We have watched Zhang skate for years here in Southern CA, probably since she was a prepreliminary skater doing the old Southern CA Interclub events, etc. Her flexibility is impressive. Always has been.
But, I think it was Iloveaxel who mentioned Caroline's underlying "rebelliousness" despite the fragile nature she likes to demonstrate in her programs on the ice. That is an accurate description of her...very feisty, indeed!
I would like to see some of that personality come out through her skating. I think her coaches/choreographer have taken her abilities as a skater and showcased them in her programs in a terrific way, but I also feel that she is very cool emotionally on the ice...again, very choreographed. She doesn't really relate to the music. She skates with the music, rather. And because we have known her for years and have seen her skate to the same types of music over the years, it shows us that she is well coached and takes instruction well, but has yet to make that leap to the "artist" level. She LOVES the slow, pretty ballerina type music with lots of emotional swells....what spectator wouldn't get caught up to that type of music when you see 180 degree spirals go down the ice.
I would like to see Zhang go beyond this type of music and pick something classical perhaps, but with changes in tempo and dynamics so that we can see some of her personality come through in her skating. I think of someone like Kimmie Meissner who has not taken the "safe" route in the last couple of years in terms of music selection, and along with her choroegraphers, Lori N. and Nicolai M. have chosen music that is more difficult to relate to on an emotional level and there in lies the challenge...to raise yourself as an athlete and artist to a level that challenges you. The choices may not always be appreciated by the general audience, but they do allow constant evolution of the skater.
And, IMO, we just haven't really seen that in Caroline yet. Her skating skills have improved over the last two years with her jumps now rotated (though not the best technique with some of the jumps), though still too many crossovers (where are the transitions) and the spins, spirals fabulous as always. But, she needs to learn to connect to the audience. Maybe acting classes? Bring some of that personality to the ice. Zhang is one "cool cookie"...lets give her time to get through Nationals this year, and move up to Sr ladies before we get too caught up in the hype.
