And yet I think, it may not be so bad to list them, because fans on the boards do this for a lot of skaters. I've read plenty of messages on what's wrong with Alena Leonova's skating, what's missing in Ashley Wagner's, and what's lacking in Miki's. Oh, and Alissa's flaws have been discussed over and over again. I think talking about the various imperfections that skaters have helps fans track their progress. Has Ashley become more cautious in approaching her jumps, have Miki's flexibility and artistry improved, and what about Leonova's line and posture? Is Alissa more relaxed and less nervous or is her skating still too cautious and lethargic?
Caroline Zhang
- Thread starter Reginald
- Start date
And yet I think, it may not be so bad to list them, because fans on the boards do this for a lot of skaters. I've read plenty of messages on what's wrong with Alena Leonova's skating, what's missing in Ashley Wagner's, and what's lacking in Miki's. Oh, and Alissa's flaws have been discussed over and over again. I think talking about the various imperfections that skaters have helps fans track their progress. Has Ashley become more cautious in approaching her jumps, have Miki's flexibility and artistry improved, and what about Leonova's line and posture? Is Alissa more relaxed and less nervous or is her skating still too cautious and lethargic?
I absolutely agree. This is why I remain a fan of hers. Besides, you never know!
You are right about the skaters you listed above. However, these skaters are quite smart and I don't think I would need to list their imperfections for them to make changes. Caroline is well aware of her flaws and is trying to fix them and I applaud her for it. There are certain things I think can never change for her no matter what she does or who she takes from. But, that falls more on the eye of the beholder. To list them would be cruel and too much meaning is lost on words, ironic.
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2007
As usual, I am in the minority here. Now it is true that Caroline has serious skating flaws, however it is equally true that her serious flaws put her on 14 podiums. So I look at it this way; if she can get back into top physical condition and fix just a few of her flaws even partially, she should be able to score high again.
- Joined
- May 19, 2011
^^ I don't know about this.
The judges looked past her obvious flaws when she first started because they saw the potential and, as a result, didn't hammer her as hard. I'm sure they figured she'd correct her technique and decided to give her a leg up while she worked on it. After 2 years went by and no improvement was shown (she'd actually gotten worse b/c of her growth spurt), they stopped giving her the benefit of higher scores.
Because she had a chance and somewhat pissed away her chances, Caroline has to work her way from the bottom. Top physical condition is a must for her, but there are a lot of things that will need to be fixed in order for her to garner the kind of scores that will put her back on the podium, especially in the current field/soon to be current field of ladies.
I see the improvement in her speed, her flip (obviously) and she's slowly improving her axel...but she's got a very long way to go before she'll receive the kind of scores she received back in 2006 and 2007.
The judges looked past her obvious flaws when she first started because they saw the potential and, as a result, didn't hammer her as hard. I'm sure they figured she'd correct her technique and decided to give her a leg up while she worked on it. After 2 years went by and no improvement was shown (she'd actually gotten worse b/c of her growth spurt), they stopped giving her the benefit of higher scores.
Because she had a chance and somewhat pissed away her chances, Caroline has to work her way from the bottom. Top physical condition is a must for her, but there are a lot of things that will need to be fixed in order for her to garner the kind of scores that will put her back on the podium, especially in the current field/soon to be current field of ladies.
I see the improvement in her speed, her flip (obviously) and she's slowly improving her axel...but she's got a very long way to go before she'll receive the kind of scores she received back in 2006 and 2007.
Precisely. She has also lost consistency and that helped her stay competitive despite the issues.
She's come a long way but, as mentioned, still has a long way to go. I wonder if her goal is to really get back on top because even in the best of circumstances it's still at least a couple years away or more. And that's assuming it'll ever happen anyway. From a nonfan's perspective...
She's come a long way but, as mentioned, still has a long way to go. I wonder if her goal is to really get back on top because even in the best of circumstances it's still at least a couple years away or more. And that's assuming it'll ever happen anyway. From a nonfan's perspective...
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2004
I got the impression from the recent article that was posted in this thread where Caroline says she is happy she graduated HS and she will be putting off college for a year to focus on her skating. Maybe her goal is to see what she can realistically accomplish this season in terms of being in the competitive mix with the other ladies. Education seems important to her so she may well call it a day if things don't work out and focus on her education. I do see the improvements
that she has made in her skating and being a fan wish her the best in the future.
that she has made in her skating and being a fan wish her the best in the future.
