I don't know what this means for the future of American skating. I'm just going to savor the moment.
Ditto!
I don't know what this means for the future of American skating. I'm just going to savor the moment.
Alissa's speed, edging, and overall power have definitely improved under Yuka and Jason, but these components of her basic skating skills and execution of performance are still not up to the level of Carolina's. I guess that's where Kostner gained ground on Czisny. I really don't want to get into who was overscored and underscored in this competition. I am too beyond thrilled with the results to get into any kind of debate.
Alissa's speed, edging, and overall power have definitely improved under Yuka and Jason, but these components of her basic skating skills and execution of performance are still not up to the level of Carolina's. I guess that's where Kostner gained ground on Czisny. I really don't want to get into who was overscored and underscored in this competition. I am too beyond thrilled with the results to get into any kind of debate.
I think you are right and Alissa and Caro fans deserve 24 hours to savor this
No, I was there and paying attention to everything. Her spins were 2nd best at this competition, after Alyssa. And her footwork was good but not so exceptionally great that it should make up for lack of key jumps. Sorry, sounds like you are making excuses for her (or more accurately, for the judging). I stand by my earlier comments. If the jumps are not going to be that important--than let's have ALL the ladies dispense with the triple flip, lutz, and axels....and just have them work on spins and footwork so they can be as good as Carolina. Bottom line: she is an INCOMPLETE skater at the present time.
A question - should US Skating expect an explanation from Tom Z?
[snip]
How disappointing he would show up at the final with a skater so obvioulsy unprepared to compete?
well...musesk8r clarified that carolina's spins were the best AFTER alissa and I'm with you 10000% but her footwork were the best IMO! On tv you ca see how intricate all the one foot section was! It was solow but because it was perfectly matched with the music! jumps were really solid so she got good GOE! I'm soo happy for both alissa and carolina though! a perfect podium even if I would have preferred akiko rather than kanako today!
You have a point- it appears she was able to win this event on the strength of her Short Program. Nothing wrong with that, since that's how Almighty Yuna did it as well.
Well, go watch - but if you are expecting to see a mediocre FS from Alissa, don't worry. She had a great FS
RD - Although you claim not to cheerlead and not to have favorites, it is nice to see that you can never give up on Rachael even after she disappoints - which she has done in the past before this competition. In any case, I agree her injury affected her a lot and I believe she will be much better and will be a key factor at nationals. If not the injury itself (at least I hope not) than the week she had to take off must have put her at a disadvantage.
As for us "ardent" Alissa fans, it isn't that we don't understand her history - it's that we enjoy her skating win or lose
Nothing wrong with your pics. Your persistence that the GPs are of no value is what bothered me.Joe, check back on my posts.
Unlike YOU - my pick for the Natl team has been Mirai and Alissa all season long.
Your choices, posted many times are different.
Nothing against your rationale. I just don't agree with it. You have 29 skaters to beat Alissa at Nats. The odds are in your favor. Your chance of prediction to come true will not change my mind because I have no idea who will win that little competition. Nor do i care. What will you say, in the unlikely result that Rachael places 1or2 on the podium?I can still say US Natls will be a tougher event for Alissa to win than the GPF.
We will have to wait until January to see.
You seem to want to play one-upmanship with me but again you are wrong. I said before the GPs that Rachael and Mirai were the strongest team for Worlds. You really don't understand that word. Well after seeing the entire GPs with Mirai too, I can see that Alissa the inconsistent one has become consistent. It was the GPs that made me notice that, and that Mirai did not fare too well in that same international competition. Did she? but I still think she can do well at Worlds. Unfortunaely, Rachael is having her problems and she will need soul searching.But happy to see you belatedly jumping on the Alissa bandwagon
RD - Although you claim not to cheerlead and not to have favorites, it is nice to see that you can never give up on Rachael even after she disappoints
As for us "ardent" Alissa fans, it isn't that we don't understand her history - it's that we enjoy her skating win or lose
Catch it on UniSport tonight, RD. She skated beautifully but what interested me, was she skated competitively. Caroline, just before her skated the best I ever seen. It was time for Alssa to collapse. She didn't.that's it. I gotta actually watch this craziness. Wow. Unbelievable
Catch it on UniSport tonight, RD. She skated beautifully but what interested me, was she skated competitively. Caroline, just before her skated the best I ever seen. It was time for Alssa to collapse. She didn't.
Well, if she has a rough outing again at Nats you bet I'll get down on her. The reason it may APPEAR to some of you guys that I'm backing her is because up until recently, she has proven to be very reliable, the most consistent of the US ladies and I said it before, I'm looking for a great US lady to finally step up and rise to the occasion. But in reality, she's not truly great, she's merely above average- because even when healthy and on, her scores aren't nearly high enough to get her on the medal stand, as we saw at '09 worlds and again at Olys. She was always overmatched. But there was a time when no other US ladies were really doing any better.
And that's fine. Nothing wrong with having favorites. Enjoy your victory.
Nothing wrong with your pics. Your persistence that the GPs are of no value is what bothered me.
Nothing against your rationale. I just don't agree with it. You have 29 skaters to beat Alissa at Nats. The odds are in your favor. Your chance of prediction to come true will not change my mind because I have no idea who will win that little competition. Nor do i care. What will you say, in the unlikely result that Rachael places 1or2 on the podium?
You seem to want to play one-upmanship with me but again you are wrong. I said before the GPs that Rachael and Mirai were the strongest team for Worlds. You really don't understand that word. Well after seeing the entire GPs with Mirai too, I can see that Alissa the inconsistent one has become consistent. It was the GPs that made me notice that, and that Mirai did not fare too well in that same international competition. Did she? but I still think she can do well at Worlds. Unfortunaely, Rachael is having her problems and she will need soul searching.
I am not a predicter of FS Results, and I am not interested in Womens Figure Skating except in passing, and Medals don't impress me. Medals (if there is no bias) just give who was BEST and Runnersup that day and only that day.
I do see talent and improvements, the latter of which showed up with Alissa in working on her inconsistencies.
I did not see Rachael melt but in her case, I hope an uninjured Rachael skates better.
As much as we argue over this - it is not always a fair sport. The judges at Natls will play clear favorites like they always do and Alissa will be rewarded for her GPF medal in the pcs and the tech panel will sleep through her jumps.
The judges at Natls will play clear favorites like they always do and Alissa will be rewarded for her GPF medal in the pcs and the tech panel will sleep through her jumps.