2014 Olympics Ladies Free Skate

[christiannnw]

Thank you for the reply, sk8in. I think your thoughts preclude a debate that will probably accompany the next four years of figure skating: Performance vs. Presentation. Yuna Kim undoubtedly has a mature, refined, exquisite style of skating that is inimitable and worlds away from Sotinikova at physical capabilities at the moment. However, in my eyes Adelina exemplified a different kind of artistry: she skated with a gusto and charisma (befitting of her music) that not only resonated in the building, but through my television here in the U.S. That, in addition to the rapturous support of the home crowd, created a genuine moment, as opposed it Yuna's casually professional, routine skate.

Quantifying artistry in skating will always be a tricky thing, since art of any medium is wholly subjective. Individual taste varies wildly, and disagreements will always be had regarding "quality". I actually think this is a wonderful thing, as it provides the foundation for thoughtful discussion, and merely declaring one skater's style of skating as "right" or "superior" to another's is rather myopic.

All in all, taking into account Yuna's lesser technical content and sterile emotionalism, I'm absolutely fine with Adelina's high-spiritedness and superior technical content winning on the night.

 

[vegarin]

All in all, taking into account Yuna's lesser technical content and sterile emotionalism, I'm absolutely fine with Adelina's high-spiritedness and superior technical content winning on the night.

Oh goodness, this "lesser technical content" again. Yuna aside, have you seen Caro and Mao skate? The other two world champions who skated perfectly clean skates at the same night as Yuna and Adelina? If we're talking superior technical contents, Mao has 5 points on Adelina and Mao skated clean with 3 axel, the most difficult triple that only Mao landed, but did that go anywhere close to Adelina? No, she trailed 7 points behind Adelina. If we're talking about high spirit (even though what that has to do with skating, I have no idea) or let's say exuberance on ice, then we have Caro, the artist on ice. Who also skated clean and also had 7 triple. Also 7 points behind Adelina.

It's not whether or not Adelina deserved gold. All the ladies rocked, and if they could all get the medal, they should. And perhaps skating under the pressure of home ice, and counting her age, maybe she deserves to take home the gold.

It does not mean she deserves the scores she got. Absolutely no. And it doesn't mean Yuna and Mao and Caro were not held down so Adelina can stand on top, because they were.

 

[sk8in]

The technical scoring in the ISU system is NOT objective. The judges assign bonus points, or deduct base value based on THEIR perception of how skaters execute jumps and spins. Adelina had a flutz and an under rotation that went uncalled. Yuna's short program was technically more difficult that Adelina's, but was only given a fraction of a point's advantage. Just sayin Adelina "made an Olympcic moment" does not resolve all the inconsistencies and apparent inflations that went down in the judging.

 

[miaobrien]

I get how Adelina beat Yuna on technical elements given Adelina's extra triple and higher spin and footwork levels. I even understand how she beat Kostner on technical elements because her program was more difficult. But her component scores should NOT have been within 5 points of Carolina and Yuna's. How did Mao get <70 for PCS and Adelina got 74.41? It's a travesty.

I don't usually buy into all these judging conspiracy theories, but I really think the powers that be were DETERMINED to have a Russian on the podium. It's a shame because if the Olympics had been held anywhere else, Adelina would've gotten a (well deserved) bronze medal. The Carolina/ Yuna thing is more difficult for me to determine. I think I'd have given it to Carolina for 7 triples and outstanding performance quality. Kim would've been #2.

When I finished watching free program, I know Adelina is going to be huge but just not this time. She skates aggressively and I could see the flaws but judges were eager to give her full credit as long as she didn’t obviously stumble.

 

[TwinnerA]

Seriously, skaters are going to have to learn that in order to sell a program, they need to skate aggressively, dropping to their knees covering their face with their hands when their program is finished or run across the ice (see Tara in 1998), whatever to it takes to show how they "had spark" or "had their Olympic moment".

 

[cjuarez]

I am still hurt that Mao did not win the free skate. I am devastated that it was deemed 8 points lower than the winner. I'm going to puke.

Amen!!!

