- Joined
- Apr 26, 2018
Some thoughts. Sorry, no TL/DR for that essay, it‘s just a bunch of random thoughts strung together. 
Anna: I have no idea how she did that. Such a warrior inside this tiny little girl, it‘s insane! That was probably (minus the spin) the best performance of that SP and I have nothing but respect for her as a person and athlete.
That being said, though, I find it highly irresponsible that she‘s being allowed to skate here. She was gasping for air after the SP and those breaths didn‘t sound healthy at all. This competition isn‘t worth risking her health over and I‘m disappointed they didn‘t withdraw her. She‘s a fighter, she‘ll do well and medal, maybe even win, but at what cost we don‘t know. Is it worth it for a season like that, when RusFed has already said that the selection for Worlds won‘t be based on Nationals alone? I just hope she‘ll be safe.
Also, her lutz should have been called e or at least ! but that‘s nothing new and never going to happen unless she changes coaches.
Kamila: She looked so sad in her interview which just shows the insane pressure on her. She still skated really well, only fell on a 3A at her first senior Nationals!! I love the program, I love her spins and extensions and I‘m sure she‘ll get the 3A right next time.
The GOE and PCS are insane, however. For her spins she deserves +5s all across the board but that combo with the edge change between the two jumps? No way. And 37+ in PCS for a program with a serious error? I don‘t think so.
Daria was nervous and you could tell. Some small bobbles here and there but she fought. Last season, she‘d probably have had a step out or even a fall but not this year. Her consistency has really improved, good job on that. Other than that, though, I don‘t understand her scores at all. Her lutz was a flutz with an insecure landing but still got +1.35 GOE? Same for the step sequence with the obvious stumble - how did that get positive GOE? It‘s ridiculous.
Sasha did well here and I like this program infinitely more when she‘s not stressed out about the 3A. Especially the opening section works much better and you can actually see her improvements on the artistic side - she‘s calmer, doesn‘t rush as much and holds her movements just beautifully. Then, however, the nerves got to her a bit in terms of performance. The step sequence is rushed and, talking about the choreo, I have to say that the backbend doesn‘t match the music at all and always looks sloppy. Take it out already!
That being said, the score‘s a farce. Sure, she‘s not a 35 PCS skater but let‘s be real, that‘s Nationals, it‘s expected. She’s not underscored at all (quite the contrary), the problem arises in comparison to others. Kamila fell and yet got 2 points more in PCS? And Sasha was the ONLY one (of the top 7) in the SP to get an edge call, when BOTH Anna and Daria have a lutz edge that is at least as problematic as Sasha‘s flip. Yet the judges somehow missed both of them, while noting Sasha‘s. If this is not biased judging, I don‘t know what is.
To put it into perspective: Last year‘s SP scored about a point more, despite Sasha having improved heaps and bounds when it comes to artistry and skating skills.
And again. I want to make this very clear. The problem is not Sasha‘s score being too low. It‘s Kamila scoring almost 80 with a fall and getting 37 in PCS, Daria leading despite a lutz edge issue and a stumble and Anna being ahead by 5 points with a messed up spin and an equally problematic lutz edge. It‘s just not fair at all and I can understand Plushenko‘s feelings.
Not his reaction, however. That was immature and unprofessional and probably did more harm than good. Sasha looked uncomfortable, too. Honestly, he needs to take lessons from Mishin on how to develop a pokerface because right now, he‘s shooting himself in the foot with this stupidity.
A lot about Sasha and the judging drama, so, some words on other skaters:
Liza did really well! Step out on the axel and stumble during the steps, sure, but she‘s coming back after covid, so that was a great effort by her. Score seems about right but again, only when looked at in isolation. In comparison to the leaders, the difference becomes ridiculous.
I loved Nugumanova and was so, so, so happy to finally see her get what she deserves. That 3Lo+3Lo looked clean to me and the judges actually called it as such! Her interpretation, spins, program.. it‘s all so wonderful and I‘m just having my fingers crossed that she‘ll do similarly well in the FS.
Maiia had a good SP and I don‘t see how she‘s two points worse than Daria in PCS. Actually, to me Maiia skated better today, she looked more secure and confident and actually performed her program. I guess she‘s being punished for her inconsistency there.
I also don’t get what they have against poor Sofia. Sure, that lutz was UR and had edge issues, too, but she always gets butchered whereas others are given free reign? Makes no sense to me.
I was sad for Frolova, Konstantinova, Tarakanova and Talalaikina. Hoping they can all come back strongly tomorrow.
Anna: I have no idea how she did that. Such a warrior inside this tiny little girl, it‘s insane! That was probably (minus the spin) the best performance of that SP and I have nothing but respect for her as a person and athlete.
