Impressions - 2004 World's v. Campbells

[Doggygirl]

Who all caught the re-air of the Ladie's LP from World's last night? Since most of us watched Cambell's so recently, I'm just wondering what impressions you have of the few skaters we saw both times.

Here are a couple of my own impressions:

Michelle - I think the debut of Bolero contains MUCH more choreography already than Michelle displayed at worlds. At least that was my first thought. I'm going to re-watch tonight (lovin' the new Tivo!!) and see for sure.

Shiz - She is such a lovely skater and clearly peaked just in time for World's last season. I still say her costumes need some work! I hope she can put out some performances this year that rival or even "best" her World's performance last year.

Ando - I think she's come a long way from World's. Her lack of connection with the music at World's was glaring IMO especially after watching Campbell's. She has a ways to go in the artistry department, but I really think she's made good progress.

Sasha - such a talent. I so hope she can pull it together and skate some clean programs this year, and if she's only got a couple clean ones in her, then I hope she saves them for the right competitions!! I love watching her skate. I hope I don't have a heart attack while watching her this season.

Like I said, I hoping to spend some time tonight flipping between Campbell's and World's, and watching these programs "back to back." LOL, I'm getting older so my memory might not be that great.

Anyone else??

DG

 

[hockeyfan228]

Kwan: the choreography at the beginning of Bolero is fuller than any of the Tosca choreography. I think it thins out after that wonderful beginning. It looked to me like Kwan attacked her jumps in at Campbell's with more power than at Worlds.

Cohen: compared to the LP at Dortmund, Cohen had a lot more flow and ease at Campbell's, and the spiral sequence is really wonderful in Nutcracker. But Cohen's Swan Lake at qualis was a lot better than Nutcracker, because she was "on," and she landed everything while remaining in character.

Ando: the new LP has a lot more potential than Firebird ever did. She had little connection to the music in that program, and I see more of the SP Ando than the Firebird Ando in her new program. She may not be suited for putting on a character, and I don't think she needs to.

Arakawa: Her LP at Dortmund was the best Ladies' LP performance I've ever seen. In Romeo and Juliet, particularly the 2nd half of the program, she looked more like 2003 GP Arakawa -- a bit too self-effacing and withdrawn. She's just learning the program, though, and R&J should be terrific by the end of the year.

Sebestyen: Jalousie was a very good program for her last year, but I liked Carmen at first viewing more than I expected. If she takes a bit more time and adds more sweep in the slow section as the year progresses, this could be a great program for her and better than last year's.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I liked Kwan's Tosca at Dortmund. Her choreography is always moving or she makes her choreography move. Kwan doesnt stop skating. She is constantly in motion and no pauses to pose and catch a breadth. She's good and so was Tosca. Like Tosca at Campbells last year, I was not impressed until Worlds, I am hoping the same for Bolero. I was not overwhelmed with Bolero so far, but I am used to seeing her programs get better and better the more she does them. I just wish she would do Salome again at her age now. Wow. By the way, her jumps have gotten so solid. I don't hold my breath anymore when she starts a jump. She's like a balarina who is doing the tricks by muscle. there is no reason for her not to execute a 3x3 or two. The spins are spinning too. The technique is there thanks to Arutunian. She's going to blow the crowd away with that adagio from Spartacus. It's so pretty, but not new to skating.

Shiz always looks a bit timid to me. I think it's part of Asian politeness. I wish she could get a little bit of Midori Ito into her blood and sell it like her competitors do. I really don't remember her Campbells. Was she there? Never mind, the Worlds was sensational. The new one is a work in progress. No comments yet.

Sasha, as always, can sell those extensions! Her program is packed at the beginning with jumps which to me are her weakest asset. She gets them over with and then comes the extensions which just blows everyone away. I think both Campbells are about the same in choreography. Both show her off at her best. It's her jumps that don't grab me. On a good note, she is not making the landing so wobbly as she used to. But for me they look so fragile. There is nothing solid about them. I think they interfere with the program because they become a distraction. JMO. She could use a dose of Arutunian.

Ando. She's a work in progress. The Firebird was better than what many posters said. When she matures more, watch out, she'll be on top.

Sebestyn - Those jumps are sensational but for me she moves much to methodically. I like her though. She seems to be a nice gal.

All the rest of the ladies are there but nothing special. I'm looking forward to Rochette and Poykio to see if they can break the barrier.

Joe