- Joined
- Nov 9, 2007
Ladies LP
- Thread starter lisou
- Start date
As long as she doesn't give up, I don't give up on her. She just got a new coach a few months ago and has been through a lot of changes. She deserves more time. Perhaps the problem is that the press expects her to be perfectly fine now. In reality, I think she needs more than just a few months with Callaghan and Eldredge before showing really noticeable jump improvements. I think she may be feeling the heat to prove herself instead of just relaxing and skating the best she can.
I can't count her out. She made a mess at Nationals last year, but ended up as the highest American finisher at Worlds after only a few weeks with a new coach. And it's not like any of the current American ladies are running away with things. All have their issues, although Kimmie's issues seem to be more mental than the others.
The skate of US ladies skating at this moment isn't dominant enough at this time to claim anyone out of the running. We need to find two skaters who can finish in the top 6 or 7 at Worlds to get the US the three spots for 2010. We'll have to wait until closer to Nationals to have a better idea of which of these ladies are going to be able to do that.
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Now I'm only talking for myself here but just because I noticed Yuna goes onto a slight outside edge doesn't mean I hate her. IMO Yuna is probably one of the most artistic and expressive skaters out there today. I love her style, her interpretation, and her improving flexibility. However, from what I've seen in practice and in competition Yuna's flip does take off of a slight outside edge. For example, in the ladies SP thread someone posted a slow-motion video of Yuna's 3F-3T in practice. When I paused the video right before take off, her blade was on a slight outside edge. Now my opinion may differ from yours and I'm fine with that but just because I think Yuna may occasionally lip definitely does not make me a hater in any way shape or form.
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2007
Its kinda negative but Kimmie and Emily Hughes aren't even close to the same world class skating of Team Japan and Yu Na. Kimmie won a post olympics World where the best were no-shows and even then a few thought Fumie should have got the gold. Its going to be a Team Japan vs Korea Vancover although I think Mira will be a great rep for the USA.
I agree. Btw... has anyone noticed how beautiful she looked today???
she's got such a perfect face and skin... and lovely hair I also love her beautiful chocolate eyes I had no inkling about her two-year plan. I won't deny that Kimmie has made improvements, but her programs are starting to look similar in their mistakes. She starts out with a fall, makes a couple more and the program just goes unbelievably downhill from then on. No, I didn't expect her to be a 100% at this SA. But, just as in the past, I held out some dim hope for her based on the upbeat press we've been getting. I know that she has issues with the flip but I didn't know she had problems with the other jumps as well. I don't think it's a technique issue, her confidence just seems to be nil. I think all these youngsters chasing after her has had a very, very adverse effect on her.
And regarding Mirai...her facial expressions can sometimes be a bit much, but she has lovely posture and carriage. Her takeoffs into the jumps are good for the most part, it's just the landings that are poor. Right now, I'm having more of a problem with her jumps than her occasionally overly cutesy choreography.
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2003
NO, not Mira!! or you talking about Mirai? I hope.
You said it much better than I did. :agree:
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2005
Ok, I have to say I'm a little dissappointed that the US didn't win a ladies medal. But It was Rachaels and Mirai's first GP assignment. They both just looked a little overwelmed. Kimmie, even with the mistakes she looks better then last year. But I have to agree Kimmie still looks too muscular in the legs. I think these girls have a lot of work ahead of them. Maybe Caroline and Ashley will have better outing since they were in the GP last year. Maybe they will surprise us and come out swinging.
Regarding Kimmie, it just occurred to me that Yu-Na made a pretty big move to Canada in order to work with Brian Orser. That had to have been a huge change for her and yet she coped relatively well enough in competition. Couple that with the fact Yu-Na has had some pretty serious health issues and I'm more convinced than ever that Kimmie is having some mental issues. I wouldn't be surprised if a lack of confidence is at the root of the problem.
Just finished watching the NBC coverage. I liked that they showed some of the ladies' short programs this year, that was a nice surprise. Fans of other disciplines would probably be disappointed as I don't think they even acknowledged that there was a dance and a pairs competition at SA, lol. At least a recap might have been useful (maybe during that Sports Update thingy).
Anyway, now I understand why Yuna gets the praise she does. Getting to watch her in HDTV made the difference...I saw things that didn't really come through on the internet stream. And I did think her score in the FS was about right for what she did. I still think she was overscored in the short, but still deserved over 60 points.
