I haven't read the whole thread so sorry if i'm repeating. I'll just say that I disagree (repsectfully) with people who say she is JUST hyper-flexible, as if that doesn't take constant work, require strength, balance, concentration, timing, and let's remember skates are heavy too. And I think her posture, body line, and spins are really, really first rate and beautiful. But I also agree that her edges still need a lot of work, and people that see her live say she scratches the ice a lot (too much toe pick and flat), so clearly that would need much work....and then there is that something else: is it concentration, is it timing, is it nerve control i'm not sure...but the putting down a clean program. For the latter, I guess I do think of Sasha as somewhat Fragile (noting her physical strength)...something seems to rattle her in competition--but I also think Brittle the way I used to think of Maria B (not deep enough in the edge/knee). So...a little of both?
I do think that the last two Worlds were similiar for her...not in the medal she got per se, but in the way she was cleaner than ever (yes, with problems), and that maybe this last one was significant as Mzheng said in her standing up/staying vertical. That is a big deal for her, I think. And this year doing that with all the changes may really bode well for her future competitions; then again, like with so many other top (and amazing) skaters, we will really only know when the season unfolds.
I do think that the last two Worlds were similiar for her...not in the medal she got per se, but in the way she was cleaner than ever (yes, with problems), and that maybe this last one was significant as Mzheng said in her standing up/staying vertical. That is a big deal for her, I think. And this year doing that with all the changes may really bode well for her future competitions; then again, like with so many other top (and amazing) skaters, we will really only know when the season unfolds.