- Joined
- Dec 29, 2013
2018-19 Ladies' power ranking
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- Joined
- Aug 25, 2017
I thought she made an oopsy in the SP
She did - fall on 3F<<
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2013
Ok.... that had to cost her some points.
I think so many ladies are inconsistent right now that her own inconsistency shouldn’t outweigh her results. I guess I’m an optimist in this situation.
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2018
No, Stasya surprised me too today and I think we can expect some more from her. She was quite good at the Challenger events already and now a silver medal at her GP debut. France isn‘t an easy field but she has at least some chances to surprise again. I‘m not sure how big they are but they‘re definitely there. She‘s doing a lot better than last season, she worked and improved on her jumps big time. I wouldn‘t have her too high on the rankings after just one event but she should not be forgotten either.
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2014
Loena has lots of potential, a powerful skater and has great presence on the ice. Looking at her free skate from last season and the same program this season, one can appreciate the improvements she's made, noticeably upgrading her tech and also producing more speed and showing greater projection of her movements. Her withdrawal from Skate America had me a bit worried so I was happy to see her put on solid performances here. I too think she should have gotten a few more points but I think she looked satisfied with a Top 5 placement at her Grand Prix (full) debut.
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2013
So true Bill...insert Worlds 2018, here. I saw many shaky landings in Helsinki and as for untouchable, I think not.
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2014
I find it laughable how people keep saying if X skater skated clean, Y skater wouldn’t have won, when it’s not like X skater is infallible. People need to remember that it’s what one executes the day of the competition is what counts, not their planned content, however much they want to tout about how many difficult jumps and combos there are.
- Joined
- Dec 9, 2017
I really don't understand the reality check argument especially regarding Alina. The general opinion was that if Alina goes clean, she is untouchable. Which is fair given the difficulty of her layout. If she messes up, however, she obviously won't be untouchable. She does have a good track record of clean skates, so people expect her to skate cleanly, but sometimes she botches her jumps, which is not unexpected. As for a reality check for the coaches and skaters, it's not like Alina or her coaching team has never seen her fall. They've seen plenty of it, before she made her international debut and all through last season. The hope from both is that she goes clean, but it's not like Worlds was the first time they saw a mistake from her and were shocked because they didn't think it was possible. In her first senior season, she won the Olympics and also had a disastrous skate at worlds. Skaters have highs and lows, including Alina, what part of that is so difficult to understand? At her highest, she's proven she can be the best in past comps, so she has the potential to be untouchable, but she isn't untouchable 100% of the time.
What is more distributing is that people who are hoping/predicting she'll get a "reality check". All skaters are people and they're contributing to the sport much more than any of us are, so let's tone it down a notch.
What is more distributing is that people who are hoping/predicting she'll get a "reality check". All skaters are people and they're contributing to the sport much more than any of us are, so let's tone it down a notch.
- Joined
- Jan 25, 2013
The "had they skated clean" argument is usually just an underhanded coping mechanism certain people use to help come to terms with their faves losing while trivializing the non-fave's win. Doesn't change the results though. History doesn't tend to suggest who should have won, but it always states who DID win.
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2013
The "had they skated clean" argument is usually just an underhanded coping mechanism certain people use to help come to terms with their faves losing while trivializing the non-fave's win. Doesn't change the results though. History doesn't tend to suggest who should have won, but it always states who DID win.
“Certain people” ??? Lol wut.
This thread is about our perception of skaters right....not fellow posters
Scoring-wise, I think Alina is still the top lady. However, I think she's currently benefitting from generous reputation scoring, and in reality the field is wide open and no one is the clear #1 in terms of the actual quality of their skating. Alina has her strong points, but so do Satoko, Rika Kihira, Zhenya, and so on, and they all have their weaknesses as well. If they all competed against each other, I think they could all be plausible winners depending on who performed the best that day (even without any of them making major mistakes). But in terms of actual scoring, I think Alina is still ahead.
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2015
This conversation is going off the rails. So time to uh... push it back on... the rails...(?)
Here are my rankings after what we've seen.
1. Alina Zagitova. She's shown signs of weakness early on- she had the error in the short, and neither of her lutzes looked very assured in the free program this week. But she's got the PCS buffer, and for now is still in control of her own destiny at every competition. If she skates clean, almost no one can beat her. We've seen her skate clean many times before, and there's no one else I could argue deserves the number one ranking more than her, based on reliability and potential.
2. Satoko Miyahara. Miyahara cannot beat Zagitova when both are at their best. Her technical ceiling just isn't high enough. But both of her programs are great this year, some of the best in the field, and I hope she will be rewarded in the PCS score more than she is currently. If she continues to rotate her jumps, it's hard to see how she won't be a factor at worlds for a podium. However, she needs help from others if she wants that elusive gold medal.
3. Rika Kihira. The one person who has the potential to upset an error-free Zagitova. What she needs, besides two (three total) triple axels, is consistency. She needs to build up her PCS like Zagitova did the last two years by putting in solid performance after solid performance, and maybe rework her short program to put the combo in the second half. She's got the firepower, but she needs to prove she can deliver every week. Not an easy feat with three 3A, but if anyone's going to topple Alina at her prime, it's Rika.
4. Elizaveta Tuktamysheva. She's also got firepower, but even with what appears to be a bounce-back season she hasn't put it all together in a competition yet like Rika has. She's yet to land the axel consistently and needs to start doing so to prove she's a threat for gold. Her PCS has somewhat of a ceiling in my opinion, which is going to make it harder to catch up to Zagitova. It's nice to see her (and her lutz) back, and she's got a real shot at a world medal, but she's got work to do to keep climbing.
5. Evgenia Medvedeva. I find it ironic that after turning a blind eye to her flutz for years, the tech specialists only now begin to call it just as she starts working to improve it. "Oh look, she's vulnerable now - no one will say anything if we start calling it." One of many systematic issues the ISU faces. Nevertheless, jumping has become harder for Evgenia over the last few years, and everything looks a little more laboured. I love that she's not afraid to try to make the necessary changes, and you can see the effects (e.g. on the axel) but there's a lot of changes that still need to be made and this is going to take time. It's going to be a season of trials for her but hopefully one that pays off in the long run.
6. Kaori Sakamoto. Big skating and big jumps, but often vulnerable, and that's what will stop her from getting into that 9 range in PCS that you need to contend for gold. It's always nice to see her when she's on, and the quality of her elements always makes her a contender. If she times it right, she could also be in the mix for a Japanese championship and a world medal. Not making the GPF (if she doesn't) could be a hit to her chances.
7. Mako Yamashita. No idea where this girl came from, but she's a treat. She's got the youthfulness/lightness of Mihara's skating with the explosive jumps of Sakamoto. If she figures out a way to keep it consistent, her PCS will rise big-time and she'll be in the mix for her national championship and maybe even a world medal. Stranger things have happened.
8. Mai Mihara. Not quite sure why she's keeping her free program, because I think it's only stunting her growth. Regardless, she has a nice quality to her skating and is capable of scoring in the 210-215 range when she's firing on all cylinders. She doesn't have the ceiling that skaters like Sakamoto and Yamashita do, because her elements aren't as big and her skating isn't as impactful. That's what keeps her below them on this list.
9. Bradie Tennell. She's capable of that 205-210 mark if she skates clean, because she has the technical prowess and her skating has improved, as well as her packaging. Skate America was a step back for her, but that still doesn't limit what she's capable of. As the US number one, the judges will probably go with her if she delivers, but she needs to figure out a way to do it regularly if she wants to be a bigger factor internationally.
10. Sofia Samodurova. She's young, so the PCS is going to be a problem for her, and the lack of a wow factor on the jumps will make it difficult for her to get a worlds spot. However, if she can keep delivering solid programs, this could be a good building year for her. This season isn't going to be her peak; that's still years down the road, and making a name for herself this season will be beneficial in the long run. She also has an outside chance at the GPF.
Notable mentions:
Stanislava Konstantinova. I thought she was very generously scored this week, because a lot of her rotations looked dicey to me. There's also a stacked field at France that will make it hard for her to qualify for the GPF, which is why I gave the 10 spot to Sofia instead.
Wakaba Higuchi. Not sure what's happened this season. I'm sure the injury has had something to do with it but she looks very vulnerable technically and the programs are in my opinion a bore. If she doesn't figure it out quickly she'll get eaten up by the other Japanese talents at nationals.
Eunsoo Lim. A bit of a wild card- she hasn't put it all together yet but if she does, she's got the goods to make a statement. We'll see how it goes at her grand prix events.
Others: Kostner, Sotskova, Honda, Shiraiwa, Bell, Hendrickx, etc.
Here are my rankings after what we've seen.
1. Alina Zagitova. She's shown signs of weakness early on- she had the error in the short, and neither of her lutzes looked very assured in the free program this week. But she's got the PCS buffer, and for now is still in control of her own destiny at every competition. If she skates clean, almost no one can beat her. We've seen her skate clean many times before, and there's no one else I could argue deserves the number one ranking more than her, based on reliability and potential.
2. Satoko Miyahara. Miyahara cannot beat Zagitova when both are at their best. Her technical ceiling just isn't high enough. But both of her programs are great this year, some of the best in the field, and I hope she will be rewarded in the PCS score more than she is currently. If she continues to rotate her jumps, it's hard to see how she won't be a factor at worlds for a podium. However, she needs help from others if she wants that elusive gold medal.
3. Rika Kihira. The one person who has the potential to upset an error-free Zagitova. What she needs, besides two (three total) triple axels, is consistency. She needs to build up her PCS like Zagitova did the last two years by putting in solid performance after solid performance, and maybe rework her short program to put the combo in the second half. She's got the firepower, but she needs to prove she can deliver every week. Not an easy feat with three 3A, but if anyone's going to topple Alina at her prime, it's Rika.
4. Elizaveta Tuktamysheva. She's also got firepower, but even with what appears to be a bounce-back season she hasn't put it all together in a competition yet like Rika has. She's yet to land the axel consistently and needs to start doing so to prove she's a threat for gold. Her PCS has somewhat of a ceiling in my opinion, which is going to make it harder to catch up to Zagitova. It's nice to see her (and her lutz) back, and she's got a real shot at a world medal, but she's got work to do to keep climbing.
5. Evgenia Medvedeva. I find it ironic that after turning a blind eye to her flutz for years, the tech specialists only now begin to call it just as she starts working to improve it. "Oh look, she's vulnerable now - no one will say anything if we start calling it." One of many systematic issues the ISU faces. Nevertheless, jumping has become harder for Evgenia over the last few years, and everything looks a little more laboured. I love that she's not afraid to try to make the necessary changes, and you can see the effects (e.g. on the axel) but there's a lot of changes that still need to be made and this is going to take time. It's going to be a season of trials for her but hopefully one that pays off in the long run.
6. Kaori Sakamoto. Big skating and big jumps, but often vulnerable, and that's what will stop her from getting into that 9 range in PCS that you need to contend for gold. It's always nice to see her when she's on, and the quality of her elements always makes her a contender. If she times it right, she could also be in the mix for a Japanese championship and a world medal. Not making the GPF (if she doesn't) could be a hit to her chances.
7. Mako Yamashita. No idea where this girl came from, but she's a treat. She's got the youthfulness/lightness of Mihara's skating with the explosive jumps of Sakamoto. If she figures out a way to keep it consistent, her PCS will rise big-time and she'll be in the mix for her national championship and maybe even a world medal. Stranger things have happened.
8. Mai Mihara. Not quite sure why she's keeping her free program, because I think it's only stunting her growth. Regardless, she has a nice quality to her skating and is capable of scoring in the 210-215 range when she's firing on all cylinders. She doesn't have the ceiling that skaters like Sakamoto and Yamashita do, because her elements aren't as big and her skating isn't as impactful. That's what keeps her below them on this list.
9. Bradie Tennell. She's capable of that 205-210 mark if she skates clean, because she has the technical prowess and her skating has improved, as well as her packaging. Skate America was a step back for her, but that still doesn't limit what she's capable of. As the US number one, the judges will probably go with her if she delivers, but she needs to figure out a way to do it regularly if she wants to be a bigger factor internationally.
10. Sofia Samodurova. She's young, so the PCS is going to be a problem for her, and the lack of a wow factor on the jumps will make it difficult for her to get a worlds spot. However, if she can keep delivering solid programs, this could be a good building year for her. This season isn't going to be her peak; that's still years down the road, and making a name for herself this season will be beneficial in the long run. She also has an outside chance at the GPF.
Notable mentions:
Stanislava Konstantinova. I thought she was very generously scored this week, because a lot of her rotations looked dicey to me. There's also a stacked field at France that will make it hard for her to qualify for the GPF, which is why I gave the 10 spot to Sofia instead.
Wakaba Higuchi. Not sure what's happened this season. I'm sure the injury has had something to do with it but she looks very vulnerable technically and the programs are in my opinion a bore. If she doesn't figure it out quickly she'll get eaten up by the other Japanese talents at nationals.
Eunsoo Lim. A bit of a wild card- she hasn't put it all together yet but if she does, she's got the goods to make a statement. We'll see how it goes at her grand prix events.
Others: Kostner, Sotskova, Honda, Shiraiwa, Bell, Hendrickx, etc.
Other skaters still have a chance to win if Zagitova does mistakes because Zagitova is not even that overscored. If she was overscored to sky she would have get 70 in SP and 150 in FS. Medvedeva was intouchable even when she fell because she was always near 75+ and 37+ PCS and super high GOEs no matter what.
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2018
Alina has the first chance to win everything this season, because she has the tech superiority (I think only Rika has better base value than her) and the reputation, but again it only depends on her on how manages to control her fears and confidence issues.
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2014
A weekly update. Actually, there is no update - all my rankings stay the same
#1 Alina Zagitova She is as dominant now as Medvedeva was before her. 2 big mistakes and still 215. Who else can pretend to get similar scores? No one. The only chance to win over her is the repetition of the last worlds which can only happen if she is sick or exhausted or both which happened in Milano.
#2 Satoko Miyahara No news
#3 Rika Kihira No news.
#4 Evgenija Medvedeva No news
#5 Elizaveta Tuktamysheva Liza has been more consistent than Kaori and Bradie and has good upside potential (3Lz-3T and flip), hence, I think that her #5 spot has solidified
#6 Kaori Sakamoto I like her skating a lot starting last season. She seems to struggle with consistency. Hope, she won't become hit and miss skater
#7 Bradie Tennell No news
#8 Mai Mihara No news
#9 Mako Yamashita No news
#10 Elizabet Tursynbaeva No news
Stasya could have moved Lizbet off Top-10 if she had not fallen on flip at the very end of the short program. So far I am not convinced. She has to change something and looking at Kolyada I am not sure if Chebotareva is the right coach for this change. The truly amazing example is Mikhal Brezina. Before I was ready to bet that he would fall whenever he skated. And look now - a miracle. Stasya needs this miracle - the clock is ticking and she has no luxury to keep falling.
#1 Alina Zagitova She is as dominant now as Medvedeva was before her. 2 big mistakes and still 215. Who else can pretend to get similar scores? No one. The only chance to win over her is the repetition of the last worlds which can only happen if she is sick or exhausted or both which happened in Milano.
#2 Satoko Miyahara No news
#3 Rika Kihira No news.
#4 Evgenija Medvedeva No news
#5 Elizaveta Tuktamysheva Liza has been more consistent than Kaori and Bradie and has good upside potential (3Lz-3T and flip), hence, I think that her #5 spot has solidified
#6 Kaori Sakamoto I like her skating a lot starting last season. She seems to struggle with consistency. Hope, she won't become hit and miss skater
#7 Bradie Tennell No news
#8 Mai Mihara No news
#9 Mako Yamashita No news
#10 Elizabet Tursynbaeva No news
Stasya could have moved Lizbet off Top-10 if she had not fallen on flip at the very end of the short program. So far I am not convinced. She has to change something and looking at Kolyada I am not sure if Chebotareva is the right coach for this change. The truly amazing example is Mikhal Brezina. Before I was ready to bet that he would fall whenever he skated. And look now - a miracle. Stasya needs this miracle - the clock is ticking and she has no luxury to keep falling.
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2013
In this environment with the rise of newer talents, the metamorphose that is Evgenia and the return of previous World medalists such as Gabby, Caro, Liza and Kaetlyn, no skater is untouchable today as some had earlier written, regardless of BV.
This season is surely the season when ladies will be as interesting than Men. It won't be like two seasons ago when it was Medvedeva and others, then Medvedeva, Zagitova and others.
Why? Because from my observations:
1) There is a slightly more fair scoring. I mean, i don't see really low PCS and GOEs for good programs while there is one skaters who is the only one to get very high GOEs and PCS.
2) Some skaters pushed their programs technically. And there are more skaters who can be in 75+-80+ TES.
When i see Miyahara gets 143 with calls, Kihira score 154, Tuk gets 43 TES in SP and 76 TES in the free, i think that Zagitova will have to be perfect to win worlds this season.
I think she still have the edge. Next week is Rostelecom, if she skate two strong programs like in Nebelhorn i wouldn't be surprised to see her break 80+ and 160+ (i wouldn't be either surprised if she doesn't. As she's not as overscored as Medvedeva was)
Why? Because from my observations:
1) There is a slightly more fair scoring. I mean, i don't see really low PCS and GOEs for good programs while there is one skaters who is the only one to get very high GOEs and PCS.
2) Some skaters pushed their programs technically. And there are more skaters who can be in 75+-80+ TES.
When i see Miyahara gets 143 with calls, Kihira score 154, Tuk gets 43 TES in SP and 76 TES in the free, i think that Zagitova will have to be perfect to win worlds this season.
I think she still have the edge. Next week is Rostelecom, if she skate two strong programs like in Nebelhorn i wouldn't be surprised to see her break 80+ and 160+ (i wouldn't be either surprised if she doesn't. As she's not as overscored as Medvedeva was)
- Joined
- Nov 2, 2013
Replying to in this thread because I think it's more appropriate. In my honest opinion, I don't think there's a whole lot of basis for having Rika behind Alina in PCS, actually. Rika's main issue is consistency. But if she skates both programs clean, in my opinion she should definitely be the best in whatever senior competition she enters, including the world championships.
I wonder how consistency should be ranked. Then again, Alina's not exactly been extremely convincing this season, either.
