I find it hideous how some posters here are repeating themselves over and over again, constantly using the same ridiculous arguments to bash wonderful skaters like Carolina or Mao. Shame on you.
I don't see Yuna winning gold at this years Worlds. She has not skated competively for close to 3 years. You lose your edge when you don't practice hard every day as you have to when you compete. That is why so many suffer injuries when they want to compete again, ie Evan and Shasa. The most I see for Yuna is a bronze. Kostner and Asada will battle it out for the gold in my opinion. I really do like Kostner's programs this year as they showcase her style.
I have to say her most recent comp. was great. Le Mis is really looking good. And Yuna skated with emotion. If I had to say why Yuna never struck me as really wonderfully artistic (lines, legs, back, posture not up to my admittedly high standards), it was that her skating at Olympics left me cold. Perfect big jumps but so what. The emotions were generated by Joannie. I loved Joannie's skating more and mao's.
In olympics she displays a balance of athleticism and artistry that sets her apart from other figure skaters.
I think it is a different kind of artistry.
Good post, I agree; I personally prefer Carolina, and I would also love to see Caro, Yu-Na and Mao on the World podium again, in any order! And, I think that Mao's problem in 2010 was that she was trying to be majestic when her style is clearly (using your words) soft and ethereal...It is a difference of style. All three (Mao, Yuna and Carolina) have well-developed and distinct skating and expressive styles. Mao is soft and ethereal, Yuna is powerful and fluid, and Carolina is fast and majestic. It's great that they're not all ballerinas. Mao is a lovely skater, but my preference is more towards Yuna and (to a lesser extent) Carolina. It would be interesting to see them all on the Worlds podium again. Last time that happened was five years ago (2008).
It's not only the judges who love her. She is supported and respected by a lot of other people who have been involved in figure skating for a long time (just read Urmanov's, Tarasova's or Orser's comments after her Euros performance - they are just three of many examples). She brings something special to the ice and that combined with her incredible skating skills and jumping technique makes her stand out and successful. She has the ability to make COP programs look special and unique which is very rare nowadays, and that IMO is the main key to her success. A lot of people in the figure skating scene regard her as one of the most interesting and creative skaters ever, and deservedly so.
That being said, Carolina is not an "easy" skater to get. It is not like she is this pretty ice princess who is appealing to everyone at the very first sight. You actually have to look beyond to appreciate some of her amazing qualities. IMO the ladies' field will be missing something once she retires.
I have to say her most recent comp. was great. Le Mis is really looking good. And Yuna skated with emotion. If I had to say why Yuna never struck me as really wonderfully artistic (lines, legs, back, posture not up to my admittedly high standards), it was that her skating at Olympics left me cold. Perfect big jumps but so what. The emotions were generated by Joannie. I loved Joannie's skating more and mao's. But the new Yuna is beginning to show some emotion that is not acting.
Ouch. Her jumps have regressed to their worst over three seasons and she's actually winning more... that is pretty lame. Forget the lack of triple axel, this skater, internationally, has cleanly landed 14/27 (52%) of her triple jumps and yet she is the GPF gold medalist and has two Grand Prix wins. There's your statistic of the season. Augh.
I agree with your opinion of Yuna. Although I recognized she skated very well in Vancouver, her performances there didn't move me or interest me greatly. Her skating felt a bit cold, remote. Now it's different. The few times we've seen her since Vancouver, I've really felt a new depth and maturity and emotion in her skating. Almost as if her inner self was liberated a bit once the pressure was off to get the OGM. I am really a fan of Yuna now. In Vancouver I still much preferred Mao, but now I love them both. And Carolina, too.
too many if ... I she skates her two programs clean, as she did last year at worlds ...If the Russian babies skate both programs flawless, and Caro not, and she has four triple in FS, she will lose.
npavel said:too many if ... I she skates her two programs clean, as she did last year at worlds ...
I agree with your opinion of Yuna. Although I recognized she skated very well in Vancouver, her performances there didn't move me or interest me greatly. Her skating felt a bit cold, remote. Now it's different. The few times we've seen her since Vancouver, I've really felt a new depth and maturity and emotion in her skating. Almost as if her inner self was liberated a bit once the pressure was off to get the OGM. I am really a fan of Yuna now. In Vancouver I still much preferred Mao, but now I love them both. And Carolina, too.
Carolina has high PCS. I'd say Yuna, Mao, and Carolina would have a high PCS, but I think either Mao or Carolina's would be highest. If I remember correctly, Yuna never won the competition(major one) because she had a high PCS. So Carolina should be ahead of Russian girls when it comes to PCS.
But, to say the truth, Carolina's TES is far behind Russian girls, Gracie, Yuna and maybe even Mao.