That new sp of Gracie's was a cheap rushed replica of Mao's Nocturne. Look at the transitions and choreo in between elements.
Right now for Gracie it's one step at a time and first she needs to finally skate a good LP while holding a lead. I don't want to see her overwhelmed like she has been in the past. This is her moment she needs to take it because something tells me the girls behind her are going to skate great. Ashley is always dangerous in the LP especially when she's behind and Polina has no real pressure but is confident that she can make the team. As we've seen in the past with Oksana and Tara beware a confident 15 year old who can jump and doesn't get rattled in the big moments.Anyone seen these? (Good vid interviews)
http://msn.foxsports.com/buzzer/story/skaters-head-to-boston-with-eye-on-sochi-010814
http://msn.foxsports.com/olympics/story/gold-lives-up-to-her-name-with-strong-short-program-010914
The Carroll factor this year can boost her credit considerably leading to Sochi
I remember first seeing Polina as a very skinny 12 year old skating as a Junior back in 2011. I wondered how she was skating at that level at that age since she was at least 3 years younger then most of the competitors. But she more then held her own even though she only finished 7th and she's kept improving every year.
Yes, I thought she's a special talent, since I first saw her in a video earlier this season.
I would just like to add one little comment here: Mirai! Mirai! Mirai!
It was nice to see Gracie deliver her SP so well. I think the program is pretty and Gracie did a better job delivering it than I thought she would, but I still think her "artistry" is on the surface. She's doing the moves and delivering them nicely, but there's no underlying understanding or connection with what she's doing. She's still regurgitating choreography but the upside is she looks much better doing it than she did last year.
Her biggest test is going to be the FS. She's under a lot of pressure just by being in the lead and then having to skate last on top of that. Depending on how the other ladies skate, that will add even more pressure to her. If she can keep calm and just skate, she'll be fine...but if she wants to be #1 she needs to go out there and win. Ashley has been known to skate lights out when she's coming from behind.
I hope Gracie doesn't pull a Sasha and shoot herself in the foot by giving this away. The title is hers to lose...
It was nice to see Gracie deliver her SP so well. I think the program is pretty and Gracie did a better job delivering it than I thought she would, but I still think her "artistry" is on the surface. She's doing the moves and delivering them nicely, but there's no underlying understanding or connection with what she's doing. She's still regurgitating choreography but the upside is she looks much better doing it than she did last year.
Her biggest test is going to be the FS. She's under a lot of pressure just by being in the lead and then having to skate last on top of that. Depending on how the other ladies skate, that will add even more pressure to her. If she can keep calm and just skate, she'll be fine...but if she wants to be #1 she needs to go out there and win. Ashley has been known to skate lights out when she's coming from behind.
I hope Gracie doesn't pull a Sasha and shoot herself in the foot by giving this away. The title is hers to lose...
Fake it till you make it, as the saying goes; got to start somewhere. Most impressive skate I've seen from her. I am finally starting to see her qualities without the distractions of her skating.
Well Gracie is 0-4 when having a lead since turning Senior. Of course being on the west coast the Ladies LP will be tape delayed so i will probably tape it and stay away from the computer. Having the nerve the watch it is another question.
Well Gracie is 0-4 when having a lead since turning Senior.
How funny, Mao's SP came to my mind as well! I still liked it a lot and thought she looked like a different skater out there, very sophisticated
I hope Gracie doesn't pull a Sasha and shoot herself in the foot by giving this away. The title is hers to lose...
Gracie will take inspiration from Suzuki and finally have the skate of her life at Nationals. She will be clean and score big, north of 200 points (US Nationals inflation of course).
Disclaimer: I do not own a crystal ball. This is just a wild guess.
Thank the skating gods I got 95% of my prediction right.