I only saw the last two skaters as I was watching the Twerps get humiliated. I don't like seeing someone fall and win it all - but I didn't see enough of the skaters to truly compare.
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There was plenty of that going around at Nationals, at least in the women's competition IMHO. The judges have found a way around the scoring system that was supposed to keep them from cheating. Caroline Zhang reminds me of Oksana Baiul in that she poses and waves her arms around, succeeding in drawing the judges' attention away from the fact that her jumping is horrible to watch (she kicks her leg WAY out on takeoff).
Spins count too in the new system, a lot. Alissa Czisny's spins are so far superior to Rachel Flatt's, well, they aren't even in the same spinning ballpark. Did you see how centered Alissa's spins were? TO DIE FOR!!!! Yes, she fell on her second triple lutz but she was far enough ahead after the short that she could afford that one mistake. I liked Rachel's skate, she's a nice skater, but I have no problems with the order of finish.
Ashley Wagner dug herself too big a hole (12th place and I don't know how many points) to overcome Caroline Zhang in the short program. Don't feel too bad for her though, under the old scoring system it's highly unlikely she would have been able to rise up to 4th place no matter how well she skated. Yes, Zhang needs to work on jumping technique and she's got to skate faster if she ever wants to be world champion but again, spins, TO DIE FOR Part 2. I love the new scoring system cause it rewards the spinners. Have you noticed how few 'all jump - no spin' skaters win anymore? Hooray! If she were skating today, Suraya Bonaly probably couldn't crack the top 5 at worlds, ever.
Alissa also has better extension and did you notice how long she held her positions in the spiral sequence? OMG!!!!! The only thing Rachel did better in her program was land her second triple lutz. I mean really. That shouldn't make the difference. Sorry Arkie, but I definitely disagree with you, I don't think Alissa's score was padded at all.
Can you tell I don't view FIGURE skating as purely a jumping competition?;)
Anyone watching the Australian Open? Federer lost the first two sets and is currently down 2-1 in the third set. Will he be able to fight back to take the last three sets?
Well, the #1 seed in the Women's side of the Aussie open is already out - will Federer suffer the same fate?
I wish I could get that trainer to show up here to work on my back. That would be sweet!