Worlds hasn't been this exciting in a while! Gold and Silver will no doubt be a battle between Rika and Alina, with Bronze contended by Liza, Kaori, Satoko (in that order).
Less likely but still possible bronze contenders include: Sofia, Evgenia (if she is sent instead of Liza), Bradie, and Elizabet. Eunsoo, Mariah, Viveca, Loena, Gabby, Alexia, Alaine should round out the Top 15.
1. Rika: Rika has the edge over the rest of the field with her
three 3A's.
If she lands them well, only an absolutely perfect Alina will come close. However, Rika's short program will be her achilles' heel. If she pops her 3A and Alina skates perfectly in the short, Alina may have a 10-15 pt advantage going into the free -- Rika's free can only save her so many times. Her spin has also been somewhat concerning, but the rest of her jumps seem consistent enough to prevent a total meltdown.
2. Alina: The only one who can challenge Rika. However, Alina's biggest enemy may be her own mental game. She began the season appearing to dominate yet again. However, she's shown she isn't invincible and her last two outings were not World champion worthy. I want to believe Alina and her team will do
something to ensure she is in peak condition for Worlds, but the ice sure is slippery...
3. Liza: With two 3A's of her own, Liza is gunning to be back on the World podium. Although her spot is still in limbo (?), I don't see Evgenia actually taking away Liza's spot. If she lands all her 3A's, Liza may snatch the silver (or even gold) if the two above her falter. Her jumps (especially that 3Lz!) are things of beauty and will hopefully be rewarded accordingly. PCS and her recent illness may hold her back, but her performance at the Cup Final was convincing enough. She will continue to regain her form and aim to put a
grand punctuation mark at the end of her comeback season!
4. Kaori: Being the new Japanese national champion and having a slight hiccup at 4CC should light a fire within Kaori. Judges have shown a willingness to reward her smooth-like-butter jumps. If she can skate cleanly, I can see her the GOE's and PCS shoot up. She just needs to put it all together when it counts most. A bronze is absolutely within her reach, and she has shown she's capable of overtaking Rika when Rika falters. This is your year to shine, Kaori! :luv17:
5. Satoko: The PCS Queen of our hearts. If she skates cleanly, the judges will probably not hesitate to award her high PCS. However, judges have also been quick to take all those PCS points away when she messes up on her jumps, which will probably land her outside of the Top 5. Her jumps should be capped at +3 GOE, and that will severely limit her ability to fight for more than a bronze, unfortunately.
6. Sofia: As the newly minted European Champion, Sofia has only been on the rise. Her consistency has earned her many brownie points. She will 100% take advantage of any mistakes that the ladies above her may make. One thing we should have learned this season is to never write off Sofia Samodurova!
7. Bradie: If Bradie can put together two clean skates, she has an outside shot at the bronze. Her short was deservedly scored very well at 4CC. Her performance matches very well with the intensity of the music. However, something still seems off about her free. If she can somehow pull out a clean free, I can see the judges propping her up as the "sole American hope". Her international PCS may hold her back, but her greatest enemy is still going to be herself. Let's see if Bradie can show us the "I never fall" Bradie at Worlds. :agree:
8. Elizabet: I was hesitant to place her higher as she's still yet to prove herself. She did win the silver at 4CC, but that was due to several other ladies faltering. If she can hit her 4S, however, she may be able to shoot up several ranks. PCS should hold her back, but two clean skates will take her very far. And we should never underestimate an Eteri-trained skater.
9. Eunsoo: Her recent outing was not the best, but that was far below her capability. When she's on, she's on. I really don't know what to expect from her, but I can definitely see her earn a spot in the Top 10 at Worlds this season. If she can add some more flare to her free, what a difference it would make!
10. Mariah: As with Bradie, Mariah's greatest enemy is herself. She has shown beautifully skated programs. She has shown a clean triple-triple combo. She has shown she can
perform. She has shown that she's a complete package, but she has yet to show all of these things
together. If she and Bradie can piece themselves together for Worlds, I want to believe that they have a slightly reasonable chance at regaining three spots for the US. However, she's also still held back by her PCS, and even a clean performance at Worlds may not be convincing enough for judges to shower her with PCS.
11-13. Viveca, Loena, Alexia These European ladies can still put up a fight. They may not be the favorites for Top 10, but no one will be surprised to see them overtake some ranks above them. They may not have the reputation of those above them, but if they hold themselves together for two skates at Worlds, they have a good shot!
14-15. Gabby & Alaine Without Kaetlyn, the Canadian ladies may drop from 3 spots to 1 spot (how awkward will it be if Kaetlyn and Gabby have to fight for
one spot next season?). Gabby & Alaine are both wildcards. Gabby can be a top 8 skater at her peak. However, this season has not treated her well. She will either hit or she will miss, and I wouldn't be surprised to see either outcome unfold. My sentiments are exactly the same for Alaine. She will either skate lights out and land close to Top 10, or melt down and fall into the 20's. Canada really needs someone to step into Kaetlyn's (or 2017 Gabby's) role ASAP.
hink
I want to believe that all of the top ladies will peak beautifully at Worlds. I doubt that will be the case, but what a treat it would be if they all skated to their max potential!
She wasn‘t perfect but who‘s always perfect? I hope she will do well at Worlds.
