2025 NHK Trophy Women's Short Program

[withwings]

thank you, museksk8r
will watch later

 

[withwings]

I am not an expert at all... imo, Loena does not feel comfortably in her new program. That style somehow is a stranger to her. It is great of course to change her distinctive Ļoena's skating style/ program but, maybe, its little bit too late at this point of time. I do not think that music choice helps her either. Though, nothing is predictable.

 

[Skating91]

The Lutz was clearly within the quarter (so, rotated). I wonder if Skating91 will complain about the rotation on this one.

It was clearly a wrong edge, and they meekly gave it an unclear edge. Such a shame that officials refuse to enforce the rules.

Her 3T is still very borderline. Lutz edge problems. She is barely rotating these jumps. She will need to be absolutely perfect which she hasn't been in a while to take the 230s that she is theoretically capable of.

She has lost something unfortunately, and she's trying to compensate by skating around the rink as fast as possible. Nothing really grabs me like it did back in the 2021/22 to 2023/24 seasons. Most of other top Olympic threats primarily focus on speed above presentation and composition as well, so it might not matter too much at the Olympics if she skates clean, but I think this will be hard. The free skate will be more of a test.

 

[withwings]

I don't think it was her new program, though it was more docile than she normally does. Just errors like basically everyone else. It wasn't a great SP by women despite really strong comp.

just watched, exactly! your word choice is hit on the nail- docile

 

[Arigato]

The beauty and skill of Sakamoto's skating is unparalleled. That was a privilege to watch.

 

[withwings]

The beauty and skill of Sakamoto's skating is unparalleled. That was a privilege to watch.

Absolutely.

 

[16Olympics]

The beauty and skill of Sakamoto's skating is unparalleled. That was a privilege to watch.

I had a little tear in my eye watching that beautiful program skated in front of her home country fans.

 

[skylark]

She must be skating really well at home to get Raf to travel

I expect he's here for Torvashev too

 

[Jammers]

Omigosh, even before watching, seeing Samodelkina in second position with the stacked field, it's like a dream. Can't wait to watch her skate.

I wouldn't call this a stacked field.

 

[16Olympics]

I expect he's here for Torvashev too

I thought Brandon would be here and not Raf. Surpised that he traveled that far but he looks great!

 

[mirai4life]

Koari saved the night and well done Young!

The door was wide open for a lot of the girls to seize the moment but so many silly mistakes!! Anna, Sarah and Elyce!! GRRRR! especially Anna. I feel like the judges are so ready to reward her (like they do with Keatlyn Osmond). I really hope she finds that consistency soon because she's got it all!

 

[RafaelAstro]

I'm not a fan of Kaori's programs this season... But good job as always
And for Wakaba I'll be very sad if her carrer ends likes this, dealing with an injury and without getting a chance to compete at a isu championships let alone olympics, it's very frustrating when she did a very good job last season. I guess she didn't want to withdraw because she knows it's her last season anyways

 

[Joekaz]

I'm not a fan of Kaori's programs this season... But good job as always
And for Wakaba I'll be very sad if her carrer ends likes this, dealing with an injury and without getting a chance to compete at a isu championships let alone olympics, it's very frustrating when she did a very good job last season. I guess she didn't want to withdraw because she knows it's her last season anyways

She probably would have retired after last season if this wasn't an Olympic year. She had foot problems last season too, just not as bad.

 

[museksk8r]

Kaori’s SP was glorious and she absolutely deserves the lead. However, I feel Sofia was undermarked and I would have scored her at 70 points; she should not be as close as she is to the rest of the pack. These two skaters share a lot of the same strengths (big, floaty jumps and strong performance/expression), but Kaori does skate with better skating skills. Bravo to them for taking 1st and 2nd in the SP!

 

[Sai Bon]

I have a set of three, black, gold and white which I was told are supposed to make me healthy, wealthy and I can;t recall the third one, definitely not wise...

Happy?

 

[msteach3]

It was worth sitting through what was mostly a miserable Women's SP to see Kaori fly over the ice in what was a stunning program!

 

[Joekaz]

Kaori’s SP was glorious and she absolutely deserves the lead. However, I feel Sofia was undermarked and I would have scored her at 70 points; she should not be as close as she is to the rest of the pack. These two skaters share a lot of the same strengths (big, floaty jumps and strong performance/expression), but Kaori does skate with better skating skills. Bravo to them for taking 1st and 2nd in the SP!

It was kinda weird scoring yesterday. Lenient on tech calls on jumps, a little low on PCS, and stingy on GOE and levels(except with Kaori of course, .75 GOE on a ! that was an obvious e ).

 

[TallyT]

Happy?

That could be it, and I am pretty happy these days...

 

[Sai Bon]

Just caught up. Sorry to see the women menning and cacti blooming (with the exception of the top 3). Great to see Loena back with a different style and for once tasteful costume, though the music was uninspiring. Not sure if she was feeling it or not. I was fed up with her overly sexy presentation (yes, she's gorgeous and sexy, but no need to flaunt it all the time), but maybe she could have found something else that she enjoyed expressing? Relieved that Kaori cleaned up at the end (damn that Lutz edge!), and boy I will be sad when she retires. Great to see Young You have better skate. Hoping to catch the free skate after my birthday dinner .

 

[Azikin]

Kaori’s SP was glorious and she absolutely deserves the lead. However, I feel Sofia was undermarked and I would have scored her at 70 points; she should not be as close as she is to the rest of the pack. These two skaters share a lot of the same strengths (big, floaty jumps and strong performance/expression), but Kaori does skate with better skating skills. Bravo to them for taking 1st and 2nd in the SP!

Sofia is still paying for being new and also her origin but her scores are getting better at least. I hope she will be on podium, that would be great.