But this PCS!!!
Quite right. I don't argue so much with the overall placements, particularly of all the top skaters, but if you look at the PCS marks!!! The PCS are whacked. A lot of times, the judges keep the scores within a prescribed range across the board, and then when you examine PCS among two different skaters who have vastly different levels of presentations skills, it's quite mind-boggling. For example, no way Kovtun's PCS should be sooo close to Adam Rippon's. Kovtun's PCS on SS, CH and IN are way too high. While Adam's PCS are fairly reasonable, I think his choreo marks are a bit low. The interpretation is a good score for Adam, but I'd have both CH and IN a bit higher. Josh was low-balled a bit on TR, CH, and even his IN score, which is fairly reasonable could have been a bit higher. The main thing I argue with is that even though Josh's PCS are percentage points higher than Kovtun's, it's wrong for Kovtun to be even that close to either Josh or Adam. And Kozuka deserved some better PCS on CH and IN. And even Michael Christian Martinez should be receiving higher PCS (mid 7s) in some categories to reflect his superb performance qualities. Of course, he is inconsistent technically, but that should not take away from rewarding him correctly on PCS.
I don't believe the judges really know how to accurately determine what constitutes performance skill. Clearly, Javi is way over-scored on CH and IN. He skated very well technically despite the fall, but his choreo is NOT spectacular, and his IN should be scored average at best. No way in the 9s for what Javi is putting out! Those scores for CH and IN send Javi and Orser the wrong message that they are on the right track with what they put together this season. THEY ARE NOT! Javi needs to do some dance training and work harder on finding better music and choreography. Jason Brown received high PCS all in the 8s, but Jason's CH and IN should have been in the 9s right along with the top three guys.
Nam still needs to work a lot on refining his presentation skills and increasing his speed. He still skates very juniorish. But just because he has quads, he gets more credit (plus he's also currently #1 Canadian). BTW, with Nam in 5th overall, but JTen so much lower with the total placement scores adding up to 23, does this ensure Canada still gets 2 spots for their men next season? I think so, if the limit for 2 spots is 24.
Turns out that Jason Brown is the most reliable U.S. men competitor of the three on this year's team, so U.S. fed has no regrets about rewarding Jason National Champion gold. From all the quad pressure placed on them after Nationals, Kori made the choice to show everyone that Jason had the guts to go for the quad at 4CC. And so that didn't work out, but wow still what a great coach/ student relationship they have with remarkable trust and faith in each other. And Kori gives all her skaters such strength and inspiration to believe in themselves. Love Jason's darker pants (new fp outfit)! He is a solid competitor, and I don't think anyone should doubt that Jason will eventually master the quad. I just hope Jason and his team continue to do things strategically smart. I can't wait to see what Rohene will be inspired to create for Jason next season.
A bit of too much pressure on Josh in his Worlds debut with the expectations and the fact he was not 100% comfortable with blades/ boot issues. Both Adam and Josh left too many points on the table technically. But they can still hold their heads high, as I think they actually both deserve to be in the top ten in terms of talent. Sure there were others who underperformed in the fp, which helped Adam's placement. But when you add in the whacked PCS scoring, and the fact some are over-scored on PCS, and others a bit underscored, then fortunately the placements luckily evened out to where they fairly should be based on the overall performances.