Savchenko & Szolkowy skated a masterful short programme to take an early lead in Bern over reigning champions
Kavaguti & Smirnov. The Russians had a slight advantage on difficulty but the Germans wook the victory with higher execution and components marks. Fellow russians
Bazarova & Larionov sit third after a slightly cautious programme and a wobbly throw jump. Brits
Kemp & King skated a relatively clean but uninspiring programme and sit in 7th going into the free. Lower down the quality of skating was pretty weak.
Sentimentally I always root for Kavaguti and Smirnov, they have a great energy and always try for crazy new skills (like the lift near the end of their programme which finishes with her being swung upside down, head first towards the ice!) But this programme did not have the flare or feeling to match the germans this time. They could sell their joy in skating a little more. If S&S continue to skate with the consistency and confidence they had in the short they may be uncatchable. I still miss the passion and technical brilliance of a Shen & Zhao pairing though!
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