Ladies SP

[LeCygne]

Looking forward, Caroline needs to continue what she has begun .... she must establish herself, beyond question, as the top American lady. She has to make a strong showing at the team competition in Japan next month, fix her problems over the summer, hit the Grand Prix like a hammer, crank out standing ovations to the point of monotony, and cruise into Nationals with the judges ready to hand her the gold before she even skates.

I'm all for it. I think Alissa's mini-meltdown so far is already helping Caroline. I mean, of course we would all like 3 spots, but for Caroline fans, I think in the end 2 and 3 spots are the same.

If we get those 3 spots because both Rachael and Alissa go out there and completely nail it, then all they are doing is strengthening their own case for Vancouver. In addition to 2010 Nationals, performances at 2009 Worlds do weigh very heavily on Olympic team selections. So if they both nail it here, then there goes two out of three spots for Vancouver.

But if say Rachael does fine and Alissa melts down completely tonight (not unlikely), then that's not a very good statement for Alissa to be sending out. USFSA will think "look what happened the last time we trusted her..." and there would still be 1 spot open for Caroline, assuming Rachael solidifies her chances for spot #1.

And of course we don't know what the deal with Ashley and Mirai will be, but you get the picture.

[PROKOFIEV]

Kristi Ymaguchi's comment on ladies short program.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/olym...-yamaguch.html

[R.D.]

I'm all for it. I think Alissa's mini-meltdown so far is already helping Caroline. I mean, of course we would all like 3 spots, but for Caroline fans, I think in the end 2 and 3 spots are the same.

I dunno...let's face it, after all, if the US had three spots this year, Caroline would be skating tonight. And, frankly, I think her and Flatt would have given us the best chance at three Olympic spots. So, not having that third spot really hurts for SOMEBODY. Besides, the past two Olympic champions (Arakawa, Hughes) got there via that very third spot.

Of course, it could be argued that the FS scoring at nats should have been manipulated to put Alyssa in 3rd (overall). But that's over and done with.

But if say Rachael does fine and Alissa melts down completely tonight (not unlikely), then that's not a very good statement for Alissa to be sending out. USFSA will think "look what happened the last time we trusted her..." and there would still be 1 spot open for Caroline, assuming Rachael solidifies her chances for spot #1.

A lot can happen in a year. Last year Nagasu was national champ, this year she's nowhere to be found. I agree that Rachel is the most consistent of the Americans thus far, and barring injury, will be in the fight for an Olympic spot, but you know...I don't care if Alyssa wins again next year, I would NEVER, EVER even THINK about sending her to the pressure-cooker that is the Olympic Games, which has unnerved even solid competitors in the past. Look what happened last night. In Vancouver she would have self-destructed!! Probably would have fallen on every jump!

[ks777]

I read in a japanese paper that After Mao skated her SP, someone threw a shoe on the ice... Mao didn't notice because there are flowers and other stuff thrown at the same time. Glad that it wasn't a snake or something, I would scream and run!

[Tonichelle]

shoe...snake... ??? yeah, I see the similarities there..

hello, random!

[ks777]

shoe...snake... ??? yeah, I see the similarities there..

hello, random!

LOL, I hate snakes!! I don't know why someone threw a shoe instead of a stuffed animal.. I wonder he or she was mad that Mao didn't skate clean?

[Blades of Passion]

The scoring at this event was so high. Protocols should be interesting.

I found Kostner's score to be the most inflated (as always). She made 3 mistakes and still got a 63??

[PROKOFIEV]

I was talking to Japanese friends on the phone today. She has told me that she heard that crazy rumor,but it was a stuffed animal thrown for Mao on the ice. I do not think anyone would ever throw shoes on the ice.

[icyboid]

I don't know why someone threw a shoe instead of a stuffed animal.. I wonder he or she was mad that Mao didn't skate clean?

Maybe Mao was unleashing weapons of mass rotation in their country.

[Wrlmy]

The scoring at this event was so high. Protocols should be interesting.

I found Kostner's score to be the most inflated (as always). She made 3 mistakes and still got a 63??

Did you throw an ugly stuffed animal after her skate?

I was talking to Japanese friends on the phone today. She has told me that she heard that crazy rumor,but it was a stuffed animal thrown for Mao on the ice. I do not think anyone would ever throw shoes on the ice.

That's one crazy rumor So journalists make up all kinds of crap. Who knew?

[LeCygne]

I dunno...let's face it, after all, if the US had three spots this year, Caroline would be skating tonight. And, frankly, I think her and Flatt would have given us the best chance at three Olympic spots. So, not having that third spot really hurts for SOMEBODY. Besides, the past two Olympic champions (Arakawa, Hughes) got there via that very third spot.

