- Joined
- May 19, 2011
Finally finished watching the SP. As always I'll post my full account after the competition on my blog but my quick thoughts after seeing it...
Mao: Divine. Just divine. That program is so beautiful and she performed well here. She spun out of the 3A (too late on the check and the momentum carried her around) but the rotation was good. That's a win in my book. The rest of the skating was just fine and very beautiful. I really love that program. The < on the combo is just something else to work on...it was fine at SA. Eventually everything will come together but this was just lovely IMO.
Akiko: Divine. Just divine! Again, not that great with the jumps (except that 2A which was perfection with the music) but the program is all kinds of gorgeous. I'm so happy to see how close Akiko and Mao are in PCS; Mao 34+, Akiko 33+. It's about time she was given her due like the rest of the top veterans...
Elena: Like I said, she's a gutsy little fighter. I really like that program for her and she performs so well. Really great transitions throughout and excellent quick thinking to tack the 3T to that 3L.
Gracie: The music still makes me cringe but she did okay here. Obviously she could have been much better but seeing as how nearly everyone struggled a little today, she's in a great position to medal if she can hold herself together in the FS.
Valentina: So wonderful! I really love this SP for her and I'm glad she was able to have an even better showing here. Valentina knows how to cast a spell when she skates well and I really really hope she's able to bring some of that magic to the FS. I'd love to see her place top 5 here.
Satoko: I really love her program and I thought she had a very solid debut. One thing I'm noticing about Satoko that is troubling is that she pre-rotates her jumps. I noticed it on the replay; in her 3-3, she'd completed one full turn b/f her toe pick left the ice. Hopefully that's something she can work on as well as adding some height to those jumps. But overall, really nice way to debut on the senior GP.
Alena: I thoroughly hate this friggin' program. There is no skating to it. 65% of the program is campy footwork complete with *gasp!* faces, hip wiggles, pointing, winking, etc. etc. I'm sorry but that's a program she should have left back in 2011/12 where it belonged. When 14 year old newbie Elena has a more mature and complete program than the 23 year old veteran Alena, there's a serious problem IMO...
Mirai: Her warm up looked good but she did not do well. She must have been nervous which is really sad b/c this program has potential. All << and <...I pray for her for the FS. If by some miracle she can pull off a top 5 finish it'd be great.
Elene: Disappointing as usual. At least her ticket to Sochi is already stamped...
As long as Mao has a decent FS she should be fine. Akiko will need to do well to maintain her position. Elena and Gracie will have to duke it out for that bronze medal. Should be an interesting competition...
Mao: Divine. Just divine. That program is so beautiful and she performed well here. She spun out of the 3A (too late on the check and the momentum carried her around) but the rotation was good. That's a win in my book. The rest of the skating was just fine and very beautiful. I really love that program. The < on the combo is just something else to work on...it was fine at SA. Eventually everything will come together but this was just lovely IMO.
Akiko: Divine. Just divine! Again, not that great with the jumps (except that 2A which was perfection with the music) but the program is all kinds of gorgeous. I'm so happy to see how close Akiko and Mao are in PCS; Mao 34+, Akiko 33+. It's about time she was given her due like the rest of the top veterans...
Elena: Like I said, she's a gutsy little fighter. I really like that program for her and she performs so well. Really great transitions throughout and excellent quick thinking to tack the 3T to that 3L.
Gracie: The music still makes me cringe but she did okay here. Obviously she could have been much better but seeing as how nearly everyone struggled a little today, she's in a great position to medal if she can hold herself together in the FS.
Valentina: So wonderful! I really love this SP for her and I'm glad she was able to have an even better showing here. Valentina knows how to cast a spell when she skates well and I really really hope she's able to bring some of that magic to the FS. I'd love to see her place top 5 here.
Satoko: I really love her program and I thought she had a very solid debut. One thing I'm noticing about Satoko that is troubling is that she pre-rotates her jumps. I noticed it on the replay; in her 3-3, she'd completed one full turn b/f her toe pick left the ice. Hopefully that's something she can work on as well as adding some height to those jumps. But overall, really nice way to debut on the senior GP.
Alena: I thoroughly hate this friggin' program. There is no skating to it. 65% of the program is campy footwork complete with *gasp!* faces, hip wiggles, pointing, winking, etc. etc. I'm sorry but that's a program she should have left back in 2011/12 where it belonged. When 14 year old newbie Elena has a more mature and complete program than the 23 year old veteran Alena, there's a serious problem IMO...
Mirai: Her warm up looked good but she did not do well. She must have been nervous which is really sad b/c this program has potential. All << and <...I pray for her for the FS. If by some miracle she can pull off a top 5 finish it'd be great.
Elene: Disappointing as usual. At least her ticket to Sochi is already stamped...
As long as Mao has a decent FS she should be fine. Akiko will need to do well to maintain her position. Elena and Gracie will have to duke it out for that bronze medal. Should be an interesting competition...
If she brings it with the jumps it will be exciting.
