2016 World Championships Ladies Free Skate

[OS]

Yuna certainly is stronger in SP, the fact that she has no 3Lo doesn't matter there. But meh, it's not like it was out of thin air. Sotnikova got almost 70 PCS in Europeans with a mistake-ridden program so getting a few more than that with a rather clean one is rather logical. Perhaps Sotnikova shouldn't have won overall, I'm not sure. But she should have won the FS segment in my opinion. In the SP by the way, Sotnikova also gains 0.3+0.6=0.9 points off lost levels by Kim Yuna and lost levels in spins in both SP and FS and especially steps(skating skills) should in my opinion still reflect partially in PCS as well, just like scratchy jump landings do. Now I'll certainly admit that Sotnikova was slightly over scored, but was she 5+ points over scored while accounting for natural Olympics inflation? Not in my opinion and as I said, she had 1 triple more. Kim didn't have 1 2A more, she had 1 2T more when compared to Sotnikova's 3Lo. That's a 3.7 point difference right there.

As for Medvedeva, Vancouver was a bit different. Back then you could do 3 2As so having only 6 triples didn't make as much of a difference so skaters like Yuna who lack one of the triples had a crutch they could take advantage of. The GOE system also awarded more points, so if she was scored exactly the same back then as now, her actual score would be a few points higher. Then there's the spiral sequence.

For the record, in my opinion, she'd easily have won that competition with the exact same skate(alterations for spirals).

If you review the European Championship thread you can see how the newly announced Russia National team's mark had all became substantially inflated than ever before (some of the judges there judged at Sochi), in turns beating the likes of Carolina Kostner. There were much surprise from skating insiders at the time as an alarming anomoly, as PCS is supposed to besomething you improve over the course of a career. After Sochi, we knew why. They need to set that benchmark to spring board off it and as a reference point, without acknowledging PCS is not something historically proved to increase over the course of 1 or 2 competitions out of no where. European Championships therefore should be considered as an anomoly rather than a benchmark, the correct PCS level should be taken from season average. Otherwise there's no point for standards, if there's no point for standards, what is the point of COP?


BBC iplayer has the whole day3 highlights online now, you need a UK IP.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episod...e-skating-championships-2016-day-3-highlights

I am catching up everything there, they just played the LIVE cast with Mao., Robin Cousin and the other lady is really complimentary with Mao, mentioned everything about the quality, the immersion, the finesse, performance as a whole. I highly recommend viewing.

 

[andromache]

The morning after, I'm still thrilled with the three medalists! This Worlds was so much more exciting than last year. Such great performances from Evgenia, Ashley, and Anna. I hope Anna gets more respect from the federation now.

Sad for my bby Elena. I loved the camp of Titanic, but it's not the way to win the judges. Her team needs to get her better programs/choreography next season, a choreographer who will help polish her movements. I also hope her jumps begin to get easier and those landings get smoother.

That interview with Gracie was heartbreaking, and I don't blame her for feeling so desolate just after the competition. It's normal. Ultimately, this Worlds and her two performances will make her hungry as heck next season or it won't. Let's hope it does. This season was an improvement on the last season for sure. Sometimes success takes years--just look at Ashley! But she did it!

 

[Shayuki]

Just looking at the ice coverage, you get a reliable sense of their speed, and it seems like the only one with the goods is Anna. Evgenia, especially, is jumping from a crawl and it's only due to her body shape that she can muscle through them so prettily. That kind of technique, we know, simply doesn't outwit puberty. We've seen it enough times.

Muscle through them? According to Laura Lepistö(Europeans Gold Medalist!) she jumps reeally high and has unbelievably clean landing edges. Lipnitskaya certainly muscled through jumps and many people pointed out the issues she had, according to another Finnish commentator Medvedeva replaces all her double toes with triple toes during practice "but sadly she's only able to perform 2 triple toes in the FS".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGUPS4MNO8s&t=172

Here you can see her casually 3-3-3 in practice.

 

[rosy14]

She's nearly 17, so she's already past puberty.

Nope, she is just 16 and her body is still prepuberal or puberal. It's not the body of a completely developed woman (I'm a doctor). Anna is such.

