Reigning world or Olympic figure skating champions are usually the favorites figure skaters predicted to win the next Olympic figure skating title. The following skaters are 2009's world figure skating champions. It is likely that they will win in Vancouver in 2010.
Kim Yu-Na of Korea - Ladies
Kim Yu-Na dazzled audiences in 2008 and 2009. Some say that she is "a cut above the rest." Canadians may be especially cheering for her since her coach is Canadian and Olympic Men's Figure Skating Silver Medalist, Brian Orser.
Evan Lysacek of the United States - Men
At the 2006 Torino Oympics, Evan Lysacek skated great in the final freeskate and placed fourth overall. At the 2009 World Figure Skating Championships in Los Angeles, he skated a near perfect program and won the world figure skating title. All eyes will be on Lysacek in Vancouver.
Evgeni Plushenko, the 2006 Men's Olympic Figure Skating Champion, has made a comeback, so there is some chance he will win over Evan Lysacek.
Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany - Pairs
Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany won the world pair skating title in both 2008 and 2009. Their score at the 2009 world figure skating championships was 203.48 points, nearly 17 points above the second place pair team. That wide margin has made the German pair skating team the favorites to win at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.
Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin of Russia - Ice Dance
Most Americans would love to see 2006 Olympic Silver Medalists and 2009 World Figure Skating Silver Medalists, Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto, win gold in Vancouver; however, many believe 2009 World Ice Dance Champions Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin of Russia will take the gold. Ice dancing is the most predictable branch of the figure skating disciplines. Ice dancers "wait in line." Once in awhile, their "place" can be seized, but that is rare. Most likely, it is Domnina's and Shabalin's "turn to win."