 

[Olympia]

Fixed that for you. Yes, she could get Russian citizenship, go on tirades against the gays, and change her name to Ashliona Wagniraya. I wonder if she'd break 200 if she took these steps. I doubt even that would do it though.

Your remark about Ashley's changing her name made me smile, because in the old days in ballet in England and other places, dancers sometimes changed their names to sound more Russian so that people would believe that they really were good ballet dancers. Alicia Markova, the great British prima ballerina, was born Lillian Alice Marks. In the U.S., people tried to get Native American dancer Maria Tallchief (an Osage Indian from Oklahoma) to change her name to Tallchieva, which isn't exactly a real Russian name but that sounds Russian.

 

[bekalc]

Your remark about Ashley's changing her name made me smile, because in the old days in ballet in England and other places, dancers sometimes changed their names to sound more Russian so that people would believe that they really were good ballet dancers. Alicia Markova, the great British prima ballerina, was born Lillian Alice Marks. In the U.S., people tried to get Native American dancer Maria Tallchief (an Osage Indian from Oklahoma) to change her name to Tallchieva, which isn't exactly a real Russian name but that sounds Russian.

I grew up in an section of the city that was very Irish. People who were running for judgeships, would change their names to sound Irish, so people would vote for them. And I know for a fact that it would matter. Another teacher I know who was Polish said her mom would always look for the Polish sounding names and then go with Irish ones because she knew they'd be Catholic.

Ashliona Wagniray! I think that as a way to make up for and revenge for the Viktor Ayn the Koreans should recruit one of the Russian wonders girls.

 

[mirai4life]

Seriously, skaters are going to have to learn that in order to sell a program, they need to skate aggressively, dropping to their knees covering their face with their hands when their program is finished or run across the ice (see Tara in 1998), whatever to it takes to show how they "had spark" or "had their Olympic moment".

just no.

 

[vegarin]

Seriously, skaters are going to have to learn that in order to sell a program, they need to skate aggressively, dropping to their knees covering their face with their hands when their program is finished or run across the ice (see Tara in 1998), whatever to it takes to show how they "had spark" or "had their Olympic moment".

Oh god, yes. Apparently now that's what you need to increase in order to increase your PCS by at least 9 points. No more interpretation or skating to the music for you anymore.

 

[qwertyskates]

Oh god, yes. Apparently now that's what you need to increase in order to increase your PCS by at least 9 points. No more interpretation or skating to the music for you anymore.

I'm tired of this PCS nonsense, where were you when Hanyu's FS PCS rose from 81+ (TEB) to 92+(GPF) over 20 days?? In total +15 for SP & FS if I'm not wrong. I don't recall any talk of petitions to the ISU and boycotts.

In contrast, Sotnikova's increase was HALF of Hanyu's +7 in total from Euro 2014 to Sochi, over 30 days!

 

[tectonicplate]

I'm tired of this PCS nonsense, where were you when Hanyu's FS PCS rose from 81+ (TEB) to 92+(GPF) over 20 days?? In total +15 for SP & FS if I'm not wrong. I don't recall any talk of petitions to the ISU and boycotts.

In contrast, Sotnikova's increase was HALF of Hanyu's +7 in total from Euro 2014 to Sochi, over 30 days!

By tired, do you mean you don't want to make sense of the fact that the meteoric rise in Sotnikova's PCS doesn't reflect her current skills? I don't need to strain my brain too much to see that her PCS doesn't make sense. I hope you can do that as well.

 

[enotic]

I still can't recover from shock.
Yes, I admit I've been rooting for Yuna to win (a little Yuna fanatic), but wanted to see some fairness in judging as well.
When Sot finished her FS and the score was announced, I was shocked and thought Yuna will crash under pressure.
Then, she came out last and personally thought performed light-out. Again, I was in utter shock and speechless.
When her score was announced and the standing became final, again and again, I was speechless and then complete furor surged through my mind.

Serioulsy, I still can't grasp how Sot's PCS, especially skating skills+choreography+intretation, got that much of leap from her latest performance before sochi?
Can this be explained with common sense?
Also, right now, Sot goes off with interviews, acting like she totally earned the title legit and I can no longer put up with her and this olympic's nonsense.
I would have let it go if Kostner won by the same margins. But, Sotnikova? Please...

