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Championship Ladies FS

inside edge

On the Ice
Joined
Nov 26, 2009
(This is totally OT but just to lighten things up... we were in LA a couple of weeks ago and stayed at a Japanese hotel in "Little Tokyo." I asked the desk clerk if she knew where the store/restaurant owned by Mirai's parents was. I wanted to go eat there and tell them how much I like their daughter's skating!

Unfortunately the clerk claimed not to know who Mirai Nagasu was. :scratch: :scowl: Probably a Mao fan.)

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
 

chuckm

Record Breaker
Joined
Aug 31, 2003
Country
United-States
Yes, it even has it's own topic.

It appears the Rachael supporters are the minority with both the experts and the audience that saw it Live last night.

It was obvious to me who had the better and more appealing presentation last night. Interesting to read that Mirai's dg's were questionable - similar perhaps to what happened to Yuna at the GPF where we saw the replay and how the techcaller obviously made a bad call.

The way Rachael beat Mirai was with alot of help from the tech panel. We saw it last night and fans have every right to be upset by this result which seems questionable at best.

Were you in attendance in Spokane? Were you wearing the ear bud and listening to the commentary of a top ISU Technical Specialist? Mirai landed only 3 of the 6 triples she attempted because three of her jumps were underrotated. Mirai has been dinged at every GP event this year for UR by the ISU tech panels, and the USFS tech panel certainly had to take notice of the same problem, because the Olympics and Worlds are going to be evaluated by ISU tech teams. Mirai's also been dinged for her flutz in ISU competition.

OTOH Rachael has not been gigged for either URs or flutzing by ISU tech panels because she has worked hard to correct those problems.

Rachael landed seven triples to Mirai's three, and accumulated a TES of 69.05 to Mirai's 56.94. THAT was why Mirai was second, and if armchair "experts" are offended, that is just too bad. Just because something looks superior doesn't mean it is technically correct. Skating experts who sit on technical teams are far more knowledgeable than the naysayers whose favorite didn't come out on top. It seems that many of the posters who wanted Sasha to go to Vancouver are now dumping on Rachael Flatt for her sterling performance. Sour grapes are rampant.

BTW, Mirai wasn't the least bit offended by her second place---she was thrilled to make the World team and punch a ticket to Vancouver.

The whole purpose of handing out the ear buds was to educate audiences as to how and why the marks are reached. Plans are to distribute the ear buds at the Olympics to the entire audience, and the ISU intends to do the same thing at its international events.

Maybe in time people will stop saying "wuz robbed" (except of course for ice dance).
 
Joined
Aug 16, 2009
Watch little Michelle at 14 skate her heart out. Don't miss her tears at the end.

I always feels better after I watch this clip.......:love:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHso...0F4DF35D3&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=4

Gloriosky! What a delightful video of Michelle. Haven't seen that in awhile. I agree that watching it lifts the spirits. Even at that young age, she had the understanding of how to interpret music, not just lay down jumps. Look at her arm movements. And her speed!

But as you say in another post, I want Gao just to be herself and find her own "voice." I hope it's as strong a voice as Michelle's, and Janet Lynn's, and YuNa's, and Mao's. Then we'll all be the better for it.

On another subject, Rachael isn't the most "exquisite" skater, but anyone who works as hard as she obviously does deserves my respect and even my gratitude. I think part of it is her posture: she doesn't have that erect carriage that Sasha, Mirai, Carolyn, and Yuka Sato have. To me, Sarah Hughes had some of the same problem--she always looked a bit slouched. But Rachael doesn't lack style. Like Elvis Stojko, she just has a different kind of style. When I watched him, I didn't spend my time yearning for the likes of John Curry; instead I admired Elvis's particular contribution to skating: a straight-ahead, forceful steadiness and plenty of daring. I think that for the time Rachael graces our podiums (and maybe with luck the world's podiums), we should just enjoy what she brings to it, because clearly she's got a lot to give. Maybe she doesn't have the classic ballet body, but neither does Jayne Torvill, whom she reminds me of, and Torvill did just fine in terms of electricity of presentation. The rebel in me is kind of pleased that Rachael isn't conventionally glamorous. Variety is the spice of skating! I can't imagine Miki Ando skating to "Swing, Swing, Swing" with the verve Rachael is giving it.

I'm thrilled to see that we have two ladies who won their places not by default, but by doing the best that was in them. I hope they both make top ten. I hope they both make top five! I hope...but let's not get ahead of ourselves. No pressures, ladies!
 
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FlattFan

Match Penalty
Joined
Jan 4, 2010
Mirai got two UR calls on DOUBLES at SC and two "e" calls on her lutzes, but all 5 triples there were ratified (she left out the 2a-3t, did 2a-2t instead). I really think if judges are going to be that hard on Mirai she just needs to rework her program like Akiko has done.