I think it's the first time ever that Caroline is competing in three summer comps. I think it shows a seriousness of purpose and determination. She's probably using these comps to get feedback on her skating, and also to motivate her to get into shape early in the season. She used to be really well prepared for the summer comps, winning Golden West several years in a role and posting really high scores with 6-7 triple programs. Then three seasons in a row (her first on JGP, first on SGP, and the following year), she did well in international comps and skated below expectations at National's, and she said in interviews that she will try to peak later in the season in subsequent years. But I think that strategy backfired for her. With her growth spurt and need to rework her techniques, she should be training harder in the summers than before, not less. So I'm really glad to see that this summer she's making that change.
Being her fan, the best thing I saw at Glacier Falls was not her better showing (which was great!), but the return of her fighter's spirit. She was a tough little cookie at 13/14, and then gradually lost confidence and focus over time. But now I see determination in her face, almost fierceness. It's really great to see! If you look at her Glacier Falls videos, she landed those 3Z's almost with her teeth gritted. She just wasn't going to let it get away no matter what. And although the SP was imperfect (stepped out of the 3F, not very high score/placing), she attacked her FS with just as much determination and focus as in the SP, which I had also not really seen before.
I think to overcome the many challenges she has to rise through the ranks again, she definitely needs that fighter spirit back in her corner. It may not be enough, but it's a must. So I'm really glad for this shift in her.
Being her fan, the best thing I saw at Glacier Falls was not her better showing (which was great!), but the return of her fighter's spirit. She was a tough little cookie at 13/14, and then gradually lost confidence and focus over time. But now I see determination in her face, almost fierceness. It's really great to see! If you look at her Glacier Falls videos, she landed those 3Z's almost with her teeth gritted. She just wasn't going to let it get away no matter what. And although the SP was imperfect (stepped out of the 3F, not very high score/placing), she attacked her FS with just as much determination and focus as in the SP, which I had also not really seen before.
I think to overcome the many challenges she has to rise through the ranks again, she definitely needs that fighter spirit back in her corner. It may not be enough, but it's a must. So I'm really glad for this shift in her.
And yet, if Czisny's story were fictional, I am not sure I would believe it. Just imagine a movie with that kind of plot, I'd peg it as unrealistic and overdramatized.
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2009
Ice Princess was sort of the same thing, except instead of Michelle Trachtenberg skating for years and years and never placing higher than 20th, she simply never skated at all. Then in a year, she learned all her triples and won 2nd at sectionals, whooo hooo.
I wonder what skating fans and skaters thought of that movie, probably weren't really all that impressed by it. I bet it was really aimed at teenagers who don't know much about figure skating and only know the big stars like Michelle and Tara.
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2009
Michelle had a cameo in the movie as a commentator. When I saw her, I practically squeed. But only on the inside, because I'm much too sophisticated and proper to actually squee.
When I saw it when I was younger and a skating newbie, I was very impressed by the triples and spirals and spins. Of course looking back now, it's sort of meh, but it is aimed at preteens. The costumes, choreography, and music are a lot more diverse than actual figure skating's. In the DVD commentary, one girl said her character had piercings, tattoos, black boots, rock-and-roll costume, and skated to an instrumental version of Britany Spear's Toxic. She laughed and said if she had done that in real life, it would've been an automatic 0 (The movie was set back in the days of the 6.0 scale). I thought that wasn't very fair.
- Joined
- May 19, 2011
I have the movie and it was cute. Of course, like all figure skating movies, it was completely unrealistic: the super-low mood lighting during a competition; up-beat pop music with lyrics for competition; the way she fell and took a full 15 seconds to get back to her program after looking around for her mother dramatically...
I didn't care. I like Michelle T. (Buffy was my life!) and when I heard Michelle had a cameo, I already knew I was going to buy it. For its credit, it was a cute movie but again, being a fan of the sport, I knew how unrealistic it was...
I didn't care. I like Michelle T. (Buffy was my life!) and when I heard Michelle had a cameo, I already knew I was going to buy it. For its credit, it was a cute movie but again, being a fan of the sport, I knew how unrealistic it was...
Actually, this makes me want to figure out who has been the most outrageous ladies skater in terms of costume and music. Stephanie Rosenthal takes the prize hands down for the most innovative and unusual music, but of course I haven't seen every single ladies program, so someone could have potentially one-upped her.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Dec 16, 2006
That was Julianna Canarozzo, a former Nationals competitor =)
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2004
Bump.
Any news on how Caroline did in the SP at Golden West which I believe was held last night.
Any news on how Caroline did in the SP at Golden West which I believe was held last night.
She apparently scored 53.65 and landed 3F+2T, 3Lo, 2A. She's in first after the SP. Leah Keiser and Ashley Wagner withdrew. http://unseenskaters.wordpress.com/2011/09/03/2011-golden-west-results/
