- Joined
- Mar 26, 2014
I understand the "crazy" one: people want to be creative. But only sometimes it is fun when we are truly in the creativity zone. Sometimes it is just wishful thinking to push up personal favs. The disconnect from reality can be easily explained by the "craziness" of the thread. Let's try then to be more down to the earth about what is going to happen next season in seniors. Of course, personal bias will be there but at least whatever is stated could be rationalized somehow. And one big assumption is that everyone is healthy.
I shall start with the ladies. In dance it is more or less clear (as usual). In pairs it is sort of vacuum if S/M, S/H, D/R, and S/K all quit. In men my prediction is Nathan is going to win everything with Shoma trailing. If there is an interesting discussion I will be glad to join. But we all know that men are the hardest to predict.
Well, ladies
Zagitova vs. Medvedeva will be the name of the game. Eteri vs. Orser. Forum battles are also expected: once Zhenya left Eteri and Russia as the training ground some of her vocal critics immediately changed the tune. The epic is there: something along Karpov vs. Korchnoj and later Karpov vs. Kasparov lines.
Same as before Olympics, the question about the bronze is open. Osmond looks as safe to claim it as the two Russians are there to claim the first 2 places. But will she have the motivation to keep on going? She already has Olympic bronze and Worlds gold. Try to go for the second worlds gold? With all due respect if she cannot beat the two during Bs and GPs it will be just wishful thinking. Satoko and Wakaba, on the other hand, have a lot of motivation. So that I would think of them as serious contenders for big bronzes. Gabby might join the fight but, come on, just 3T-3T during the post Oly season will be hardly enough. We are in the quads quad now. Let's see if she beefs up her tech.
Who will be the third Russian? My prediction is Sotskova again unless Anna P rises like a Phoenix. I would love it to be true - then she is in the race for bronze. Maria just does not have enough charisma and brand equity. She will be always heavily discounted to avoid all Russia podiums. But it is much harder to discount Pogo when she skates like she skated in Boston (although they did it, anyway). I don't believe in Polina's T breakthrough same as in Gubanova and Panenkova. The only chance for Konstantinova is to upgrade her jumps (she has been working on something). She will get another chance at a B. If she blows it she will be gone from big competitions.
Caro will retire same as Ashley. Comeback of Gracie will be short and not spectacular
Mai Mihara won't get the team again. It will be Rika Kihira who will become more consistent and will work on her brand. Judges will finally appreciate her. But still the lack of pcs will keep her off worlds podium. She might get into Top10, though
Bradie will solidify her position as USA's #1 lady. She might get 4CC podium but won't be higher than 5th on the worlds.
No breakthroughs from Tursunbaeva and Korean ladies.
I shall start with the ladies. In dance it is more or less clear (as usual). In pairs it is sort of vacuum if S/M, S/H, D/R, and S/K all quit. In men my prediction is Nathan is going to win everything with Shoma trailing. If there is an interesting discussion I will be glad to join. But we all know that men are the hardest to predict.
Well, ladies
Zagitova vs. Medvedeva will be the name of the game. Eteri vs. Orser. Forum battles are also expected: once Zhenya left Eteri and Russia as the training ground some of her vocal critics immediately changed the tune. The epic is there: something along Karpov vs. Korchnoj and later Karpov vs. Kasparov lines.
Same as before Olympics, the question about the bronze is open. Osmond looks as safe to claim it as the two Russians are there to claim the first 2 places. But will she have the motivation to keep on going? She already has Olympic bronze and Worlds gold. Try to go for the second worlds gold? With all due respect if she cannot beat the two during Bs and GPs it will be just wishful thinking. Satoko and Wakaba, on the other hand, have a lot of motivation. So that I would think of them as serious contenders for big bronzes. Gabby might join the fight but, come on, just 3T-3T during the post Oly season will be hardly enough. We are in the quads quad now. Let's see if she beefs up her tech.
Who will be the third Russian? My prediction is Sotskova again unless Anna P rises like a Phoenix. I would love it to be true - then she is in the race for bronze. Maria just does not have enough charisma and brand equity. She will be always heavily discounted to avoid all Russia podiums. But it is much harder to discount Pogo when she skates like she skated in Boston (although they did it, anyway). I don't believe in Polina's T breakthrough same as in Gubanova and Panenkova. The only chance for Konstantinova is to upgrade her jumps (she has been working on something). She will get another chance at a B. If she blows it she will be gone from big competitions.
Caro will retire same as Ashley. Comeback of Gracie will be short and not spectacular
Mai Mihara won't get the team again. It will be Rika Kihira who will become more consistent and will work on her brand. Judges will finally appreciate her. But still the lack of pcs will keep her off worlds podium. She might get into Top10, though
Bradie will solidify her position as USA's #1 lady. She might get 4CC podium but won't be higher than 5th on the worlds.
No breakthroughs from Tursunbaeva and Korean ladies.
especially those predicting podium sweeps.... enough said.
(game on)
