Holy Cow just logged on after watching it on NBC here on the West Coast and am shocked to see 26 Pages, yegods!
Will read this loooooooooooong thread after I post my immediate thoughts on what I just saw for the last 2 hrs:
Rachael Flatt ~ this is what I meant when I said one has to see her skate live, as I did in 2010 at Skate America, she lights up the crowd like a firefly, like nobody else! FlattFan, I envy you, I truly do. Only you in the crowd know what it's truly like to see her skate live (not surprised with the SO, she got one too at 2010 SA). Btw, I was overcome with awe upon seeing that spectacular outfit she wore, like a nestful of colorful feathers. Oh, Rach, if you really want it, and I mean *want it*, as in capturing a medal at Worlds (& maybe even the Olympics) you just need to overhaul your body and get buff like Joannie Rochette because you have everything you need to not only be #1 in the USA, but also the World. But if you're satisfied with what you have now, and that seems to be the case, as evidenced by what the commentators said (i.e. "I've realized all my dreams, and now I'm just here to have fun", then I wish you well. It truly was a joy to watch you skate.
Christina Gao ~ nice solid skate, you should be proud of yourself, but I think you can do even better with a better vehicle to display your talents. Jmho.
Mirai Nagasu ~ what can I say that hasn't already been said? Neither one of your programs this year showed off your many talents, one of which is your gamine smile and joie de vivre, hopefully you too get the perfect vehicle(s) to show off your many talents as well next year. To be honest the whole time you were skating I kept seeing one of my all-time favorites, Oksana Baiul, as you remind me of her during her professional career.
Caroline Zhang ~ the magic continued tonight, little one, you did it! Though I prefer your SP more, which I felt really showcased all your new fabulous improvements, like that phenomenal 3R/3R combo. Still, your joy made me get misty-eyed, great job!
Ashley Wagner ~ lol, I was sitting down watching everybody else until you came on, that's when I jumped up & cheered & got into your program. Wow, you just sold it! As I said when I saw it for the very first time this Fall, your program of "Swan Lake" is my 2nd favorite of all-time, Oksana Baiul 1st. ^) And I literally got shivers & teared up when you presented that fabulous spiral sequence with such verve, command, and total control, My God I honestly thought I was seeing Natalie Portman in the Black Swan!!!!!! Both you & Rachael Flatt had the best programs imho, and you both brought the audience to their feet, not surprisingly. Final word, I've always said I thought you should have won in 2008, and now you have.
Alissa Czisny ~ she really is another skater from yesteryear, as the commentators said "in the past Alissa would have let those mistakes do her in", but not anymore, not anymore! You maintained your newfound calm, cool, collected composure, and looked like a Regal Queen out there. Posture, positions, superb, nothing need more be said. My only shock, I honestly thought the judges would have put you ahead of Ashley...
Agnes Zawadski ~ I was so pumped from how well your group did (as well as Rachael) that I was hoping & praying that you too would bring it. And after the opening 3/2 combo. I thought it just may be your night, even after the mistake on the 3L I was hoping you would finish strong and skate clean the rest of the performance, but that was too much to ask for one so young & inexperienced. As Scott Hamilton said "you're too great not to be here every year; winning the SP says it all". ITA. And, hey, you won pewter last year, and now bronze this year, that kind of trajectory says you're going to win silver next year and gold in 2014.
NICE NIGHT OF SKATING, THANKS LADIES!
Will read this loooooooooooong thread after I post my immediate thoughts on what I just saw for the last 2 hrs:
Rachael Flatt ~ this is what I meant when I said one has to see her skate live, as I did in 2010 at Skate America, she lights up the crowd like a firefly, like nobody else! FlattFan, I envy you, I truly do. Only you in the crowd know what it's truly like to see her skate live (not surprised with the SO, she got one too at 2010 SA). Btw, I was overcome with awe upon seeing that spectacular outfit she wore, like a nestful of colorful feathers. Oh, Rach, if you really want it, and I mean *want it*, as in capturing a medal at Worlds (& maybe even the Olympics) you just need to overhaul your body and get buff like Joannie Rochette because you have everything you need to not only be #1 in the USA, but also the World. But if you're satisfied with what you have now, and that seems to be the case, as evidenced by what the commentators said (i.e. "I've realized all my dreams, and now I'm just here to have fun", then I wish you well. It truly was a joy to watch you skate.
Christina Gao ~ nice solid skate, you should be proud of yourself, but I think you can do even better with a better vehicle to display your talents. Jmho.
Mirai Nagasu ~ what can I say that hasn't already been said? Neither one of your programs this year showed off your many talents, one of which is your gamine smile and joie de vivre, hopefully you too get the perfect vehicle(s) to show off your many talents as well next year. To be honest the whole time you were skating I kept seeing one of my all-time favorites, Oksana Baiul, as you remind me of her during her professional career.
Caroline Zhang ~ the magic continued tonight, little one, you did it! Though I prefer your SP more, which I felt really showcased all your new fabulous improvements, like that phenomenal 3R/3R combo. Still, your joy made me get misty-eyed, great job!
Ashley Wagner ~ lol, I was sitting down watching everybody else until you came on, that's when I jumped up & cheered & got into your program. Wow, you just sold it! As I said when I saw it for the very first time this Fall, your program of "Swan Lake" is my 2nd favorite of all-time, Oksana Baiul 1st. ^) And I literally got shivers & teared up when you presented that fabulous spiral sequence with such verve, command, and total control, My God I honestly thought I was seeing Natalie Portman in the Black Swan!!!!!! Both you & Rachael Flatt had the best programs imho, and you both brought the audience to their feet, not surprisingly. Final word, I've always said I thought you should have won in 2008, and now you have.
Alissa Czisny ~ she really is another skater from yesteryear, as the commentators said "in the past Alissa would have let those mistakes do her in", but not anymore, not anymore! You maintained your newfound calm, cool, collected composure, and looked like a Regal Queen out there. Posture, positions, superb, nothing need more be said. My only shock, I honestly thought the judges would have put you ahead of Ashley...
Agnes Zawadski ~ I was so pumped from how well your group did (as well as Rachael) that I was hoping & praying that you too would bring it. And after the opening 3/2 combo. I thought it just may be your night, even after the mistake on the 3L I was hoping you would finish strong and skate clean the rest of the performance, but that was too much to ask for one so young & inexperienced. As Scott Hamilton said "you're too great not to be here every year; winning the SP says it all". ITA. And, hey, you won pewter last year, and now bronze this year, that kind of trajectory says you're going to win silver next year and gold in 2014.
NICE NIGHT OF SKATING, THANKS LADIES!