Practice Session ladies
Group 1
On the Ice were Birca Atabey Turkey, Anne Line Gjersem Norway (missing), Dasa Grin Slovenia, Crystal Kianf Chinese Taipei, Kerstin Frank Austria and Alysson Krystie Perticheto from the Phillipnes
Kerstin as usual fighting with her nerves, but she also seems to have crashed lately, some injuries on her body
Anna Line is not at the practice, sorry Sara! Dasa has a nice way of skating, I really like to watch her - but she struggles with the jumps.
Group 2
On the Ice were Kaat van Daele Belgium, Elizaveta Ukolova from Ceska, Chelsea Rose Chiappa from Hungary, Reyna Hamui from Mexico Sandra Ristivojevic from Serbia (missing) and last but not least Tina Sturzinger from Austria.
First of all I love the smile of Chelsea so nice to watch! There are not many skaters that can keep a smile on their lips, especially if programms dont go that well. She is competing for Hungary now, but was originally born in the United States and does skate to Somewhere in Time and it was a really touching program, that could had go on forever if you ask me
Also to note was Reyna, I watch her compete now since a while and she has worked hard on her body during off season, if she could just let go a bit more Mexicans have a wild temper dont they, let it out girl!
Group 3
On the ice were, Anna Afonkina Bulgaria, Anita Madsen Denmark, Isabella Schuster from Greece, Clara Peters from Irland, Michelle Couwenberg Netherlands and from Spain Sonja Lafuente.
I dont know why but whenever I see Anita I must think about Carmen, she has something that I just find fascinating.
I also liked the programm of Michelle, she really seemed to enjoy herself on the Ice. Sonja did also practiced the FS, her programm had something but she seemed to skate in her own world.
Group 4 with Ando and Juulia shortly, its a bit more to write
Group 4
On the Ice were, Miki Ando Japan, Fleur Maxwell Luxemburg, Juulia Turkkila Finland, Brookly Han Australia, Ami Parekh India and Danielle Montalbano from Israel.
I am sure you all want to know how Miki did. First of all she looks in great shape, she practiced some of her triples they looked fine. As for the rest, well Miki didnt like to share that with us yet.
Juulia did land a few Triple - Triple and worked a lot on her jumps like the Axel, but also on the openings. Her Coach stood next to me and as far my finnish goes, she seems ok with the pressure, but its not going to be easy for sure. A lot of weight on her small shoulders.
Brookly did run her whole routine, besides a few landings it looked pretty solid. I think Fleur would prefer FS without jumps, it didnt go that well for her sadly.
Group 5
Group 5
On the Ice were, Nathalie Weinzierl Germany, Veronik Mallez Canada, Elena Glebova Estonia, Elena Radionova Russia and last but no least Ashley Cain from the USA.
We have a winner! The best dress of the day goes to Ashley, she did rock that dress - so much bling bling
. What I also liked was her music selection of the SP - I said earlier I like the quiet stuff, but I also like the stuff that goes more forward and it fits her personality well I think.
I was really looking forward to Elena Radionova the winner of the last years juniors and she definately was worth the watch. There is a lot of talent in that girl, she did run the full routine including triple - triple, I liked the final minute of her LP most, she seems to feel likewise - at least she had a big smile on her face at that part. She is quite an entertainer I would say, I would highly recommend her Exhibition Skate from Milan, totally worth it.
Group 6
On the Ice were, former American Isadora Williams for Brasil, Elene Gedevanishvilli Georgia, Alina Fjordorova Latvia, Inga Januleviciute Lituania, Sabina Mariuta Romania and from South Africa Lejeanne Marais.
Isadora looks a lot more stable to me this year, but I am not sure if she will get that spot for the Olympics, I believe you need that 3-3 and / or a very solid performance in SP and LP. Same situation with Elene, it will be tough. Someone who most likely wont qualify is Lejeanne but I really like her programs - she does skate what she can and I always support such skaters!
Another skater I like is Inga, she tried the triple - triple and has a nice attitude on the ice. Always root for the underdogs guys!
This concluded the practice session of the Ladies today, more tomorrow around 6 AM.
