Very, very well thought out, and written post. I always enjoy reading a post that is more about skating than one that is just about a favorite. However, it is important that the PC scores are about the program components - not totally about the performance which we knew of in the 6.0 system. Also, I am not sure, if the PC scores are equal to the Tech scores in the final figuring. Help anyone knows if they are equal.After seeing the SA results, I think the US ladies will be Rachael Flatt and Alissa Czisny. I think Rachael is starting to become well liked by the judges, and when compared to Ashley Wagner I'd say Rachael has the edge with more consistency and technical difficulty compared to Ashley's faster skating. As long as Alissa skates decently the judges will reward her with super high PCS and she'll be 1st or 2nd at nationals I bet. The US judges love her, and artistically she is way above the others. Personally, I prefer Zhang and Nagasu to Flatt and Wagner, but the judges always seem to keep their scores down as much as possible...especially Caroline Zhang. Mirai if she rotates her jumps will get good scores, and I really hope she does! But I bet it will be Flatt and Czisny in the end
an opinion of a skater's performace, is just that, an opinion. it does not cover the scores laid out by the ISU. It does give Ashley as well as Rachael an advantage over Caroline and Alyssa.
You are probably right, I never really thought of that. It just SEEMS like with the new system, the judges can work it to hold up the skaters they like and give the skater's they don't like as much no benefit of the doubt.
For US ladies, I would say you can pretty much divide the top contenders into two groups.
Group A - Rachael, Ashley, Kimmie (if she competes), Emily (if she improves)
Group B- Alissa, Mirai, Alexe, Caroline (could probably go in either group)
The skaters from group A are generally more consistent, have little technical issues, but artistically aren't as strong as the skaters in group B. The skaters in group B are more artistic and excell in the non-technical elements of the programs at all performances. The skaters in group B however, are more prone to meltdowns.
So here's the thing. Results aside, I think the US should pick a skater from each group to have the best shot at placing well at the olympics. While a skater like Rachael or Ashley you can pretty much count on being in the top 10 at the Olympics, their chances of medaling there are slim. On the flip side, a skater such as Mirai or Alissa could easily finish lower than tenth at the Olympics due to nervous meltdowns or jump issues. While medaling may still be a stretch for either girl, with a great performance, Mirai or Alissa could probably place higher than Rachael or Ashley.
So basically, will the US go with the girls who are consistently good, but somewhat limited, or the girls with possibly greater potential, but who are more prone to mistakes? What do you think?
The German Lady at the Olympic Winter Games will be Sarah Hecken.
She is the only one who meets the criteria of the DOSB (German Olympic Comitte). The ladies have to receive more than 128 Points twice, out of 3 international competitions.
So we will have a talented 16 year old girl, who will have a wunderful time there and can learn a lot of things out of the experience of her first Olympic Games.
Because of the Qualification for the Olympics, Sarah will participate at the Europeans too. The second German lady will be the best eligable lady at the German Championships.
Miki Ando finished before Akkiko Suzuki and also medal, therefore she is locked for an Olympic spot.
Yukari, Fumie, and Akkiko will battle out the final spot in Nationals.
I personally think Fumie might be able to place higher than both Yukari and Akkiko due to JSF's favoritism to her, but it terms of actually chances of getting a medal, Yukari might squeeze past Akkiko and Fumie.
However Akkiko did show us a stunning free program in GPF. so its going to be nailbiterrrr. /QUOTE]
JSF has 2 more spots left.
Mao hasn't earned one yet. Unless she does a decent showing, she may not be able to get a spot, esp. given how many talented skaters Japan has right now.
I love Sarah! She is adorable and her triple-triple is very high! At 16 and 5'7" she is definitely impressive....just needs to work on her spiral and she will be great! Plus I love her LP dress, so cute, even though it looks like a hot fudge sundae
I wonder if Italy will still send Carolina to the Olympics if she also finishes behind Valentina Marchei at the European Championship? Not only that but she was only able to execute one clean triple in the free skate and only scored 155.68 total. It will be interesting to see how she does at European Championship. What must be going through Frank Carroll's mind right now? I suppose Italy has really no choice but to still send her even if she bombs the European because of her past international results.
In other news, Laura Lepisto another national championship with Korpi in second. It looks like Lepisto and Korpii for the Olympics unless something strange happens at the European Championship in January.
Yike, only one tirple?? Is she injure herself or what?? So far this season has been disaster for her. She is a headcase, but for 2 times world medalist to land one tirple, that's just bad. Can she recover in time for the Olympics, even if she send to it?