 

[qwertyskates]

By tired, do you mean you don't want to make sense of the fact that the meteoric rise in Sotnikova's PCS doesn't reflect her current skills? I don't need to strain my brain too much to see that her PCS doesn't make sense. I hope you can do that as well.

Yet another troll account. It is repeated ad nauseum that PCS cannot suddenly rise, it is IMPOSSIBLE to rise at this rate, etc. you people even made graphs to show how S's PCS has risen! OF COURSE PCS has risen at this rate and even faster for younger skaters, eg. Hanyu. This is what I mean by your PCS nonsense. PCS *CAN* and *DO* rise at this rate. You don't agree with S's PCS rise, that is merely a SUBJECTIVE FEELING of yours. OBJECTIVELY, there's nothing controversial about this rate of PCS increase!

Sotnikova skated much, much better at Sochi than at Euro 2014. A +7 increase in PCS isn't outrageous, especially in the context of +14 for Hanyu.

 

[yuki90]

Interesting Youtube video about Sotnikova's RIDICULOUS SCORE.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5cVW0h6U3D4

 

[tectonicplate]

Yet another troll account. It is repeated ad nauseum that PCS cannot suddenly rise, it is IMPOSSIBLE to rise at this rate, etc. you people even made graphs to show how S's PCS has risen! OF COURSE PCS has risen at this rate and even faster for younger skaters, eg. Hanyu. This is what I mean by your PCS nonsense. PCS *CAN* and *DO* rise at this rate. You don't agree with S's PCS rise, that is merely a SUBJECTIVE FEELING of yours. OBJECTIVELY, there's nothing controversial about this rate of PCS increase!

Sotnikova skated much, much better at Sochi than at Euro 2014. A +7 increase in PCS isn't outrageous, especially in the context of +14 for Hanyu.

Oh wow, thanks for dismissing me as just another troll account, even though I'm trying my best to communicate logical arguments. Your subjective feelings regarding her skating has been repeated in this forum ad nauseum, as well. It doesn't mean your arguments hold water. An increase, if not merited, is outrageous.

Since we're talking about context here, care to explain why you mention only Sotnikova's and Hanyu's PCS when it comes to PCS fluctuation this time around? You're cherry picking facts AND misreading information. The graphs show an unnatural spike in the PCS of the Russian skaters (read: they didn't get better in such a short span of time). Look at the bigger context: Sotnikova might have skated better at Sochi than in her previous competitions, but Kim, Kostner, and Asada (in the FS) skated better than Sotnikova. So the question YOU need to ask yourself is: why haven't their PCS increased? Or, why is that not the case for everyone who skated better at Sochi than in their previous competitions?

I repeat: An increase, if not merited, is outrageous.

 

[leafygreens]

Interesting Youtube video about Sotnikova's RIDICULOUS SCORE.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5cVW0h6U3D4

Wow, that explains it all. I agree it's ridiculous that a skater has to run around the ice excited to persuade the judges that they really "want it" and if they don't "want it" we'll just give it to the next teeny bopper in line. What is this, the Hunger Games?

I didn't particularly think that Yuna showed "excitement" in 2010 either, just a calm, focused maturity, same as 2014. I think that Yuna is such an awesome skater that the judges just took her style for granted, like she was "not progressing" and punished her for it, when actually it takes a huge amount of skill to skate the way Yuna does, which is why nobody else skates like her.

 

[jcykim]

Did the gold medalist really get tangled in her own GALA show?? Haha what an idiot the reigning olympic womens figure skating champion cant even do a gala right lol bet the judges gave her a 150 for that

 

[zamboni step]

Did the gold medalist really get tangled in her own GALA show?? Haha what an idiot the reigning olympic womens figure skating champion cant even do a gala right lol bet the judges gave her a 150 for that

Just because you disagree with the scores doesn't give you the right to call a skater an idiot.

 

[pangtongfan]

Did the gold medalist really get tangled in her own GALA show?? Haha what an idiot the reigning olympic womens figure skating champion cant even do a gala right lol bet the judges gave her a 150 for that

Well said. Her gala was as much a joke as the sport has become.