Spoilers Ladies SP

[Skate Sandee]

I don't understand the repeat of last year's SP, especially with regard to Michelle. She hardly competes, she takes about 1 class per year. What on earth keeps her so darn busy that she can't get a new SP together?

There is speculation that Tango was supposed to be her SP, but she might have felt it wasn't ready and dusted off TFB at the last minute (not literally, but right before coming to Nationals). Folks point out the fact that Tango music came on during the SP practice and was the same length as an SP. Others point out that her new dress doesn't go with TFB theme (which I'm not sure about. What color scheme does go with TFB?) and was probably meant for a Tango SP.

If true, it could mean that she'll try to do a new SP at Worlds. Michelle strikes me as the type that doesn't like to go out with a new program until she feels it competition-ready.

 

[Doggygirl]

All I can say is...

...WOW - the Ladies SP was by far the most exciting competition to watch this year to date for me!

I too was glad to see Sasha put in a great skate. I'm sure she needed that mentally. I hope she can repeat in the LP.

Michelle looked good except for the bobble of course. It's funny - if any other skater had skated that program that way, I'd be thinking WOW. But Michelle is just so good, I was thinking it looked a little flat to me (although not flat in the chest during spirals LOL). I'm sure you're right though Rgirl - having room to improve will just light a fire under her for Saturday so I suspect we'll see something spectacular in the LP.

I was so happy for Amber Corwin and her good skate. She just looked so thrilled and that was wonderful to see. Angela looked good too, but I found myself wishing that Amber would have ended up in 4th. (I realize it was close)

Jenny was also a joy to watch. And if you're going to do sequins, that's the way to do it in my opinion! I hope she has the skate of her life again in the LP.

What a disappointment with the majority of the men. I'm so glad I managed to stay awake through that and not miss the ladies action.

DG

 

[LittleAngelCora]

Well, after the men's program I needed a little pick me up. I sure got it. Sasha was exquisite. Michelle was beautiful, as always. Although I liked TFB better last year, that footwork section still blows me away. I was so happy for Angela and Jenny. Danielle Khale reminded me of Tara Lipinski even before Uncle Dick mentioned anything. Everything in the figure skating world, apparently, has come full circle: Frank Carroll is coaching the Tara Lipinski look-alike.

Courtney

 

[Callystarr]

Oh, dear, looks like Ye Bin Mok had a terrible skate. Bummer.

I liked that Michelle had a totally new kind of dress on--it's just a shame that she appeared to be falling out of it on a couple of occasions. Sasha was just fantastic, as was Jenny. Michelle didn't have the same energy in that program that she had last year. GREAT to see Angela in good form! I'd like to see all 4 of them go to Worlds. Too bad that can't happen!

I don't understand the repeat of last year's SP, especially with regard to Michelle. She hardly competes, she takes about 1 class per year. What on earth keeps her so darn busy that she can't get a new SP together?

She is only taking one class now, or is that sarcasm?

Anywho, it seems many skaters are taking that route lately of recycling programs for the following season, if not one both of them. (Kwan, Kirk, Cohen) not to mention several European skaters have done it in the past. I don't think it has anything to do with her not having enough time but more of a choice not to reconstruct a new SP without a coach at that time. I am probably not complaining because I absolutely love her SP, and also there were some minor changes as well in her SP. I think because she has done it in the past more so than other skaters, is consistently debut new programs during the course of the year every year.

 

[Ptichka]

I was so happy for Sasha. At the very least, she is over whatever it was that made her bomb and GPF. Hey, may be it's true that TT put too much pressure on her, and that Robin is better. We'll see. As to some of the difficulty being taken out of the program -- I guess it's because all remaining competitions are CoP free. The change-of-edge was specifically added to her program to unpgrade the spiral to level 3. I beleive similar logic went into footwork changes. Without extreme specifics that CoP demands, Sasha will get maximum credit for those elements even without the added difficulty.

Michelle was good, but I wasn't too impressed. I thought she was very controlled, and the whole program was not very emotional.

