2024 NHK Trophy: Women's Thoughts?

[gsk8]

Sakamoto leads another Japanese sweep in Tokyo

2024 NHK Trophy | Women Japan's Kaori Sakamoto, who led a Japanese sweep two weeks ago in Halifax, N.S., Canada, repeated the victory in Tokyo at NHK

www.goldenskate.com

Was glad to see such solid performance from Sakamoto! I'm not sold on the free skate, just yet, so I need a little more time to warm up to it.

What are your thoughts on the women's event? Are there any new styles that you like or dislike, and why?

 

[rabidline]

Kaori breathed better during her free skate and it really made a lot of difference. A performance for the ages- even if she comes back to her old jumping layout next season, she proved that she can make changes and nailed them at least once.

Happy for Mone and Yuna.

Alysa is really one of the brightest spots for me in the sport, I'm so happy she's back, I love the style and perspective and energy that she brings.

Better outing here for Seoyeong and Yelim. Yelim especially made me hope that she still has it, it's just a matter of getting it all together. But I try not to get my hopes too high.

 

[Mathman]

Kaori is separating herself from the field.

 

[cailuj365]

I watched this at ~3:55 AM last night when I couldn't sleep and damn, Kaori. Wow wow wow. I'm also just glad that someone has finally overtaken Mao Shimada's top score. I like Shimada, but I want a senior skater to be at the top.

 

[gotoschool]

I enjoyed Mone Chiba's performance in the LP the best, and her artistry, spins, jumps, step sequences and skating skills impress me even more than last season.

 

[Olly96]

I might be biased but Niina's is my favourite Dune program this season. Dramatic choreography, engaging presentation, beautiful dress! There were some mistakes this time but I'm sure she will bring her top game to the home Euros!

Lara's short stood out to me as interesting and unique and her FS dress is so dreamy. Can't wait to see both programs live at the Euros as well!

Alysa was delightful, love her golden dress! Her comeback is on the right track!

Another Japanese sweep!
Huge congratulations to Kaori, Mone and Yuna!
I'm really happy about Mone's spectacular skate, she looked so elegant in that red dress!
I must admit that now I'm completely vibing with Kaori's FS, what an amazing skate that was!

 

[Arriba627]

When Kaori first skated her FS at Lombardia, my first thought was that it seemed that she didn't really believe in the program. I assumed she would add some "sass" to it once she got comfortable with it, and that's what I saw at NHK. She looked like she was having fun with it and really selling it. Great job.

Mone China was just glorious. I enjoyed her so much. The beautiful spins. The soft arms.

I'm so happy for Alyssa. She seemed to really be enjoying herself out there. When she gets to the faster section of the program, I still feel like she is chasing the music. I don't know, maybe just a stamina issue? Anyway, welcome back!

Neither of Bradie's programs appeal to me. I kept waiting for the fun "vibe" in the SP, and it never happened. Her FS felt very mechanical with none of the passion of a Turandot. That being said, I applaud her perseverance and tenacity to come back after her injury. I'm sure it wasn't easy.

Thank you to this incredibly supportive audience!

 

[Magill]

Japanese women were just great, all 3 of them, but I am particularly happy for Mone. I have a soft spot for her ever since I watched her as a child at the Sendai rink, calling young Yuzu her "older brother" , following him, playing with him and learning from him. To see her now, adult and slaying it herself, standing on more and more podiums, always makes me particularly happy (although also reminds me of the passage of time). Anyway, congratulations to all 3 of them, they were all gorgeous, and each in her own unique way, which I also appreciate.

 

[Mathman]

I wonder if the reserve in giving full-throated approval to Kaori's LP ireflects the fact that it is not very "Japanes-y" -- that is, not what we have become used to and expect.

Never mind all that, the concept and execution were delightful, plus she was delghted to be out there performing her heart out.

 

[Zora]

I still can't believe Kaori's free skate. Packed with choreography, superb interpretation, kept the momentum the whole time, it was brilliant! Combined with a flawless skate and the excitement of the crowd, it was just amazing.
I also really enjoyed Mone Chiba and Yuna Aoki, many great programs in this event. Yuna's jump combinations were a brave, but not a smart choice, but that made them even more exciting. Alysa is so relaxed on the ice, I admire her for that.

