I could not get a last minute ticket unfortunately that would be affordable for me, but boy... re-watching the pure drama scenario unfolding after getting back to the hotel was something else.
Loena was absolutely fantastic - for me, she has it all in regards to developing into superstar: poise, presence, attitude, solid technical basis, an obvious drive and fire in her performances. She is a breath of freshness air, with wonderful feel of the music and rhythm, a natural feel in her control of movement, not rushed or hurried.
Bradie was great as well - she only needs time to flourish and estabilish herself as stronger competitor and performer. For me, she has a natural elegance in carriage, this statuesque presence and attack that elevates her work. Yes, she is not a natural-born 'artist' or 'dancer' out there, but she keeps on with good effort in being solid and making it into something positive as a result, which I appreciate.
My heart broke seeing Alina's reaction... One does not have to be her fan to feel compassion about her falls and tears following - like MaiKatze said, she really does evoke sort of motherly feelings, I am very impressed after seeing her live in SP and regardless if I like her program alone or not, she really wants it, I can feel the determination flowing through her skating, the purpose to bring her best, which she unfortunately failed to do today. She strikes me really as a perfectionist and I hope she will keep on good work, maturing and developing.
Carolina... What could be said? To be honest, I did not expect a medal before FS, even being in Italy and leading after the short. It was a great set-up for a win, but only if she had consistency in her FS. Still - she is an example of a skater (only one aside of Patrick Chan for me) who makes music sing through motion, who becomes one of instruments in the orchestra, not on the top of it. She may not have control of her jumps and consistent quality of them like before, but overall polish, impact and maturity of her skating, performance did not disappear anywhere and won't be forgotten. For me, she brings some old charm, elegance, this classical image of skating that calms me, makes me feel the magnitude of the music, movement, appreciate the detailed quality of it, getting lost in a moment created, even if not a winning one. I am happy though to have witnessed a glorious moment of that SP after which I and the whole row I sat in cried - she evoked something inside that responded to her sensibility and matched level of emotions she put inside of that program. For me, Regina through and through who I will remember because of what she brought into skating world, not because of what she couldn't deliver.
Satoko's story ended with medal here is the most moving thing. A year ago I wondered where she is heading and if she will be back, now she is back and more sound than ever. Another example of a skater with purpose for me, an ability to transport people into space she ceates within performance - her skate was not perfect today, but its level of emotional engagement, balance, carriage, intricacy infused was so impactful, driven, just floated around. Like in SP, her level of movement control in giving out musical nuances, the organic quality of expressiveness of rhythm through her body, skating and projecting so much bigger than her statue were just exceptional. She points my attention to non-obvious things, aspects that are not 'in-your-face' and require more subtelty and attention to understand. She is one of those skaters that holds a moment and makes it last in memory.
Kaetlyn - I have to say that aside of a stepout, the performance overall was for me even better than at Olympics. It was poised to the point of being 'mean' with this fiery expression, this look in her eyes. She wants it - and wants it badly, this hunger, desperation, will were all poured inside today's performance. The step sequence and choreographic one were just otherworldly today, with fire ignited inside of every movement. This character, music and attitude were the best thing to gear her with - for me, it pushed her and her performance ability to new heights, channelling her powerful, explosive style and carriage into something compelling, sensual and alluring. She magnetized me with her look, confidence, attack. Like it was at Olympics - In their faces, girl. She has done best she could and if others failed to raise to the occasion, Kaetlyn is the last one to blame. The ignoring thing is hilarious to see though, but it is a testament for her worth of some sorts for me.
And Wakaba - now, this is how champions are made: through difficulties and how they are battled. A new queen and Bond girl to remember - I am over the moon to see this triumph of powerful skating, a skating so character-driven, with purpose and devotion. From power walk, through sass and command, to punch and punctuation given to little accents and gestures - she embodied the theme and made it her. Hard off, really
