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After opening the season in Paris, the Grand Prix series heads to Moscow for the second of six events. Here are the key story lines to follow.

Plushenko back, Weir 'home' and Chan out
2006 Olympic champion Yevgeny Plushenko makes his return to international competition at home at the Grand Prix of Russia. The 26-year-old has competed in Russian national events this fall, but has not taken the ice at an ISU competition since winning Olympic gold. The three-time world champion will likely regain a technical dominance that includes consistent quads, but it remains unclear if he has addressed his artistic weaknesses. Plushenko has been criticized for his lack of choreography in and out of his jumps. Moscow will show whether the judges are ready to rank Plushenko as a medal contender in Vancouver.

Also competing is three-time United States champion Johnny Weir, who is a self-proclaimed Russia-phile and has a huge following there. At age 25, the 2008 world bronze medalist sees Vancouver as his last legitimate chance at an Olympic medal. "When I decided not to quit and to fight 'til the bloody end, it was for me, not for my mom, not for my coach, not for my federation. I am just pushing to beat Johnny Weir - which is hard to do," Weir said. He looks to prove he's back on track after his poor performances at 2009 U.S. Nationals kept him off the world team. Defeating Plushenko in Russia would certainly send that message.

Canadian Patrick Chan was expected to compete in Russia, but he withdrew last week due to a small tear in his left calf muscle. The 2009 world silver medalist is undergoing treatment for the injury and is expected to make his season debut at Skate Canada on Nov. 19. Withdrawing from Russia means Chan cannot qualify for the Grand Prix Final, which skaters qualify for based on results at two Grand Prix events. This does not hurt Chan's chances in Vancouver. He will have Skate Canada and nationals (both "at-home") to prepare for the Olympics.

Keep an eye out for... American Brandon Mroz, who surprised at 2009 Nationals by winning the silver medal. He will add a quad to his short program for the first time and may top Weir if he lands it. Also, Takahiko Kozuka of Japan, who claimed gold at 2008 Skate America over Weir and American Evan Lysacek.

Japanese rivals and Americans seeking a medal
2007 world champion Miki Ando of Japan starts her season in Russia and will be joined by teammate Mao Asada. Ando's bronze medal at 2009 Worlds knocked teammate Asada off an ISU podium for the first time in her career. Asada has a lot to prove in her second event - last week in Paris she was inconsistent and lost to champion Kim Yu-Na of South Korea by a whopping 35 points. Ando's coach, Nikolai Morozov, was in Paris coaching Japan's Nobunari Oda to the men's title and witnessed Asada's imperfection. Look for the consistent Ando to capitalize on her teammate's weaknesses in Russia.

Challenging the Japanese ladies are Americans Alissa Czisny and Ashley Wagner. Both begin to make their case for one of two spots on the U.S. Olympic team. Czisny, 22, is the reigning U.S. champion, but finished 11th at 2009 Worlds proving she continues to struggle with consistency. She does not compete a triple-triple combination, but garners huge marks for her amazing spins, flexibility, and mature style. Wagner is quite the opposite - a determined and athletic skater. The 19-year-old is working to harness her competitive spirit into improved artistry while still ticking off the difficult triples. Wagner did not make the 2009 World team due to a poor short program at nationals, but has the talent to make the Olympic team. With at least five American ladies vying for two Olympic berths, Grand Prix medals cannot guarantee a trip to Vancouver, but competitive scores will enhance their resumes.

Keep an eye out for... 2009 world junior champion Alena Leonova of Russia. She's been the most consistent Russian since 2006 Olympic bronze medalist Irina Slutskaya retired. Leonova may lack finesse, but at least she stays on her feet.

Davis and White all but guaranteed victory
Americans Meryl Davis and Charlie White should win the dance event in Moscow after the withdrawal of 2009 world champions Oksana Domnina and Maksim Shabalin, of Russia. Unofficial reports claim that Shabalin is in treatment for his knees-he has missed several major competitions due to surgeries the past two seasons. After withdrawing from 2009 European championships, Shabalin rushed back to claim the world title a month later. The team resumed training (alongside Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto) in late summer, only to withdraw from the Grand Prix series last week. Without them, Davis and White will likely claim to two Grand Prix golds and will not be tested until the Grand Prix Final in December where they should meet teammates Belbin and Agosto and top Canadians Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir. While the results of the Final may be a sneak-peek at the North American pecking order, these three teams cannot challenge the reigning world champions or the 2008 world champions Isabelle Delobel and Olivier Schoenfelder of France until the Olympics. When the two top European teams return, it remains to be seen who among their North American foe will fall short of the Vancouver podium.

American pair champions look to get back on track
Two-time U.S. champions Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker kick-off their season, competing under the guidance of coach John Nicks for the first time. (Nicks coached Tai Babilonia and Randy Gardner to the 1979 world pairs title; Babilonia mentors the pair, too.) The duo struggled at their world championship debut in March (11th place) and know people are waiting to see how they rebound from their first tough international season.

The Americans will take on the home team of Yuko Kavaguti and Aleksandr Smirnov. The 2009 world bronze medalists attempt a throw quad Salchow in their free skate and look to prove they can continue Russia's Olympic pairs legacy. (The name Kavaguti is listed on her passport, but her given name is Kawaguchi - she gave up her Japanese citizenship to compete for Russia at the Olympics.) Russia has won pairs gold at the past 12 Olympics, with Canadians Jamie Sale and David Pelletier co-champions in 2002. Standing in Kavaguti and Smirnov's way come February are the German team of Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy and three Chinese pair teams, including Pang Qing and Tong Jian, who they will also meet in Russia. Pang and Tong are the 2006 world champions, but of the three Chinese teams, the only team who has yet to win an Olympic medal. Pang and Tong struggle with individual jumps, but when they are clean, are more refined than the Russians and are always contenders.