Ladies - Long Program

[silverlake22]

Okay so here's the thing, Kanako last season was clearly not that great because Polina Shelepen almost beat her at the JGPF, those two were pretty even. This season, Polina hasn't medaled at any big events and even has come out 0 for 3 against Risa Shoji, who is younger with no reputation and has major UR issues, in the 3 times they have competed against each other this season. So Kanako made a lot of improvements over the summer/this season, and she is doing really well in seniors and even has a chance at a world medal. That's why I was defending Polina earlier, there's no saying the same won't be true for her. If she works hard in the off season and stays injury free, there's no reason she can't be as successful in the senior ranks next season as Kanako was this season.

Also, regarding Kanako this season and Adelina and Liza this season, I'd say they are all pretty even, and if anyone is heavy edge, it's Adelina not Kanako, just look at their scores. Anyhow, Mao and Yuna weren't perfect when they made their senior debuts, but they still managed to be factors right away, so I assume the same will be true for Adelina and Liza barring injury or an extra nasty encounter with the puberty monster. I know Adelina and Liza may look like little girls, but they really don't skate like juniors.

[bekalc]

You are again talking about jumps. If everytime someone talks about these Russian girls open and end with jumps, it would make them hard to sell. I believe some people thought these Russian girls were better than Kanako last year because they compared their jumps but not the other aspects of their skating. Sure, if you compare jumps, there is no question that the Russian girls win hands down.

The bottom line is I do not agree with a slightly better jumper at the junior level will necessarily translate into similar results at the Senior rank. In all honestly, even if we talk only about jumps, aside from the Triple Lutz-Triple Loop combo, I felt pretty underwhelmed. For one thing, they still make mistakes on other jumps, like Adelina stepping out badly on the Triple Flip so consistency is still not quite there, among other things. Not enough height or power is another. And yes, no Triple Axel.

At this rate, they are really shooting for the retirement of the current crop of top female skaters, which may mean they will have to wait until 2018 to see their day in the Olympics.

I'm not sure how you can say both Russian girls are slightly better jumpers than Kanako. They are frankly much better jumpers. I mean first of all if you go by first Junior seasons, its franky no contest whatsover. Murakami had huge issues rotating her jumps, and she didn't even make Japan's junior world team. Second Kanako herself was making jump errors last year in Juniors too. And she was also missing a 3loop. Its not like Murakami has a 3axel, and her hardest jumping combo was a 3toe/3toe. Tukt and Sotnikova have way harder content and have all the triples. Both also rotate their jumps consistently.

The biggest ? about Murakami is her jumping technique. Its frankly not very good. She has a lot of Mao's issues, but is no where near the jumper Mao was. Adelina and Elizaveta ARE better jumpers. Jumping technique, Tukt really is a lot better than both girls.

Second I'm not sure where you can say Adelina's jumps are tiny. Most would heavily disagree with that assesment.

I also wonder how you can suggest Sotnikova just has jumps. Adelina has first of all gorgeous, posture, lines and extension. She's frankly more refined than Kanako, although Kanako has more charisma. One of the reasons the judges like Adelina is that Adelina, has actually wonderful skating skills for her age. Watch her knees, people have seen her live will mention she has speed and power. These are things Kanako has as well.

And as for Adelina not being consistent. Adelina has won every single competition she's entered in this year. She's only fallen once in international competition, and won in her international competitions every single short and long program. She also won Russian Senior nationals. Sotnikova has gotten huge attention in Russia, and she's managed to deliver well with the pressure of being the favorites. Its not like the other top girls including Murakami have shown a great ability to deliver 7 triples consistently themselves. Adelina is quite consistent. And I also wonder who you think is so clearly going to stay ahead of Adelina. Mao, I adore but she's not that consistet, and Sotnikova can always go the 3/3 routes. Who knows if Yu-na will stay in. And well Miki is hardly a judges pet. I love Nagasu but she is not consistent, cheats her jumps etc.

Adelina and Tukt could easily be forces in 2014.

[FlattFan]

Okay so here's the thing, Kanako last season was clearly not that great because Polina Shelepen almost beat her at the JGPF, those two were pretty even. This season, Polina hasn't medaled at any big events and even has come out 0 for 3 against Risa Shoji, who is younger with no reputation and has major UR issues, in the 3 times they have competed against each other this season. So Kanako made a lot of improvements over the summer/this season, and she is doing really well in seniors and even has a chance at a world medal. That's why I was defending Polina earlier, there's no saying the same won't be true for her. If she works hard in the off season and stays injury free, there's no reason she can't be as successful in the senior ranks next season as Kanako was this season.

Since when are they pretty even? Kanako ALWAYS beat her. She came close once because Kanako did badly. Kanako went undefeated the entire season. This girl was beaten by almost everyone, including no names like Shoji and Lam. There's no reason she will be a factor when she move up next year.

