Is Mirai the favorite heading into junior worlds?

[skatergirl45]

Horray, chuckm!!!
Someone finally agrees with me about Rachael's PC!!!!
She skates like she loves to skate which for me, is most important!!!!!

 

[Nigel]

Then look at the FS scores:
107.55 Rachael Flatt (1st)
94.79 Yuki Nishino (3rd)

Nishino beat Flatt by 2.52 points in the SP, but Rachael beat Yuki by 12.76 points.

SPs are not Rachael's forte. But the FS is worth many more points than the SP, and the FS is where Rachael shines.

Flatt had a pretty nice SP at US Nationals. I don't think it is that Flatt has weak short programs (her SP at 07 Nationals was nice as well...just the whole 3/3 UR thing with Meissner). IMO, I don't she had less than stellar performances in the JGP series, it was just that she did not receive credit for the 3/3 combo, and perhaps as a result, her PCS scores were not what they could have been.

More importantly, it is a question of how much progress each of these skaters has made with their programs as their season has moved along. And now, on to JW!

 

[chuckm]

Rachael's spins and footwork have improved dramatically since the early part of the season. I think she lost SP points during the JGP because her spins were much weaker than the rest of her program and her footwork was slow. But her last JGP was in early October, and her spins improved a lot by the JGPF. At Nationals, both spins and footwork were even more improved.

She will have had a month since Nationals to bring her non-jump elements up to a higher level. Go, Rachael!

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

After Mao wins this, it should be followed by 2 Americans for the podium. Should be an interesting finish.

Joe

 

[chuckm]

After Mao wins this, it should be followed by 2 Americans for the podium. Should be an interesting finish.

Joe

MAO? This is a Jr Worlds thread, Joe.

 

[PolymerBob]

The Japanese are so terrified of an American sweep, they sent Mao. She is still age eligible.

 

[museksk8r]

I'd love to see the final be: 1. Rachael Flatt, 2. Caroline Zhang, and 3. Mirai Nagasu.

 

[Pikachuusb]

I'd love to see the final be: 1. Rachael Flatt, 2. Caroline Zhang, and 3. Mirai Nagasu.

Id love to see them as the top 3, but in the reverse order: Mirai, Caroline & Rachael:agree:

 

[DWfan]

I would like to see
1. Caroline 2. Mirai 3. Rachel

I hope Caroline can defend her title well!

 

[oleada]

Mirai for the gold!

 

[carolinefan177]

Caroline for a second consecutive title!! Woot!

 

[netnuts]

yup

Yup, she's the favorite just as Wagner was the 'next one' going into 4cc.:yes:

 

[Wrlmy]

Well, Ashley hadn't established herself in senior gp going into 4cc whereas Mirai has swept junior gp series going into JW. Totally different situation.

 

[carolinefan177]

I have a feeling the international judges are going to favor Caroline.

Just a feeling...

 

[Pikachuusb]

I hope all 3 skate clean beautiful skates

 

[PolymerBob]

I have a feeling the international judges are going to favor Caroline.

Just a feeling...

Whoever wins, I hope we come away feeling that the winner won because she was the best, not because the judges liked her lip gloss. :sheesh:

 

[Pikachuusb]

Whoever wins, I hope we come away feeling that the winner won because she was the best, not because the judges liked her lip gloss. :sheesh: