Ladies Free

[LBC]

Kimmie deserved to win but those PCS scores were ridiculous. She should have never gotten a 129. Did her skating skills improve that much in a day? I can understand execution being high but the rest were ridiculous. Fumie so much better presentation wise than Kimmie with a good skate and got the same component score. I think they just wanted to make sure she beat Sasha who had a 6 pt. lead over Kimmie.

Kimmie has to deal with Asada and Kim next year. She just didn't have anybody here who could match her technically. Also skated with no pressure. I congratulate her though because she won fair and square.

Fumie was good but not good enough. Can't do the 3/3's and doesn't have the flexiblitly to do multiple beillmans just isn't going to get her the points.

Sasha wasn't horrendous as she's skated much worse before. She started out OK but then after the flip she had visions of her qualifying skate it went downhill.
Points were just flying out the window afterwards. The look on her face afterwards was heartbreaking. She looked so devestated in that first interview.
The girl needs to go off somewhere alone and get some rest and figure out what she wants to do without any influence from anybody else.

Elena was good and deserved to be 3rd in the free skate but was just too far behind to begin with.

Joannie I felt bad for too in Canada.

Yukari- That music just isn't her. That dress. Umm not her either. Unitard in SP that was Yukari. Got good jumps with the wrap but rest not there yet.

I

 

[R.D.]

You call two 3/3's and a 2/2/2 boring? A perfect, clean, 7 triple performance boring? I'd take that over a head case that can't skate clean.

But take away the jumps and you have...nothing! Sorry, just not a fan of her skating. But at least she's somewhat "likeable" and "cheery".

 

[Mathman]

Was Mao Asada too young to compete at worlds as well or did she not qualify from japan federation?

Too young.

 

[heyang]

I was surprised to see the result and not so thrilled. Sasha and Fumie have the goods to beat the younger jumping beans- but not tonight. It was a fair win. Kimmie put the cleanest package out there technically. Like everyone else, I think she is a nice girl. She doesn't bug me like Tara did. I just wanted her to mature a bit before she reached the top of the podium. I do feel for Sasha. I think this was her best chance at a World gold. However, I have been wrong many times.

I totally agree with you on this one. I didn't care if I heard the results before watching; so, I turned the TV on toward the end of the broadcast just as they were announcing Kimmie's win. You could've knocked me over with a slight push. Of course, I watched my TiVO recording right afterwards. Kimmie definitely was the best skater of the night - She's the only one in the last group who didn't make any major mistakes and had all the technical content. Yes, Kimmie does have some maturing to do, but I think she's up to the task.

Like Johnny Weir, Sasha's heart didn't seem to be out on the ice. I realize it's hard for a skater to have Oly's and World's, but I do believe that if you decide to go to World's you had better want to be there.

 

[jsteam4501s]

Way ta go, Kimmie!!

Those who don't like her skating are already pointing to future seasons, what she'll have to contend with next year, blah,blah, etc, etc.

She just defeated two 3-time World medalists, one of which also has 2 Olympic medals and the other is what, 5-time Japanese champion - and every one of the other 6 in the top 7 is 20 or over, and more experienced in international competition - and that still is not impressive enough for you, eh?

Gimmie Kimmie!!

 

[R.D.]

No question that what she did was great.

But for ME, it was a snoozer.

 

[jsteam4501s]

Is there something wrong with me? The only female skaters I have EVER found boring were: Kwan, after '98 Olympics
Surya Bonally, ALWAYS
Claudia Leistner, the old West Germany, in the 80;s

I guess I just LUUUUUUUUVVVVVVVV the Ladies!! All ages, styles, whatever - I am 64 - girls just don't BORE me!!

Gimmie Kimmie!!

 

[Jaana]

I feel very sad for Sasha, she definetely tried to do her best. The jumps just were not working, she had to fight each one of them. On the other hand Kimmie was technically so much above Cohen (triple-triples) and also hugely overscored in PCS, that even if Sasha had skated a jumpingwise perfect programme, she might not have won anyway.

I will always see Sasha as one of the skaters whose skating really pleases my eye. It does not matter whether she manages all jumps or not. I would suggest her to turn pro and join SOI-tour, she as a very versatile skater would be a big hit and a true asset there. Besides she has the titles of US champion, two-time World silver medalist and an Olympic silver medalist. Those are something to be very proud of, there are lots and lots of skaters that will never achieve even close to those titles. And there are skaters that have achieved more, but not all of them are such a pleasure to watch skating.

I was impressed by Kimmie´s jumping, but otherwise I thought that she looks too coltish and her juniorish skating did not deserve the PCS scores she got. Also I could not understand from where Sokolova with practically no transitions or interpretation got her high scores?

I´m feeling very proud and happy for our two beautiful and elegant looking lady skaters Susanna Poykio and Kiira Korpi! Wonderful, in next season´s Worlds there will also be 2 places for Finnish ladies. I was very glad that Susanna skated so well and also seemed to have more speed than normally.

