Rostelecom Cup: Ladies Free Skate LIVE BLOG

Pl.	Name	Nation	Points	SP	FS
1	Kiira KORPI	FIN	177.19	2	1
2	Gracie GOLD	USA	175.03	1	2
3	Agnes ZAWADZKI	USA	166.61	3	4
4	Kanako MURAKAMI	JPN	166.34	6	3
5	Adelina SOTNIKOVA	RUS	157.98	5	7
6	Alena LEONOVA	RUS	157.27	4	8
7	Polina KOROBEYNIKOVA	RUS	153.32	8	6
8	Viktoria HELGESSON	SWE	151.48	7	9
9	Valentina MARCHEI	ITA	148.67	9	5
10	Caroline ZHANG	USA	138.21	10	10

Pl.   Name Nation TSS = TES +   PCS + SS TR PE CH IN Ded. - StN. 1 Kiira KORPI FIN 115.64 56.12   60.52 7.68 7.07 7.61 7.71 7.75 1.00 #9 2 Gracie GOLD USA 112.87 54.77   58.10 7.54 6.93 7.32 7.39 7.14 0.00 #10 3 Kanako MURAKAMI JPN 109.56 53.22   56.34 7.32 6.46 6.96 7.29 7.18 0.00 #5 4 Agnes ZAWADZKI USA 106.43 51.10   55.33 6.93 6.61 7.04 7.18 6.82 0.00 #8 5 Valentina MARCHEI ITA 102.42 50.88   51.54 6.29 5.82 6.71 6.71 6.68 0.00 #2 6 Polina KOROBEYNIKOVA RUS 101.87 52.45   50.42 6.68 5.86 6.29 6.61 6.07 1.00 #3 7 Adelina SOTNIKOVA RUS 100.87 48.28   55.59 7.14 6.50 6.79 7.25 7.07 3.00 #6 8 Alena LEONOVA RUS 98.42 41.17   57.25 7.39 6.71 6.86 7.50 7.32 0.00 #7 9 Viktoria HELGESSON SWE 97.38 43.60   53.78 6.75 6.46 6.79 6.93 6.68 0.00 #4 10 Caroline ZHANG USA 92.06 48.57   43.49 5.93 4.93 5.29 5.71 5.32 0.00 #1

1) Caroline Zhang (USA)
  Music: Nessun Dorma

• I love that deep color on her
• What I'd really like to see on her jumps is a nice, long glide out of the jump
• The jumps are looking especially small today
• I feel like she normally has more extension in the spiral than she does today
• I love that ending-how she just comes straight out of the spin and finishes, nothing fancy about it
• 48.57 (TES) + 43.49 (PCS) = 92.06
• 46.15 (SP) + 92.06 (FS) = 138.21

2) Valentina Marchei (ITA)
  Music: The Artist

• I'm sorry I didn't get to watch you Valentina, i was switching feeds
• But you look happy coming off the ice!
• 50.88 (TES) + 51.54 (PCS) = 102.42
• 46.25 (SP) + 102.42 (FS) = 148.67

3) Polina Korobeynikova (RUS)
  Music: Swan Lake

• Very clean jumping, fast rotation
• This costume is a choice
• This program looks very calculated
• She is ticking off the elements, but where is the performance?
• Girl-Please give us some face!
• Oh no, a fall on the final jump on the most dramatic piece of the music, not a good picture ot leave in the judges' minds
• This program is looking very labored, there's just no fire in her belly
• 52.45 (TES) + 50/42 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 101.87
• 51.45 (SP) + 101.87 (FS) = 153.32

4) Viktoria Helgesson (SWE)
  Music: Spellbound Concerto

• This costume is perfection, I love how white goes into ice blue
• This is how a woman skates, not a little pixie girl
• I feel like there is a lot of fluff in this program-too many simple crossovers and long approaches to jumps
• A lot of these jumps look UR and a lot of turns out of the landings
• This program was easy on the eyes, but there also was no excitement either
• 43.60(TES) + 53.78 (PCS) = 97.38
• 54.10 (SP) + 97.38 (FS) = 151.48

