2025 World Championships Women's Short Program

[Jontor]

My top 6, the final flight, just my opinion:
1. MONE CHIBA
2. WAKABA HIGUCHI
3. ALYSA LIU
4. ISABEAU LEVITO
and here's where I can't decide:
5th, 6th, 7th: Nina pinzarrone, kaori Sakamoto, Madeline Schizas

My top 12, just my opnion

1. Mone Chiba
2. Wakaba Higuchi
3. Alysa Liu
4. Haein Lee
5. Isabeau Levito
6. Kaori Sakamoto
--------------------
7. Sofia Samodelkina
8. Nina Pinzarrone
9. Kimmy Repond
10. Madeline Schizas
11. Amber Glenn
12. Chaeyeon Kim

 

[bigsisjiejie]

...... Sheesh what is with the low PC's for Wakababy?

For as long as I can remember, year after year, Wakaba has never received the PCS many of us thought she should be getting. This continues. I do not pretend to understand what the judges see (or don't see) that I can't. Maybe one has to see her live to make her marks make sense.

 

[museksk8r]

Several observations - I agree with whoever said Madeline Schizas isn't a top 6 skater. And I don't think that opinion is disrespect - more reality. I felt when Amber skated out to take her spot she looked like a deer in the headlights. And WHY do the 3 Axel. She needed to skate clean. Thought that wasn't a wise decision. Was surprised Alyssa's score stood up. She skated with such obvious joy and seems to really have fun out there. I don't know where she's going to end up but it's just so nice to see her back on the ice and doing well. Isabeau still has that really, really awkward jump style but Moon River is a perfect vehicle for her. I loved her step sequence and she really looks more mature than she did last year. Kaori - don't know what to say other than I also agree with whoever said she doesn't look like the same skater. Also didn't realize Rohene choreographer her SP. Interesting.

The free program is going to be VERY interesting.

I think anyone who skated right after Gubanova’s nightmare would have felt like a deer in headlights, just saying.

 

[TontoK]

On a lighter note. Fans enjoy talking about men “menning.” How should we describe what happened here?

LOL, here's the deal, though. I have very little confidence in any of the Top 12 maintaining or improving their positions. It has been such an inconsistent year for the women. Who knows what is to come in the free. It feels like any of those two final flights could land on the podium if they hold their nerve, and honestly, I thought most of them looked very nervous as they took the ice.

One exception: Alysa looked calm as could be. Of course she skated relatively early with few expectations. Now that she leads after the short, that could be a very different story.

The standings so far aren't what I would have predicted, but I find them satisfying anyway.

 

[Skating91]

My top 12, just my opnion

1. Mone Chiba
2. Wakaba Higuchi
3. Alysa Liu
4. Haein Lee
5. Isabeau Levito
6. Kaori Sakamoto
--------------------
7. Sofia Samodelkina
8. Nina Pinzarrone
9. Kimmy Repond
10. Madeline Schizas
11. Amber Glenn
12. Chaeyeon Kim

I pretty much agree. Samo was too low, Mone and Wakaba were clear 1 and 2 (and not even close), then very close for the next 4 in your list.

 

[PaulE]

A very interesting short program. My personal problem is that I have about 20 women that I would like to see finish in the top 10. And maybe 10-12 I would like to see finish in the top 5.

 

[Skating91]

If I were in charge I would just cancel the event and ship all the medals to Russia, plus next year's Olympics. (I am not in charge, though. Skating91 is. )

No way, I like to see a good fight. See who can stand up under the pressure. Maybe the Russian girls don't who knows.

 

[labgoat]

A very interesting short program. My personal problem is that I have about 20 women that I would like to see finish in the top 10. And maybe 10-12 I would like to see finish in the top 5.

Same - I deal with this conflict by hoping many can get achieve one of those goal at least once - every dog should get his/her day

 

[Arigato]

I think anyone who skated right after Gubanova’s nightmare would have felt like a deer in headlights, just saying.

