Ok but since when did Anna Shcherbakova have SUBTLE expression? She even skates to classical musical and is more expressive than Kostornaya. I stg people don’t even bother to watch her properly apart from her quads. Kostornaya is only expressive in the end of her FS because it’s like rock music or sth.
I think they meant subtle expression as a compliment... I don’t think “subtle” was a dig at her, more like a way to say natural movement with the music.
I think they meant subtle expression as a compliment...the wording is open to interpretation but I take “subtle” to mean less “theatrical” and more “natural” (ie she isn’t making gestures or facial expressions to indicate a character in the music and more letting her body flow with the tempo of the song). Like in her Firebird when she “transforms” and the music picks up, she has the costume changes but also ups her performance energy to show she has strength and power to the audience, which is more natural than a gesture like flexing muscles to show “I’m strong!”. In contrast, I’d consider Hubbell and Donahue to be an example of “theatrical” interpretation with the winking and pointing they do to sell the flirty vibe they are going for. I don’t think “subtle” was a dig at her, more like a way to say natural movement with the music.
Bradie is more fun to watch. Better programs. Mentioned last Tatiana seemed to have not much to say about a very complete skater. Well she may surprise you Tatiana.
I didn't realize Bradie and Alina had scored so closely this season on the Grand Prix. The American is definitely within striking distance, but it will come down to edge and rotation calls.
if mistakes are made by both skaters, i don’t think the judges will throw Bradie a lifeline in the form of high goe and overly generous pcs like they will Alina. However if Bradie is mostly clean and sharp, and Alina messy and struggling with jumps, then Bradie should be able to overtake her. I can’t believe I’m out here rooting for Bradie Tennell, but her improvement can not be denied
Stats analysis for pairs now added to my GitHub repository at lariko’s request.
Link to graph: https://github.com/IcyMathStats/GPF2019/blob/master/GPF19_Pairs.pdf
For methodology and how to interpret the graph, please refer to post #11.
Free Skate:
GP France - Alina's messy FS she got a TES of 68.85 and PCS of 72.97
GP USA - Bradie with a clean FS at home got a TES of 71.88 and PCS of 69.16
So at home with a clean FS Bradie was still almost 4 points behind Zagitova's PCS on a messy skate.
Short Programs:
GP USA - Bradie with a clean SP at home got a TES of 41.33 and PCS of 33.77
GP Japan - Alina had a bad skate got a TES of 31.15 and PCS of 35.69
Yet again at home with a clean SP Bradie's PCS was several points lower than a messy Zagitova. Zagitova has messy skates but rarely does she have both a SP and FS that are disasters at the same competition and frankly that's what Bradie needs because the judges aren't knocking Zagitova's PCS down for bad skates.