Wakaba Higuchi

[ioanna]

Do you think her loop is more secure/consistent than her flip? If yes she can change that in the SP. It is just 0.2 point difference and with the risk of getting edge call/popping.

The popping tendency is there for every jump, not only the flip. Earlier this season she kept popping salchows and loops.

 

[mcq]

The popping tendency is there for every jump, not only the flip. Earlier this season she kept popping salchows and loops.

Welp. I take it a back then. Is she a chronic lipper or just occasional? If it is not a consistent occurrence then I can see why her team decides to keep it. I never noticed her lip problem before but well I don't follow her so closely, so I am not so sure.

 

[Marin]

Do you think her loop is more secure/consistent than her flip? If yes she can change that in the SP. It is just 0.2 point difference and with the risk of getting edge call/popping.

Exactly, flip has been historically her weakest jump since her novice times, she used to get call almost always, even now she often gets called and from time to time pops. Putting loop would give just 0.2 pts difference in BV instead she will get secure stable SP with the potential to score 73-74 easily, as her loop is gorgeous and she often gets great GOE. As for LP second Lz combo is almost madness , imo they should put second lutz instead of 3lo and just put the combos on both axel . If she misses combo on second Lz like she did yesterday she has to put combo again and again on flip which she has at the end ( madness ) yesterday she got lucky but it is too much tbh.

 

[ioanna]

Welp. I take it a back then. Is she a chronic lipper or just occasional? If it is not a consistent occurrence then I can see why her team decides to keep it. I never noticed her lip problem before but well I don't follow her so closely, so I am not so sure.

I would say occasional, but the problem is there. She had the same SP layout last season and she often got ! for her flip and UR calls on the backend 3-3 combination (when she landed it, because she was often falling on the 3T). The way she skated here and the PCS she got (from 58 at Lombardia to 65 here) took me by surprise.

 

[mcq]

I would say occasional, but the problem is there. She had the same SP layout last season and she often got ! for her flip and UR calls on the backend 3-3 combination (when she landed it, because she was often falling on the 3T). The way she skated here and the PCS she got (from 58 at Lombardia to 65 here) took me by surprise.

I see. Hope she can be more consistent because if yes it will just be an upward rise for her. Actually, I am not so surprised of her PCS, it happened with Medvedeva last season too. She received 58 at Ondrej Nepela, 67 at SA and CoR and suddenly 72 at GPF. So it s a matter of riding the momentum, I guess. Wakaba please be clean at NHK

 

[ioanna]

I see. Hope she can be more consistent because if yes it will just be an upward rise for her. Actually, I am not so surprised of her PCS, it happened with Medvedeva last season too. She received 58 at Ondrej Nepela, 67 at SA and CoR and suddenly 72 at GPF. So it s a matter of riding the momentum, I guess. Wakaba please be clean at NHK

I don't remember the last time she skated 2 clean back-to-back programs. Perhaps 2015 Japanese Nationals? She always pops or falls on something but since she's trained in Toronto this summer I expect her to keep improving.

 

[mcq]

I don't remember the last time she skated 2 clean back-to-back programs. Perhaps 2015 Japanese Nationals? She always pops or falls on something but since she's trained in Toronto this summer I expect her to keep improving.

Yeah, I think Japan Nats is the last time. But she doesn't do so bad at Junior Worlds, 1 mistake in SP and a clean FS?
I meant, Medvedeva fell during Ondrej nepela, SA, COR, Euro too but that doesn't stop the meteoric rise of her PCS. I think as long as she doesn't make too many mistakes, she would have a good future ahead of her. At least for now, the judges seem to like her better than the Jr worlds silver medalist, Sotskova.

 

[mikaboo]

I don't follow her but did she train in America off season? So that's why she looks so well-conditioned. I hope Mao and Kanako will consider that option. It seems to me that the US has the best facilities, science and specialists to help top athletes work on their strength. .

She spent some time at 7K in Colorado Springs during the off season.

Here's a video of a TV program shown last night (the program is mostly about Satoko) about Wakaba's training in Colorado Springs.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4sul7t_fstv-2chまとめサイト禁止_sport (from 40:00-)
She spent some time there during the summer to strengthen her jumps and stamina.
Here, she is training with Rohene Ward to get advice on upper body movements and use of edges.
She said the steps he taught her were difficult so she’ll practice them when she returns to Japan.
You can also see her practicing the 3A with a harness first, and without a harness at the end.
She thinks she’ll need the 3A to win and said that there are 2-3 skaters in Japan who are already landing it.

 

[mikaboo]

I would say occasional, but the problem is there. She had the same SP layout last season and she often got ! for her flip and UR calls on the backend 3-3 combination (when she landed it, because she was often falling on the 3T). The way she skated here and the PCS she got (from 58 at Lombardia to 65 here) took me by surprise.

I only remember one fall from her last season. The SP at JW

 

[ioanna]

I only remember one fall from her last season. The SP at JW

I must have mixed things up then. Either way she's been having problems with the 3-3 being placed in the second half of the SP since recently because I remember saying maybe it should be wise for her to move it back in the first half. I guess she's doing fine now.

 

[hamaguri]

I see. Hope she can be more consistent because if yes it will just be an upward rise for her. Actually, I am not so surprised of her PCS, it happened with Medvedeva last season too. She received 58 at Ondrej Nepela, 67 at SA and CoR and suddenly 72 at GPF. So it s a matter of riding the momentum, I guess. Wakaba please be clean at NHK

Go Wakaba!