 

[bethissoawesome]

It feels like it is too early for the new kids to start winning it, but this year might be Kimmie's best shot. I think Yu-Na will crush the competition undoubtedly (barring injury), Mao will be there too, but I would hedge my bet if it were only on Mao. Yu-Na seems more "steddy eddy" like Kwan.

 

[Rgirl]

First of all, a hearty congratulations to our new FS World champion, Kimmie Meissner! I thought she was great! IMO, Meissner had the best winning LP performance and choreography since '01, except for Shizuka Arakawa in '04. Okay, Shizza was only two years ago, but considering it's her first Worlds, I say great for her. Now it's definitely time to change it to "Kim Meissner."

Having seen KM live, IMO, she's one of those skaters who comes across weaker than she really is on TV. Live, they way she uses those long limbs is both sophisticated and expressive. Live, she carries an aura of great power. That doesn't come across on TV, plus the angular arm movements, even though they got rid of most of them, don't allow Kim to use some of her strong points.

I agree she's limited, but so are most teenage first time champs.

Geez, Joe. How long are you going to blame Tara Lipinski for everything you don't like about teenage skaters? Get a grip.

I'm thrilled for Fumie, even though I admit those bent knees and turned in hips are not pleasant for me to watch. But as I said in another post, I think Suguri has anatomically hyperflexed knees and femoral anteversion (turned in hips). In other words, she's doing the best with the way her joints are built.

But her stroking and speed across the ice is a wonder to behold. It's another thing you've got to see live to appreciate, but really, she covers half the rink in three strokes--and sooo smoooth! Wouldn't it be ironic if her great stroking is due to the hyperflexed knees and femoral anteversion? Stranger things...

I read in a post that Fumie is studying or may already have her degree in sports science. I hope she does because I think she could become a real powerhouse as a coach. Often it's those who have had problems to overcome or work with are the ones who can really help others.

But tonight's (well, last night) the night for saying, "Congratulations, Fumie Suguri, on your World silver medal!" I can't say I liked her choreography, but except for the step-out on one jump, I thought she skated wonderfully. She spins like nobody's business! I'll take the occasional awkward position for that kind of speed. But all in all, she skated her best with that great big heart of hers. Of course Fumie wanted gold, but after two bronzes and no OWG medal in two tries, I hope she's happy and that Japan is honoring her properly.

As for Sasha, I'm happy for her given what was written on the wall at the Olympics. Skate gods, head case, or everything in between, sometimes athletes like this just come along and nobody ever understands why, not even or maybe especially the athlete. My 2 cents are that this girl has been gradually wearing herself down mentally, musculoskeletally (injuries), and physiologically (illness from stress and overtraining) since at least '02.

It is so difficult when you've been entrenched in a tightly clenched world like figure skating doing what you love to see anything clearly. For what it's worth, which is nothing, I'd love to see her take a year off and do something like go to fashion design school. That and eat.

However, I give my heartiest congratulations to Sasha Cohen for getting through the last month with some of the most beautiful, emotionally moving (at least for me) skating I've ever seen, both at the Olympics and Calgary, although I found her skating moving in Calgary for different reasons than it moved me in Torino. In Calgary I was moved seeing her JUST KEEP PUSHING ON, through every crappy landing, without a molecule of energy left, dead behind the eyes, and still kicking through.

I only wish she and David Wilson had left well enough alone and hadn't changed her LP. During her first combo spin I saw her get off the music--something I haven't seen her do ever, I don't think--and I thought, "Uh oh, something's up and it ain't good." Sure enough, the order of things was changed around, music was changed. I mean, why? Didn't scary Robin Wagner scare you into never doing that again?

Well, water under the bridge. CONGRATULATIONS, Sasha Cohen, on your World bronze medal, even though I wish you'd lost by more. To lose by less than a point will really annoy you. Losing by five or more points and it's "Eh? Wasn't meant to be."

But oh, tears for Joannie Rochette. SUCH a uniquely beautiful skater and it was as if she was being thrown off by sun spots or something Mathman plays around with, meaning something cosmological. It just broke my heart.

If I'm the only one who loved the ladies event, so be it. And this stuff about, "If you're going to go from the Olympics to Worlds, you'd better want to be there." Okay, Johnny SAID, "I don't want to be here," but do any of us know what kind of pressures the USFSA put on him and Sasha to both go to Worlds as US National Champions? No. And we don't know anything about what was going on with Sasha at all because she didn't really say. I thought she spoke with the bags under her eyes and complete lack of color in her skin. They went, they tried, they failed--based on expectations. Is life.

Or as Oscar Wilde said and which I put in another post, "There are two tragedies in life. One is not getting your heart's desire. The other is getting it."

Rgirl

 

[Rgirl]

Is there something wrong with me? The only female skaters I have EVER found boring were: Kwan, after '98 Olympics
Surya Bonally, ALWAYS
Claudia Leistner, the old West Germany, in the 80;s

I guess I just LUUUUUUUUVVVVVVVV the Ladies!! All ages, styles, whatever - I am 64 - girls just don't BORE me!!

Gimmie Kimmie!!