[Fashionista]

Wullylutz some of you statements make me laugh and think you're trolling. Adelina has jump height and power below average? Are you kidding me? Her 2A-3T in particular is one of the biggest ever. Adelina is not consistent? You're kidding me again. In fact this season this girl is the most consistent female skater not only in junior ranks but in seniors too. And it doesn't matter how many competitions she won this season (she actually won every single program she entered internationally) but how many mistakes she did - a couple maybe? Isn't it impressive for a female skater? It surely might change due to puberty but so far she is what she is. Another statement made me laugh was the absence of spark in Russian girls' skating. Did you watch Liza's SP? As soon as you love to compare skaters from different generations I'd do it too to make it clear for you. Here are some videos to refresh you memories:
14 y.o. Mao Asada http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbPbbUeQ3Kw
14 y.o. Ya-na Kim http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4P1-S5cFK-Y
Do you see here any spark (esp in Kim's skating)? In fact Russian girls are way more polished, have better positions in spins and way better extension than Mao and Yu-na had in their age. They are more emotionally engaged in their skating - look how expressive and flirty Liza in her SP, how beautifully she uses her hands! Nevertheless both Mao and Yu-na managed to become brilliant skaters. I think it's too early to predict as bright future for Russian girls as kim and Asada had but it's too early to predict their failure too.

[silverlake22]

Since when are they pretty even? Kanako ALWAYS beat her. She came close once because Kanako did badly. Kanako went undefeated the entire season. This girl was beaten by almost everyone, including no names like Shoji and Lam. There's no reason she will be a factor when she move up next year.

So here's what I'm saying though. Last season, Polina was tearing up the junior ranks, Kanako was the only one ahead of her. This season, she had an off-year, but I mean, it happens to a lot of people, remember Mirai in 08-09 when she finished 5th and 9th at her GP events and was only 5th at nationals and couldn't rotate any of her jumps? Pretty sure she's a force again now. So there's no saying the same thing won't happen to Polina, especially if she can make a splash next season when Tukt and Sot are still too young and skaters like Rosa, Anna, Polina A, Sofia, etc might still be really inconsistent and/or fighting puberty monster.

Also, Adelina's jumps are frankly enormous, especially considering she is quite the small girl. Her 2a-3t looks like some pairs throw jumps. Liza's jumps are not as big, but the technique is textbook and really she is such a great performer, gets into the nuances of the music. And if you are worried about their consistency, have you seen this performance by 14 year old Yuna http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZacRA9DqSo0 , or this performance by 15 year old Mao, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJLl0...eature=related ? Those were at big competitions too, the JGPF and Jr. Worlds. Adelina has never skated like that this whole season, and Liza did only once, at her first JGP event. When you really think about it, Mao has never been that consistent and yet she is still consistently among the top skaters in the world. Liza and Adelina will most definitely be forces on the senior ranks, probably their first season out, if they continue progressing the way they are currently.

And my point about Polina is that you never know what will happen in the coming years. She is talented and driven, and I wouldn't be surprised if she pulled a bit of an Irina in coming years. Here's Lepisto in 2006, age 17, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xj7YGO0Iz8A. Polina, regardless of how many no names beat her this season, is still better at 15 than Laura was at 17, and I'm pretty sure Laura medaled at the last worlds and has medaled at Europeans 3 times, and won once. So really, it's foolish to count someone out at age 15, especially when said skater has a lot of talent and big jumps like Polina does.

[FlattFan]

So here's what I'm saying though. Last season, Polina was tearing up the junior ranks, Kanako was the only one ahead of her.

Agnes and some one else also beat her at Worlds last season. Kanako wasn't the only one. The scores Vanessa put up this season (with lower GOE factored in) would be enough to beat her, too. Vanessa and Agnes weren't sent to any events last season. Agnes' first time out was the Jr World. She was not tearing up the junior rank. She was lucky to compete in a very weak year and she couldn't medal.

Also, Adelina's jumps are frankly enormous, especially considering she is quite the small girl. Her 2a-3t looks like some pairs throw jumps.

I would like to know which pairs throw was that bad.

And my point about Polina is that you never know what will happen in the coming years. She is talented and driven, and I wouldn't be surprised if she pulled a bit of an Irina in coming years. Here's Lepisto in 2006, age 17, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xj7YGO0Iz8A. Polina, regardless of how many no names beat her this season, is still better at 15 than Laura was at 17, and I'm pretty sure Laura medaled at the last worlds and has medaled at Europeans 3 times, and won once. So really, it's foolish to count someone out at age 15, especially when said skater has a lot of talent and big jumps like Polina does.

Are you serious? Look at the confidence in Laura's skating. Look at her speed, her skating skill. Those are the things that eventually bring up your PCS to medal contention level. Laura doesn't have the technical contents, but everything else is superior.

[oleada]

I'd be shocked if Vanessa Lam makes it big. Her jump technique is really worrisome - no height, super quick rotation, huge flutz. If she grows any, those jumps won't be there. Polina is really unpolished and has a lot of things to work on, but I think she'll be able to compete internationally more successfully as a senior than Vanessa Lam.

[ILoveFigures]

I must say the two Russian frontrunner really are phenomenal. Will be really interesting to follow them in the years to come.