My-my-my.... i was getting my big knives and forks ready to tuck in. To poke, to prod to - to take apart this expected Russian inflation ginormous home cooking meal in waiting (as it has traditionally been the past), but the lack of tackiness, outrageous propping, simply stunned and confused me. What?!! It is the same as ALL other GP and not that much worse?!! (Or rather, they caught up.)
Instead, the abundance of sugar and spice and everything nice actually made me reach for the silver spoon instead! Yummy ~~~ Delish...
What a pleasant surprise. All 3 lovely Russian ladies all at their bests... well done and congrats!
The scoring is as expected - in the distance from the rest of the field, but the distance from each other is also a key. I expect Julia's mark with go up very quickly if she deliver in the LP.
I wonder if Julia must have developed some sort of bad rap with her own federation or judges, as this is her best SP by far even the score tells another story. She seems more confident and at peace with herself and even shines with moments of grace. I think programs with hints of melancholy is her natural style, and she seems to have finally realised it... her PCS gap from others was surprising consider the OGM, she is also looking so much thinner than I remembered and lost some of that power in her skating but seems to have compensated with poise instead. The girl has grown up into a lady, this is the program to have finally shown it.
Elena, how physically different she looks this season. She has always been a little bit gawky/quirky skater, but she really matured this season. She is so seasoned now, somehow made all the seductive whole body movement full flaunting work. She has not looked better, as now she has physically grown to suit this type of 'performance'. The lack of voice over is really distracting and makes me question if this a genuine authentic Radionova piece, but really she finally looks comfortable and did pretty good. I'd switch her placement with Julia based on the mistake (unclean jumps, shaky landing, off center spins) and actually thought actually all top 3 are pretty close with Anna nudge slightly ahead based on athleticism (speed, power, huge jumps) as this is a sport.
Oh, Anna. I am so chuffed for you. You have proven you are the best Russia lady in waiting. It has all come together. Power, passion, hunger, ambition, rawness, brilliant vehicle to show 2 different sides of you (rather Rise of the phoenix). Sexy, sassy, vivacious, femininity, seductivity, woman skating. Gorgeous 3lz3t (one of my fav of the current ladies) Something so primal and instinctual, in the moment in your skating... not a wall flower for sure. Even if I am not a fan of the 2nd half, but it wouldn't be a genuine Russian program without the weird techno beat/edit out of nowhere - to allow 'Russian dramatics' moments to come out to knock over the old European judges shouting 'THIS IS INTERPRETING!!! I AM NOT DOING SOMETHING BORING. LOOK AT ME ....RAWWWWRRrr. GIVE ME PCS NOW!!!!' straight out of Sotnikova dramatic school of judge bagging. And of course it works... we are in Russia
Zijun... goodness me, I haven't been following your career for a while, and almost give up out of the hopelessness judges seems perpetually peck you down with low PCS 2nd tier skater, then I saw this. What a marvelous brilliant surprise. I am soo soooo~ very proud of you, you have never seems so confident, at ease, (don't appear as trying), pretty, graceful, elegant and mature as you do now. I also question my sanity, what?!! Lori did a good program for Zijun 2 years in a row?! Surely a fluke!... Let's make it 3 shall we? Then I may need to grudgingly sign up for a Lori Nichols fan membership (I will bring my own music collections, though.) Oh Junjun, I see so many shades of my fav skater in you, so tough it up, don't give up, work hard, be consistent, PCS will come. Underscored for sure but totally expected. Hope this can be a good beginning to generate momentum going forward. Well done! Take control. Be good and stay true to yourself. I am excited by the news you 'may' get to train with Mishin... training with Liza and a skater of her caliber will be such an amazing opportunity!!!
Who can ask for anything more indeed... What a firepower ball of energy from the 16 years old Elizabet. Bipop whizzy blitzy step sequence only the young and the restless will go for (or Mao Asada), no caffeine needed. Time flew by, speed and the momentum sustained throughout despite the mistakes were impressive. For all those criticised her stone face expressions in the past, this is a perfect antidote, and love how she is facing her challenges with such bravado. it is something I hope all skaters do, not the same of the old safe thing, but go for something beyond the self, the comfort zone. It is the only way to improve and grow. A great vehicle for her, vocals totally work in this case. Ouch on the 2axel but good for her not to let it affect the rest of the program. She did receive a little bit of a Russian bonus with Kaz being a Russia-friendly country. Nice to see her happy at KnC. I'd switch her placement with Zijun in this case based on the error, and both of them closer to the top 3, but hey that is 'figure' skating for you! (COP is figuring numbers skating, not the figure on ice) The marks do not always equal the skating ON THE DAY but
everything else!
Murakami went for something very 'high brow' to showcase her musicality, unfortunately it went over most of the people's head who are there to see a Bieber concert.
As for people picked on Zhenya's camshot during Elena's performance as if she is ridiculing her. Honestly... :noshake: See that corner? Go stand there!
There were also some funny videos of Yuzu and Evgena in fancams pre and post Gala. 
). The program is good and the elements look good as well. I hope that she can settle her coaching situation soon because not doing that may affect her future.
