Well, I guess I’ll give my thoughts too!
I see the vision for Kamila’a SP much more than I did during the test skates. At test skates, her program seemed like a subpar version of Anna’s new SP, and not performed to the same standard either. However I didn’t feel like it was a subpar or lesser version than anything else now. I think this was the best impression I’ve ever gotten from Kamila. I strongly dislike her 3T technique, but all of her jumps were squeaky clean, spins were great, and I saw quite a few musical moments from her, which I haven’t seen much of before. Still, I think there’s a lot of stiffness in her body despite her incredible flexibility, and she often has choppy steps and choreography that isn’t executed very well. It’s so strange to see Kamila’s skating skills being compared to someone like Aliona, who (to me) is leagues above her. I don’t even think Kamila has the best skating skills, and certainly not performance quality, of her competitors at this competition. Nonetheless, it was a beautiful program. I would’ve had her first or second and probably would’ve had a 3+ gap between her and Trusova regardless.
I really like Daria. I’ve really liked her for over a year now. I’m really, really unimpressed with Daniil’s music and choreography for her. I don’t understand. She has beautiful steps, incredible lines, ease and fluidity throughout her entire body— in all of her steps and choreography. Beautiful spins and that spiral transition was so difficult, so beautifully executed, just absolutely to die for. On the other hand, I’m still angry about the 2A transitions this season. She had a beautiful entry and exit last season. Difficult and beautifully executed, and they changed it to one that is just simply not aesthetically pleasing, or as impressive. I just cannot understand the vision for her. She’s light, lyrical, quite musical. While I think she performed what she was given extremely well, it’s very obvious that her program was NOT crafted with the same thoughtfulness or care that Kamila, or Anna’s, or 3A in the past, are/were. It’s a huge detriment to her because she has enough strengths to be neck and neck, and even ahead of Kamila in many areas, but the quality of what she was given is just so much lower that it cannot happen. I would’ve had Daria first or second today. Maybe around 75-77 for both Kamila and Daria.
With Sasha, I can’t argue with her scores. Her PCS are still too high. She’s improved a lot, she’s finishing her lines and holding out pretty lines SO much better now. It’s crazy how fast Sasha has went from Fed favorite to being one of the most reasonably scored competitors. With her content, I won’t underestimate her ability to comeback. I think she just needs one or two competitions to get a positive narrative (and therefore politics) on her side.
It was really nice to see Stasya perform well. She looked beautiful as ever and is obviously still working very hard.
This portion of the competition could’ve only been more entertaining with a well trained Zhenya. What on earth would the judges have done with a well trained Zhenya that’s back with Eteri? The possibilities are endless. Wishing for a speedy recovery for the two-time world champion so we can hopefully have this reality soon.
This makes me feel so much better. And of course - no Europeans and Worlds for them eitheir (I hope there will be Europeans and Worlds without public).
