2017 GP Rostelecom Cup Ladies SP

[Spirals for Miles]

On another note in the midst of this argument that is definitely not about the ladies sp, I'd like to put my own opinion in. I understand why some like Carolina but her program bored me, so much that I started reading the forum in the middle of her skate. Medvedeva, on the other hand, was someone I couldn't take my eyes off of. I was watching in a loud, crowded, room and I felt like it was just me watching that exquisite performance. That's my opinion. Good luck to Mariah, Elizabet, Wakaba, Lena, Lera, Mirai, and Zhenya tomorrow!

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

So then, all judges are crazy. I see your point.

You keep quoting mrrice

You need to log out or go back and unselect the post. :laugh15::shame:

 

[Mathman]

Let's distinguish between the system as it is written and as it is applied. As it is written, it is a standards based system. A 9 should mean something. Now it may well be applied as a curve and that is exactly why I think I am well within the bounds of polite argument by pointing out that they are not holding to the standards they should be following.

I personally think that the ISU bit off a little more than it can chew. The written rules (although I think that they are pretty cool) require that skating judges (they are not dancers or musicians, much less specialists in ballet, hip hop or tango) make judgments about such things as "physical, emotional and intellectual involvement" (they left out "spiritual"), or "Multidimensional use of shape and design of movements"

[Aside: Actually, that last one is my favorite. I assume that the multi-dimensions are the two dimensional ice surface, the vertical dimension -- how high do you jump? -- and time. ]

Making these judgments in a standard way that is consistent from one competition to another over many years -- well, I guess I am just saying that I am glad i am not a figure skating judge.

 

[Zora]

Yes... there are ways to create integrated programs that rake a lot of points and yet, they don't seem too interested in doing that. I will say that her commitment elevates her programs. Good programs become very good when skated by her because of this. But she's going to be a legend, and I wish we got to see some greatness. I was almost offended by the roboticness of the step sequence. It took me out of the moment. I will be less surprised next time.

This is really the one thing I don't like of Evgenia's skating. She does all the required steps and turns and upper body movement, but it never really goes beyond that. When I think of great performances of the past, by skaters like Yuna, Mao, Carolina, Takahashi, Yagudin etc., it's always the step sequence(s) I think of first. But her's are all kind of similar and never really iconic for her program. Maybe working with a different choreographer would help.

 

[Purv]

On another note in the midst of this argument that is definitely not about the ladies sp, I'd like to put my own opinion in. I understand why some like Carolina but her program bored me, so much that I started reading the forum in the middle of her skate. Medvedeva, on the other hand, was someone I couldn't take my eyes off of. I was watching in a loud, crowded, room and I felt like it was just me watching that exquisite performance. That's my opinion. Good luck to Mariah, Elizabet, Wakaba, Lena, Lera, Mirai, and Zhenya tomorrow!

I respect your opinion, I dont find Carolina fascinating, but Zhenia also. I just did repeat her todays program. Her choreo is plain bad .She just turn herlself around and get her leg up with her mouth open and sometime drawing her arms out. NO FLUDITY< NO FLOW>> Sorry,but for me I watched some of the juniors steseq and it look like very much the same. When she finishes chore, she does combo, 2 little steps before (did you notice the EDGE?? YEs i know I risk asking about that but i will try)when she ends the combo , spread eagle/IB/ loop , then couple of seconds and 2 axel. Then 2 spins...THE END. Where s the beauty of the performance? Where some moves/ WHERE THOSE moments for which we repeat program 20 times in a row? Second part of the program is just a bore,for me. She puts almost every technical elements which is not good for a whole performance.

 

[pearly]

Yes... there are ways to create integrated programs that rake a lot of points and yet, they don't seem too interested in doing that. I will say that her commitment elevates her programs. Good programs become very good when skated by her because of this. But she's going to be a legend, and I wish we got to see some greatness. I was almost offended by the roboticness of the step sequence. It took me out of the moment. I will be less surprised next time.

Oh good lord. Offended?

 

[puremagic]

Preparation

 

[GGFan]

I personally think that the ISU bit off a little more than it can chew. The written rules (although I think that they are pretty cool) require that skating judges (they are not dancers or musicians, much less specialists in ballet, hip hop or tango) make judgments about such things as "physical, emotional and intellectual involvement" (they left out "spiritual"), or "Multidimensional use of shape and design of movements"

[Aside: Actually, that last one is my favorite. I assume that the multi-dimensions are the two dimensional ice surface, the vertical dimension -- how high do you jump? -- and time. ]

Making these judgments in a standard way that is consistent from one competition to another over many years -- well, I guess I am just saying that I am glad i am not a figure skating judge.

Completely agree! Human beings have but only so much processing capabilities. The brain will subconsciously take shortcuts and simplify things. That's why prejudging, reputation judging, judging all the PCS categories as one, etc. happen all the time. That is completely fair and reasonable.

What I fail to understand is individuals who watch a judged sport and do not expect critique of and disagreement with the judges over their favorites. I think it's fine to say "my skater is the best or should have won" but this whole tendency of being blind to flaws is crazy. Michelle never quite got that layback but she was still a legend! A flaw does not detract from greatness--I like my favorites to be human.

 

[Mathman]

As for Evgenia's actual program, I have to say that I am getting used to the backloading. Yes, this creates a definite "first half" and "second half" which showcase different skills. But I really, really enjoy the lovely skating of the first half and also the fireworks pf the second. Same with Alina Zagitova this season.

 

[SXTN]

I get the same impression, too, as opposed to Carolina's program (but I'm biased when I talk of her, of course) which looked very fluid and compact, even if less packed with transitions and music: everything seemed natural and coherent, not forced or frantic. Evgenia left me quite cold today, and I'd say that I join the group of those who think she was a bit overscored in many small ways: the step sequence GOE, for example, or the Performance mark (just because a program is clean doesn't automatically mean it's a great performance, too) and the Interpretation one, even the GOEs for the spins were a bit too generous for me. I think she looked quite stiff, she didn't complete most of her difficult moves and transitions properly as she usually does and she also looked a bit slower than usual (but I may be mistaken here). :scowl:

Evgenia's spins are nothing to write home about. She hits the levels but neither positions or speed are +2 or +3 worthy. Alina for example is much better in that department. Even Katarina Kostner has improved tremendously her spins.

Of course, Evgenia was the winner today, no doubt, but the combo looked laboured and for my personal taste everything was too calculated, she just didn't let the program flow. It's all about the points and winning. It is so unneccessary to put the vocal parts into that piece of music. It's all about strategy and points, points, points, points...

 

[charlotte14]

I have to say I admire Medvedeva for all her efforts. It is just boring though. I do not mind her winning because she deserves it. Just that program/music/performance... did not excite me.
However she is really good with what she has. Her jumps have nice distance. Only the 2A I think she should improve it but she will not jump 3A anyway.

Wakaba is good. But I only saw ONE clean 3-3 from her in pratice. The rest was UR. So she deserves the < call. The SP is great though.

Kaori Sakamoto should score higher. She impressed me today.

 

[Mathman]

Michelle never quite got that layback but she was still a legend! A flaw does not detract from greatness--I like my favorites to be human.

She never quite got that layback, her Lutz edge was questionable, she never mastered a difficult triple-triple. Still -- she was Michelle!

 

[Baron Vladimir]

I loved that!!!!!!

You keep quoting mrrice

You need to log out or go back and unselect the post. :laugh15::shame:

Yeah, I noticed it first time, but later it just looked funny for me. Because its telling that i'm commenting on posts I would like to comment to. You know,' I loved that, so I will write my comment' but yeah, I should deselect Mrrice, and just make all posts I wanna comment to begins with his sentence ...

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

Preparation

This needs captioned!!

Mirai thinking about Lenok: Is that a dress made of hay :scratch3:

Wakababy: I'm so Zen

Mariah: I can't not look cute

Zhenia: This is too easy

Lenok: Is this dress made of Hay? :think:

Dude in Leather coat: I hope everyone knows I'm only looking at her skate guards.:roll5:

 

[Purv]

This is really the one thing I don't like of Evgenia's skating. She does all the required steps and turns and upper body movement, but it never really goes beyond that. When I think of great performances of the past, by skaters like Yuna, Mao, Carolina, Takahashi, Yagudin etc., it's always the step sequence(s) I think of first. But her's are all kind of similar and never really iconic for her program. Maybe working with a different choreographer would help.

Yay, her chore is not a whole piece, just aggreagaion of turns out. Very robotic ones.Theres no chore actually,theres no story , her upper body actually doesnt exist.

 

[SXTN]

She never quite got that layback, her Lutz edge was questionable, she never mastered a difficult triple-triple. Still -- she was Michelle!

Evgenia has an even weaker outside edge on her lutz, but managed to master difficult 3-3's by prerotating her toeloops by a 3/4 of a turn.

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

her upper body actually doesnt exist.

Dude!!! It's Halloween...don't put scary thoughts like that in my head. :scard7:

 

[largeman]

Yeah, I noticed it first time, but later it just looked funny for me. Because its telling that i'm commenting on posts I would like to comment to. You know,' I loved that, so I will write my comment'

That's awesome. I think we should all choose a "sticky" quote and stick with it.

(Btw, imagine if the system were still sending out a "you've been quoted" message every time... mrrice would be furious at you right now)

 

[Purv]

Evgenia has an even weaker outside edge on her lutz, but managed to master difficult 3-3's by prerotating her toeloops by a 3/4 of a turn.

In 3f3t also? 3s3T is obvious, especially that it is in the second part and she is losing her stamina

 

[TerpsichoreFS]

Oh good lord. Offended?

This is an anonymous Internet forum, hyperbole is a thing, you should probably get used to it. I was as offended as figure skating can offend me.
Don't clutch your pearls too tighlty.