Mirai changed her 3lo-2t (which the 2t was UR at SC) to a 3lo-2a sequence which was smart (clean with at +1 GOE at nats) and changed her 3lz-2t-2lo (the loop was UR at SC) to a 3lz-2t-2t (no downgrade last night). Now she should just do a 3t-2a seq instead of a 2a-3t, because I know a sequence only gets 80% but if she can't get her 2a-3t ratified, the sequence will be worth more than a 2a-3t< with negative GOEs and she should get good GOEs on the sequence b/c she has a very nice 2a. Then she should just change the second 3lz to a 3f (which she doesn't get edge calls on and it's a better jump for her).

And what did Mirai get at SC? 100? Flatt got 117 at SA.
If this event was an international event, would people be that surprised at the score difference?
I think they inflated everyone, but Mirai got the biggest boost out of the 3.

Rachael 117-130 - 13
Ashley 108-122 - 14
Mirai 100-118 - 18

At the Olympics, Mirai will get hosed for her UR jumps.

I feel like I'm anti-Mirai with all these posts, but in reality, I predicted both girls even before the SP. I like them both, but Rachael is a better skater and won fair and square.
 

cornell08

Final Flight
Joined
May 10, 2009
She might've won fair and square but it was under this seriously flawed scoring system. The audience at Spokane was definitely perturbed.

Also, when is the gala today and will it be shown on NBC?
 

gopatrick

EnChanted
On the Ice
Joined
Nov 8, 2008
I really feel sorry for Ashley, I think she should go to the Olympics.

That's all what I want to say after watching the US ladies.
 

chuckm

Record Breaker
Joined
Aug 31, 2003
Country
United-States
Excuse me, but the audience at Spokane was NOT perturbed. A good portion of the audience was wearing the ear buds which delivered the technical commentary on each skater. So the audience KNEW Mirai had not rotated all of her jumps.

The scoring system wasn't flawed, Mirai's jump technique was flawed.

I was in the audience and the applause after the final scores and placements was announced was deafening. NO ONE BOOED RACHAEL'S WIN.
 

cornell08

Final Flight
Joined
May 10, 2009
Umm I'd say the fact that the audience members needed an earbud for technical commentary when they were AT the event suggests there is something that needs to be amended in this scoring system.

And wow, not booed? I guess they really dug her performance :rofl:
 

chuckm

Record Breaker
Joined
Aug 31, 2003
Country
United-States
The purpose of the earbuds is to educate audiences as to the intricacies of the IJS. Booklets explaining the rules and the criteria for levels and deductions were handed out right at the door to everyone.

Fans of skaters who didn't happen to come out on top probably aren't interested in knowing why their favorite didn't pass muster. Truth can sometimes be painful to admit. So they blame the judging system instead of hoping that their favorite skaters will work on their deficiencies.

I predicted long ago that Rachael Flatt was the most likely skater to make the Olympic team, and it was precisely because (A) Rachael has addressed her deficiencies and worked hard to improve them and (B) she is the most consistent skater and (C) she has competition nerves of steel.
 
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GiuliaPlum

On the Ice
Joined
Aug 10, 2008
I can't believe they're sending Ashley to The Hague. It's like "good Ashley! you missed the Olympic team for 4 points. now go and skate among the Juniors" Will she accept? I wouldn't. And if possible, I'd change nationality.
(mmh, ok, ok, maybe a bit too much)
 

miki88

Medalist
Joined
Dec 28, 2009
Gloriosky! What a delightful video. Haven't seen that in awhile. I agree that watching it lifts the spirits. Even at that young age, she had the understanding of how to interpret music, not just lay down jumps. Look at her arm movements. And her speed!

But as you say in another post, I want Gao just to be herself and find her own "voice." I hope it's as strong a voice as Michelle's, and Janet Lynn's, and YuNa's, and Mao's. Then we'll all be the better for it.

Christina is more similar to Yuna than Michelle. Even at 14, Michelle's skating seemed more mature and expressive. Michelle is just in a class of her own. Interestingly, I don't see any junior skaters who resemble Mao, not even Kanako who is touted as mini-Mao in the press. Mao is probably most similar to Irina in her tendency to take risks, but she has more musicality than Irina. So maybe that's why TAT wanted to work with her. :cool:
 

cornell08

Final Flight
Joined
May 10, 2009
Call me crazy, but I thought Amanda Dobbs was most like a young Kwan. They have spookily similar lines/jumps. Very light. And similar body type too!

She's just so cute. :p Ok, done gushing now.

And yah I'd say Christina is very similar to a young Yuna. They both have that cute but awkward lanky style, but incredible jumping technique/height/ice coverage. And, again, similar figure too.
 

bekalc

Record Breaker
Joined
Nov 1, 2006
Umm I'd say the fact that the audience members needed an earbud for technical commentary when they were AT the event suggests there is something that needs to be amended in this scoring system.

And wow, not booed? I guess they really dug her performance :rofl:

What's the point of having judges then? I bet a good portion of the audience probably can't tell the difference between a 3lutz and a 3toe. So should we not differentate between the two points wise?

