Might as well get this thread started, shall we?

English site: www.figurewtt.jp/index_en.html
Japanese site: www.figurewtt.jp/index.html

TV Asahi's site (Japanese): www.tv-asahi.co.jp/figure/pc/top/index.html
Official blog (Japanese): http://blog.tvasobi.jp/entries/index/figure

So, I'm still not completely sold on the format, but I suppose it's a good thing that the team scores are based on the aggregate placement scores (e.g., 1st place in the ladies discipline gets 12 points for the team, 3rd gets 10, etc.) rather than the actual performance score, since that would have made the competition far more predictable.

For the most part, the feds seem serious on sending their A-team, with some like the French sending Florent Amodio instead of Yannick/Alban based on recent competition results. For the sake of the Japanese team, though, I was hoping they could borrow K/S because it has to be overwhelming for Takahashi/Tran - they are still new on the junior circuit, for goodness sakes! Not that there was any possibility in that idea, of course, since K/S are skating for Russia... And I feel bad for China as well, since their top 10 team in the 4 disciplines is pairs and that's it.

The actual competition takes place from April 16 ~ 19.

A photo from the ceremony when the Japanese representatives were named:
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20090401-00000043-jijp-spo.view-000
Of course, poor Reeds and Takahashi/Tran got ignored. I hope this event will spart more interest in pairs/dance.

News clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYAlqBJERWI

A screencap:


みんあをリラックスさせる。- To make everyone relax/enjoy themselves..?
キーマン - kiiman..? Key man?

I like the design of the trophy - very elegant.

I hope that everyone will have fun at the event. It's a pretty nice way to end the competitive season. I think Mao said she's gonna try the 3A again? Miki and Kozuka are gonna try the quad too? I can only guess what they're saying in interviews cuz I don't know much Japanese.

Btw, The prize money is pretty attractive.

Pics!!
http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/photo/20090401-027291-1-L.jpg
http://www2.daily.co.jp/newsflash/2009/04/01/Images/01790186.jpg
http://www2.daily.co.jp/newsflash/2009/04/01/Images/01790187.jpg
http://www2.daily.co.jp/newsflash/2009/04/01/Images/01790188.jpg
http://www2.daily.co.jp/newsflash/2009/04/01/Images/01790189.jpg
http://www.sanspo.com/sports/images/090401/spm0904011915003-p1.jpg
http://www.sanspo.com/sports/images/090401/spm0904011915003-p2.jpg
http://www.sanspo.com/sports/images/090401/spm0904011915003-p3.jpg
http://www.sanspo.com/sports/images/090401/spm0904011915003-p4.jpg
http://www.sanspo.com/sports/images/090401/spm0904011915003-p5.jpg
http://www.sanspo.com/sports/images/090401/spm0904011915003-p6.jpg
http://contents.oricon.co.jp/upimg/news/20090401/64754_200904010637467001238571738c.jpg
http://ca.c.yimg.jp/news/20090401202856/img.news.yahoo.co.jp/images/20090401/jijp/20090401-00000043-jijp-spo-view-000.jpg
http://ca.c.yimg.jp/news/20090401200912/img.news.yahoo.co.jp/images/20090401/maip/20090401-00000017-maip-spo-view-000.jpg

Thanks for the pictures.

It appears the countries participating are taking this competition very seriously. Hopefully this pushes other federations to improve all 4 disciplines instead of dominating 1 or 2.

More pics:
http://www.timewarp.jp/pages/guest/article/article_detail.jsf?articleId=8189&cid=233161

Oh, and I forgot to mention - in that last article that I didn't really translate, Kozu is talking about doing more strength training, and he says something like, "I want to develop a body that I'm not ashamed of people seeing if I have my shirt off." OoooH!

I'm really so excited about YHE WORLD TEAM TROPHY 2009. Finally, I can watch a real competitive figure skating!!!! I think this will make up for all the disconcerns and disappointments of the skaters, brought about by THE WORLDS. I can see the skaters performing their best with the simple reason that they feel safer competing with each other in a conducive and fair atmosphere. Now, everybody can emote their hearts out and show how much they love skating without anybody and anything suppressing them down. Good luck to all and for certain, they will have a wonderful time in this competition.

Woow, wonderful pictures!!! This is going to be such a great event. I think skaters take this event seriously but I feel they may enjoy more since they can share the pressure with other team members.Does anyone know if they will show it on TV in US. I agree with you a lot wi th your comment, juliet!!

I'm a bit behind on all the goss, so excuse my ignorance What exactly is the World Trophy? I've never heard of it before, but then again, I've only been following all the big ISU comps. Is this like those challenges they have between two countries, like USA vs. Japan?

If someone could explain this to me I would appreciate it greatly!

CHINESETEACUP - The ISU World Team Trophy is an ISU Senior Event which will be held in Tokyo from April 16 to April 19. Check out the link CLOVERA has sent both in English and Japanese. By the way, thank you very much CLOVERA

2009 0404 - World Team Challenge Fluff, Team Captain and family relationships
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtVvFSdHzEo
(Sort of translated and insanely odarable! )