Ladies - Short Program | Page 32 | Golden Skate

Ladies - Short Program

verte76

On the Ice
Joined
Dec 3, 2011
I don't think this is going to come on in the United states on any of the channels we have here!
 

R.D.

Record Breaker
Joined
Jul 26, 2003
I don't think this is going to come on in the United states on any of the channels we have here!

I believe there is an NBC broadcast scheduled for next weekend...but I wonder if it's even worth watching the way things turned out :(
 
Joined
Aug 16, 2009
I can't read through 42 pages, but I've read bits and pieces. Anyway; quite a bit of drama tonight!

Small Ladies SP update from Nice in random order:

Ashley: because she's the reason I'm actually here in the first place :p She did look nervous but still in control in the warm-up; I didn't see her struggle with anything, she landed a GORGEOUS triple flip-triple toe in the warm-up. That's how I could tell the timing was off when she attempted it in the competition :s Luckily she tacked on the double toe after her loop and didn't give up, though it all felt a bit cautious, just the vibe I was getting, like she was holding back. I'm looking forward to her Black Swan LP because she usually skates that with a lot of charisma and I hope she'll be awesome :) I guess a bronze isn't out of reach so.. fingers crossed!

Mao: no surprise really, the fall on the triple axel attempt; but I appreciated her choreography and body lines like I hadn't before.

Carolina: she wants it so badly! I really hope she'll perform that lovely LP to its full potential :)

Elene G: Brian Orser jumped up SO HIGH when she landed that triple-triple!!! Very cute and congrats Elene!

Alena: never liked her, I admit that I'm a bit biased, though she was very excited and I think she charmed a lot of people with her natural happiness. I think it's important that skaters exude love for the sport and what they are doing, Alena has that in abundance though everything else is over the top. Don't really want to imagine her as a world champion... (She's never even medalled at Euros!)

Ksenia: was pretty forgettable, it seemed like the audience wasn't much into it either.

Akiko: love her, but I think I like her LP better? More on Saturday. The nice Japanese guys sitting next to me gave a yellow jacket signed by her as a gift for me! So cool :)

Alissa: don't want to remember.. ouch.. In The Hague I saw her struggle in the warm-up, today not so much at all, so it came as a bit of a surprise really :s

Thanks for the report. Lucky you to have an Akiko-signed jacket!

I'm glad to hear that Mao came across well in terms of overall skating quality. I hope for the best in the long program.
 

Irishflip

On the Ice
Joined
Dec 30, 2011
Well... that was thoroughly disappointing. Doubles everywhere... Unfortunately, the majority of them deserved the scores they got. A double knocks out about 5 points in TCS and likely 1 point off PCS, which is why so many didn't get their seasons best. (Yuna Kim, please come back, and for an entire season this time.)

Yes because Kim Yu-Na's performances has been so impressive other then Olympics. Honestly she's quite inconsistent with one of the programs in big competitions technically. She either crumbles or does well at the start then either fights back or falls apart a little bit.
 

Skater Boy

Record Breaker
Joined
Feb 24, 2012
I see so much Leonova bashing but really how come Alyssa gets to skate the freeskate. She missed every jump in the short and her pcs or performance was not great. Really Alyssa should be thankful she gets to skate at all in the freeskate.
 

Mao88

Record Breaker
Joined
Mar 9, 2011
Though I'd really love to see Mao ditch the triple axel if it could get her the gold, seeing this statement makes me realize that Mao doesn't need this World Championship to validate her career. She has an Olympic silver, two World Championships, a GPF, and any number of other medals, plus an adoring international fan base. She's also situated in a country where skating is hugely popular, so she can have a pro career that lasts for years and keeps her at the peak of stardom. If, therefore, she wants to spend this season and the next chasing the triple axel at the cost of medals, she's got nothing to lose. We who are her fans will always love her skating, and we'll pretty much follow her anywhere. Maybe this is her way of mourning her mother. I wouldn't be surprised. Grief has many guises.

Nevertheless, I do hope she pulls out the program she needs to for the long, and I still want her to win. She's actually in a good position for it. (1) Unlike a lot of other skaters, she has phenomenal drive and is far from a head case. (2) She's frequently had to dig herself out of a hole with a lights-out long program. (3) She's within grabbing distance of the gold.

Go, Mao!

I have lost count of the number of times that I have said that Mao should just drop the 3A, especially in the SP!! If only she had just settled for a 2A today..... If only! She would be leading this competition, but for that tactical mistake. If she goes on to lose this competition narrowly, then that mistake will have cost her a third world title. Hope she puts in a great FS tomorrow and wins.
 

wonderlen3000

Final Flight
Joined
Nov 8, 2008
Yes because Kim Yu-Na's performances has been so impressive other then Olympics. Honestly she's quite inconsistent with one of the programs in big competitions technically. She either crumbles or does well at the start then either fights back or falls apart a little bit.
Just for record...since 07 world
Miki (3triple SP, 7 LP), Mao (2 SP, 6 w one double footed < triple), Yuna (3 SP, 4 LP - 2 falls)

