2018 Olympic Figure Skating Team Event Day 3

[Seruleane]

Alina looked a bit off on some of her jumps. Definitely overscored compared to Europeans.

I do agree her jumps were more shaky than at Europeans. She looked nervous to me and I really thought she was going to fall or step out. So kudos to her for staying clean. Testament to good training from Eteri and staying mentally tough

 

[Lissy]

US has no chance at silver right? NBC keeps saying the US is still fighting for silver.

 

[PyeongChang2018]

Med isn’t quite Michelle Kwan, but Zagi is definitely Tara Lipinski. My preference is clear. Zhenya for gold!!!!

Except Zagi has a real lutz.

 

[Mista Ekko]

I hate it when people insinuate Alina is not doing anything other than skating around waiting for the second half to start. She is doing choreography that is jam packed with difficult moves and transitions! This is way more difficult than any footwork sequence I have seen other skaters doing. I think Layback posted once how it was amazing seeing Alina do all of those things, because as a skater, she realizes how difficult it is, So no, Alina is not just "killing time."

Saying a skater isn't doing anything if they're not jumping in the first half is just as valid

as saying a skater isn't doing anything if they're not jumping in the second half

Doesn't matter how "intricate" their posing or footwork is

Zagitova basically has a minute and 45 seconds jump section in her FS

 

[sabinfire]

Hey, I saw my YouTube name a few times on NBC during the Shibutani fluff segment!

 

[FunsizedFlier]

For anyone not watching the NBC TV broadcast, the ShibSibs helped direct and produce the feature on themselves and it was very Them. They also talked about participating in a program where they were matched with a class from a Pyeongchang school and talked with the students once a month leading up to the games, where they'll all get to meet!

 

[moonvine]

Didn't know someone was feeling the team event that much. I've always thought it's a subpar competition, maybe even less hyped than World Team Trophy.

It's an Olympic medal and I for one am glad that the skaters have a chance at an additional medal. And I've been plenty nervous myself.

 

[Mista Ekko]

US has no chance at silver right? NBC keeps saying the US is still fighting for silver.

Nope, It's gone, 5 points apart

 

[b-man]

I'm starting to believe Mirai has a shot of walking away from this Olympics with two bronzes...

We can wish, but I am elated with 2nd in team freeskate! Beat Kaori, Caro and Gabby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Roast Toast]

I'm really sad the Shibutanis are doing both segments. I hate that Chock and Bates or Hubbell and Donohue didn't get a chance at the team medal since they both have outscored the Shibutanis in the FD, plus H/D are the national champs. I know people wanted Mirai to get a medal, but I really don't get why they swapped out the ladies and not dance.

Probably because Mirai came in second and Bradie would have been below Caro?

edit: also US champions or not the Shibs clearly gave the USFS more reasons to trust them for this over the past quad. Too little too late for H/D and C/B.

 

[Alifyre]

Gosh what a breath of fresh air from the ladies after the messy men. A few imperfections but overall they really solidified my preference for women's skating that has been developing all season. It's so much easier to enjoy the skating when the skaters stay on their feet!

 

[s_parks]

Dang it, why did V/M bedazzle their costumes

 

[WeakAnkles]

I'm really sad the Shibutanis are doing both segments. I hate that Chock and Bates or Hubbell and Donohue didn't get a chance at the team medal since they both have outscored the Shibutanis in the FD, plus H/D are the national champs. I know people wanted Mirai to get a medal, but I really don't get why they swapped out the ladies and not dance.

Give Mirai credit. She pretty much nailed the bronze for the Americans.

 

[Skatingcat]

Rippon's being sassy, engaging and charming, giving lots of great sound bites for NBC. I suspect Johnny Weir's grinding his teeth and hoping he won't lose his job.

 

[beki]

My husband was bored during Alina’s first half. Her skills aren’t up to making her movements seem purposeful and engaging. But I have seen her skate with more charisma than she had today. She was very focused.

 

[Silvia451]

please no overscoring for B/S this time

 

[zanadude]

I have mixed feelings about Alina and her program. On one hand, she is brilliant with the structure of the program and using the scoring system against itself. On the other hand, I agree completely with what Ashley tweeted:

"Ok. I respect the competitive approach. But no cannot do this set up. It's not a program. She killed time in the beginning and then just jumped the second half. It's not a performance. I understand that this is what the system allows but it's not all figure skating is about"

Edited to add another tweet from Ashley:

"Points on points. It's the system and she's working it, you can't blame her it works"

The reigning US Pewter Medalist would be a little more convincing if she didn't have the Sour Grapes factor working against her.

 

[BlackAxel]

I think Evgenia can kiss her ogm goodbye now.:noshake:

Her short pcs should beat Alina by 5 points at least and give her advantage to complete with Alina's tes. I guess it is not going to happen and it is such a shame cause she is really tried to develop herself artistically for all these years.

Anyone know if Kaori is injured? The way she walk after her skate made me worry.

If Evgenia's PCS is 5 points higher than Alina's in the SP ... Then the GOE + BV for Alina's jump's in the SP should be 5 points higher. Let's keep it real, Evgenia's jumps DO NOT compare to Alina's.

 

[schizoanalyst]

Her spins are some of the best of the competition, her step sequences could be better but are actually a bit difficult, but then I watch all the other Ladies and remember that no one is Mao Asada when it comes to that. Alina does a VERY good job.

I don't think any of the women in this team event are particularly *great* spinners (Nagasu used to have a fabulous layback, but I guess it's disappeared). I said Alina was a good spinner . She has speed, but her positions are just good and the position changes lack fluidity. It's just they aren't special enough for me to interrupt the boredom of the trivial movements.

The step sequence is OK. She hits the turns, but the edge quality is rather low and no movement is ever finished. She doesn't perform it with great speed or energy either. It's just fine.

I didn't say she was bad. I said it wasn't good enough to maintain my attention.

 

[cheerknithanson]

US has no chance at silver right? NBC keeps saying the US is still fighting for silver.

You are correct. Mathematically no chance.