Figure Skating

The NHK Trophy in Nagano, Japan, this week is lacking something in the Olympic season - many of the sport's big names.

But the fourth stop on the six-event Grand Prix circuit will have a local emotional peg as Japan's three-time national champion, Daisuke Takahashi, makes his return to international competition after taking last season off to recover from surgery for torn ligaments in his right knee. To prove he's back, he'll have to meet the challenge of France's 2007 world champion, Brian Joubert.

Canada's representation at the NHK, which begins today, decidedly has a next-generation flavour.

Among the men, with world silver medalist Patrick Chan still on the mend, Vaughn Chipeur of Lloydminster, Sask., and Jeremy Ten of Vancouver will get international experience. Chipeur was 12th at the last world championship, Ten 17th.

The rest of the field includes Americans Adam Rippon, a two-time world junior champion who won the bronze medal at the Trophée Eric Bompard in Paris last month, 2008 Grand Prix final champion Jeremy Abbott and Johnny Weir.

Among the women, 2009 Cup of Russia gold medalist Miki Ando is the home favourite. Much-travelled Canadian Joannie Rochette, who rallied for a podium placing last week with a strong free skate at the Cup of China, is recovering from jet lag. Cynthia Phaneuf of Contrecoeur, Que., who beat Rochette in the short program at last year's Canadian championships, carries Canada's hopes against American Ashley Wagner and Russian junior world champion, Alena Leonova.

In pairs, Canada sends out two entries, Mylène Brodeur and John Mattatall, and Paige Lawrence with South African-born Rudy Swiegers.

In dance, with Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir taking a week off, Vanessa Crone of Aurora, Ont., and Paul Poirier of Ottawa, could see the podium. They were the 2008 world junior silver medalists. Four Continents champions Meryl Davis and Charlie White of the United States and the British brother and sister team of Sinead and John Kerr are podium favourites.