My overall impression is that most of the skaters didn't seem to be in real competitive shape yet, and all of them are still working out the kinks in their new programs. As a result, there were no outstanding performances, but it was really interesting to see all the new programs.
Tim Goebel--I'm just happy to see Tim skating well again. Actually, it seemed like he was one of the better-conditioned skaters at the event. I'm looking forward to seeing a new program from him, though. I like the Queen number, but I agree with a previous poster that I wish the program ended with "Who Wants to Live Forever", rather than "We Are the Champions."
Brian Joubert--His jumps are as amazing as ever, but I'd like to see more speed and better positions in his spins. I'm not crazy about the new program. The choreography seems a little busy and obviously patterned after Yagudin. I'm not sure that the dramatic, intense choreographic style works as well for Brian as it does for Yagudin. I always felt like Yagudin's skating was all about power and intensity, but to me, Brian is more about flow and simple but beautiful moves. I wonder if Brian would do better with a more lyrical type of program. I liked the color of the costume, but the loose cords were distracting.
Emmanuel Sandhu--The progam was very interesting and nicely choreographed. Loved the costume too. He is just an amazing skater. With consistent jumps, he could be right up there.
Johnny Weir--I actually liked Johnny's program quite a lot, but I do agree it could use a few more highlight moves. I liked it better than his Dr. Zhivago program from last year, though. I agree the costume and hair are a bit over the top, but that's just Johnny!!
Julia Sebestyen--Her jumps are beautiful . . . but she needs to be much more consistent with them. And I don't like the new program. Julia's presentation skills are not up to handling such an iconic and challenging piece of music. When you think of Katarina Witt skating to Carmen, and then look at Julia . . . well, there's just no comparison. And the costume should be burned!!
Kimmie Meissner--Really nice performance. Obviously she still has a long way to go in developing her presentation and performance level, but nonetheless I thought she did a nice job interpreting the music. And way to go with the triple/triple!
Sasha Cohen--My overall impression was that Sasha seemed to be putting only about 50 percent effort into this performance. Just some sloppy mistakes with the jumps. However, she still had some lovely moments, and her presentation is second to none. I have mixed feelings about the program though. The interesting thing about Sasha is that she's so strong artistically that it really doesn't matter if she skates to warhorse music like the Nutcracker. Unlike Julia Sebestyen, Sasha is good enough to take any music and make it her own. Even so, though, I'm not sure if this Nutcracker piece is a good selection for her, and a previous poster hit on the reason why. This piece was originally intended as a pas de deux for a man and woman. It's quite romantic and therefore works especially well for pairs. Shen and Zhao created a gorgeous program to the music last year, and prior to that, Bechke/Petrov used it very successfully for their Olympic silver medal program. Gordeeva/Grinkov also used it to win World Professionals at least once. All of their programs were more memorable and special than I think Sasha's will be. And the reason is because they are closer to the original spirit of the music. Sasha's version is nice though, and I'm sure it will be amazing if she skates it really well. I also really liked her costume, which was a pleasant surprise, as I usually don't like Sasha's dresses.
Michelle Kwan--I really, really liked her new program! I'm so excited about it. I agree with everyone that this is Michelle's most promising long program in years. I think it could be one of her best ever. I agree it needs a little more footwork in the beginning, and she needs to not telegraph the jumps so much. But overall it looked very good! And the music really suits her. It's just her style, intense yet measured at the same time. I was so pleased to see her land all her triples; I was really starting to worry at the end of last year that she was losing her consistency (which has been one of the biggest factors in her success all these years). She looked really good, really strong, and happy. I'm really pleased about the triple lutz/double loop too. Now if she could just get a triple/triple, I'd feel really good about her chances this year.
Shizuka Arakawa--I thought Shizuka looked good. Obviously she's not fully in shape yet, but overall it was a good performance, and her triple/triples are amazing. The program, to me, is good but not great. I don't know if it suits her quite as well as Turandot did, but perhaps it will develop with time. The costume is HORRIBLE, though. It's just got to go. I found it really distracting.
Miki Ando--She's definitely improved since last year. The new program suits her much better than the Firebird program, and her flow and positions seemed nicer. And of course the triple/triples are incredible, especially that triple lutz/triple loop (how can she do it so easily and consistently?). However, overall, her presentation still has a long way to go in my opinion. When Miki skates, I just get this feeling that she's in her own world and completely oblivious to the audience. Also, I agree with a previous poster that there is something wrong with Miki's posture on the ice. I feel like her back is always curved or hunched over, instead of nicely straight. And her head seems slightly down, instead of raised, with chin up. (Maybe that's why it feels like she's not really looking at the audience.) I don't mean to be harsh; I do think she has a lot of great qualities to her skating. Not only are the jumps incredible, she also has great flow and speed. But the posture thing is a real problem, I think. It's instructive to compare Miki and Kimmie Meissner on this point. Young as she is, Kimmie already has a classic skating "look" on the ice; she's small and thin, but her posture and positions are good and sharp, and conform to what we expect to see in a female skater. Her posture and look are similar to that of Katia Gordeeva or Tara Lipinski when they were 14. Miki just does not have that classic look to her.
