Your "Best and Worst" of 2009 Worlds list...

[blue_idealist]

*

Best moments:
- Joannie's silver medal
- Patrick's silver medal
- Virtue and Moir's bronze medal, esp. after the injury
- Evan Lysacek's free skate
- Alena Leonova's free skate
- Davis and White's free dance

Worst moments:
- Carolina Kostner's free skate meltdown, hands down
- Brian Joubert/Patrick Chan kerfuffle
- Domnina and Shabalin winning.. wtf?

 

[iced]

Best:
Pairs:
MUKHORTOVA/TRANKOV's short program, just gorgeous!! underscored in my opinion, but oh well.
Men
Evan's long with the crowd rising before he finished his final spin! Such a great moment!
Tomas Verner landing the quad in both his short and long! YAY!
Dance
I absoutly loved so many of the teams this year, especially the top four all were deserving.
Ladies
Yu-Na's short and long she was so strong and amazing
Miki Ando's short and long, The best I have ever seen her! Simply stunning!
Alissa's long: After her disasterous short she really fought and did a great program. I was amazed at how easily she warms up the jumps in the warm ups, so it really is a mental thing with her....

Worst
Pairs
Keanua and Rockne: really not a good outing for them.
Men
The legnth of the short program, by the end the day was a blur.... WAY to long!
Dance
Again I loved all four of the top four. I would have loved to see Davis/White medal, but would have also been heart broken for Virtue/Moir had they not medaled.
Ladies
Kostners total meltdown, she has to be injured right!?!
Mao Asada: great jumps but she was skating soooo slow! I am wondering was it a bad day or is she always so slow?

 

[ericaberica]

Hi! I am new at these boards and wanted to post in this topic!

BEST
- Yuna Kim winning the gold with record-breaking scores
- Mao Asada´s new LP costume
- Laura Lepistö finishing sixth because that was her goal.
- Alena Leonova -- such a darling!
- Candice Didier - I cried after her long program. What a fighter!
- Seeing Michelle Kwan (on or near the ice, hehe) again
- Brian Orser jumping by the boards
- Savchenko/Szolkowy winning gold

WORST
- Patrick Chan´s commenting too many times about Brian Joubert
- The media still discussing about the "new" scoring system
- Carolina´s breakdown
- Mao missing the podium

 

[alopatra]

Best
ladies medal ceremony - because all 3 ladies looked happy, every of them for her own reason (Yu-na for her 1st gold, Joannie for her first world medal and Mikki for getting a medal after a long struggle).

 

[evangeline]

Best
-Miki's comeback: she put together 2 great and clean programs when it mattered, and established herself as a top contender again. It was lovely seeing Miki so happy, especially after what happened at last year's worlds...
-Denis Ten: Wow. Just wow.
-Meryl and Charlie's FD: Such a gorgeous performance, well-deserved standing ovation. Definitely the performance of the night.
-Elene: Not her best LP, but she really redeemed herself after Junior Worlds and Euros with her top 10 finish. Her spunky style was very enlivening after watching most of the other snooze-inducing programs.
-Yu-Na's SP: Her LP didn't have the same spark, but her SP was great.

Worst
-Mao missing the podium: who saw that coming?
-Carolina's LP: Brutal. Probably the meltdown of the year...instead of saying "pulling a Hubert," we'll probably start saying "pulling a Kostner." But I hope she bounces back next year, she's capable of so much more.
-Alissa's SP: Saw this coming from a mile away, but it was still pretty painful.
-Patrick's rude comments: His rude remarks about Brian were a total turnoff; I've revoked my membership from Patrick's legion of fans.
-Tomas' LP: Big improvement from last year's meltdown, but...the moment he started doubling his easiest jumps, I started screaming at my computer (hoping he'd hear?).
-Meryl and Charlie's FD: the performance was spot-on, the judging wasn't. It was especially sad given how their goal was to medal this year, and also seeing their excited faces before they realized that they were going to be fourth.

 

[gio]

BEST
-Szevchenko/Szolkovy beautiful LP (even with that silly fall) to Schindler's List and Adagio of Albinoni. The program is beautifully choreographed. I enjoyed it!
-Evan finally winning his first World title. I liked more the Carmen program, but the Gershwin program was certainly a A+ program from him. He is very elegant on ice. I liked it.
-YuNa beautiful SP and LP. She really reminds me of Michelle Kwan.
-Denis Tan from Kazakhstan was a great surprise, as well as Alena Leonova.
-YuNa and Evan crying of joy.
-Virtue and Moir FD. Very original.
-Mao's beautiful program and dress. It's a pity she didn't medal.
-Joannie finally medalling and Miki coming back strong after a disappointing season.
-Elene Gedevanishivili improving from her disastrous ECH and I was happy to see Elaine Zayak.

