4S from Kihira because she was even landing it in shows this summer, if her ankle heals. If the ankle doesn't heal in the next few weeks, who knows what Trusova could pull off. Her 2A looks so much better.
About Rika:
1. Amazing performance. Rika improved her interpretation of the program exponentially in the month since ACI.
2. The 3A is amazing this year
3. Rika has become a good competitor. Prior to this year, Rika would be perfect in practice but imperfect in competition. But, she has developed competition nerves. Even when imperfect in practice, she can pull out a clean skate. What progress she has made over the last 3 years!
4. The PCS difference between Rika and her main competitor was not large enough given the actual difference in basic SS and performance quality. However, it is good that she got the highest PCS of the night because it was 100% deserved.
I don't think it matters if Rika wins or gets 2nd place. The important thing is that she proud of her performance and I think for a perfectionist like Rika that means being clean and close to perfect. So, I hope she is able to have the clean beautiful performance that she wants in her long program.
Agreed. Realistically, I don't think Rika came to Skate Canada expecting to win, as she knows the condition of her ankle, and trying to win against the greatest female technician ever without a quad or a full set of triples was always going to be difficult. However, she's given herself every chance to do so, she should be proud of her performance, and hopefully tomorrow marks the first time Rika skates two clean programs as a senior.