Ladies - Free Program - Comments | Page 2 | Golden Skate

Ladies - Free Program - Comments

kemy

Rinkside
Joined
Aug 20, 2003
Well...even thought Michelle is off the podium, those naysayers who said that she wouldn't be able to adapt to the COP were wrong. She wasn't slammed by the system. she was slammed by herself. She made costly mistake that, had she not made them, she would have been in third place. Not bad for your first time trying out COP. I wonder what others skaters' first COP experiences were like with the levels and all that. Michelle only had two Level 1's in each program right? (Except qualifying with her shorty spiral)
 

tannisming

Rinkside
Joined
Mar 16, 2005
I'm glad Worlds turned out the way it did. I would have liked Miki or Arakawa to have done better but I'm glad for Irena, Sasha and Carolina. You all deserve your win :clap: . I just wish Asada could skate at the next Olympics but she's too young.
 

Kuchana

On the Ice
Joined
Sep 25, 2004
cutiepatutie said:
Sorry to deflate your bubble but her jumps are not the only thing that held her down. She has a lot of work cut out for herself if she even hopes to make the Olympic team next year.

If you're referring to the Nationals, I seriously doubt she'll have any problems making that team for the Olympics. If not, then yes it'll be more difficult for the actualy Olympic team itself. However, I dont think it was much the jumps as it was the fact that this was first time she skated under the COP system and she didn't have the difficult spins nor the intricate choreography that held her back, not forgetting her dismal qual either. It was all a matter of circumstance if you look at it. Michelle only brought it on herself and I hope she learns from it.
 

Doggygirl

Record Breaker
Joined
Dec 18, 2003
kemy said:
Well...even thought Michelle is off the podium, those naysayers who said that she wouldn't be able to adapt to the COP were wrong. She wasn't slammed by the system. she was slammed by herself. She made costly mistake that, had she not made them, she would have been in third place. Not bad for your first time trying out COP. I wonder what others skaters' first COP experiences were like with the levels and all that. Michelle only had two Level 1's in each program right? (Except qualifying with her shorty spiral)

I am NOT saying this to dis MK. I'm only responding to what "other skaters experiences" have been with COP. Irina did not compete GP last year, right? She went undefeated this year. And before anyone starts in with how Irina was propped up, I have to say I think MK got a few gifts of her own this World's. I would LOVE to see MK come on strong next year and be a true Gold Oly contender. But what she put out this year I don't think is gonna cut it, reputation aside.

NONE of my comments are intended to ignore MK's incredible competitive record. She has already more than earned her place in the history books. And if I have to watch a skater stroke around between jumps, I would prefer watching MK do it above most, if not all others.

DG
 

Jaana

Record Breaker
Joined
Jul 27, 2003
Country
Finland
kemy said:
Well...even thought Michelle is off the podium, those naysayers who said that she wouldn't be able to adapt to the COP were wrong. She wasn't slammed by the system. she was slammed by herself. She made costly mistake that, had she not made them, she would have been in third place. Not bad for your first time trying out COP. I wonder what others skaters' first COP experiences were like with the levels and all that. Michelle only had two Level 1's in each program right? (Except qualifying with her shorty spiral)

Our commentators thought that some of Michelle´s scores were not deserved at all: technical ones plus choreography and the transitions. She was held up by the judges. I wonder why, because In the same time they held Kostner down in those same scores.

Sasha skated really beautifully and deserved her silver medal as well as Irina the golden one.

I´m extremely happy for our Susanna that skated her personal best both in short programme and freeskate. Now Finland can send two ladies to the Olympics and next Worlds, WOW!!!
 
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lavender

Record Breaker
Joined
Jul 26, 2003
Sasha doesn't seem happy with her silver. No matter she still would have gotten silver. I think she might want that 6.0 back because her presentation is better and now she can't really capitalize on that. I think Sasha will retire before 2010 so that's it for both her and Michelle as far as the Olympics goes.
 

soogar

Record Breaker
Joined
Dec 18, 2003
I would say the system slammed Michelle b/c now instead of just stroking and jumping and basic spins, she actually has to start thinking in her program and turn off the cruise control. Still, not medalling for her is the best thing b/c now she will be motivated.

Sasha: I will go on a limb and say that Sasha won silver with one of her usual performances and that she has skated like that with every coach she has ever had. However I can see that Nicks has relaxed her a lot and I think she herself is becoming relaxed. I hope she can be happy with her silver and that she's not going to run off to another coach in search of gold. Despite her normal mistakes, she is fighting for everything in her program and is coming off from injury. I think that the stars can align for her to win the OGM.

Irina: I think this program looks emptier (transitions etc) than it did earlier in the year. Either way, good for Irina that she actually skated well and earned that World title despite the huge gift handed to her in the SP.

Arakawa: Allegedly announced her retirement. I haven't seen her skate yet but I hear that she skated mostly doubles. I think the scores in the SP really sucked the sails out of her and considering that she was already unmotivated, that was the nail in the coffin. I hope she can get a lot of work as a pro skater. I think that since SOI had good experiences with Yuka Sato, perhaps they can hire Arakawa as well.

