2016 World Championships Ladies Free Skate

[Lenny318]

I've never been so happy to be proven wrong about doubting a skater's decision to keep a program from the previous season that seemed to have been performed to its potential. Well done, Ashley, you deserve this moment.

 

[twirlingblades]

Just because Gracie would like to retire after 2018 and pursue other interests doesn't mean that she isn't committed for the next few years. IIRC, Yuzuru has also said he will retire after 2018. Does that mean his mentality hurts his skating?

Gracie is a headcase competitor. I'm a very anxious person myself, and it keeps me from succeeding at a lot of things I'd like to do well at. It doesn't mean I'm bad, or lazy, or my mentality is wrong. It's just who I am and how my brain works, and I have zero control over it other than to work hard to improve and challenge myself and see what happens. My brain isn't magically going to change, unfortunately.

I think Gracie's mental issues have improved with time. Look at her Worlds meltdown last season during the SP; it was a mess. Being in first after the SP this time around, and skating second to last, could've meant an LP meltdown of epic proportions. It didn't. That's something.

That was just one example I was using. I didn't mean to imply that she wasn't committed, but from what I know of her as a person (coming from people that grew up skating with her and that have known her for years), she has struggled with determination and drive in the past. Compare her to, say, Wagner. That was the only point I was making. Does the fact that she knows she's retiring in 2018 hurt her skating? I don't know, but possibly. Does it hurts Yuzu's skating? Possibly. Possibly not. (The other reason I say she doesn't seem interested is that she just literally never seems interested. She lifeless when she skates and she's lifeless in person and in interviews. That may just be the way she is, though.)

I have already agreed with you that she has improved vastly. As I said before, getting a sports psychologist was super helpful (she started improving right around the time she got one). I also agree that this performance wasn't as bad as it could have been... but lets be real here. All she needed to do was put out a clean skate to get a medal. She was less than 2 points behind Anna when all said and done. Popping jumps is 100% mental. Her PCs tend to go down after she messes up a jump (usually the 3+3 that she has no business missing) which hurts her overall score (even though her PCS are always super inflated). It wasn't an epic meltdown, but it was disappointing.

I'm agreeing with everything you are saying, I just don't see her winning a world title or an Olympic medal in the future because I don't see her mentally changing in the next few years. She's almost 21. I think that ship has sailed. I *hope* she proves me wrong, though.

(Also, as a side note, I think her jumps have regressed. Look at her lutz when she won her first national title to now. I think that has to do with a coaching change.)

 

[deedee1]

In my heart, Pogo is gold :luv17:, Rika is silver and Ashley is bronze .

............. hwell:

 

[nolangoh]

Lol Evgenia scored only 0.17 less than Papadakis/Cizeron in Interpretation

 

[rollerblade]

I'm agreeing with everything you are saying, I just don't see her winning a world title or an Olympic medal in the future because I don't see her mentally changing in the next few years. She's almost 21. I think that ship has sailed.

I have a guy friend who's a once-every-4-years gymnastics and skating watcher.... and it still cracks me up whenever I recall him saying "20 years old is ANCIENT! They qualify for for senior citizen discounts at that age."

 

[KweenAsada]

I'm about to go to bed, but I just want to remind everyone in the thread that all medal winners in the event are total heroes who overcame the individual adversities they faced and kicked butt and 100% deserve their medals. <3

Absolutely! They all rocked. Great job, ladies!

 

[Sugarpova]

woke up & cant be home today but!
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!! the right american on the podium!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats Raf!
Auntie Ashley!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:hap93:
Im gonna cry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1:sad4:
Happy tears!!!!!!!!!
& Zhenia & Anna! for Anna justice for Pirates!

sad for Lenok & I actually will miss JACKKKKKKKK. But she's growing & Im proud that she's fighting like that!

& goood luck to Mirai my sunshine. Top 10 isnt something to be sad about! looking forward to the next season.

 

[Shayuki]

Lol Evgenia scored only 0.17 less than Papadakis/Cizeron in Interpretation

I'm pretty sure you can't compare them like that, but anyway Evgenia's interpretation is wonderful.

 

[Ophelia]

Evegnia was great, but she slowed to a crawl across ice midway through her program.

 

[Alexz]

She has the jumps, she's tall, fast, exciting to watch and beautiful, a strange mix between Butyrskaya and Slutskaya, haha. I'm shallow.

My impression of Anna Pogorilaya exactly.

 

[twirlingblades]

I have a guy friend who's a once-every-4-years gymnastics and skating watcher.... and it still cracks me up whenever I recall him saying "20 years old is ANCIENT! They qualify for for senior citizen discounts at that age."

Are you calling me a once-every-4-years skating watcher or are you agreeing with me about Gracie? lol

 

[R.D.]

Finally back at my hotel after checking out the Ladies FS...Never been happier to be wrong - didn't think Wagner would end the drought but here we are!! I gotta say, it was an awesome event, great crowd and worth every penny. And Wagner brought the HOUSE down!!! It was hella loud in there, easily the loudest ovation of the night. Congrats to her, well-deserved medal, proud of her for holding it together through two programs as it has eluded her so many times before.

Too bad for Gold...but I knew from the moment she took the ice that it wasn't going to go well. I was in the 6th row and as she skated right by us before her opening combo, her face looked SUPER TENSE. Immediately I was like "Uh oh." And it was all nerves since she rocked this morning's practice, and even in the FS warmup she looked solid.

