2025 WTT: Thoughts?

[Joekaz]

True for composition and skating skills, but the score for performance should obviously change based on the performance...

I think he was being sarcastic, but I agree with you.

 

[cailuj365]

No, you obviously don't understand.

Skaters do not improve their programs over the season, or even between seasons. Whatever their PCS is the first time they step on the ice, then it's supposed to be set in concrete, never wavering one iota.

One program may be a stumbling mess, and the next may induce a frenzied standing ovation. It does not matter. The PCS may not vary, and if it does, then it's a sure sign the system is rigged.

You got me in the first half, lol.

 

[macy]

Yes, that is the exact truth. In fact, more generally, Amber has to land her triple Axel in both programs to guarantee the win in any competition against other top skaters. If she goes 1 for 2, she has a chance to win anyway. 0 for 2 with others skating reasonably cleanly, no chance.

It's not about Alysa or any other competitor, it's about adding up points. 16 points for two triple Axels. Others will get a few points back for superior skills in other areas, PCSs, etc. Quite an easy calculation to make, actually, in my opinion.

my biggest gripe with Amber is yes her consistency (which she has made leaps and bounds of improvement this season), but i want her to skate bigger. she is SO powerful, but i find often her steps are small. i want bigger crossovers, deeper edges, more speed throughout the program and not just into the jumps, more knee bend. she is already so good but she can definitely improve in skating skills.

i do think Alysa was a bit gifted at worlds (and WTT) in PCS, and i would not have been upset at all if Kaori had beat her in that segment as she is FAR superior in PCS and overall skating. i do agree with her winning overall though, she had two of the best skates of her entire career and right now is the best skater she's ever been.

 

[jenaj]

my biggest gripe with Amber is yes her consistency (which she has made leaps and bounds of improvement this season), but i want her to skate bigger. she is SO powerful, but i find often her steps are small. i want bigger crossovers, deeper edges, more speed throughout the program and not just into the jumps, more knee bend. she is already so good but she can definitely improve in skating skills.

i do think Alysa was a bit gifted at worlds (and WTT) in PCS, and i would not have been upset at all if Kaori had beat her in that segment as she is FAR superior in PCS and overall skating. i do agree with her winning overall though, she had two of the best skates of her entire career and right now is the best skater she's ever been.

It's also important to remember that Kaori was scored higher at both WTT and Worlds on skating skills, which is only one of the program components. Alysa was scored higher on presentation which, at WTT at least, was fully justified in my opinion.

 

[withwings]

I would say she doesn't need it, so she can try it in practice, but don't put too much effort into it. The judges have just told her to just keep doing what you're doing. Do the Sakamoto strategy, stay clean and let the others get out of their comfort zones and make mistakes.

Excatly.

If she will go for it, then it will be rather to challenger herself and not for any other reasons in mo.

 

[noskates]

I will fully admit and own the fact that I am not Amber's biggest fan.....BUT, if she's going to insist on trying the 3A in her short and falling on it than please don't show utter disappointment and dejection center ice when the skate is over! In the field at WTT and Worlds, she didn't need the 3A and would have been better off leaving it out and skating clean! Amber is very talented but lets her emotions and "pressures" impact her skating. There is always an excuse. Always.

 

[4everchan]

Skaters with big tricks need a lot of trials before they get consistent. If Amber wants to land the 3a in the short at the Olympics, she needs to try it every possible time she can. Of course, when it doesn't work out, she will be disappointed... She will need that jump to medal at the Olympics.

Remember Duhamel and her quad salchow throw... it wasn't always landed... it wasn't always nicely done... but then they nailed it at the Olympics... and she's one of these skaters who have admitted that they would bring a new trick every season and try it until it would work out... or not... so that way they ditched the throw 3a... and the throw 4lutz... just not consistent enough... and while they were trying the new tricks, they had rough outings... but in the end, it paid off.

 

[Mathman]

In my opinion, Amber does have to attempt the triple Axel in the short program. If successful she grabs a solid 4.7 point lead over the field. The LP is less certain because there is more to it than just base values of three jumping passes.

As for looking dejected when she misses, I have mixed feeling about that. On the one hand we have been taught that the proper attitude toward a bad performance is, "Whee! Wasn't that great! (fist pump). Fall, what fall, I didn't see any fall, did you see a fall?"

On the other hand, I can't fault someone for looking dejected when they feel dejected.

 

[macy]

I will fully admit and own the fact that I am not Amber's biggest fan.....BUT, if she's going to insist on trying the 3A in her short and falling on it than please don't show utter disappointment and dejection center ice when the skate is over! In the field at WTT and Worlds, she didn't need the 3A and would have been better off leaving it out and skating clean! Amber is very talented but lets her emotions and "pressures" impact her skating. There is always an excuse. Always.

the reason she showed disappointment is because she probably hits it in program in practice every day. that IS disappointing when you don't skate how you've been training. i don't see any excuse here.

 

[ajingmarg]

isn't even pleasant to enjoy Duhamel's skating despite the big attempts

Skaters with big tricks need a lot of trials before they get consistent. If Amber wants to land the 3a in the short at the Olympics, she needs to try it every possible time she can. Of course, when it doesn't work out, she will be disappointed... She will need that jump to medal at the Olympics.

Remember Duhamel and her quad salchow throw... it wasn't always landed... it wasn't always nicely done... but then they nailed it at the Olympics... and she's one of these skaters who have admitted that they would bring a new trick every season and try it until it would work out... or not... so that way they ditched the throw 3a... and the throw 4lutz... just not consistent enough... and while they were trying the new tricks, they had rough outings... but in the end, it

 

[Mathman]

Whenever Megan Duhamel is brought up I automatically think back to the Canadians at the 2018 Olympic team competition. Team Canada had world champions in all four disciplines (prospective in the case of Osmond). Between them they had 10 Olympic medals to their credit and 9 world championships.

Plus, Daleman did her part by holding her own in a field with Zagitova, Kostner and Sakamoto, (And also Mirai Nagasu with a triple Axel.)