Ladies LP

[Skye]

I'm with you Medusa. Besides Joannie whom I lurrrrve, Katrina's free skate was the highlight of the night for me. Every position she hits is gorgeous and though she does not have the flip and her lutz is inconsistent she makes up for her lack of jumps in other elements more than enough. She was received pretty well by the judges in the PCS department too, considering this is her first ever international senior event. There was rumor after Nationals that she and her coach had declined the ticket to Worlds but I'm not buying it. I like Kimmie as a person and feel sorry for her all the troubles she is going through lately, but Katrina truly deserves to skate in Sweden.

 

[BelleFilleYuna]

I agree with you guys, Medusa and inloveagain.
I was there at the arena both Ladies SP and LP, and Katrina was the most pleasing to watch. She has such gorgeous positions and beutiful lines that you just get mesmerized by her performance. She was like an angel in her white SP dress. What a lovely girl!! I can't get her out of my head. I'll definitely keep my eye on her and I hope she'll have many opportunities to skate at international competition.:yes:

Mao was brilliant today. She looked so confident in the warm-up, hitting every 3A she attemped. Her FS was just great and I thought she brought out the best in her tonight!! That burgundy dress suits her so well and she was so cute when she spoke Korean!!

Joannie was superb too!! I saw her really upclose and personal on SP night when she came out of the arena with her coach and you know what, every clips, every pictures of Joannie doesn't do justice at all. She has such a small frame and so petite that you just want to give her a hug! I'm just happy she had great SP and confidence-boosting LP.

Miki, oh poor Miki. I think she could have skated better if it were not for quad salchow she decided to put in. She looked nervous until she tried that quad then looked relieved for the rest of the program. But I applaud to you, Miki for that brave attempt.:agree:

As for that Korean gal, Na-Young, I think she could be a force to be reckoned with if she masters other triples and polish up her style. She has such a solid Flip and Lutz and I hope she will improve on. Finally Yuna can have a teammate!!

On a side note, I was worried a bit this competition might end up in dull mood b/o Yuna's withdrawal but the audience equally supported and cheered for every skaters. I'm so happy that my home people are enjoying figure-skating, not just Yuna.

 

[Marine63]

1 Mao ASADA JPN 132.31 71.91 60.40 7.75 7.29 7.61 7.64 7.46 0.00 #21
2 Joannie ROCHETTE CAN 119.50 63.40 56.10 7.14 6.82 7.18 6.96 6.96 0.00 #20
3 Na-Young KIM KOR 105.41 58.27 47.14 6.14 5.54 6.00 6.04 5.75 0.00 #22
4 Ashley WAGNER USA 105.17 57.50 47.67 6.18 5.68 6.04 5.93 5.96 0.00 #14
5 Mira LEUNG CAN 104.35 57.66 46.69 5.93 5.68 5.82 6.04 5.71 0.00 #18
6 Katrina HACKER USA 104.00 58.25 45.75 5.82 5.39 5.89 5.79 5.71 0.00 #13
7 Cynthia PHANEUF CAN 102.04 56.38 47.66 6.14 5.68 5.86 6.04 6.07 2.00 #16
8 Fumie SUGURI JPN 94.82 47.44 47.38 6.21 5.68 5.86 6.04 5.82 0.00 #17
9 Beatrisa LIANG USA 90.20 44.36 47.84 6.11 5.71 5.96 6.11 6.00 2.00 #19
10 Yan LIU CHN 86.76 50.18 36.58 4.93 4.21 4.79 4.50 4.43 0.00 #7
11 Yueren WANG CHN 85.19 50.15 35.04 4.68 3.93 4.57 4.43 4.29 0.00 #10
12 Binshu XU CHN 78.77 40.06 40.71 5.50 4.86 5.11 5.04 4.93 2.00 #15
13 Melinda Sherilyn WANG TPE 73.63 39.19 36.44 4.64 4.29 4.46 4.64 4.75 2.00 #11
14 Chae-Hwa KIM KOR 69.09 33.49 35.60 4.75 4.07 4.50 4.57 4.36 0.00 #8
15 Loretta HAMUI MEX 65.02 34.55 30.47 4.00 3.43 3.86 4.04 3.71 0.00 #9
16 Tina WANG AUS 63.71 33.30 30.41 3.96 3.57 3.86 3.86 3.75 0.00 #6
17 Lejeanne MARAIS RSA 61.14 34.50 26.64 3.29 3.07 3.36 3.50 3.43 0.00 #5
18 Ana Cecilia CANTU MEX 57.66 25.35 33.31 4.14 3.82 4.11 4.43 4.32 1.00 #12
19 Tamami ONO HKG 56.99 27.70 29.29 3.82 3.39 3.75 3.71 3.64 0.00 #1
20 Gracielle Jeanne TAN PHI 52.38 26.13 28.25 3.61 3.43 3.36 3.64 3.61 2.00 #4
21 Corenne BRUHNS MEX 48.26 22.83 25.43 3.25 2.86 3.21 3.39 3.18 0.00 #2
22 Charissa TANSOMBOON THA 46.97 22.89 25.08 3.25 2.96 2.96 3.39 3.11 1.00 #3

