2026 Olympics: Women's Short Program

[Artistry]

Levito into 5th, 70.84!

I rewatched last group, i do think she was underscored.

 

[skatesofgold]

I think it is not the music, it's because she is skating slow. Fast skating is really valuable in SS across all disciplines. It is very noticeable live. She is one of the few skaters who are much better on TV than live.

This is why I will never be able to anticipate scores accurately. I just don't value fast skating that much. And it seems like it should only be a small part of PCS. It shouldn't affect composition or presentation, imo.

Also, It's Alysa who's doing the exact same programs as last year, not Isabeau, so I'm not sure why Isabeau is being held to a higher standard on that front.

 

[moonvine]

Yes, WADA is running random checks.

When the athletes weren’t competing internationally?

 

[CoyoteChris]

My friend who follows skating casually (does not understand technical side at all), thought Levito was the most boring of the last two groups. "Her skating feels small, and didn't she do this same program last year?"

Actually, your friend is just being a human being like me. She seems slow, she doesnt reach out to me, and that terrible hunching takeoff and landing is so unatractive. There are some skaters out there this year who are hideous. It is as if they were TAUGHT not interact with the crowd. Just be a ballerina and point your foot. Skate to the type of music that you dont have to sell the the crowd. Remember Elizaveta Tuktamysheva ? She had class and she had style and she played to the crowd, AND she could jump. And she looked like a woman.

 

[yume]

Actually, your friend is just being a human being like me. She seems slow, she doesnt reach out to me, and that terrible hunching takeoff and landing is so unatractive. There are some skaters out there this year who are hideous. It is as if they were TAUGHT not interact with the crowd. Just be a ballerina and point your foot. Skate to the type of music that you dont have to sell the the crowd. Remember Elizaveta Tuktamysheva ? She had class and she had style and she played to the crowd, AND she could jump. And she looked like a woman.

Why is looking like a woman that important ? And what is exactly looking like a woman ? Because maybe i'm not getting this correctly.
I ask because i've often seen this from many posters over the years.

 

[CoyoteChris]

Why is looking like a woman that important ? And what is exactly looking like a woman ? Because maybe i'm not getting this correctly.
I ask because i've often seen this from many posters over the years.

The answer would get me banned so I will PM you.

 

[chepe]

Remember Elizaveta Tuktamysheva ? She had class and she had style and she played to the crowd, AND she could jump. And she looked like a woman.

I remember her, I think she was great.
I do admit being slightly biased towards skaters who have bit more adult-like physique. I tend to dislike sports where only one archetype, playing style or bodybuild can win, and I also think it's better for the sports' image if success is not limited to one sort of body proportions.

An '80s athlete (not figure skater) once reminisced how one time her coach asked her "Are you willing to sacrifice your femininity?" She answered "Umm...no." What he meant was, "Are you ready to roid the heck out of it?"

 

[lariko]

This is why I will never be able to anticipate scores accurately. I just don't value fast skating that much. And it seems like it should only be a small part of PCS. It shouldn't affect composition or presentation, imo.

Also, It's Alysa who's doing the exact same programs as last year, not Isabeau, so I'm not sure why Isabeau is being held to a higher standard on that front.

Did you ever see Levito skate live? Sometimes it makes you more aware of what judges are seeing.

I haven't seen Petrosian, Samodelkina or Lui live yet.

 

[flakyy]

I find it very unsatisfactory that Liu kept both programs from last year in the end (SP ... ok, given the circumstances). I could get it IF those programs were standouts and it would be very clever to rework the choreo and make them more intricate and up the tech difficulty significantly (a 3A, not an underrotated 3loop). But this is not the case and the LP is simplistic and generic. It was ok in her comeback year and skated with joy and confidence, but a world champ should be able to come up with better material. Not this Gaga program.

 

[skatesofgold]

Did you ever see Levito skate live? Sometimes it makes you more aware of what judges are seeing.

I haven't seen Petrosian, Samodelkina or Lui live yet.

No, because figure skating competitions are expensive. I've only been to Skate America in 2016, and that was almost ten years ago.

 

[lariko]

This is why I will never be able to anticipate scores accurately. I just don't value fast skating that much. And it seems like it should only be a small part of PCS. It shouldn't affect composition or presentation, imo.

Also, It's Alysa who's doing the exact same programs as last year, not Isabeau, so I'm not sure why Isabeau is being held to a higher standard on that front.

Did you ever see Levito skate live?

No, because figure skating competitions are expensive. I've only been to Skate America in 2016, and that was almost ten years ago.

I find that GP stages are rather cheap compared to other sport events and theater. It's about $250 canadian for full 4 or 5 days of practices and skating. Junior worlds and JGP are basically free, so if you can't do seniors, it's a great option as well. Anyway, if you one day have enough funds, experiencing things live sometimes give a new perspective on the skaters and judging. Levito in my experience is one of this skaters, and I have seen her compete live twice.

 

[skatesofgold]

Did you ever see Levito skate live?

I find that GP stages are rather cheap compared to other sport events and theater. It's about $250 canadian for full 4 or 5 days of practices and skating. Junior worlds and JGP are basically free, so if you can't do seniors, it's a great option as well. Anyway, if you one day have enough funds, experiencing things live sometimes give a new perspective on the skaters and judging. Levito in my experience is one of this skaters, and I have seen her compete live twice.

I can't travel during the fall and winter either. I only get two personal days per year being a school librarian. I was able to save enough for my dream trip to the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Figure skating being a winter sport is simply inconvenient.. It's the reason I didn't even consider going to Nationals this year even though I'm not that far from St. Louis.

 

[lariko]

I can't travel during the fall and winter either. I only get two personal days being a school librarian. I was able to save enough for my dream trip to the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Figure skating being a winter sport is simply inconvenient.. It's the reason I didn't even consider going to Nationals this year even though I'm not that far from St. Louis.

Well, US Nationals are certainly pricey. Anyway, if it doesn't work, it doesn't work. But yeah, Levito is in my experience a TV star, not live star.

 

[skatesofgold]

Well, US Nationals are certainly pricey. Anyway, if it doesn't work, it doesn't work. But yeah, Levito is in my experience a TV star, not live star.

I was able to make it to Stars on Ice a couple years ago, I think the year she won a worlds medal? I enjoyed her live then. Either way, I don't think seeing skaters live versus on TV would change my opinion of them.

 

[jenaj]

Did you ever see Levito skate live? Sometimes it makes you more aware of what judges are seeing.

I haven't seen Petrosian, Samodelkina or Lui live yet.

I have seen Isabeau live. I didn't notice her being particularly slow. Or maybe I just wasn't looking for that. She has a lovely, balletic presence on the ice. I agree she was underscored here.

 

[shan22044]

LOL bronze medal women's hockey game right now, during the zamboni session after period 2 they just played snippets of Ice Ice Baby. Pretty funny. Then a 3 2 1 freeze in between song snippets. Entertaining! Some of the venues really do have a party atmosphere, though this audience seems to be pretty passive at the moment.

 

[slider11]

I'm glad that Isabeau is getting some conversation. I have not seen her live so perhaps the point of the smallness/slowness of her skating is valid. But I think what she put out on the ice for Olympic SP deserved better PCSs and a step sequence of 4 not 3. I won't quibble over the under-rotation but I hope that standard will be applied equally to all skaters. I do think she portrays a classical image on the ice that she maintains throughout her performance and deserves better artistry marks. Let's see how Cinema Paradiso fairs with the judges.

 

[gsk8]

Hi all!

You can compare, analyze, critique, go more in depth, discuss future, etc. in the Women's Olympics Replay Lounge!