WORST
-Mukhortova being so angry at Trankov after the LP (at least it seemed so).
-Trankov's costume! Gosh, he is skating to classical music and he is dressed as he is going to a rock concert or discotheque. I mean that is not wrong, if you skate to techno music, but it does not suit classical music IMHO.
-Kavaguchi and Smirnov dresses. Ouch!
-Mao's fall on the 3A and not medalling.
-Candice Didier fall. I always hope we won't see those painful falls. Poor girl, but what a courage she has.
-Carolina Kostner's meltdown.
-Patrick Chan LP music. Heavy, too heavy for him. Kwan was the only skater that enthusiasmed me skating to Rachmaninoff.

 

[iluvtodd]

Best

Evan was fire in both performances! 13 years since the last US man won Worlds (guess who? )
Patrick winning silver
Takahiko was very impressive in a subtle way
Brandon Mroz - Senior Worlds debut
Caydee & Jeremy's great showing
Joannie winning a medal
Yu Na Kim's performances
Brian Orser's induction into the World Hall of Fame (and reaction to Yu Na's performances)
Aliona & Robin - successfully defending their title.
Miki Ando back on the podium
Alissa having a pretty good free skate
Meryl & Charlie's Free dance
Rachel Flatt's great finish
very enjoyable ice dance performances from the next to last flight of skaters
Tanith & Ben, Tessa & Scott, on the podium
Samuelson & Bates senior debut

Worst

Alissa's diificulties in the short program
Carolina K.'s free skate
Meryl & Charlie just missing the podium
D/S winning the dance competition :scratch:
Tomas Verner's diificulties in the latter part of his program
shame on NBC for not showing Alissa's free skate

 

[gio]

Disappointment: Carolina Kostner. In 2006 Valentina Marchei missed out on Olys because Sylvia Fontana decided she wanted to come back. Now Valentina won't get to go because Italy is down to one spot.

I'm so sorry for Valentina, but if next year she beats Carolina, she should go to Olympics, no matter what!

Regarding the 06 Olys, it's true that Silvia decided to return, but it's also true that Silvia beat Valentina. So no Federation unfair's decision that year.

 

[Buttercup]

I'm so sorry for Valentina, but if next year she beats Carolina, she should go to Olympics, no matter what!

Regarding the 06 Olys, it's true that Silvia decided to return, but it's also true that Silvia beat Valentina. So no Federation unfair's decision that year.

I thought Valentina wasn't at Nationals that year. Which makes me wonder, was she injured? If that was the case, she was still unlucky, but it's not the same kind of bad luck. But if both were healthy, and since neither was really a serious contender, I'd have gone with the skater who hadn't gotten a chance at the Olympics yet.

I can't imagine the Italian Federation not sending Carolina, unless she really screws up on the GP circuit. She is the one who got that one spot, after all - I guess that will count for something. Can a skater qualify through the Nebelhorn even if his/her country doesn't have enough slots for Olys?

 

[eleonora.d]

I thought Valentina wasn't at Nationals that year. Which makes me wonder, was she injured? If that was the case, she was still unlucky, but it's not the same kind of bad luck. But if both were healthy, and since neither was really a serious contender, I'd have gone with the skater who hadn't gotten a chance at the Olympics yet.

I can't imagine the Italian Federation not sending Carolina, unless she really screws up on the GP circuit. She is the one who got that one spot, after all - I guess that will count for something. Can a skater qualify through the Nebelhorn even if his/her country doesn't have enough slots for Olys?

I think that spots at Nebelhorn will only be available for countries with no spots.

Valentina had 2 serious injuries in a row this year. At Nationals she tried to compete. Unfortunately she ended up 4th. She had a chance to go to Euros anyway but she gave up because of another injury. She was back on the ice just less than 2 weeks ago.

 

[SusieH]

Highs
--Yu-Na Kim's SP and her first world title. Loved both of her performances, especially the short. Very happy for this long-awaited and well-deserved title.

--Miki Ando finishing on the podium. Hooray for her! She even thought about retirement last year after the worlds. What a great comeback :yes:

--Sarah Meier's LP. So glad to see her back. I originally thought she would not be at worlds because of injuries. She is such an expressive and elegant skater, just so very special. Very happy that she skated a touching, beautiful long program and won the two spots for Switzerland!

