Last year's GrandSlam Standard Final will forever be remembered as the last duel between the eternal opponents Simone Segatori and Annette Sudol of Germany and Dmitry Zharkov and Olga Kukikova of Russia, where the former ended up on top. The German team has announced its decision to go professional, however, and will not be participating in the final this year. Now, the door is open for new couples to spring to the top of the dancing world, and it could be a variety of talented teams. To consider the pre-event favorites and dominators Dmitry Zharkov and Olga Kukikova as shoo-in winners today would be justifiable, if it were not for the mishaps that saw a great dancer tumble last year. Will a dark horse take home the championship, or will the runner-ups step into the limelight?
