2024 NHK Trophy Women's Short Program | Page 13 | Golden Skate

2024 NHK Trophy Women's Short Program

Now it's time to catch up on Pairs and Dance...don't know for how much I'll be around tomorrow...
 
I'm so happy for Mone ! She in here and Kao in men made my day today. But all the Japanese ladies were great, congratulations and kudos to them all. Another Japanese podium sweep today, wow!
 
I dunno, this program just doesn't play to Kaori's strenghts. And not because I don't buy her doing tango, it doesn't make enough use of her glide and speed.
 
Just watched the short program, some random thoughts:
- I'm not a fan of Alisa Liu's programs, but I really enjoy watching her skate, she is always relaxed and a good performer.
- Yuna was outstanding, her musicality excellent. If there was bigger hype around her name, I feel she would have scored a lot higher...
- I love Riverdance/Lord of the Dance music, but you can't skate to this music and deliver such a slow step sequence. Then it's the wrong music for you. It really deserves minus points for interpretation.
- I totally wanted to skip Lara, but her program was the most interesting program I've seen in years. I wish some top skaters took notes from that.
- Mone Chiba was fun! And while it was an unusual music choice, it didn't feel wrong.
- Kurakova's step sequence worked so well with the audience.
- Kaori's program was thrilling. I think she could give a bit more facial expression though.
 
I dunno, this program just doesn't play to Kaori's strenghts. And not because I don't buy her doing tango, it doesn't make enough use of her glide and speed.
Why do they have her do that layback move right at the beginning to highlight her biggest weakness, back stiffness? Odd choice.
 
I love Yuna. That's all. I rarely like the music that she chooses, but if you skate as beautifully as she does, you can make me like anything.

The rest of the programs were pretty good. Nice competition.
 
Apart from Japanese girls it was a depressing sight, no one seems to have either a proper technique or energy (or both) to get off the ice high enough to complete rotation. Choreographically nothing stood out to me either. Sorry but I really did not enjoy this. Nina used to be a powerful jumper not anymore. I have a new respect for Amber as a result of today. Off to watch men.
 
Well, I ENJOYED IT! Even if I had to get up in the middle of the night at 8 am today to see the replay.
 
Team Asia......... I mean that is one way to group all the skaters you cheer for but...
Yes it is. I enjoy Japan and I enjoy Korea. And I enjoy their ability to project artistry. And I think it is cultural in both countries. If you want me to cheer for just one nation, that is not happening with me. I do have lots of respect for BT for coming back from a broken ankle. And AL has come along way in her comeback....
 
I feel like dying and half of it is due to thoughts of my darling (who's not even in Japan right now...), the other half is due to my girls soon skating with Skate Canada having happened. Why do I do this to myself
This is a tough sport for fans.....and right now, Korean fans. But I also think about Rika K. and am sad.
 
:console: will be ok
Thank you for this. Its a hard sport for everyone with a heart. In the last couple of years, I question why I even travel to or watch my two spectator sports. One involves lots of emotional and physical injury and other things I can not mention here, and the other involves sudden death. In Skating, I just hope for happy endings after the Am. Career is over. 🙏
 
I love Yuna. That's all. I rarely like the music that she chooses, but if you skate as beautifully as she does, you can make me like anything.

The rest of the programs were pretty good. Nice competition.
Her combo is beautiful, but her jumping isn't very powerful though. I thought she was fortunate to be called clean on her flip, but many girls got away with stuff today, although the order of finish is pretty fair. I don't remember Mone being so slow though, did you notice that?
 
Does the ISU demand announcers be overly positive? For example, on Liu's combo he said great start on a jump that was called under later. Not only that, but the camera angle was perfect, her UR was textbook obvious with a giant semicircle tracing visible on the ice. I don't think he is that incompetent. Btw, some girls actually got away with stuff later , so this is not a criticism of her.
 
Does the ISU demand announcers be overly positive?
I don't know about the ISU, but I think that commercial TV commentators might. In the U.S., Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir always find something that the sker can build on, even after a dreadful performance.

I personally approve. The skater knows she did not fulfill her hopes. No need to pile on.
 
Back
Top