2018 Olympic Figure Skating Ladies FS

[*~RussianBleux~*]

That is categorically false.

Both Med and Zagitova went to Kaetlyn first and hugged her before getting on the platform.

I meant back stage. You have to hug at the ceremony. That's part of the deal. Why not acknowledge her back stage in the little room like the others? Maybe Alina was shy because she does not speak English.

 

[combinationspin]

I really hope not. There's a good reason that the men's is my least favourite discipline now. While it's cool to see Mirai try the triple axel, look what it does to her program. There is nothing going on while she sets up for it.

In the off season on the boards I think I might post a thread seeing how people feel about splitting off a jumping competition for those who like that sort of thing from a comp for men focusing on the other aspects of great skating, which would limit the number of jumps and their type.

Have you seen Rika Kihira’s 3A and 3A+3T in the LP at the Japanese nationals? She made them look like a breeze just like any other jumps. I pray to god that she can maintain these jumps through puberty and challenge for the ladies’ throne.

 

[anyanka]

Well, I don't think so. Alina's coach Eteri didn't even hug her, was hugging Evgenia in the corner. And Kaetlyn's coach hugged her. I don't think Eteri is evil like some comments are suggesting, and it's a human reaction to prefer one student to the next. But I feel bad for Alina, she looked so alone and didn't have anyone to celebrate her OLYMPIC GOLD medal with. She was crying by herself when she found out, stark contrast to Yuzuru crying and Brian coming to hug him AND Javi, Aliona crying and having her coaches come to her, and Tessa and Scott having their coaches come see them. I wish Alina were older so she could handle it better, this is a lot for a 15 year old and while she has great respect for Evgenia, it must suck to realize and while you won, most people (the Russian commentators) were still talking about how Evgenia should have won.

There's something very curious about that as well, I thought. She said in interviews she felt alone and doesn't have many friends. Evgenia is beloved in the skating community so that must be quite a contrast.

This was a major contrast with the backstage of the pairs when the three pairs were all celebrating, while the three in the room tonight were just hanging out very quietly.

 

[sailormoon]

I think Evgenia's free program for this season was weaker than the previous one, which was why she could not beat her best score of 241, which is still unbeaten. To win the gold medal, she needed to score close to her personal best.

 

[jenaj]

I'm surprised anyone was surprised at Zagitova's win. It was obvious that once Zag's PCS ballooned well above the 9s that Evgenia couldn't win unless Zag made mistakes. It was very close here and I think the judges realized, too late, that they had made it no contest. Hence, Zag's "lower" PCS in her long program. That kept it close but it wasn't enough. I prefer Evgenia, but put my money, so to speak, on Zagitova.

 

[anyanka]

That is categorically false.

Both Med and Zagitova went to Kaetlyn first and hugged her before getting on the platform.

Yup. They all followed protocol. NBC showed a very long hug between Alina and Evgenia as well.

Nothing to see here, folks.

 

[[email protected]]

That was one big emotional roller coaster!

 

[Fruit Loops]

Well you never know. I would expect at least one US Figure Skating Coach to figure out to write programs to game the scoring system like the Russians did - and find a skater strong enough to pull it off. I would also expect Gabby Daleman to go in that direction... Gabby has to in 2022, it's her last shot at individual Olympic podium.

And you never know when some new star will shoot through the ranks or someone finally discovers themselves and turns around their career. There are just so many variables in this sport. Jumping beans are often hit by the puberty troll (not all, mind you) or someone gets injured, leaving room at the top.....


But I get some of the angst. I'm looking at the Canadian men right now and wondering when, or if, we will have another top ranked skater again. It had been the strongest discipline for so long and now.....we will have to wait and see.

 

[twirlingblades]

And you never know when some new star will shoot through the ranks or someone finally discovers themselves and turns around their career. There are just so many variables in this sport. Jumping beans are often hit by the puberty troll (not all, mind you) or someone gets injured, leaving room at the top.....


But I get some of the angst. I'm looking at the Canadian men right now and wondering when, or if, we will have another top ranked skater again. It had been the strongest discipline for so long and now.....we will have to wait and see.

US had one in Gracie, but unfortunately she was eaten alive by nerves and outside factors. It's a shame because her and prime Ashley was really the only women the US had skating well for more than a season or two.

 

[jiawen2016]

It feels like a deja vu of of many past Olympic moments that in the end, the little lucky girl won. I guess it's the poignant nature of this sport. I'm just so grateful to watch all these brilliant performances and experience such intense emotions with the skaters. Zhenya and Alina have made history together that will never be forgotten!

