I think to anybody that's capable of even a half objective observation it's clear that the skaters from the 2000s generation like Kostner, Asada, Kim when they were that age that these current phenomena are at right now, let's say anywhere 12-16, were not even close to what these kids show today. Neither in program complexity, nor in transitions and most definitely not in technical content.
And subjectively adding: neither in skating skills if you compare 15yo Mao to 15yo Kostornaya for example. But that comes down to specific skaters.
But that's okay :confused2:
Sports advance, that's their nature. And of course Mao or Kim at 19 or 20 had better SS and programs that 13yo novices. That's why the point is- at that age.
The point i was making though is that they developed many skills over time, so yes maybe at 15-16 they weren't the complete package (worth noting rules were very different too) but they had the time to work on both the elements and the artistry and the maturity, and they had the opportunity worked with best choreographers around the world.
While with skaters retiring at the age of 18, you'll never see that development, i'm glad at the very least commentators have stopped saying "oh this is not quite as good but she'll learn that over time, she's still young" because they even know most of these skaters won't be around for that long to learn things properly.