Polina Edmunds' short program had more technical content than Sotnikova's, and yet she placed in seventh behind Ashley Wagner. The difference? Adelina made up NINE points in GOE, and SEVEN in Components. Where is the push for "new and upcoming" skaters when it comes to Edmunds? Oh that's right, Edmunds isn't a Russian.People seem to forget this.
Adelina has always had the goods to compete at the top; I've been saying it for years. When she skates well she gets high scores, regardless of what country she's in. Her inconsistency is what has hurt her for the longest. Both of the GPs she finished 2nd at this year were ones she could have won if she didn't make so many mistakes. Sochi was the first time she nailed two programs in years so the comparisons about how she never won anything don't hold much water b/c there's nothing to judge that against.
I don't think her scores deserved to be as crazy high as they were in Sochi. BUT skating at 95% the girl deserves 70+ and 135+ scores regardless of what country she is in.