- Joined
- Jul 11, 2003
Herios, Much of what you say is true, but Caroline's junior events were predicated on the flexibility she showed. Flexibility had been the WOW for the Ladies spins and spirals. Flexibility is a non skating trait as are long legs; legs with more spring in them, and arms like a ballerina. Those are advantages skaters bring to skating even before they skated. I think judges are now aware of that. They make pretty pictures and higher jumps but that's natural talent and not skating talent. It's not difficult to bring these outside gifts to skating.How can you call Zhang a late bloomer Joe? She is actually quite the opposite. A late bloomer is starting late his / her career and reaches the best results later than the average. Caroline started her career on a high (JWC gold) and she is on a rather steep downhill trend.
She was 3rd in US 2 years ago in seniors and now she is 12. Where is the blooming, cause I am not seeing it?
And eventhough there are some technical improvements, if there is no translation in results, then all the effort is just a waste of time. At this point in time, she is facing a big uphill battle.
I think next year will be critical for her. She most likely will have no GP assignments and will need to go through qualifications like Czisny did. But if the results won't be coming along, she might be better looking after her academical career.
When it came to competitive skating in seniors, the era of flexibility was over and it was noted there was no change in speed in her skating. That was her biggest problem, imo. She now has corrected that as shown in Nats. Missing some jumps is something she has to work on, but doesn't everyone? didn't Alissa? whom I remember having jumping problems since 8 years ago.
I think Caroline has improved and next season she will be a contender. JMO.