I don't know you from nuthin', but you seem fine to me. Although I must say that Surya Bonaly LIVE on the COI tour was always among the top three best skaters, and I mean the whole chiuahua. Always got a standing O, including from me who used to run screaming from the room when I saw her on TV. But we need not agree.

As for Michelle--psst, meet me in the courtyard under the bridge behind the CIA bar next to the man wearing a bra. We can't talk here.

But I HAD to post the absolute BEST contribution to this thread: GIMMIE KIMMIE!

I take back everything I said about how she should become Kim now.

Rgirl

 

[Mathman]

But for ME it was a snoozer.

Ah, Red Dog, can't you give the girl ONE DAY to rejoice before you start in on her?

Claudia Leistner, the old West Germany, in the 80's.

Claudia boring? Never!

http://www.efsc2004.hu/hun/pict/echw/leistner.jpg

(Gimme Kimmie! :agree: )

On the other hand Kimmie was technically so much above Cohen (triple-triples) and also hugely overscored in PCS, that even if Sasha had skated a jumpingwise perfect programme, she might not have won anyway.

I think that if Sasha had skated better (or if she had skated after Kimmie), Kimmie would not have received such high PCS.

I´m feeling very proud and happy for our two beautiful and elegant looking lady skaters Susanna Poykio and Kiira Korpi! Wonderful, in next season´s Worlds there will also be 2 places for Finnish ladies. I was very glad that Susanna skated so well and also seemed to have more speed than normally.

Mathman

 

[Mathman]

Now Rgirl, you know my poor old eyes can't read such small print. I could barely make out that part where you were saying "Michelle rules."

 

[graceness]

However, I give my heartiest congratulations to Sasha Cohen for getting through the last month with some of the most beautiful, emotionally moving (at least for me) skating I've ever seen, both at the Olympics and Calgary, although I found her skating moving in Calgary for different reasons than it moved me in Torino. In Calgary I was moved seeing her JUST KEEP PUSHING ON, through every crappy landing, without a molecule of energy left, dead behind the eyes, and still kicking through.
Rgirl

Rgirl, I don't understand why the praise for Sasha 'pushing on' in her Calgary program? I mean, what's the alternative? Skating off the ice while the music is still playing? Lots of skaters have low performances, and yup, I'd expect every one of them to complete the program. They are elite level skaters, so, of course, they're gonna 'push on.'

Graceness

 

[CDMM1991]

Rgirl, I don't understand why the praise for Sasha 'pushing on' in her Calgary program? I mean, what's the alternative? Skating off the ice while the music is still playing? Lots of skaters have low performances, and yup, I'd expect every one of them to complete the program. They are elite level skaters, so, of course, they're gonna 'push on.'

Graceness

I'll have to disagree. You see a lot of skaters where after they make a few mistakes they just give up. The presentation of the program is gone, the expression is gone, everything is done half-heartedly. You have to give Sasha props for not letting the presentation go whatsoever even though the jumps weren't going her way.

 

[Jasper]

I'll have to disagree. You see a lot of skaters where after they make a few mistakes they just give up. The presentation of the program is gone, the expression is gone, everything is done half-heartedly. You have to give Sasha props for not letting the presentation go whatsoever even though the jumps weren't going her way.

I'd say that that was the case in Torino, but not here. She lacked the passion from the very first minute of the program and didn't show much fight to me. She just didn't sell the choreography and it was by far the worst I've seen her skate her Romeo and Juliet.

 

[Dee4707]

Rgirl, I don't understand why the praise for Sasha 'pushing on' in her Calgary program? I mean, what's the alternative? Skating off the ice while the music is still playing? Lots of skaters have low performances, and yup, I'd expect every one of them to complete the program. They are elite level skaters, so, of course, they're gonna 'push on.'

Graceness

Graceness, Rgirl was sharing her feelings and opinion about Sasha's skate. She used words like I give, I found, I was moved. She wasn't asking you to feel the same. I think she can praise Sasha if she wants to but I don't think that's what she doing, she was giving Sasha credit for what she did.

Dee

 

[CalloftheBlade]

After watching Kimmie's jump sequences in slow-mo... I honestly think that her triple-triples should have been downgraded to triple doubles... both combos had really severe pre-rotation going into the second jumps (toe axels?) I know Miki Ando had the same the problem with her triple lutz triple loop comboes, Ando's jumps always seemed to be clean to me but then I never really noticed her heavy prerotation into her loop until someone pointed it out on another post. What do you guys think?

 

[R.D.]

I haven't watched in slow mo but I think Meissner deserved the win anyway.

 

[Mafke]

After watching Kimmie's jump sequences in slow-mo... I honestly think that her triple-triples should have been downgraded to triple doubles... both combos had really severe pre-rotation going into the second jumps (toe axels?) .... What do you guys think?

I don't think it should have made any real difference in the final outcome, but yeah, those toe loops are suspect IMO. She really throws her right leg forward the same time she's picking with the left and it looks strange, almost like she's doing a half-loop, very weird looking in slo-mo.