Your "Best and Worst" of 2009 Worlds list... | Golden Skate

Your "Best and Worst" of 2009 Worlds list...

SamuraiKike

SamuraiKike

Medalist
Joined
Jan 26, 2008
I remember making a similar thread for last years worlds so here I go again , my overall impressions of Los Angeles 2009 :

Best Lights Out Progam : Davis & White FD. They got the loudest applause outskating all the teams that finally ended on the podium. Meryls reaction to the booing after their scores where showed is priceless!!:clap::clap:
Honorable mention, KawaguchiSmirnov's SP... brilliant!!.

Worst Meltdown: A no brainer, Kostner catastrophic and painful to watch LP, from silver last year to out of top 10 and losing a spot for Italy, somewhere Valentina Marchei must be crying:cry::cry:

Most Overscored: Not one really, Joubert and D/S in terms of a bit too high numbers but I believe overall their final placements were deserved.

Most Underscored: Khokhlova/Novitski, surely they weren't at her best but they were cruelly dropped IMO. :(


Happiest Moment: Yuna Kim and Maxim Shabalin at the podium, after all the injuries,, a dream come true. bravo. Honorable mention; Leonova's reaction to her LP scores...:love:

Saddest Moment: None that stands out (thakfully) but I will say FraserLukanins big deductions and their loss of an olympic spot.

Breaktrough of the Year: Denis Ten, nuff said.:bow:

Dissapointment of the Year: Abbott and Czisny, when was the last time the two US national champions were out of the top 10 ??and on home field!!:eek:


Soo. please tell me yours...:)
 
Best:
Placements for the most part are right (IMO). I don't have any disagreements with how things turned out, at least with regards to ladies and mens which is what I followed most.

Another great year for Canada with 3 medals. And another year with 3 pairs teams in the top 10 (yet unlike last year, not enough to get 3 teams for next year).

Worst:
PCS marks still not being judged as individual components - just because someone might deserve a 7.5 for performance/execution does not mean they deserve in the 7-8 range for transitions or choreography.

Another worst: Patrick's comments. I love the kid, but you can honestly express your opinion in a more diplomatic way.
 
Best
Miki Ando's triumphant return into the Top Three of the world. Way to go girl.

Worst
Brian's face after the LP. Crushed little Frenchman :cry:
 
Best skate: Yu-na's LP, even with the mistake; the Zhang's SP, a real breakthrough for them; Savchenko and Szolkowy's LP, even with the fall; P/B's FD, always fun. I did not watch D/W and I don't really get them anyway.

Worst: Caro, hands down. That's probably even worse than Tomas last year. I hope she can come back from this.

Underscored: Tomas Verner and Denis Ten in the SP.

Great comebacks: Miki Ando, Elene whose last name I cannot spell, and in a way, Evan Lysacek.

Really deserving of some good karma in 2010: Candice Didier.

Worst moment: Brian Joubert looking so crushed after the LP. Brian should also get some good karma, come to think of it, for being so diplomatic this week!

Disappointment: Carolina Kostner. In 2006 Valentina Marchei missed out on Olys because Sylvia Fontana decided she wanted to come back. Now Valentina won't get to go because Italy is down to one spot.

So unlucky: 1. Pernelle Carron and Matthieu Jost, 9th in the dance, will likely watch the Olympics from home. He's 28. They might not stay for Sochi. 2. Roman and Sasha Zaretski miss their Olympic committee's criterion for Vancouver by one placement - again!
 
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Highlights:
Ben and Tanith coming back from injury to skate like that
EVAN WINS!
German pairs team, nuff said.
Oxygen LIVE coverage :biggrin:

Disappointment:
Tanith and Ben feeling they need to lose themselves in order to win.
Alissa's SP
NBC's tape delay coverage :sheesh:
 
The Best:
Watching Yu Na snatch that gold medal with fire, passion and technical ability that had the effect of giving me something the cheer about

Miki Ando coming back once again to do more than make the podium but to show off that technical skill along with more than a little sass - loved it!

