One Great Performance after another, early on in the Senior Ladies' Short!

[icesk8erdude4e]

One Great Performance after another, early on in the Senior Ladies' Short!

Wow it was one great performance after another tonight, definately it proves that in the US we have a LOT of good ladies' skaters and maybe one day that'll be re established firmly on the world scene once again.

The most memorable performances of the night will definately be the following:

Kimmie Meissner
Beatrisa Liang
Emily Hughes
Katy Taylor
Rachel Flatt

those will definately live on for a while........

Some of the other up and comers were awesome such as Juliana Canarrozo, I think that she's definately one of those that will be the future of Ladies' Skating in the US.

 

[R.D.]

And let me tell you, Saturday's freeskate will be the most suspenseful, exciting Nats ever...at least in a LOOOONG time. Kimmie is ahead but since it's only 3 points, a mistake or an off-day can potentially open the door for Hughes or Liang if they're on. But if I was a betting man I'd still put all my chips on ol' Kim at this point...

But Kim has only a moderate lead. We thought 2nd would belong to Hughes but Liang really stepped it up. Still, though, how do her freeskate numbers hold up, and if she's on does she have enough points to upset Hughes for 2nd?

 

[gkelly]

Liang really stepped it up. Still, though, how do her freeskate numbers hold up, and if she's on does she have enough points to upset Hughes for 2nd?

If she's on, Liang is capable of +2 spins, and I don't think Hughes or Meissner would get more than +1 for theirs. Not sure what the judges would do in terms of components, or how the technical content would compare the Hughes's. Hasn't tried a triple-triple for several years now (and I don't remember if she ever landed them cleanly at the time), so it's unlikely she could match Meissner on the jumps. But if she can complete most or all of what she tries, second place should be within reach.

 

[flying camel]

I don't think BeBe will beat Meissner in the long. But she can beat Emily. Also doesn't Emily have a sore leg?

I bet some of the ladies have either read on these forums all the criticism about their skating this season, So, that means some of the skaters read these forums and some are probably members.

 

[number9dream]

Always remember that anything can happen! Didn't hear about Emily's sore leg, hope she is okay.

 

[eliza88]

That was so exciting! To see so many of them BRING IT!! Bebe just wow'ed me! To me she always seems so tense and rushes everything, not so last night! She looked like she was enjoying herself very much out there, finishing her moves, and oh those spins! Talking about spins, Alissa is in a class of her own! I enjoy her skating so much...damn those jumps! I also really enjoyed Rachel Flatt.

There seemed to be alot more elegance and a lot less "juniorish" skating...

eliza88

 

[Tinymavy15]

I think it's great when everybody skates thier best. It really makes the compotion a lot more intersting. Out of all the ladies only two ro three fell in the short. i think that kimmiw will deffinalty win, athiugh i belive unfairly.. but the other three spots are anybodys game. it was great to see Katy skate so well. That was the best i have ever seen her skate. i could not belive it was the same girl. Ihope she meadls, but even if she dosen't she will have th great emeory of skateing her heart out a natioanls.

 

[lutzskate]

I paused Kimme's triple triple and it was cheated on the end. I thought Emily's skate was so amazing. I thought her choreography, her spins and the power of her jumps were all superior to Kimme's. I thought Emily should have been in first. (I don't have any favourites - I'm just calling it like I saw it.) Even Dick Button commented that some of Kimme's spins weren't great, but Emily has great quality of spins.

 

[SeaniBu]

Kimmie is going to have to "step up" IMO, whether or not the Judges pad based on career / heart or whatever - if she wants to save face and feel great about winning she will have to pull it out and leave no question in the LP. But the likelihood that she will win (judging / scheduled components, etc...) but to feel great and have no doubt I bet is first on her mind to do it without doubt to anyone including her.

 

[kyla2]

The Ladies

I don't think the other ladies are going to let Kimmie just walk through this. She better bring her A game Saturday. I was very impressed with Bebe but the LP has always been harder for her. But I am hoping she can pull it off. Rachel and Katy did very well also. I feel bad for saying this but I find Emily's presentation style very boring. I wish I felt differently because I think she's a nice kid.

 

[Zuranthium]

Kimmie was so ridiculously held up by the judges; it's LAUGHABLE! She should have been in 4th place:

1. Emily Hughes
2. Bebe Liang
3. Rachel Flatt
4. Kimmie Meissner
5. Katy Taylor

~Z

 

[Spun Silver]

I take back every unenthusiastic thing I've said about Flatt. What a great senior debut. Whatever happens tomorrow, I predict that she will soon surpass Kimmie. She can match her technically and is far more expressive and interesting.

Katy's and especially Bebe's skates were wonderful too and I was gasping at Alissa's spins (and smile). With Emily I always think there is less there than meets the eye... even though she has such a great personality. Hard to pick among those skates! Alas, I can't see the FP live.

 

[R.D.]

Yes, except for one caveat: Rachel still has to grow.

 

[SeaniBu]

Yes, except for one caveat: Rachel still has to grow.

In that aspect I see the same need for Kimmie as Rach, I think they both are going to give us the "big stuff" here this year. But here I go again with the positive attitude.

 

[Zuranthium]

I was gasping at Alissa's spins

OMG, I know. They were all AMAZING.

Too bad about the Lutz, otherwise I would have had her as 1st place (as opposed to 6th).

~Z

 

[emma]

I just have to chime in about Alyssa's spins and overall presentation quality - AMAZING - really breathtaking. All of the spins were gorgeous - but that one where she held her leg up by her head with one hand, and her other arm sort of moved down from like should height to her waist, little by little with each turn - her hand was palm up -- that was like amazing.

It really is too bad she didn't hit the lutz AND has jump consistency problems.

 

[lutzskate]

Kimmie was so ridiculously held up by the judges; it's LAUGHABLE! She should have been in 4th place:

1. Emily Hughes
2. Bebe Liang
3. Rachel Flatt
4. Kimmie Meissner
5. Katy Taylor

~Z

I agree with your assessment. That's where I would have had them as well.

 

[number9dream]

Imo, I think Kimmie was outskated. Bebe, Emily, and Katie were outstanding!

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I just have to chime in about Alyssa's spins and overall presentation quality - AMAZING - really breathtaking. All of the spins were gorgeous - but that one where she held her leg up by her head with one hand, and her other arm sort of moved down from like should height to her waist, little by little with each turn - her hand was palm up -- that was like amazing.

It really is too bad she didn't hit the lutz AND has jump consistency problems.

Problem with all of this is that the judges know the shortcomings of each skater and if they have not corrected the problems, I believe the judges tend to score heavily against a 'branded' skater. Only Kimmie has a history of better than average LPs and maybe Rachaeil (we don't really know her yet). Some judges, of course, have their personal favorites but then that's what the CoP is all about: to take care of biased judging.

We'll see this morning, how it goes.

Joe

 

[R.D.]

I'd maybe have Kimmie in the virtual tie with BeBe and Emily. That 3-3 should not have been ratified and basically THAT's what gave her that lead (I believe).