08 Mao (2 clean, 1 < triple in SP; 5 clean, one < and one fall LP), Yuna (2 clean, 1 fall; 5 clean, one popped), Miki (2 clean SP, LP withdrawl)

09 Miki (2 clean, 1 < in SP, 5 clean, 1 < in LP), Mao (2 clean, one double SP, 1 fall - 4 clean triples), Yuna (3 clean SP, 5 clean - one popped triple)

10 Olym Yuna (3, 6), Mao (2, 5 - one popped), Miki (2, 6)

10 World Mao (1 clean, 1 <; 5 clean - 1 <), Yuna (2 clean, 1<; 5 clean, 1 fall), Miki (1 clean, 1 fall; 6 clean)

so pretty much all ladies has up and down skates, since COP non of the ladies are able to skate consistently ......
 

seniorita

Record Breaker
Joined
Jun 3, 2008
I wouldnt believe Leonova to be first at Worlds sp... so pigs fly, in euros judges marked her really bad in the sp, I thought they dont like this program. Kudos to her, she is a fighter. My favorite performanace was Elena G and Akiko, Mao was nice to watch again but I like her Lp more. Bravo to Ashley also, and Karolina and Kanako. I cant predict the podium at all, it will be a thrilling competition.
 

spikydurian

Medalist
Joined
Jan 15, 2012
If I have bet an arm on the SP results, I would have lost my arm.:)
Congrats to Elena for a skate without errors. Some of the fans think predetermined results are boring so here we are ...... this will be as thrilling and exciting as it can get. :biggrin:
Good luck to all the ladies for a fabulous free skate.
 

loren

Rinkside
Joined
Jun 22, 2006
May I ask someone who's expert on protocols, as to why judges were so harsh on Min junk kwak's underrotations?
Was really surprised to see her score after her good showing in 4cc.
 

Krislite

Medalist
Joined
Sep 22, 2010
May I ask someone who's expert on protocols, as to why judges were so harsh on Min junk kwak's underrotations?
Was really surprised to see her score after her good showing in 4cc.

The protocols won't tell you what the judges were thinking. The tech specialist calls the downgrades, and the caller was Shin Amano, who has a reputation for strict calls with respect to rotations.
 

Violet Bliss

Record Breaker
Joined
Nov 19, 2010
May I ask someone who's expert on protocols, as to why judges were so harsh on Min junk kwak's underrotations?
Was really surprised to see her score after her good showing in 4cc.

It's the Tech Panel who makes the calls. And you can't compare one competition to another. Skaters perform differently and the TP may be stricter or more lenient in case of borderline violations. The judging panels too vary somewhat. The main thing is for them to be consistent and fair within the same event.
 

Art&Sport

Medalist
Joined
Apr 28, 2011
Oh well, I just got to see the earlier skates of some of the top skaters (which I hadn't seen yet). Now that I have a better overall picture and looking at the judges' marks, it's clear that they are saying 3/3 is a must for the top women skaters. But also reputation and politics are a factor in the placements for those who made minor errors. Marakova, Elene G, and Ashley don't have top rep (Ashley hasn't been to Worlds for a few years, and her previous trip there was not successful, so apparently not landing 3/3 hurt her a lot). But, I don't think a step-out warrants such low scoring for Ashley especially since she did execute a good combination later. If you look at the fact that Elene G also made a mistake not doing a 2-axel, I think Ashley's marks (as someone else also noted) should be very close to Elene's (just as the judges have Akiko close to Mao, since Akiko doubled a triple, and Mao fell on her 3-axel attempt).

I am very impressed by Kanako Murakami's skate! Kanako skated with such confidence and passion -- her music was wonderful and the use of her arms was so lovely and dynamic. IMHO, Kanako should be in first. I think that Alena was over-scored. Yes, Alena was great on all her technical elements, and she skated with speed and confidence. However, on her Biellman spin Alena lost a lot of speed, and then she basically stopped, stood at the end of the rink and started mugging (Nikolai's bad influence, ugh). I think that points should be taken off when skaters stand in one position for that length of time, mugging (very reminiscent of Kat Witt at 1988 Olympics). Alena could have expressed the character of the musical theme without stopping that long -- she did another bit of mugging before it was all over too. Why should that be rewarded??? I understand Alena's desire for a quirky, different, edgy choice of choreo and music, but this program should not be rewarded so highly on PCS. Alena should not be in first! Plus her score is way too high as well, in comparison to what Kanako received.

I also thought Makarova and Kexin Zhang skated very good with no mistakes. They both just need more experience, confidence and attention to learning how to pull in the audience more. Alissa deserved a bit higher marks on PCS (IMHO), but I understand the judges unwillingness to do so b/c of the disrupting falls, which just yells lack of confidence. Ashley was not rated as highly as she should have been coming in as 4CC Champion -- it was chiefly Ashley's lack of doing a 3/3 that hurt her scores, but also she didn't get rep points -- she was definitely a bit undermarked.

