I’ll start with another media void. I wish I had more skater voids, but I didn’t pick my own seat number. <smile> Of course during a Zamboni break I went for a smoke. When I came back, a lady (at that point we were looking at the back side) climbed over a couple rows of seats from the first row to my row to leave without making anyone get up. My pal from GS was there too. On her way up, she accidentally knocked my program and note pad off my seat. She picked them up and put them back. When she turned around, we realized it was Christine Brennan.
I didn’t even realize this until I got back to the hotel, but Dirty Darth the Skycam was silent today. Since Jr. Dance and Pairs SP are later today, I assume he was resting so he can lay in wait for some crotch shots during those events.
I made fewer notes about the Ladies FS practice than the men’s. (LOL, some of you are probably celebrating that notion by now!!) Since I’ve already said I can find something to like about all of these skaters, with the possible exception of Archambault (another close call with plumber crack outfit today, but at least she didn’t seem to be in everyone else’s way as much) I will comment only on skaters where I made notes.
First another general impression. As a first timer live, I’m really glad I’ve made a point to attend the practices. I feel like I’m getting a little more sense of these people as people. It’s certainly not the same as talking with them on a personal basis, but you just see so much in a more candid type of environment. You also see things that maybe a skater struggles with in competition, but it’s cool to see them do it well in practice. Of course the strongest competitors can take it all to competition ice. But I still appreciate seeing people successfully do things, even if it’s only once in practice.
Ladies Group B:
Already said my piece on Archambault. <smile>
Cohen – was doing more jumps today. Not full out like others trying (whatever the outcome) triple after triple, but she worked her way up to some triples that looked nice. Run through lite was very lite. We were wondering if she’s keeping some of her much discussed “Wilson” changes close to the vest? Who knows but it’s fun to speculate. Her circ. FW looked very nice to me. She practiced more spins than I recall from yesterday, and those seemed good as well. She appeared very focused. Back and forth with Nicks, and working on pieces. If the whole tomorrow and Saturday come together like the pieces looked, she will be just fine.
Corwin – Nice 3/3 so open run through, and big smile for the audience. <smile> I gushed enough about her yesterday, so I won’t repeat myself. She had a few jump problems during her run through, but also did a nice 3/2/2 in the mix.
Hughes – had a few problems but overall jumps still look strong. I’m still amazed by her classic spiral position. She looks in good form for tomorrow.
Roth – in a fear of plumber crack trendy fashion statement, she showed us all the tattoo she sports that is right above the crack.
Ladies Group C:
Liang – From what I saw today, I thought she looked awesome. Fast and smooth. Really worked the session – she was last to leave the ice. I made a special note of her gorgeous layback spin. I passed her in the hallway as she was leaving, and got to wish her good luck. Big smile from her and her ….family? friends?? Anyway, she seems genuinely nice when she smiles – I don’t get a feeling of “put on” from her.
Meissner – me nor the people around me saw any 3A attempts. But she was reeling off 3/3’s regularly. There were a few times I saw where she popped jump 1, but still came up with a 3 to follow. I think she may have gotten in two 3/3’s in her run through. As No Teknik, I’m not 100% sure. Her last jumping pass was a 3/2/2. She is very fast and smooth over the ice. I still think she has weaknesses (noticeably) in her spiral positions, and also in her spins (they get VERY slow, at least they seemed to today.) Side note on Kimmie’s practice outfit. She’s SO slender and tiny. She was wearing tight stretch pants. She had those giant (on her anyway) pads under the pants on each hip. The thought crossed my mind that it looked like ladies bustles (sp) from the early 1900’s or so. <smile> Hey – I wouldn’t want to take a hard fall on those skinny little hips either!! I don’t blame her at all – it was just a funny look.
I’m not as crazy about Rosenthal’s FS as I was with her SP yesterday. But as a “not known for jumps” sort, it was fun to see her land a 3/3 sequence towards the very end of the practice session.
Taylor and Williams-Steward worked the session just as hard as they both did yesterday.
I missed part of Ladies Group A. I was more efficient with my Zamboni smoke breaks before I started meeting fellow smokers on said breaks. At any rate, the big news for this group is that Czisny was NOT THERE. By now, less wordy people than me have probably already reported this. But our little group that has been sitting together is wondering if there are any reports – is she sick? Injured? Once I post this report I’m hoping to see some news posted. I hope she is OK. I can’t imaging missing the last opp to practice on the actual competition ice by plan…but what do I know???
In closing, our little group speculated about the Men’s group. We sort of think the podium is pretty wide open for the taking between Goebel, Lysacek, Weir, Weiss, and maybe even a surprise if the stars line up right for one of the “second tier” guys. It should be exciting to watch, and I hope all the men and ladies skate lights out. Bye for now…
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Originally Posted by Tonichelle
I tend to chat with lots of people who sit around me, or at the bar, or in the Fresh Air Smoking Area, etc. I haven't proactively asked anyone what they think about it, and only one person that I can recall has asked me what I think about it. And that was a very short discussion. I suspect there will be more buzz during the Ladies SP tonight, but at least from my experience, it seems to be a bigger deal everywhere else than it seems to be for the FS fans I've encountered here. 
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