A lot can happen in a year. Last year Nagasu was national champ, this year she's nowhere to be found. I agree that Rachel is the most consistent of the Americans thus far, and barring injury, will be in the fight for an Olympic spot, but you know...I don't care if Alyssa wins again next year, I would NEVER, EVER even THINK about sending her to the pressure-cooker that is the Olympic Games, which has unnerved even solid competitors in the past. Look what happened last night. In Vancouver she would have self-destructed!! Probably would have fallen on every jump!

Caroline just got unlucky this year. The timing was bad. I meant for next year though. Of course not having 3 spots will affect somebody. And I'm a big believer in that life experience for the 3rd girl, but my statement was regarding Caroline's chances only. As of the end of this season, anyway. I realize a lot can change next season.

That's exactly my point about Alissa. You're exactly right, and I hope that USFSA will see that. I think the "National champ gets to go" rule doesn't apply as much for the Olympics (is there even such a rule for Olys?), so even if Alissa wins again next year, no worries...

[Andalusia]

Caroline just got unlucky this year. The timing was bad. I meant for next year though. Of course not having 3 spots will affect somebody. And I'm a big believer in that life experience for the 3rd girl, but my statement was regarding Caroline's chances only. As of the end of this season, anyway. I realize a lot can change next season.

I was wondering this about Caroline, but it could apply to anyone. Suppose she does well through most of next season and inexplicably bombs at Nationals - I wonder if the USFS would still consider naming her to the Olympic team. Let's say Alissa further bombs today, but rebounds next season and is just off the podium at Nats...would Alissa be named to the Olympic team? Hmm...

[Mathman]

Maybe Mao was unleashing weapons of mass rotation in their country.

[Kinga]

My computer crashed right after SP, so I could not take part in the discussion 'live'
Writing about SP might not have much sense, because even LP is over now, but I do not like leaving my thoughts out.

I did not have problems with Yu-Na leading so clearly (although she should have lost tiny bit of her points due to ! call).
But I have to agree with quotes below. I just cannot feel her. And although she is not just a jumping bean, her spins and spirals do not blow me off. Steps are very good, but there are skaters who are better at steps too (for example Mao). Apart from single elements, there is something missing as the whole.

All I'm saying is Yu-na has lost that ethereal quality about her which was why I enjoyed her expression and artistry compared to her competitors. Now, I prefer watching Mao and Carolina to Yu-na. Mao was elegant and graceful. Carolina was stylish. Yu-na... her jumps were great and interpretation great but somewhat... I don't know generic, too standard? .

I totally agree with you, fourclover. Yu-na did skate really well and she deserves the first place. But I am feeling something is missing. I do not know what exactly it is. I often ask myself if I would love to watch each skaters program if there were no jumps in it. And many times I do find some skaters that only impress me only because of jumps. I definitely would have loved to watch Michelle's and Sasha's without jumps. Would I have loved Yu-na's program if there were no triple triple combinations? I do no know.....I feel delicacy and profoundness more in Mao and Caroline Zhang's skating. Yu-na , to me, she has lost it. It almost like I see arrogance (not confidence) in her skating. (Do not get me wrong I am sure she is not an arrogant person!) I also CAN NOT wait Rachael for next season. With the experience form The worlds this year, I know she is going to be a kind of skater whom I would love to see whether there are jumps or not. Caroline and Mirai do have that potential, too. Do not worry American fans. American ladies will come back as strong team as ever.

I so agree with you, like I would read my mind

I think the marks were high and as someone pointed out were surprising the skaters but Suguri and Phaneuf have definitely been robbed by Flatt and Czisny.

Ant

I do not get why many people here pick on Rachel so much. She was not worse from the rest of bunch (places 5-11). She made similar mistakes as others. Her spins in the SP were quite good this time. Saying tha she robbed Fumie is beyond ridiculous. Fumie finished behind the music, had few wobbles, and, apart from that, her expression is just not there any more... I found her program boring, whereas Rachel is very fresh and joyfull. Fumie does not have spark any more.
Many ladies were overscored, but some more than the others. I don't understand Lepisto score. Although she is lovely to watch, there is no way that a skater with 3T-2T and a mistake in the step sequence could be placed in the final group. Look at Elena Glebova (for example), with a lovely 3T-3T, no major mistake, good levels on other elements and pleasant skate too. How come Lepisto ended up 7 places above her??

I liked Miki's SP.. I rarely enjoy her, but I did.

[gourry]

I read in a japanese paper that After Mao skated her SP, someone threw a shoe on the ice... Mao didn't notice because there are flowers and other stuff thrown at the same time. Glad that it wasn't a snake or something, I would scream and run!

Someone posted on youtube about that in a high quality clip. It was not a shoe but a stuffed animal. Looked like a dog with long waist and short legs... possibly a dachshund?
I tried to find the link but it looks like it's been removed. I don't know why.