Caro has strong programs, speed, reputation, politics in her favor, so unless she messes up on her jumps and others skate lights out, Caro will likely win gold. Sorry, but I really am not pulling at all for Alena, and at this point I hope she does not medal b/c she was so heavily over-scored when there was a problem on her Biellman spin and all that standing in place and mugging should not have been rewarded. A good example of staying in character but not standing in one place for too long is Richard Dornbush's fp from last season. Richard beautifully expressed the character of the musical theme, while continuing to skate.

At this point, I'd love to see: Kanako-gold; Mao-silver; Kostner-bronze; Ashley-4th; Akiko-5th; Alena-6th; Makarova-7th; Elene G-8th; Alissa-9th. I'd actually prefer to see Ashley pull up to bronze with Mao or Kostner in 4th, but Kostner is unlikely to not medal unless she implodes but I doubt that b/c she has a lot of confidence and good programs.

It is more likely to be: Kostner-gold; Mao-silver; Kanako-bronze, if she skates as well in fp, if not then Alena for silver or bronze, which I hope not; Akiko-4th (or Kanako 4th if she falters at all in fp; then Akiko, 5th); Ashley-6th, and perhaps Alissa 9th or 10th. If Alena wins silver, then Mao may take bronze or 4th if Kanako wins bronze.
 
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Art&Sport

Medalist
Joined
Apr 28, 2011
I don't think this is going to come on in the United states on any of the channels we have here!

It is being shown in U.S. on Universal Sports television time-delayed (however, they showed the ladies sp live earlier today). They repeat the broadcasts in the evening as well. But, I guess a lot of people don't get Universal Sports anymore. I get it on DISH network. Tanith Belbin covered the ice dance with some announcer I am not familiar with; Peter C covered pairs with the same announcer; and Tara L covered the ladies. I wish Johnny Weir would be covering the men, but I'm afraid it is going to be Peter C again-- If it can't be Johnny, I'd prefer Paul W any day over Peter. The announcers for Universal Sports are in some anonymous studio in the U.S. -- they are not in Nice, France. Too bad Terry Gannon perhaps was not available to be the main announcer with the former skater announcers.
 
Joined
Jun 21, 2003
I love Alissa and if (I know, a very big nigh impossible IF) she can just forget about the SP and just skate for herself and be free, I think she could move up to 8th.

I think so, too. :yes:

Then if Ashley can move up to fifth...
 

R.D.

Record Breaker
Joined
Jul 26, 2003
Thinking Czisny will do any better than 12th is putting too much faith in her IMHO...

She failed EVERY jump in the SP. Nothing makes me think she will do a 180 in just a couple of days...

She peaked last season. She has no more fight left in her. That is evident.
 

rain

Record Breaker
Joined
Jul 29, 2003
I am very impressed by Kanako Murakami's skate! Kanako skated with such confidence and passion -- her music was wonderful and the use of her arms was so lovely and dynamic. IMHO, Kanako should be in first. I think that Alena was over-scored. Yes, Alena was great on all her technical elements, and she skated with speed and confidence. However, on her Biellman spin Alena lost a lot of speed, and then she basically stopped, stood at the end of the rink and started mugging (Nikolai's bad influence, ugh).Alena could have expressed the character of the musical theme without stopping that long -- she did another bit of mugging before it was all over too. Why should that be rewarded???

This was my overall impression of the programs as well. I wouldn't necessarily say that Leonova was overscored, just that at the very least she and Murikami should be about tied. Leonova had great speed and her face just beams when she is on the ice and it is infectious. Her jumps were beautiful. But this was not a great choreography. I thought there were a few pretty glaring areas where there should have been negative GOEs at least. Both of her spins came to a virtual standstill, it was painful. And the step sequence was a lot of mugging, chopped up with a lot of stopping and resting. Not to mention that the whole sword fight thing is pretty recycled by now. None of these things are huge deductions, but nevertheless should impact the overall score.

Murikami also had beautiful jumps, a more sophisticated choreography and lovely expression of the music. There was no stopping to rest while mugging at the audience. The scores, while not a huge distance apart as it is, should have at least been closer, IMO.

My favourite program was Kostner's. So frustrating that she doubled the jump. But her attention to the music and the sophistication of the program really outshone everyone else. Hoping for good things for her in the long. I wasn't a huge fan of hers when she first began competing, as I felt her great speed seemed to make the judges overlook some of her less sterling qualities — such as the fact that she was not totally comfortable with and in control of her long limbs, which are now a big plus for her, creating gorgeous lines. Now she has everything it takes and is truly a joy to watch.
 

Blades of Passion

Skating is Art, if you let it be
Record Breaker
Joined
Sep 14, 2008
Country
France
Kexin Zhang is blooming, she surprised me again. Should have been ahead of Wagner.

I also agree with most here that Murakami deserved to win this SP. She skated with equal technical excellence and energy compared to Leonova, but it's a better program (both in terms of Transitions and Choreography) and should have been rewarded as such.

Elene Gedevanishvili has the potential to be a World Champion. In the SP at 2006 Olympics it looked like she would be heading there but everything afterward was a disappointment. For 6 years I've been waiting for her to show that potential again. It's too bad she singled the Axel here, but the 3Lutz-3Toe was superb and her speed is exceptional and her personality endearing. I hope she seriously pushes herself and continues to build upon this.
 
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