5) Kanako Murakami (JPN)
  Music: Oblivion & Fuego Lento

• Aww look at our little girl, she's growing up!
• There's not a lot of drama in this music
• This music might still be a little sophisticated for her, it's subdued and you really need to work to bring out the accents
• She'll be hit with some underrotations on her TES mark
• Something was off with that 2A combo
• 53.22 (TES) + 56.34 (PCS) = 109.56
• 56.78 (SP) + 109.56 (FS) = 166.34

6) Adelina Sotnikova (RUS)
  Music: Burlesque

• For a girl who has the potential to be a World Champion, this is not a World Champ program
• I do like the skirt of this costume
• I love her jumping, nice quick rotation
• Why did Tarasova choreograph this mess?
• Oh no, 2 falls in a row; this piece is going nowhere fast
• I hate when good skaters sell themselves short with garbage programs
• I've heard enough riffing for the day now
• 48.28(TES) + 55.59 (PCS) -3.00 (DED) = 100.87
• 57.11 (SP) + 157.98 (FS) = 157.98

7) Alena Leonova (RUS)
  Music: Poeta en la Mar

• This feed keeps sticking, so who knows what happened in the 1st minute
• This step sequence is strange, it's like she's trying to give us sassy face, but she's looking down toward the ice-it's odd
• This is a poor choice of music for her style
• This is so flat for me, she doesn't look like she wants to be there
• This piece of music sounds frantic, but the skating is slow; it's been an odd 4 minutes for me
• 41.17 (TES) + 57.25 (PCS) = 98.42
• 58.85 (SP) + 98.42 (FS) = 157.27

8) Agnes Zawadzki (USA)
 Music: Rhapsody in Blue

• Leaned way to the side, but clean 1st jump
• She looks so strong; she is in such good shape
• I love how expressive her upper body is
• She has interesting choreography out of the jumps, she doesn't just hang out and wait to get back into the piece
• I love her zippy, tight rotation
• She is having an "on day" I can see that right now
• This is a very mature program and well composed, I am happy she hung onto it
• This is a wonderful program, but this is the best execution I've seen from her in so long
• What a breath of fresh air to see somebody who wants to be on the podium
• 51.10 (TES) + 55.33 (PCS) = 106.43
• 60.18 (SP) + 106.43 (FS) = 166.61

9) Kiira Korpi (FIN)
  Music: Once Upon a Time in America

• She is flawless
• Some of these jumps are really telegraphed
• Just when I was about to say that her jumps are crisp and clean today, she falls
• 56.12 (TES) + 60.52 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 115.64
• 61.55 (SP) + 155.64 (FS) = 177.19

10) Gracie Gold (USA)
  Music: Life is Beautiful

• Gracie, please excite me because nobody else has today
• Clean through the 1st minute, thank you feed for freezing
• I have nothing else to say because me feed went out on me unfortunately
• 54.77 (TES) + 58.10 (PCS) = 112.87
• 62.16 (SP) + 112.87 (FS) = 175.03

Rostelecom Cup: Ladies short program LIVE blog

1) Gracie Gold (USA)
  Music: Hernando's Hideaway

• Who doesn't love Hernando's Hideaway?
• Nice 3-3 Gracie, I love the speed
• So far so good, but I feel like she's speeding through the choreography and just ticking off the elements
• Now that's she's put down a clean short on the GP, that's a huge step
• Our girl looks thrilled
• 34.92 (TES) + 27.24 (PCS) = 62.16

2) Caroline Zhang (USA)
  Music: Rushing Wings of Dawn

• I love everything that she does with her face at the beginning of this piece
• I love this music so much
• Uh on, pupped the first jump, not a good sign
• That stretched out camel is wonderful, but the bent leg position looks rough
• The step sequence is lovely in this piece, it perfectly fits the tone of the music
• 21.84 (TES) + 324.31 (PCS) = 46.15

3) Polina Korobeynikova (RUS)
  Music: Romeo & Juliet

• I'm loving this braid into the bun
• I actually really love this dress
• Her body type reminds me of Alissa Czisny
• She seems like a very introspective skater to me, which is coming back to me now from the Junior GP
• 26.42 (TES) + 25.03 (PCS) = 51.45

4) Agnes Zawadzki (USA)
  Music: Sex and the City

• Agnes honey, what is this odd costume situation we've got going here?
• So, are you Carrie Bradshaw in Abu Dahbi?
• Well  I guess you can be whomever you want to be when you are jumping like this
• She is looking so slick today, so in a zone
• This is a great piece for a short program, it suits her energy
• I love all these arm variations in the combination spin
• 33.01 (TES) + 27.17 (PCS) = 60.18

5) Valentina Marchei (ITA)
  Music: Esperanza

• This program suits her fiery personality
• I feel like her spins and body positions are so improved this year
• Those swing programs last year didn't show of any of these wonderful things we are seeing from her this season
• The technical content is not at the level of the youngsters, but this is still a very solid program that will receive a good score
• 20.48 (TES) + 25.77 (PCS) = 46.25

6) Adelina Sotnikova (RUS)
  Music: Capriccio Espagnoi

• Nice 3-3
• Uh oh, baby popped her flip
• She is killing it in this footwork, you can tell that being at home helps her energy
• 29.11 (TES) + 18.00 (PCS) = 57.11

7) Kanako Murakami (JPN)
  Music: Prayer for Taylor

• Baby girl is killing it today
• I love that she reinvented herself into an artist, this is a beautiful piece
• Darn that fall, but still she's becoming quite the lovely skater
• 29.01 (TES) + 28.77 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 56.78

8) Viktoria Helgesson (SWE)
  Music: Poinciana

• I remember when it used to flip back and forth-who was better-between Viktoria & Joshi, but honestly it's not even close anymore
• That was just okay, iffy technique
• I like the short hair much better that last year's poofy up-dos
• Wait, doesn't her mom coach her anymore?
•  26.67 (TES) + 27.43 (PCS) = 54.10

9) Kiira Korpi (FIN)
  Music: The Girl with the Flaxen Hair

• This is my favorite costume of the season
• This is so delicate and soft
• That was pure enjoyment to watch
• 31.51 (TES) + 30.04 (PCS) = 61.55

10) Alena Leonova (RUS)
  Music: Slumdog Millionaire

• I never quite know what's going to happen when this one steps out onto the ice
• 
  
• (TES) + (PCS) =

Rostelecom Cup: Ladies Preview

This event is going to come down to who wants it the most. I can see this going so many different ways it's making my head spin. There are about 6 ladies that could win this thing, so let's get started. I'll be live blogging the short on Friday AM and all the free programs on Saturday AM. Here is a link to the schedule http://backstagebarbie.blogspot.com/2012/10/2012-grand-prix-of-figure-skating.html.

Adelina Sotnikova (RUS) is our favorite Russian baby. She is a more complete skater than Tuktamisheva and Lipnitskaia and I hope she can win here and make it to the Grand Prix Final in Sochi. She won bronze at Skate America so let's hope that she keeps escalating!

Kiira Korpi (FIN) is looking divine this season. Her costumes are gorgeous and I appreciate how calm she looks on the ice. I love that every time she steps out, we know that we are going to get something beautiful. I love her elegance. We know she will always receive high PCS marks so that helps give her the edge over many other skaters.

Kanako Murakami (JPN) looks to factor into the medal scene this season after already securing a bronze at Skate Canada. She is finally growing into her body and she's held onto her jumps while developing a new sense of artistry. I expect to see her in the top 6 at Worlds this year with her lovely programs.

Gracie Gold (USA) could easily hit the podium if she goes clean. We all expected her to medal at Skate Canada, but she is a rookie senior and we shouldn't put so much pressure on her. She is brand new on the scene and we need to be patient while she develops.

My Podium Predictions:
Gold: Adelina Sotnikova (RUS)
Silver: Kiira Korpi (FIN)
Bronze: Kanako Murakami (JPN)

The Rest of the Field:
Valentina Marchei (ITA)
Polina Korobeynikova (RUS)
Alena Leonova (RUS)
Viktoria Helgesson (SWE)
Agnes Zawadzki (USA)
Caroline Zhang (USA)

Skate America: Ladies Preview

This should be Ashley Wagner's (USA) event to lose. She has the home ice advantage, and all the confidence in the world. Black Swan was such a statement piece for her last year and I'm very much looking forward to this year's programs. She's looking for her first Grand Prix gold medal.

