2015 Worlds Ladies Short Program March 26

[R.D.]

Shin Amano is the technical specialist for the event. He has a reputation for being very critical...

Well that sucks.

Feeling more confident about not picking Wagner for podium...although if she does end up getting e in the SP, I would not be surprised if she went back to doing flips in the FS.

 

[Lipea]

Well that sucks.

Feeling more confident about not picking Wagner for podium...although if she does end up getting e in the SP, I would not be surprised if she went back to doing flips in the FS.

If not Wagner than who? I highly doubt in Anna now considering her injury and therefore lack of training - therefore, lack of confidence.
Gold and Edmunds had problems throughout the season too.
Indeed, in such conditions, Rika is possible.

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

If not Wagner than who?

Zijun Li !!!!!! That would make my day!!!

 

[YesWay]

Shin Amano is the technical specialist for the event. He has a reputation for being very critical, so this could make it harder for people with jump/spin rotation problems (Wagner, Miyahara, Hongo).

After competing at their Nationals, I think the Japanese ladies will feel quite relaxed.
Amano is lenient compared to the PURE EVIL tech panel they had there...

 

[Globetrotter]

Having a tech specialist that's too harsh isn't really better than one that's too lenient, imo.

I admit I'm not a fan of how much edge/UR issues cost in the current system, compared to falls/hand downs. And the harsher you are, the more chance that someone who at least lands on one foot would lose to a person with falls. That just... kinda stinks. Especially when PCS don't get lowered for errors.

In this case, I do think the judges have a major responsibility to play. If the fall or hands down disrupts the programme or disrupts the choreography, to me the PCS should be lowered. Certainly I understand that not all falls and step outs are equal, so judges have their subjective assessment of whether it is considered disruptive or not. A strict caller that applies the same strictness across to everyone will at least be consistent. I am just hoping that judges will apply the same standards across where PCS is concerned, especially regarding falls, wonky landings and step outs/hands down.

 

[burntBREAD]

Zijun Li herself does have occasional UR issues and she flutzes, so she might also be vulnerable to strict calling from Amano. Really, almost all the ladies are vulnerable to being called aside from Tuktamysheva, I'd say. Anything close is possible.

 

[sabinfire]

Zijun Li !!!!!! That would make my day!!!

Not just yours.

 

[R.D.]

Well, Pogorilaya, Gold and Wagner are really the top contenders for bronze (at least on paper). Outside shots include Miyahara, Hongo, Li and Edmunds.

A strict caller like Amano immediately puts at least 4 of those 7 at a disadvantage. if Pogo is indeed hurt, then it is Gold vs. Wagner - and Gold could have the advantage in this scenario. It's really going to come down to the SP. Wagner has been stuck in the low 60s for over a year now.

 

[whatif]

I think it's Gold vs. Wagner with a very outside shot for one of the Japanese. Li and Edmunds, no way.

 

[coucou84]

I'd say Wagner for the bronze. It just makes my head spin a little to think that Tuk might get a World title....... Hoping Radionova can pull it off.

 

[chuckm]

Hongo is an underrotator---she got 2 URs in her FS at 4CC. Amano can probably find more. Hongo also got 3f! which will probably become 3fe.

Li didn't get any URs at 4CC, but did get 3ze. I'd say Hongo is more vulnerable than Li

 

[Naya]

I'm a little surprised with the lack of higher expectations on Gold and Wagner. They have the skills required to reach the gold, in my humble opinion.

 

[cheerknithanson]

I'm a little surprised with the lack of higher expectations on Gold and Wagner. They have the skills required to reach the gold, in my humble opinion.

True. But it's how it's presented and the quality of those skills on the day of the SP and FP that'll make the placements.

 

[burntBREAD]

Hongo is an underrotator---she got 2 URs in her FS at 4CC. Amano can probably find more. Hongo also got 3f! which will probably become 3fe.

Li didn't get any URs at 4CC, but did get 3ze. I'd say Hongo is more vulnerable than Li

Hongo will likely get a UR on her 3-3 and her 2A-1Lo-3S (she usually does), but I don't think she'll get 3F(e) because she is always on the inside edge for her flips/lutz entrances (she flutzes). But both she and Miyahara (and Murakami for that matter) are likely not too happy.

 

[evangeline]

Hongo is an underrotator---she got 2 URs in her FS at 4CC. Amano can probably find more. Hongo also got 3f! which will probably become 3fe.

Li didn't get any URs at 4CC, but did get 3ze. I'd say Hongo is more vulnerable than Li

Li, like Miyahara, was given the benefit of the doubt with some VERY borderline jumps at 4CC. A more consistent and stricter tech caller could've easily dinged Li with a bunch of URs at 4CC, so she's as equally vulnerable as Hongo when it comes to Amano.

 

[R.D.]

I'm a little surprised with the lack of higher expectations on Gold and Wagner. They have the skills required to reach the gold, in my humble opinion.

Some are predicting Wagner for silver(!!!) and the general consensus from most predictions has her in 3rd so I do think there is a general expectation for her to finish on the podium. Wagner traditionally does not do her best when things are expected of her, however. Neither does Gold for that matter. Few seem to be expecting/predicting big things from Gold but frankly, it's better that way.

 

[cheerknithanson]

Rewatching Ashley's nationals FP is making me more and more excited for Worlds. Why can't the seconds tick down any faster?!

 

[Li'Kitsu]

I'm a little surprised with the lack of higher expectations on Gold and Wagner. They have the skills required to reach the gold, in my humble opinion.

It seems Liza will go for the 3A in the SP... if she skates close to clean with that, there's no way Ash or Gracie will come close to her (nor anybody else, for that matter).

 

[sabinfire]

I'm a little surprised with the lack of higher expectations on Gold and Wagner. They have the skills required to reach the gold, in my humble opinion.

That's funny, I had the opposite reaction. I'm surprised at how many people are predicting Wagner (or Gold) for first or second place.

They are contenders, sure, and anything can happen. Neither Gold or Wagner have beat Liza or Elena all season, so I wouldn't predict it to happen at Worlds. Add to that all the conspiracy talk here about the European-dominated judging panel and the strict technical specialist, which would not appear to be in Wagner's (or Gold's) favor... I'd say an American on top would be quite the upset.

 

[whatif]

I'm a little surprised with the lack of higher expectations on Gold and Wagner. They have the skills required to reach the gold, in my humble opinion.

Miracles do happen.