Who do you like so far this season?

[skateluvr]

I would like to know who you have watched in the Senior B competitions and Summer comps and jpg if you watch those and what you think as we are seeing programs of top skaters.

I have watched several and I really cannot assess well the cop so I leave that to others. As far as the very top skaters we are not seeing them all as yet but there are several skaters I like who have done their programs at least once.

On the JGP. CIRCUIT I must say watch Polina T. I think her programs are good and she's absolutely beautiful. I think she is going to be meteoric and I am not sure why she is not a senior this year. I find her more the real deal than Evgenia. I think everyone has watched the test skate and it was so controversial I think the thread got closed. This year I can't say a bad thing about Polina T - even her costumes were beautiful. I wonder what the people who love CoP and the math think of her programs?

I also loved watching Jason and while he clearly is not going to fight with quads it was a treat to see him mature some more. Any Brown fans want to pick apart his programs on tech side?

The current JGP dance pair is American and I love them. I have not followed them before and I need to check the name spellings but they are beautiful skaters and stunning people.

As for Tessa and Scott I think only the short was there but they took on Prince andI was glad to see them back. They surely are working to get that piece down. Anyone want to comment?

As for Ice Dance I love Chock and Bates as usual. I thought the new direction/style was a good thing.

It is great to see so many programs - though I was overwhelmed bingeing on so much.

I have to say Satoko is disappointing this year. Her sp was nothing special and she is so tiny and childlike when not packaged well. I am a Satoko fan but very meh with what I saw. But hey first time out so yes cut all a break.

I see lots are watching the comp threads. Esp wondering how virtue Moir compare with the top teams so far? Thanks.

 

[Arriba627]

I love both of Shoma's programs this year. I like that he is trying different styles from last year. He has worked so hard during the off season, and I think it shows. He is ready to roll for the season and did so well at Lombardia and the Japan Open. His FS costume really suits him and helps him "sell" the tango program. He will be coming up against quite a tough field of competitors at Skate America, so we'll see where he goes from here!

 

[mrrice]

I love Max Aaron all the time but, I really think he has a winning program with his Lion King LP.

 

[Blades of Passion]

Max Aaron's LP is "so bad that it's good". His attempts at the soulful parts of the music are like watching a goofy kid in a middle school play, in that he is definitely not bringing out any of the depth or soul of the text, but he is "failing while cute". So it's kind of endearing. But what really makes the program is that 'Techno Lion King' section. It's so, so hilarious.

 

[mrrice]

Max Aaron's LP is "so bad that it's good". His attempts at the soulful parts of the music are like watching a goofy kid in a middle school play, in that he is definitely not bringing out any of the depth or soul of the text, but he is "failing while cute". So it's kind of endearing. But what really makes the program is that 'Techno Lion King' section. It's so, so hilarious.

IMO, That's the beauty of his program. I NEVER thought I'd scream "Work It!!" While watching Max.

I had never heard of this Junior Skater but, I really like him. I guess he's from Russia but he skates for the US. His name is Alexei KRASNOZHON https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgkW1PF-f9I

 

[DiamondDust]

hmm... so far for the men, I like Yuzuru : both SP and LP are very different so it'll be interesting to see how he pulls both off. I also like Jason Brown, he's great artistically so I hope he can work on his quads. Max' Lion King also seems interesting .

ETA: After Finlandia I gotta add Ryuju Hino's sp and Patrick Chan's LP.

For the ladies I like Elizabet Tursynbaeva : She's got a lot to work on, but this tiny lady's got 2 lovely programs this season. Ashley Wagner too I like.

ETA: Mao Asada's SP and LP, she's lovely to watch for sure (only missing her 3A though).

For Dance : Moir - Virtue

Juniors : Vincent Zhou, Jun-Hwan Cha & Roman Sadovsky ; Mako Yamashita & Elizaveta Nugumanova

 

[itoja]

Max is so cute in his Lion King program! He will definitely be one of the highlights of every competition for me. Adorable dancing cub.


Right now, what I keep rewatching are these 'tangos with a twist':

- Shoma Uno's LP - so great to see him developing his own style. At JO finally everything came together in the program. His intensity, the quickness of the step seq, 3A combo and a cantilever in precisely right moments. But mostly it is this little weirdness that makes this program amazing. He just is 'loco loco' :hap36: Go Shoma! (I don't care much about his SP tho)

- Gilles/Poirier's FD - a weird tango is what I've expected from them, but what we've got is one of the most subtle tangos ever. It has this silent movies' vibe, Rudolph Valentino dancing with his partner. Sensual and dreamy. Enchanting. Her dress is just perfect - please, please don't ever change it for a red cliche! And of course their disco SD is the best SD so far.