Tanith & Ben's triumphant return - no they didn't win but displayed their talent despite a several speedbumps along the way - glad to see they haven't lost thier fight

Oxygen's Live coverage. I hope skating gets smart and figures out there is more than one way to present coverage.

The Worst:
Sandra's commentary - she's so annoying! Bring back back Peggy & Dick!!!
 
Best
Joannie getting a silver medal. Was so excited for her. Nice that Patrick got a silver but its more more expected, as Canadian men have often medalled. Felt so nervous when she skated.

Worst A little disappointed at the marking for some of the PCS , i felt so sorry for the French skater who had such a terrible fall, and Kostner who has never been a favourite, just have a terrible performance.
Had wanted Cynthia in the top 10 but she did have an improvement overall in her skating this season at least.

Another worst is when we all realize another season of skating is over:cry:
 
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Best
Another vote for Miki's return to the podium. Her spins have made considerable progress, and she was on and ready despite having (yet another) light injury around her thigh 3 weeks prior to Worlds. Honorable mention goes to Denis Ten and D/W.

Worst
CaroK's über-level bombing of the decade + wardrobe malfunction in the SP. Honorable mention goes to the several costumes the men wore in the LP - especially those in the early groups - that were just...[insert blank here] :rolleye: Oh, and the rinkside announcer for his terrible accuracy in pronouncing names and knack of spouting out incorrect information like no tomorrow (e.g., She's here representing Canada; let's welcome Miki Ando!) :scowl:
 
great thread!

Most Inspiring Moment

when Candice Didier got back up and finshed her program after that horrible fall

Best Fell Good Moment

Evan's Short and long (tie)

Most Beautiful Program

Savchenko/Szolkowy
Worst Ice dance Costumes
that lettuce leaf and clown form the OD. idon't even remeber the skaters...i think ukraine?
Worst Judging Mistake
leaving Davis/White off the podium
Best 3 axel
mao's!
Best Crowd Pleaser
Evan's short
Worst Meltdown
Carolina Kostner. easy

Worst Skate by and American skater
sorry....McLaughlin/Brubaker

Worst Commentary
Sandra and Scott tie for diffrent resaons

worst Off-ice comment
whatever Patrick Chan said about Joubert. Yeah, the judging was messed up that night, but I never expected him to be anything but pleasant about anything. It ruined his beautiful LP for me.

Best Comeback
little Elene G. She looked so happy after both her program, it just made me happy. I had my eye on this girl for years.
 
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coconutpunch said:
Best
Another vote for Miki's return to the podium. Her spins have made considerable progress, and she was on and ready despite having (yet another) light injury around her thigh 3 weeks prior to Worlds. Honorable mention goes to Denis Ten and D/W.

Worst
CaroK's über-level bombing of the decade + wardrobe malfunction in the SP. Honorable mention goes to the several costumes the men wore in the LP - especially those in the early groups - that were just...[insert blank here] :rolleye: Oh, and the rinkside announcer for his terrible accuracy in pronouncing names and knack of spouting out incorrect information like no tomorrow (e.g., She's here representing Canada; let's welcome Miki Ando!) :scowl:
Click to expand...

Wasn't the lady at 4CC announcing worse? Read a few comments before about it.
 
coconutpunch said:
Oh, and the rinkside announcer for his terrible accuracy in pronouncing names and knack of spouting out incorrect information like no tomorrow (e.g., She's here representing Canada; let's welcome Miki Ando!) :scowl:
Click to expand...
That would have gotten them that third spot :laugh:.
 
Highlights:
Yuna's Short Program... just magnificient. I loved her reaction during the medal ceremony, she just couldn't hold the happy tears. She has raised the bar for next season, and her road to the gold medal has not been easy what with injuries and such. So happy she finally did it.

Miki Ando: after being forced to withdraw last year, and come back with an outstanding short program, and a FS that got her an SO. I am so proud of her. Some people criticize her artistic merit, ut for me she is right now the japanese lady with more expression (facial, body language), and it comes from all the years of skating, it's not something that happens overnight. I'm glad she has learned to sell her programs, and to enjoy her time out there.

