SOCHI, December 6 (R-Sport) - European pairs champions Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov are in perfect shape to skate for gold at the Grand Prix Finals in Sochi this weekend, Trankov said Thursday.
The Russian duo are bidding to go one better than second place last year, when they finished second to Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy in Quebec City.
"In principle, we've prepared for this tournament very seriously, very strongly," Trankov said after practice. "We're physically prepared very well, technically well prepared."
They earned their shot at the title by winning two regular-season Grands Prix in Russia and the United States.
Competition starts Friday with the short programs in all disciplines, followed by the free skates Saturday.
"We'll see how everything turns out tomorrow, but I think we're satsified, we like everything, no problems at all," Trankov said.
As an added bonus they get the support of a home crowd in the venue for next winter's Sochi Olympics, the Iceberg Winter Sports Palace.
"The arena's brilliant," Trankov said. "Ideal for figure skating."
Trankov added that the ice was of good quality Thursday and should be fine for competition, but that on Wednesday it had been "more like snow, not very comfortable for any pairs elements because we've got a lot of weight when we're together."
The finals, the first international test event in the coastal Olympic Park, run through Sunday.
