I'm just shocked at Sasha performing so badly. Level 1 footwork? Taking out the layback and triple toe? I'm so... I don't know, not angry like I would have been a few years ago, just confused. She was so stiff and not her usual self. USFSA told her to "get lost" with the PCS in the short and again in the long. In the short I felt she didn't even have her old spark.
Congrats Rachael and Mirai.
I wonder if Sasha's back is bothering her a bit. I didn't think her layback looked as good as it has in the SP-not as much stretch and slowed considerably. Granted we have been spoiled by Caroline, Alissa and Mirai, but Sasha always had a lovely layback with speed (save for the beillmann position). I would assume that is why she left it out of her LP. What hurt her was not getting a level 4 on the FCoSp then-instead of what could've been a 3.43 if level 4, it was a 2.93 Vs the 3.27 she got for her level 4 layback in the SP.
My guess for omitting the 3toe-she was training a 3f/3t, and was to repeat the flip and salchow for more points.
I thought Sasha skated great in the SP, had speed and flare. In the LP, she just looked tentative, slow, as if she believed as long as she stayed upright, she'd win. I guess she really did underestimate how tough a comeback would be, otherwise I think she would've done all she could to compete last season. That is what killed her chances.
I do feel bad for her, but hard to feel sorry when she made the choices she did. I'm sure she'll be a huge hit on SOI and if anything good comes out of this whole deal, it is she did get a lot of press and love. This AM, the 1st thing my mom said when I called her was,"Oh, that figure skater didn't make the team!" I knew she was talking about Sasha, but said,"Which one?" She said,"Umm...the one they've been talking about and showing on NBC all week..."
Looking forward to seeing what Sasha does in the gala today-I presume she is doing "DSTM" but hoping for something new!