Rika Kihira | Page 93 | Golden Skate

Rika Kihira

readernick said:
I just realized a layout that would be better for Rika:

4S
3AEu3S
3A
3Lo
2A+3T
3F+3T
3Lz


This way she can do 8 triples and the only double is the 2A. I think it has the highest scoring potential. Has Rika ever tried this layout?
Click to expand...
It replaces a 3F,2T for a 2A,3T, which is swapping 5.30+1.30 = 6.60 for 3.30+4.20=7.50, and arguably isn't worth the risk, as we haven't seen Rika train 3A-Eu-3S all that much, not once at Worlds. She's certainly capable of doing it, but I believe next season we will see something even more complicated than that:

4T
4S
3A-Eu-3S
3F-3Lo
3A
3F/Lz-3T
3Lz

and, if she's feeling spicy about her 4S,
4T
4S+3T
4S
3A-Eu-3S
3A
3F-3Lo
3Lz

which would probably be the most ridiculous jump layout out ever devised for any ladies' skater not called Trusova.
 
lzxnl said:
It replaces a 3F,2T for a 2A,3T, which is swapping 5.30+1.30 = 6.60 for 3.30+4.20=7.50, and arguably isn't worth the risk, as we haven't seen Rika train 3A-Eu-3S all that much, not once at Worlds. She's certainly capable of doing it, but I believe next season we will see something even more complicated than that:

4T
4S
3A-Eu-3S
3F-3Lo
3A
3F/Lz-3T
3Lz

and, if she's feeling spicy about her 4S,
4T
4S+3T
4S
3A-Eu-3S
3A
3F-3Lo
3Lz

which would probably be the most ridiculous jump layout out ever devised for any ladies' skater not called Trusova.
Click to expand...

It is true that it is a bit risky. I just really love Rika's 3AEu3S. It is the prettiest jump combo she has ever done and one of the prettiest I have ever seen a lady do.
 
This thread is usually so quiet so 3 people posting seems like crowd already ;).
Do you really think she will be able to introduce 4T next season? It is, in my opinion, very optimistic prediction, since we do not see her 4S landed on international competition yet and I always had an impression that she need some time to stabilise her ultra c elements.
 
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Samoyed said:
This thread is usually so quiet so people posting seems like crowd already ;).
Do you really think she will be able to introduce 4T next season? It is, in my opinion, very optimistic prediction, since we do not see her 4S landed on international competition yet and I always had an impression that she need some time to stabilise her ultra c elements.
Click to expand...
I think she will try. Do not forget that she has already landed 4Ts before in training, and that she's had two years for her 4S now. I haven't heard her actually fall on a 4S at Worlds so far, or at Nationals (maybe once or twice but I haven't heard of it), so it looks like she has a decent success rate with it. She has already started tweaking her 3T technique, so she's conscious about needing that 4T next season. Kamila Valieva will likely be doing three 3As and three quads next season with two 4Ts, so Rika needs to match that with three 3As and at least two quads. I don't think Kamila has a -Lo combination (and thus has to jump a 2T somewhere as she can't repeat 3T if she wants two 3As and two 4Ts), so Rika's base value with two quads will roughly equal Kamila's with three quads. Rika will have a TES advantage if she can jump three quads.

I'm curious what Rika's goals for skating are post-Beijing. I would love to see her stay for another Olympic cycle, although then one would ask, what would she improve on? Another quad? I'm not sure she could jump a 4F or a 4Lz.
 
You know the calls on Rika's jumps were fair. But, given that the lady in first had some obvious calls ignored and given her incredible performance and superior basics she should be in first place. Despite that, I am so proud of her. She was not having a good day in practice but once again she pulled it out when it counted! I am so proud of Rika!!
 
Rika's SP is one of the best I have ever seen filled with excitement, dynamic expression and beautiful artistry and athleticism including a seamless cartwheel in the step sequence. Rika's skating has improved too because she skated deeper into the corners of the rink close to the boards and the buttery smoothness and speed of her skating is greater. The precedent for unjust scoring for Rika has been set long ago so I know every device will be applied to hold down her scores from double standard or overly harsh tech calls, low GOE to low balled PCS. just as was done with Mao before because the scoring discrimination is handed down through the generations, but it makes me love her performances even more to deliver with so much extra pressure applied since her skating is analyzed under such a highly magnified and biased microscope.

I hope that Rika has a great performance in the freeskate.
 
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Photos of Rika from Worlds, all posted by _sasha_rika_team_ on instagram.

164879559_2980278788962322_2294766326291830544_n.jpg

Source.

164803113_256585026097053_4774251739763436286_n.jpg

Source.

165304075_4003759119744078_5254267858317837433_n.jpg

Source.

I hope she keeps her SP for next season - it's so much fun, and that cartwheel is awesome and so unique!
 
Rika appears to be dealing with injury. She isn't jumping a 4S or a 3Lz in her programs for the WTT. She doesn't appear to have a 3A planned for her SP either. She returned to last year's FP. I hope she doesn't get 🤕. I guess WTT is a good way to make money but I am worried about Rika's health.
 
Hope she is OK... but she is wise to take things easy:pray::clap: still looking forward to her skate at WTT.. all the best!!
 
readernick said:
Rika appears to be dealing with injury. She isn't jumping a 4S or a 3Lz in her programs for the WTT. She doesn't appear to have a 3A planned for her SP either. She returned to last year's FP. I hope she doesn't get 🤕. I guess WTT is a good way to make money but I am worried about Rika's health.
Click to expand...
Well, she tried a 3A in the short, and I haven't seen her more nervous at a 3A attempt in competition ever.
 
I have heard she has a back injury. My heart aches for her. I have fought a back injury for 20 years. If it is true she has one, I hope hers heals and she can get into the Olys. I felt she was injured at the WTT just looking at her face before her skates. She and her coaches know that when you are injured, your body wont let you do certain things. Its not like riding a racing bike where you can try and overrule the pain. There are tenths of a second where you tell the body to do a 3A and it IT knows whats gonna happen on the landing and overrules you. Dont ask me how I know this. I have been there. Yes, there are some who can work through the pain even in skating....everyone is different. I just dont want to see her hurt.:pray:
 
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