2014 Nebelhorn Trophy

[text_skate]

C/B just won the FD. I'm glad. I liked their program the best. This will be definitely an interesting season with all these dance pair so close .

Z/G looked a bit disappointed when they got their points. They were expecting more, I'd say. Only the 4th best FD.

 

[Mrs. P]

Woah, Chock and Bates just beat Weaver/Poje in the free dance. TES was some 3 points higher. w/p won overall.

 

[Mrs. P]

Both "Russian B ladies" here had so far a more successful career than Gracie.
Liza was more successful as a junior and as a senior won GP events qualified to GPF twice and she is 2 years younger than Gracie.
Alena won GPF and Worlds medal.

Yeah it's sort of an insult to call either of these ladies b team. They have struggled last season, that's all. That's why I find it hilarious at the gloom and doom at Gracie. What's not to say that Gracie can make the same comeback?

 

[jenaj]

What I loved about Liza's program is that you could actually see her gaining confidence as the program went by. Started with a bit shaky 3Lz, doubled the flip, but after the 3-3 combo she was on fire and her jumps once again had the quality you would expect from her.
This is a very important step for her this season, she needs to build on this performance to gain her reputation back. She does have the advantage that she regained her jumps after puberty hit while her other main rivals are still to do so. (except Adelina).

I noticed that, too. Her jumps got noticeably better as the program went on and by the footwork sequence, she was on fire. I don't get her costuming, but she won't lose points because of it--at least I don't think so!

 

[Olympic]

Both "Russian B ladies" here had so far a more successful career than Gracie.
Liza was more successful as a junior and as a senior won GP events qualified to GPF twice and she is 2 years younger than Gracie.
Alena won GPF bronz and Worlds silver medal.

You make a valid point, but I was thinking of the reputations of all these ladies over the past season, going all the way back to 2013 Worlds where Gracie has been consistently better.

 

[jimeonji]

Z/G's music choice was. Quite interesting.
I quite liked H/B's FD! Thankfully they used different R&J music. It looked to me like they started off a bit slow.
I enjoyed the first bit of W/P's FD with the lively music, I thought that part was super fun. I really like their rotational.
I love C/B's music and their last lift.

 

[TMC]

Does anybody know if they are going to show the gala?

 

[KKonas]

Agree. Love watching Jean Luc skate - they definitely are on the rise. Enjoyed Chock & Bates FD - still a little rough around the edges, especially in the lifts but a difficult program. Also liked Weaver & Poje's FD. Hated the German's FD music and they looked sloppy - especially him.

 

[Mirunna]

Yeah it's sort of an insult to call either of these ladies b team. They have struggled last season, that's all. That's why I find it hilarious at the gloom and doom at Gracie. What's not to say that Gracie can make the same comeback?

If Adelina could skate like she did in Sochi after falling apart BIG TIME at GPF, I will make no predictions regarding Gracie for the rest of the season. She may well blow everyone at Skate America.

 

[Mrs. P]

Does anybody know if they are going to show the gala?

Yes I think they will. Starts in about 3.5 hours. (9 pm your time...)

 

[jenaj]

I watched Gracie's LP just now.

On the positive side, she looks better on the ice at this point in September, 2014 than she did in October / November 2013 during last year's Grand Prix. FC probably has helped her (somewhat) with consistency. Her axel isn't problematic as it was at the end of last season.

On the other hand, her Lutz doesn't look solid and she had the same problem at the local Glacier Falls competition in August. Maybe this is something to work out just like the axel.

A little worse for me, and it's been said, is that FC seems too interested in turning her into a Disney Ice Princess or some sort of skater reminiscent of the 60s, 70s or 80s when ladies were a little more doll-like and all about 'appearance'. To me, the smile during the Spiral was plastered on her face and she didn't give an impression that she wanted to be there competing, which scares me a little. I hope this all doesn't go the same way as Mirai's career a few years ago.

