Ladies Free: Article (spoilers)

[slutskayafan21]

The last time Irina skated at Torino was Euros 2005, and her FS performance there could be easily beaten by Cohen, Arakawa and/or Kwan. Poykio and Liashenko simply didn't have the goods to take advantage of that situation last year.

So I suppose nothing is written in stone, but Irina would truly have to have a disaster of a skate such as that one to loosen her tight grip on the OGM.

The thing that worries me is that the site might have had something to do with her performance? If that is the case that is concern. Yes there is no way her performance at Europeans in 2005 should win an Oly gold.

 

[R.D.]

In defence of Irina(and yes I am an Irina fan but I am trying to be fair) I will say I have not seen anybody skate well enough to have a chance of actually beating Irina, since Arakawa at the 2004 Worlds or Michelle Kwan at the 2004 U.S nationals, if she skates as she has since Worlds last year. Even with fair judging the other top woman would have to take a big step up from where they all are now, if Irina maintains the same form, to have a chance. I also doubt personally an injured Kwan will reach that level but we will see, she has proven me and others wrong before, but this time it seems more doubtful. Can somebody name me any woman who has skated well enough at any particular event to beat Irina from her last 3 competitions(going back to Worlds last year) in the last 2 seasons(2004-05 season and 2005-06)? If there is I havent seen her at that competition or we have a difference of opinion.

I agree the scoring should be such if she makes a mistake, and one of her chief competitors performs flawlessly and inspired enough, she should be in serious danger, and isnt right now. I think it is similar to Plushenko and his situation in the mens. One gets the impression even if somebody skates well enough to beat them, either would need a disaester to lose the gold.

I'm NOT an Irina fan, and ITA

 

[R.D.]

The thing that worries me is that the site might have had something to do with her performance? If that is the case that is concern. Yes there is no way her performance at Europeans in 2005 should win an Oly gold.

I think it had to do with her medications or something. It would be interesting to see if the location had something to do with her off-performance at Euros. If so, then suddenly she may not have the gold in her hands. It could go to one of the upstart Japanese women.

 

[euterpe]

Last season, Irina had a recurrence of vasculitis symptoms at the end of December and was put back on heavy doses of prednisone to bring her back into remission. The steroids, particularly higher dosages, have side effects that can negatively affect performance, including fluid retention, weight gain, and fatigue. Irina was still on the high dosages during Euros and while she was able to skate a good SP, she wasn't quite up to the FS and had many costly errors.

Her doctors think the stress of competition causes the vasculitis to recur, and that is a concern in this Olympic season. Irina still has one more international competition (the GPF) and Russian Nationals before the end of the year. I'm not sure if she will do Euros and it might be in her best interest to rest after RN to prepare for Torino.

 

[slutskayafan21]

Last season, Irina had a recurrence of vasculitis symptoms at the end of December and was put back on heavy doses of prednisone to bring her back into remission. The steroids, particularly higher dosages, have side effects that can negatively affect performance, including fluid retention, weight gain, and fatigue. Irina was still on the high dosages during Euros and while she was able to skate a good SP, she wasn't quite up to the FS and had many costly errors.

Her doctors think the stress of competition causes the vasculitis to recur, and that is a concern in this Olympic season. Irina still has one more international competition (the GPF) and Russian Nationals before the end of the year. I'm not sure if she will do Euros and it might be in her best interest to rest after RN to prepare for Torino.

Thanks for the information. Hopefully that means it has nothing to with the site, since I read alot of stories that it did, and her coach even worried that it might have been the location.

As Red Dog said if she isnt up to the task, I am starting to think it will be a Japanese since Ando and Arakawa seem to be on a good track right now. Can never count Cohen or Kwan out though.

 

[Mathman]

Thanks for the information. Hopefully that means it has nothing to with the site, since I read a lot of stories that it did, and her coach even worried that it might have been the location.

I didn't hear anything about this. What about the site was supposed to have affected her performance. Something in the water?

I think Irina's PCscores are not inflated at all except for maybe interpetation. If you think about it. The pc scores kind of reflect the technical scores. If you have and average of +1's across the board you get low eights and high sevens. If you have an average 0's you get low sevens. If you have an average of -1 you get sixes.

The simple truth.

There has been a lot of hand-wringing about how the judges are not reading the fine print of the Program Component protocols. But I think we have seen enough of the NJS to see what the real deal is -- skate well, get high marks.

Mathman

PS. Thanks for joining us, Enlight. Welcome to the forum.

 

[Rgirl]

I think Enlight nailed it re the PCS.

But remember, the NJS is a work in progress. In four years, it will bear absolutely NO relation to what happens on the ice. I'm not laughing.

Rgirl

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

A skater like Onda already have a reputation for being an unpolished skater who is only about jumps and power, it is hard for her to knock that no matter how hard she tries.

Certainly for some fans who will not allow for improvements in skaters.

Joe

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I think Irina's PCscores are not inflated at all except for maybe interpetation. If you think about it. The pc scores kind of reflect the technical scores. If you have and average of +1's across the board you get low eights and high sevens. If you have an average 0's you get low sevens. If you have an average of -1 you get sixes

Thank you enlight. I've been saying that from day 1, but the CoP lovers would not have any of it. However, they are beginning to see the light.

Joe

 

[Rgirl]

Last season, Irina had a recurrence of vasculitis symptoms at the end of December and was put back on heavy doses of prednisone to bring her back into remission. The steroids, particularly higher dosages, have side effects that can negatively affect performance, including fluid retention, weight gain, and fatigue. Irina was still on the high dosages during Euros and while she was able to skate a good SP, she wasn't quite up to the FS and had many costly errors.

Her doctors think the stress of competition causes the vasculitis to recur, and that is a concern in this Olympic season. Irina still has one more international competition (the GPF) and Russian Nationals before the end of the year. I'm not sure if she will do Euros and it might be in her best interest to rest after RN to prepare for Torino.

Like I said before, icebergs.

Rgirl