That being said, though, I find it highly irresponsible that she‘s being allowed to skate here. She was gasping for air after the SP and those breaths didn‘t sound healthy at all. This competition isn‘t worth risking her health over and I‘m disappointed they didn‘t withdraw her. She‘s a fighter, she‘ll do well and medal, maybe even win, but at what cost we don‘t know. Is it worth it for a season like that, when RusFed has already said that the selection for Worlds won‘t be based on Nationals alone? I just hope she‘ll be safe.
Also, her lutz should have been called e or at least ! but that‘s nothing new and never going to happen unless she changes coaches.
Kamila: She looked so sad in her interview which just shows the insane pressure on her. She still skated really well, only fell on a 3A at her first senior Nationals!! I love the program, I love her spins and extensions and I‘m sure she‘ll get the 3A right next time.
The GOE and PCS are insane, however. For her spins she deserves +5s all across the board but that combo with the edge change between the two jumps? No way. And 37+ in PCS for a program with a serious error? I don‘t think so.
Daria was nervous and you could tell. Some small bobbles here and there but she fought. Last season, she‘d probably have had a step out or even a fall but not this year. Her consistency has really improved, good job on that. Other than that, though, I don‘t understand her scores at all. Her lutz was a flutz with an insecure landing but still got +1.35 GOE? Same for the step sequence with the obvious stumble - how did that get positive GOE? It‘s ridiculous.
Sasha did well here and I like this program infinitely more when she‘s not stressed out about the 3A. Especially the opening section works much better and you can actually see her improvements on the artistic side - she‘s calmer, doesn‘t rush as much and holds her movements just beautifully. Then, however, the nerves got to her a bit in terms of performance. The step sequence is rushed and, talking about the choreo, I have to say that the backbend doesn‘t match the music at all and always looks sloppy. Take it out already!
That being said, the score‘s a farce. Sure, she‘s not a 35 PCS skater but let‘s be real, that‘s Nationals, it‘s expected. She’s not underscored at all (quite the contrary), the problem arises in comparison to others. Kamila fell and yet got 2 points more in PCS? And Sasha was the ONLY one (of the top 7) in the SP to get an edge call, when BOTH Anna and Daria have a lutz edge that is at least as problematic as Sasha‘s flip. Yet the judges somehow missed both of them, while noting Sasha‘s. If this is not biased judging, I don‘t know what is.
To put it into perspective: Last year‘s SP scored about a point more, despite Sasha having improved heaps and bounds when it comes to artistry and skating skills.
And again. I want to make this very clear. The problem is not Sasha‘s score being too low. It‘s Kamila scoring almost 80 with a fall and getting 37 in PCS, Daria leading despite a lutz edge issue and a stumble and Anna being ahead by 5 points with a messed up spin and an equally problematic lutz edge. It‘s just not fair at all and I can understand Plushenko‘s feelings.
Not his reaction, however. That was immature and unprofessional and probably did more harm than good. Sasha looked uncomfortable, too. Honestly, he needs to take lessons from Mishin on how to develop a pokerface because right now, he‘s shooting himself in the foot with this stupidity.
A lot about Sasha and the judging drama, so, some words on other skaters:
Liza did really well! Step out on the axel and stumble during the steps, sure, but she‘s coming back after covid, so that was a great effort by her. Score seems about right but again, only when looked at in isolation. In comparison to the leaders, the difference becomes ridiculous.
I loved Nugumanova and was so, so, so happy to finally see her get what she deserves. That 3Lo+3Lo looked clean to me and the judges actually called it as such! Her interpretation, spins, program.. it‘s all so wonderful and I‘m just having my fingers crossed that she‘ll do similarly well in the FS.
Maiia had a good SP and I don‘t see how she‘s two points worse than Daria in PCS. Actually, to me Maiia skated better today, she looked more secure and confident and actually performed her program. I guess she‘s being punished for her inconsistency there.
I also don’t get what they have against poor Sofia. Sure, that lutz was UR and had edge issues, too, but she always gets butchered whereas others are given free reign? Makes no sense to me.
I was sad for Frolova, Konstantinova, Tarakanova and Talalaikina. Hoping they can all come back strongly tomorrow.
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of course the point difference now is small, of course she can make it up, but that’s not the point. No one is saying Sasha should’ve gotten 80+. What we’re saying is that everyone should be scored on the same criteria. Minuscule differences, <1pt, have decided the OGM, so no, sloppy judging like edge comparisons between the third and 4th place skaters at a national competition shouldn’t be overlooked just because you don’t think it’s going to matter in the end.
