Sotnikova's jumps are better than Kim's. Everyone knew that, a long time ago that outside of the Lutz Sotnikova has an edge there. Sotnikova has a Loop, though, which KIM does not have so she will have a 1 triple advantage in the FS, meaning she can fall on a Triple Lutz and still have a BV advantage over Kim.
Sotnikova's spins are in another dimension compared to Kim's. The Combo spin is WAY more stretched out. Her Layback is Level 4 and WAY better than Kim's. Her Flying Camel Spin leave's Kim's in the dust.
She did transitions out of her Triple Flip and Double Axel (the latter into a Twizzle Straignt into her L4 LBSp).
That first combination could have been a Quad-Triple with the amount of height she got on the first jump, with no rotational questions and immaculate landings. She probably got all +3's for that combination (and it would be deserved).
Kim telegraphs more compared to Sotnikova. Sotnikova goes straight into her 3F from steps, Kim takes a bathroom break going into that jump and Sotnikova's transitions into that jump are way more difficult than Kim's.
Kim got a level 3 Step Sequence, Sotnikova didn't IIRC.
Sotnikova performed that program like her life was on the line. I've never seen her sell that program as much as she did, and she added in more choreography (that made sense, hopefully she doesn't wave during the Spiral in her FS cause I'm at a lost for that) which really improved the program. She was amazing.
I do feel like we're finally getting to a point where the younger skaters like Gold, Lipnitskaya, Sotnikova, Edmunds, etc. aren't being penalized because they were "born too late" and it's actually kind of refreshing to see.
Kostner was beautiful, but I think Sotnikova outperformed everyone in the field and apart from Kostner and Sotnikova everyone performed like they were on their way to the Guillotine. Kim was solid, but you could tell she was quite nervous.
hwell:
