2020-21 US Women's Figure Skating

[Jontor]

I have finally watched the US Ladies Nationals...and I am soooo sad for Mariah. She is my fave US skater.

But...

We all know that National competitions are a "tad" overscored, but the US really hit the ceiling here. Comparing it to the overscored Russian Ladies at RusNats there is still a huge difference.

For example

Free skate Amber Glenn 144.50 vs Maria Talalaikina 133.43

That is just too much of a difference. And yeah, it's a matter of taste and opinion, but I would say Talalaikina beat Glenn by miles.

Glenn - BV 58.34 tot tech score 72.26 plus PCS 72.24 = 144.50
Talalaikina BV 60.86 tot tech score 69.53 plus PCS 63.90 = 133.43

Talalaikina has a higher tech BV and yes, she had a wonky landing on that first 3Lz+3T combo, but then she pulled off another 3Lz combo at the end.
Glenn didn't do that. Both had level 4 on all spins and both had level 3 on steps.

The US really hit the +GOE on Amber - and then she scored over 72 in PCS!! Where did that come from? With the same program at SA, not as clean though, they gave 63.12 in PCS. Where did that almost 10 points increase in PCS come from?

I'd say that the Russians won this overscoring match in being more realistic, and the US Fed just give their skaters false hope of how good they are.

And for you who haven't seen Talalaikina's free program from RusNats - here it is. She finished 9th!
The Magnificent Maleficent:

Мария Талалайкина. Произвольная программа. Женщины. Чемпионат России по фигурному катанию 2021

Смотрите все видео Первого канала на https://www.1tv.ruСмотрите также прямое вещание Первого канала в Интернете на http://stream.1tv.ru/liveОфициальные ка...

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Is Amber Glenn really worth over 8 more points in PCS over Maria Talalaikina?

 

[moonvine]

Gracie is a star. It might be a generation or never before I found another such skater. It might be never. I once thought there was no possibility I’d see Karen Chen on competition ice again so I don’t count people out. I don’t really care s whole bunch about ladies skating. I prefer the men and pairs.

 

[Amei]

I have finally watched the US Ladies Nationals...and I am soooo sad for Mariah. She is my fave US skater.

But...

We all know that National competitions are a "tad" overscored, but the US really hit the ceiling here. Comparing it to the overscored Russian Ladies at RusNats there is still a huge difference.

For example

Free skate Amber Glenn 144.50 vs Maria Talalaikina 133.43

That is just to much of a difference. And yeah, it's a matter of taste and opinion, but I would say Talalaikina beat Glenn by miles.

Glenn - BV 58.34 tot tech score 72.26 plus PCS 72.24 = 144.50
Talalaikina BV 60.86 tot tech score 69.53 plus PCS 63.90 = 133.43

Talalaikina has a higher tech BV and yes, she had a wonky landing on that first 3Lz+3T combo, but then she pulled off another 3Lz combo at the end.
Glenn didn't do that. Both had level 4 on all spins and both had level 3 on steps.

The US really hit the +GOE on Amber - and then she scored over 72 in PCS!! Where did that come from? With the same program at SA, not as clean though, they gave 63.12 in PCS. Where did that almost 10 points increase in PCS come from?

I'd say that the Russians won this overscoring match in being more realistic, and the US Fed just give their skaters false hope of how good they are.

And for you who haven't seen Talalaikina's free program from RusNats - here it is. She finished 9th!
The Magnificent Maleficent:

Мария Талалайкина. Произвольная программа. Женщины. Чемпионат России по фигурному катанию 2021

Смотрите все видео Первого канала на https://www.1tv.ruСмотрите также прямое вещание Первого канала в Интернете на http://stream.1tv.ru/liveОфициальные ка...

www.youtube.com

US nationals inflation: Bradie Tennell got higher GOE for her final Change Foot Combination Spin than Anna Shcherbakova got for her final Change Foot Combination Spin.

 

[kirauza343]

I have finally watched the US Ladies Nationals...and I am soooo sad for Mariah. She is my fave US skater.

But...

We all know that National competitions are a "tad" overscored, but the US really hit the ceiling here. Comparing it to the overscored Russian Ladies at RusNats there is still a huge difference.

For example

Free skate Amber Glenn 144.50 vs Maria Talalaikina 133.43

That is just to much of a difference. And yeah, it's a matter of taste and opinion, but I would say Talalaikina beat Glenn by miles.

Glenn - BV 58.34 tot tech score 72.26 plus PCS 72.24 = 144.50
Talalaikina BV 60.86 tot tech score 69.53 plus PCS 63.90 = 133.43

Talalaikina has a higher tech BV and yes, she had a wonky landing on that first 3Lz+3T combo, but then she pulled off another 3Lz combo at the end.
Glenn didn't do that. Both had level 4 on all spins and both had level 3 on steps.

The US really hit the +GOE on Amber - and then she scored over 72 in PCS!! Where did that come from? With the same program at SA, not as clean though, they gave 63.12 in PCS. Where did that almost 10 points increase in PCS come from?

I'd say that the Russians won this overscoring match in being more realistic, and the US Fed just give their skaters false hope of how good they are.

And for you who haven't seen Talalaikina's free program from RusNats - here it is. She finished 9th!
The Magnificent Maleficent:

Мария Талалайкина. Произвольная программа. Женщины. Чемпионат России по фигурному катанию 2021

Смотрите все видео Первого канала на https://www.1tv.ruСмотрите также прямое вещание Первого канала в Интернете на http://stream.1tv.ru/liveОфициальные ка...

www.youtube.com

Is Amber Glenn really worth over 8 more points in PCS over Maria Talalaikina?

I don’t think that’s the best comparison and I certainly wouldn’t give Russia credit for “not being as overscored”. Russian domestic inflation is mainly applicable to its top few skaters, not to all of them (think Kamila being just shy of 80 points in the short with an underrotation and fall!). I’m sure she’s a lovely skater but she’s not in that group. Amber on the other hand is one of the top 4 senior ladies in the US and had the benefit of having one of the only clean skates of the night.

I’m not saying that US nationals wasn’t inflated because it absolutely was to a large degree but so was Russian nationals at the top

 

[kirauza343]

US nationals inflation: Bradie Tennell got higher GOE for her final Change Foot Combination Spin than Anna Shcherbakova got for her final Change Foot Combination Spin.

Bradie’s an amazing spinner though? The error came after she finished it and the spin itself was excellent

 

[Jontor]

I don’t think that’s the best comparison and I certainly wouldn’t give Russia credit for “not being as overscored”. Russian domestic inflation is mainly applicable to its top few skaters, not to all of them (think Kamila being just shy of 80 points in the short with an underrotation and fall!). I’m sure she’s a lovely skater but she’s not in that group. Amber on the other hand is one of the top 4 senior ladies in the US and had the benefit of having one of the only clean skates of the night.

I’m not saying that US nationals wasn’t inflated because it absolutely was to a large degree but so was Russian nationals at the top

Well, don't get me wrong. I love Amber and was delighted she got the silver medal here. She is my 2nd fave US skater. She is lovely. But it hurts to see those scores...it was just too much. And that doesn't help Amber to grow.

 

[Amei]

Bradie’s an amazing spinner though? The error came after she finished it and the spin itself was excellent

Bradie's really good but I don't think that spin was as well executed as that GOE says it was. Her and Shcherbakova both did an illusion spin as a part of their final spin and Shcherbakova's was much better executed, Bradie's seemed to have a wobble to it.

 

[Fluture]

We all know that National competitions are a "tad" overscored, but the US really hit the ceiling here. Comparing it to the overscored Russian Ladies at RusNats there is still a huge difference.

For example

Free skate Amber Glenn 144.50 vs Maria Talalaikina 133.43

Didn‘t plan on engaging but this post really bugged me so I had to. Because this argument is kind of faulty.

You‘re comparing apples and oranges. Maria Talalaikina, while a fantastic skater in her own right (and someone I prefer to probably the entire US ladies field save for maybe Karen Chen, Mariah Bell on a good day and Alysa Liu if she keeps up the trajectory she‘s on in terms of artistry), is not anywhere close to the top in Russia. So, naturally, she doesn‘t get any of the real candies the top 3-5 get. Amber Glenn, however, is the silver medalist at US Nats and even before the event, she was considered at least a predictable top 6 finisher. Talalaikina never was that, in fact her 9th place was a big surprise. That makes kind of a difference.

If you take someone in the upper middle of the field in the US, like, say, Audrey Shin (or Gabriella Izzo etc.), you‘ll find that she was judged to a more “reasonable“ standard. Of course, there‘s still a LOT of overscoring going on and the judges seemed very intent on ignoring all the edges and URs for the top skaters.... And Bradie’s scores are probably the epitome of absurdity. She almost had the same scores as Rika Kihira with 3 3As and a quad at her own Nationals, to put that into perspective. With basically three majorly underrotated triple triples and edge problems. Right.

But such is the case in Russia, too. Or do you really want to tell me with a straight face that the 170 to 185 the top three got in the FS are anyway close to reasonable? The judges were JUST as blind to URs and edges. The only difference probably is that Russia has World Champion type skaters that they‘re promoting to the high heavens. The US does... not but is trying to tell you that Tennell‘s on the same level as Kihira.

Is that worse? I don‘t know. Fact remains, though, that both these countries are egregious in their overscoring for certain skaters and it really only becomes watchable if you focus on the actual skating and pretty much close your eyes during the last seconds of the K&C.

Anyway: read that they chose Karen for Worlds. Well, I like her skating (and she probably deserves more PCS than she gets) but she‘s not got a good chance at making the top 8 if the technical panel isn‘t generous. Everything she does is beautiful but those URs really hold her back. 3 spots would be nice, though. I really want Alysa (and Mariah, if she returns to last year’s level) on that team.

Sad for Amber. She‘s supposed to show growth (and trying her best!) but really doesn‘t get the chance to. She needs to land the 3A to be in serious contention but how exactly is she supposed to do that, when she gets no opportunities to try it under pressure? I probably would have sent her but I get why they didn‘t.

I liked neither of Alysa‘s programs but it‘s still kind of insane how much progress she made to a few months ago. Hope she keeps it up - she seems like a great competitor and person in general and I’m rooting for her to make the Olympics.

 

[readernick]

Well, don't get me wrong. I love Amber and was delighted she got the silver medal here. She is my 2nd fave US skater. She is lovely. But it hurts to see those scores...it was just too much. And that doesn't help Amber to grow.

So, you feel the same about Valieva's and Anna's scores? Because those were some scores that showed crazy inflation. Valieva's SP score was ! And, the number of +5 from Anna on rather wonky spins and an UR 4LX was also . I agree that it doesn't help skaters grow when they are overscored, but with the exception of Japanese Nationals it happens everywhere for the favorites. Amber was overscored and so were the other top US ladies, but the top 4 at Russian nationals also saw crazy inflation. Same thing happens at European nationals.I do have to say that Amber's jumps are much higher quality than Maria and her SS are better so some of that difference in GOE is deserved, but some is just because she was one of the best of the night.

 

[Adjesusluvsu]

Didn‘t plan on engaging but this post really bugged me so I had to. Because this argument is kind of faulty.

You‘re comparing apples and oranges. Maria Talalaikina, while a fantastic skater in her own right (and someone I prefer to probably the entire US ladies field save for maybe Karen Chen, Mariah Bell on a good day and Alysa Liu if she keeps up the trajectory she‘s on in terms of artistry), is not anywhere close to the top in Russia. So, naturally, she doesn‘t get any of the real candies the top 3-5 get. Amber Glenn, however, is the silver medalist at US Nats and even before the event, she was considered at least a predictable top 6 finisher. Talalaikina never was that, in fact her 9th place was a big surprise. That makes kind of a difference.

If you take someone in the upper middle of the field in the US, like, say, Audrey Shin (or Gabriella Izzo etc.), you‘ll find that she was judged to a more “reasonable“ standard. Of course, there‘s still a LOT of overscoring going on and the judges seemed very intent on ignoring all the edges and URs for the top skaters.... And Bradie’s scores are probably the epitome of absurdity. She almost had the same scores as Rika Kihira with 3 3As and a quad at her own Nationals, to put that into perspective. With basically three majorly underrotated triple triples and edge problems. Right.

But such is the case in Russia, too. Or do you really want to tell me with a straight face that the 170 to 185 the top three got in the FS are anyway close to reasonable? The judges were JUST as blind to URs and edges. The only difference probably is that Russia has World Champion type skaters that they‘re promoting to the high heavens. The US does... not but is trying to tell you that Tennell‘s on the same level as Kihira.

Is that worse? I don‘t know. Fact remains, though, that both these countries are egregious in their overscoring for certain skaters and it really only becomes watchable if you focus on the actual skating and pretty much close your eyes during the last seconds of the K&C.

Anyway: read that they chose Karen for Worlds. Well, I like her skating but she‘s not got a good chance at making the top 10 if the technical panel isn‘t generous. 3 spots would be nice, though. I really want Alysa (and Mariah, if she returns to last year’s level) on that team.

Sad for Amber. She‘s supposed to show growth (and trying her best!) but really doesn‘t get the chance to. I probably would have sent her but I get why they didn‘t.