Na-Young inches ahead of Mira into 3rd with 158.49. Strangely, her most reliable triples are the lutz and flip, and those are the only ones she usually attempts. There's definitely a lot of potential here.

I think they should reward skaters with extra 10% bonus if they do all 5 types of triples, i.e., Ashley Wagner. It shows you are a more complete skater.
Anyone else think so?

 

[Medusa]

On a side note, I was worried a bit this competition might end up in dull mood b/o Yuna's withdrawal but the audience equally supported and cheered for every skaters. I'm so happy that my home people are enjoying figure-skating, not just Yuna.

You should be happy and proud - the crowd was so fantastic - they cheered for everybody, and not just for the jumps but also for great spins, great spirals... I was so impressed especially during the men's competition, Korea doesn't have a male skater who competed there - but they cheered for everyone, in the last two groups nearly everyone got standing ovations. They should plan a World-Championship in Korea!

I think they should reward skaters with extra 10% bonus if they do all 5 types of triples, i.e., Ashley Wagner. It shows you are a more complete skater.
Anyone else think so?

It is a good idea and lots of people already suggested the same. But Ashley wouldn't get those 10%. Because if they would do it, it would probably require a true lutz - and Ashely has a really bad flutz.

 

[Marine63]

Now I feel officially sorry for Katrina Hacker. She is great, I love her style. Imagine skating so good at Nationals that you place in front of the last year's champion - even if that champion had a complete meltdown. But the powers-that-be chose that champion for worlds - but you get to go to the 4CC. Now at the 4CC you skate so good that you place in front of the ladies that placed third and fifth in the same Nationals. And I think that Hacker was undermarked in PCS. The whole situation has to be frustrating.

I think it would be fair to give Hacker the ticket to worlds. She worked hard for it, she skated well at the events! I didn't know that she had the Lutz, I thought she had only the three easier triples. She pulled off a solid 5-Triple performance today - the USFSA is not much better than the Japanese or the Russians if they deny her the deserved reward for all her work and effort.

Have you seen the great Spiral-Sequence? She got +1,43 GOE for it - overall 4,83 points...

Hacker was wonderful. So light across the ice and great posture. See her LP here:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=x3MHRTwNysA

 

[hazey]

IMO, a 10% bonus is way too much. 10% of a score of 100 would be 10, more than two spins. Way too much in my book.

Skaters who don't have all 5 triples (and no triple axel) are already being penalized by not being able to do the max of 7 triples.

In the case of having a triple axel, well, I wouldn't want to see Asada switch a loop or flip for a salchow. I'm not a huge fan of that jump.

Btw, protocols say Asada got GOE +1.86 for her 3A. Is that the highest 3A score for women this season?

