Here's who I think will be at the podium at Nationals this year (it's a pretty close call though) 1) Mao Asada 2) Miki Ando 3) Yukari Nakano 4) Fumie Suguri (should increase her element levels to be in the podium) 5) Yoshie Onda
As for who I like, if they were ranked: 1) Mao Asada 2) Yukari Nakano/Miki Ando 3) Yukina Ota (she'll be back at Nationals yay!) 4) Mai Asada/Nana Takeda 5) Fumie Suguri/Aki Sawada
One thing's for sure though -- the ladies competition at Nationals will be very exciting with approx. 5-8 top-class ladies competing for slots at Tokyo Worlds. Special mention to Shizuka Arakawa, who I will always remember for having impeccable skating skills, great flow in the ice and fiery passion contained in such a glamorous and calm vessel during her years in competition.
Flying Dutchman 1. Shizuka Arakawa 2. Mao Asada 3. Yuka Sato 4. Yukina Ota 5. Miki Ando 6. Midori Ito 7. Fumie Suguri 8. Yukari Nakano 9. Mai Asada 10. Yoshie Onda
*Kudos to Miki Ando! Everyone had her dead and buried after the Torino Olympics. I thought her skating was lovely at SA. She's skating with much greater expression and maturity. Not to mention, she has to be one of the hottest ladies in skating.
maija 1. Mao Asada 2. Arakawa 3. Miki Ando 4. others
Loves_Shizuka 1. Shizuka (no-one will EVER come close!) 2. Miki - my new (amateur) fave! 3. Fumie - loverrrly 4. Yukina - if only she had the jumps! 5. Yukari 6. Mao 7. Mai