From just about every forum I've visited, the same thing has been said about Michelle's impending disastrous skating results at this coming worlds which will result in her "forced" retirement to avoid further embarrassment.
I beg to differ. IMHO, even if Michelle doesn't score well under the COP at this 2005 Worlds, it's much much easier for her to improve and adjust under the COP than the 6.0 system. The reason is that the COP technical scores are straight to the point. It says clearly what is required to achieve a certain level for each specified element. To top it off, each skater has an individual score sheet that states exactly how each of their elements is scored. This allows them to evaluate how they fair against one another.
If Michelle doesn't score well for a certain element, she will know exactly what needs to be done to improve and I believe Michelle has the skills to deliver just that except her layback. As for the 6.0, the technical scores are just as subjective as the presentation scores. Hence, it's very difficult for a skater to know exactly what needs to be done to improve their technical skills.
The highly subjective part of the COP is the PCS. Now, I wouldn't bet Michelle will fair worse on the PCS when she has consistently excelled at the presentation scores under the 6.0.
That said, if the COP is revised to reward 3/3s (it should be), then it's trouble for Michelle because I believe Michelle has problems with the 3/3 at this age.
I beg to differ. IMHO, even if Michelle doesn't score well under the COP at this 2005 Worlds, it's much much easier for her to improve and adjust under the COP than the 6.0 system. The reason is that the COP technical scores are straight to the point. It says clearly what is required to achieve a certain level for each specified element. To top it off, each skater has an individual score sheet that states exactly how each of their elements is scored. This allows them to evaluate how they fair against one another.
If Michelle doesn't score well for a certain element, she will know exactly what needs to be done to improve and I believe Michelle has the skills to deliver just that except her layback. As for the 6.0, the technical scores are just as subjective as the presentation scores. Hence, it's very difficult for a skater to know exactly what needs to be done to improve their technical skills.
The highly subjective part of the COP is the PCS. Now, I wouldn't bet Michelle will fair worse on the PCS when she has consistently excelled at the presentation scores under the 6.0.
That said, if the COP is revised to reward 3/3s (it should be), then it's trouble for Michelle because I believe Michelle has problems with the 3/3 at this age.
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