 

[Mathman]

In the case of having a triple axel, well, I wouldn't want to see Asada switch a loop or flip for a salchow. I'm not a huge fan of that jump.

But if she switched her last double Axel for a triple Salchow she would have an eight triple program! That would not just win a championship, it would make history.

Thanks everyone for the great play-by-play. I didn't stay up for it, but this morning it's like "seeing" the whole contest unfold.

Welcome Delray1977. Thanks for joining us. Post often, post long! :agree:

 

[hazey]

But if she switched her last double Axel for a triple Salchow she would have an eight triple program! That would not just win a championship, it would make history.

Her last jump always looks like it's being barely completed in time. If she does a salchow, she'll get a -1 time deduction.

Edit: I totally forgot to thank everyone who did pbp. Thanks a ton!

Just my 2 cents on what stood out for me at 4cc '08:
Hacker & Wagner - so full of attack
Rochette - I <3 her passionate performance
Na-Young - lovely and so full of potential
Mira Leung - I'm still 0_O at her change this season
Asada - speechless. Looking forward to seeing her 3F-3T fully rotated soon.

 

[gsk8]

Netnuts I'm getting really tired of your immature and hostile comments about skaters you don't like. Try showing a little more class and tact or find another board.

 

[Sackie]

Although Ashley Wagner placed 8th here, the competition from 4th to 8th was really close and Phaneuf (7th) and Hacker (6th) won't be at worlds. It's also highly likely that she'll place above Leung (5th) & Young-Kim (4th).

I think Kimmie will come back fighting, plus she has the PCS that will enable her to have an okay performance and still place in the top 6 at Worlds.

I'm predicting a 6th and 7th place finish for the US Ladies.

Yes Ashley finished 5th in the long here but there was no Yuna, Kimmie, Yukari here and that would bump her to 8th. As well you have Carolina, Sarah and at least one of the Fins from Euros who will prob be ahead of her. This would move her out of the top ten. In fact if you take the top FSs from Euros and 4CC Ashleys would be 9th and that's with out 3 big players in the mix. So those who also thought Mira might have an outside shot at top 12 at worlds are also pushing it.

Wouldn't it be fairer to the skaters to just say you hope they skate their best at worlds and let the placements fall where they will instead of once again putting the pressure on them to bring home the 3 spots for next year.

 

[laceup]

Netnuts I'm getting really tired of your immature and hostile comments about skaters you don't like. Try showing a little more class and tact or find another board.

Thank you for this!!! I have been feeling the exact same way!!!

 

[NorthernLite]

Haven't read all the reports yet, let alone seen video. But had to comment on these kinds of posts:

Imagine skating so good at Nationals that you place in front of the last year's champion - even if that champion had a complete meltdown. But the powers-that-be chose that champion for worlds - but you get to go to the 4CC.

I guess you all missed the speculation that Hacker's coaches declined the Worlds offer from the USFS.

Oh well, a new bandwagon to jump on, now that people *aren't* so sure that Ashley Wagner will be the savior of this year's Worlds team - as so many were predicting just a couple short days ago.

Anyhoo, yay for Joannie!!!

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I guess you all missed the speculation that Hacker's coaches declined the Worlds offer from the USFS.

I did. Is there anything on boards about that which is not speculation? If it's true,they are saving her for their own purpose. Don't blame them The Boys may have a future gold medal to look at in Katrina..

I picked her out from the Icenetwork Sectionals as a 'special' skater, so I am not surprised how well she is doing.

Oh well, a new bandwagon to jump on, now that people *aren't* so sure that Ashley Wagner will be the savior of this year's Worlds team - as so many were predicting just a couple short days ago.

Most people (in fact a large percentage) judge a skater by the last competition that they saw that skater in. IMO, Ashley was also top ten in her Senior debut and I think was severely marked in her SP. She also did a commendable job at US Nats and in Skate Canada. It's lyric v. bravura and lyric always wins for the ladies and bravura always for the men. I don't believe that comparison is correct but that's the way it is in Skateland.