Figure skating is a technical sport. That's why the sport has judges people who are knowledgable and are technically trained to determine who is doing the technical elements correctly. The audience can tell who performed the artistry better, but they cannot tell who did the technical things better. And even in the artistry the audience cannot necessarily tell who had the better skating skills.

IF skating is going to be taken seriously as a sport, than technical stuff like the type of jumps you do and how you do them has to be factored into things.

I mean seriously why even have judges, why not just let the audience vote...
 

chuckm

Record Breaker
Joined
Aug 31, 2003
Country
United-States
I love Amanda Dobbs, but she just doesn't have the jump repertory of the other top ladies. Amanda basically has 2A, 3T and 3S, and little else in the way of jumps. She did try the 3F, but fell on it.

That's why she's also competing in Pairs. 2A, 3T and 3S are all that it takes to be competitive in Pairs, but in Senior Ladies, not having 3F, 3Lo and 3Z is a big limitation.
 

cornell08

Final Flight
Joined
May 10, 2009
Dobbs definitely has a less impressive array of jumps, but when she lands them well it really reminds me of a young Michelle Kwan. There's just something very similar in their skating/edge quality. Can't quite pinpoint it...
 

emma

Record Breaker
Joined
Oct 28, 2004
...
On another subject, Rachael isn't the most "exquisite" skater, but anyone who works as hard as she obviously does deserves my respect and even my gratitude. I think part of it is her posture: she doesn't have that erect carriage that Sasha, Mirai, Carolyn, and Yuka Sato have. To me, Sarah Hughes had some of the same problem--she always looked a bit slouched. But Rachael doesn't lack style. Like Elvis Stojko, she just has a different kind of style. When I watched him, I didn't spend my time yearning for the likes of John Curry; instead I admired Elvis's particular contribution to skating: a straight-ahead, forceful steadiness and plenty of daring. I think that for the time Rachael graces our podiums (and maybe with luck the world's podiums), we should just enjoy what she brings to it, because clearly she's got a lot to give. Maybe she doesn't have the classic ballet body, but neither does Jayne Torvill, whom she reminds me of, and Torvill did just fine in terms of electricity of presentation. The rebel in me is kind of pleased that Rachael isn't conventionally glamorous. Variety is the spice of skating! I can't imagine Miki Ando skating to "Swing, Swing, Swing" with the verve Rachael is giving it.

I'm thrilled to see that we have two ladies who won their places not by default, but by doing the best that was in them. I hope they both make top ten. I hope they both make top five! I hope...but let's not get ahead of ourselves. No pressures, ladies!

I love this post!!! Congrats to all of the skaters and medalists! Very exciting competition! Thanks Chuckm for your explanations too - those who don't won't to hear never will.

I do wish Flatt could flatten her shoulders a bit - but boy oh boy she has continued to improve while maintaining consistency and composure, I say well done!!

I also wish - as others have noted - that the paid US commentators learn to commentate (is that a word?). Everytime I hear Europsort or the Spanish commentators or even some of the Canadian ones, I feel they are far superior.
 

janetfan

Match Penalty
Joined
May 15, 2009
The purpose of the earbuds is to educate audiences as to the intricacies of the IJS. Booklets explaining the rules and the criteria for levels and deductions were handed out right at the door to everyone.

Fans of skaters who didn't happen to come out on top probably aren't interested in knowing why their favorite didn't pass muster. Truth can sometimes be painful to admit. So they blame the judging system instead of hoping that their favorite skaters will work on their deficiencies.

I predicted long ago that Rachael Flatt was the most likely skater to make the Olympic team, and it was precisely because (A) Rachael has addressed her deficiencies and worked hard to improve them and (B) she is the most consistent skater and (C) she has competition nerves of steel.

The ear buds - and any attempt at this point to educate the audience - who afterall are the fans who care enough to attend the event sounds like a good thing.

I think NBC has two hours of skating this afternoon and along with the Gala I think they may spend some time explaining what went down last night.

It certainly would be good for fans to get a chance to see these urs and to learn more about how the scores were arrived at.

Any comments on what you heard on the buds last night? Did they explain how Rachael's score was a new pb by what - 20 or more points?

I still don't see how her 200 + score has even a remote resemblance to Yuna or Mao's skating when they have received similar scores.

I knew before Mirai took the ice last night there was no way she could top Rachael's inflated score. So again, a moment of CoP madness intruded on what had been a good competition.

Like Scott, and most fans I did feel some hope after Mirai skated because it just looked and felt so much better than Rachael.

So much for an emotional attachment and reaction to skating. Those days appear to be over because there is too much we can't see that is going to determine the outcome.

Personally I don't like being such a poor sport and thanks to any who have shown a little patience to the unpleasant whining from me and so many others.

Good luck in Vancouver to Rachael and Mirai.
 
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