 

[MaiKatze]

She's nearly 17, so she's already past puberty.

I think so too but to confirm I would love to see a picture of her parents sometime. There was a movie about Elena and her father on youtube a few years ago, and he was a bear of a man. When I saw him I realised that Elena still had a lot of growing to do. I think looking at skaters parents can help determine their body types. I agree though, that I suspect that Evgenia, with 17, might not have that much growth to do. Look at Satoko...do you think she will grow more? I don't. It might just be her final body.

 

[Shayuki]

Nope, she is just 16 and her body is still prepuberal or puberal. It's not the body of a completely developed woman (I'm a doctor). Anna is such.

My little sister is 23 years old and she's skinnier than Medvedeva, not anorexic. People are different.

 

[OS]

Yuna Kim with the most consistently lacking 3Lo, you mean?

I really think that you're letting nostalgia cloud your vision here.

This is such an involved choreography with difficult elements that it would be even MORE in the spotlight in Vancouver even if Yuna could mask her lack of 3Lo with a third 2A for a significantly lower penalty.

Rule hasn't changed over night, where does it says in the rule you need to have a 3loop to win? It is ludicrous. Yuna without a loop like many without some other jump has won multiple worlds without it, so why suddenly change the rule just because you feel so? Rather than official rules everyone abide by?

 

[Mathman]

Can someone explain this bear thing? I am completely confused... is there a bear in Madonna's WE?!! Hmmm~~~ :think:

Medved means bear in Russian. (Med = honey. )

Jeannie Honey-bear.

 

[Shayuki]

Rule hasn't changed over night, where does it says in the rule you need to have a 3loop to win? It is ludicrous. Yuna without a loop like many without some other jump has won multiple worlds without it, so why suddenly change the rule just because you feel so? Rather than official rules everyone abide by?

Hasn't, but it has changed to say you can't 2A thrice. That change causes her a loss of 2 points and well, it doesn't sit well with me to not do every triple. It's why I don't really approve of Max Aaron's layout, either. Just like there's no rule stating you have to 3-3 instead of 3-2 in the SP doesn't mean that you should be able to just get away with it and do well.

 

[mary01]

I don't understand how it's posssible to have such blinders on. Mao's FS was hardly great - good but not great - and she had messed up her short. The top 3 all laid down much better performances than Mao, twice. No matter how you cut it, there's no way she deserved a podium given how excellent her competitors were. The only injustice was overscoring Gracie on the PCS in the FS as compared to Mao, Mao should have had second not third PCS of the night, but it wasn't PCS that pushed Mao down, it was the tech and the short.

Mao's FS was glorious she landed a total of 7 triples with 3A, 3-3, and 2A-3t, no matter how many times i replay the 3-3 combo and 2a-3t I don't see why the 3T and 3Lo received a call, i think they were really strict and inconsistant with their calls in the event, and her goe was also way to low, she landed everything smooth and solidly without getting much credit for it in goe, Mao only made one mistake on the 3a in the sp, that shouldn't have cost her to be soo far behind. Overall i just don't like nor agree with the scoring at this event, the scores just seem too random, in the past i could somewhat guess what the outcome would be by watching and following the skaters through the season but right now despite seeing everything live and on replay i still have no idea what the judges marks will be.

 

[OS]

Medved means bear in Russian. (Med = honey. )

Jeannie Honey-bear.

Oh how cute! I find her adorable to be honest.. a sailor moon watcher! She need to do a Sailor moon ex, it will go down a storm in Japan.

Hasn't, but it has changed to say you can't 2A thrice. That change causes her a loss of 2 points and well, it doesn't sit well with me to not do every triple. It's why I don't really approve of Max Aaron's layout, either. Just like there's no rule stating you have to 3-3 instead of 3-2 in the SP doesn't mean that you should be able to just get away with it and do well.

Well put it this way, if there's no limitations and Freeskate are truly free. Loop or no loop, i wonder who would have bank the most point.. no 3 x 2A rule is ridiculous, it is should be up to all the skaters rather than limit just the 1.

