The problem isn't necessarily that Sasha is getting lower PCS than Alina. It's that her TES is only 17 points above Alina when she did 4 quads is kind of crazy. Granted, it would make sense if Sasha fell or had multiple smaller errors. But from what we can see, the only error was the 3-turn after the second 4T. I do think Alina should be getting the highest PCS of all the senior ladies we've seen so far this season (skating skills is the only area I can see further improvement in) based on her test skate and performance here. I think 74 is reasonable compared to the PCS of Evgenia and Lilbet with their errors in Shanghai. And I don't know if Sasha should be getting 10+ points less as I don't think she's as artistically stunted as many do. And that's only PE and IN anyways, Sasha has choreography, transitions, and skating skills. But even if that were the case, I just don't see how she isn't able to make up for the PCS difference with more than just 6 points with 4 quads. I love Alina infinitely more, but I mean she did 4 quads, no falls (and no UR?). And it's not just 4 quads, there are difficult combos, transitions, choreography, it's not an empty program with just quads. Let's say this was a competition between Sasha and Alina (or Rika, Evgenia, etc.), if she would've landed only 3 quads, she would've lost. That's what's crazy to me. What she lacks in PCS, she should more than make up with "only" 3 quads. Especially since her quads are much bigger than the top ladies' triples and she does have a full program (whether or not people enjoy the program).
Exactly my thoughts. It is shocking that a program with 4 quads is scored only 6 points more than an average tech content.
And if this Japan Open would have had short programs, Sasha would have lost overall cause Zagitova would have received hugely inflated scores in the SP.
That is not normal.
Edit. I wonder how people whill justify 7-9 points gap between clean Sasha and clean Zagitova in the short programs (PCS), given the fact that Sasha has a really good program, with everything in it, choreo, transitions, and ''not long preparations for the quads''.


