Thanks to everyone for postings the results and links etc.
P.S.
I would really like to know where Russia is getting all these rocking juniors in gymnastics and figure skating from.
When Shelepen was awarded her medal, both Angela and Haruka applauded her. But when Angela's and Haruka's medals were awarded, Shelepen continued to pretend they weren't there.
Looks like Shelepen is a diva in the making. She is only 13 and is very tall, much like Cynthia Phaneuf at 14-15. Makes me wonder if Shelepen will be able to make a successful transition to Senior skating once she begins to fill out.
Honestly, though I was shocked that none of the girls went and congratulated Polina before they got on the stand. That was kind of bad sportsmanship on their part. So who knows. The girl may not have been thinking and didn't mean anything by it.
This being said while Polina is talented she really needs to work on her artistry. Her positions are not great and her arms need serious work.
. Yu-Na Kim was rather awkward when she first competed as a Junior, and now she's an amazing artist.
OTOH, it's probably better to develop the solid basics first and then work on the finer details.
Looks like Shelepen is a diva in the making.
I am certainly NOT writing Shelepen off. She may signal a new beginning for Russia in ladies' skating and go on to become a great champion. But too many times in the past we have seen young Russian ladies make a big splash at 13-15, and then disappear.
Some examples:
In 1995, Irina Slutskaya was JW Champion and Yelena Ivanova won silver. In 1996, Yelena Ivanova, Yelena Pingatcheva and Nadezhda Kanaeva swept the JW podium. In 1997, Yelena Sokolova and Yelena Ivanova on JW silver and bronze. In 1998, a Russian sweep again with Yulia Soldatova, Yelena Ivanova and Viktoria Volchkova. In 1999, Daria Timochenko, skating for Russia, was the JW Champion, and Kristina Oblasova won the 2001 JW Championship.
Out of all those promising young Russian ladies, only 3--Slutskaya, Sokolova and Soldatova--made it to the World podium, and only Slutskaya became a multiple World and European champion and a major star.
And then there were Olga Naidenova and Veronika Kropotina, each of whom won multiple medals on the JGP, but never had any impact at the Senior level. And remember Liudmila Nelidina, who landed a ratified 3A in the GP? She had jumps but nothing more, and quickly faded out of sight.
I am certainly NOT writing Shelepen off. She may signal a new beginning for Russia in ladies' skating and go on to become a great champion. But too many times in the past we have seen young Russian ladies make a big splash at 13-15, and then disappear.