What do you want to see at Worlds ...Ladies

[ImaginaryPogue]

I was providing my assessment of how the skaters should place, given their programs and realistic tech content at best and other qualities, so it would be disingenuous to say I feel Yu-Na would deserve to place 1st if I didn't mention that I've seen the programs.

For what it's worth, I'm totally fine with you gloating!

jatale, I do think that is standard practice. I'm pretty sure V/M have done a lot of that this season, for comparison.

[Joesitz]

I don't predict in this slippery sport, but I see the possibility of fans predicting the podium and getting at least two out of three correct.

So for me, it is (in no particular order) Carolina, Mao and Yuna. I'm assuming Carolina will repeat her exquisite GP program at Worlds, and Mao will not fall back as she did in GPs, and Yuna, I'm just guessing. I haven't seen her.

But I am sure I got 2 out of 3 for the podium.

[BackStage Barbie]

Anybody but Carolina can make the podium and I'd be fine with it.

[mot]

I'd like to see, amongst many other things, at the Worlds...;

• (yet another) perfect performance by Miki
• epitome of beauty in Carolina and Alissa
• exquisite Mao
• sublime Yu-Na
• Alena's smile at K&C
• Jenna's lutz
• Kanako's smile from the beginning to the end, in abundance
• Rachel pumping fists with joy
• Kiira skating her free programme clean
• Elene nailing all jumps
• Laura skate, full stop...

and I want...

• All the girls to go home happy and ready to tackle next season;
• All the women to go home satisfied and motivated for another season;
• All the ladies to let themselves go a bit after the competition finishes, and really enjoy wonderful Japanese food (and sweets!) till their heart's content.

[SkatingAnalyst]

1. YuNa Kim...HEALTHY and WELL PREPARED YuNa is UNBEATABLE.

2. Mao Asada...Mao is the only person who can overtake YuNa.
3. Miki Ando...She is a Bronze medal contender last two years.

I don't understand what Mao has done to her jumps after all those suffering...
1. Her 3Axel was better at the Olympic in Vancouver.
2. She still FLUTZs.
3. Her Flip is still same.
4. NO IMPROVEMENT AT ALL.

Why bothered to change?

[miki88]

I don't understand what Mao has done to her jumps after all those suffering...
1. Her 3Axel was better at the Olympic in Vancouver.
2. She still FLUTZs.
3. Her Flip is still same.
4. NO IMPROVEMENT AT ALL.

Why bothered to change?

Seriously? This was one of the best 3A's she has ever done since 2008. In terms of technique, her flip has definitely improved. She just needs more height.

[cooper]

I was providing my assessment of how the skaters should place, given their programs and realistic tech content at best and other qualities, so it would be disingenuous to say I feel Yu-Na would deserve to place 1st if I didn't mention that I've seen the programs.

Laura Lepisto is not on the list because, while she would probably be top 10 material if she has regained her form, I haven't seen her programs to know for sure.

This would be fine to answer, except I don't know the acts of Giselle. It sounded more like Miki Ando's Giselle than Yukari Nakano's Giselle, if that helps? Or at least, the program seemed to be more about the quicker tempos than the slower (in her LP it's the other way around).

It's not actually my primary rink but I've been to some closed sessions.

Blades, any more tidbits?

Anyway, updates/news on Laura? I hope she's healthy and ready to compete.

[jatale]

I don't understand what Mao has done to her jumps after all those suffering...
1. Her 3Axel was better at the Olympic in Vancouver.
2. She still FLUTZs.
3. Her Flip is still same.
4. NO IMPROVEMENT AT ALL.

Why bothered to change?

I gather Mao is trying to improve her speed, see this:

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201102030440.html

From the video of last month's 4CC, I didn't really notice any speed increase with Mao, she still appeared to skate slower than Miki (let alone Yu-Na).

[miki88]

I gather Mao is trying to improve her speed, see this:

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201102030440.html

From the video of last month's 4CC, I didn't really notice any speed increase with Mao, she still appeared to skate slower than Miki (let alone Yu-Na).

Speed is rather hard to change in a short period, especially when the skater is also making changes to technique. Sato says that even if there are changes, it will be in small percentages so hardly noticeable in real time. But what is apparent (at least to me) is that she has much better flow than she did last year in her LP.

[Layfan]

I'd like to see, amongst many other things, at the Worlds...;

• (yet another) perfect performance by Miki
• epitome of beauty in Carolina and Alissa
• exquisite Mao
• sublime Yu-Na
• Alena's smile at K&C
• Jenna's lutz
• Kanako's smile from the beginning to the end, in abundance
• Rachel pumping fists with joy
• Kiira skating her free programme clean
• Elene nailing all jumps
• Laura skate, full stop...

and I want...

• All the girls to go home happy and ready to tackle next season;
• All the women to go home satisfied and motivated for another season;
• All the ladies to let themselves go a bit after the competition finishes, and really enjoy wonderful Japanese food (and sweets!) till their heart's content.

You don't hope for much, do you?

Wouldn't it be an amazing competition if it played out that way.

[Spun Silver]

This would be fine to answer, except I don't know the acts of Giselle. It sounded more like Miki Ando's Giselle than Yukari Nakano's Giselle, if that helps? Or at least, the program seemed to be more about the quicker tempos than the slower (in her LP it's the other way around).

Well, most if not all Miki's Giselle program is from Act 1, esp. the mad scene. Maybe the best clues are the costume (white dress for act 2 which is what I'm hoping for, peasant dress for act 1) and whether or not there are some gestures indicating madness (like Miki's pointless occasional head clutching). Oh yeah, and flower-plucking is act 1 too. Giselle's theme for act 2 is love beyond death and supplication for mercy. Not sure how that translates into skating! There are some quick tempos in Giselle's act 2 music - the jumps and speed are meant to show her transcendence of finitude - so you can't necessarily go by that. Both Yukari and Miki had act 1 costumes.

[ankka]

Anyway, updates/news on Laura? I hope she's healthy and ready to compete.

Laura has confirmed today that she will compete. Her coach told that she has her triples back but still needs a lot of work before the Worlds. Anyway, great to have her skate

[Ravensque]

I'd like to see Cynthia put down 2 awsome programs and let the chips fall where they may.
Mao for the win, and Yuna 2nd.......then maybe they will both retire (they are both great skaters). Perhaps Miki and his Oilyness will marry and she'll retire too........Time for some new blood. I also hope Rachel Flatt does well.

[Spun Silver]

Cynthia is 2 months younger than Miki - should she retire too?

ETA: Oops, make that 1 month.

I really hate calls for people to retire to make way for the next gen. These are young (n.b.) people who've spent their whole lives and fortunes pursuing this thankless and body-killing sport. Let them decide for themselves when to go, and let the new kids earn their spots.

[museksk8r]

Anybody but Carolina can make the podium and I'd be fine with it.

LOL, hopefully Kostner knocks it out of the park then and wins the gold!