2014 NHK Trophy Ladies Short Program 11/28

[Mrs. P]

Interesting that Alena and Gracie are virtually tied. So.... if the standings remain as they are (long shot, because Alena isn't the best LP-skater), both Gracie and Ashley are through to the final?

That is correct!

A few other possible scenarios.

Satako will need to win or move up to 2nd with a score of 121.31 in the FS or higher to get into GPF
Kanako will need to win or move up to 2nd with a score of 129.97 in the FS or higher to get into GPF.
Gracie will need to score 116.21 in the FS or higher if she drops down to 2nd.

 

[gmyers]

4 Russians 2 Americans then! No Japanese???

 

[Mrs. P]

4 Russians 2 Americans then! No Japanese???

I think Satako might still have a shot. She has a great FS.

 

[Icey]

Actually, gracie got two goes of +2 and two of -1 on her 3/3

 

[treeloving]

If I remember correctly, Satoko's jump is hurt due to her short-sighted coach and the limit rink space when she was young. I can't help but imagine how much better her jump might be if she learn to jump in clockwise direction.

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

Kanoko definitely UR'd the second jump in her 3-3. It was very obvious in the replay. That doesn't mean that it wasn't a really good skate though.

 

[Globetrotter]

Gracie: Best 3-3 of the competition by a mile.

I agree with the placements, to some extent. Though I'd have Alena with a sizable PCS lead, while Gracie has a strong TES lead.

Hmm placement wise, I will give the slight edge to Alena. Just looked at the protocol, I am surprised Gracie had the highest choreography and nearly equal PE and IN scores as Leonova. Surely this can't be? I think Leonova's PE/IN should be higher significantly and since she stayed in character throughout and even her arm movements and elements were done in time to music, I think she deserved better choreography scores as well. I think both Gracie and Satoko deserve high SS scores, I think their blade work and edges were better than the rest.

TES wise, I think Gracie has the overall best but to me not that sizable a lead over Alena. Gracie's spins deserved good scores. However, her combination jump while of higher BV, was not attacked with conviction. To me, the GOE is at zero. Alena deservedly got high GOE for the 3T3T since both jumps were attacked with speed and had good flow and height and were wonderfully reassuring. Gracies 2A made me very nervous. so overall, their TES should be Gracie slightly ahead but I think Alena deserved at least 0.5 point higher PCS than Gracie for better PE/IN/CO and lesser SS.

 

[EdgeCall]

That a-capella version of Let It Go is actually the first one I like. :shocked:

 

[Elaine]

Is there any possible scenaro that Ashley and Kanako get into GPF? I root for them

 

[HanDomi]

Nobu cyring after Kanako skate

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd...._=1426454737_e13c2d3c5e13247d2b63c9e5423cd2f6

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

Actually, gracie got two goes of +2 and two of -1 on her 3/3

Do you think it's related to her flow out and how she stands kind of straight legged now when she lands her jumps. She transitions nicely in the end but but there is a little hesitation before she goes back into the choreography on the 3-3...at least tonight. I thought she skated very well tonight and it's good to see her at her best but I don't think I'd give her a +2 for that combo. Definitely a +1 :yes:

 

[satine]

Nobu cyring after Kanako skate

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd...._=1426454737_e13c2d3c5e13247d2b63c9e5423cd2f6

He's precious, isn't he?

 

[thoakun]

I think Satako might still have a shot. She has a great FS.

Satoko got only 121.53 at Skate Canada and she was called on 3Lz-3T< and 3Lz<2T-2Lo. I'm not too hopeful about her chance of making GPF.

 

[gmyers]

Hmm placement wise, I will give the slight edge to Alena. Just looked at the protocol, I am surprised Gracie had the highest choreography and nearly equal PE and IN scores as Leonova. Surely this can't be? I think Leonova's PE/IN should be higher significantly and since she stayed in character throughout and even her arm movements and elements were done in time to music, I think she deserved better choreography scores as well. I think both Gracie and Satoko deserve high SS scores, I think their blade work and edges were better than the rest.

TES wise, I think Gracie has the overall best but to me not that sizable a lead over Alena. Gracie's spins deserved good scores. However, her combination jump while of higher BV, was not attacked with conviction. To me, the GOE is at zero. Alena deservedly got high GOE for the 3T3T since both jumps were attacked with speed and had good flow and height and were wonderfully reassuring. Gracies 2A made me very nervous. so overall, their TES should be Gracie slightly ahead but I think Alena deserved at least 0.5 point higher PCS than Gracie for better PE/IN/CO and lesser SS.

Judges vote for lori nichol queen of choreo

 

[Mrs. P]

Is there any possible scenaro that Ashley and Kanano get into GPF? I root for them

Yes. If Kanako wins. And if Alena gets second/Satoko is second and scores 121.30 or less in the FS/ Gracie scores 116.20 or less in the FS and drops to 2nd.

Nobu cyring after Kanako skate

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd...._=1426454737_e13c2d3c5e13247d2b63c9e5423cd2f6

Awww, Nobu. Such a sensitive soul.

 

[Maria Victoria]

Whatever the scores are, I thought Kanako was the best and was underscored just as the Japanese skaters were at Worlds earlier this year. I think it should at least be close to a 3 way tie. I think Satoko was underscored too, but I can see Leonova and Gold being a "little" above her because of the height on their jumps. All 4 skated really well. But, I don't know how Kanako could have skated any better. I can't see any urs and her jumps were high with good flow and she had wonderful extensions and the best Biellmann I have ever seen her do. I thought she was fantastic.

I agree Kanako could not have skated any better. She and Satoko are certainly not getting any home ice boost, maybe even the opposite.

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Maybe I'm wrong but I have the impression that Elene lost a lot of weight.

must be hard for her to do jumps with that rack.

She has definitely lost weight. And, if you want my personal opinion, it has been a big mistake.

Now, of course I realise that the motivation for losing weight was to make up for being so well endowed. Let's face it, with those babies, she was carrying a lot more weight than all the other skaters on the circuit.

But, rather than coming off her chest, the weight has come off her waist.

The result is that not only does she now look aesthetically out-of-proportion (a massive chest on a slim girl just doesn't look right), but it means that she is even more top-heavy than before. And that in turn means a higher centre of gravity, which makes it even harder for her to the jumps.

Perhaps not surprising then that Elene really did look in pain as soon as the routine finished. But, she quickly put on a smile for the cameras when coming off the ice.

So, in other words, the tactic is backfiring!

CaroLiza_fan

 

[elee63]

People. Don't forget, this is Gracie's second season with this sp, there's a REASON she looked comfortable (she WAS). She did not do well with the long at the last competition. There is drama ahead..

 

[Mrs. P]

People. Don't forget, this is Gracie's second season with this sp, there's a REASON she looked comfortable (she WAS). She did not do well with the long at the last competition. There is drama ahead..

She also struggled in the SP at Skate America with the same program...so I don't think that was it.

She just did a good job. I'll give her credit where credit is due. :yes:

 

[Blades of Passion]

Leonova's GOEs were well-deserved.

Completely disagree. Those spin GOE's are a total joke. Step sequence was +1 worthy only. The 3T+3T was not worthy of +3 in any sane world.