Though Alena Leonova (RUS) medaled at the 2012 Worlds, I feel like she's a one-year-wonder. Her clunky, masculine approach cannot sit well with international judges much longer. She is usually quite clean, but a number of other ladies could pass her if they skate cleanly.

Adelina Sotnikova (RUS) was a highly publicized "Russian Baby" just a year ago. Though she didn't make the debut we had all hoped, she still did quite well on the 2011 Grand Prix, but she looked scared and timid. I pray that she unleashes her inner diva and swipes the silver.

Viktoria Helgesson (SWE) was the surprise bronze medalist at this event last year and even though she only medaled because other ladies failed spectacularly, she still has a legitimate shot this year if some of the "fragile competitors" meltdown. She has a very mature look on the ice that we do not see from the babies.

Rachael Flatt (USA) was once the darling of US Figure Skating. Last year we wondered if she could balance school and skating and the answer was clearly no. Has she gotten her insane schedule under control and stayed in good enough shape to return to a high level of competition? I've always had a soft spot for her so I hope so!

Will Christina Gao (USA) ever get it together and live up to her potential? She was once a lovely junior lady that we thought would be the future of US figure skating. Alas, her fragile competitive psyche would not allow that to happen and now that she is a Harvard student, will she become Rachael Flatt 2.0? She had a rough 2011 Grand Prix, so at least she has nowhere to go but up!


Podium Predictions
Gold: Ashley Wagner (USA)
Silver: Adelina Sotnikova (RUS)
Bronze: Alena Leonova (RUS)


The Rest of the Field:
Mae Berenice Meite (FRA)
Sarah Hecken (GER)
Valentina Marchei (ITA)
Haruka Imai (JPN)

2011 Rostelecom Cup: Ladies Preview

This ladies event is a little difficult to predict because it's full of either young or inconsistent skaters, only 3 of the 10 having won a medal in their first Grand Prix of the season. The ladies skate their short Friday November 25th at 7:00 a.m. EST and their free on Saturday November 26th at 7:00 a.m. EST.

Mao Asada (JPN), coming off of a disastrous 2010-2011 season, looked fantastic at NHK Trophy where she finished just about a point out of first, and I think she can win here. If she goes clean with her technical elements she can beat the pants off of this field with her program components. Any medal will put her in the final. Adelina Sotnikova (RUS) did not make the Grand Prix debut we expected, though she finished a respectable 3rd in China. A Silver will likely be enough to secure her a spot in the final, though a Gold would guarantee it. Alena Leonova (RUS), Bronze medalist in Japan looks to qualify for the Final as well, though she also needs Silver, likely Gold, to secure a spot. I'm not a fan of her programs, but when she goes clean, the judges reward her accordingly. The American trio of Rachael Flatt (USA), Christina Gao (USA) & Agnes Zawadzki (USA) did not start out the season as they hoped, but because the final is now out of reach, they can skate all out and have nothing to lose. They all have podium potential if they put together two strong program and other make mistakes. Kiira Korpi (FIN) also had a rough start to the season and is in the same boat as the Americans in that she can skate full out without having to worry about qualifying for the Final. Her skating is so understated and she is a complete joy to watch.

My Podium Predictions:
1) Mao Asada (JPN)
2) Adelina Sotnikova (RUS)
3) Alena Leonova (RUS)


Competitive History:


Mao Asada (JPN)-2nd at 2011 NHK Trophy, 6th 2011 Worlds, 2nd 2011 Four Continents, 5th 2010 Trophee Eric Bompard, 8th 2010 NHK Trophy, 1st 2010 Worlds, 2nd 2010 Winter Olympics; PB: 205.50 at 2010 Winter Olympics

Sofia Biryukova (RUS)-1st 2011 Finlandia Trophy, 6th 2010 Rostelecom Cup, 6th 2010 Coup de Nice, 7th 2010 Finlandia Trophy; PB: 153.05 at 2010 Rostelecom Cup