Considering how many skaters over the years (male and female) have said they have no idea how anyone else skates before them since they are in their "bubble" until it's time to skate, your post doesn't ring very accurate to me.

 

[museksk8r]

Reporter to Alyssa (paraphrasing): You skated against the Russians would it be more interesting to have them here?

Alyssa was non-committal

What can she say? Adelka would beat me by 10 points?

Well, it really wouldn’t be in her character to say only if they are able to pass a weekly drug test out loud.

 

[museksk8r]

How does a completely clean Higuchi have significantly lower PCS than the top 3? I would think maybe being in an earlier group, but Alyssa was before her and got more than a point higher, which is ridiculous. With proper PCS, Higuchi should be leading.

I would have Chiba in 1st and Higuchi in 2nd at the moment.

 

[soccerjc77]

Would have like Nini to qualify for the FS, I'm sad for her, she was doing this SP so well all season, just today she was off

 

[Skating91]

Do you think I don't know all this about rinks? I'll be blunt, if they can't take it - get out of the sport. Tennis players have to play on different surfaces including grass, clay, and hard court. Types of lighting varies, casting shadows as the sun sets, ( light varies when playing indoors vs outdoors), different temperatures and humidity from match to match vary, along with wind conditions. ALL that variation, and yet no one whines. No one.

But someone wants to cry about ice hardness and rink size?

This is a sport, not kindergarten.

It is the premier event of the season in the ISU competition. We want to see high quality skating, the best skating at the absolute maximum of their capabilities, not skating inhibited and compromised by the width of the rink and quality of the ice. This surface was substandard for a major competition.

Tennis players do not play on substandard surfaces they play on different surfaces.

 

[Zora]

Nina Pinzarrone was my favorite, her program was mesmerizing and the most artistic in my book.
Isabeau is the queen of attention to detail. From costume to expression to choreography, everything is perfected. Mone Chiba has also one of the best choreographed programs and it worked so well with the audience!

I didn't feel Kaori's program at all She seemed way too focused.

 

[soccerjc77]

Isabeau combo jump was a Q on the 3T, very generous score for her today ...

 

[Bluediamonds09]

She's got some qualities but she won't be a star, rather around 20th place in Europe.

I looked at Noelle skating on the junior grand prix this season, and since she's 17, I hope she turns senior next season and is given a chance to battle Katya for the one Olympic spot. She's not worse than Katya, not at all.

I hope it doesn't come to that. She looked devastated enough.

Amber down on the 3A.

 

[Skater Boy]

Or Wakaba’s

The gold is anyone's from Amber to Wakaba to Kaori to Alyssa to Kim

Pinzaronne delivers a solid skate. Like Schizas, she desperately wants to place in the top 10 to help Belgium have a chance at 2 spots for the Olympics.

Pinzaronne and Belgium should have no problem being top ten. Not overly confident Canada will hold on to top ten though it would be nice.

 

[Arigato]

This surface was substandard for a major competition.

LOL.

Edit: wait, where are the timed photos?

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

On a lighter note. Fans enjoy talking about men “menning.” How should we describe what happened here?

Closing the gender gap.

 

[Skater Boy]

Kaori was 4th after the Short last season, over 3.5 points back from first and won at the end. Not saying this will happen again this season, Kaori is not the same skater and neither is anyone else competing here, but it's just to say that ice is slippery and movement can and will happen.
There's not much give between a lot of these placements and lots of skaters who can be hit-or-miss.

And 9 years ago America's golden girl was in first and looked like she would win the world title. She had it all Beauty. Big jumps and a wonderful demeanour on the ice. The world was her's to take. Now the US has 3 ladies - any can medal or even win gold. I still think though she is a bit away Amber believe it or not may be the stronger choice. Isabeau is just coming back to competing and Alyssa could surprise but has had issues completing her fs. Mone, Kaori and Wakaba look like they coudl win gold or medal too. Top six USA and Japan unless Kore sneaks in. Come on Madeleine do it Just do it. Be the little maple leaf that could. At least e top ten. But she has France, Italy, Belgium, Amber all looking to pass her.