Ladies quick review
In general, I feel that the result is OK, but that the judges were not consistent enough, again! The boo´s by the crowd are understandable, as you do not have replays or protocols and honestly, I doubt that many saw the edge call of Satoko right when it happened.
FS is just not as understandable as soccer or handball and many were just disappointed that this young Japanese was unable to score as high, as they wanted her to.
Overall, the best skater has the lead and she does so rightfully by a big margin. Gracie seems to be a bit far behind, but I do not think that she should be too disappointed. Her skate was great, the double is just a little dark spot in an otherwise, brilliant performance. :thumbsup:
Evgenia:
She did skate amazingly well and I am so happy she did it, as she was the best lady today - miles in front of all the others. Not even a single error, it was almost perfect and it rightfully received a high score and we do have a well deserved and undoubted champion of the SP.
Many words have been said about her SP, the jumps are in the second half, making it harder than having them all at the start, but it´s not just her jumps and the tano - elements which put FS to a higher level in artistry, but also the aspect of the sport.
No, it is her expression and interpretation, she is very musical and has a good look for the minor details on the ice. Just look how her feet move to the piano sounds, how she comes out of the turns, perfectly aligned to the music, this is really something special and I am happy that we have a few skaters this season, who really skate with the music, creating a unity of skater, choreography, elements and music.
Figure skating, at least for me is about these minor things, about being special and standing out from the masses and this she does in her own way and not after some type of manual. Besides that, I really hate it if people speak bad about a skater, especially her, just because she might not fit those peoples idea of “looks, weight or costuming”. Is it so hard to accept that she is a good skater?
Elena:
Her program was not clean, as she wanted to do a Lutz - toe at the start, but couldn't add the toe, so she had to rework her program and added the element after the loop, again with some problems, but she got away with it and we need to give the young lady credit here, it is quite remarkable to keep your head together, especially if you consider what she went through lately.
As always, she puts a lot into her performances and as I said earlier, she knows how to get these extra points from the judges, as the Lutz was not a -2 by all judges. Compared to Satoko she lost in Execution, as she had two errors and Satoko just one, but I felt that both Satoko and Elena were lucky in the end, compared to Medvedeva who did not have said mistakes, yet only gained about 0,40 on both skaters in Execution.
Not her best skate, but it showed what a young lady she is, a strong mind and very natural – you just have to like this girl. I so look forward to the day when she is fully matured, hopefully she will get the time by her fans and the coaches to really become a woman in her own pace.
Tomorrow she will sail once again, with Jack on the Titanic, and while she will again, not reach New York and Jack finds himself on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, - her expression and passionate skating, will surely reach, everyones heart. :luv17:
Mao:
Axel top, standing ovations from me, also the sexy moves and swing in her hips, great stuff and she absolutely showed how a woman can skate on the ice. Just like Satoko, she is able to slow down for a few seconds, making a hot & sexy move, before she continues - I like that! Ashley and Gracie are able to do this as well, this is again, one of those details that can make the difference.
Said difference to Elena is still there, without wanting to sound disrespectful to the Russian, but Mao and Gracie are just a level higher there, regarding the SS, Footwork and how elements are linked – it looks very fluent and effortless, just look how Mao is at times “hopping” around, it looks like it´s nothing, she let´s the blade go free, it is a joy to see.
But, we also need to be fair and say that besides the Axel, the other jump elements were just not where they need to be to be a champion these days. I felt, coming third, second or fourth would have all been possible results for her – I think she was scored OK, by most judges – but execution, was a bit too high maybe.
Satoko:
I felt, she lost out a bit today. Her program was gorgeous and she really skated with her heads up high, using the music for her elements and expression – good interpretation there, fantastic layback and she looked so cute in her outfit! Wonderful, how she holds eye to eye contact at times and she is really presenting her program and herself as a skater, I like this a lot.
Not sure if this is something people notice, but when you watch her final spin, she actually does rotate in different directions there. While I am not 100%, I believe no other lady has this right now, at least not those who compete for medals and again, just like with Evgenia, we are talking about the small details, that need to be rewarded in PC´s and GOE and here I felt, the judges did hold back, just like with Evgenia. Give skaters what they deserve if they stand out and do not just follow the pattern like everyone else, at least this is my opinion.
A tad closer to Elena´s score, but overall acceptable. The edge call, did cost her the second spot, sadly.
Gracie:
One error and again, people start hating on her, I am so sick of this. She is a phenomenal skater, has so much to give and she is the only skater for me, who really has that special Lady touch for the full duration of her skates, so that she just grabs you with her presence.
Gracie is the only non Russian skater, who understands the importance of using everything she got, while on the ice. Her plus however is, the American way of doing things. Look at her eyes, she is focusing people in the crowd - as she wants to tell them, hey I skate for you now (when she gave me that look ... faint), but ya, you just feel she is really there for you and that is so special and one of several trademarks by the American.
At the same time, she stays in character at all times, does skate into all directions, has a soft blade, good edges and great speed. She can go down on her knees and up again, like it is nothing. Try this at home, try to get up I bet it will either look funny or hard - but she made it look graceful and this on the ice, while in full motion! Big show, young lady!
For me, she should be where Mao is at PC´s, – maybe I am too much a fan of her to see the obvious, but this is how I feel. Again, the kids are amazingly talented – but I just think we need to draw the line there and quite often, Gracie is not being rewarded enough, I just do not understand why the judges and fans not love her as I do. Do they not see what I see? That said, she did beat everyone except Mao (a tie with Evgenia), so it was not too bad, but for me Mao and Gracie should still be up front at PCs.
Tomorrow she strikes back, the firebird will light the fire, in peoples hearts. I believe in Gracie!
Ashley:
I just hope she will come back strong tomorrow, today was just not her day I am afraid. Good was, that she did not let go and sold her program until the end. That´s the way to do it!
So to sum up,
the best skater is up front, with a tremendous effort. In general acceptable scores, but not consistent enough and all the girls seemed to enjoy their skates, which is the most important thing for me. Satoko should not be sad, as just as Evgenia, she brings something new to the table and maybe tomorrow, she will climb the podium.
As for Gracie, Ashley and Mao – It is great to see the ladies back on the ice, as much I love the kids, there is just something about woman on the ice, that I like a lot and we need variety, grace and joy on the ice. Well fought Elena, big heart and spirit there is to be found in that talented, Russian skater!
Good luck everyone for tomorrow, heads up Ashley!
After NHK, I was worried about her condition, but it seems like she's back on track now. But seriously, trash that 3Lz out of the SP. It's causing too much of a problem right now. As for the combo, I do think that one of the jumps deserved a UR mark, but not both. At this rate, the only skater that can beat a clean (and not overscored...) Evgenia in the FS is Mao. I hope Mao has a good skate tomorrow!
