- Joined
- Feb 21, 2006
Also, Rachael had the advantage with this being her second summer competition. I think she didn't do so well at Colorado Championships earlier this summer, similar to what Caroline and Mirai did here at their first competition of the season.
From the few reports we've gotten so far, I am a bit worried for Caroline. Rachael seems like she's in a good place and Mirai did pretty well here, but Caroline seems to be struggling. Looks like coaching changes and the injury have set her back, and there really isn't much time until TEB.
IIRC, Flatt mentioned either in an interview or on Twitter or Facebook Fan page that she had returned from working with Nichol in early July on her programs. So, her Colorado Champs performances were probably all of 3-4 weeks old. Flatt has competed at summer competitions for years, with either Broadmoor or Liberty being her first competition of the season. Understandibly so that Broadmoor isn't the first competition for elite skaters very often as it is sooooooo early in the season. So, not a surprise that there is vast improvement in the past 4 weeks from her programs at CO Champs to Golden West. Just a another good reason, even as an elite skater, to put those programs out at summer comps!!
And from Red Dog:
"Rachel obviously is blessed with being a consistent competitor and she should take advantage of that while she still has her jumps. "
Flatt is incredibly consistent with her jumps for as long as we can remember as well as a very sound approach to competition as demonstrated in her first Worlds back in March. Watched the Canadian coverage of her programs from Worlds and Kurt Browning mentioned that he had skated at some shows with her and was taken by her focus...he said something about trying to get a rise out of Rachael...and couldn't. Perhaps Rachael is so shy that she was unable to reply to Kurt's witty remarks! ;-)
Flatt has also mentioned in interviews and press packet that her 3Lp was her trouble jump for a season or two, but I suspect that because it was the required solo jump during her international Jr season, it has become a very strong jump for her. She has sound consistent technique and I don't expect her jumps to be an issue for her any time soon.
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