2015 Europeans Ladies Free Skate, Jan. 31

[chairmanmao]

To be fair Elena doesn't have the same jump quality as Liza. Even though she has harder content and better spins, Liza's jump quality is unmatched among the ladies.

Her 2A's are still great even if you compare them to Liza's. What's the point of doing that super difficult entry into her 2As if she's not getting the GOE's for them?

 

[Sandpiper]

Because I can't stop talking these ladies...

Liza was even better than GPF. So magnificent, so compelling. She feels that music in her bones. I was nervous for her from the moment I woke up... but once she started skating, my nervousness melted away. She looked like she could land anything, and she did.

But absolutely nothing takes away from what Lena has done, today and this entire year. This girl amazes me to no end. Come hell or high-water (or slightly wonky landings), Lena nails that LP. A part of me wants to call the ISU and demand that they retroactively cancel the guys' event bang and present that gold to Lena.

My opinion of Anna has changed a little after the medal ceremony. Maybe she wasn't upset during her skate... that expression could just be her natural one. She did break into a smile when awarded her medal, and overall I don't think she was upset there. Also, I think her coach, the other Anna, read GoldenSkate. In the K&C, she initially sported the so-called "resting b****face," but then broke into smiles and blown kisses once she realized the cameras were on!

Anna did prove all the doubters wrong by not blowing up and ending off the podium. Her Worlds spot is secure. However, I'm still wondering "who is Anna?" (on the ice). I feel like I understand the style and persona of the other Russian girls. I can describe them with more than just their technical strengths/weaknesses. Anna is talented, no doubt, and a skilled technician, but she doesn't seem to have found material to connect with on a personal level. I hope her team can find what it is next season.

Among the rest, Angelina Kuchvalska was definitely the highlight. She is a very good performer, and I think she deserved higher PCS than Meite on the day (and consequently a higher placement). She was really a lifeline before the final group came on. What I did notice, though, was that her StSq didn't seem to be the best: not the greatest speed, ice cover, or sharpest turns. Perhaps live in the arena, her SS seemed a little weak? (I dunno... I'm not the best judge of these things, but I'm trying to think of any reason why the judges lowballed her in PCS).

I was pleasantly surprised by the Helgessons, after seeing them struggle so badly in the GP. I thought they stood no chance of beating Meite, little of beating Kiira, and even put Gedevanishvili of all people as my Alt. pick (yes, y'all can laugh at me now ).

There were a few oddities on the protocols. Liza's combos getting a few +1s is ridiculous, though I wouldn't give her +2 for that layback either (she seemed to travel just the tinniest bit on the end of the Biellmann). Anna's lutz-toe with a bobble got a few +2s, which is :scratch:, and the one judge who gave her +2 on the layback really needs to think again. But it's not blatantly stupid like the judging for the men's (more -2s than -3s for a fall, neutral and even positive GOE for a massive step-out, 9+ PCS for a mess of a skate). I know some would protest that Liza/Lena didn't quite deserve to be around 140, and I agree the scores seem inflated... but frankly, compared to the men, give them 100 for the SP and 200 for the LP for all I care.

Even with what was frankly a horrific start, it seems like the old adage still reigns supreme at Europeans: Girls rule, boys drool. (Though don't worry, Javi, Michal, Sergei--I still love you).

 

[elif]

If the judges had given at least +1 GOE's to Radionova's 2 2A she'd have the title. I don't see the reason why they couldn't have given these 2 2A's 2s and 3s in GOE.They look well executed to me. Both were done out of choreography and a counter entry. Seriously only 0.29 and 0.43 in GOE's for those 2 passes:disapp:.

They had to reduce GOE for height. She will gain +1 for difficult entry but will lose -1 for height. Final GOE must be ''0''

Poor speed, height, distance, air position: -1 to -2
Poor take-off -1 to -2

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

I think Radionova needs to hold her landings more - maybe add more transitions on them... She seems to rush a lot and showing greater control on the exit would help her GOE. I also think she was overscored on her ChSq, the first spiral was okay but the following spirals and the outside bestamionova spread eagle were just blips. She needs to take more time to present stuff - just a split second more on each element.