 

[DancingCactus]

I haven't seen a Women's event where I liked the top 4 free skates in along time.
Kaori was amazin; when she is on, she is on. Compared to the short, the FS really emphasises what she does best.

I think I iked Yuna's performance a bit better than Mone's, but they were both very good.

Alysa is a joy to watch. I was surprised when she came back because it seems like she was done with skating, but she is really in good shape and seems to enjoy herself.

What Bradie does with Turandot though...

 

[Joekaz]

There is something wrong with the sport when Mona Chiba skates just as clean as Kaori for both programs and loses by 20 points. So that just lets Mona know that next time, she only needs Kaori to fall 4 times and she might have a chance. People will never take this event seriously as a sport.It is an insult to the other top skaters including Mona. Kaori is very strong in some things, but not everything. And even if she was, the margins are too exagerated. Skating will never become more popular if its just a pre determined beauty contest as far as the fans are concerned. Exagerated GOE and PCS are this generation's figures. And they need to go the way of the figures.

 

[Mathman]

Skating will never become more popular if its just a pre determined beauty contest as far as the fans are concerned. Exagerated GOE and PCS are this generation's figures.

I think that figures get a bad rap. The judges in that era actually did a pretty good job at distinguishing excellent figures from average ones. Compare Trixie Schuba's figures in the 1970s with those of her rivals Janet Lynn and Karen Magnussen, both vastly superior free skaters.

The problem with figures was not inflated scores or ISU politics, but rather that they were boring to watch for the average spectator.

 

[Joekaz]

I think that figures get a bad rap. The judges in that era actually did a pretty good job at distinguishing excellent figures from average ones. Compare Trixie Schuba's figures in the 1970s with those of her rivals Janet Lynn and Karen Magnussen, both vastly superior free skaters.

The problem with figures was not inflated scores or ISU politics, but rather that they were boring to watch for the average spectator.

I didnt mean the figures were scored incorrectly. I meant that since they were boring to watch, most people didn't see them and would be upset that the results after the actual competition they did see on television didn't make sense to them. I didn't mean it as an apples to apples comparison. I meant it in the sense that inflated PCS and GOE makes the actual competition the fans watch irrelevant.

 

[Anna K.]

The problem with figures was not inflated scores or ISU politics, but rather that they were boring to watch for the average spectator.

OT: talking about which, it was in the 80s when the price of the OG television broadcast rights skyrocketed to record heights. Televising events to casual viewers cemented itself as the main business aspect. Right time to review the criteria for the televised content!

 

[Mathman]

OT: talking about which, it was in the 80s when the price of the OG television broadcast rights skyrocketed to record heights. Televising events to casual viewers cemented itself as the main business aspect. Right time to review the criteria for the televised content!

Marketing is a tricky business. Successful marketing means giving people what they want to buy. Truly successful marketing means convincing people that they want what you are selling.

What was figure skating selling in the 1980s and 1990s? What is it selling now?

 

[Anna K.]

What was figure skating selling in the 1980s and 1990s? What is it selling now?

Three very good questions

Sometimes I have a feeling that, for figure skating marketing, time froze at 2000. Whatever was figure skating offer at that moment, was divided in elements and components, added points value, and kept unchanged since.
Wait, there have been adjustments... But do they keep up with the pace of development of the market?

What's the market anyway? Yet another very good question...

 

[Weathergal]

Marketing is a tricky business. Successful marketing means giving people what they want to buy. Truly successful marketing means convincing people that they want what you are selling.

What was figure skating selling in the 1980s and 1990s? What is it selling now?

I think this is a really interesting post. I don't want to derail this thread, but this could be the start of an interesting discussion in its own thread.

 

[Skater Boy]

Kaori is separating herself from the field.

She is a champion and she get the job done when it counts! As a champion she is stretching her wings. So the free skate while honestly I don't think highlights her talents and this is more of an Ashley Wagner in your face type of program when she skates cleanly and well she will get the pcs. I expected more from Nina, Kurakova and Yelim. I like Alyssa is getting consistent; though has to watch rotatioss. I thought her jumps were bigger before but she is sitting niccely as usa no. 2

 

[Mathman]

I like Alyssa is getting consistent; though has to watch rotatioss...

I agree that Alyssa has made an admirable start. Off topic on this thread, but I really look forward to U.S. National's this year to see how Allyssa fares as well as to see whether Jason Brown can get his mojo back after a tough fall season.