I hadn’t thought about comparing Bradie to Rika, and that’s really interesting! Obviously Rika is on a higher level, but this just goes to show that nationals scoring is completely unreliable.

 

[Jontor]

Didn‘t plan on engaging but this post really bugged me so I had to. Because this argument is kind of faulty.

You‘re comparing apples and oranges. Maria Talalaikina, while a fantastic skater in her own right (and someone I prefer to probably the entire US ladies field save for maybe Karen Chen, Mariah Bell on a good day and Alysa Liu if she keeps up the trajectory she‘s on in terms of artistry), is not anywhere close to the top in Russia. So, naturally, she doesn‘t get any of the real candies the top 3-5 get. Amber Glenn, however, is the silver medalist at US Nats and even before the event, she was considered at least a predictable top 6 finisher. Talalaikina never was that, in fact her 9th place was a big surprise. That makes kind of a difference.

If you take someone in the upper middle of the field in the US, like, say, Audrey Shin (or Gabriella Izzo etc.), you‘ll find that she was judged to a more “reasonable“ standard. Of course, there‘s still a LOT of overscoring going on and the judges seemed very intent on ignoring all the edges and URs for the top skaters.... And Bradie’s scores are probably the epitome of absurdity. She almost had the same scores as Rika Kihira with 3 3As and a quad at her own Nationals, to put that into perspective. With basically three majorly underrotated triple triples and edge problems. Right.

But such is the case in Russia, too. Or do you really want to tell me with a straight face that the 170 to 185 the top three got in the FS are anyway close to reasonable? The judges were JUST as blind to URs and edges. The only difference probably is that Russia has World Champion type skaters that they‘re promoting to the high heavens. The US does... not but is trying to tell you that Tennell‘s on the same level as Kihira.

Is that worse? I don‘t know. Fact remains, though, that both these countries are egregious in their overscoring for certain skaters and it really only becomes watchable if you focus on the actual skating and pretty much close your eyes during the last seconds of the K&C.

Anyway: read that they chose Karen for Worlds. Well, I like her skating (and she probably deserves more PCS than she gets) but she‘s not got a good chance at making the top 10 if the technical panel isn‘t generous. Everything she does is beautiful but those URs really hold her back. 3 spots would be nice, though. I really want Alysa (and Mariah, if she returns to last year’s level) on that team.

Sad for Amber. She‘s supposed to show growth (and trying her best!) but really doesn‘t get the chance to. She needs to land the 3A to be in serious contention but how exactly is she supposed to do that, when she gets no opportunities to try it under pressure? I probably would have sent her but I get why they didn‘t.

I liked neither of Alysa‘s programs but it‘s still kind of insane how much progress she made to a few months ago. Hope she keeps it up - she seems like a great competitor and person in general and I’m rooting for her to make the Olympics.

I hear what you're saying and I get the point. But don't you agree that this overscoring just gives false hopes in what the skaters are capable of?

Maybe I'm a bit naive. But overscoring certain skaters is never good.

I can live with the overscoring at RusNats top skaters, and there sure was some!, but here at US Nats everything was just bonkers. And trying to tell Tennell that she is on the same level as Kihira is just...wrong. I feel that if the US keeps scoring their skaters this way they will never reach the top again. And that's a pity, because they should be up there for the sake of the sport.

 

[b-man]

Didn‘t plan on engaging but this post really bugged me so I had to. Because this argument is kind of faulty.

You‘re comparing apples and oranges. Maria Talalaikina, while a fantastic skater in her own right (and someone I prefer to probably the entire US ladies field save for maybe Karen Chen, Mariah Bell on a good day and Alysa Liu if she keeps up the trajectory she‘s on in terms of artistry), is not anywhere close to the top in Russia. So, naturally, she doesn‘t get any of the real candies the top 3-5 get. Amber Glenn, however, is the silver medalist at US Nats and even before the event, she was considered at least a predictable top 6 finisher. Talalaikina never was that, in fact her 9th place was a big surprise. That makes kind of a difference.

If you take someone in the upper middle of the field in the US, like, say, Audrey Shin (or Gabriella Izzo etc.), you‘ll find that she was judged to a more “reasonable“ standard. Of course, there‘s still a LOT of overscoring going on and the judges seemed very intent on ignoring all the edges and URs for the top skaters.... And Bradie’s scores are probably the epitome of absurdity. She almost had the same scores as Rika Kihira with 3 3As and a quad at her own Nationals, to put that into perspective. With basically three majorly underrotated triple triples and edge problems. Right.

