I think that's part of the intrigue that some people miss. The sport is exciting now to some because its almost like someone hit the reset button and that means there is a learning curve and for me watching the next group of girls grow up and develop is just as exciting as watching the last generation run the show. Sure it's different but its still enjoyable. I'll never understand the posters that comment on everything they don't enjoy as if they're trying to poop in everyone's cereal. Thanks but no thanks.
Nicely said Sam. Some people are expecting the same level of polish and maturity we got from Yu-Na, Mao and Carolina last year, yet they seem to forget that at one point Yu-Na was clunky, Mao skated through her music and Carolina was coltish. It takes time for young girls to develop into mature and polished women. Unfortunately, the top of the field is inundated with nothing but teenagers at this point, most of whom have only been at the senior level for a two or three years.
I get that it's going to take some time and I'm cool with that. For now, I've decided to enjoy what they bring to the table at this point in time rather than lamenting the fact that they aren't 100% soup yet.
As for the competition:
Liza T: That 3-3 was a thing of beauty. The lutz step out cost her a bit but overall it was a very good performance. Winning the SP is great but it also leaves her in the godawful position of skating last. I want to see her skate well and medal. I'm not sure if she'll hold onto that #1 spot but I can't imagine her missing the podium at this point.
Julia: I thought she looked much more engaged in her performance this time, even more than last time. It's very clear that she's extremely comfortable with her SP this year...but the FS is where she's had her issues. She looked stronger in the SP so I'm expecting better skating in the FS. I expected better skating at TEB too though. We'll have to wait and see.
Elena: Hey, nobody is perfect. I'm actually happy she had a mistake. I think when you skate so well so often, that pressure of being expected to be perfect builds up and can weigh you down. That fall released the pressure. I love how she still finished the program off as though nothing had happened. A true performer to the end. She's less than 4 points out of 1st...TBH, I wouldn't be surprised if she manages to win.
Anna: I thought Anna was a bit of a hot mess. Sorry. The music is just way too much and is way too big for her...and with the jumps going sideways, everything that's wrong with her skating is kinda magnified. She's still really sloppy; someone needs to work with her on controlling her movements better. It was gutsy to try to put the 3T at the end of the loop but that fall took her out of the program. She should not have placed ahead of Rika...
Rika: Very happy to see her rise to the occasion. Being at the GPF is a great opportunity for her to give herself a leg up for nationals and skating as well as she did is a major plus. I think she's doing a better job of bringing more personality to her performances and her PCS increased b/c of that. The judges are crazy; she should be in 4th, not Anna.
Ashley: Ashley, Ashley, Ashley.:disapp: It sucks b/c she did such a nice 3F-3T in the warm up...she just can't seem to land them in competition any more. She's roughly 7 points off the lead, but with the amount of technical content she's up against, she might as well be 15 points behind. Ashley will need to hit on just about all of her jumps cleanly and she'll need one of the top 3 to have a mini meltdown to get on the podium. I think 4th place is doable. Being in last place and skating first, she really has little to no room for error. I'll cross my fingers for her.
hwell:
Spelled the same, but the "h" is silent in Spanish.
