Wakaba Higuchi

[Seruleane]

For those of you who haven't seen it:
Yulia's commentary on Wakaba's FS

Yulia and her commentating partner are incredibly complimentary of Wakaba and her awesome FS, as they should be.

 

[Li'Kitsu]

Since there was discussion about Wakas GPF chances before and the NHK ladies event is finished, I thought I'd go for another update on those standings:

Currently Wakaba is 3rd on the qualification list, behind Evgenia (2x won = 30 points) & Carolina (2x 2nd = 26 points). There are several girls that will have their 2nd event either in France or the USA in the next 2 weeks that could still overtake her - let's look at France first. There we have Alina, Kaetlyn, Maria S. and Mai. Here's what they need to do to overtake Waka:
- Alina & Kaetlyn won their first events, they only need a 4th place finish in France (with 1st & 4th they'd have the same ranking points as Waka (24), but win the first tie breaker because they had a higher finish being 1st in their first events to Wakas 2nd place)
- Mai needs to win (she'd have 4th + 1st = 24 points; winning the first tie breaker due to her best placement being higher (1st to 2nd))
- Maria finished 2nd in SC; she needs 1st/2nd or 3rd with a score of 227,18+ (Longer explanation: 1st & 2nd would give her more ranking points then Waka, so she'd be ahead no matter the score. If she comes 3rd, she has the same ranking points and the same placements (a 2nd and a 3rd), so the 1st tie breaker between them would still be a tie. The 2nd tie breaker is the combined total score. Wakas is 419,69; so Maria would need a score in TdF high enough to beat that combined with her 192,52 from SC)

Regarding Skate America, there are only 2 girls who could catch Waka in the GPF standings: Ashley & Polina, both having a 3rd place finish in their first events. So both would be in above Waka with a 1st place finish, or a 2nd place finish with a higher combined score then Waka (same case as with Maria in TdF). In Ashleys case that means she'd need to score a 235,76+; Polya needs a 209,5+.

So overall, 6 girsl can pass her in the standings, if 4 of those do, she's out.

 

[yyyskate]

If wakaba is out of GPF, she is robbed out of it. She was already robbed.
Look at all the Lady's this season she is the real danger and her programs' are the start quality programs that people will remember.
I just listerned icetalk with Kurt Browning, again, only impressed by wakaba's program.

 

[yyyskate]

i felt helpless and sorry, LOOK at the SCORING MESS of current Lady's figure skating, one event after another another ...

I really hope great programs like Wakaba's this year can be seen！

 

[Iron Lotus]

I would like to see

France
1 Mai
2 Katelyn
3 Maria as long as she scores below the total score

USA
1 Polina
2 Ashley as long as she score below the total score which I think is likely

This way we get 2 J ladies right?

 

[Miller]

If wakaba is out of GPF, she is robbed out of it. She was already robbed.
Look at all the Lady's this season she is the real danger and her programs' are the start quality programs that people will remember.
I just listerned icetalk with Kurt Browning, again, only impressed by wakaba's program.

In practice Wakaba will only be out of GPF if Maria comes 2nd at IDF ahead of 2 of Kaetlyn, Alina and Mai (if not 1st), and Ashley Wagner or Tsurskaya (much more likely) comes 1st at SA. I'd be reasonably confident.

 

[Li'Kitsu]

I would like to see

France
1 Mai
2 Katelyn
3 Maria as long as she scores below the total score

USA
1 Polina
2 Ashley as long as she score below the total score which I think is likely

This way we get 2 J ladies right?

Probably not, as Alina could/would likely be 4th in France in your scenario, and then the GPF would be: Evgenia, Carolina, Mai, Kaetlyn, Alina, Polina.

The only way we could get both Mai & Wakaba is if Mai wins TdF, Maria is lower then 2nd there, and neither of Ashley or Polina win SA + they score below the mentioned scores above when they're 2nd. I don't think that is likely, so sadly a Waka + Mai GPF is pretty much out of the question.
(Edit: there is also the mathematical possibility that Mai + Waka make the GPF when Mai comes 2nd at TdF, Maria is 4th at best there, and both Ashley/Polina don't end up higher then 3rd at SA. But then also Kaori & Satoko should be 2nd at most at SA, otherwise they'd overtake her too. It's really not getting more likely in that scenario ^^")

To what Miller wrote, I'm not sure if I understood right - but Maria being 2nd at TdF & Ashley/Polina winning SA is not the only scenario in which Waka might be out of GPF. There are still a few more, though I agree right now her chances are looking quite good.

 

[Iron Lotus]

You are right. I forgot Alina. Doesn't look good for Mai.

 

[Leonardo]

In practice Wakaba will only be out of GPF if Maria comes 2nd at IDF ahead of 2 of Kaetlyn, Alina and Mai (if not 1st), and Ashley Wagner or Tsurskaya (much more likely) comes 1st at SA. I'd be reasonably confident.

Tsurskaya will probably win SA. Maria S. will probably not be 2nd in France. So, I'm reasonably confident that Wakaba will be in the GPF, along with Medvedeva, Osmond, Alina, Kostner and Polina.

 

[Ender]

You are right. I forgot Alina. Doesn't look good for Mai.

The best Mihara can do is to win silver at TDF but with both Zagitova and Osmond being there, I doubt it.

 

[yuna]

Wakaba's programs are perfect for the Olympic season. I have to say that she grew on me a lot this season. I used to not feel very attached to her but she has won me over :luv17: I think she'll get into GPF and deservedly so.

 

[Interspectator]

Here's a quick sketch I did of Wakaba Today. http://figureskating-in-color.tumbl...akaba-higuchi-sketch-bond-girl-extraordinaire

 

[christinaskater]

I’m so proud of Wakaba.
After her stunning World Team Trophy performance, she was able to gain more confidence in her abilities as a skater! I’m super excited for her. I think she will earn a berth to go to Pyeongchang based on her performances this season.

 

[solar]

As a fan of Wakaba all the way from her junior days, I'm so glad she's been gaining more and more fans! Back when she first debuted as a junior, many people weren't impressed with her programs or just considered her a jumper. She's improved so much in those departments and it truly shows! I'm glad more and more people are recognizing her talent. Some junior skaters never successfully break into the senior ranks, but I always had faith that Wakaba would!

 

[largeman]

It's a shame that Wakaba might not get to go to GPF. But knowing Wakaba, I am sure she will turn the disappointment and frustration into fuel and motivation to take her programs and her training to the next level. Everyone going on and on about the coulda-woulda-shoulda's is wearing me out. This may end up being a positive, who knows? All I know is that Wakaba is a warrior and isn't going to back down.

 

[Miss Ice]

Shame on ISU, I mean RSU (Russian Skating Federation - we might as well call it by the real name now). They have now really killed figure skating.

It's a shame that Wakaba might not get to go to GPF. But knowing Wakaba, I am sure she will turn the disappointment and frustration into fuel and motivation to take her programs and her training to the next level. Everyone going on and on about the coulda-woulda-shoulda's is wearing me out. This may end up being a positive, who knows? All I know is that Wakaba is a warrior and isn't going to back down.

The only way to do that is to get a Russian nationalty. Has anyone seen Wakaba's tweet?

This sport - and art - is dead. I don't see how truly refined and artistic skaters like her will want to continue to skate.

 

[hamaguri]

Wakaba...

 

[hamaguri]

Shame on ISU, I mean RSU (Russian Skating Federation - we might as well call it by the real name now). They have now really killed figure skating.



The only way to do that is to get a Russian nationalty. Has anyone seen Wakaba's tweet?

This sport - and art - is dead. I don't see how truly refined and artistic skaters like her will want to continue to skate.

Its not just RSU. You cant explain calo's PCS in NHK and Key's PCS this time.

 

[Miss Ice]

Its not just RSU. You cant explain calo's PCS in NHK and Key's PCS this time.

Yeah, those are just pawns - especially Caro. They stand no chance against the Russian girls in the GPF anyway. But Wakaba was a real threat for medals.

 

[Shayuki]

Shame on ISU, I mean RSU (Russian Skating Federation - we might as well call it by the real name now). They have now really killed figure skating.

Well on the other hand, if Kostner didn't defeat Tsurskaya via massive overscoring Wakaba Higuchi would still likely be going to the grand prix finals.

Such a shame for Wakaba Higuchi. Kostner > Tsurskaya and Sotskova > Osmond both happening like this spelled her doom. You could say that the obvious Sotskova UR that wasn't called is the reason Higuchi isn't in GPF, also.