Put it this way, I wouldn't put 7 triples young Yuna over a seasoned veteran Yuna at all. PCS is suppose to matter, quality is suppose to matter.

 

[Tolstoj]

Mao's FS was glorious she landed a total of 7 triples with 3A, 3-3, and 2A-3t, no matter how many times i reply the 3-3 combo and 2a-3t I don't see why the 3T and 3Lo received a call, i think they were really strict and inconsistant with their calls in the event, and her goe was also way to low, she landed everything smooth and solidly without getting much credit for it, Mao only made one mistake on the 3a in the sp, that shouldn't have cost her to be soo far behind. overall i just don't like nor agree with the scoring at this event, the scores just seem too random, in the past i could somewhat guess what the outcome would be by watching and following the skaters through the season but right now despite seeing everything live and on reply i still have no idea what the judges marks will be.

In the SP i remember she failed even the combo and that's why she was already out of a medal spot in the free skate. Honesty i don't even know why people complained about Mao's score at Sochi. We have seen her programs in the qualifies, and with two clean performances she would have won a medal there.

About her FS: the PCS are too low i agree, but we should consider that she was skating early, again the skating order didn't help.

 

[TheGrandSophy]

Firstly, er, Yuna isn't here so perhaps stick to the skaters who are or start a new speculation thread?

I wanted to give a few impressions. I was too tired last night as I went for a drink afterwards.

Firstly, Evgenia was great. Fully deserved win. I am not a fan of her SP, but this was beautiful. Also, that dress is stunning!

Ashley skated lights out and I am so glad she deservedly medaled. It was a bit slow and posey in the middle so I think maybe bronze was more appropriate but I ain't complaining. I was so pleased for her.

Anna was great, but the programme for me was a bit dull and jump-focused in places and not very engaging, unlike the SP where I loved her.

Satoko was undermarked shamefully in PCS. Certainly, in my section we were mesmerised. She was ethereal and the spins were absolutely gorgeous. After the event, her scores were the one negative about the competition that we kept going back to discuss. Screw you, judges, if you can't see beauty in all forms!

Although not at her best, there were still some amazing aspects of Mao's skating. We all agreed that it was a privilege to watch such a legend skate.

Altogether a great comp! It was wonderful to see it live!

 

[Rissa]

Mao's FS was glorious she landed a total of 7 triples with 3A, 3-3, and 2A-3t, no matter how many times i reply the 3-3 combo and 2a-3t I don't see why the 3T and 3Lo received a call, i think they were really strict and inconsistant with their calls in the event, and her goe was also way to low, she landed everything smooth and solidly without getting much credit for it, Mao only made one mistake on the 3a in the sp, that shouldn't have cost her to be soo far behind. overall i just don't like nor agree with the scoring at this event, the scores just seem too random, in the past i could somewhat guess what the outcome would be by watching and following the skaters through the season but right now despite seeing everything live and on reply i still have no idea what the judges marks will be.

And even if all that were true... the others still did better. Except Gracie, but oh well.

 

[mary01]

In the SP i remember she failed even the combo and that's why she was already out of a medal spot in the free skate. Honesty i don't even know why people complained about Mao's score at Sochi. We have seen her programs in the qualifies, and with two clean performances she would have won a medal there.

About her FS: the PCS are too low i agree, but we should consider that she was skating early, again the skating order didn't help.

Mao did not fail the combo she landed it clean and solidly, like i said her only mistake was the 3A in the beginning, she landed everything else in the sp and even had the usual level4 on all her elements, but her pcs was too low low, take a look:
http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1516/wc2016/wc2016_Ladies_SP_Scores.pdf

I know she skated early but that does NOT justify them underscoring her like that, that's just wrong on soo many levels

 

[MaiKatze]

Oh how cute! I find her adorable to be honest.. a sailor moon watcher! She need to do a Sailor moon ex, it will go down a storm in Japan.




Well put it this way, if there's no limitations and Freeskate are truly free. Loop or no loop, i wonder who would have bank the most point.. no 3 x 2A rule is ridiculous, it is should be up to all the skaters rather than limit just the 1.