Rachael Flatt (USA)-10th at 2011 Skate Canada, 12th 2011 Worlds, 4th 2011 Four Continents, 6th 2010 Grand Prix Final, 2nd 2010 Skate America, 2nd 2010 NHK Trophy; PB: 182.49 at 2010 Winter Olympics


hristina Gao (USA)-5th at 2011 Cup of China, 4th 2011 World Juniors, 6th 2010 JGP Final, 2nd 2010 JGP Germany, 2nd 2010 JGP Austria; PB: 167.14 at 2010 JGP Czech


Haruka Imai (JPN)-4th at 2011 Skate America, 3rd 2011 Gardena Spring Trophy, 2nd 2011 Asian Winter Games, 6th 2010 Trophee Eric Bompard, 5th 2010 Skate Canada, 1st 2010 O Nepala; PB: 155.29 at 2010 Four Continents


Kiira Korpi (FIN)-6th at 2011 NHK Trophy, 9th 2011 Worlds, 3rd 2011 Europeans, 1st 2010 Trophee Eric Bompard, 4th 2010 NHK Trophy, 2nd 2010 Finlandia Trophy, 1st 2010 Nebelhorn Trophy; PB: 169.74 at 2010 Trophee Eric Bompard at 2010 Trophee Eric Bompard


Amelie Lacoste (CAN)-6th at 2011 Skate Canada, 16th 2011 Worlds, 9th 2011 Four Continents, 5th 2010 Skate America, 3rd 2010 Skate Canada; PB: 156.26 at 2010 Skate Canada


Alena Leonova (RUS)-3rd at 2011 NHK Trophy, 4th at 2011 Skate Canada, th 2011 Worlds, 5th 2011 Europeans, 9th 2010 Cup of Russia, 3rd 2010 Cup of China, 1st 2010 Coup de Nice, 3rd 2010 Finlandia Trophy; PB: 183.92 at 2011 Worlds


Adelina Sotnikova (RUS)-3rd at 2011 Cup of China, 1st 2011 World Juniors, 1st 2010 JGP Final, 1st 2010 JGP England, 1st 2010 JGP Austria; PB: 178.97 at 2010 JGP Austria


Agnes Zawadzki (USA)-8th at 2011 NHK Trophy, 3rd 2011 World Juniors, 4th 2010 Rostelecom Cup, 6th 2010 Skate Canada; PB: 161.07 at 2011 Worlds 

2011 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating: Cup of China Ladies Free Skate

1) Quiying Zhu (CHN)
     Music: Scent of a Woman

• She is so tentative going into her jumps, I really want to attack them with more speed
• The jumps really need more height
• I'd like to see more speed on the spins, some of the positions are nice
• The step sequence needs more levels to make it exciting to watch
• My overall note is she needs more attack
• That was a weak layback spin
• She is happy with the skate, good for her!

FS Score: 35.16 (TES) +38.13  (PCS) = 73.29
Total Score: 35.28 (SP) + 73.29 (FS) = 108.57

2) Ksenia Makarova (RUS)
     Music: Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend, I Wanna Be Loved By You

• I love this program and just want to see it done well
• Trip and fall out of the triple lutz, legs were crossed on landing
• The choreography is so playful, love this gorgeous costume
• Lands the 3-2, but really lacks height
• Wild free leg on the triple loop
• Her hair looks to be falling down and it's distracting
• The jumps she's landing are hardly getting off the ground, where has her technique gone?
• This costume is fantastic, a great replica of the original
• The ending is abrupt, but I like the program as a whole
• Certainly some underrotations there, but one fall is a huge upgrade from her Skate America free skate

FS Score: 46.01 (TES) + 52.56 (PCS) - 1.00 (DED) = 97.57
Total Score: 45.90 (SP) + 97.57 (FS) = 143.37