But such is the case in Russia, too. Or do you really want to tell me with a straight face that the 170 to 185 the top three got in the FS are anyway close to reasonable? The judges were JUST as blind to URs and edges. The only difference probably is that Russia has World Champion type skaters that they‘re promoting to the high heavens. The US does... not but is trying to tell you that Tennell‘s on the same level as Kihira.

Is that worse? I don‘t know. Fact remains, though, that both these countries are egregious in their overscoring for certain skaters and it really only becomes watchable if you focus on the actual skating and pretty much close your eyes during the last seconds of the K&C.

Anyway: read that they chose Karen for Worlds. Well, I like her skating (and she probably deserves more PCS than she gets) but she‘s not got a good chance at making the top 10 if the technical panel isn‘t generous. Everything she does is beautiful but those URs really hold her back. 3 spots would be nice, though. I really want Alysa (and Mariah, if she returns to last year’s level) on that team.

Sad for Amber. She‘s supposed to show growth (and trying her best!) but really doesn‘t get the chance to. She needs to land the 3A to be in serious contention but how exactly is she supposed to do that, when she gets no opportunities to try it under pressure? I probably would have sent her but I get why they didn‘t.

I liked neither of Alysa‘s programs but it‘s still kind of insane how much progress she made to a few months ago. Hope she keeps it up - she seems like a great competitor and person in general and I’m rooting for her to make the Olympics.

Agree with 90% of your post. Alysa isn't age eligible? Correct? So she can't be on world team. Amber, Karen and Alysa within 2 points of each other. I would have sent Amber, but its close, and I am not yelling she was robbed like I did for Nagasu and Ross This Nationals is a big breakthrough for Amber. The first time in memory she stayed under control in FS, and she now has her first medal, a silver medal that Karen and Alysa do not have. Amber has faced adversity before, but is on the right track and needs to keep doing what she is doing. Odds are worlds will be cancelled anyway.

 

[R.D.]

The SA host pick is often based on summer comp results to my understanding. Gracie can still have a career if she doesn’t make the Olympics this time. Olympics could still be postponed giving everyone an extra year. And Gracie came in 4th in Sochi and of course bronze in the teal event. Is that really “laying an egg?” If so I wish I could lay such eggs.

I was referring to the 2018 Russian GP event referenced in my quoted post, not the Sochi Olympics.

Unfortunately, I think Gold is done, that her comeback will fall short (have thought that for two years). Instead of pops, now she has falls. Didn't break 100 in FS last year or this. She is also on the verge of not qualyfying for Nationals. Its not only the jumps, From 2013-16, her skating skills were world class. Now her speed is diminished and she looses tons of PCS points to Tennell, Karen, Alysa, etc. This is the 3rd year of the announced comeback, and she hasn't cracked top 10 at Nationals. But if she continues, I will still watch her.

It is what it is. Historically, if I remember correctly, Gold somewhat struggled with consistency even in her prime years. However, even on off-nights she had the SS to remain in the 'elite' crop so to speak. I don't know what her training situation is, or what opportunities to compete will be open to her moving forward, but the reality is based on how the USFS does things now, her finish here could make her case for 2022 much tougher. My gut feeling is that she knew that going in, hence her reaction.

But - if she is in the right mindset and is skating for the right reasons, she'll be fine in the long run.

Then again, as I've said in many posts of yesteryear - anything can happen, you just never know...

You might try finding a new up and coming skater to follow which might reinvigorate your interest. That's what I've done after my fave got team bronze in 2018 and unofficially retired.

It's not just skating but sports and TV in general, really. I've just mostly found other things to do with the limited time I've had. Of course, we are now in "the current state of affairs" with everything closed, plus we are in the middle of winter (in the northern hemisphere)...

Anyway, on that topic, I saw the recent newcomer to the US scene, Alysa Liu, and she looks like promising talent - as long as she can transition successfully through the growth spurt she is apparently experiencing. As I pointed out in the FS observations thread, she appears to have a sharp mental focus on the ice (rare!) - if she gets her big jumps back, US skating could have a bright future...just keep that Hype Machine(TM) under control.

 

[katymay]

The SA host pick is often based on summer comp results to my understanding. Gracie can still have a career if she doesn’t make the Olympics this time. Olympics could still be postponed giving everyone an extra year. And Gracie came in 4th in Sochi and of course bronze in the teal event. Is that really “laying an egg?” If so I wish I could lay such eggs.