It has been an emotional rollercoaster; I'm really happy for the skaters who delivered their best including Kaetlyn, Satoko and Kaori, but sad for Maria, Gabby and the American ladies.

It must be really tough to be Russian No.3 who has to fight constantly to be on the team, and I feel that Masha, as the survivor of the "Russian hunger game", has burned out during the first half of the season, and the 4th place finish at the Europeans really shook her confidence :noshake:

Gabby's "pogo" meltdown reminded me of Anna's nightmare a year ago, and it somehow made me believe in karma in a pessimistic way ...

Caro is a true legend herself, and who knows maybe we will see another "Caro" on the rise from this Olympics :luv17:?

 

[anyanka]

I think Evgenia's free program for this season was weaker than the previous one, which was why she could not beat her best score of 241, which is still unbeaten. To win the gold medal, she needed to score close to her personal best.

It's a gorgeous program but it didn't build to a crescendo like Alina's, and didn't have the emotional climax that last year's 9/11 themed FS did.

I'm hoping Sailor Zhenya will continue into 2022 and get that elusive OGM by then. Tonight's performance of Anna Karenina was the most engaged I've seen her all season. She's become a truly mature artist. It would be a shame if she hung up her skates and gets surpassed by the "next generation" of skaters from her own rink.

 

[AvgeekJoe]

US really needs a reboot. All the ladies fell in both short and long I think. Japanese ladies and KO were magnificent. I was disappointed in CK as I thought she would have a more emotional farewell skate. Maybe it's not farewell.

Maybe Sarah Hughes should finish getting her law degree - she's ThisClose like within a semester or two - and then help lead that.

Also needed from the US Side: A plan to game the scoring system & perhaps geopolitics. The Russians had it.

Kaetlyn wasn't going to do that and under the old system where artistry mattered would have easily won the whole thing. But what matters most to me as a Yank for Osmond is Kaetlyn's genuinely happy. If you truly care for your athlete, that's what matters.

 

[twirlingblades]

It's a gorgeous program but it didn't build to a crescendo like Alina's, and didn't have the emotional climax that last year's 9/11 themed FS did.

I'm hoping Sailor Zhenya will continue into 2022 and get that elusive OGM by then. Tonight's performance of Anna Karenina was the most engaged I've seen her all season. She's become a truly mature artist. It would be a shame if she hung up her skates and gets surpassed by the "next generation" of skaters from her own rink.

Unpopular opinion but I liked her 9/11 program (even if the voiceovers were tacky). The second half (with the loop on the music change) was amazing. I wish that was her program this year.

 

[Suzzzy]

Zhenia... I cried with you..! Karenina was emotional and great! So sad you are not gol

 

[Osmond4gold]

When they gave Osmond 152, I thought they had forsworn the punishment for edge violation for ALL skaters to make room for Medvedeva, who in fact turned out to be the only one let off. I guess they really wanted to give her the gold medal.

What edge, what are you talking about? Go back a page here and see what was discussed re her lutz today. She totally earned a podium finish EoL and you may not like it but, tough love!

 

[anyanka]

Unpopular opinion but I liked her 9/11 program (even if the voiceovers were tacky). The second half (with the loop on the music change) was amazing. I wish that was her program this year.

I did as well. I didn't care for it initially but she infused it with a respect and gravitas that it deserves. I still watch it, it's now my favourite program of hers.

 

[MIM]

If the ladies start to land quads and 3As, we would not have to worry about backloading.. it will take another decade or two when ladies backload quads and 3As. So we have some time to have some balanced programs jump layout wise.

It is undeniable that the figure skating advances technically. Top ten skaters have at least two triple (or 2axel) -(half loop) -triple jumps. I am certain it wasn’t like this in Vancouver.

 

[Tavi...]

She “got a taste of her own medicine”? Like she was some mean girl beating up on everyone else and now they’ve beaten up on her? Seriously?

Like I said, the scoring was never her fault but she's definitely benefited from it. My tone was not directed at her, just at her hypocritical fans

Except that despite your disclaimer, your post comes off very much as if it were her fault. If you feel she was overscored in the past, the proper target of your anger and scorn is the judges and scoring system, not Evgenia, and not anyone who loved her performance tonight and wishes she had won.

 

[Pippuripihvi]

https://s5o.ru/storage/simple/ru/edt/98/9f/15/01/rue8766dd929d.jpg made my heart cry :sad4:

 

[Warwick360]

Robin Cousin during Evgenia's performance near the end...."This is a gold winning performance".

Truly, after Sochi fiasco, he really should prevent himself from saying that before everyone gets to see how it plays out.