Only difference is, this year (without a 3-3) she scores 127. Last year she might have been short of 115 with the same performance. :think: She's beginning to benefit from the "rep points" phenomenon that Czisny enjoyed last year as "the top American"...
Ashley may incorporate the 3/3 (or 2ax 3t) later. Rep points, yes, IN should do an article about the "reputation" factor in fs judging.
Those who questioned the "fierce" description. Yes, Ashley Wagner is fierce in her intensity, her desire, her determination, her attack, her confidence, and her hard work. If anyone deserves "rep" points, Ashley certainly does. She skated with so much more maturity and cohesiveness than Sotnikova. Who cares 3/3 completed if you falter with other elements, and don't have a cohesive program or music that really works that well for you? Sotnikova already gets rep points and she's only 17. She's talented too, and with a strong Russian federation behind her, Sotnikova just needs to continue working on her weaknesses. She didn't do badly here.
Ashley deserved her win. I agree re Sandra mentioning on NBC broadcast that Ashley was patient throughout her program, taking her time and interpreting the music without rushing, whereas Sotnikova started out well and then lost her focus in the middle of her program.
Alena looked like a lost deer wandering aimlessly in the wilderness. Imai and Marchesi and Meite were wonderful. Christina Gao was out of this world. Speaking of "rep," if Gao had any, she would have taken first place in the sp or at least have scored much higher than she did -- she completed a gorgeous 3/3 in the sp. Gao was clean and beautiful in both sp and fp, and its wonderful to see. Peter J and Mark M are very good coaches.