LADIES LONG PROGRAM Thread

[Wafflecakes]

Oh no it is. You only have to look at past events held there to know. Plus there's also some sort of ventilation problems it seems.

I don't buy it for a second. There may be ventilation problems (separate issue if there are) but at the end of the day great, fit skaters rarely have serious problems at elevation that effect performances. Salt Lake City is pretty damn high for a major city and that competition wasn't any better or worse than other comps at low elevation.

[herro]

Mao's dress is fabulous, but I so wish Kanako would dress more like a senior ladies skater! I'm not a fan of her dresses - the color and the ribbon in her hair make her look slightly juniorish...

[tampro1]

Amelie's victories might not have been convincing, but Phaneuf's losses certainly were. This isn't about personal opinion. I really don't care about either, frankly, though I think Phaneuf's the stronger skater. This is about basic fairness.

I totally agree with ImaginaryPogue! Yes, Phaneuf has a better look on the ice and can potentially score well, but she's lost every single time to Amelie. For the love of sport and fairness, let Amelie go to Worlds! Let Cynthia go back to Toronto and work on hit fitness and skating to prepare for next year. BTW..both their programs were pretty awful anyway. But Amelie has won every head to head.

[100yen]

Keep it together Caroline!

[herro]

I haven't been a fan of Caroline ever, but she definitely converted me with her Nationals performance.

GOOD START CAROLINE!!! KEEP IT UP!

Edit: Oh my goodness! So proud of her!

[FTnoona]

Caroline has a really nice 3 loop. I've never noticed it before until nationals this year.

[evangeline]

Caroline is bringing it. Hopefully a good omen for the rest of the final group!

Caroline has a really nice 3 loop. I've never noticed it before until nationals this year.

Caroline's 3Loop is her money jump.

[herro]

YAY Caroline! Now we're talking!!

[Kissx3]

Holy crap, I think it's safe to say Caroline is back.

[jaylee]

Congrats, Caroline, on your wonderful comeback!

[SkateFiguring]

Bravo! Caroline! She brought it!

[Spun Silver]

OMG, what a great skate for Caroline!!! She owns 4CC!

[bigsisjiejie]

Don't post a lot but the whole high altitude thing is ridiculous. High altitude is essentially a fitness test....if you fail that test thats your own problem. Its an excuse and nothing more.

I really don't think altitude has anything to do with what we are seeing.

Can't let this one go by. You are absolutely wrong. Altitude has just about everything to do with what you're seeing and fitness level has NOTHING to do with it. There's just simply less oxygen for the body to take in and process through the muscles with every breath. The only solution is to spend some time at the altitude (or higher) and for athletes, do some training there.

Personal point of reference: In November I spent a couple of weeks on a trip going from essentially sea level to 1800 meters (5850 feet, similar to Colorado Springs), then up to 2400 m (7800 ft) then finally up to 3200 m (10400 ft). Lots of walking, hiking, biking, some hill climbing, etc though not the sort of burst-of-effort elite skating programs require. For the same level of activity, there is a very real and noticeable effect as you go up. You have to breathe deeper, harder, and after a big effort (like climbing a long upgrade or flight of steps), stop periodically and gasp to catch your breath. There just isn't enough oxygen saturation in the air. Fitness and acclimatization are two completely different things.

I have often wondered if rinks at altitude could be designed to be pressurized with a richer oxygen mix for competition. Besides Colorado Springs, what other international-caliber rinks/arenas are at 1600 m/5000 ft or higher?

[ImaginaryPogue]

and from here we go to the sublime. Caroline Zhang was wonderful.

[Blades of Passion]

Better than Nationals! So happy for her!