Put it this way, I wouldn't put 7 triples young Yuna over a seasoned veteran Yuna at all. PCS is suppose to matter, quality is suppose to matter.

Jeannie Honey-bear sounds very magical girl like. Honestly, I wish especially the younger crowd would be a bit more creative with their programs and music choices. I think Mao, for example, who is a huge fan of Ayumi Hamasaki could've used an instrumental piece or an interlude from Ayumi's albums as a short program music sometime in her career. Everyone is complaining about Elena, but I think she is one of the few girls who chooses to skate to something she herself loves and identifies with as a young girl. It's not always great (like that JLo piece and Je t'aime) but it's HER and she's passionate about it.

 

[Tolstoj]

Mao did not fail the combo she landed it clean and solidly, like i said her only mistake was the 3A in the beginning, she landed everything else in the sp and even had the usual level4 on all her elements, but her pcs was too low low, take a look:
http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1516/wc2016/wc2016_Ladies_SP_Scores.pdf

I know she skated early but that does NOT justify them underscoring her like that, that's just wrong on soo many levels

Ah omg sorry, i thought you was talking about Sochi.

Here at Worlds i agree, again the skating order didn't help but 200 when you see other skaters ahead by 10 points with so many mistakes is a little weird to me... i've always complained on how Mao is underscored most of the time, she is such an underrated skater.

 

[begin]

Yuna Kim with the most consistently lacking 3Lo, you mean?

I really think that you're letting nostalgia cloud your vision here.

This is such an involved choreography with difficult elements that it would be even MORE in the spotlight in Vancouver even if Yuna could mask her lack of 3Lo with a third 2A for a significantly lower penalty.

Medvedeva wouldn't be doing what she's doing if Yuna hadn't done what she did in Vancouver. Every skater is influenced by and improve from the best of past. Yuna's programs may look empty by today's standard but back then, it was the most difficult program anyone had attempted when it came to transitions and jumps. Back then, the talk was all about how she (and Orser) knew how to take full advantage of the COP system. Obviously that system and judging has changed a lot (something Yuna also influenced) but we see skaters like Medvedeva basically continuing what she started--using all of your advantages to maximum potential to make up for your weaknesses.

Anyway how does her lack of 3Lo have anything to do with backloaded? If necessary Yuna would've back loaded the crap out of her program to win, choreography be damned. That said, we really don't know what a competitive Yuna would look like in the post-Vancouver world. She literally only competed 4-5 times between 2010-2014 when skating and judging made huge developments (a lot more transitions, differences in GOE scaling, changes in required elements, etc) and most of her peers developed right with it. When she did compete, she was doing stuff she was already capable of doing before her hiatus.

 

[OS]

Jeannie Honey-bear sounds very magical girl like. Honestly, I wish especially the younger crowd would be a bit more creative with their programs and music choices. I think Mao, for example, who is a huge fan of Ayumi Hamasaki could've used an instrumental piece or an interlude from Ayumi's albums as a short program music sometime in her career. Everyone is complaining about Elena, but I think she is one of the few girls who chooses to skate to something she herself loves and identifies with as a young girl. It's not always great (like that JLo piece and Je t'aime) but it's HER and she's passionate about it.

Yes yes yes Mao in something modern, extreme, jpop queen like electronic pop / classical instrumental Ayumi Hamasaki would be all sort of Amazing. Lazer beam lights, Dry ice smokes, Clubbing night vibe! Super modern outfits. A new image need to bring her to smack up to date with a refreshing outlook. A nice reinvention and have fun!!


WOW Rika Eureka! (am watching the repeats) That has vibe of Jason Brown sort of gogogogo river blading energizimazing!

Great crowd Boston!!! Really supportive!!!



One good thing of Yuna no longer do shows with Wilson is that it frees him up to do 50%+ of all WC programs, to enabled him to make deserving KnC appearances! Hope he enjoys all the acknowledgements and the accolades he sought I may start a Wilson and Scarf collection. He has some umm interesting scarfs...

 

[Pouchkine]

Fantastic free skates last night all around. The crowd was great also. This podium is really beautiful and all really deserving. Medvedeva is already the best I've ever seen, what charm, grace and elegance.