2015 Worlds Ladies Free Skate March 28 | Page 118 | Golden Skate

2015 Worlds Ladies Free Skate March 28

Anyone know what is the rule regarding inadvertent turns/steps between jumps intended to be a combo? Does the tech panel have discretion on whether to call it one combo or two distinct elements that take up two jump slots? Current example would be Liza's combos in her LP at Worlds. Curiously they were still called combinations despite the turns.

I think since she stayed on the same foot, it counted as long as her other foot didn't touch down
 
I heard Satoko worked on her jumps with Kulik last summer. I am hoping she would find a technical coach who can help her with jumps. Hamada's students are not know to be good jumpers. Most of her students lose their jumps by the time they turn 20yo.

I believe she has been and will never stop working on her jumps. It's just that good jumps are not made over a season. I think Hamada has learned a lesson from her previous students, including Yukina Ota. Judging by the Hamada and Satoko's chemistry, it seems like Hamada wants nothing but the best for her student.
 
Anyone know what is the rule regarding inadvertent turns/steps between jumps intended to be a combo? Does the tech panel have discretion on whether to call it one combo or two distinct elements that take up two jump slots? Current example would be Liza's combos in her LP at Worlds. Curiously they were still called combinations despite the turns.

Did she stay on one foot and on the same edge? You have to stay on one edge....I thought that was the rule. Otherwise it becomes a sequence.
 
Last edited:
Gracie isn't my favorite (I hate her programs and am one of her biggest critics), but her speed and quality of movement was really jarring, in a good way, when compared to the ladies the groups that preceded her. She had a 7-triple FS with excellent spins and strong SS compared to most of the field. Basically, I think she's better with a sub-par program than a good portion of competitors, even if their choreo is superior to hers. I don't always enjoy watching her, but I can understand why she scores the way she does, PCS-wise.

Well, I'm not sure what the ladies in the groups that preceded her have to do with people like Rika Hongo and Polina Edmunds who really should have placed above her overall. ;)

Gracie didn't really have a 7-Triple FS, her second Lutz was stepped out of. Her movement is superficially quite polished but it almost never seems exactly in time with the music. She goes through the motions.
 
Poor Anna, with the depth or the Russian ladies field, this could be her last worlds for a while; unless well, you know…
 
I believe she has been and will never stop working on her jumps. It's just that good jumps are not made over a season. I think Hamada has learned a lesson from her previous students, including Yukina Ota. Judging by the Hamada and Satoko's chemistry, it seems like Hamada wants nothing but the best for her student.
Yeah I agree. She could just find another jump coach to join her team.. Like what Daisuke Takahashi used to do, keep your coach and add another coach. Yeah I do like Hamada. She seems to love her students and she is always positives with her students.
 
Honestly, other than one really stupid judge (and everyone has those--only -2 for Satoko's pretty-much-a-fall, for instance, while everyone else gave -3), I don't feel Liza is overscored compared to her competitors. Overscored/inflated compared to past programs, definitely, but she received the appropriate -GOE for her mistakes, and even her well-landed jumps (solo lutz, solo 2A, 3S-2A) didn't receive any of the +3s she'd usually get.

I do think Ashley should've beaten Liza on the second mark, for the LP, since Ashley skated with more attack and fire. But considering Ashley own tight landings, her taking out her opening transition into her 2A, and her 11th place SP + skating out of the last group, I'm impressed the judges gave her what PCS they did.

Satoko had what was basically a fall (and people in the thread were complaining about her being overscored before Lena and Liza skated...); she definitely deserves higher PCS than what she received, but she's in turn really lucky--in both programs--to only get a UR call on one jump. Elena just made too many errors, and they were more disruptive than Liza's. Gracie should've received good scores for SS, but she skated with zero expression. At least Liza really turned it up in the second half.

The placements--SP, LP, and overall--are all correct, imo. The only one who got short-changed was Rika. Considering she's the only one to go clean in both programs, with attack and speed, I think fourth would've been more fair. Maybe Polina, too, though she is still lacking in the second mark despite going clean.

It was a pretty disappointing competition. I don't think I'll watch any of these skates back, except Ashley's for the redemption factor. My take-away moment will be Liza and Lena cuddling in the second K&C. :love: Still, let's not forget that these girls have all delivered great skates over the year--Liza at Europeans, Lena at GPF, Ashley at Nationals, Satoko at Nationals, ect.--and what happened at Worlds does not erase those skates.

Congratulations to Liza, the 2015 World Champion! :clap: Congratulations to Lena for hanging on for a medal, and Satoko for winning a surprise silver! I'm saddened that Ashley once again misses the podium, but I think we'll see her next year, and I still believe she's got that medal-winning performance in her. So crushed for Anna... I hope she is okay, both physically and mentally.
 
Poor Anna, with the depth or the Russian ladies field, this could be her last worlds for a while; unless well, you know…

Unless she represent another country? It's only going to get harder from here, both Evgenia and Serafima will be age eligible next year.
 
I know, I am seeking therapy and crisis counseling and am letting go a little everyday. j/k
I know, I am a fan of Adam who can deliver Michelle-esque moments on occasion. I love the sport, but it is getting harder to get excited about the skaters. I enjoy Ashley's program and some of Gracies but I don't put them on par with the legends.