Jenny -- WOW! I liked the program (playful, which was nice after the other "serious" programs"), the dress & hair (she is just SO gorgeous), and the skating. I hope she retains her placement to finally go to Worlds.

 

[Dee4707]

Can anyone tell me how Angela and others were placed ahead of Amber? Amber did a 3/3 combo and other triples. She had a very good skate with lots of enthusiasm. I would really like to know.

Dee

 

[Laura_B]

Can anyone tell me how Angela and others were placed ahead of Amber? Amber did a 3/3 combo and other triples. She had a very good skate with lots of enthusiasm. I would really like to know.

Dee

IMHO, Amber doesn't have the same line, smoothness, edge quality and polish that some of the other ladies have. She did have a great skate though, and I'm very happy to see that she did so well.

 

[eliza88]

The Ladies were great last night! After seeing the Men I am glad the Ladies put fire back into the arena! Sasha was wonderful--she did look softer and more controlled. I love to watch her skate but really wish I had some emotional pull towards her...nonetheless, a very well deserved 1st place! Michelle aside from the shaky 2A was beautiful! I loved her footwork section, I love the emotion she puts into her progam. I also really like that color blue on her (somehow during the spiral sequence my husband started paying more attention...). I loved seeing Angela again and was thrilled she skated well. The highlight of the night for me was Miss Jenny Kirk! She was so charming and so ON, I hope she can keep it together for the LP. A great skate for Amber too!

About recycled programs--Michelle's TFB was only aired twice last year so I didn't mind seeing it again plus I love the maturity of the program! Sure I would have loved to see her skate a new program but who am I to second guess the 7-time Nats/5-time Worlds Champ!! On the other hand Sasha is using her same SP from last year AND I have probably seen it a dozen times AND the music was ALREADY over used (and now I have it stuck in my head!). Bottom line--skaters use the program they feel they need to use, I'll just sit back and watch them.

eliza88

 

[Pookie]

All the ladies looked beautiful last night. Loved Michelle's new dress. TFB didn't seem to have the same intensity as last year but it was still beautiful, even with the one bobble. I think Michelle has more success coming from behind than when she is sitting in first. So being in second after the SP could be a very good thing.

They all did great.

Putting Jenny Kirk on right after Danielle Khale, with very similar music was an interesting move. It was almost as if Jenny were saying to her..."Oh, is this what you were trying to do?"

I fast forwarded after Danielle's second fall. I'm sure she'll be lovely in a few years but I don't enjoy watching younger skaters for the most part.

Jenny was gorgeous and loved her SP. She expressed the music so well.

I would love for Amber and Angela to hang in there and do as well in their LP's.

 

[Piel]

Are Amber and Tiffany S. sharing a tiara?

 

[Pati]

Can anyone tell me how Angela and others were placed ahead of Amber? Amber did a 3/3 combo and other triples. She had a very good skate with lots of enthusiasm. I would really like to know.

Dee

Amber's spirals were very very lacking in the skill department. I doubt she received very much credit for them. I was surprised at that, no control, barely any leg lift, and she didn't hold it long enough. I know its just one element but with Cohen and Kwan, she's really got to do better than that. JMO

 

[Mathman]

There is speculation that Tango was supposed to be her SP, but she might have felt it wasn't ready and dusted off TFB at the last minute (not literally, but right before coming to Nationals). Folks point out the fact that Tango music came on during the SP practice and was the same length as an SP. Others point out that her new dress doesn't go with TFB theme (which I'm not sure about. What color scheme does go with TFB?) and was probably meant for a Tango SP.

If true, it could mean that she'll try to do a new SP at Worlds. Michelle strikes me as the type that doesn't like to go out with a new program until she feels it competition-ready.

I thought about that, too, Sandy. In fact, I went out and bought the Moulin Rouge soundtrack CD just so I would be ready. When they played the Tango de Roxanne in practice I thought that Michelle was having her little joke with us, making us guess whether she would go witht the old or the new. I bet you're right about Worlds.