Zhang/Zhang: I loved their short program so much, especially because I have seen such an improvement in their expression, how the look at each other when they skate, their spins much controlled. I hope they continue their hard work.

Javier Fernandez: So happy of how many placements he has moved from last year's championship. He's young, and I hope we get to see more of him as well.

Davis/White: absolutely rocked the house in the free dance. I enjoyed their performance very much, they don't hold back and really put their heart in each presentation.

Disappointments:
Alissa's short program... the 3 spots were hanging on how she did there and unfortunately she could hold it.

All the back and forth of Chan's comments on Joubert's last year comments and what not.

All the skaters that I had hoped to be at this championship but didn't make it. I missed seeing Johnny and Dai-kun

Things I didn't expect at the end of the championship:
1. That the US would have 3 spots in the men's division, but only 2 in ladies.
2. Mao off the podium.
3. Except of Davis & White, all the US national champions performed lower than expected.
4. That after all the Chan/Joubert thing, many would take a "Joubert" side against some of the uncalled comments Patrick made (and that people would actuallly be like "enough already")
5. Evan winning the men's title (not because he didn't deserve it, rather more becaus eI was used to not seeing a US man winning the darn thing).
6. Rachael to be in the top 5 at her first senior worlds. Good for her!
 
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Highlights
1. Yuna's gold. Touching moment after two years of heartbreak.
2. Evan's gold. HE finally brough it. He was always a consistent skater, but dissapointing gp results had me doubt. Congrats!
3. Kavaguti/Smirnov's silver. Their first medal, and they are sitting in great position for the Oly.
4. Carron/Jost and Denis Ten. The two greatest revelations for me.
5. Miki's return to the podium. She's probably my least favorite of the top tier Japanese ladies, but I just loved her conviction and perseverence. Congrats!
6. Joannie's first medal! Although the final placement left me in confusion (not her fault), she did deserve a medal, and what a great way to end her successful season!

Disappointment
1. Mao's 4th place. I desperately wanted a medal of any color for her. She was one person who could match MK's record of medalling at every event for nine straight years. Yuna has also medalled for five consecutive years, but I doubt she will stay until Sochi. I'm bummed.
2. D/W. As much as I enjoyed V/M's Pink Floyd danse, I really thought D/W deserved at least bronze. I hope they will keep pushing themselves.
3. Jeremy Abbott. This was a great opportunity to prove his big wins at GPF and Nats weren't fluke, and he blew it. Especially disappointed that he didn't improve his last year's result (11th).
4. Carolina K. *sigh*
 
Best

Evan's gold....and I'm not an Evan fan

Mroz hanging in

D/W Dance LP

Yu Na :clap::clap::clap:

Denney and Barrett- good for them

Worst

Abbott- this really was his chance-a disappointment

Judging in Dance and Men's

Ladies -other than Yu Na...really boring and lacklustre



Czisny wasn't a disappointment because I never expected her to be top 10.
 
Best:
Denney/Barrett's performances at their first worlds
Savchenko/Szolkowy winning their 2nd straight pairs title
The Zhangs SP
Kavaguti/Smirnov's SP
James/Bonheur LP
Pechalat/Bourzat--did not like the FD all season but I actually enjoyed it for the first time
The Kerrs programs
Yuna Kim's LP
Belbin/Agosto medaling after last year's disastrous competition
Evan Lysacek winning his first world title
Samuelson/Bates debut performances
Davis/White performances
Rachael Flatt finishing top 5 in her debut
Cappellini/Lanotte FD
The Zaretskis FD

Worst:
Carolina Kostner's meltdown
McLaughlin/Brubaker's performances
Jeremy Abbott's disappointing SP
Alissa Czisny's SP
Faiella/Scali's fall in the OD and tentative FD
Lack of coverage on tv
 
how could I forget D/B? They were a joy to watch! watch out next year, USA!
 