- Anna Pogorilaya's LP - just great.

 

[daphenaxa]

Seniors:
- Yuzuru, I like both programs and expect to love them when skated more convincingly
- Shoma, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the FS, could love the SP
- Nathan Chen, from that video of his FS, I think it could be a killer program
- Anna Pogorilaya, I really like both programs and she improved a lot
- Adelina Sotnikova, I LOVE both programs but I don't expect her to compete at all at this point
- Mao, love the SP can't wait for the FS
- James/Ciprès, I really like both programs, great music choices that really suit them and they noticeably improved imo
- Savchenko/Massot, I was not a fan last year but both programs this year especially the FS are wonderful and innovative which I really appreciate
- Gilles/Poirier amazing FD, that tango really is fantastic
- Virtue/Moir I like their FD so far

honorable mentions:
Bobrova/Soloviev, I think i will really like that program but at test skates it was unfinished and at Ondrej Nepala, the video is incomplete so I will reserve judgement
Saw Li Zijun's snippet of her SP step seq and I can't wait to see that program, it looks so good.
Really impressed with both new Chinese pair teams (Yu/Zhang and Peng/Jin) I mean granted their programs look boring but I can just marvel at how good they already look.

I have been way too invested in junior ladies this year and I really like many.
- Marin Honda is my queen
- Mako Yamashita
- Elizaveta Nugumanova
- Anastasiia Gubanova
- I like Polina Tsurskaya a lot better than last year, and i like her SP (though she should really drop that weird useless hand moves/choreography) LP does nothing for me

In junior ice dance I love
- Abachkina/Thauron
- Loboda/Drozd
and Natacha Lagouge/Corentin Rahier's FD!

 

[andromache]

Chock/Bates have finally won me over. I've never found their programs especially memorable, but this season both the SD and ESPECIALLY the FD are amazing and unique. Their loss to C/L was ridiculous.

Gabby Daleman also impressed me. She's got fire and huge jumps and her skating is really starting to acquire some nice polish. I've usually been Team Alaine in the Alaine v Gabby rivalry, but I might've switched over.

I did not expect to see so much artistic development since last season from Polina Tsurskaya, but WOW!

 

[Rissa]

So many...

Yuzuru's got 2 great programs, Pogo's got 2 amazing ones, Rika Hongo great SP, Shoma great FS, rurns out I actually like Javi's FS, I love Julia Lipnitskaya SP and I think her FS will be great, Daniel Samohin's got 2 programs I love, he just needs to execute them. The Loin King and Princess Mononoke have my love as well.

Amongst juniors the only programs I really enjoy are Samarin's. None of other junior boys' or girls' programs caught my attention enough to stand out.

ETA: Whoa, Mao's SP is absoltely fantastic!

 

[da96103]

I like that quad loop has finally been released from the 'Not-yet-Jumped' jail, leaving quad axel to continue to serve its sentence for another 5-10 years (or never be released in my lifetime). Quad loop is able to visit all the skating venues, joining quad lutz and quad flip who were released last season.

I like that the non-toeloop non-salchow quads are being given life by more than one skater.
Lutz: Jin, Chen
Flip: Uno, Chen
Loop: Hanyu, Krasnozhon

I like that one of the ladies have joined the exclusive triple axel club. Bravo young Rika.

 

[temadd]

I really enjoyed Anna Pogorilaya's SP today at Finlandia. She really showed excellent connection to the music and lovely soulful choreography. She looked like she was enjoying the music instead of skating a little overly determined/angry like she did at worlds.

Mao's SP was also beautiful today. I feel like the program is an improvement over last season's which were not so spectacular for me.


I'm also pleasantly surprised by Ashley Wagner's new LP. I was skeptical of the music initially but she interpreted it really well.
Just hoping for a little more transition choreography. Also liked:

• the new entrance into her 3F3T
• that she is going to put the 2T on the end of the lutz instead of the 2A
• that her solo 3F looked stronger (it usually looks a little flat and crooked)
• that she kept the same entrance into the solo 3Lo (I think she does it beautifully) and
• that she skated into her jumps with more speed.

 

[Franklin99]

From what I've seen:

Anna P: I really love how much she improved overall since 2014. There's still improvements to be made overall, but she definitely moving the right direction!

