http://www.nbcolympics.com/news-feature ... hat+expect By Lee Ann Gschwind, NBC Olympics Feb 9, 1:10p ETFigure skating: What to expect
Olympic medalists return, Asian powers take control
Russian Yevgeny Plushenko returns to defend his Torino gold.As this Olympic season approached, a theme began to appear: comebacks. From injury, from pregnancy, and most notably from retirement - four medalists from the 2006 Torino Games returned this year to pursue another Olympics. Sash Cohen's comeback fell short, but Yevgeny Plushenko and Stephane Lambielare back for their third Games, while Shen Xueand Zhao Hongboare making a fourth trip. The celebrated Chinese pair has won three world titles and two Olympic bronze medals, but remains motivated by the opportunity to claim their country's first Olympic figure skating gold.
The presence of these veterans adds intrigue to what already promised to be a compelling figure skating competition in Vancouver. Below, a look at five key storylines to watch.
The King is backIf the most inspirational return is that of Shen and Zhao, the most intimidating is Plushenko's. With his convincing win at Cup of Russia in late October, the 2006 Olympic gold medalist sent a clear message to the men who've been taking titles in his three-and-a-half year competitive absence: to win gold in Vancouver, you're going to have to get through this three-time world champion. With his reliable quadruple jumps and equally unwavering confidence, Plushenko is poised to make all kinds of history - he would be the first man to win two straight golds in more than half a century, the second man ever to win more than two Olympic medals, and the sixth straight Olympic gold medalist from Russia/the former Soviet Union. In Vancouver, Plushenko will have to fend off a deep field of challengers, including two-time world champion Lambiel and 2007 world champion Brian Joubert, both of whom he defeated at the European Championships in January. In addition to these former world champs there is the reigning one, Evan Lysacek, who in 2009 ended a 13-year world title drought for the U.S. men, and the man he defeated for that title, host country hot shot Patrick Chan. Daisuke Takahasi, the 2007 world silver medalist, sat out all of last season with a knee injury, but returns to lead a talented trio of former world junior champions from Japan, most notably Nobunari Oda, who claimed two Grand Prix golds this Olympic season. And though he lacks a lengthy international resume, don't count out Jeremy Abbott, who won his second straight U.S. title last month with two performances that would certainly be medal-worthy if duplicated in Vancouver.....
Canada's contendersAt each of the last two World Championships, Canada has won three medals - more than any other country - and the host nation, long known for Olympic near misses, could claim that many again in Vancouver.....
Canada's singles skaters had a stellar 2008-09 season. Joannie Rochette and Patrick Chanwon two Grand Prix titles and a world silver medal each, proving their place among the world's best. This season they've been less convincing, but if Rochette can handle her nerves and skate up to her considerable ability, she should land on the podium. Chan's upside may be even greater, but the teenager's Olympic fate likely rests on the security of his jumps. 2008 world bronze medalists Jessica Dube and Bryce Davison have the potential to return Canada to the pairs podium, but after a sub-par 2008-09, they're stuck a rung below the world's top teams.
French redemptionSome called Brian Joubertbrash when, as a teenager, he began declaring his goal: to be Olympic champion. Now 25, the Frenchman has won a world title, three world silvers, a world bronze, and nine straight medals (including three gold) at the European Championships. But in two appearances, Joubert has yet to reach any step of the Olympic podium. A third chance will come in Vancouver, but he will have to rely on the quad to keep pace with more artistic skaters better suited to the current scoring system....
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... some say that the bookies is best in predictions.... 
with Evan Lysacek and Stephane Lambiel at 8/1.
получается перелёт 11 часов 
, посмотрим, что это значит. 