My suspicion is that perhaps TT will take on Miki Ando. Now there's a skater with all the jumping ability in the world who can use some polishing up. I wouldn't be surprised if the Japanese Federation will approach TT to take on MIki. Miki already has good basic skating skills... TT can force her to work on her spirals and footwork. If Miki goes with TT, look for a huge "upset" at the Olympics b/c Miki has proven her mettle time and time again.

Fumie: good that she's the top Japanese. Were the Japanese able to qualify 3 spots for the ladies?

Carolina: Now the Italians have a countrywoman who is capable of medalling in their Olympics. She might be the Sarah Hughes of Torino.
 

Hikaru

Final Flight
Joined
Sep 23, 2004
oooooh I so want to watch this competition! I'm downloading everything I can (if only the computer would hold it too!) Tomorrow I'll get to see the ladies QR (hopefully, if ESPN latino doesn't chop it) , so it's a little far away until I see this in TV.


has anybody found already pictures of the ladies free? I just have the ones from the medal ceremony.
 

lavender

Record Breaker
Joined
Jul 26, 2003
soogar said:
I would say the system slammed Michelle b/c now instead of just stroking and jumping and basic spins, she actually has to start thinking in her program and turn off the cruise control. Still, not medalling for her is the best thing b/c now she will be motivated.

Sasha: I will go on a limb and say that Sasha won silver with one of her usual performances and that she has skated like that with every coach she has ever had. However I can see that Nicks has relaxed her a lot and I think she herself is becoming relaxed. I hope she can be happy with her silver and that she's not going to run off to another coach in search of gold. Despite her normal mistakes, she is fighting for everything in her program and is coming off from injury. I think that the stars can align for her to win the OGM.

Irina: I think this program looks emptier (transitions etc) than it did earlier in the year. Either way, good for Irina that she actually skated well and earned that World title despite the huge gift handed to her in the SP.

Arakawa: Allegedly announced her retirement. I haven't seen her skate yet but I hear that she skated mostly doubles. I think the scores in the SP really sucked the sails out of her and considering that she was already unmotivated, that was the nail in the coffin. I hope she can get a lot of work as a pro skater. I think that since SOI had good experiences with Yuka Sato, perhaps they can hire Arakawa as well.

My suspicion is that perhaps TT will take on Miki Ando. Now there's a skater with all the jumping ability in the world who can use some polishing up. I wouldn't be surprised if the Japanese Federation will approach TT to take on MIki. Miki already has good basic skating skills... TT can force her to work on her spirals and footwork. If Miki goes with TT, look for a huge "upset" at the Olympics b/c Miki has proven her mettle time and time again.

Fumie: good that she's the top Japanese. Were the Japanese able to qualify 3 spots for the ladies?

Carolina: Now the Italians have a countrywoman who is capable of medalling in their Olympics. She might be the Sarah Hughes of Torino.

You've picked a lot of people for the Olympic gold.
 

Melody

Rinkside
Joined
Mar 15, 2005
Kiira Korpi

Jaana said:
I´m extremely happy for our Susanna that skated her personal best both in short programme and freeskate. Now Finland can send two ladies to the Olympics and next Worlds, WOW!!!

I was lucky enough to watch and meet Kiira Korpi of Finland at the Junior Worlds this year - what a lovely skater, and a lovely young lady. I am not familiar with the other ladies who compete for Finland, but I certainly would love to see Kiira get the chance to got to Senior Worlds and Olys.

Melody

** Check out our skating pics at www.skatesnaps.com - currently working on putting up the photos from Jr Worlds **
 

yelyoh

Medalist
Joined
Jul 26, 2003
Country
United-States
Doggygirl said:
;)

Michelle. At least Bolero Two was light years better than Bolero One. But I think if she wants to be a gold medal contender at the Oly's she has GOT to get to work on some actual choreography. I'm sure she's kicking herself over that 1.00 costly fall.... but at this stage in her career I sort of think medaling or not medaling by such a small margin isn't even the issue for her. If she stays in the game, I'm sure she wants to be a gold contender, not a bronze contender.

DG

I totally agree with this. I don't Michelle is going to be too upset about losing a Bronze medal, though I'm sure she would have preferred getting it. She is hanging around for the Oly's for the Gold. She wants to know what she can do to win it. I say, work like hell, compete, and take a contract out on Irina and hope Carolina has a late growth spurt and Speedy renounces his Italian citizenship. I think MK knows she has a good shot at winning a medal next year, but there's only one color she wants. Should be interesting. Can't wait to see this tonight.
 
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mzheng

Record Breaker
Joined
Jan 16, 2005
Jaana said:
Our commentators thought that some of Michelle´s scores were not deserved at all: technical ones plus choreography and the transitions. She was held up by the judges. I wonder why, because In the same time they held Kostner down in those same scores.