About the dress, I thought last year's pinky/flesh-toned was right for it. But this one, oh, that was very nice, too!

You know what I thought was funny? When Dick Button went on and on about the fact that Sasha took a deep breath just before she skated. Like this showed the consumate genius of Robin Wagner and if only Sasha's previous coaches had told her to take a deep breath she would have who knows how many championships by now.

Mathman

 

[Seonaid920]

I thought the placements over Amber Corwin by the judges were correct (in ladies sp) Sasha was fabulous and Angela and Michelle are just more polished than the others. I'm glad the new system of judging is affecting the old system, jumps are not the only thing that count, spirals and spins count more (ambers spin positions were not very good). She had a great skate but not better quality than Michelle or Angela.

My only complaint -- where was a 6.0 for Sasha?? I was hoping she'd get at least one for presentation. I

 

[Piel]

You know what I thought was funny? When Dick Button went on and on about the fact that Sasha took a deep breath just before she skated. Like this showed the consumate genius of Robin Wagner and if only Sasha's previous coaches had told her to take a deep breath she would have who knows how many championships by now.

Mathman

I tested Dick's theory. Just walked outside tiook a deep breath, stepped on the icy sidewalk and STILL fell and busted my *$$! ROFLM(bruised)AO

(searching for ice pack)
Piel

 

[Mathman]

Seonaid, I thought that Sasha might have gotten some 6.0s if she had skated later in the order. But skating before Michelle and fifth overall they couldn't really give her 5.9, 6.0.

Mathman

 

[Piel]

My only complaint -- where was a 6.0 for Sasha?? I was hoping she'd get at least one for presentation. I

A couple of seasons ago there was a VERY loooooooooooong thread of whining when Michelle was given a 6.0 after having skated earlier than some of the other top ladies. MY guess is the judges read that and wanted to save us from another whining thread. Did it work?

Piel

 

[gracefulswan]

granted sasha won the short... but 6'0s? that program was very, very good..but definitely not 6'0 good.. i didn't see anything memorable about it. you have to do more than hit the elements.

 

[Doggygirl]

I would seriously love to know...

...how the Ladies SP would have scored under CoP. Graceful, you ask a very important question - what IS a 6.0? I think it's one thing one year, and a completely different thing in a different year. And it certainly depends on skate order. But.. the CoP will probably evolve that way too. (differing difficulty levels and performance expectations)

Mean time, the SP results would be interesting to know if there was a "lead" as opposed to placements.

The next year(s) leading up to the 2006 Olympics should be very exciting as a new scoring system evolves, which I think it will.

DG

 

[show 42]

Wonderful short program last night. Sasha and Michelle are truly in a league of their own. I myself don't have a problem with a skater using a program from a previous year. It's done all the time. They pay a lot of money to have these things choreographed, so why not use them!!

I am puzzled at the comments that Michelle's TFB program didn't have the same intensity as last year's. I thought it had more, and was blown away by it.

I loved Jenny's short program and am glad she skated clean. I don't think a clean Jenny can beat Sasha or Michelle at this point in time...........but she's a joy to watch.

Tomorrow night, if both Sasha and Michelle skate clean (and I think they both will), it will be up to the judges to decide if they prefer "artistry" or "passion"..................42

 

[Ptichka]

Re: I would seriously love to know...

...how the Ladies SP would have scored under CoP. Graceful, you ask a very important question - what IS a 6.0? I think it's one thing one year, and a completely different thing in a different year. And it certainly depends on skate order. But.. the CoP will probably evolve that way too. (differing difficulty levels and performance expectations)

Not only is it different from year to year, but also from comp to comp. At Nationals, I believe it's almost a tradition to give a leading skater/ team some 6.0's. (How many have Bourne & Kraatz gotten at Canadian Nationals? Not to mention the 6.0's at Russian Nationals...) Theoretically, under CoP you have 10 for any given program componenet. I think we'll see some of those once judges settle into CoP (since they don't even have to leave room -- they can always give ties!). As to 6.0 for Technical -- I never understood that. I mean you can always jump higher, spin faster, etc.