Yes, it is possible.I'm rooting for Karen Chen to sneak in there. It's a challenge, but I don't think it's impossible.
Indeed We're looking at a showdown in Croatia for a JGP spot!
Karen Chen 160.95 (3rd, JGP Czech Skate)
Maria Sotskova 159.67 (2nd, JGP Estonia)
Alexandria Prokova 149.16 (3rd, JGP Germany)
Nicole RAJICOVA, 149.11 (4th, JGP Slovakia)
The two on the bubble are:
Miyu NAKASHIO JPN 24 (308.42 total score for two events; wins first place tie breaker)
Elizabet TURZYNBAEVA 24 (324.17 total score).
Elizabet will be out regardless as who ever wins Croatia will be ranked above her be Sotskova (28 points), Chen/Prokova (26 points) or even Rajicova (24 points + 1st place tiebreaker)
Now if Sotskova wins, then the second place winner (either Chen/Prokova) is out of luck as Miyu's 1st place would beat a 2nd/3rd that either Chen/Prokova would end up producing.
If Chen/Prokova wins (26 points) and Sotskova gets second (26 points) then Miyu is also out of the final.
So in order for the 4 Russians go to JGPF, I'm rooting already for Proklova to nail her programs* and Sotskova coming in second place... If I understand it correctly :scratch:
When she competes with Sakhanovich and Medevedeva, Higuchi's "e" will be readjusted to "!", IMO.
Anyway, she should concentrate on the 3A. The edges can wait until the off-season.
^What kind of discussion do you honestly expect to come from posts like this? It would be much more civil to point out all the qualities in Wakaba that you enjoy. I'd most likely agree with you because I too like her very much but you have to know that there are people out there who enjoy what all these young Russians bring. Sure it's different than that of Wakaba but just because you don't like it doesn't mean it's emotionless disconnect. It's like your trying simply to insult the many clearly obvious talents that these girls have with the purpose of making a stronger case for Wakaba. I think she is good enough of a skater that you can use her talent and success to paint the picture itself. No need to throw dirt at anyone. YMMV.
^What kind of discussion do you honestly expect to come from posts like this? It would be much more civil to point out all the qualities in Wakaba that you enjoy. I'd most likely agree with you because I too like her very much but you have to know that there are people out there who enjoy what all these young Russians bring. Sure it's different than that of Wakaba but just because you don't like it doesn't mean it's emotionless disconnect. It's like your trying simply to insult the many clearly obvious talents that these girls have with the purpose of making a stronger case for Wakaba. I think she is good enough of a skater that you can use her talent and success to paint the picture itself. No need to throw dirt at anyone. YMMV.
Being a fan of figure skating since 2006, I think I can say that there are clearly places where those girls are lacking in comparison to the top skaters of the past generations
Is purely intended as overly simplistic generalizations and throwing dirt trying to provoke a war of words. Maybe we just have cultural differences that create barriers. This is an international forum after all. We should keep these things in mind when posting our opinions.All the Russian girls remind me of immature jumping beans.
You make it sound as if this were an issue exclusive to Evgenia and Serafima. I think when taking in the performance/execution and Interpretation scores a fair person would at least acknowledge the presence these girls bring especially Serafima who I see as better at delivering a coheicive CoP program better than a lot of seniors. Of course...you are entitled to your opinion which I'm more than willing to entertain..in fact I've seen the light and changed my mind on a few skaters based on reading posters input and how they are emotionally connecting with them. It is my humble opinion that this:
Is purely intended as overly simplistic generalizations and throwing dirt trying to provoke a war of words. Maybe we just have cultural differences that create barriers. This is an international forum after all. We should keep these things in mind when posting our opinions.
I am not throwing dirt, that is my honest opinion. The thread is about state of the ladies so I pointed out honestly what I thought about them. I am not "trying" to insult anyone, I am stating my opinion. And I have already gushed over Wakaba in some other threads and since this is not part of the Fan Fest I think I can post some criticism if I want to. Not everything has to be admiration and praise, and those areas are definitely what some of those girls need to work on.
Being a fan of figure skating since 2006, I think I can say that there are clearly places where those girls are lacking in comparison to the top skaters of the past generations. This actually is not an insult of the skaters themselves, but more of a criticism at the way they are being coached; value is placed on jumping passes and odd movements while sloppiness in general skating style and the entire jump technique is gone unnoticed and unfixed. This, in comparison to the classic skating and jumping styles pre-Senior Ladies 2014 (and 2013) (cue: Michelle Kwan, Mao Asada, Yuna Kim, Carolina Kostner), is mediocre. If we don't come to terms with this, I don't know if we can remain true to the real essence of figure skating and the skaters which have made it so beautiful and esteemed.
You are cherry picking the best of the best in your comment above. The women you mentioned did not even all debut together.
The girls from Russia are an impressive force, but they are also individuals who all develop at their own pace and are still developing. Who knows what will happen to each in the future, but the only thing they really have in common right now is their nationality and their youth. They are each actually very different in terms of what they bring to the table and potential.
I think that Medvedeva's expression skills/speed/ice coverage and style (and also jumping technique; THAT LUTZ of Higuchi, WOW, haven't seen it done so well since Yuna!! ) pale in comparison to Higuchi. There is just a class about her which the Russian girls don't have. She reminds me of a young Mao or Michelle Kwan.