3) Christina Gao (USA)
     Music: Libertango

• I'm sick of this music, but I'll give her a chance
• Her crossovers seem very short and staccato, not sure if that's a skill issue or a style choice
• Nice 3-3 to open
• Conquered the double axel that caused a fall in the short
• Fall, I missed the jump
• I like her spin variations and the fact that they show off her long limbs
• That is a very Mao Asada-esque costume
• Awkward turn out of the triple flip
• Short landing on the triple loop
• She is giving away a lot of GOE points on these less than beautiful landings
• I wish she's pick up the speed and try to emote more
• She needs to bend the knees more and go deeper onto the edges
• Good attempt at interpretation in this step sequence

FS Score: 53.89 (TES) + 47.60 (PCS) - 1.00 (DED) = 100.49
Total Score: 51.99 (SP) + 100.49 (FS) = 152.48

4) Valentina Marchei (ITA)
     Music: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

• This program seems oddly junior-ish for a woman of her age
• This as a free and the energetic upbeat short are too similar programs for the same season
• As in the short, crossovers with hand gestures are not transitions
• She is popping jumps left and right, tack on a fall as well
• Sato & Dungjen did not perform magic with her as they did with Czisny
• The gloves with this costume are distracting for me

FS Score: 32.76 (TES) + 49.68 (PCS) - 1.00 (DED) = 81.44
Total Score: 52.42 (SP) + 81.44 (FS) = 133.86

5) Bingwa Geng (CHN)
     Music: Sylvia

• Two-foot on opening triple
• Turns a simple double axel into a 3-jump combination
• I'm not familiar with this music, but I really like it
• I like the headless-variation on the I-spin, but the leg must be pulled in closer if she's going to perform it
• This program is slow and lacking conviction like the rest of the skaters in this group
• She's picking up the energy slightly here at the end, but ti's a little to little to late at this point
• She's not terribly upset, but not terribly happy either with that skate

FS Score: 45.38 (TES) + 45.10 (PCS) - 1.00 (DED) = 89.48
Total Score: 52.61 (SP) + 89.48 (FS) =142.09

6) Kexin Zhang (CHN)
     Music: En la Cueva

• This girl is a jumper, nice 3-3 there
• I like the costume, be it loud, but it doesn't fit with the music
• She needs a lot more speed
• She really does have all the jumps, nice rotation
• She's missing the components and interpretation of the more experienced Geng
• Good spins, I'm pleasantly surprised by her!
• She could relax her hands more, they get stuck in some funny positions
• Solid skate, she'll be quite pleased!

FS Score: 54.14 (TES) + 46.33 (PCS)  = 100.47
Total Score: 52.85 (SP) + 100.47 (FS) = 153.32

7) Kanako Murakami (JPN)
     Music: Violin Concerto

• I love Kanako's dress, this is  very new look for her this sesaon
• Low landing on the opening triple, if that was supposed to be her combination, I hope she tacks it on later
• She seems unsettled out there, perhaps she isn't quite soft enough for this type of program
• I do appreciate her effort in working toward a more mature program
• Her jumps don't seem to have their usual spring, but she may not yet have adjusted to her growth spurt

FS Score: 44.10 (TES) + 54.01 (PCS) - 1.00 (DED) = 97.11
Total Score: 53.09 (SP) + 97.11 (FS) = 150.20

8) Adelina Sotnikova (RUS)
     Music: Liebestraum

• I'm on the edge of my seat!
• 3-3 to open, it hardly takes any effort for her
• She has a nice knee bend and good edging
• I love the costume, it is very age appropriate and fits the music
• She is looking solid out there, and much more mature that Tuktamisheva
• Popped a jump, signs of nerves?
• Really strange landing, may be counted as a fall
• She is letting go of precious GOE marks on these landings
• Really good spinning ability, another place where she tops Tuktamisheva
• Nice emotion and interpretation from her, it would be a great debut for any other skater
• Her facial expressions remind me of Sasha Cohen

FS Score: 51.69 (TES) + 54.52 (PCS) = 106.21
Total Score: 53.74 (SP) + 106.21 (FS) = 159.95

9) Mirai Nagasu (USA)
     Music: Spartacus

• Mirai looks relaxed out there, but almost to the point of being too casual in her movements
• So far so good after 4 jumping passes
• Wavering a little in her camel sequence
• I'd like to see that spread eagle ride out a little longer on that great part of the music
• She really is nailing it so far, it looks like we've gotten "Good Mirai" today!
• Wow, a clean program from Mirai is something we've not seen in a while!
• When she's good, she's GOOD

