Takahiko Kozuka Leads Grand Prix Final After Short Program

Japan's Takahiko Kozuka, Skate America champion, leads the field in the Grand Prix Final after the men's short program. I haven't watched yet but it sounds like everyone aside from leaders Kozuka and second place Jeremy Abbott of the USA had fairly major errors. Brian Joubert of France sits in third place with a 74.55 after falling in the short. Weir also had one fall leaving him in fourth, and Tomas Verner of the Czech Republic and Patrick Chan of Canada round out the field with two falls.

Although this may blow my predictions out of water, I was not completely wrong this time. I did say that Abbott had a shot if he skated clean, so I'm happy to see him up there doing well. And I did predict Chan's proclivity to err would catch up with him, just didn't expect it to be so terrible.

I don't think Kozuka's free has the luster of his short program, but someone else would have to do some very impressive stuff in order to catch him if he skates well, since he can get some nice scores.

1

Takahiko KOZUKA

JPN

83.90

2

Jeremy ABBOTT

USA

78.26

3

Brian JOUBERT

FRA

74.55

4

Johnny WEIR

USA

72.50

5

Tomas VERNER

CZE

69.34

6

Patrick CHAN

CAN

68.00