I'm hoping next season we will see a much more refined side of Elena. Now that she has high PCS she can afford to remove inbetween extra transitions/movements and complete her movements and show more finesse.

 

[Meoima]

Her 2A's are still great even if you compare them to Liza's. What's the point of doing that super difficult entry into her 2As if she's not getting the GOE's for them?

Because her axel technique is not very excellent? Seriously you are comparing Elena's 2A with a lady who can land 3A when she was 12.

 

[Lipea]

Radionova had tape on her hip all over. And yesterday of course tape on her back. I wonder what is her physical form now? In general, I did not like her FS this time as much as on TEB, Russian Nat., or Japan Open.

 

[Lipea]

I've got an idea! Since Russia is territorywise spread on both Europe and around Asia they should have a right to have two teams: one for Euros and another for 4CC

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

Her 2A's are still great even if you compare them to Liza's. What's the point of doing that super difficult entry into her 2As if she's not getting the GOE's for them?

The super difficult entry is not a counter, it's a counter followed by a 3turn. A counter (like Hanyu) would probably earn her higher GOE. While it does look effortless with a tricky entry, she doesn't get a ton of height/distance on her axel and doesn't exit it with transitions (or even a lot of flow) either, nor does it match the phrasing of the music. Without the 3-turn entry it's a 0 GOE jump for me, +1 with the counter to 3-turn entry.

 

[Seruleane]

Radionova had tape on her hip all over. And yesterday of course tape on her back. I wonder what is her physical form now? In general, I did not like her FS this time as much as on TEB, Russian Nat., or Japan Open.

I agree, I don't think Elena is in tiptop condition right now, but is powering through her program b/c she's such a tough competitor. Elena is my favorite skator, but Liza was magnificent in the FS- can't deny her win! I hope Elena is not too disappointed, and will move on to give us a spectacular skate at Worlds! But even more importantly, I hope we will be seeing even better skates from her in the upcoming seasons. She has not reached her full potential yet, so in a way, it's good that she hasn't won the major competitions yet. It gives her something to work for...

 

[andromache]

Happy for the top 3, although I wish we weren't seeing so much PCS inflation for them. Liza's jumps are simply beautiful--they seem to get better and better with every competition. She's probably the best ladies jumper in the world at the moment.

Disappointed about Kiira...her FP was the one I most looking forward to after that gorgeous short program.

 

[Skater Boy]

Maybe not next year but for this her Worlds spot is definitely safe now. And we'll have to see what the Juniors can do next year- look at Lipnitskaia this year. At least Anna seems to have her grown up body which can't be underestimated.

Then you are saying Adelina is definitely not coming back??? Iguess if she is doing dancing with the stars that might mean she is gone.

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

Because I can't stop talking these ladies...

Liza was even better than GPF. So magnificent, so compelling. She feels that music in her bones. I was nervous for her from the moment I woke up... but once she started skating, my nervousness melted away. She looked like she could land anything, and she did.

But absolutely nothing takes away from what Lena has done, today and this entire year. This girl amazes me to no end. Come hell or high-water (or slightly wonky landings), Lena nails that LP. A part of me wants to call the ISU and demand that they retroactively cancel the guys' event bang and present that gold to Lena.

My opinion of Anna has changed a little after the medal ceremony. Maybe she wasn't upset during her skate... that expression could just be her natural one. She did break into a smile when awarded her medal, and overall I don't think she was upset there. Also, I think her coach, the other Anna, read GoldenSkate. In the K&C, she initially sported the so-called "resting b****face," but then broke into smiles and blown kisses once she realized the cameras were on!

Anna did prove all the doubters wrong by not blowing up and ending off the podium. Her Worlds spot is secure. However, I'm still wondering "who is Anna?" (on the ice). I feel like I understand the style and persona of the other Russian girls. I can describe them with more than just their technical strengths/weaknesses. Anna is talented, no doubt, and a skilled technician, but she doesn't seem to have found material to connect with on a personal level. I hope her team can find what it is next season.