OTOH, Wagner looked more sure and seemed like she at least trusted her training if nothing else. Even if it wasn't a perfect skate, it was good enough for a medal in probably one of the most well-skated, competitive Worlds ever! Hats off to her! World silver medalist!!

Time for bed now. Exhibition gala tomorrow!

 

[Ophelia]

My impression of Anna Pogorilaya exactly.

She is SO striking on ice.

 

[Zhenya is DIVINE]

I can't wait to watch the medal presentation. Zhenya is my favorite skater since Sasha and we all know how well she did at major competitions. I still can't believe that just happened. It almost makes all the hate I'll have to read for the next 6 months worth it.

 

[boskil]

They were all clean today, so basically, according to ISU judges, Ashley Wagner has the best skating skills in the world. For example, half point better than clean Mao Asada, Evgenia Medvedeva and point better than Satoko Miyahara.

Absolute top competition, top judges and skaters - so it's like the official message to young aspiring skaters out there.
Just think of it.

 

[yuki]

Gracie is always overscored in PCS. Drives me nuts.

It's basically a combination of her having great SS and Frank telling everyone how amazing her interpretation is.

Not very happy with the underscoring of all 3 Japanese girls in PCS, but overall this was such a great ladies event - the best worlds in recent memory.

 

[twirlingblades]

It's basically a combination of her having great SS and Frank telling everyone how amazing her interpretation is.

Not very happy with the underscoring of all 3 Japanese girls in PCS, but overall this was such a great ladies event - the best worlds in recent memory.

I agree! Especially after the men's competition last night, it was great to see everyone really throw everything they had out there.

 

[randomfan]

Here is my recap/summary. A lot later than when I'd usually do it for other competitions, but I wanted to rewatch most of the performances (AND I COMPLETELY MISSED RIKA SO I HAD TO WATCH THAT TOO). Overall, this competition was probably one of the best ladies events ever for me. Practically all the top skaters were focused, doing their thing, performing, and we have some surprising results today as well!

1. Evgenia "Bear" Medvedeva laugh: I thought of how my reactions would be if I saw her break the WR, and it turned out to actually not be as wild as I thought it would. Honestly, even with the insane inflated score aside, she really earned my respect. I actually really enjoyed watching her. Technically she was the best of the night and it was pretty obvious the gold would go to her anyway. I wonder how she'll be like next season.
2. Ashley Wagner: I her performances! Her fire and determination was great to watch, and she finally got that world medal she always needed! I jumped up and down and fistpumped when she hit that lutz this time! :dance: Thank you for closing the night with a spectacular performance, Ashley!
3. Anna Pogorilaya: I've been a fan of Anna ever since Nationals a few months ago. She really is incredible when she's clean. I'm so happy that she sneaked onto the world podium and nobody expected it, making it even better! :yay: This showing makes me like her even more, and I'm sad to say goodbye to both of her awesome programs.
4. Gracie Gold: Overscored as usual, but I honestly really admire Gracie here. She had two costly mistakes, but managed to land everything else all in the pressure of a home crowd. I would've had her score much lower, but still a nice showing by her!
5. Satoko Miyahara: NBC had (in previous competitions) kept annoyingly talking about how she would be forgotten if everyone in the field was on, but I do see what they mean now, even as a Satoko fan myself. But nevertheless, Satoko was herself and delivered another lovely performance of my favourite FS this season, and I'm happy about that!
6. Elena Radionova: Don't even get me started on her score and how she was so close to Satoko...Anyway, I love how hard she fought this season. With puberty, I thought she would struggle, but she didn't which makes me like her even more as a fan. I hope she gets to go to TCC and be strong there too!
7. Mao Asada: It's okay. Everyone knows that her score should've been at least 6 points higher, but it was (EDIT: I ACCIDENTALLY SAID WASN'T BUT I MEANT WAS) because of odd TES and very odd PCS. Mao's personality here was heartwarming, smiling at the end of both programs. I loved watching her and I'm excited to see her next season.
8. Rika Hongo: My dream of Rika doing a solid Riverdance in the U.S. came true! I love her speed and joy throughout the whole performance! I'm sad to say goodbye to this program and her SP.
9. Gabrielle Daleman: Thank you judges for judging her fairly. Gabby's FS may not have been good as her SP, but it was still solid and I love both programs. I'm grateful that we'll see these programs again at TCC!
10. Mirai Nagasu: Mirai was so good! 10th place would sound a bit impressive, but her score shows that she did very impressively. I'm so happy that Mirai is finally back and I hope she can continue her solid showing stream through next season!
11. Zijun Li: Both her SP and FS were by far her best-ever showings this season. I once again have hope for her. I'm so excited to see what she does next!
12. Elizabet Tursynbaeva: Very nice performances for her first senior Worlds! Elizabet is definitely someone to watch out soon. Her consistency and technical content is great.

Devastated for Alaine though...and I'm still angry at how low they scored the Koreans! :curse:

 

[rollerblade]

Are you calling me a once-every-4-years skating watcher or are you agreeing with me about Gracie? lol

Neither! Your post just reminded me of what my friend said (dinosaur age of 20).

 

[twirlingblades]

Neither! Your post just reminded me of what my friend said (dinosaur age of 20).

Oh gotcha! Sorry, I'm really bad at interpreting tone over the internet! I'm an (almost) 21 year old skater and I feel super ancient, lol.