is certainly within her reach. 

LADIES
1. (1) Yu-Na Kim – Not quite herself at Skate America.
2. (-) Rachael Flatt – Bolts up the rankings with her free skate in Lake Placid.
3. (2) Miki Ando – Waiting in the Final.
4. (3) Akiko Suzuki – Needs to back up her Beijing skate this week.
5. (5) Joannie Rochette – A lot at stake at Skate Canada.
6. (6) Ashley Wagner – Now relegated to No. 2 American this week.
7. (7) Mao Asada – Still regrouping.
8. (-) Julia Sebestyen – How far can the 2004 European champion go this season?