A glance at who is skating where in the GPs

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Although they are not yet listed on Golden Skate for 2011/2012, they are listed in the ISU website.

Of course it's not complete. There are still TBDs. All comps are not easy to select the podium as in the past.

Last season, even 2 silvers had a tie breaker, so I believe this season will be no exception.

Ladies Laura Lepisto in SA and TB along with Carolina Kostner. Sotnikova debut also in CoC and CoR. I need a youtube of Tuktamisheva.

MEN[/B I doubt Evan will show up although the Field is not as stacked as other venues. Still looking to see my boy Michal, and of course Dornbush at SA. SC has a tighter contest and Chan meets up with Takahashi. Hanyu could win CoC, imo. Brian and Jeremy battling it out for podium. Will Oda be added to NHK? The hottest comp is TB with or with or without Evan. CoR has Gachinsky doing only on GP, but the Field will be a very intereting one.

Pairs Lots of one time US Pairs including Rocky and Marly at SA. Kavaguti and Smirnov already have 3 GPs as does Savchenko/Szolkowy

Ice Dance Pechalat/Borzak have 3 GPs as does Weaver/Poje. Davis/White have 2 and Virtue/Moir have 1.

 

[doubleflutz]

I need a youtube of Tuktamisheva.

Ask and ye shall receive!

Here's her SP from last season's WJC. It's not as classically polished as Adelina's, even a bit sloppy in places, but I think the choreography is very unique-looking and interesting, and it shows off her wonderful energy and attack: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRs4rNVrb_s
This is her LP from 2008-2009 Russian Nationals, when she was tiny little twelve-year-old and came back from a disasterous SP to get 2nd place at the senior Russian nationals. And people though Michelle competing at 13 was impressive!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBCYYSGvWD0
Russian Nationals from the year before, 2007-2008. Jumps aren't as good, but I think this is just a crazy amount of polish for an eleven year old: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_66EreCuhq8
The famous triple axel. She hasn't competed it in competition yet, but knowing Mishin, I'm sure she will try it competitively, probably sooner rather than later. Hers is the best I've ever seen from a lady aside from Midori Ito, and her technique is even better than Midori's, just lacks the same power. Certainly puts Mao to shame, and I say that as a Mao uber: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdkDLBmBFBU

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Ask and ye shall receive!

Here's her SP from last season's WJC. It's not as classically polished as Adelina's, even a bit sloppy in places, but I think the choreography is very unique-looking and interesting, and it shows off her wonderful energy and attack: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRs4rNVrb_s
This is her LP from 2008-2009 Russian Nationals, when she was tiny little twelve-year-old and came back from a disasterous SP to get 2nd place at the senior Russian nationals. And people though Michelle competing at 13 was impressive!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBCYYSGvWD0
Russian Nationals from the year before, 2007-2008. Jumps aren't as good, but I think this is just a crazy amount of polish for an eleven year old: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_66EreCuhq8
The famous triple axel. She hasn't competed it in competition yet, but knowing Mishin, I'm sure she will try it competitively, probably sooner rather than later. Hers is the best I've ever seen from a lady aside from Midori Ito, and her technique is even better than Midori's, just lacks the same power. Certainly puts Mao to shame, and I say that as a Mao uber: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdkDLBmBFBU

That 3A was executed as a dance step and not a trick. Tuktamisheva is incredible. The Russians were smart enough to keep her separated from Sotnikova so that both will show up in the Final. Who will win? Pick your choice.

 

[janetfan]

That 3A was executed as a dance step and not a trick. Tuktamisheva is incredible. The Russians were smart enough to keep her separated from Sotnikova so that both will show up in the Final. Who will win? Pick your choice.

They were not separated at the JGPF, Russian Natls or Jr Worlds.

Adelina won all three.

I wonder looking at this pic of the Jr Worlds podium. We know Agnes is tall for a skater but Liza is really little. A guess would be 4'10 and 70 pounds.

http://www.ifsmagazine.com/system/i...Tuktamisheva_-Zawadzki-a_span9.jpg?1306848145

As she matures alot could change. And sure she could get better but that is not always the case.