What I heard from Eurosport (British one) was Michelle obviousely out skated Carol in LP. But the score diddn't reflect this claim IMO. One of the specialist from the EuroSport was totally absorbed in the mood of Michelle's skating diddn't even notice what caused her falling on the Sal when he was asked by S/C.
 

Kwanford Wife

Record Breaker
Joined
Dec 29, 2004
Another thought is that this is possibly the best result ever...

Sasha has gained some confidence within a new system that won't murder her for being inconsistant.

Irina has a world title in her home country that will translate into financial gain ~ which is important because with her health issues we don't know what her future holds.

And Michelle Kwan is pissed at her performance but not because she can't adapt to the new system. This, imo, is HUGE difference... She's been on top for so long, maybe this is the kick in the pants she needs... Motivation has to come from somewhere & she's been handed a spark on a silver (or pewter...) platter...

The youngsters from other countries are getting stronger, both ladies & men.

How can you NOT be looking forward to next season?

Kwanford Wife
 

elingrace4eva

Rinkside
Joined
Aug 5, 2003
Sasha didn't fall in the short or long. I know that seems so pointless because she did screw up in both programs, but she didn't fall. I think that's a huge step forward for her.
 

kemy

Rinkside
Joined
Aug 20, 2003
Why didn't Irina get a deduction for 3 3 loops? The third one should have been illegal right? She would have been penalised in the 6.0 system...Did they just count it as a reaaly difficult entrance into her 2 loop?
 

mpal2

Final Flight
Joined
Jul 27, 2003
So much for the Canadian ladies. Only 1 Olympic spot. :no: I really expected at least two places.
 

rain

Record Breaker
Joined
Jul 29, 2003
So disappointed for Rochette, who was totally robbed in the short, but looks like she had a bit of a disaster in the long - hope she comes back fighting next year.

All in all, the competition (once again) looked like a bit of a splatfest. Seems to have been the theme of this year's worlds. Happy that Slutskaya at least put in one skate that made her deserving of the championship - would have sucked if she had been held up again by the judges as in the short and qual.

Happy to see Kostner on the podium - thought she should have won the short and sounds like she had a decent long.

Thrilled for Cohen - I just adore her skating and it's nice to see she's coming back.

I think Kwan was shown she can no longer rest on her laurels and expect to be on the podium. She hasn't upped the ante in years (much to my disappointment - she's one of my fav skaters) and finally it's coming back to bite her.
 

Doggygirl

Record Breaker
Joined
Dec 18, 2003
Hi Kemy..

kemy said:
Why didn't Irina get a deduction for 3 3 loops? The third one should have been illegal right? She would have been penalised in the 6.0 system...Did they just count it as a reaaly difficult entrance into her 2 loop?

I can't WAIT for the judges detailed score sheets to come up. If Irina did an extra loop outside of the rules, I don't think there would be a deduction per se, but I think the element wouldn't count at all. Based on Rosaleen's report, I suspect she did an extra 3L that she got no credit for. I could be wrong though... I guess Irina was "ON" and just couldn't get enough of her own jumps. Personally, I LOVED watching that skate!!

DG
 

Kwanford Wife

Record Breaker
Joined
Dec 29, 2004
Doggygirl said:
Based on Rosaleen's report, I suspect she did an extra 3L that she got no credit for. I could be wrong though... I guess Irina was "ON" and just couldn't get enough of her own jumps. Personally, I LOVED watching that skate!!

DG

This is one of those CoP things I can never understand... If she did an extra 3L, it is treated like it never happened but doesn't necessarily count against her? Also, do you get deductions for falls or not?

Another question: I've seen you post that you can't wait to see the official judging sheets ~ if it is determined that there is an error after the competition what happens? Is it just "it sucks to be you!" or is there a review?

Thanks for your help for the CoP challenged...

KW
 

millie

Medalist
Joined
Nov 1, 2004
Kwanford Wife said:
Another thought is that this is possibly the best result ever...

Sasha has gained some confidence within a new system that won't murder her for being inconsistant.

Irina has a world title in her home country that will translate into financial gain ~ which is important because with her health issues we don't know what her future holds.

And Michelle Kwan is pissed at her performance but not because she can't adapt to the new system. This, imo, is HUGE difference... She's been on top for so long, maybe this is the kick in the pants she needs... Motivation has to come from somewhere & she's been handed a spark on a silver (or pewter...) platter...

The youngsters from other countries are getting stronger, both ladies & men.

How can you NOT be looking forward to next season?

Kwanford Wife


Kwanford Wife, I agree with you 100%, about your thoughts on Michelle. In this life you get what you work for. Because you are the best doesn't mean that you have to sit back and go on your record. I will use this analogy: I have a son that is preparing to go to Medical School (Doctor) He is a very intellengent and and good at his game,but I tell him that in order for him to stay on top, he has to be upping his ante;try new things, be on top of everything new, don't depend on your past record to get ahead. The same goes for figure skating, everyday skaters are trying and doing different things. If you want to stay on top, you have to be on top of your game. Its not what you did in the past, it's what you do now.

Congradulations to all the skaters.
 
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