Also, she shouldn't be losing to Russia's B team with her talent regardless of whether it is early in the season or not. She needs to be more competitive and want to beat her competitors more if she expects to win. Maybe FC is restricting her in some way. IDK, some random thoughts.

I guess we will have to wait and see what happens one month from now at Skate America

I saw some very nice moments in Gracie's skate. I wish the current system allowed her to hold her spiral near the end longer (by that, I mean that spirals and other moves have to be shortened in favor of point-garnering elements). I think she will do very well with this program if she does her 3-3. Nerves still seem to be a problem for Gracie.

 

[swurvestar]

It has to be said, Madison Chock, you have toilet paper hanging off your dress. So embarrassing when that happens.

Completely agree! I wanted to reach into my screen and pull it off her dress.

When I saw their dance on live stream it looked to me like most of their lifts all had mistakes. However, on replay it was clear they were fine.

Really liked H/B. Some lovely choreo in that program.

Was disappointed in my favs W/P but usually their programs grow on me and I love them later in the season.

 

[andyjo24]

Both "Russian B ladies" here had so far a more successful career than Gracie.
Liza was more successful as a junior and as a senior won GP events qualified to GPF twice and she is 2 years younger than Gracie.
Alena won GPF bronz and Worlds silver medal.

Haha, I've never thought about it that way, but you're right! I don't know why, but I always feel like Liza is around Gracie's age when she's only 17! She has more than enough time to move up (Kostner only started moving up in her middle 20's!).

 

[yyyskate]

just watched a few girls, lovely Mariah, lovely dark blue/blackish dress with a heard of ocean diamond design on the neck. this girl has every thing. beautiful line, great musicality, lovely presentation. I wish she can up her technique element in future.
Gracie, some nice moments in choreo, more difficult transitions, she is learning how to pace in the program/to the music and some improvement showed. still some arm flailing and awkwardness in her dance style (she is not a naturally good dancer). but there is improvement.also more maturity. jump wise, I think about the same as last year. will need to wait and see. music/choreo is kinda bland for me but I think it will grow on me as it processes/refines through the season. I really DONT like her dress. please change, but Gracie is always a beautiful girl to watch. I think Gracie may try to do some classic ballet program in the future, and i think that rigidity/structure might actually suits her. something abstract not dramatic nor lyrical.

Liza, really glad to see the fire and energy and power from Liza, jumps are very good considering she is still recovering from injury. what I really glad to see is that her usually too-busy-arm/hand flipping movement seems gone (still a little left and some pushy-like posing as well), there are more control. this is nice. I think both programs suits her and showed her strength/style. if packaged properly, could be 2 Liza programs but with distinct flavor. However, those baggy robes, really kill it for me. Liza is a healthy beautiful girl, don't need to hide anything.

leonova, great performer.

EDIT: choreo, I think Gracie's program has variety/depth/maturity. but she need to perform it right. Liza's program has fire and she already achieved that.

 

[TMC]

Yes I think they will. Starts in about 3.5 hours. (9 pm your time...)

Thanks you're so sweet

 

[Sophie-Anna]

Just watching victory ceremony and I'm so happy that Liza looks happy

 

[Mrs. P]

Thanks you're so sweet

No prob. Now to try to get 10 miles in before then!

 

[moon]

There is absolutely no reason the German team should be getting the PCS that they do. People are attracted to the performance it seems and cannot see that they are NOT skating with any sort of difficulty whatsoever. They should not have been near H/B.

 

[MasterB]

My thoughts (All Positive)

Leonova - she looked fantastic and never this strong. She attacked like she was fearless.

Gracie - Loved the dress, skated way better than I thought she would.

LIza - to me you were never the number one skater in Russia, but through the years I've learned to love you. If wearing that bag will ensure your rise to the top I can live with it. BRAVO!!!!

 

[fanofskating]

Wow to W/P....that will be an amazing program as the season (no pun) progresses, lots of dance holds, close together and potential for awesome lines and power....good for them!