Ladies Long Program Top 3
Lizas comeback was a major success, she managed to land five triple jumps and scored 127.71 points before Gracie with 120.49 and Alena with 119.99.
1. Elizaveta Tuktamysheva [127.71] --> 192.65 in total
It was great to see Liza back in action after that aweful last season where she only came 10th at the nationals and had to skip Sochi, Budapest and a lot more.
While the program wasnt perfect it was a step into the right direction as Liza was able to land two triple Lutz, and triple toes and a triple loop. Besides that she was able to transfer her magic into the hearts of all here at Oberstdorf.
Liza was at first not that pleased with her performance but when she realized her score she couldnt stop smiling.
The program was not 100% clean, still I am happy that my nerves did hold and I hope that it will stay like that in the next competitions.
When I was sitting at the kiss and cry I first though that it wasnt so good but then I saw the score and it was and I was very happy.
But not only her jumps were back on track, her whole attitude and the smiles have returned as well. Liza who is a very cute and friendly fellow off ice, has finally found her smile again and this is incredible important for a skater. After all you dont just skate for the fans but also for yourself and you need to be happy with your profession else it will end up awkward.
Those smiles that i mentioned are especially important if we talk about artistry, spins, skating skills. All those things which turn Figure Skating not away from sport but at least in a more "entertaining" subject.
All her spins have received a level 4, her step sequence was a thrill to watch as she managed to transport her joy & passion for that sport into everyones heart.
I honestly have no idea why some of the judges gave her less than an eight on her interpretation or choreographie. She had tempo changes, different themes and all of this you could actually see in her eyes and body movement.
After the competition I asked Liza about what she thinks that she can achieve this seasons and if we will see her at the Euros or even worlds.
Right now I dont think about Europeans or Worlds, I first want to get back to where I was and if I manage this then I will try and compete at the nationals and see what happens.
A great answer if you ask me, as we all know how crazy Russian media and fans can be if they want you to win gold and sadly only this counts in Russia.
2. Gracie Gold [120.49] --> 182.31 in total
But we dont need to look at Russia alone, the US are not any different and who knows that better than our "golden" girl from California, Gracie.
Gracie started with her triple Lutz, an element that she didnt manage to land in the SP, followed by a double Axel - triple Toe combination. Besides that she performed 3 more triple (Sal, Loop and Flip) and received incredible high marks for her layback at the end of the program, a program that was an absolute joy to watch. She was a real lady on the ice and even though it sounds like a broken record, she was graceful our Gracie.
"I actually am ok with my performance today, there are still a few things to improve but it was a tough competition with great skaters so that I can be happy that I managed to control my nerves a bit and get on to the podium".
Gracie was performing to music by Andrew Loyd Webber and I felt it was an excellent choice for her choreograpghie and repertoire. To me she was able to transport the story of the music right on to the ice, it was a joy to see how she skated to the music with graceful movements at all times.
Personally I could had watched her skate for many more hours like that, it should just never end so beautiful it was.
I mentioned it a few days ago already after a practice session, her stepsequences are great.
On the one hand she is able to move in a very elegant way like a movie star on the other this is also the time when she puts on her best smile and I tell ya this rocks.
Unfortunately do these type of things seldom count for American skating fans and I had the opportunity to ask Gracie about her feelings about the constant pressure for gold.
In America it is very tough, when I came back from the Olympics a lot of people said and did you win gold? It was especially tough since I won a bronze medal in the team event and also got a good third and fourth place.
People in America can be mean sometimes, especially on social media. Its a tough situation sometimes but I try to not let it get to my head.
And since I have the gold in my name people say oh thats such a wonderful name and then they do expect automatically that I also bring it home.
In my opinion it is a sad situation because she is such a wonderful person off ice and honestly, chatting with her was a hell of fun and I think that not only at Sochi but also here at Oberstdorf she has proven her talent once again with beautiful skates that you just like to watch again and again.
3. Alena Leonova [119.99] --> 186.71
Third in the LP but second overall is Alena with a wonderful Tango performance and in my humble opinion one of her best Free Programs that I was able to see live.
What impressed me so much was her variety today. It was a very feminine performance in a lovely red dress and she wasnt so determined like so often in her programs. Determined in that way that she often seems to play in her skates but today even though she played the "tango" it didnt look like a play.
The Russian managed to land 6 triple, one more than Gracie and Lisa. She pread her jumps greatly so that her opener was the Flip Toe combination, followed by her loop and lutz single jumps. Later in the program she added a triple flip / Sal combination with a double toe.
Alena was quite pleased with her performance
I actually had a little suprise for my coach today because I didnt tell him that I would go for a triple F double toe. In future I will keep working very hard and hope it will get better.
Of the question why suddenly so many Russian skaters are that good Liza and Alena had a very simple explanation.
"Since we have such a depth we do motivate each other to get better and better, with a tough competition your own performance will automatically improve"
The final top 3 of the Ladies competition is as follows,
1. Lisa 192.65
2. Alena 186.71
3. Gracie 182.31
A summary about all skaters at a later time, now its time for the Gala.
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