After all these years & decades, I still make sure to watch ladies, of course, lol. Though I've been bad & haven't had the time nor the inclination to watch the SPs, yet (had someone tape them for me but still haven't gotten around to watching them, oh well).
BUT, I redeemed myself & watched, *I think*, all of the ladies LPs that were shown on NBC (though I do admit to nodding off for at least a couple of them).
That said, I recall watching the Georgian girl (Scotty's fav & someone I recall watching skate just before Sasha Cohen took to the ice at the 2006 Olympics). She did well. And then there was Fumie, same ole same ole. Hmm, who else. Rachael Flatt, good job, thought she would finish #7 (like Sarah Hughes did in her first debut at Worlds, but she even bettered that position, kudos to her!). Carolina Kostner, the statuesque beauty I recall saying was a precious diamond the first time I ever saw her skate, and that hasn't changed ~ *if*, always that if, she could get it together she would be on the podium, mayhap even the top (but the same could be said of Nicole Bobek, and so it goes...). Who else, let me think, aha of course the top 4, and then there was a few I recall only in name only (Leonova? and someone else like Leposito?).
Okay, now to the top 4. Joannie Rochette, with her silver medal win, she keeps the hope alive for skaters like Cohen & Kwan, and possibly Flatt & the other top 4 from US Nationals (except Czisny IMHO, nothing against her, just my humble opinion). And I was so proud of Miki Ando ~ she fulfilled practically everything I felt the first time I saw her skate ~ just add the quad, Miki, easier said than done, I know; I'm still hoping to see that total transformation. And what can you say about Mao & Yuna, each uniquely different yet alike in some way, but never dull or boring. BUT, I must say Mao is the one that had me on the edge of my seat with her beautiful triple/double (with Boitano flair), and then awaiting the second triple axel was pure tension, lol. In this regards I'm like Peggy Fleming ~ I recall once she said on-air about how she appreciates beautiful artistic skating, but the jumps is what makes her hold her breath & left in awe (at the time I think she was talking about Tonya Harding & possibly someone else). Anyhow, this is the way I felt with Mao's triple axels.
Along with that, she does skate beautifully, but what is missing in my humble opinion is that first & foremost she must skate *cleanly* & with more power & attack & joy! The sky's the limit if & when she does, otherwise she will always be the bridesmaid instead of the bride. And, of course, Yuna is the bride & deservedly so!
