2024 Skate America Women's FS

[hermine17]

Looks like no one had their best skates, but I'm still so happy for Wakaba. She's going on 24, and she finally won a gold medal in a major ISU senior competition. (She had deserved one for a long time.) What excellent news to wake up to.

 

[withwings]

This YouTuber has several videos of Women's FS:

Mary Schucker - Just a Mom with a iPhone

Do you love watching figure skating but can't always attend in-person events? Look no further than this YouTube channel, "Just a Mom with an iPhone." I attend , with other skating moms THAT SKATE ( Kate & Robin) ISU and USFSA skating events and post videos of the performances for all to enjoy...

www.youtube.com

CBC archives

Thank you!

 

[labgoat]

I am on the second page... the horror LOL

Right there as well

 

[TallyT]

Okay, just watched it and am happy for Wakaba and Rinka... sad for Isabeau, from her expression she clearly expected better from the judges at SKAM where the locals are always held up but still... where is she next? She can come back. I hope so, I do like her in spite of her faults (which is probably the Figure Skating Fan's Mantra, when you think of it.)

However I also have to say that the presentation was all rather shabby and, well sad; especially coming after the last one I watched (Wuxi) the lack of money (or ability to use what they had well) was glaring and that is surely the ugliest tackiest KnC in history Aren't they supposed to be running Worlds this year? This does not bode well, and is not going to impress viewers.

 

[museksk8r]

However I also have to say that the presentation was all rather shabby and, well sad; especially coming after the last one I watched (Wuxi) the lack of money (or ability to use what they had well) was glaring and that is surely the ugliest tackiest KnC in history Aren't they supposed to be running Worlds this year? This does not bode well, and is not going to impress viewers.

Worlds is being held in Boston, Massachusetts, which is a major metropolitan city with a population of 5 million people. Allen, Texas is a town that has a population of 113,000 people. We can only hope the cheapness of Allen Skate America means they have invested all of their resources into making Worlds in Boston the grand event it should be. However, the reality is that skating is not as popular in the US as it is in Japan, Russia, or even Canada, so a lowering of expectations is in order.

 

[TallyT]

Worlds is being held in Boston, Massachusetts, which is a major metropolitan city with a population of 5 million people. Allen, Texas is a town that has a population of 113,000 people. We can only hope the cheapness of Allen Skate America means they have invested all of their resources into making Worlds in Boston the grand event it should be. However, the reality is that skating is not as popular in the US as it is in Japan, Russia, or even Canada, so a lowering of expectations is in order.

They're lowered, they're lowered! But be honest, even if you don't have much money (and USFS surely put some away!) you can use some taste and imagination to make it look as good as possible. Thank god most of the women put more thought and taste into their dresses than the organisers did into... well, everything, so there was something audience-friendly to look at.

 

[museksk8r]

They're lowered, they're lowered! But be honest, even if you don't have much money (and USFS surely put some away!) you can use some taste and imagination to make it look as good as possible. Thank god most of the women put more thought and taste into their dresses than the organisers did into... well, everything, so there was something audience-friendly to look at.

I agree with you that it’s from memory the worst kiss and cry I’ve ever seen in my 32 years of watching skating live. Totally tacky and ridiculous!

 

[rabidline]

Skate America is always a land of opportunities and I'm glad Wakaba and Rinka chose steadiness and consistency, and were rewarded.

The first senior GP victory for Wakaba after 8 years in the circuit!!! This coming after she took her break for both her physical and mental well-being. I was able to watch her in an ice show this January before she had her new programs, I had a good feeling about her chances this season and it only increased when I saw her debuting the Dune SP. The FS is really great and personal.

And 3 consecutive seasons for Rinka medalling at the GP. That's my Tony Tony Chopper!!!!!! Fooling everyone with her disaster after disaster in local competitions and delivering when it mattered. I absolutely hate the music cut for her SP, it's such a disservice for her, especially that she's an interesting interpreter of music in spite of her lower quality of basic skating.

Love how both of them have figured out how to approach skating in their own ways AND keeping their eyes on the prize. Hopefully they will have the chance to qualify for the GPF.

 

[LazyFuzai]

Wow.Surprised turn of events.Nice podium.

Issabeu is really low level compared to last 2 years.Her jumps,programs,dress that is completely odious.I don't know what will she do this season.

Rinka is the bright side with Wakaba and Nina this competition.

Strange we didn't see 3A from Watanabe and those spins that she messed up at the end cost her a win.Anyway both programs are amazing.As i wasn't her fan,this year i am all for her.

Nina is really showing good skills and nice choreo and hope she comeback to be consistent like last year after this performance.The only problem i have with her is that she is missing that X factor that will bring people to her and allow her to get more points.Solid work.

Higuchi showing class and experience with a nice programs this season.Hope she can keep it up.

Bradie showing good technique on jumps,but her Stsq was level 0.Let someone ask her what is she doing with this...

Summary is that we didn't even cross 200 points what is kinda disappointing.Free skate was better than short,but still not the highest level we could get.
On to Canada.

 

[DemTuppesSeine]

Oh wow, I seem to have missed out by going to bed before the second group prediction-wise that was not what I hoped for but still happy for Wakaba

 

[lariko]

I just caught up this morning. Grats to all the Higuchi's fans. I liked Pinzaronne's program. All others were old shoe. No 3As was just sad.

kinda hope that all those come backs will lit fire under Trusova's bottom to shape up and compete in Russia if not this year, then next year.

 

[lariko]

The thing about Isabeau is that unlike Eteri ( Anna) students she doesn't actually use the bend to help her get height and start the back spin. She bends down ( I assume just from habit) then literally straightens a bit before jumping. She's not getting any height advantage from that bend. It's absolutely strange and ugly but it also means she's not actually hurting her back that much. I assume the habit is just too hard to break? Because, it ruins her GOE and does not help her at all.

Semenenko jumps like that too. I think I saw someone else do that folding before the jump, but I can't remember off hand who it was.

Also, with all the critique for skating on straight legs, without a knee bend, Tennell is basically not bending her knees at all during the skating.

 

[readernick]

Semenenko jumps like that too. I think I saw someone else do that folding before the jump, but I can't remember off hand who it was.

Also, with all the critique for skating on straight legs, without a knee bend, Tennell is basically not bending her knees at all during the skating.

Interesting another skater who jumps ugly and gets no payoff.

Tennell is very very stiff. This used to bother me. But, I have to say she really is compelling to watch in person. I find Sarah Everhart and Ilya to also suffer from this lack of kneebend but I haven't seen either in person. So, perhaps, they are also nicer to watch in person.

 

[lariko]

Interesting another skater who jumps ugly and gets no payoff.

Tennell is very very stiff. This used to bother me. But, I have to say she really is compelling to watch in person. I find Sarah Everhart and Ilya to also suffer from this lack of kneebend but I haven't seen either in person. So, perhaps, they are also nicer to watch in person.

Yes, I also found Tennell more interesting in a live competion when i saw her in 2018, but as far as traditional definition of skating skill goes, she doesn't qualify in her current stage of development. No deep edges, no knee bend, no speed. This time, her short program had a phoned-in choreo too. Reminded me what Tarasova once said about Samarin: 'he slapped his boot once, and he wants us to believe it's a folk dance.' Evenheardt puts more fire into a similar dance.

 

[Mathman]

About the venue, everything is bigger and gaudier in Texas. Boston will counter with sweepers dressed like Paul Revere instead of cowgirls.

At least all the GS members who predicted gold for Higuchi were vindicated.

 

[Joekaz]

Wow.Surprised turn of events.Nice podium.

Issabeu is really low level compared to last 2 years.Her jumps,programs,dress that is completely odious.I don't know what will she do this season.

Rinka is the bright side with Wakaba and Nina this competition.

Strange we didn't see 3A from Watanabe and those spins that she messed up at the end cost her a win.Anyway both programs are amazing.As i wasn't her fan,this year i am all for her.

Nina is really showing good skills and nice choreo and hope she comeback to be consistent like last year after this performance.The only problem i have with her is that she is missing that X factor that will bring people to her and allow her to get more points.Solid work.

Higuchi showing class and experience with a nice programs this season.Hope she can keep it up.

Bradie showing good technique on jumps,but her Stsq was level 0.Let someone ask her what is she doing with this...

