Is Rika an exciting skater? | Page 8 | Golden Skate

Is Rika an exciting skater?

lzxnl

Final Flight
Joined
Nov 8, 2018
Actually I brought it up because I thought Rika is a good example of a 3A inflating the evaluation of the rest of one's skating abilities and was curious if what other people thought about her skating. I like Rika but opinions are what this blog is about. I'm sorry if I hurt anybody's feelings by having an opinion about a skater, Jeez. Lol

Without her 3A, she still has interesting choreo, even if it's not mainstream at all, and she works very hard to sell it. AND her other five jumps are very solid too, which I can't say for many other ladies.
 
Joined
Jun 21, 2003
I guess I still don't know what "exciting" means.

Suppose you have a skater who is on par with the other major competitors. She plans two triple Axels in her LP. If she hits them, she will be the World Champion. If she doesn't, the door is open for her rivals. (This in fact was Rika's situation at last year's Worlds).

What colud be more exciting than that, as she goes up for her big do-or-die, make-it-or-break-it, go-big-or-go-home, thrill-of-victory-agony-of-defeat moment?
 
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SNAKSuyun

did it spark joy?
On the Ice
Joined
Feb 23, 2018
Country
China
"Exciting" is a loaded word. Even for the most "exciting" skaters, it doesn't always apply - I'm excited watching Kaori's Matrix, I'm excited watching Wakaba in general, but Wakaba's Poeta for example doesn't excite me. I adore Yuzuru to death, his recycled programs don't excite me. Heck, Yuzuru's 2017 Worlds Hope and Legacy, or Sui/Han's 2019 Worlds Rain in Your Black Eyes are probably two of my favorite competitive programs ever, but I wouldn't say they excited me. Something doesn't have to be "exciting" to be worth watching, or high quality, or touch people. Different people are going to appreciate different forms of artistry, or even different styles of skating altogether (some people might love to watch quads, others might love to watch immersive performances). But I think most of us can agree that Rika is a great skater, compared to the current ladies' field if not compared to the 3A. She performs difficult elements, attempts varied/original choreography, generally produces complete programs (usually only popping or falling on her 3A). By all accounts, even if you don't like her skating personally, you'll probably still watch her, if just to see if she'll skate clean and beat your favorites. She's a force to be reckoned with.
 

ladyjane

Medalist
Joined
Jun 26, 2012
Country
Netherlands
"Exciting" is a loaded word. Even for the most "exciting" skaters, it doesn't always apply - I'm excited watching Kaori's Matrix, I'm excited watching Wakaba in general, but Wakaba's Poeta for example doesn't excite me. I adore Yuzuru to death, his recycled programs don't excite me. Heck, Yuzuru's 2017 Worlds Hope and Legacy, or Sui/Han's 2019 Worlds Rain in Your Black Eyes are probably two of my favorite competitive programs ever, but I wouldn't say they excited me. Something doesn't have to be "exciting" to be worth watching, or high quality, or touch people. Different people are going to appreciate different forms of artistry, or even different styles of skating altogether (some people might love to watch quads, others might love to watch immersive performances). But I think most of us can agree that Rika is a great skater, compared to the current ladies' field if not compared to the 3A. She performs difficult elements, attempts varied/original choreography, generally produces complete programs (usually only popping or falling on her 3A). By all accounts, even if you don't like her skating personally, you'll probably still watch her, if just to see if she'll skate clean and beat your favorites. She's a force to be reckoned with.

She's great to watch..even when she hits her 3Axel and consequently manages to fall on her combination...up immediately and into the flow of the programme. Exciting? I don't know. Not many skaters 'excite' me, but many can move me. And Rika's one of those.
 
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