Let's take a look at the scores. Judge #3: She/He consistently marked Carolina and Alissa lower than the other judges and the Russian lady higher.
Let's take a look at the scores. Judge #3: She/He consistently marked Carolina and Alissa lower than the other judges and the Russian lady higher.
Congratulations to Miki. A lot of times, we want the flashy person aka Queen Yuna to win, but the battle hardened drill sergeant should win despite the duller program if said flashy person makes such large mistakes. Yuna didn't perform this season and it showed, including the pressure, as she apparently did fine in practice. Her botched 3/3 in the short will haunt her, as well as the flip in the long and the point differential was agonizingly close. However, says a lot about her talent versus the rest of the field if she still comes in Silver. Miki's been competing all season and winning so it was natural for her to pull this one in as well.
Besides the botched jump, I felt Yuna's LP was fairly good. The step sequence seems to be getting mixed reviews, but I felt it added to the program the kind of artistic mood that seems to be lacking in some programs. The music was okay but I really wish David Wilson had added more of the Arirang theme. Seems the beginning half of the theme was included simply so it is recognizable, the other half omitted in exchange for the wailing woman's voice, etc.
Mao...
Oh, I was hoping Alissa would take bronze. Sorry Flatt fans, I think she's a fantastic skater, but she comes across as a happy skater enjoying life (which is wonderful) rather than the eagle eyed warrior skater that lands on podiums.
I really wish some powerhouse American ladies would present themselves but it just seems that while the innate talent is there, the competitive spirit is a bit lacking. I know, who am I to judge, just my opinion.
In other words, our American ladies are soft. They're too sensitive. We need some anvils that can take the pressure. Bludgeon the competition into the ground kind of mentality but it just isn't there. Not with Rachael, not with Mirai, not with Alissa. I don't know if they really believe they can win. If they believe they are winners and take home the gold mentality. Mirai is sweet but she's a softie and we all know it. Wouldn't survive in a boot camp until she's matured a bit. Can happen but it isn't right now. Not Alissa either. Yuna and Miki and Joannie would. We know Yuna's struggle trying to skate in a country without a dedicated ice rink. She battled her way here so she's a fighter. Fierce. Miki is older. Like 24 or so now? She's been through major ups and downs, and she definitely had the ability, having landed a quad in competition. Injuries galore. Joannie Rochet is fierce. Comes out and not just performs well to her own ability but hammers the competition. Focusing on yourself, while it tends to reduce stress, sometimes reflects lesser aggression and lost confidence. And its visible. The other foreign ladies are more aggressive.
I know this upsets some people but I feel they're just less tempered. That needs to be examined in American figure skating. Too gentle. Too nice. Too pretty. Less grit and grind. Figure skating isn't just about pretty dresses and pretty moves. Its a sport. Become Xena on the ice. And when the pressure hits the sword, you either shatter or you hold. Its what they say about life. Too sheltered. (THEN AGAIN, CHAN won the Men's so I take it all back.)
*whole post, especially the last sentence
Layfan said:Besides, (Alissa) did win the grand prix, so there!
When do you not think Miki shouldn't have been on the podium?
If your intention is to be next Donald Trump or Johnny Weir, you are doing a fine job in getting attention for now. Just remember, this won't last very long. We all know when Pasha Grishuck called Oksana Baiul a criminal hoping to land herself in the Hollywood in the process, she ended up somewhere but it ain't Hollywood.
Congrats to Yuna on her successful comeback. I felt both her programs were exquisite and her skating has matured even more. When asked why she shed tears during the medal ceremony, she said it was a mixture of feelings and that standing on the podium itself made emotional. As Layfan said she doesn't owe anybody anything. She already has done a lot for her fans, her federation and for Korean figure skating, and I hope she skates for herself as David Wilson said.nc
Not sure why everyone feels so sorry for Flatt. People were merciless on Czisny in 2009, but all of a sudden Flatt gets a pass?? Come on. I have a funny feeling she knew she was barely hanging on.
Well, they did place Leonova high enough to potentially get the bronze. It was quite a miracle that the inconsistent Carolina came out as a dark horse and took away the medal. Can you please explain why Leonova deserves high scores on her SS and TR with that empty program which P.J. Kwong described as "a laundry list of jumps" and nothing in between? How can someone have a high TR score when there is a shortage of TR in the program? Please feel free to enlighten me. I don't skate after all.Well, they could have easily placed Leonova high enough to get bronze, and I don't think there would have been outcry- but they didn't.
Let's face it this era of US ladies has been disappointing to say the least. Zhang is pretty much an afterthought Wagner can't get it together and Flatt has gone about as far as she will ever go. Only Mirai still has the potential to make it big but she's a headcase and has no confidence. Mirai needs to come out like gangbusters next year and show show she wants to be a champion and stop playing around. It's a crime lesser skaters like Leonova are at Worlds while Mirai sits at home.
I don't understand your logic. So, because people were merciless on Czisny before, Flatt should face the same attitude now?
Whoa! Both Mao's 3axel and the 3t after her 2a got <<, as in an actual downgrade to doubles. That is only supposed to happen if the jump is landed more than 180 degrees short of rotation, i.e. landed forward? I'd have to see the slo-mo, but it didn't look like that happened here?
The judges really are hating on Mao lately, espcially at this event. She is never given the benifit of the doubt and her PCS are shameful. I feel so sorry for her because it seems like once the judges choose favorites, there is really nothing that can be done. She should not have been on the podium here, but <<??? really? and why low PCS? her fresskate in particular is a beautiful program.
On Alena Leonova
She is a remarkable "character" skater - not the ballerina-type. She is refreshing because so many ladies all pretend to be ballerinas.
At Worlds, she danced through the many rhythms of her music and showed an excellent flair for the Tech. Had I been a 6.0 judge I would have given her 1st place.