2017 World Ladies SP

[rain]

Nervous for Kaetlyn skating last. Bring it together homegurll:hopelessness:

Not a good draw for her. She usually does better if she can come out early and lay it down — like in the short. All my fingers and toes are crossed.

 

[Nathan13]

Amazingly well skated and well judged event Especially happy for the North American Ladies (Karen particularly) who definitely defied odds and expectations today!!!

 

[apgold]

Only managed to see most of the final group thanks to the QQ stream from China and will watch the rest later.

The freeskate will be interesting with Medvedeva sure to win and the rest of the ladies fighting for Silver and Gold. Happy for Gabby sitting in 3rd right now.

I'm glad that Karen held it together and actually beat Ashley in the SP. Hope they can maintain their current spots or go higher to keep those 3 spots.

What happened to Mihara? I didn't see her skate but clearly she had some issues. I had her in 5th place in my predictions, but it looks like she'll be lucky to be top 10.

ETA: Sorry to see that neither Joshi Helgesson nor Amy Lin made the cut for the FS. I hope that their coaching changes will be gelling for them into next season.

 

[Tolstoj]

I actually think Ashley is probably fine with it. Probably makes her feel better about the 3-spot potential, as well as the knowledge that she might not have to carry the US ladies team all on her own.

yeah i said it cause Raf in particular looked angry in the KnC

https://youtu.be/vUClVEc6vig?t=345

 

[VIETgrlTerifa]

yeah i said it cause Raf in particular looked angry in the KnC

https://youtu.be/vUClVEc6vig?t=345

I don't think Raf's reaction would be specific to Karen.

 

[frida80]

Disagree. The lutz was definitely within a quarter-turn. Borderline URs should be given to the skater. Over-strictness in calling URs (some judges don't even follow the quarter turn rule--if it's not fully around, <) is killing the sport. I love Karen's short program. Kudos to her for putting in the spiral. Spirals should be made a required element again.

It just occurred to me that we didn't see any other spirals today. Wow. It's that rare.

 

[twirlingblades]

Wow, Karen, Maria, and Ashley are within a point of each other! 2-7 are within about 6 points :O Long program is going to be great!

 

[Violet Bliss]

This was a great event and start of the Championships.

Finland knows how to make ice and tame the rink monster.

 

[Daniel1998]

Here are my observations about Karen's 3T

To determine whether a jump landing was less or more than 1/4 short of a rotation, we first have to establish the starting point of said rotation. I suspect that most here who hold the view that Karen's 3T was obviously UR or even "nearly a half turn" underrotated might be looking at the starting point of the jump differently than those who think the 3T was borderline or just shy of 1/4 turn underrotated.

I agree the 3T was underrotated on the landing but I don't see the UR being over 1/4 turn. My judgment is based on "the skating direction of her right foot at the moment when her left leg was directly behind her right leg" as the starting point of the jump. But because her right foot continued to rotate along a curve on the ice before actual takeoff, and its direction kept changing, I can see how others may see a different starting point (and thus see her landing as “before the 1/4 mark").

Unfortunately, the way Karen does the backend 3T, she doesn't "establish" the skating direction very clearly for a half second or longer, and then pull her left leg back, like how others do it. Therefore it may confuse the viewer and lead the viewer to assume that the jump started later than it actually did.

Another way to look at it: for her 3T, her left toe leaves the ice facing backwards (i.e. ~180 degree pre-rotation) like most skaters. Keeping this in mind, if you look at the super close-up replay of that jump in the SP video, you will see that she touched down after the 1/4 mark.

Again I am not denying that the 3T was short and had a big hook on the landing, but I don't see it being more than 1/4 rotation short.

The reason I disagree is because, though based on where her skating foot was at the takeoff, she was within a quarter rotation (maybe), her skating foot and body/direction of travel were not aligned at the beginning of the jump. If we're using her skating foot as a guide to where her rotation started, her body was way pre-rotated, and you can see that based on how much she needed to hook the landing to start skating backwards. It's cheap to argue your jump was rotated because of where your skating foot was if your body was already turned beforehand.

 

[frida80]

I think that Gabby will be able to handle skating after Evgenia. She did well at Canadian Nats skating after Kaetlyn's huge scores and I know how badly she wanted to win there.



She was asked about it in the press conference. I haven't watched it yet, but Charlie White tweeted her response:

I disagree. This is worlds and both Kaetlyn and Gabby are slight head cases when their in the lead. I just hope they internalize the desire they have to prove themselves and ignore that WR score Zhenia puts down.

 

[andromache]

yeah i said it cause Raf in particular looked angry in the KnC

https://youtu.be/vUClVEc6vig?t=345

Knowing what we know about Raf, it's more likely he's mad at Ashley .

 

[kevinVchicago]

The extra issue for Romania was that Larisa had gotten bronze at the World Championships which SHOULD have been enough for her to qualify her own spot for herself (that would belong to her, not the federation) but the FIG rules at the time only gave automatic spots to event medalists, not AA medalists. There was no way to retroactively update the rules.

