- Joined
- Jul 11, 2003
I just got back from Moscow and here is a quick recap of my thoughts:
Men
We just don't know how Lambiel would have finished if Plush was in better health. They both have the quads and they have totally different styles. Pick your choice. I suspect Plush would have won but I think Lambiel would be close behind.
Buttle's second place was well deserved but he was somewhere in the vicinity of 17 points behind Lambiel. I believe the judges are opening up to lyrical men's skating. Like Buttle, Evan and Johnny too, are gaining on this sudden acceptance of this style of men's figure skating. However, Takahashi, Van DP and Li come on with strong more "masculine" style which requires high technical jumps and no faults - not easy. It's always amazing to watch Kevin spot his jumps in the air.
Brian, Tim, Stefan, Andrei G, and Emmanuel had poor skates. Unfortunately, this was an important pre-Olys Worlds. Will they be able to get back in the race?
The new Russian boy,Dobrin could have a lyrical style but I doubt the Federation will allow that.
The man to watch in the future: JAMAL OTHMUND (Switzerland)
LADIES
It was Irina all the way. Incredible!!! she even did a 3Loop/3Loop as an aside to Tara. Is she UNSINKABLE?
Sasha had a beautiful skate but looks to fragile when compared with Irina. However, she got good scores without 3/3's!! and at the moment I think she is the only one to take on Irina at the Olys.
Carolina finally did the program I have been waiting for since 2003 Worlds. She has a high degree of technical prowess but she looks so straggly that she gives the appearance of immaturity. Nevertheless, she beat out Kwan by .30 of a point, and I would agree with that.
Kwan skated beautifully, but she is no where near Irina in the technical. Did she get the message? or will be reading about her retirement in mid-July?
Fumie is back in form and may well hold on to a place at the Olys. That Pink Panther was fabulous. Hope they showed it on TV. Shizuka is not really at it and Miki has not yet found her place in the contests.
Only Susanna held up, and Joannie got hit with the nerves. Both are still competitive though. Sokolava was just a jumpin jact, imo, and not much else.
LADY to watch in the future: YON LIU (China) - so mature at such a young age. gorgeous!
Joe (back from Moscow)
Men
We just don't know how Lambiel would have finished if Plush was in better health. They both have the quads and they have totally different styles. Pick your choice. I suspect Plush would have won but I think Lambiel would be close behind.
Buttle's second place was well deserved but he was somewhere in the vicinity of 17 points behind Lambiel. I believe the judges are opening up to lyrical men's skating. Like Buttle, Evan and Johnny too, are gaining on this sudden acceptance of this style of men's figure skating. However, Takahashi, Van DP and Li come on with strong more "masculine" style which requires high technical jumps and no faults - not easy. It's always amazing to watch Kevin spot his jumps in the air.
Brian, Tim, Stefan, Andrei G, and Emmanuel had poor skates. Unfortunately, this was an important pre-Olys Worlds. Will they be able to get back in the race?
The new Russian boy,Dobrin could have a lyrical style but I doubt the Federation will allow that.
The man to watch in the future: JAMAL OTHMUND (Switzerland)
LADIES
It was Irina all the way. Incredible!!! she even did a 3Loop/3Loop as an aside to Tara. Is she UNSINKABLE?
Sasha had a beautiful skate but looks to fragile when compared with Irina. However, she got good scores without 3/3's!! and at the moment I think she is the only one to take on Irina at the Olys.
Carolina finally did the program I have been waiting for since 2003 Worlds. She has a high degree of technical prowess but she looks so straggly that she gives the appearance of immaturity. Nevertheless, she beat out Kwan by .30 of a point, and I would agree with that.
Kwan skated beautifully, but she is no where near Irina in the technical. Did she get the message? or will be reading about her retirement in mid-July?
Fumie is back in form and may well hold on to a place at the Olys. That Pink Panther was fabulous. Hope they showed it on TV. Shizuka is not really at it and Miki has not yet found her place in the contests.
Only Susanna held up, and Joannie got hit with the nerves. Both are still competitive though. Sokolava was just a jumpin jact, imo, and not much else.
LADY to watch in the future: YON LIU (China) - so mature at such a young age. gorgeous!
Joe (back from Moscow)
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