Katelyn? Osmond: I loved her SP today. I'm glad to see her make a comeback after suffering injuries last season. Hoping she has much better 2016-17 season.

Mao Asada: I love Mao! Love her! Because of her, I got back into FS in 2010 after Michelle's OGM lost broke my very young heart back in 98'. After watching the other girls SP today, Mao style, maturity, and elegance definitely stood apart from everyone else. I can't wait to see her LP tomorrow.

Shomo Uno: Haven't seen his SP, but his LP is absolutely divine. The spirit of Dai Takahashi's passion lives on!

Yuzuru Hanyu: Not expecting him to peak so early, so i'm not bummed by those mistakes in his programs. But I am so ready for when he brings his A game later on in the season.

I need to watch Max Aaron programs, he is my absolute guilty pleasure!

 

[Ice Dance]

I have re-watched the following programs:

Mariah Bell's SP.
Cha's SP.
Lewis & Bye's SD.
McNamara & Carpenter. Oh, let's face it. I've watched both their SD from Ostrava and their FD from Lake Placid a LOT of times.
Mirai Nagasu's LP.
Sotnikova's SP.

 

[karne]

I need to watch Max Aaron programs, he is my absolute guilty pleasure!

Don't feel guilty. Embrace it. :yes:

 

[Layback11]

So far, I have really liked:

1. Kaetlyn Osmond. What a charmer she is! I adore both of her programs this year; I've always liked her, but this looks like it's going to be the season I become a true fan of hers. :yes: She looked fantastic at Finlandia, so I hope that is an indicator of how her season will go.

2. Mao Asada: once again, showing why she's a legend. Just exquisite programs.

3. Evgenia Medvedeva: her new SP is one of my favorites so far.

4. Mariah Bell: a totally underrated performer, and now actually somewhat consistent! Mariah is an adorable ray of sunshine and her short program is the MOSTEST fun. THE MOSTEST.

5. Aimee Buchanan: SHE DOES A. FREAKING. BACK. LAYBACK. COMBINATION. SHUT. UP. AND. TAKE. MY. MONEY.

6. Polina Tsurskaya: jumping as well as ever, now with the polish and presence of a very elegant, mature young lady.

7. Virtue/Moir: I love their new SD, even though I didn't ever watch the FD. (I've barely watched any of the ice dance this season. )

8. Anastasia Gubanova: the glorious benchmark to which all "baby ballerinas" should be held.

9. Alisa Fedichkina: still as smol and adorably expressive as ever, except less consistent.

10. Rika Kihara: Mini Miss Triple Axel! When Mao decides to retire, at least she can rest easy knowing she has an awesome 3A successor.

11. Emily Chan: my Artistic Spinny Splat-Princess (well, actually, I have something like fifteen of those )...

12. Gracie Gold: the debut of her "Daphnis et Chloe" program may have been a trainwreck, but I think it has more raw potential than any of her previous FSes.

 

[Seren]

1. Anna Pogorilaya- she's my favorite Russian lady and seems to have this newfound confidence. It's awesome to see.

2. Ashley Wagner- I love her new LP and like Anna she seems more calm and confident

3. Satoko Miyahara- I love Star Wars, I love Satoko's elegance.

4. Waksman Higuchi

 

[nolangoh]

Hmm so far I am loving' the followings:

Mao's SP and FS (SP for the mysteriousness and the FS for the enchanting choreography)

Satoko's FS (I like her dancing with the Stars, and she is as divine as Venus in that white dress)

Rika's SP (stunning dress and choreography)

Kaetlyn's FS (this is surprisingly spectacular)

Mirai's FS (The winner takes it all~~~just beautiful with the spiral)

Pogorilaya's FS (she shows so much emotion)

Aliona/Bruno's SP

 

[Jaana]

So far I have liked after men´s sp in Finlandia Trophy:

Chen´s sp
Hendrickx´s sp
Chan´s sp
Kovtun´s sp

Pogorilaya´s sp and fs
Osmond´s sp and fs

and most of all Javier´s Elvis freeskate from JO.

 

[Alex D]

For me, Anastasiia Gubanova has taken my heart with flying colours years ago and to see her skate at Dresden was incredible.

Then of course Madison and Evan,

who just bring a new aspect to ice Dance. They risk losing points, to Entertain the crowds.

Arina Maxim, are also wonderful, the power of youth with so much creativity. They might be in 10 years, what Madi and Evan are today for ice Dance.

In pairs I like the FS of Renata and Mark a lot, the idea and choreo is wonderful. I hope they Stick together, she seemed so lonely this weekend.