Japanese and Russian nationals are both right near the end of December, and they'll overlap.
Japanese nationals run from Dec 24-27, and Russian nationals run from Dec 23-27.
Japan only has two spots for the men, and that's going to make nationals even more interesting. Obviously Yuzuru Hanyu will have one spot, and I think the second will go to Shoma Uno, but there is a chance that Daisuke Murakami could take that second spot. If it was me though, I'd give it to Shoma almost regardless of what happens at nationals. I think as long as he skates well at nationals, the JSF will send Shoma to worlds.
The ladies event will be interesting, if only to see where Mao Asada stacks up. I have a feeling that, based on what she's done so far this season, she won't win nationals. Likely, Satoko Miyahara will win, but so many of the Japanese ladies are so close in terms of skill. I don't think Kanako will likely not make it onto the world team.
The other events at Japanese nationals will likely not be as exciting as the men's and ladies events.
The ladies event at Russian nationals will be very interesting. However, I really think it's going to be a competition for third. Evgenia Medvedeva will more than likely win, and Elena Radionova will probably be in second. When it comes to third, there's no shortage of ladies who will be fighting for the last spot to Worlds. If I were the Russian federation, I would send 3,4, and 5 to Europeans and choose the last spot for Worlds based on the results there.
The dance event will also be a close race. This year Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov have the required technical score to qualify for Worlds (not that I personally think they're much better than last year) and Bobrova and Soloviev are back, meaning that there's no shortage of teams fighting for spots on the world team. The dance event will likely be very political, and regardless of the results, I think the Russian federation has teams in mind, in a way that happens in all facets of the sport, but especially in ice dance.
Russia also has a number of strong pair teams, and it will be interesting to see where those teams end up. Obviously they will have to send Kavaguti and Smirnov and Stolbova and Klimov (assuming they don't decide to bail on it again), but the question will be who will get the third spot.
Honestly, the men's event is what I'm least looking forward to at Russian nationals. I don't particularly care for any of the Russian men, and they're not doing exceptionally well this season.
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