The format for the Northwestern Mutual Life World Team Challenge was the same as that of the recent US Pro Classic - that is, two interpretive free skate programs, the first (the technical program) weighted toward skating techniques, the second (the artistic program) emphasizing presentation. In this event, competitors in each field (ladies, pairs, men) competed against each other and then the combined scores of all competitors were somehow (I never did figure out how, nor was it ever explained) added together to determine the winner among the four teams (USA, Canada, Europe and Russia).

Todd was teamed with Nicole Bobek and Kyoko Ina/John Zimmerman to form Team USA. Following the technical programs of the ladies and the pairs, which left Nicole in third place and Kyoko and John in fourth place in their respective fields, the men took the ice for their technical programs.

First up was Aleksei Yagudin for Team Russian, skating his new Lawrence of Arabia long program. The Tarasova choreography was much in evidence as I was immediately struck by the impression I was watching Ilia Kulik rather than Aleksei Yagudin (albeit one that can actually do some decent spins!). The program still looked to me like a work a progress, but Yagudin nevertheless turned in a virtuoso performance of it that featured the execution of five triple jumps (axel, flip, lutz, loop and toe). The effort earned him scores for skating techniques of three 5.7s and two 5.8s and presentation scores of one 5.7 and four 5.8s.

Steven Cousins for Team Europe was next, skating a rock number in shiny gold pants, a number that looked like it might be a new program for Stars on Ice. After falling out of a triple flip attempt, he landed a lovely triple lutz and later barely held on to a triple toe. He received skating techique scores of two 5.4s and three 5.5s, and presentation scores of one 5.6 and four 5.7s.

Next up, for Team Canada, was Kurt Browning, skating (much to my delight) his Lightning Crashes program. This, unfortunately, was not one of Kurt's better outings, as he popped a triple loop attempt and stumbled a bit on some footwork. He did manage to pull off a triple toe/double toe combo (slight 2-foot on the second jump), as well as three double axels in a row, and earned skating technique scores ranging from 5.3 to 5.5, and presentation scores from 5.6 to 5.9.

Todd finished up the men's field, skating his revised Gethsemane program. After landing a triple loop, a triple axel (a bit low on the landing, but clean), and a triple toe loop, his planned triple lutz/double toe combination failed to materialize when he was forced to put a hand down on the triple lutz. It really looked to me like the brutal schedule of the last month was finally catching up with him. He was skating tired and I'm afraid it showed.

Scores were as follows:
Skating Technique: 5.8 5.6 5.7 5.6 5.9
Presentation: 5.8 5.8 5.7 5.8 5.9

As he lost this portion of the competition to Yagudin by a 3/2 split, one can only conclude that the failed triple lutz combination made all the difference.

Standings after the technical program were as follows:
1. Aleksei Yagudin
2. Todd Eldredge
3. Kurt Browning
4. Steven Cousins

The Artistic phase of the competition began with Nicole winning first place among the ladies and Kyoko and John finishing fourth among the pairs.

First up for the men was Kurt Browning, skating his Antares program. Kurt definitely rallied after his disappointing technical program performance, and although the triple loop once again failed him, he managed to pull off a triple salchow, a triple toe, several double axels and that wonderful footwork to wow the crowd and to earn him skating technique scores of one 5.6 and four 5.7s, and presentation scores of four 5.8s and one 5.9.

Steven Cousins followed, skating his new Belfast Child program. He two-footed his triple flip, but landed a couple of triple toe loops and, on the whole, skated quite well. His skating technique scores ranged from 5.5 to 5.7 and his presentation scores ranged from 5.5 to 5.8.

Todd was next, skating his Il Mare program, a performance that unfortunately was marred midway through by an awkward fall out of his triple axel. Undeterred by this, he went on to land three flawless triples (toe, lutz and loop) to finish strongly and to great audience appreciation.

He also received some nice scores, as follows:
Skating Technique: 5.8 5.9 5.9 5.7 5.8
Presentation: 5.8 5.8 5.8 5.8 5.8

Aleksei Yagudin finished the field and the night skating a flawless and sparkling performance of what I strongly suspect is his new short program, thus demonstrating that it is indeed possible for an eligible to skate both regular track programs within the format of an ISU Open. Landing a triple axel, a triple toe and a triple loop, he was attired in a very colorful costume (with masks on front and back) that is bound to occasion much comment this season (a close relative of Kulik's infamous "giraffe" costume?) He received very high scores for this effort, with skating technique scores ranging from 5.7 to 5.9 and with presentation scores of 5.9 across the board - an indication that he may be headed for a terrific season.

Final men's standings:
1. Aleksei Yagudin
2. Todd Eldredge
3. Kurt Browning
4. Steven Cousins
Final Team standings:
1. Team Russia
2. Team USA
3. Team Canada
4. Team Europe