New Caroline Zhang Video

[krenseby]

Indeed her jumps have improved since I first saw her in St. Louis. Betcha a cookie she does a 3x3 in this coming Nats.

Joe

I have to say that her jumps are just ok... Solidly landed, probably adequately rotated... But... the rotations and the height in the air seem so tiny..... So... can't praise her jumps, no I can't...

 

[heyang]

Lol - the only thing I find more annoying than commentating during exhibitions is comments in a language I don't understand.

 

[Spun Silver]

Does anyone else see similarities to Emily Hughes' style in this number? Athletic, energetic, etc.

In fact, I wonder if this type of music/choreography isn't what we've been hinting at on other threads in terms of what Emily should try.

Sorry if this is OT...

I thought of Emily too, but to me there's some resemblance to Emily's build (although Ashley seems to be slimmer) but not her style. Ashley has better line and musicality. I do agree she is very energetic - more than Emily IMO. It's a very attractive quality.

I actually don't care for the big-band music and think the choreo is mediocre. I just can't stand the cutesy little girl moves that so many junior skaters do. Yecchhhh! I am hoping Ashley finds something less cutesy and either more contemporary or more classic next season. I think she will prove to be very versatile.

Whereas with Emily, I'd like to see her doing something more rock or bluesy to break out of the girly, princess mode. NOT big band music.

Just my opinion.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I have to say that her jumps are just ok... Solidly landed, probably adequately rotated... But... the rotations and the height in the air seem so tiny..... So... can't praise her jumps, no I can't...

You don't remember the 98 Oly champ who got 3/4 of inch off the ice in all her jumps?

Joe

 

[_Ladybug_]

Wow. How precious!!! She is adorable. I was thrilled with her encore. It was so cool to see her having some some. Way to go Caroline!

I really adore this young lady. But I refuse to get my hopes too high. I'm sick of being heartbroken. It's always the beautiful ones, the little ballerinas who break my heart.

 

[Tinymavy15]

I really adore this young lady. But I refuse to get my hopes too high. I'm sick of being heartbroken. It's always the beautiful ones, the little ballerinas who break my heart.

Agree 110%. i can't help but get my hopes up though. I hope has a brighter future than Sasha and Naomi, her fellow Californian Tiny Dancers.

 

[krenseby]

You don't remember the 98 Oly champ who got 3/4 of inch off the ice in all her jumps?

Joe

Yes, I do.. I didn't like her jumps either. The fact that she won the Gold doesn't make her jumps any more beautiful for it! Jumps, for me, are an issue of aesthetics. Girls who barely take off the ground and have teeny-weeny rotations in their jumps do not garner my respect.. If I were a judge, I would mark them down for it...

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Yes, I do.. I didn't like her jumps either. The fact that she won the Gold doesn't make her jumps any more beautiful for it! Jumps, for me, are an issue of aesthetics. Girls who barely take off the ground and have teeny-weeny rotations in their jumps do not garner my respect.. If I were a judge, I would mark them down for it...

I understand what you are saying. Higher jumps with good rotations are certainly more appealing especially in the wow category. However, I don't believe it is written in the rules that height in jumps is a factor in scoring. I don't think it will be detrimental for her competitions.

As a former HighJumper in high school, we were aware that only certain players have the gene for a good spring in their jumps. I don't think this can be worked on to get higher jumps unless one has that gene. The natural jumper (in height) will win out without trying over the low jumper. But that low jumper may very well have the speed to win the mile.

High Lady Jumpers: Volchkova, Slutskaya, Baiul, Asada.
Medium Lady Jumpers: Kwan, Cohen, Rochette, Wagner
Low Lady Jumpers: Lipinsky, Zhang, Kirk

My personal preference in watching a jump is to see it reasonably high but moreso that it travels a distance in the air. Example: Johnny Weir's 3 Axel.

Joe

 

[jennylovskt]

It amazes me the fact that every time I was amazed by Caroline's level of maturity in her artistic abilities. I am trying to be level headed, and not gush about her too much, and say only what I feel I have to say about her. She is truly fabulous! Wish she will have a smooth transition in the next a few years. Can't wait to see her at the senior level.

 

[krenseby]

I understand what you are saying. Higher jumps with good rotations are certainly more appealing especially in the wow category. However, I don't believe it is written in the rules that height in jumps is a factor in scoring. I don't think it will be detrimental for her competitions.

As a former HighJumper in high school, we were aware that only certain players have the gene for a good spring in their jumps. I don't think this can be worked on to get higher jumps unless one has that gene. The natural jumper (in height) will win out without trying over the low jumper. But that low jumper may very well have the speed to win the mile.

High Lady Jumpers: Volchkova, Slutskaya, Baiul, Asada.
Medium Lady Jumpers: Kwan, Cohen, Rochette, Wagner
Low Lady Jumpers: Lipinsky, Zhang, Kirk

My personal preference in watching a jump is to see it reasonably high but moreso that it travels a distance in the air. Example: Johnny Weir's 3 Axel.

Joe

You are making the point that jump height is something genetic, but I still have my preference for medium and high lady jumpers...

And if I understand correctly, you like jumps that travel a good horizontal distance...

As for the low-lady jumpers, the only advantage I see in their jump types is the speed. When Caroline does a super-fast jump.. or a super-fast combination of jumps, it sets in an awe-factor... It's like.. she is on the ground, now she is on the air, and now on the ground again .. wow... and it all happened so fast.. Hard to explalin, but there it is..

 

[gio]

As a former HighJumper in high school, we were aware that only certain players have the gene for a good spring in their jumps. I don't think this can be worked on to get higher jumps unless one has that gene. The natural jumper (in height) will win out without trying over the low jumper. But that low jumper may very well have the speed to win the mile.
Joe

Interesting! I'm pretty ignorant in physics and because of this I've always thought that you can train to jump higher. For example Cuban volleyball players are known for their high jumps. I've always thought that they train the high jumping. So, practically it is all about genes? Do the mulattos have this gene more than white people?

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Interesting! I'm pretty ignorant in physics and because of this I've always thought that you can train to jump higher. For example Cuban volleyball players are known for their high jumps. I've always thought that they train the high jumping. So, practically it is all about genes? Do the mulattos have this gene more than white people?

You can jumps higher with practice, but there is a limit to how high you can go. I think Kirk upped the height of her jumps but not by much.
Not all Mulatos are equal, and the Sport of High Jumping, does not necessarily mean a long legged jumper is better than a shorty.

 

[Mathman]

Higher jumps with good rotations are certainly more appealing especially in the wow category. However, I don't believe it is written in the rules that height in jumps is a factor in scoring...

Yes, according to the ISU rules the height of a jump as well as the distance is supposed to be taken into account in the GOEs.

For instance, the description of "base value" (that is, GOE = 0) is

"All jump phases completed satisfactorily, i.e., average length preparation phase, adequate height and distance, organized/vertical air position. completed rotations, clean landing, sufficient flow in and out."

For a +3 GOE it says, "superior in all jump phases...great height/distance..."

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Well, the low jumpers will have to settle with the base values with a possible +l for good entry and landing. There's no way coaching is going to make them jump higher.