About all these young Russian girls who will be entering seniors next year: Don't forget, they're all due to be hit with puberty pretty soon. It will be interesting to see who survives it.
Which is my worry about Sui and Han. Yes, they're incredable right now, but what happens when the Puberty Monster comes calling on her? Same thing w/the Russian girls about to hit the Sr scene.
Did anyone else watching Bold see the interview PJ did w/Brian Orser during the Mens event? She asked him why so few Ladies did the triple axel and while he did say he thought a part of it was due to the Men having more power and strength to be able to do the jump, by the way he was humming and hawing... I just got the impression Brian was searching for a way to say that what happens during puberty w/a certain part of the body developing on girls also had a part of it, but he couldn't figure how to say that w/out getting himself into trouble, so he didn't say it. Anyway...
I've been waiting a very long time to post this at a skating board...
Congratulations World Champion Carolina Kostner!!!
Finally, she delieved two strong performances w/out imploading due to her nerves and I am beyond thrilled for her tonight. I know some are complaining about the lack of a lutz, but isn't that more to do w/her knee issues than her not being able to do it? I could swear I read somewhere Carolina needed to not do the lutz in order for the knee to heal completely and properly after the last time it reared it's head. Can't remember where I read that, but I could swear I did somewhere over the last year and a bit.
I also can't wait to tell my Brother in Law the news. He imigrated to Canada when he was 13 w/his three brothers, but has never lost his love for the Country of his Birth. Carmen always asks me if Italy has any skaters coming up through the ranks and the last few years, how Carolina's been doing. He's going to so happy to hear this news.
D
Kudos also to Lori Nicholl for giving Carolina two magificant programs this year. Her short program is one of my very favourites of this past season and due to all of the little touches in it. Such as when Carolina hits that spiral position and then goes on the toe pick right on the note of the music...Love that!! Carolina is also one of the first Ladies skater I've seen w/an one piece jumpsuit/costume w/leggings since the costume change took place that not only looks amazing in it, but the costume itself is also stunning. Then again, she's also got the long and gorgeous lines to show off and use that costume to it's advantage too.
I remember the first time seeing her during the coverage of that Skate Canada in St. John's, Newfoundland so long ago and thinking that while she needed to grow into her body, Carolina did have this coltish look to her in those early days IMO, this young lady was someone to keep a close eye on as the years went on. As I said last night, watching her grow up and into the elegant and charming lady she is today has been so much fun, but the only thing missing was a World Championship.
Not anymore.
)
Oh and Carolina wasn't the only one crying during that Medal Ceremony. I proudly admit it w/out shame. I was bawling too.
D
Also so thrilled for Akiko!! After everything she has been through from recovering from Anorexia to not getting the attention from the JSF she should have to just having to fight for every single thing she's acheived in skating...Bronze is pretty darned sweet.
) So thrilled and happy for her. If only her pick hadn't slipped on that lutz, it would have been Silver, but when you look back on all Akiko's gone through and survived...
I'm sure that Bronze will be looked on as a Gold and rightfully so.
I can't say anything about Alena or Mao, as I've been going through another bad bout of my health issues and things have gotten a bit worse again. I've done more sleeping w/the coverage on Bold on here in my room and the DVR in the next room putting everything on DVD than I've watched this week and for those that know what I've going through the last 10 years, that should give you a good idea of just how bad things have really gotten now. Just trying to do the littlest things wipe me out anymore, so all of these early mornings this week?
Yeah.
(
I did see Ashley's amazing skate, but as soon as that last note ended, I literally had to run to the bathroom and when I got back down here, Mao had just gotten her marks. So I can't say anything to add in here about whether or not Alena deserved her Silver or not or how Mao did, as it's kind of tough to do when you haven't seen it. I will say this about Alena though, she's such a spunky thing and her joy of skating just shines from her like a lighthouse beacon, that I can't help but like her. The problem w/her is she's w/Morozov and in turn...Wish she could at the very least go to a different Choreographer, but as long as she's w/Morozov we all know the odds of that happening sadly.
Back to Ashley...WHAT A YEAR!!! ITA w/Toni, it's a bummer she didn't pull off what Tatiana and Maxim did yesterday, but considering so many had written her off a couple of years ago...Well, fourth in the World ain't too shabby.
D Combine that w/the US Ladies Championship and not too bad at *all*. So very proud of her and I can't wait to see what she gives us next season.
As for Alissa...It seems like she never got back in the groove of things after that injury she suffered just before the GPF. I really hope she comes back next year stronger than before.
Not even going to touch on Amelie as it's just too depressing.
What a way to end this year's Worlds!!
Great able to climb from 8th till 4th, pity she didn't do as well in the short, otherwise she would have been on the podium already.
I hope she doesnt choose a princessy program ever again like in the past, this season program suit her so nice!