Breakout Performances:


PAIRS
Denney/Barrett- performed two great skates she has great attack with her jumps
James/Bonheur- unexpected but amazing LP performance, crowd seemed to love them too. Looking forward to see how they develop.

MEN
Denis Ten- amazing LP so great at such a young age, one to keep an eye on in the future.

DANCE
Pechalat/Bourzat- they have been on the scene for a while but I have been hooked on them since their Free Dance from last year. They have blossomed under Zhulin.

LADIES
Alena Leonova- came in with momentum from her JR World's win. Love watching her have fun out there. Came through for Russia with 2 olympic spots.
 
I've been a long-time lurker for some time now, so I thought I'd throw in my two cents (nothing new though, I guess) since this is the first time I've watched the Worlds live (albeit over the internet).

Best - seeing Yu-Na skate her SP. It's an example of beautiful music, beautiful choreography and one amazingly beautiful skater all coming together!

Honourable mention - Evan! He has worked so hard and had so many rounds of bad luck. Plus, the US need someone to rally around (if the women are not what they used to be) - and he would be great at gaining publicity for the sport in his country. On a superficial level - even my flatmate, who knows NOTHING of figure skating, thinks Evan is really hot. Also: I have to admit I'm not a HUGE fan of Miki Ando, but it was nice to see her have a comeback, with a whole bunch of improvements. She also gives hope to my next point:

Worst - Carolina Kostner. Now I'll admit I have a soft spot for anyone who's a lefty (cause I'm one too!) but this season has just been awful. Her trademark opening combo has just fallen apart every single time I've watched her - has she been injured? I made the comment the other day that it seems like a different woman is skating when you compare this year with last year (or indeed, 2007 - when she had that amazing Pachelbel SP that I adored). Gone is that confidence, that security she had when she did her favourite jumps. I'm really, really sad. My mum says, "oh, she's getting old" but gee, she's barely older than I am!!

Dishonourable mention - got a couple here. Jeremy Abbott, because I quite like his skating! Mao falling on her triple axel - because in my heart I was quite sure she wasn't going to land both of them and yet I hoped she might. And McLaughlin/Brubaker.

"Meh" moments - Alissa Czisny (I can't say I had high expectations of her), Rachel Flatt (a work-in-progress, in my opinion), the Japanese dudes...
 
Highs
-Yu-Na's win
-Savchenko/Szolkowy defending with two outstanding performances (even with the silly fall on the foottwork)!!
-Evan's win. I'm not a huge fan, but I'm extremely happy for him
-Denney/Barrett doing so well in their first Worlds
-Davis/White's magnificent performance in the FD, as well as the FDs of Pechalat/Bourzat, Kerrs and Virtue/Moir
-Miki making her way back to the podium!!
-Rachael finishing top 5 in her Worlds debut :rock:
-Tomas Verner! If he had just held it together in the LP he might have won, but still a marked improvement over last year. I'm very happy for him, and glad that he got two spots for CZE! Go Tomas and Michal in Vancouver!
-James/Bonheur-I've liked them since TEB, so I was so happy for them here! Will definitely be watching them in the future.

Lows
-FD judging-I honestly don't care who won in the end because neither 1-2 are my favorites (though I like them more than I used to) but D/S and B/A definitely should not have been 1-2 in the FD. No way. I think of 4, maybe 5 teams who should have placed ahead of them in that segment.
-Overall weird juding. Everyone kept saying that Euros and 4CC (esp.) marks were inflated and would go back down to normal range at Worlds...yet they went up in many cases! I really thought a lot of the marks were way too high.
-The Chan vs. Joubert comments. One of the things I had liked best about Chan was how humble he seemed, and in comparison Joubert could come across as arrogant. Now for me, it's kinda the opposite. Chan was out of line in some ways.
-Jeremy Abbott. I really thought he would do really well. Stupid 3A, of all times to abandon him! I hope he learns from this and comes back even stronger next season.
-Carolina Kostner. Not a favorite, but I've started to like her more than I used to and I was just heartbroken for her. ((((Carolina)
-DelSchoes not being there.
-Johnny not being there [to compete at least]
 
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