Hi everyone. Long-time lurker. Occasional poster. I'm going to try to post more in the exciting run up to Sochi. My take-aways:
All the Gracie nay-sayers are silenced. She came in 5th in the free and fought through her nerves. She did not pop or fall. Even her PCS were decent. With more clean programs, she could post some huge scores next year. I would not be surprise if she goes into Sochi as National Champ. Ashley did her job too but she will need to up her technical ante to hang with a more confident Gracie and challenge for the podium in Sochi.
Kim is back. I fully expect her to win the Olympics.
The clean program means very little these days. See Chan, S/S, even Kostner, especially in her short.
Osmond and Li were both joys to watch. Carolina is the most exquisite and musical skater but silver with 2 falls seems wrong when I grew up watching 6.0 where she would have had to battle for bronze after falling in the short. Mao looked like she was going through the motions- love her though, hope she can be more up there with Yuna next year. Feel bad Kanako was 4th with 2 solid programs. Heartbroken for Suzuki. Sad the Russians only managed 2 spots with their talented field for their home Olympics
The ice dance rivalry is one of the ages. Carmen looked the best it had but I think D/W were the rightful winner of the FD and the competition. Huge congrats to them for doing it when so many seemed to write them off on VM/M's home turf. I think with this competition they established themselves as the better team at the moment and the Sochi favorites. I cannot believe these teams continue to train together but somehow it seems to work. Will be very curious to see what V/M do program wise next year. I also wonder if Marina can come up with 2 more perfect vehicles to showcase D/W's speed and technical prowess than she did this year.
W/P came back strong to let the world know they intend to fight b/S for that bronze. However, judges seem firmly in B/S camp although the Italians made a nice case for themselves. The Shibs decline continues- C&B are now solidly the US number 2 with Igor behind them.
V/T and S/S will go 1-2 at the Olympics. V/T were beautiful and I cannot imagine them not being the champions at home. S/S were propped both programs by the judges who will not let them fall below silver. Gutsy on the 3A though. The Canadians should battle for bronze.
Men- I really just can't get into Chan. Hats off to Max for a solid debut and Denis Ten who surprised the world.
All the Gracie nay-sayers are silenced. She came in 5th in the free and fought through her nerves. She did not pop or fall. Even her PCS were decent. With more clean programs, she could post some huge scores next year. I would not be surprise if she goes into Sochi as National Champ. Ashley did her job too but she will need to up her technical ante to hang with a more confident Gracie and challenge for the podium in Sochi.
Kim is back. I fully expect her to win the Olympics.
The clean program means very little these days. See Chan, S/S, even Kostner, especially in her short.
Osmond and Li were both joys to watch. Carolina is the most exquisite and musical skater but silver with 2 falls seems wrong when I grew up watching 6.0 where she would have had to battle for bronze after falling in the short. Mao looked like she was going through the motions- love her though, hope she can be more up there with Yuna next year. Feel bad Kanako was 4th with 2 solid programs. Heartbroken for Suzuki. Sad the Russians only managed 2 spots with their talented field for their home Olympics
The ice dance rivalry is one of the ages. Carmen looked the best it had but I think D/W were the rightful winner of the FD and the competition. Huge congrats to them for doing it when so many seemed to write them off on VM/M's home turf. I think with this competition they established themselves as the better team at the moment and the Sochi favorites. I cannot believe these teams continue to train together but somehow it seems to work. Will be very curious to see what V/M do program wise next year. I also wonder if Marina can come up with 2 more perfect vehicles to showcase D/W's speed and technical prowess than she did this year.
W/P came back strong to let the world know they intend to fight b/S for that bronze. However, judges seem firmly in B/S camp although the Italians made a nice case for themselves. The Shibs decline continues- C&B are now solidly the US number 2 with Igor behind them.
V/T and S/S will go 1-2 at the Olympics. V/T were beautiful and I cannot imagine them not being the champions at home. S/S were propped both programs by the judges who will not let them fall below silver. Gutsy on the 3A though. The Canadians should battle for bronze.
Men- I really just can't get into Chan. Hats off to Max for a solid debut and Denis Ten who surprised the world.