Figure Skating in Australia

[brookes1968]

Interesting results tonight at 4CC. Brooklee can certainly pull it out against the worlds best - great job tonight after a pretty rough season. Guess she will be at Worlds. Pasfields results dissapointing after such huge scores in UAE and clean program. Kailani improving in presentation but not so much in marks this season. Great work to all the Aussies including Matilda & William.

Protocols indicate all clean jumps for Han but under rotation and edge issues still for a Craine. Both girls fabulous spins. Pasfields marks low compared to nationals and recent internationals. Tech was fair.

Not to much in it between top two so LP may see closer fight. Really glad to see Han skate her best .

 

[sk8ingcoach]

Ladies event wasn't very exciting imo. Hopefully the men are better tomorrow. Just wish we had 3 aussies not 2

 

[dorispulaski]

http://resultater.danskate.dk/Nordics2016/index.htm

Brendan Kerry will be competing at Nordics.

 

[karne]

http://resultater.danskate.dk/Nordics2016/index.htm

Brendan Kerry will be competing at Nordics.

Um...next week? Yikes, that's a short turnaround. (Though I think he would win a prize for most obscure competition entry if we had one.)

I was so proud of all our skaters last night! Matilda and William did so well! And Katie's big smiles lit up the rink. Kailani was on fire! And I was just so happy for Brooklee. I knew Nationals was just a blip!

Matilda and William tonight and Andrew and Brendan as well! Go, everyone! :yay:

 

[Icesk8r]

Interesting results tonight at 4CC. Pasfields results dissapointing after such huge scores in UAE and clean program.

Don't forget Katie skated junior at UAE. The senior short requires minimum triple solo jump and triple/double for combo. Junior minimum double flip and double/double combo. If she did not attempt the minimum, the elements would not have counted. Considering where she is at with skill level, she did well. Although her spin levels need a look at by her coaching team.

 

[GF2445]

For Matilda and William, as well as Katie, 4CC is all about gaining experience. They have all to gain from this experience.

In other news, Brooklee got to have her turn on ISU's 'Wait...What?'- (And unlike alot of interviewees, Brooklee knows her square roots!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtjrEb9bMtc

 

[Urucubaca]

So where will everything be at by the end of the year? Who will be at the top?

Figure, Pairs, Ice Dance, Synchro... lots of speculation!

 

[skaterfan2501]

How did Karen chen beat Kailani by so much in PCs ?? Gracies scores also inflated. Not fair she did so well !

 

[NanaPat]

When looking at the Wait...What for Brooklee, I came across an ISU "A Moment With" an Australian speed skater. This is especially for karne, but also for anyone who enjoyed the Australian Skaters (skating and in the stands) at 4CC. It's quite short and interesting, but if you're really pressed for time, skip ahead to around 1:15 and watch from there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OagYeOZ7k7Q

 

[brookes1968]

We have one more chance to crack the top half at 4CC. Dancers - well they did their best but embarrassing scores and last, all three ladies in bottom half none doing triple-triple and so many errors especially from top 2 who are nowhere near top 10 and I believe one fully funded by Australia. One last chance in the Mens tonight. Really 2018 is not looking good unless something radically changes!

 

[edwinaskater1943]

Agree shame about SP as Kailani may have been top10 and was much better last night. Clearly better than Han. She was good but not doing as difficult jump and still getting edge issues. I'm wondering if they will now send her to both worlds??

 

[karne]

In other news, Brooklee got to have her turn on ISU's 'Wait...What?'- (And unlike alot of interviewees, Brooklee knows her square roots!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtjrEb9bMtc

She's so adorable!

When looking at the Wait...What for Brooklee, I came across an ISU "A Moment With" an Australian speed skater. This is especially for karne, but also for anyone who enjoyed the Australian Skaters (skating and in the stands) at 4CC. It's quite short and interesting, but if you're really pressed for time, skip ahead to around 1:15 and watch from there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OagYeOZ7k7Q

THE KANGAROO

Lots of positives to take away from Four Continents for Team Australia.

Matilda and William did very well for their first-ever Senior international especially since the pattern for the SD was different and there were different required elements.

Kailani hit a new PB for the FS and had a very good finish, and rotated all her jumps in the FS.

Brooklee skated extremely well in the SP and never gave up fighting the FS. I thought both our ladies were underscored quite heavily!

Katie had her first Championship outing, tried everything and made a good impression with a positive attitude.

Brendan has clearly made some jump improvements in the FS including a new 3Lz-1Lo-3S combination and some choreographic changes that should carry him nicely to Worlds.

Andrew got a PB in the SP and impressed a lot of people with his artistry, and even after fall number four in the FS never gave up fighting.

Yes, though the scoreboards might say otherwise, Team Australia acquitted themselves well at Four Continents, and I am very proud of them.

 

[skaterfan2501]

Was Andrew Dodds sick ? Why does his coach giggle after that skate. Why do we have to look so unprofessional with blow up kangaroos like everything is a joke. Very dissapointing results from Team Australia. Not one skater in top half of comp or improved places from last year. Kailani at least got PB in LP but overall results not improved. Brendan has been going so well but also did not shine here. The girls had perfect oppurtunity to place top 10 with so many pulling out and Gold and Chen off. I guess theres next year but compared to other winter olympic sports we are not at all competitive with the rest of the world. I really had faith that this was changing but our image continues to be lots of fun but no substance!

 

[gravy]

Was just re-watching all the men I missed live at 4CCs. Does anyone know why Brendan was sitting with Frank Carroll in the K&C?

 

[essence_of_soy]

She's so adorable!