--Mao's new LP costume. Very elegant design and color. Suits her much better than the previous one. Especially love the design of the skirt. Why oh why did she only wear it at the last event of the year? I want to see that dress again!

--S/S's LP. They have a new fan now. Totally blown away. It's the first time I feel I can possibly be enthusiastic about pairs events again ever since Shen and Zhao retired.

--Davis and White's OD and FD. I prefer V/M and still do, but I really loved D/W's performances this time. Sorry that they missed the podium at such a close margin

--Kozuka and Oda managed to get three tickets to Vancouver for Japan with the magic number 13. Hmm, not sure if this belongs to the "Highs" category, but I was very happy and relieved that all three of them get to go there.

Lows
--Number one, hands down, Carolina Kostner's meltdown. Won't call myself her fan, but like her alright and felt so bad seeing her bombing like that. I almost thought I was daydreaming when she hit the 2-1-1... She was very brave and classy to manage a small smile to the audience after that disastrous skate. Hope she gets some help (maybe see a sports psychologist?) and comes back strong next season.

--Patrick Chan's comments regarding Joubert. Not against speaking one's mind out, but could he find a more polite, more mature, and less personal way to do that? I think Joubert was at fault in choosing the wrong time and place to preach his quad theories last year at worlds, but Chan was ten times more intolerable and his attacks were very personal.

--Mao's finishing off the podium Hope she can be more consistent in her Lutz and Triple Axel next season.

--Didn't get to see Kozuka's "Save the Last Dance for Me" It is my favorite EX program from a male skater this year. Seeing shy Kozu trying to be all flirty is simply entertaining. Totally wuzrobbed.

 

[sillylionlove]

Highs
Evan winning...as much as I am not his biggest fan.....he really deserved to win and I really enjoyed watching him skate. Perhaps I might become a big fan....YIKES!!
Pechalat/Bourzat (sp?) I really loved their free dance. and I am going to say the same think about the Kerrs.
Samuel Contesti...never seen him skate before...loved him!!
Elena and Elene....they were really good!!
Joubert being beaten by two guys who didn't go a quad...there I said it!!

Low
D/S winning....I hated their program... but she does look better as a brunette.
Kostner...total meltdown....and really I somehow expected it....I really did.
Yuna winning..but before you scream at me...here's why.....she was so far ahead and her score was so high that she seems like she is totally unbeatable...will anyone be able to beat her in 2010? That doesn't make the Olympics too much fun!!
D/W not medaling...they really deserved to medal.
Denny/Barrett (sp?) placing higher then McLaughlin/Brubaker.....maybe that's a high since give them about 4 years and they will probably be really good...but it's also a sad state of the pair in the US!!

 

[cloudkicker09]

So unlucky: 1. Pernelle Carron and Matthieu Jost, 9th in the dance, will likely watch the Olympics from home. He's 28. They might not stay for Sochi. 2. Roman and Sasha Zaretski miss their Olympic committee's criterion for Vancouver by one placement - again!

I am a strong follower of Israeli figure skating, and I have to say I hope and pray that we will see the Zaretskis in Vancouver, but I have a feeling that we will. Galit Chalit is their coach, her father is the head of the Israeli Figure Skating commitee and there is already talk that Roman will carry the flag in Vancouver. So G-d willingly Bezrat Hasehem (with G-d's help in Hebrew) they WILL be there.


BIGGEST Disappointment: not seeing Fedor skate and Brian's heartbreak after the long program, and it was on my birthday too.

 

[iluvtodd]

quote from Susie H.

Highs

--Sarah Meier's LP. So glad to see her back. I originally thought she would not be at worlds because of injuries. She is such an expressive and elegant skater, just so very special. Very happy that she skated a touching, beautiful long program and won the two spots for Switzerland!

Thank you for reminding me about Sarah. I was delighted that she did compete at Worlds after all.

I I also really enjoyed Samuel Contesti. I've also got to laugh at this. Did I hear someone call out "Mazal Tov" (congratulations/good luck in Hebrew) to him after his free skate?

 

[skatingbc]

Highs

Canadian Team pulling it together again!
Tessa and Scott defying the odds and laying down an amazing free dance!
Patrick having the courage to say how he really feels, but...(see below)
Joannie's first medal at Worlds
Evan's Gold...Love how tall he is, even with the long, windmill arms!
Candice Didier showing the World that she's a tough cookie.
Yuko Kavaguti's recovery after a nasty fall
YU-NA'S GOLD!!!

