The first day of competition has concluded at Cup of China and all the short programs are completed.  Looks like a few of the competitions are very close, setting up an exciting Day 2 tomorrow!

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Here is where you can catch this weekend's Cup of China on television (first runs listed only):

Friday, November 5:

Universal Sports:  5:30-7pm (Ladies short program and short dance)

Universal Sports: 10-11:30pm (Men short program and pairs short program)

Saturday, November 6:

Universal Sports:  2:30-4pm (Ladies free skate and free dance)

Universal Sports:  10-11:30 pm (Men and pairs free skate)

The Grand Prix continues this weekend with Cup of China in Beijing. Seeing a few major world medal contenders for the first time.

Men

Why to Watch:  This is world bronze medalist Brian Joubert's first Grand Prix...which means that it could be risky betting on him.  BUT it's not Trophee Eric Bompard, so that probably helps.  I would love to see how the rule changes affect him - I'm assuming it will help if he has those quads under control.  He changed coaches (again) in the offseason so it will be interesting to see if his head is in the right place for this competition.  I'm also excited to see him go in a different (more traditional?) direction artistically with his Once Upon a Time in Mexico and Beethoven programs.  Also here is Japan's Takahiko Kozuka, who has some of the best skating quality out there but got kind of lost in the shuffle last season.  He could definitely come out and win. 

Keep an Eye Out For:  America's Brandon Mroz, in his first Grand Prix of the season.  He's probably hoping to erase last season entirely and capitalize on his quads. He really had to work on his presentation (as well as landing the jumps!) so let's hope he did that in the offseason.  Italy's Samuel Contesti and Czech Republic's Tomas Verner are always around threatening to medal. Russia's Sergei Voronov has a Grand Prix medal under his belt as well.

Predictions:

1) Joubert (France)

2) Kozuka (Japan)

3) Contesti (Italy)

More previews after the jump...

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