- Joined
- Jan 7, 2011
as for la vie en rose being her signature piece, i already see "the swan" being that. her performance of that program at 2009 nationals was just amazing and i think a lot of people know who she is because of that performance. many have said it is one of the best ladies SP's ever for nationals.
The swan is a great program. It's just that, there are so many other swans in ladies skating. It's really harder to stand out as a lady swan in skating. Although for men, of course, Johnny Weir's Swan is, I think, his crowning glory so far. And Yuzuru Hanyu's successor to that is pretty much used as his signature program now.
La Vie stands out to me because its tone is relatively unique in ladies skating: it's romantic and flirty in a mature, sophisticated and laid-back way. Skating is full of young whippersnappers zipping around. And when they do flirty, it's usually more exuberant, wink-and-a-leg-kick kind of way. La Vie sets Alissa apart without foregoing sexuality.
Well, OK, maybe I'm one of the few who likes it that much. But I do think that the wrong program this year isn't her SP. Valse Triste, really, a sad waltz? An oxymoron.
I think Alissa will do just fine at Worlds, regardless. Together with the very capable Ashley Wagner, I think the US has an outside shot at reclaiming that 3rd spot.