Figure Skating

[Momto4FemaleFelines]

Originally Posted by PrairiePurrs:
I didn't think much of the new system at first, but the choreographers are getting the hang of it now and the programs are improving as a result.

YES, I've noticed...some of the choreography is starting to mesh in with the new system.
Take for example Jeremy Abbott who won US Nationals Gold in mens competition. His coach is Yuka Sato and his short program was choreographed by former dance pair/now solo skater Shae-Lynn Bourne! He not only skated the skate of his life, but his short program was wonderfully choreographed. I didn't hear if they mentioned who his long program was choreographed by, but it was equally wonderful.

[Momto4FemaleFelines]

So, anymore thoughts on the US Nationals which just finished airing on tv last night?

I really, really loved Meryll Davis and Charlie White in the Dance discipline.

Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto are good and I totally understand that they are the fans sentimental favorites, but their performances seemed flat to me.

I fell asleep during the last 2 or 3 skaters of the Ladies long program last night so am going to try to catch the repeat on Universal Sports later today.

[Grace]

Watched the Ladies last evening, and the Dance earlier. I'm not liking the new scoring much. I thought that Mirai Nagasu was much better than Rachel Flatt - and look who is the winner.

I read an interesting article in the NY Times about the new scoring, and the further into it I got, the more I kept thinking school figures. Takes me back to the days of Trixie Schuba. She was perfection in figures, building up overwhelming leads before the free skate.

If that's where this is headed, count me out.

[Momto4FemaleFelines]

I have to agree with a lot of the quotes in that article.
Rachel was flat, no pun intended! She "punched the clock" like Scott said (IIRC...I should've left the window open with the article up to check!)

I have always loved the more beautiful side of skating==lovely, long-held spirals, beautiful 'hair touching the ice' death spirals, Ina Bauers all the way across the ice with the back bent far back, beautiful classic layback spins with proper leg and arm position. I've always enjoyed the pro's more than the eligibles.

There will probably never be a perfect scoring system, but like Sasha said " it's like a math test, heads are filled with numbers" (paraphrasing there)...to have to count spins, etc., while you are competing...how can you "flow" when you're too busy thinking technical stuff!

I guess we'll always complain, just like we do about the weather.

[Bonny]

I sure liked Meryl & Charlies programs & their skating moves. The announcers mentioned the more upbeat music making a difference in their programs & I think it does. Tanith & Ben reminded me of a pair of stiff wind up dolls during the short program. The ladies there was the good, the bad, & the ugly. Lots of falls & sloppy jumps. I tried to watch the men skate today but was babysitting my grandson so it was a hit & miss.

[Momto4FemaleFelines]

Bonny, Tanith & Ben have 'lost' something...I don't know what, but...I know they changed coaches to try to do better but I think it might be working against them. They ARE the sentimental favorites and they have done a lot for US dance skating, but...they aren't the same somehow.

I saw the mens and dance pairs last week. It's a shame Ryan Bradley did so poorly in his short program, he is such a charming skater. Reminds me a little of Kurt Browning. Jeremy Abbott had the skates of his life, I think! Pairs was so unempressive for me I don't even remember who skated or who placed! I haven't been following skating the way I used to and don't know who some of the skaters are anymore!

I'm watching a repeat of the ladies now.

[Karen]

I watched last night, and was happy with the results. I thought Sasha Cohen was better in the short than the long, but that has always been the case with her. The commentators seemed to so expect the top two positions to be switched, but I think it will do both skaters good. Mirai kept telling people it wasn't her time yet, so perhaps coming in second will help the nerves not overwhelm her, and Rachel has two very fluffy English Sheepdogs in the background on the piece they showed about her family, so we know she's a doggie friend!