Joe

Joe

 

[mylastduchess]

Oh btw, Two second tier American skaters made top 10. and with the top Asian skaters around. Maybe, maybe, maybe the Americans will get 13 points at Worlds. Canada may even get a medal.

Joe

What do you mean 2nd tier Bebe, Wagner, and Hacker are the top 3 placing Senior women at Us nationals!

 

[SamuraiKike]

Too bad for Miki. I was really hoping for that quead. Never liked ROchette very much but it seems she skated her best and I gotta give her credit for that. Asada is amazing..

and Bebe oh Bebe

 

[McWicked]

Worlds team should be Wagner, Hacker and Meissner!!!

 

[Medusa]

Oh well, a new bandwagon to jump on, now that people *aren't* so sure that Ashley Wagner will be the savior of this year's Worlds team - as so many were predicting just a couple short days ago.

Well, I didn't belong to these people that predicted that Wagner is the next big thing. Plus, I am not American and couldn't care less if you get zero, one, two or three spots at the next worlds/olympics etc. In my opinion it is about fairness and after seeing Hacker's programs at the Nationals I was already impressed and didn't like the fact that she would not perform at worlds. Now she had an impressive debut on the senior circle and proved that she performs well, even under pressure. She worked hard - she should get what she deserves for her hard work.

It's lyric v. bravura and lyric always wins for the ladies and bravura always for the men. I don't believe that comparison is correct but that's the way it is in Skateland.

For me it's not about her lyrical style - I enjoy skaters like Miki Ando, the 2004-Arakawa and Slutskaya. But after the long line of jumping Bubblegum-teens (Meissner, Hughes, Hughes, Wagner) and cute little Baby-Ballerinas (Zhang, Nagasu) from the US - I certainly enjoy seeing a skater that despite her age seems somewhat ladylike on the ice, not over the top, elegant...

Worlds team should be Wagner, Hacker and Meissner!!!

That's really unfair. Liang had this bad competition, but she still placed higher than Hacker and Meissner in the Nationals. Also her short wasn't bad.

 

[Skye]

Fuji TV showed the top ladies free skate.

I have to wonder why the caller ratified Asada's 3flip-3loop combination. The loop was less rotated than the downgraded one in the short (you could definitely see the hook on the landing) and some judges must have noticed, as GOEs were all over the place from -2 to +2. The 3axel was the best I've seen from her since 2005 GPF when she beat Irina.

Team Rochette should really rethink that 3toe-3sal sequence. It is so late in the program with such little space the success rate is bound to be low even though the salchow is Joannie's best jump. Why doesn't she go for the 3flip-3toe combo instead, like she does in the short program?

Miki had her thighs taped, and her jumps did not have the spring or height it usually does when she is in her best condition. She looked mentally healthier though, and the Korean crowd was very supportive for her.

The Other Kim Girl was surprisingly good, and it's odd that she has the flip and lutz but doesn't attempt any edge jumps which are supposed to be easier. It looked like she hasn't had much experience performing in front of an audience, but I have no doubt that her performance skills should get much better once she gets used to it.

 

[flying camel]

I can never understand why Bebe has so many fans. She is a disastrous skater, has NEVER skated a clean long program.

It's a complete waste to send her to the worlds.... Her posture is horrific.

I think she needs to loose a few pounds. She seems to have endurance issues. She is usually good in the beginning of her program. This will be her only shot at worlds. I just hope she is able to land some of her jumps and do well enough to keep three places.

Hacker just needs to learn that flip jump.

 

[fourclover]

I don't see how Ashley could be in fifth place. She was totally robbed in the SP - 12th place??? I just saw her program on Youtube and that's at least a fourth place performance there. She's artistically far more superior than Mira or the two Kim girls. There's no way Mira and Na-Young is ahead of Ashley in SP or LP. SHE WAS ROBBED. Figure skating is no fun now.

I thought Mao's LP dress was gorgeous and went well with the program. I thought her score was lower than expected.