- Joined
- Jul 28, 2003
Maybe the same thing it means for every skater starting out the new season.
Any Sasha updates?
- Thread starter kalle
- Start date
It's crazy that I'm actually defending Cohen here but I have to wonder if it's completely fair to extrapolate what happened that night to what WOULD have happened on a larger rink, lights on, longer routine. To be fair to her, she has done clean exhibition routines before and it may have been an off-night, or possibly she's dealing with some setback, in which case withdrawal is likely imminent.
That said, however, I do agree that she has a lot of catching up to do. It shouldn't be a shock to anyone if she struggles initially.
Most if not all the other skaters have been competing every year for the past 3 1/2 years, so that 6-jump 4-minute FS is nothing new or different for them. They've been doing their repertoire of jumps day in and day out for that whole time.
For Sasha, it's a BIG change from doing 3 1/2 years of exhibitions with only 3t, 3s and 2a (and sometimes not landed cleanly, or at all) to doing two competition programs with jumps she's not practiced much nor skated in program context in that time.
Flexibility has become commonplace, and Sasha can't rely on that to catapult her to the top of the standings despite missed and wonky jumps.
- Joined
- May 26, 2009
I agree with this, but I do think that most of the other ladies can't compete with Sasha's lines. Her spiral is still to die for. I've always thought she was a beautiful skater who was bedeviled by her jumps, and I think that's what we're going to see this season as well.
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2006
Right.. skating is not all about the jumps. In many cases skaters like yu-na botch a jump in the short and still come out clearly on top. Sasha has all the other qualities (and we better see scores that reflect that). Her musicaliy and interprtation puts yu-na to shame (not bashing yu-na here, I am a fan of her musical interpration).
Sasha's non-jump elements are excellent, but unfortunately for her, other top skaters have very good non-jumps elements and are able to execute LPs with 6 good triple jumps. If Sasha can only land 3 clean triples, she's going to be treated the same way Alyssa has been in the free skate of her international results. Jumps aren't everything, but the bottom line is they are worth a substantial part of the technical mark.
Look back at the protocol from 2006 Worlds, Sasha's last competition, and see how Sasha's performance would shape up in the current environment with edge calls and the addition of Kim, Asada and a mature Rochette. Also, edging has never been Sasha's strong point, so that makes her vulnerable to Lepisto as well.
Look back at the protocol from 2006 Worlds, Sasha's last competition, and see how Sasha's performance would shape up in the current environment with edge calls and the addition of Kim, Asada and a mature Rochette. Also, edging has never been Sasha's strong point, so that makes her vulnerable to Lepisto as well.
What exactly are you referring to when you say "edging" I see strong edges on spirals and strong edges on footwork. I also see strong and clear edges on say her rocker into her 2axel. When she changes edge on her spins it is clear. FC to inside edge etc. Perhaps my interp of edging is different.
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2005
Sasha has very very shallow edges - especially on her spirals. Compare her spirals with say Joannie's and you will see a difference in the depth of the edge. Sasha is almost on a flat throughout her spiral.
Sasha's spirals LOOK spectacular, but she doesn't have good edge control. Note that she is often on the flat of her blade, and due to the excessive friction, she doesn't move very fast and she doesn't get much ice coverage. Where Michelle Kwan used to travel the entire length of the rink on her change-edge spiral, on that same spiral Sasha doesn't even make it halfway, and after the edge change she slows to a crawl.
Lack of edge control also contributes to Sasha's wonky (landed on the wrong edge) jumps.
Lack of edge control also contributes to Sasha's wonky (landed on the wrong edge) jumps.
I have always heard unfavorable things about Sasha's edges, and that her spiral, though beautifully positioned, was not sustained. (I can't verify those with my own observation--that's above my skill set.) If that's an accurate evaluation, it's pretty alarming. I don't know how that compares with the abilities of other American ladies (i.e., will that weakness stand in Sasha's way as she competes at Nationals?), but I suspect that a lot of the European and Asian skaters, not to mention Joannie in Canada, are superior to Sasha in that regard.
I still love to watch Sasha skate, though. Even though there are a lot of other bendy girls these days, no one has her presentation.
I still love to watch Sasha skate, though. Even though there are a lot of other bendy girls these days, no one has her presentation.
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2003
Good point about skating 2 exhibition programs vs a competitive LP program. She'll certainly need to work on endurance.
I recall that Dick Button said that TV really only shows spirals from the ankle up, but the judges are looking at the ankle down. I think it's a legitimate statement.
I recall that Dick Button said that TV really only shows spirals from the ankle up, but the judges are looking at the ankle down. I think it's a legitimate statement.
Sasha has never suffered from not having the deepest edges on her spirals. Even during Worlds 2005 when she struggled to do a COE when changing position to the point she had to stop and restart or crash into the boards, she got a +0.29 GOE, only one judge gave her a -1. So, I think overall, judges are willing to equate good extension/tension/positions with speed/edges/ice coverage.
True. Well, we shall see soon enough! Seems to me the good spiral sequences tend to get +1 or 2 GOE's, not sure we've seen +3s. And that is for Caroline, Alissa, Joannie Yu-Na and Mao, vastly different strengths/weaknesses amongst those 5! I think us fans place more emphasis on spiral sequences than need be. Not very hard to get to a level 4, the biggest issue seems to be holding a position long enough. I think, potentially, Mao could pull in the best sequence-beautiful extensions and positions, good edges and speed, but she always gets dinged for not holding something long enough.
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2009
A kind user just posted another portion of Sasha's SP on the Sashafan page (better quality if very brief):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiRvS1-KI_w
It is astonishing no one who was there seems to have captured the Sasha's entire SP.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiRvS1-KI_w
It is astonishing no one who was there seems to have captured the Sasha's entire SP.
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2006
she looks amazing. thanks for posting.
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2007
I can't wait for TEB. I wonder if Sasha will try a pearl spin. She is probably one of the few skaters who can do one.
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2009
Thank you for reminding me MKFS because I forgot to mention it in my previous post-I HATE those frantic-looking arm movements. Blech. I hope Sasha tones it down for the actual competition SP.
Windmill arms--phooey! And of all skaters, Sasha is one who least needs to resort to that. She understands placement and has a dancer's approach to upper body positioning. She doesn't need to express emotion by vibrating at hummingbird frequency.
Even if she doesn't score high in any competition this year, Sasha will still do a good job if she stays true to herself. Of course she has to step up her level, but she should skate as Sasha, not as an imitation of anyone else or as a generic CoP skater.
Even if she doesn't score high in any competition this year, Sasha will still do a good job if she stays true to herself. Of course she has to step up her level, but she should skate as Sasha, not as an imitation of anyone else or as a generic CoP skater.
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