Loena Hendrickx will win unless she starts having falls because she always gets good GOE and programme component scores and judges seem to turn a blind eye to any rotation issues or incorrect edges with her. After that it is very open for the other medal positions among the Japanese and Korean skaters. I was delighted with Niina Petrokina's medal at Skate America but feel she would need to be at her absolute best and have other skaters make mistakes (as happened at Skate America) for her to medal this time. It is also possible for one of the Chinese skaters to medal with the benefit of home advantage, but they would need to over-perform and have enough others under-perform. Although she is a national champion from a major skating country, it seems to be rare for Maddie Schizas to perform at her best in both programmes. She could get a medal, but there are others who seem more likely to do so.
I hear ya. I just went by the SBs, that @AlexRus put in the CoC sub-forum, but prorated Yoshida to land 3A. All these people who postulated that removing ultra-c and increasing age limit in senior women will increase the stability in the field were totally, grievously and 100% wrong. Just like I thought they would be, but like...what's the point of saying, 'I said so'. They won't acknowledge their error in judgment and bias anyway.
Maddie has nice qualities, and is a serviceable skater when she's on, I just can't stand her music choices. Last year, I always watched her skate on mute (I'm tired of Black Swan) and I'm doing it this year too unfortunately.
I thought Black Swan suited her (although I agree it is over used!). West Side Story did not. I am currently not convinced about either of this year's programmes. The FP from the Olympic season was probably her best in terms of how well the programme suited her strengths as a skater.
I was unclear how it was supposed to be representing Summer. I probably need to see it a few more times to work things out. She skated very well in the FP at Skate Canada, but I wasn't convinced it entirely hung together as a programme.
So, Aleksandr Selevko is replacing Sihyeong Lee at NHK Trophy. That's great!
But I wonder how that happened? Aleksandr is only 15th on the replacement list afaik, unless...they update the scores received earlier this season? Aleksandr had a great skat at Finlandia Trophy and that might have moved him up on the list.
But I can't find anything about this in the rules.
There was little time for a replacement. Maybe he is the only one with Japanese visa as he was doing shows in Japan?
There is no need for a visa from most skating countries to enter Japan (see post somewhere in this thread, only Shmuratko would have had issues)
Even if so, it is hardly surprising that the organizers chose someone who is known to the Japanese audience and who has already taken part in GP.
Challengers and GPs =different topics.
Sure. However, if a skater can't take part in a Challenger at home one week because of injury, very probably is not very eager to go to GP on another continent a week later. Just a mention
I am not sure what which skater you are referring to.Sure. However, if a skater can't take part in a Challenger at home one week because of injury, very probably is not very eager to go to GP on another continent a week later. Just a mention
One place above Selevko on the list, Vladimir Samoilov. He WD from Warsaw Cup recently.
