- Joined
- Jan 17, 2014
One of the most satisfying comp of the year. This was most exciting and the winner was well deserved.
Rika Kihira - gutsy skate. She must have trained for plans B and C and have the presence of mind to pull out the backup 3A-2T and up the 3Lz-2T to a 3-3. 200% badass.
Alina Zagitova. Got to admire her grit and for holding it together. Some of her jumps in both SP and LP look borderline and landings were scratchier than normal but she got away with them and eked out the toughies. She really deserves better programmes and take some cues from Alyona Kostornaia and Anna Scherbakova on posture and being less frenetic. That’s her team and choreo to fix. So much potential to be a wonderful skater with the tech and the grit. IMO overscored in PCS PE, CO, IN and SS, three of which can be rectified by some tweaks in the programme and not to rush out everything.
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva - my favourite performance of the evening. Yes the 3A landing was turned out but that was a consequence of Liza Tuks and Papa Mishin opting to use the jump technique more often used by male skaters with big launch power and the landing can be harder to control. Practice practice practice - once under control, that 3A will be more impressive than Rika’s in height, power and flow. IMO underscored in PE and IN. SS and TR are noticeably weaker and about right. I have no issues with the tech GOEs. The jump GOEs are great but the non jumps low GOEs were what did her in. Spins and steps are not her best friends. But I like Tuks and her guts to always come back, so my heart will always be bias in her scoring better.
Kaori Sakamoto - this girl has the goods certainly. After CaroK, Kaori has some of the smoothest flow out of her jumps. The skating below the knees are awesome, but above the knees......let’s say she is young, she just needs time to smoothen things out. A very tough competitor under the youthful smiles and happiness. I think she will eventually grow to become a judge favourite.
Sofia Samodurova - exuberant, youthful, sassy performer. New to the big stage and not afraid to compete. Not the biggest jumper but you can tell that the foundation is fairly solid. Needs to work on the SS and speed control rather than to muscle the way out. Sofia certainly will be an exciting new comer to watch. Under Papa Mishin, we know that the tech will not be an issue. The blade work, stroking and effective use of transitional moves will be where big returns can be made.
Satoko Miyahara - not her best comp, was visibly more tensed in her SP. Inherently limited in her tech and will always be at the mercy of TPs and the performance of other stronger tech skaters in order to win. Currently has the best non jumps and great in PCS but.....darn, not a judging fave. Completely lowballed in the FS PCS wise. Fairly dinged and called for jump URbut really deserves higher PCS than anyone else in this FS segment. I see her as the Ashley Wagner role equivalent - the one whom the federation depends on for solidity, being able to hold on to slots and carry the others through but will never be the real star. Under rated which is a pity as she has the non jump aspects to show and works harder than anyone. Ideal skater = Liza Tuks jumps plus Satoko’s non jumps and qualitative skating aspects.
Rika Kihira - gutsy skate. She must have trained for plans B and C and have the presence of mind to pull out the backup 3A-2T and up the 3Lz-2T to a 3-3. 200% badass.
Alina Zagitova. Got to admire her grit and for holding it together. Some of her jumps in both SP and LP look borderline and landings were scratchier than normal but she got away with them and eked out the toughies. She really deserves better programmes and take some cues from Alyona Kostornaia and Anna Scherbakova on posture and being less frenetic. That’s her team and choreo to fix. So much potential to be a wonderful skater with the tech and the grit. IMO overscored in PCS PE, CO, IN and SS, three of which can be rectified by some tweaks in the programme and not to rush out everything.
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva - my favourite performance of the evening. Yes the 3A landing was turned out but that was a consequence of Liza Tuks and Papa Mishin opting to use the jump technique more often used by male skaters with big launch power and the landing can be harder to control. Practice practice practice - once under control, that 3A will be more impressive than Rika’s in height, power and flow. IMO underscored in PE and IN. SS and TR are noticeably weaker and about right. I have no issues with the tech GOEs. The jump GOEs are great but the non jumps low GOEs were what did her in. Spins and steps are not her best friends. But I like Tuks and her guts to always come back, so my heart will always be bias in her scoring better.
Kaori Sakamoto - this girl has the goods certainly. After CaroK, Kaori has some of the smoothest flow out of her jumps. The skating below the knees are awesome, but above the knees......let’s say she is young, she just needs time to smoothen things out. A very tough competitor under the youthful smiles and happiness. I think she will eventually grow to become a judge favourite.
Sofia Samodurova - exuberant, youthful, sassy performer. New to the big stage and not afraid to compete. Not the biggest jumper but you can tell that the foundation is fairly solid. Needs to work on the SS and speed control rather than to muscle the way out. Sofia certainly will be an exciting new comer to watch. Under Papa Mishin, we know that the tech will not be an issue. The blade work, stroking and effective use of transitional moves will be where big returns can be made.
Satoko Miyahara - not her best comp, was visibly more tensed in her SP. Inherently limited in her tech and will always be at the mercy of TPs and the performance of other stronger tech skaters in order to win. Currently has the best non jumps and great in PCS but.....darn, not a judging fave. Completely lowballed in the FS PCS wise. Fairly dinged and called for jump URbut really deserves higher PCS than anyone else in this FS segment. I see her as the Ashley Wagner role equivalent - the one whom the federation depends on for solidity, being able to hold on to slots and carry the others through but will never be the real star. Under rated which is a pity as she has the non jump aspects to show and works harder than anyone. Ideal skater = Liza Tuks jumps plus Satoko’s non jumps and qualitative skating aspects.
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:agree:
