2018 Olympic Figure Skating Ladies FS

[GrandmaCC]

Ok, time for a full summary

Firstly, congratulations to Belinda Noonan, apologies if she annoyed our Canadian friends, but my GOSH, did she do an incredible job of imparting far more technical knowledge in two weeks than other comments do in a lifetime (even if that may have been more appropriate in textbook format lol) AND remaining IMPARTIAL!!!!! That, that is a commentary Queen. She didn’t loose her voice, either!

Alina & Zhenya - what can I say, brilliance plus hard work, a lucky birthday and a killer competition mindset - that’s the stuff medals are made of. Each should be holding their head high. What they faced going into this comp, heck, even during (glares at WADA)...it is mind blowing. Such toughness they possess.

Kaetlyn - talk about a perfect taper!! That FS peaked exactly at the right time. To think it was so wrong just months ago - turn on the Olympic spotlight, and out came the fierceness. Congratulations!!!

Gabby - ohhh, that was heartbreaking to watch!! Honey, you’re an OGMedalist, remember that and wipe those tears away. Go to Worlds and kick butt!!

Mirai - seeing you smile at the end of your skate just like you did when finishing your ‘10 SP - you truly have come full circle. Glad you had your Moment, got a medal and can be at peace with your work paying off.

Elizabet’s Mom - Come on, you all know you choked up seeing how proud she was of her lil girl

Kailani- couldn’t have asked for more.

All the early group gals - congrats on getting to the LP and thank you for not only some gorgeous performances but for also reminding us of how hard skating truly is, even though it looks easy (meant sincerely).

Alijona - yeah, you’re a pair, but also a legend and a Hard Work Pays Off reminder, so you get a shout out!

All Ice Dancers - thank you for the gorgeousness!! And for also showing us how hard actual skating is...and for reminding the Arggghhh Backloading!!! people that perhaps this is the discipline best suited to them

ISU - thank you for the music!! some awesome song choices abounded.

Everyone who shared streaming info - thank you all!!
Only 3 years and 50 weeks til we get to do this again

 

[Proxy]

Fascinating. Off-ice Kaori looks pretty ordinary, but in the rink she turns into a butterfly. At times I'm getting Mao vibes from her.

She's the best skating talent out of all of the girls in this competition.

 

[Proxy]

She usually does but her nerves were very apparent here.

Don't tell Johnny and Tara that.

"She hits every beat of the music with her jumps"...as she misses every beat of the music with her jumps.

 

[brens78]

Ok, time for a full summary

Firstly, congratulations to Belinda Noonan, apologies if she annoyed our Canadian friends, but my GOSH, did she do an incredible job of imparting far more technical knowledge in two weeks than other comments do in a lifetime (even if that may have been more appropriate in textbook format lol) AND remaining IMPARTIAL!!!!! That, that is a commentary Queen. She didn’t loose her voice, either!


Australian commentary is always good, no shade throwing etc. Just basic details on technique and performance. I know some Sochi performances with Australian commentary is still on youtube, I have seen a few international comments on channel 7's

 

[quadrupleaxel15]

After Alina's SP it was %90 clear for me that she would won the gold, she always delivered her FS under whatever condition and there was no reason to assume she would just let it go this time. She also did not have much extra pressure on her, I guess, since she had the TES advantage over the potential bronze medalist and would only lose to Evgenia even if she fell on one jump or anything.

I truly enjoy both of the Eteri skaters and I think they were placed correctly today. Evgenia's skating was emotional, yes, but it was because she was emotional herself and the event was emotional for all of us. PCS are not all about the theatrical effect or how good you feel when you watch a skater and Evgenia was already getting quite generous PCS. Giving her all 10s for every category so that she would won would have been a bad idea if not truly corrupt. She will be remembered as a great skater and one medal should not define anybody even if it's an Olympic medal. Like I said, I have always enjoyed her skating and this was definitely not her best. Her jumps were barely there, so forced so small and so not-Evgenia. I think the blame is on the injury and nothing else. I think she was one of the few girls who can techinally compete with Alina too but with an injury she could not improve on that aspect at all.

I am extremely happy for Alina. Eteri gave her the entire package she needed in order to do the impossible (it was nearly impossible to beat Evgenia last year) and she delivered. I hope she goes back to Russia and have a big feast of whatever food she enjoys the most with people who truly love her. She totally deserves some comfort and relaxation after such a busy season.

Also, I really hope they give her a program in a different style next season. It feels like she lives in tutu's and have different sets at home of sleeping-tutu, training-tutu, going to shopping-tutu.

 

[NoNameFace]

I think people should stop using word "performance" during the Olympic year. It has been proven every cycle that one becomes Olympic champion by winning TES. PCS can keep you in the mix but when all is said and done, it is the one who takes the most risks and nails it comes on top. Alina took it and did it. Medvedeva may have won the PCS but she made the same mistake Yuna did, assuming that PCS can help her sail through. Said that I wish ISU were more consistent and do not fool these skaters throughout the whole Olympic cycle by handing the wins based on PCS and then crash those athletes with reality in the Olympic year.
Said all that I think the placements are correct based on TES. I do not care about PCS.
Congratulations to everyone.

My two cents about what You said - I think that this growing tendency of awarding sky-rocketing PCS scores/its progress throughout one single season based mostly on consistency in execution and a strong co-relation between high technical value of program executed and PCS really lost this whole 'performance' value from sight while watching Ladies competition lately, at least for me. It became more like pushing TES limits between competitors to ensure victory - and while I am very impressed about all this backloading, difficult combos and other things, I'm just not finding them always attractive and complimentary to the program concept/music (also, it depends on execution quality of such things).

The 'performance' quality as a whole I saw in Kaetlyn and Satoko's FS today, at least they were the closest to my image of it. This is just the way of skating/performing that appeals to me the most, but it is connected closely with particular program-to-skater match and skater's overall style, way of movement, sensibility with music. I saw a lot of control and composure in those two programs, despite huge stake and pressure, both Ladies focused my attention on overall picture created, especially Kaetlyn who kind of turned this FS around and gave electrifying, sensual and compelling version of it, with solid technical content that enhanced the character, not overshadowed it. With Satoko, I do see her jumps as small, but the thing is for me that she really skates and performs 'out of her body/skin' - she projects way more than her physique suggest and her carriage, coordination of whole body never fails to impress me, especially from interpretation/musicality perspectives. But those are my impressions only.

I respect Alina for once again delivering her content under such pressure - she seemed more nervous for my eye than during TE FS, as I noticed her not being in 'usual' synch between jumps and musical notes, nevertheless - her composure and control over technicalities are beyond impressive for 15 years old young Lady. And for someone who was on the road to quit skating, her mentality and competitive drive, 'body memory' of what it should do despite pressure are admirable. Wishing her all the best in her future career, it would be interesting for me to see her working with some other choreographers, developing her performance skills in choreographies that are more than just putting her incredible jumping/technical ability on display, to musical cues; yes, that type of choreo is very effective competition-wise/results-wise (if skater has technical goods/abilities to display the that way), but for me personally it gives a bit too one-dimensional picture of a skater. Not sure, if this is going to happen, though.

As for Evgenia - I wish more competitive programs in her 'Anna Karenina' FS vein in the future to be honest; I feel that she excels way more effective and interesting in naturally-driven character-themed programs than in abstract concept/stories put (often quite randomly tbh) to particular music. 'Anna Karenina' FS program itself may be not my favourite by design, but it definitely accommodated Medvedeva's performer abilities the best way to that date in my opinion. As for result, an injury and break from skating definitely played major role in it; nevertheless, still an achievement and a testament to consistency. The following season will be quite interesting to observe, how dynamics will look like between these two already established skaters and the rest of skilled and competition-driven students from same school.

 

[viennaskater]

Ok, time for a full summary

Firstly, congratulations to Belinda Noonan, apologies if she annoyed our Canadian friends, but my GOSH, did she do an incredible job of imparting far more technical knowledge in two weeks than other comments do in a lifetime (even if that may have been more appropriate in textbook format lol) AND remaining IMPARTIAL!!!!! That, that is a commentary Queen. She didn’t loose her voice, either!

:dev2: Not only did she annoy the Canadians, she annoyed ME!

Incredible job? Yes, maybe to novices who don't know the first thing about skating. I just THANKS TO GOD I could press the button on my remote to shut her off just as each skater took to the ice. She would NOT stop rabbiting during the skating which is a no-no, unless you are making the odd observation but NOT mentioning just about every element, which she did.

The guys on Eurosport do a far better job. They keep mostly quiet during the performances and give a really expert summary afterwards, picking out things I often don't notice. That woman kept stating the obvious. Also, those guys injected the commentary with a bit of humour now and then. Noonan obviously has a sense of humour bypass. Whenever her cohort made a small joke, she just ignored it! Rude, or what? And there's nothing wrong with a little 'constructive criticism' - usually when Chris or Nicky didn't like a programme, they would say something like 'It wasn't my cup of tea, because ....' and they would give reasons. Remember that it's all subjective. Noonan was probably worried she'd get sued or something!

I never want to hear that woman commentate ever again.

And by the way, it's LOSE, not 'loose' your voice.

End.

 

[Proxy]

I preferred Mao Asada.

Yuna and Mao are still the two best.

 

[whatif]

Yes, Yuna and Mao, just what we need. Let's divert this discussion yet again.

 

[chopinskate]

Let's divert this discussion yet again.

I agree!

 

[chopinskate]

Alina Zagitova

A difficult choreo sequence. A little bit off on the start of the flying camel spin but still well-centered. Refined edges and good positions in the step sequence. Only a 3Lz without the 3Lo combo but maybe she'll get it later. Strong 2A+3T. Nice series of 3F+2T+2Lo with tanos and rippons, and strong combo spin with stretched positions. Strong 3Lz+3Lo, nice comeback from the missed combo at the start. Nice rippon 3Lo. And another strong rippon 3F. A bit rough on the 2A but still alright. A fantastic layback spin to finish.

I almost thought she was starting to lose it with the first missed combo but then she tacked on the combo later on so she's definitely got a good competitive mind. Still not a fan of the backloading but the way the program is edited and choreographed, it works well. Medvedeva has her work cut out for her to beat this but the judges will likely put some room for her to possibly win. She will be assuredly on the podium.

Should be Rippon 3S.

Thanks for this in the Olys, BTW!

 

[Proxy]

Highway robbery. Not deserving of PCS anywhere near Zhenya. Unreal.

I think it's funny so many Russians weren't in favor of this argument 4 years ago.

 

[viennaskater]

I think it's funny so many Russians weren't in favor of this argument 4 years ago.

Indeed!!! Gotta laugh!

 

[anonymoose_au]

:dev2: Not only did she annoy the Canadians, she annoyed ME!

Incredible job? Yes, maybe to novices who don't know the first thing about skating. I just THANKS TO GOD I could press the button on my remote to shut her off just as each skater took to the ice. She would NOT stop rabbiting during the skating which is a no-no, unless you are making the odd observation but NOT mentioning just about every element, which she did.

The guys on Eurosport do a far better job. They keep mostly quiet during the performances and give a really expert summary afterwards, picking out things I often don't notice. That woman kept stating the obvious. Also, those guys injected the commentary with a bit of humour now and then. Noonan obviously has a sense of humour bypass. Whenever her cohort made a small joke, she just ignored it! Rude, or what? And there's nothing wrong with a little 'constructive criticism' - usually when Chris or Nicky didn't like a programme, they would say something like 'It wasn't my cup of tea, because ....' and they would give reasons. Remember that it's all subjective. Noonan was probably worried she'd get sued or something!

I never want to hear that woman commentate ever again.

And by the way, it's LOSE, not 'loose' your voice.

End.

Well don't forget Belinda is commentating for an audience who might not know figure skating, in Australia certainly people are unlikely to know all the ins and outs. I found her commentary very insightful and helpful!

That's what commentators are for generally...I mean if they just spoke at the level of the experts it'd be incomprehensible.

I'm surprised you weren't more annoyed at Jim, he literally knows nothing about figure skating I'm not sure why he was even there honestly.

 

[Proxy]

Zhenya has benefited immensely over the last quad from overly generous PCS marks, so I find it ironic that many of you are now throwing a tantrum about PCS being unfair. Those overly generous PCS marks applied to another skater are the same thing that denied Med the OGM.

Preach!

 

[Corwin]

Zagi!! You did it baby girl!! :hap93:
Zhenya :sad21: :sad21: :sad21:

 

[Proxy]

Eteri and Med were the two that turned ladies FS that way. Now they've just lost control of the monster they unleashed.

And please, people have been whining about Med's lack of artistry and her programs being too "technical" and crammed with stupid mime movements for the last 3 years. Now that she's lost, everyone's trying to rewrite the narrative into Med being an amazing artist who wuzrobbed.

Med got beaten at her own game, that's what happened.

You win the internet with this post.

 

[fredtx121]

Thoughts:
HATED how NBC kept rubbing in how Tara won the gold over Michelle Kwan and how much of an upset it was. I wonder if it’s in Tatas contract that they mention that Tara won the Olympic Gold 1000000 Times. Annoying and tacky

Evgenias face after realizing she didn’t win the gold was just disbelief. It seemed like she was waiting for the announcer to pull a “Steve Harvey” and say “sorry we have made a mistake, her actual score is ...... and she is in 1st place.” Lol

Alina when she was waiting for Evgenias score was kind of weird with her playing with that creepy doll. Looks a little like her coach Eteri. Is it her voodoo doll?

Mirai—seemed like she was on some “happy” meds. I wonder what her and Adam were eating when they showed them backstage. “Edibles”? Lol! She just looked like I know I’m not gonna win anything and I already got my bronze medal. Whatever haha.

Katelyn - shocked with her score of 10 in performance when she had a step out on one of her jumps. I really hope they change this ridiculous scoring.

Daleman- poor girl. You had a 2009 Carolina Kostner performance

Carolina- just ridiculous of a score with all those errors. Just retire with your 1994 Technical style programs. Maybe you could of won gold with those technical elements against Nancy Kerrigan and Oksana Baiul

Miyahara- glad to see her skate well but I think she was low balled again on her PCS scores. She should have been closer scores to Katelyn

Kaiori- Japan’s future star. Threat for 2022.

 

[viennaskater]

Well don't forget Belinda is commentating for an audience who might not know figure skating, in Australia certainly people are unlikely to know all the ins and outs. I found her commentary very insightful and helpful!

That's what commentators are for generally...I mean if they just spoke at the level of the experts it'd be incomprehensible.

I'm surprised you weren't more annoyed at Jim, he literally knows nothing about figure skating I'm not sure why he was even there honestly.

Actually, yes, he obviously knew nothing, but he didn't talk over the skating, at least.

I think I am just used to the Eurosport guys, they were able to commentate in a way that suited everyone, and it certainly wasn't incomprehensible.

 

[Proxy]

She scared her. I think she improved her interpretation skills when she finally saw she was in danger.

Not to say that she is the kind of person who would be lax because she didn't have to worry too much. She isn't. But the pace of development, over the past two years as WC, has been quite slow. Unfortunately, it was, in my opinion, too late.

Zagitova was the catalyst.

Yes I think Medvedeva has improved performance since she's challenged by Zagitova. She couldn't beat Alina's TES, it's the first time in her career, so she tried to win by PCS.

I would like to see IJS shift the balance back towards more fair judging so that technical experts like Zagitova are rewarded for TES, and artists are awarded for PCS. Let the best combination of the two win. But it's impossible with the PCS and GOE inflation.