Lows

Patrick taking things a bit too far with the personal comments.
I wish B/A could have switched places with D/W. (I don't get B/A...at all...)
Carolina's disaster
Tomas Verner losing a medal. (I think Michael Huth should get some sort of sports psychologist in for Carolina and Tomas. I think they desperately need one!)

SHOCKING>>>
Mao not on the podium!

 

[wonderlen3000]

HIGHLIGHT:
Yuna finally winning the world title that eluded her the past two seasons.
Miki come back to the top 3 with my fav SP of the year. Just adore the music.
Evan winning the world. :thumbsup:
Candace Didier showing the whole world figure skating not all about pretty dress and tutu. It takes guts and intense physical labour.
Kudo for Yuko Kawaguchi too.

LOW:
Chan bitching toward Joubert.
Joubert getting verbal ***** slaps from Chan.
Sandara and Scott annoying comments about skaters.
Chan's fans and all the media getting riot over his placement behind Joubert and Evan.

SHOCKER:
Mao missing the podium for the first time.
Kostner bombing. I know she is notorious for erratics FS, but this is major dissater even for skater of her reputation.

 

[jettasian]

So in other words, what Chan said was right but he should shut up? LOL You people are funny.

 

[MissCleo]

Woohoo!
Evan's reaction during his last sit spin
K/S SP (that girl is fierce!)
Yuna on top of the podium
D/W free dance
P/B getting better and better

Good grief :banging:
Nobu and Zayak rules
Kozuka's ever decreasing scores
Brian's fall.

Oh no
Abbott, Czisny, and M/B performances
F/S free dance. I had high hopes for this dance and it never reached it's potential this season.

 

[Hsuhs]

Surprises:

1. Mroz placing higher than Abbott, Kozuka higher than Oda, and Lutai outskating Voronov
2. Yuko Kawaguti's fall on that 4SalTh (shocking! glad she's ok)
3. Seeing Davis & White coming in 3rd after they finished their FD
4. Aliona Leonova's great debut as a senior lady, Elene Gedevanishvili still making top 10 after Caro's skate
5. Denis Ten's FS
6. The amount of bi...ng, whining, trash talking, name calling, talking behind Joubert's back and personal attacks coming from Chan, and Skate Canada approving all that
7. The power of Linichuk's influence
8. Chan actually deserving his silver

No surprises:

1. Kim being 1st and Rochette medaling
2. Savchenko & Szolkowy's win
3. Mukhortova & Trankov / Volosozhar & Morozov finishing off the podium
4. US men securing 3 spots
5. Alissa Czisny skating the way she did
6. Tomas Verner's free skate
7. Yannick Ponsero's bombing (there were clear signs of it in Aegon)
8. KvdP's meltdown

 

[hongligl]

Best:
Yu-na Kim get GOLD! Two great performances and the podium moment was precious! She so deserved to win!

Denis Ten! What a breakthrough! I expect great things happen to him in the near future. So talented! He's like a male version of Yu-na Kim. Hope he grows taller and keep his jumps +get at least a quad. Only 15, and so good already. Exceptional musical, versatile and grace of movement.

Joannie won a medal! Patrick Chan medaled.

Zhang/Zhang's big improvement in presentation. It seems to me that their SP deserved higher marks.

The French pair, a bundle of joy Shine like black pearls.

S/S almost clean in both SP and LP. I loved this team when I first saw them several years ago when they just paired together. They left me cold for a couple of years mostly because they were seriously overmarked even when they skated poorly, also because of lack of connection in their skating and innovative but sometimes very ugly moves. It seems that they are getting better now and their programs become enjoyable. Still I can't remember any of their program and have no desire to replay. But for sure they are now the best out there. Still hate the 3Flip th landing. OK, I'm talking about "best" , got to stop complaining

Love the rusian pair M/T's lines. They are very graceful.

Love Mao's new LP dress and her 3A-2T!


Worst:

P/T did not medal. They had such a great season! Need to get a better SP.

Mao missed the podium. Carolina's meltdown

Man's judging. Yes, Chan big-mouthed. Should that be the reason to undermark his transition and skating skills, or even choreography? or PCS in general?

The french girl's fall, ouch. Such a pain to see that happened. Great courage to continue and earn her federation an olympic entry.

So sad to see China get no spot for Lady and Man for next year.

Canada has three pairs in top 10 but can send only two to olympics and World next year.