Adelina looks more grown up and her skating style looks more mature as well.

Both of these skaters are super talents and it will be interesting and fun watching them leading into Sochi.

 

[doubleflutz]

They were not separated at the JGPF, Russian Natls or Jr Worlds.

I assume Joesitz meant for the SGPF this year - they're not facing each other at any event, so they won't interfere with one another's chances to get into the GPF.

I wonder looking at this pic of the Jr Worlds podium. We know Agnes is tall for a skater but Liza is really little. A guess would be 4'10 and 70 pounds. As she matures alot could change.

Anything is possible, but apparently her parents and sibling(s) are all quite short and have a similarly compact/small build. I don't think she's going to change that dramatically, even as she gets older. She's just naturally tiny.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

If Mirai does not podium at CoC, she's in trouble. It is the easiest ladies despite Adelina.

The easiest Mens is SA. It's Dornbush to make a statement. As for the others, none are extremely difficult but all have very interesting Fields and with rivalries.

Pairs are the least interesting since Sav/Szo; Kav/Smir; and Vol/Trank are so much ahead of everyone else, but interesting for americans to watch for improvements of Mar/Bru at SA.

Ice Dance - Can V/M get to Finals on 1 comp? Pech/Borz with 3 GPs could rock the boat.

 

[seniorita]

I just want to say that Gatchinski is doing two Gps not one, he is also assigned for Cup of China.

There was an interview of Mishin a year before, where it was said that before taking up Elisaveta to his team he consulted the physical condition and size of her family, something like that.

 

[Jammers]

Mirai has no excuse not to get on the podium at both her events. With no Kim or Ando it's there for Mirai if only she can start believing in herself and not psyching herself out when she leads after the SP.

 

[callalily]

Ice Dance - Can V/M get to Finals on 1 comp? Pech/Borz with 3 GPs could rock the boat.

V/M have two assignments - Skate Canada and TEB.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Mirai has no excuse not to get on the podium at both her events. With no Kim or Ando it's there for Mirai if only she can start believing in herself and not psyching herself out when she leads after the SP.

I would love to see Mirai to skate her potential as she did with that Carmen routine. Apparently Frank can be nasty but he is also very caring and tries to put his skaters at ease during their warmup just before the comp begins. In addition to Wagner and Flatt, she faces Tuktamisheva in SC; and Murakami and Sotnikova in CoC. We'll see if we get TV on these.

 

[janetfan]

I would love to see Mirai to skate her potential as she did with that Carmen routine. Apparently Frank can be nasty but he is also very caring and tries to put his skaters at ease during their warmup just before the comp begins. In addition to Wagner and Flatt, she faces Tuktamisheva in SC; and Murakami and Sotnikova in CoC. We'll see if we get TV on these.

Mirai seems to be a better late season skater the past few years so hoping she is ready for early back-to- back events.

Hope watching how hard Evan trains rubs off on Mirai and she will have a good start to the season.

Frank most likley cares more about Natls and Worlds but CoP skating seems to be so strongly based on reputation scorng that a good showing in the GP's would help boost Mirai's PCS at the more important events later in the season.

 

[miki88]

I would love to see Mirai to skate her potential as she did with that Carmen routine. Apparently Frank can be nasty but he is also very caring and tries to put his skaters at ease during their warmup just before the comp begins. In addition to Wagner and Flatt, she faces Tuktamisheva in SC; and Murakami and Sotnikova in CoC. We'll see if we get TV on these.

She sure does have a lot of competition! I wish her well and hope she gets better programs than last year's.

 

[ImaginaryPogue]

Generally, most of the big federations played the GP circuit well. Lots of smart choices made.

 

[Mathman]

One of the effects of the new rules is that Federations have less opportunity to play the game, I'll take your number three lady if you'll take my number two dance team.