THE KANGAROO

Lots of positives to take away from Four Continents for Team Australia.

Matilda and William did very well for their first-ever Senior international especially since the pattern for the SD was different and there were different required elements.

Kailani hit a new PB for the FS and had a very good finish, and rotated all her jumps in the FS.

Brooklee skated extremely well in the SP and never gave up fighting the FS. I thought both our ladies were underscored quite heavily!

Katie had her first Championship outing, tried everything and made a good impression with a positive attitude.

Brendan has clearly made some jump improvements in the FS including a new 3Lz-1Lo-3S combination and some choreographic changes that should carry him nicely to Worlds.

Andrew got a PB in the SP and impressed a lot of people with his artistry, and even after fall number four in the FS never gave up fighting.

Yes, though the scoreboards might say otherwise, Team Australia acquitted themselves well at Four Continents, and I am very proud of them.

Good round up on Team Australia from the event. Thank you for your thoughts.
I love the kangaroo as well. What a cute mascot, and such a fun way to endear the audience.

 

[karne]

Was just re-watching all the men I missed live at 4CCs. Does anyone know why Brendan was sitting with Frank Carroll in the K&C?

I believe Frank was substituting since Tammy could not be with Brendan for the FS for some reason. It caused quite a flutter at first until Brooklee confirmed no coaching change had taken place.

Good round up on Team Australia from the event. Thank you for your thoughts.
I love the kangaroo as well. What a cute mascot, and such a fun way to endear the audience.

The kangaroo was one of the best parts, for me. It was cute and attention-attracting, of course, but more than that, it seemed to emphasise the "Team" in "Team Australia". Every skater had the kangaroo with them in the kiss and cry, and all played the game of its presence. It was nicely heart-warming.

 

[GF2445]

The OWIA article says that he also works with Frank Carroll. But yes, Tammy is still his main coach.
I hope he doesn't feel too down after his performance. It really is all about what is between his two ears.

 

[GF2445]

My assessment of Team Australia's performance at #4CCTaipeiCity was both a mix of good, disappointing and hopeful.
The Competition at Four Continents is strange as there is such contrast. We have the USA, CAN, CHN & JPN dominating and at the forefront of the worlds scene, there there are a few middle nations like Korea, and then you have the remaining nations. Many of the nations who participate are very well seen as 'emerging' skating nations. On the spectrum between 'emerging' to 'dominating', Australia fits weirdly in the middle but closer to the 'emerging' side.

Nevertheless, what I love about our athletes is that they seem like very balanced and positive people. They seem to really enjoy the experience of competing.
But the key word which will help all of these athletes is consistency and determination.

The positives that we can take from 4CC come under this umbrella idea of consistency and determination.
Kailani embodies this very well. Scoring 108 for the free skate with nearly 60pts for technical is fantastically. She has triple triples in her arsenal, including difficult triples. I am impressed by her spins too. It would be a worth while investment for Kailani and her team to work on pushing the PCS (especially work on the edge quality and speed) mark. To put that same determination she has in her jumps and spins and channel in the 'inbetween element' movements.

Matilda and William also embody this as well. They have really made some considerable strides in their own way this season. Despite definitely being the bottom team in the field, they are very engaging to watch. You can really see them make the best efforts they can to present each movement and element. Obviously, there is alot of work to do, but I am confident that the best is yet to come for them. The key for them for the rest of this season is to try and hit as many of the key points in the Starlight Waltz in the Short Dance at Jnr. Worlds.

We also saw glimpses of this with Andrew Dodds in the SP. Andrew definitely seems like a SP kind of skater. His improvements are undeniable. He is really a quality skater. We also are seeing Brooklee on the comeback trail following injury and other misfortunes (her New Years tweet hinted that there were challenges last year) last year. For both Andrew and Brooklee, the key is confidence in their skating ability and training.

For Katie, it was great for her to try her triples. There are many women skaters in Australia who on any good day, receive the scores she attained here. So maybe this taster for Senior Competition will be the key she will need to aspire to achieve higher. Aspire---- A key word for our skaters.

Then comes Brendan who has been struggling with the mental aspect to competition. This season has seen him start with momentum, and then lose it. He has all the talent in the world and he looks like one who loves what he does. But obviously, something needs to click for him. I wonder what his day to day training looks like- maybe he needs a change.

 

[Baxel]

That all seems to make sense to me.

 

[sk8ingcoach]

Was Andrew Dodds sick ? Why does his coach giggle after that skate. Why do we have to look so unprofessional with blow up kangaroos like everything is a joke. Very dissapointing results from Team Australia. Not one skater in top half of comp or improved places from last year. Kailani at least got PB in LP but overall results not improved. Brendan has been going so well but also did not shine here. The girls had perfect oppurtunity to place top 10 with so many pulling out and Gold and Chen off. I guess theres next year but compared to other winter olympic sports we are not at all competitive with the rest of the world. I really had faith that this was changing but our image continues to be lots of fun but no substance!

Gosh i have many opinions on your idiotic assessment of 4CC. Firstly, Kiss and Cry is not the time for a coach to be hard on their student when he has just fallen 4 times. After such a rough skate a coach has to talk about the positives. Coaches who talk negatives to skaters when they finish is a path to their student quitting. And having a blow up kangaroo for Kiss & Cry makes Australia look like a team. There is nothing unprofessional about it. Australia has always taken pride in team spirit and sportsmanship.

I don't really know what you expected from the ladies. Kailani just got the highest score for an Australian lady internationally ever and you're complaining about her result ? And to say you expected them to beat Gracie Gold because she wasn't at her best is absolutely ludicrous.