A good competition overall. I enjoyed watching it. It's clear that Yuna was a class above everyone else, and Ando and Nakano are still well ahead of the Americans. However, it should be pointed out that Nagasu and Flatt are fresh in the international senior spotlight and I think they really proved today that they are top 10 material. As for Meissner, I think this competition is purely a learning experience for her, and those jump issues are not going to magically disappear just because she made that switch.
Anyway, now I understand why Yuna gets the praise she does. Getting to watch her in HDTV made the difference...I saw things that didn't really come through on the internet stream. And I did think her score in the FS was about right for what she did. I still think she was overscored in the short, but still deserved over 60 points.
A good competition overall. I enjoyed watching it. It's clear that Yuna was a class above everyone else, and Ando and Nakano are still well ahead of the Americans. However, it should be pointed out that Nagasu and Flatt are fresh in the international senior spotlight and I think they really proved today that they are top 10 material. As for Meissner, I think this competition is purely a learning experience for her, and those jump issues are not going to magically disappear just because she made that switch.
Yu-na and Kimmie moved for different reasons. When Yu-na went to Orser she already came to him with great technique (the only thing that she wanted help with was the loop and maybe learning the triple axel) She went there because she felt Orser could get her to the next level, but the raw material was already there for Orser to work with.
Meissner has jumping issues that Yu-na doesn't have. And Richard C has actually serious technical problems to fix, not just "polishing her up."
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2008
Here's a link to Kimmie's LP: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FIaJqrB4M0
The user is also putting up other LPs as well I believe.
Poor Kimmie...that was hard to watch. I really think the overall quality of her skating has improved so much, but those jumps...
I remain hopeful though that they'll improve yet. Callaghan was never going to be able to wave a magic wand and make her troubles go away, but it must be disheartening for her to still be struggling.
The user is also putting up other LPs as well I believe.
Poor Kimmie...that was hard to watch. I really think the overall quality of her skating has improved so much, but those jumps...
I remain hopeful though that they'll improve yet. Callaghan was never going to be able to wave a magic wand and make her troubles go away, but it must be disheartening for her to still be struggling.
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I too agree - I really feel that Kimmie looks great and was very pleasing to watch in many ways; i really hope she does have a two year plan and that it works well for her and really wish Weir would get with that kind of program, but I digress.
I do agree too that Yu-na is amazing - but just like last year, i still see little things that on someone so good, so in a class of her own, they just stick out - so she still has the lack of turn out of the knee and lacks, at times some toe point and finish with those legs....and even her spiral could use some work...but, I really, really enjoyed her programs and hope she stays healthy for the rest of the season.
I also really enjoyed Miki and Yukari - and agree with the general sentiment that the latter had way better choreo - but wow, Miki can jump and jump high - it looks great.
Rachel is someone I have enormous respect for - but she did appear slow and labored - hope that can improve, and Mirai does need to adjust to her new body, but I look forward to seeing both of them throughout the season. This year's US and Japanese nationals are going to be serious nail biters.
- Joined
- May 2, 2007
You said it, you can pretty much see her fingers move, and it was wonderful. Her facial expressions are terrific.
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2007
I'm a fan of Rachael but I really wish she would go to someone other than Lori Nichol for choreography. Her FS this year reminds me a lot of her FS last year. I would love to see her work with David Wilson (and I'm not just saying that because he's my favorite
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- Joined
- Jan 23, 2008
This reminded me so much of MK's Scherezade, but I thought that was a lovely program so...imitation is the kindest form of flattery! I think it works very well for Yu-Na. Obviously there are parts to be worked on; her spins looked slower than in the SP, and that popped jump, but I'm sure that will be gone by the end of the season. Overall a very powerful LP for Yu-Na with actual choreography (as in playing to the music); Mao better be working hard.
Oh and I think her spirals are actually improved from last season, but agree that there is always room for improvement.
Oh, I don't even want to think about Nationals. It is going to be so intense. I'll be sitting on the edge of my seat the entire time.
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2007
I think YuNa's spiral has improved so much and is almost excellent at this point. She has so much speed and has such control during the edge change. She has nice arch on her back and also doesn't glide sideways like so many ladies with more "stretch". As much as I don't care for Kostner, her spiral has amazing ice coverage because she has such deep edge.
I wish people should stop judging spiral solely on how flexible it looks but look at the edge control and speed. One thing I dislike about Mao's spiral is that no matter how stretched she is, she looks like she's crawling during her spiral sequence. Not to mention her weak edge change.
emma --- I wasn't directing this at you but just used your quote as a starting point for my soapbox.
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