Russia's Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov re-established themselves as Olympic medal contenders with their record-breaking score of 139.23 in the free skate. Is it just me, or did the European skaters suddenly become the greatest skaters in the world this week? Or maybe it's the judges. Europe will not be kept down! Anyway, I am looking forward to seeing this free skate online somewhere.
More bad news for the German team of Savchenko and Szolkowy. Despite getting the personal best score of 137.60...they were not able to overcome Kavaguti and Smirnov, and could not defend their crown. I was very scared of Kavaguti and Smirnov at the beginning of the season - figured that the Tamara Moskvina magic would ensure they were a threat. Then they were kind of lackluster throughout the Grand Prix season... but I should have known they would peak when the time was right.
Russians Mukhortova and Trankov did not appear to do as well, getting a lowly (just kidding) 128.49 and finding themselves in third place.
Full standings after the jump.