At least Japan will most likely get 2 spots.

It was SUCH a shame. Because they'd had that disastrous qualification round at Worlds that year and Iordache didn't qualify for any event finals if I remember correctly. Is there any danger of the Japanese ladies in of not getting 2 spots?

 

[breadstal]

Karen's 3T was clearly URed but Lutz looked ok for me. She should find other combo, her Lz is just too big. I simply loved her performance though, I think it was my favorite one with Kaetlyn, she was just stunning :luv17: Overall really good event but judging was disgusting.

 

[frida80]

It was SUCH a shame. Because they'd had that disastrous qualification round at Worlds that year and Iordache didn't qualify for any event finals if I remember correctly. Is there any danger of the Japanese ladies in of not getting 2 spots?

As long as Mai puts out a strong free and Wakaba keeps her head straight they should be fine.

 

[kevinVchicago]

As long as Mai puts out a strong free and Wakaba keeps her head straight they should be fine.

Heaven help them.

 

[sunnystars]

At least they don't make Maria look like a toddler ...

lol
THE SHADE

 

[Chemistry66]

It was SUCH a shame. Because they'd had that disastrous qualification round at Worlds that year and Iordache didn't qualify for any event finals if I remember correctly. Is there any danger of the Japanese ladies in of not getting 2 spots?

It's always possible not to get 2, but it's very unlikely. As long as one Japanese lady finishes 12th or above, the other two could finish as low as 23rd and 24th and Japan would still get 2 spots (since FS qualifiers' placement points are capped at 16 even if they finish lower than 16th).

 

[Crossover]

At least they don't make Maria look like a toddler ...

Come on, both skaters have delicate qualities although I really don't get Maria's PCS over Wakaba whose SS and presentation are much superior than Maria (but I know the answer already). Two Polinas from Russia and USA broke my heart this season.

 

[skylark]

Some thoughts about the performances, mostly. About the judging, I thought it was very close to what it should be. Some variations for taste and point of view. But the people who are complaining about judges, powerful feds, etc. are just feeling disappointed about their favorites, imho. Looking at the table of scores, I think the line between PCS over 30 and under 30 was correct. I loved Wakaba's opening, with the 2A so smooth and part of the music and her movement. But once she started the 2d half, she concentrated wholly on the jumps and lost the program. Good for her, because she landed those jumps. But it completely disrupted any continuity of expression.

I was completely Into Mai's performance, lovely. Then just before the final jump, which comes RIGHT at the end, I thought, I wonder if she's tired, that's the only thing that could mess up. Then it happened, probably adrenalin plus tired plus first Worlds. And with the flip doubled, it did make the program collapse. I look forward to her bringing it with her FS, though. Love her Cinderella program. Mariah, Dabin, Zijun and Elizabet -- I had the same feeling as when people say "skating on top of the ice," like skimming the surface, only with performance quality as opposed to edge, although the two are related. Rika toughed through her performance and showed grit, but very little finesse.

Ashley, let's say I wish she'd kept Hip Chin for the 2nd year. She gave this her all, performed, as always. But she'd changed a lot of things since nationals, and it may have made her a little less able to just let her body do what knows to do. She's a fighter and may like the position she's in. I think she'll bring it and wow us in the FS with her heartfelt passion. We'll see. Maria brought her big 3Lz-3T, beautiful. For the 1st time, I realized I feel the same about her as @ Gracie. Admire the beauty of jumps and technique, but she leaves me a bit cold. Carolina deserves her PCS imo. It's good to remember she said she's skating for herself this year.

Karen showed her pure artistry, crowned by the spiral and smile. Her jumps are big, and her ice presence is big. I'm really proud of her for overcoming 4CC and stepping up for Worlds. Keep it going! I'm really happy to see her, and also Anna Pogo, step up into big girl shoes and skate as women. A small thing, but I love how Anna bows to the audience as she gets off the ice. It's heartfelt. Gabby did what I've seen all year is possible for her! Love her 3T3T, love her power; her whole program lends itself to an exciting performance.

Kaetlyn's skate was the performance of the day for me. She brought every single thing. It makes this division much more exciting to see that her TES was within one point of Evgenia's. As far as musical mood, and performing the meaning and soul of the program, I think she should have been closer to Med in PCS too. But I recognize the reality of Med's consistency and tech quality and its effect on the judges, even if I don't agree with it. The way Evgenia skated today made me comfortable; I just felt I could relax and enjoy her skating. And the tanos on her jumps, especially the 3F3T Tano-Rippon. I think she's improved the tanos, at least in this SP; we'll see about the FS.

 

[TontoK]

If the loose technical calls continue into the other disciplines, the Men's competition will be a free-for-all.

Note: I haven't watched the competition in full, nor do I intend to.

But, I've seen enough. it's not just the loose calls, it's the GOE being thrown out.

It's like US Nationals judging.