You are not alone. There are others that are still waiting for another lady to come along to get us excited like MK did. I like but don't love Gracie, but you certainly can't count on her like you always could Michelle!
 
Unless she represent another country? It's only going to get harder from here, both Evgenia and Serafima will be age eligible next year.

I am so sad for Anna.

Not only did she have an injury before Worlds but with these three falls in Shanghai... I could see her taking time off, I hope not though.

Although I agree with you, winning one of these three places in next year's Russian championships will be extremely tough.

There is Evgenia, Serafima...plus Lipnitskaia, potentially Sotnikova...

The situation looks hopeless right now... though I am reminding myself that the situation looked hopeless for Liza too at 2013-14 nationals.

Anna is definitely a soft spot of mine. :love:
 
OK. Gold didn't medal bcause of a mediocre short. BUT, that little girl from Japan with the silver is just not on the same level as the other top women. The ISU again rewarding light-weight girls who because of their size can jump and spin fast. The audience doesn't understand this and it's hurting the sport. Not yet a complete skater. Lena also held up a bit.

Congratulations to US women who pulled themselves up so well today.

I have a problem with Rad also. Both women look immature. The japenese girl's program lacks sophistication. The choreography is comparatively simplistic. These things should matter more. It's the only way to distinguish juniorish skating from women champions. And, it's not only the age. They kept Kwan off the podium until she was more complete, even though she could out-jump anybody. This was correct.

One thing I notice in Rad's skating is that her legs are rarely togeather in step sequences, transitions. Takes away from the line. She may not be clumsy but it looks that way. Just not in the same league as Kim, Kostner, Gold, etc.

Well That Little Girl from Japan, the current National Champion and now a World Silver Medalist, IMO is the only girl in the top field who pays attention to choreo and interpretation. Every single move she does, it's well thought out and is in harmony with the music.

Judging from your general categorisation by using such vague terms like "maturity" and "sophistication", I can't help but wonder that you're mistaking one's body size for their skating qualities. Satoko may lack spark and charisma, the "it" factor. IMO Radionova is sloppy, but she appears to have that fire. But tiny jumps and lack of power due to size aside, I would certainly not write Satoko off without giving credit where it's due.

Oh lastly, That Little Girl helped Japan win medals in 10 consecutive world championships since 2006. Amen :biggrin::laugh2::popcorn:
 
Last edited:
Took a funny path to get there, but I got my American predictions correct (which I felt the least confident about, ironically): #4 Gracie, #5 Ashley.

My first list had the podium as Liza, Elena, and Miyahara... but then I heard about Shin Amano and decided to remove Miyahara out of there completely. :bang: Was tempted to remove Pogorilaya after hearing about the injury (she's enough of a headcase even when perfectly healthy), but didn't...
 
Well, I'm not sure what the ladies in the groups that preceded her have to do with people like Rika Hongo and Polina Edmunds who really should have placed above her overall. ;)

Gracie didn't really have a 7-Triple FS, her second Lutz was stepped out of. Her movement is superficially quite polished but it almost never seems exactly in time with the music. She goes through the motions.

She stepped out of the lutz, but she still completed 7 fully-rotated triples. And while I'd rather watch Hongo or Polina's programs than Gracie's, that was the point I was making -- even if her programs aren't as good as theirs, and even if she's not performing as well as they are, the level of polish and finish she has to her movements sets her apart.

Honestly, I think almost all of the programs from the top ladies this year are boring and forgettable. The only ones that have registered with me are Satoko's and Ashley's.
 
I want to see Lipnitskaya back so badly, she is so much more sophisticated and mature than Liza and Elena. I'm betting Liza will don all-black negligee again next year, this time she will interpret the music of Bollywood:laugh:.

P.S.

On second thought I actually wanna see that but for God sake have a different genre of music and choreography in the short.
 
Last edited:
Yeah I agree. She could just find another jump coach to join her team.. Like what Daisuke Takahashi used to do, keep your coach and add another coach. Yeah I do like Hamada. She seems to love her students and she is always positives with her students.

I'm pretty sure Yamato Tamura is on as a jump coach? The guy whose sometimes in the kiss and cry along with them.
 
Polina and Kare Chen because Gracie did not get it done either.

Well, neither did Ashley get it done... It´s a pity that Ashley and Gracie had those unfortunate mistakes in the sp. Of course Ashley seems always to have problems with UR and edge, at least if not judged on US soil, I think.... And I think that judging must be harsh, otherwise it would not be fair towards those skaters who have fully rotated jumps and the right edge in their jumps.

Anyway, USA managed to have 3 sport for next words, but only with the help of a lot of other skaters :laugh:.
 
Last edited:
I'm pretty sure Yamato Tamura is on as a jump coach? The guy whose sometimes in the kiss and cry along with them.
So that's Yamato Tamura? He's listed as her official coach now. I've seen him in many ice shows and as Dai's good buddy and he always love to troll :biggrin:. He looks so different in suit.
 
Honestly, I think almost all of the programs from the top ladies this year are boring and forgettable. The only ones that have registered with me are Satoko's and Ashley's.

Oh yes for sure. Satoko's program was better at the beginning of the season as well. I like the second half of Tukt's LP when she is on, but she didn't skate it with as much confidence and enthusiasm this time.

An underwhelming Ladies LP event.
 
Back
Top