 

[ImaginaryPogue]

Actually, I'm not sure.

Take Canada's pairs. Two pairs were in the top twelve at Worlds - no politicking necessary as they're guaranteed two slots. Canada avoids putting them against each other. But SC has a choice now. They could probably get Lawrence/Swiegers a second GP easily. Their SB is 11th in the world. However, Canada also has three teams aging out of juniors and none come even close to any minimum SB we've been debating thus far. So, how did all three teams make the GP list (one each)? Notice that Sui/Han, despite being seventh on the SB list, also have only one spot, and again, we see a lot of third tier-ish Chinese teams. Now, it's likely that S/H could've gotten a spot that went to one of the other teams, but they'll likely be at the TOP of the substitute list. So if, say, two teams withdraw due to injury, S/H and L/S likely get those spots, whereas the other teams wouldn't come close. It's a gamble, definitely, but use last season as an example. I can count five withdraws off the top of my head (Dube/Davison and Zhang/Zhang twice, Kavaguti/Smirnov once). Federations can reasonably expect a couple withdraws.

 

[prettykeys]

Skate Canada 2011 looks like an amazing event for the Men. (It's missing only Abbott, but of course we don't want too many good skaters canceling each other out before the Finals, now do we.)

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Anyone have an idea what the minimum total score will be for each of the 4 divisions to make the GP Finals?

2 Golds make 30
1 gold; 1 silver make 28
1 gold; 1 bronze make 26
2 silvers make 26
1 silver; 1 bronze make 24
2 bronze make 22

If we use the Ladies as examples we have Mao at 30; Sotnikova and Tuktamisheva tied at 28; Kostner and Cisney each at 26 with maybe Mirai, Leonova, Murakami, and Lepisto at 24. I would say 26 is the minimum number to get to the Finals and with that, several tie breakers.

The present system of tie breaking is unfair since the skaters received their total from 2 contests and the only way to break the tie legitimately would be to have them skate for it (Golf makes them play more). My suggestion of either of runoff of one major Jump, one combo Jump, one Spin - or- repeat their SP to break the tie.

 

[janetfan]

The present system of tie breaking is unfair since the skaters received their total from 2 contests and the only way to break the tie legitimately would be to have them skate for it (Golf makes them play more). My suggestion of either of runoff of one major Jump, one combo Jump, one Spin - or- repeat their SP to break the tie.

Are you saying the tie breaker system itself is inherently flawed or that tie breakers in general are unfair?

As long as the rules are clear and the same for everyone I don't see how having to use a tie breaker is so unfair.
Most fans in most sports prefer clear winners but that is not always the case.

I happen to hate major soccer games that are decided by penalty kicks. Not liking the rule doesn't necessarily make it unfair though.

In the GP series to have skaters and ISU officials meet somewhere would be vey expensive. Not just expensive but impractical too IMO.

If we had Mirai and Kanako or even a third skater tied on points after the GP season where would they meet? Have you considered the costs to have the skaters and necessary officials, judges, tech panel, camera crew/technicians, etc flying across oceans, staying in hotels for a tiebreaker determined by an SP?

 

[Violet Bliss]

I can't find documents from previous years but one can see from the blank current standings form that there are 7 tie breaking criteria for GP standings. The first is by medals, e.g. a gold and a bronze beats two silvers. Next, I believe, is by total scores, and so on.

Staging an official skate-off as a tie breaker is completely unrealistic and unnecessory.

eta - It's because of COP scoring that most tie breaking criteria can be established. Joesitz is probably still thinking in 6.0.

 

[Mathman]

eta - It's because of COP scoring that most tie breaking criteria can be established. Joesitz is probably still thinking in 6.0.

I think Joe is saying that using CoP points as a tie-breaker is unfair because some judges and tech panels are more generous with points than others.

A skater might miss out on the finals just because he had the misfortune of running into an extra-strict tech specialist.

On the other hand, finishing first, second or third can be a crap shoot, too. Some events have stronger fields than others.