Summary is that we didn't even cross 200 points what is kinda disappointing.Free skate was better than short,but still not the highest level we could get.
On to Canada.

Im sure they would have been over 200 at the average event. This one was very harshly judged for everyone, beginning to end

 

[Bluediamonds09]

There's so much to like in isabeau's skating, and I like this program (yes, including the dress) but I don't like her lutz entrance.
Nina: I loooove her red dress and I like her spins, but the lp is boring, imo.
Rinka: her lp is ok, I think I'm just sick of tangos. I hope she can stay consistent and medal at her next event because there's so much to enjoy in her skating.
Bradie: I'm sorry, but bradie's skating is not my cup of tea. Everything is off. The program calls for drama and passion, and I don't see any of that in bradie's skating. She refuses to hold positions when the music climaxes; she's always rushing at the end of her lp because she insists on leaving 2 spins at the very end. The only thing I admire about bradie is she's such a hard worker.
Wakaba: great programs. But the judges hate her, unfortunately, so I'm not expecting her to podium at her next event, as much as I want her to. The judges will hand out gifts to everyone but wakaba.
Livia: she could be so much more glorious to watch if she would extend her long limbs like carolina kostner. But I feel her skating is muted.

 

[lariko]

There's so much to like in isabeau's skating, and I like this program (yes, including the dress) but I don't like her lutz entrance.
Nina: I loooove her red dress and I like her spins, but the lp is boring, imo.
Rinka: her lp is ok, I think I'm just sick of tangos. I hope she can stay consistent and medal at her next event because there's so much to enjoy in her skating.
Bradie: I'm sorry, but bradie's skating is not my cup of tea. Everything is off. The program calls for drama and passion, and I don't see any of that in bradie's skating. She refuses to hold positions when the music climaxes; she's always rushing at the end of her lp because she insists on leaving 2 spins at the very end. The only thing I admire about bradie is she's such a hard worker.
Wakaba: great programs. But the judges hate her, unfortunately, so I'm not expecting her to podium at her next event, as much as I want her to. The judges will hand out gifts to everyone but wakaba.
Livia: she could be so much more glorious to watch if she would extend her long limbs like carolina kostner. But I feel her skating is muted.

the judges put Higuchi into first here against the favorite of the event. That doesn’t indicate hatred. Time had changed and Higuchi had changed. She now projects image/body shape more consistent with a traditional female skater stereotype and Japan is looking for a stable second woman to back up, then take over from Sakamoto if need arises. Under this circumstances, Higuchi won't be underscored. Plus, undersored versus who? Figure skating has barely any female skaters of much interest, and Higuchi just beat two of them.

 

[Bluediamonds09]

the judges put Higuchi into first here against the favorite of the event. That doesn’t indicate hatred. Time had changed and Higuchi had changed. She now projects image/body shape more consistent with a traditional female skater stereotype and Japan is looking for a stable second woman to back up, then take over from Sakamoto. Under this circumstances, Higuchi won't be underscored. Plus, versus who? Figure skating has barely any female skaters of much interest, and Higuchi just beat two of them.

Wakaba was lucky to have won against isabeau; she even said so in the press conference: that 70% of her win was luck. Wakaba was lucky that the tech caller was so strict on isabeau. But isabeau still won in pcs; you know that if isabeau hadn't fallen (lucky for wakaba) isabeau would've walked away with 70+ in pcs and a gold medal. When was the last time Wakaba was gifted over 65 points in pcs? Even with her speed and power, the judges do not like her. I feel sorry for wakababy.

 

[Joekaz]

Wakaba was lucky to have won against isabeau; she even said so in the press conference: that 70% of her win was luck. Wakaba was lucky that the tech caller was so strict on isabeau. But isabeau still won in pcs; you know that if isabeau hadn't fallen (lucky for wakaba) isabeau would've walked away with 70+ in pcs and a gold medal. When was the last time Wakaba was gifted over 65 points in pcs? Even with her speed and power, the judges do not like her. I feel sorry for wakababy.

The judges are a reflection of Fed support. Japanese Fed has NEVER liked Higuchi going back to juniors. They have been trying to bury her forever. She has to be twice as good as everyone to get any credit from them. If she got the same support Sakamoto did from the beginning she would have been a world champion herself.