Ladies - Long Program | Page 8 | Golden Skate

Ladies - Long Program

museksk8r

Record Breaker
Joined
Oct 31, 2006
Country
United-States
CoP is not Tara's 6.0 system, where her egregious flutz was ignored, her 3lo/3lo wasn't subjected to rotational validation, and her minuscule 2a didn't get -GOE for lack of height. She needs to stop referring to her long-ago prowess and take the time to understand that there's no way to guarantee that she would have done as well under the current system as she did under 6.0. Tara should stop talking about herself and concentrate on the skaters about whom she's supposed to be commenting.

I totally agree with this. It's unfortunate that the US has no commentator who is truly knowledgeable about the COP judging system in the singles and pairs skating disciplines. The one commentator who I do think does an excellent job is Judy Blumberg, ice dance commentator, who just so happens to be an ISU technical specialist. She does a wonderful job of telling the viewing audience what the judges are looking for during the routines. Maybe Alissa Czisny could step into the commentary booth when she is done competing and actually give an experienced and useful account of what it is like to actually be a COP competitor.
 

dorispulaski

Wicked Yankee Girl
Joined
Jul 26, 2003
Country
United-States
There are some US ex singles competitors who are technical specialists.

Todd Sand competed a long time ago in singles for Denmark (1981 or so), and in pairs with Jenny Meno for the US. He is a pairs tech specialist. They should consider using him if his voice is at all suitable.

Todd was the tech specialist at JGP Brisbane.

David Santee is a tech specialist in men's & ladies singles, and was the tech specialist at CoC.
 
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havefun

Rinkside
Joined
Oct 29, 2010
Johnny Weir suffered the pains of adapting to IJS. He did a great job commentating worlds last year and he has watched first hand, skaters develop from girls to ladies. He is a confident speaker and has a large following. Another one is Lisa Ervin. She is a Tech Specialist at this time and skated through some difficult growth periods.
 

Jammers

Record Breaker
Joined
Nov 4, 2010
Country
United-States
I just don't believe that
- she is in a position to comment at all, let alone negatively on a full grown ladies skills when she has not experienced competition at this stage herself.
- She can compare competing or skating under the 6.0 system as opposed to the IJS. I just checked her lp from nationals when she was 15. She had a glaring flutz and the second loop on her lp/lp was between a half and quarter cheat. That was with low level spins and footwork.

There are few ladies in the world who are completing consistently clean 3/3s (not including toe) without downgrades or
edge calls in the program under pressure. Kudos to those that have hung in there until adulthood. Mirai is still battling growth issues IMO. She appears to have a more womanly body this year and is likely having to make adjustments accordingly. I hope she hangs in there as she is doing great for an 18 year old. Mao Asada is arguably the most talented skater in the last 20 years and has had to make adjustments after growing.

I just found Taras comments to be indicative of her experience or lack there of while at the same time insulting. Maybe she would be better off working the Jr Grand Prixs.
I don't think it's a growth issue with Mirai but to many trips to the refrigerator. I know that sounds harsh but even she admits that's she's lazy sometimes and i don't think she is in very good shape. Just look at how slow she has skated this year. Her spins are even slow. What has happened to them? They used to be the best part of her skating. Her coaches have even said they have to get on her to train harder sometimes. I wonder how much she really wants to be a champion.
 

Jaana

Record Breaker
Joined
Jul 27, 2003
Country
Finland
I don't think it's a growth issue with Mirai but to many trips to the refrigerator. I know that sounds harsh but even she admits that's she's lazy sometimes and i don't think she is in very good shape. Just look at how slow she has skated this year. Her spins are even slow. What has happened to them? They used to be the best part of her skating. Her coaches have even said they have to get on her to train harder sometimes. I wonder how much she really wants to be a champion.

Yes, maybe she needs more concentration on training. On the other hand her body type has changed a lot, she is no more a tiny girl who looks light as a feather. She looks more like an amazon now.
 

mskater93

Record Breaker
Joined
Oct 22, 2005
It was probably Chris Howrath - he takes some of his skaters there over the summer from our rink in IL.
 

Jammers

Record Breaker
Joined
Nov 4, 2010
Country
United-States
Is it me or does Mirai seem to skate a lot faster in her exhibitions? Just look at her spins they are so much faster then in competitions.
 

chuckm

Record Breaker
Joined
Aug 31, 2003
Country
United-States
Spins take a lot of energy, and after 6 or 7 jumps, the energy just isn't there in the FS. Exhibitions are a lot easier and less taxing than competitive programs. Spins become a highlight in exhibition programs, rather than jumps. Exhibition programs have fewer jumps, and rarely the harder jumps; and those jumps aren't scrutinized for rotation so the skater can pay more attention to performance rather than technical execution.

BTW, I thought Mirai's blue FS costume was a poor choice. The excess chiffon fabric around the waist made her look short-waisted and thick in the middle, which gave her a stocky look. She wasn't in the best of shape, but she would have looked a lot slimmer in a more streamlined dress. I am NOT saying she's fat, but I do think she probably is not at her optimum weight at this point in the season.
 
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Sasha'sSpins

Medalist
Joined
Apr 2, 2009
Country
United-States
One of the British Eurosport guys went to Lake Arrowhead this summer and watched a few of Mirai's practice sessions, and said she worked really hard. That's a good sign, at least. He says it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cA6SEBdXMOE&feature=player_detailpage#t=226s

I think her 'Firefly' dress looks much better on her than the 'Spartacus' one with all that chiffon.

I certainly don't think Mirai looks like 'an Amazon' as Jaana stated. I think that's a bit much. Mirai has a lovely figure she's just clearly not in top condition for an elite athlete.
 
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