Watching the practices, Gracie still has the best jumps of the ladies. Big clean jumps. Her fitness and conditioning level, including basic skating skills are nowhere near what they need to be. Could she make her way back? She could I think, if she worked super super hard-she has one year to get there, and stamina wise, she has a long way to go. Not to mention she needs to clean up sloppy landing positions and lose her airplane arms. Our ladies field is weak, and if she could return to her former level of fitness, I think she has a shot.

 

[b-man]

I was referring to the 2018 Russian GP event referenced in my quoted post, not the Sochi Olympics.




Anyway, on that topic, I saw the recent newcomer to the US scene, Alysa Liu, and she looks like promising talent - as long as she can transition successfully through the growth spurt she is apparently experiencing. As I pointed out in the FS observations thread, she appears to have a sharp mental focus on the ice (rare!) - if she gets her big jumps back, US skating could have a bright future...just keep that Hype Machine(TM) under control.

Alysa won the last two Nationals, as a 13/14 yr old, younger than Tara/Mirai. She has grown 3 inches since last Nationals, and critics said 3 months ago she had gained weight and lost speed. She has already got her speed back, if not her quad, and certainly has a presence on the ice. She should be on the US podium as long as she wants.

 

[Mathman]

Alysa won the last two Nationals, as a 13/14 yr old, younger than Tara/Mirai. She has grown 3 inches since last Nationals, and critics said 3 months ago she had gained weight and lost speed. She has already got her speed back, if not her quad, and certainly has a presence on the ice. She should be on the US podium as long as she wants.

Agreed. Nothing has changed as far as expecting the U.S. Olympic teanm to be Alysa and Bradie.

But Karen can earn her own spot by helping the U.S. to qualify three ladies.

 

[R.D.]

Watching the practices, Gracie still has the best jumps of the ladies. Big clean jumps. Her fitness and conditioning level, including basic skating skills are nowhere near what they need to be. Could she make her way back? She could I think, if she worked super super hard-she has one year to get there, and stamina wise, she has a long way to go. Not to mention she needs to clean up sloppy landing positions and lose her airplane arms. Our ladies field is weak, and if she could return to her former level of fitness, I think she has a shot.

Didn't see practices but I did see the warmup. The jumps are there. It is doable, I think. But - it will be an uphill climb. The clock is now ticking. Because of that I'd say the odds are increasingly stacking against her. This is NOT to say, however, that it CAN'T be done. It will be dependent mostly on her training situation and work ethic.

Alysa won the last two Nationals, as a 13/14 yr old, younger than Tara/Mirai. She has grown 3 inches since last Nationals, and critics said 3 months ago she had gained weight and lost speed. She has already got her speed back, if not her quad, and certainly has a presence on the ice. She should be on the US podium as long as she wants.

Shutting out the noise is critical. That bodes well for her moving forward.

 

[readernick]

I hadn’t thought about comparing Bradie to Rika, and that’s really interesting! Obviously Rika is on a higher level, but this just goes to show that nationals scoring is completely unreliable.

Japanese Nats underscores, everyone else overscores. That is why nationals scoring is ridiculous. Though honestly, Kaori Sakamoto ( the only skater JF likes to overscore), and Daria U. are not technically stronger than Bradie ( actually arguably weaker given that they are both obvious flutzers) and they were also given similarly high scores at their prospective nationals in the LP. I don't think either of them is an Rika's level either. Yet, their scores suggest otherwise. National inflation is insane.

 

[Adjesusluvsu]

Japanese Nats underscores, everyone else overscores. That is why nationals scoring is ridiculous. Though honestly, Kaori Sakamoto ( the only skater JF likes to overscore), and Daria U. are not technically stronger than Bradie ( actually arguably weaker given that they are both obvious flutzers) and they were also given similarly high scores at their prospective nationals in the LP. I don't think either of them is an Rika's level either. Yet, their scores suggest otherwise. National inflation is insane.

I definitely agree, except I actually think Japanese nationals would be about right (maybe a little under) if not for the other countries scoring their skaters so high. I think +4-5 GOE's and 9.00-10.00 PCS are overused by the other federations. Rika would be closer to Anna and Sasha if they actually called Anna's Lutz edge and judged PCS fairly.

 

[Jontor]

So... conclusion!

RusNats: The top three girls all had the skate of their lives. But internationally I would lower Anna and Kamila 10 points, Sasha about 5 points.

JapNats: All skaters up about 5-15 points

US Nats: Top skaters down 20 points.

Anyone agree?