Most Improved, most impressive?

[feraina]

I'm most impressed by Johnny Weir, Caroline Zhang, and Mao Asada this season. Johnny for turning his attitude/skating around, Caroline for mastering the 3/3 in an incredibly short amount of time, and Mao for her determination to improve her presentation.

 

[flying camel]

Most Improved - Johnny Weir

Most Impressed - Zhang, Wagner - I really like Wagner. I hope she doesn't lose her confidence. I hope she makes the world team. I have lost hope in Bebe and Czisny. They just are not competitive.

 

[Tinymavy15]

I personally think that Joannie's finally got two programs that suit her perfectly and she'll be a definite medal threat at Worlds. After the main GPs, she looks stronger than she ever has in international competition. She certainly blew it for herself in the SP at Cup of Russia, but she certainly looks loads better than she did at any point last year.

i would like nothing better than seeing Joannie medal at worlds, but getting into the top three along with Mao, Kimmie, yu-na, nakano and Carolina seem low. there are not that many medals to go around. But of course there is always that spoiler!

 

[chuckm]

Unfortunately, Joannie has a clear history of skating well in the earlier competitions (GP, Canadians, Olympics, 4CC) and then doing much less well at Worlds. It seems as if she peaks too soon, year after year.

 

[kittyjake5]

Mao A.- She looks like a different skater than last year. She has connected all of the dots and just glides across the ice like a swan.

Johnny W.-a focused and strong skater and loads of talent to boot makes for a champion.

Impressed by Ashley Wagner, Caroline Zhang, Tomas Werner and Patrick Chan. eta: oops almost forgot Andrei Graizev

 

[ciroc83]

Improved: Asada (as far as presentation), Kim ( as far as everything; love me some Yu-Na!), Weir (consistency)…..

Impressed: Kim (I see a competitor in her. I think Orser has spoke about this as well. The desire to be the best. The beautiful 3-3’s, expressive movements, and gorgeous smile. Girls got the whole package). I could list more but I’ve done about nothing at work today.

 

[Bennett]

Improved and impressed: Tomas Verner

He was simply fantastic at NHK!

 

[tilak]

Most improved- I'd have to say Johnny Weir :yes:

Most impressed- Caroline Zhang really caught my attention

 

[passion]

Most improved lady: Mira Leung

Most impressive lady: Yu Na Kim (Caroline Zhang and Mao are runner ups)

 

[cosmos]

One of the most improved: YuNa Kim.

She brought back her 3Lo. Her sit spin is now pretty good. Her spiral is better than the previous season. Overall her jumps are more stable. Better facial expression.

 

[Bennett]

One of the most improved: YuNa Kim.

She brought back her 3Lo. Her sit spin is now pretty good. Her spiral is better than the previous season. Overall her jumps are more stable. Better facial expression.

I totally agree and happy about her 3L. I am also really impressed by her consistency in jumps this season.

But I haven't been following her performances closely enough to see the differences in her facial expressions from the last season. I feel that she already had great facial expressions last season. Especially, SP at Worlds was memorable. Could someone please explain what changes you see in her facial expressions from the last season?

But I do notice that she smiles off ice more often these days than before.

 

[chuckm]

IBut I do notice that [Yu-Na Kim] smiles off ice more often these days than before.

Maybe that's because her back injury has healed and she is no longer in constant pain.

 

[cosmos]

But I haven't been following her performances closely enough to see the differences in her facial expressions from the last season. I feel that she already had great facial expressions last season. Especially, SP at Worlds was memorable. Could someone please explain what changes you see in her facial expressions from the last season?

But I do notice that she smiles off ice more often these days than before.

Her facial expressions at the Worlds SP were good but weren't essential elements of the program. In her new SP, facial expressions are necessary parts of the program and she does a really good job. And she gives really bright smile.

 

[Kathleen]

Most improved.........Johnny Weir!!!

Most impressed......Yu Na Kim......wow. She's incredible. Johnny Weir....and I like Ashley Wagner. She's got a nice "attack" to her...clean jumps.

I just have to say that I'm not impressed with Caroline Zhang. Yes, she's wonderfully musical, and mature for her age, etc..absolutely. I'm just so not on board with her jumps. Sigh.

 

[ks777]

I think Ashley Wagner improved the most!

 

[Cal Girl]

Johnny Weir - Definitely Most Improved
Rachael Flatt - Most Impressive - 7 triples at the JGP Final! Wow:agree:

 

[Bennett]

Her facial expressions at the Worlds SP were good but weren't essential elements of the program. In her new SP, facial expressions are necessary parts of the program and she does a really good job. And she gives really bright smile.

Thank you for your insights

 

[ks777]

Thank you for your insights

I have never been a big fan of facial expression. When I saw Caroline do her facial expression last year when she did her exhibition program, I felt like... it's hard to explain and I don't want to offend anyone here but I felt like I was watching something I shouldn't be watching.. like a mother forcing a young child do a sexy dance..you know what I mean?.. I don't know I felt really weird watching her facial expressions. am I the only one think that?

 

[Bennett]

I appreciate facial expressions when they go naturally well with the music. But I personally do not enjoy it when it looks 'forced' or overly done. I agree that it sometimes can be too dramatic. I feel like, "Oh, this is too much. I cannot take it." Then I cannot watch the performance more than once. Especially, I tend not to go for too much flurting going on. But as long as it looks natural, it can be very lovely to watch. I suppose this is a lot to do with the personal taste and I acknowledge that a lot of people prefer dramatic performances.

Among the top skaters, I like Jeff's. He is expressive but never makes me feel tired. I also adore Mirai's dolly expressions in her LP. That's really fresh and cute. I also find Carolina's SP very charming. She seems to be having fun skating to that music. I like that. I also adored Mao when she skated to Carmen back in 2005-6. She looked very happy dancing to that lively music.

 

[Mathman]

I have never been a big fan of facial expression. When I saw Caroline do her facial expression last year when she did her exhibition program, I felt like... it's hard to explain and I don't want to offend anyone here but I felt like I was watching something I shouldn't be watching.. like a mother forcing a young child do a sexy dance..you know what I mean?.. I don't know I felt really weird watching her facial expressions. am I the only one think that?

I felt the same way about Michelle Kwan's Salome.

But in that case it was even weirder because Michelle was portraying a young girl (Salome) who was forced by her mother to do a sexy dance. (In early performances she even made a gesture like she was carrying the head of John the Baptist around on a platter -- does this post belong on the "elegant arm movements" thread, LOL?)

Oh well. She won the World Championship with it.