This is her EX, Byakuyakou by Nanami Abe. https://t.co/zc8UTMG4XQ
im not the only one who has tears to know that this is Nanami-sensei's work.
Probably it is much better that you watch it live. This summer show season, she did this EX, and I read so many reports that people were so moved by her. she succeeded in changing her image, a lively girl till last year. BTW, 2A is sooo easy for her.

 

[solar]

I know there's been some 3A talk in the past, but I'll be really excited if she really puts it in her programs next season! Watching her performances from Trophee de France reminded me how explosive and powerful her jumps are. I'd be ecstatic to see a 3A!

 

[yyyskate]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toWVEzw8JoQ
wakababy's CBC FS. reminds them of Michelle Kwan a tiny bit.
I say that is some complement and successful senior debut.
I think this is the moment that Kurt refers to
https://youtu.be/toWVEzw8JoQ?t=248
Also Wakababy's EX eurosports commentary only mentioned "maturity" besides hypnotized by the performance.
Hope to see much more and improvement from Wakababy.
Speaking of the A jump, the 2A cam angle is really perfect for us enjoyment

 

[YesWay]

Wakaba was fabulous at TdF!
Her artistry and expression continue to improve!
So happy she got a podium finish at her senior GP debut!

I took lots of photos, I will share them soon!

 

[hamaguri]

It’s a recent news clip before TdF. Wakaba special. I find it nice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2raHtIIY1go

She wan born on January 2, 2001. her name wakaba means new leaves.

Around 5:20, they take up her strength, speed. You can see Shae’s comments ( it is TCC?). (BTW, she can run in 50m for 6.7 minutes.) the speed make it possible for her to get the jumps with height and width having flow.

From around 9:50, she is a type of person who says what she is aiming for clearly. She want to beat her rivals by a huge difference. She does so to heighten her motivation and she is a hate-to-lose spirit girl.

Of course, her current goal is 2018 Olympics.

 

[YesWay]

I uploaded a bunch photos I took of Wakaba at Trophee de France last weekend.

For some skaters, I struggle to pick out photos that are both flattering to the skater, and interesting... but not Wakaba at TdF! Picking out photos of her that I liked... was easy, almost too many to choose from. Lovely lines, dramatic positions, good extensions, nice costumes... and I wasn't even on the judges side, where much of the choreography is aimed. Wakaba really has improved her artistry in the last year or two... SP, FS and exhibition skates were all beautiful...

It's a stacked Ladies field at NHK Trophy next weekend, but I remain hopeful that Wakaba can do well enough to reach the GP final...

 

[hamaguri]

I uploaded a bunch photos I took of Wakaba at Trophee de France last weekend.

For some skaters, I struggle to pick out photos that are both flattering to the skater, and interesting... but not Wakaba at TdF! Picking out photos of her that I liked... was easy, almost too many to choose from. Lovely lines, dramatic positions, good extensions, nice costumes... and I wasn't even on the judges side, where much of the choreography is aimed. Wakaba really has improved her artistry in the last year or two... SP, FS and exhibition skates were all beautiful...

It's a stacked Ladies field at NHK Trophy next weekend, but I remain hopeful that Wakaba can do well enough to reach the GP final...

Thanks! Thanks! Her costumes and programs this season are success for her. She really had the nice choice. I’m glad she has improved herself with artistry… she is a skater who excites me.

for GPF, within 3rd place is safe for her?

 

[Arriba627]

I uploaded a bunch photos I took of Wakaba at Trophee de France last weekend.

For some skaters, I struggle to pick out photos that are both flattering to the skater, and interesting... but not Wakaba at TdF! Picking out photos of her that I liked... was easy, almost too many to choose from. Lovely lines, dramatic positions, good extensions, nice costumes... and I wasn't even on the judges side, where much of the choreography is aimed. Wakaba really has improved her artistry in the last year or two... SP, FS and exhibition skates were all beautiful...

It's a stacked Ladies field at NHK Trophy next weekend, but I remain hopeful that Wakaba can do well enough to reach the GP final...

Your photos are phenomenal, as is the lovely subject! I may never post any of my crummy photos again after seeing yours. Thx so much. Love both of Wakaba's costumes, especially the new FS one.

 

[solar]

Thanks! Thanks! Her costumes and programs this season are success for her. She really had the nice choice. I’m glad she has improved herself with artistry… she is a skater who excites me.

for GPF, within 3rd place is safe for her?

Her gpf chances are determined by her placement at nhk as well as the placement of other gpf contenders at nhk. I think it's slim, but not impossible

 

[hamaguri]

Your photos are phenomenal, as is the lovely subject! I may never post any of my crummy photos again after seeing yours. Thx so much. Love both of Wakaba's costumes, especially the new FS one.

Are you fond of Wakaba? And you are going to Worlds 2017. Hope she will be there. Japanese Nats 2014 is memorable competition for me. I watched Wakaba and Shoma live at the first time. they were junior but just thriling. my standard is if this skater excites me or not? She was lady version of a cannon ball (lol). Since then Ive had the specia feelings with them.
Yes, her costume change to red is a big success! Pink is a bit childish. She looks beautiful when she does make-up.