Among the rest, Angelina Kuchvalska was definitely the highlight. She is a very good performer, and I think she deserved higher PCS than Meite on the day (and consequently a higher placement). She was really a lifeline before the final group came on. What I did notice, though, was that her StSq didn't seem to be the best: not the greatest speed, ice cover, or sharpest turns. Perhaps live in the arena, her SS seemed a little weak? (I dunno... I'm not the best judge of these things, but I'm trying to think of any reason why the judges lowballed her in PCS).

I was pleasantly surprised by the Helgessons, after seeing them struggle so badly in the GP. I thought they stood no chance of beating Meite, little of beating Kiira, and even put Gedevanishvili of all people as my Alt. pick (yes, y'all can laugh at me now ).

There were a few oddities on the protocols. Liza's combos getting a few +1s is ridiculous, though I wouldn't give her +2 for that layback either (she seemed to travel just the tinniest bit on the end of the Biellmann). Anna's lutz-toe with a bobble got a few +2s, which is , and the one judge who gave her +2 on the layback really needs to think again. But it's not blatantly stupid like the judging for the men's (more -2s than -3s for a fall, neutral and even positive GOE for a massive step-out, 9+ PCS for a mess of a skate). I know some would protest that Liza/Lena didn't quite deserve to be around 140, and I agree the scores seem inflated... but frankly, compared to the men, give them 100 for the SP and 200 for the LP for all I care.

Even with what was frankly a horrific start, it seems like the old adage still reigns supreme at Europeans: Girls rule, boys drool. (Though don't worry, Javi, Michal, Sergei--I still love you).

Agreed. If Liza's and Elena's PCS were scored like the men (1.0 factoring) and they were given an extra jumping pass (even for a 2Z), they would have been 2nd and 3rd in the men's FS.

I also love the resting b-face followed by smiles and kisses when the camera was on them, lol.

 

[sabinfire]

B.ESP2 switching over to Ladies FS right now.

 

[Seruleane]

B.ESP2 switching over to Ladies FS right now.

ooh!! Link please

 

[Skater Boy]

Liza and Lena just cemented their status as absolute favorites for worlds. Come in 1st and 2nd there too please!!!

what about Ashley Wagner. She was a beast at Nats. She has the triple lutz triple toe too. And she has higher pcs. Consistency is the issue maybe but if she skates clean wouldn't she be the fave?

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Eurosport highlights of Ladies FS have started with Kuchvalska.

Here are some links:

Eurosport 2 International livestream

British Eurosport 2 livestream

Sorry I didn't get posting this sooner - I was in the middle of watching Gedevanishvili's FS on sabinfire's YouTube channel when I remembered!

Hope this helps

CaroLiza_fan

 

[LRK]

Don't they have all the time in the world to show commercials during warmups?

I know the thread has moved far along since this comment (I watched on the telly and am just now catching up with the thread), but... I just have to vent!

Exactly this! Why do they have to cut off skaters? It just makes me so furious I want to punch someone - preferably the nitwits responsible!

And I felt as if this was getting worse and worse. Seriously - who does this? Shameful TV4 - shameful!

 

[Ekm]

Congrats to Liza! Also glad to see Anna medal here. I could easily see the worlds podium replicating that of the GPF.

 

[Skater Boy]

Yes she is. She is going to prepare for worlds when she will recover from stomach flu. So I hope we shall see her there. She hopes to make her programs more difficult. She was lucky to get over the minimun technical scores in her first international competition. I was so sad when I heard she withdraw but now I am so so happy Elizaveta won.

HUH? So she doesn't have to qualify the LP TES since she only skated the sp.

 

[Meoima]

Agreed. If Liza's and Elena's PCS were scored like the men (1.0 factoring) and they were given an extra jumping pass (even for a 2Z), they would have been 2nd and 3rd in the men's FS.
I also love the resting b-face followed by smiles and kisses when the camera was on them, lol.

The men should be shame. Ladies RULE!!!