FS Score: 55.64 (TES) + 56.62 (PCS)  = 112.26
Total Score: 60.96 (SP) + 112.26 (FS) = 173.22


10) Carolina Kostner (ITA)
      Music: Concerto NO. 23 by Mozart

• Very wobbly landing for Caro, but she gets it under control
• Nice smooth easy program so far, let's keep it that way
• I appreciate the flow that she normally has out of her jumps
• Pointing the foot would do her a lot of good to extend an already long leg line
• And she's happy with that!

FS Score: 56.95 (TES) + 63.31 (PCS)  = 120.26
Total Score: 61.88 (SP) + 120.26 (FS) = 182.14

2011 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating: Cup of China Ladies Short Program LIVE BLOG

1) Kexin Zhang (CHN)
     Music: Piano Concerto No. 3 by Rachmaninov

• The Chinese ladies struggled last Grand Prix season, I'd like to see them do well here at home
• 3-3 attempt, I couldn't tell from the angle if it was rotated
• Hand down on a very tilted triple lutz
• She is very stiff in her upper body, some ballet would go a long way for her
• She needs to extend the movement even through the fingertips
• Nice donut spin position
• Footwork into a double axel, so far clan on the jumping
• I want to see more use of levels in this footwork, but she has begun to relax her upper body
• She'll be happy with that skate

SP Score: 31.47 (TES) + 21.38 (PCS) = 52.85

2) Quiying Zhu (CHN)
     Music: Nutrckacker

• She is gorgeous!
• From that costume I was expecting the Plum pas de deux music and I was correct!
• Fall on the first triple attempt, just not nearly enough speed and or height
• Triple-double completed, but still lacking speed and height
• She goes into the double axel almost at a stand-still
• She is so tentative going into these elements
• Her hands are really broken at the wrist which really disrupts the arm line she's creating
• Spins are a bit wobbly, traveling a bit
• No don't pick your skirt out of your butt on the ice! 

SP Score: 16.40 (TES) + 19.88 (PCS) - 1.00 (DED) = 35.28

3) Bingwa Geng (CHN)
     Music: The Umbrellas of Cherbourg

• I love this costume, it's very dynamic
• I hate this overhead camera angle, but nice 3-2
• She has more speed and is more aggressive than the other more delicate Chinese ladies
• That catch foot spin should be much more stretched if she's going to attempt it
• The spins really lack speed
• That ina bauer needs much more stretch, clean double axel
• That fog on the ice is really distracting
• Nice layback into final ending position
• An easy skater to watch

SP Score: 29.66 (TES) +22.95 (PCS) = 52.61

4) Adelina Sotnikova (RUS)
     Music: Bolero

• Very strong opening stance, drastically different from her programs of last season
• She is coming out very aggressive
• Fall on the triple lutz, had no speed coming out
• I hope she's smart enough to tack on a combo to another jump
• And she does add a 2T to the 3F
• Very fast spinning and nice position changes
• That lutz looked rotated, so she'll just lose the 1 point deduction and some GOE marks
• Solid double axel
• I'm loving her spins, that is where she is much stronger than Elizaveta
• Her step sequence movements are a little repetitive for me, but I appreciate that she is giving it her all
• That low sit spin variation is rally interesting
• She is not happy with that, but should still bring in a strong score

SP Score: 29.66 (TES) + 25.08 (PCS) - 1.00 (DED) = 53.74

5) Christina Gao (USA)
     Music: To Love You More

• I like her even more now that she's tall, is that strange?
• She's getting the Yuna look!
• 3F-3t, looked solid to me
• Slow approach to the double axel, can't keep it on her feet
• I like this program on her
• I'd like a stronger flow out of that triple lutz
• She has lovely spin positions but lost a lot of speed by the time she hit the Bielman
• I'd like to see more facial expression, she's in the ballpark here on her step sequence
• Aren't bangs really distracting for a figure skater?

SP Score: 29.34 (TES) + 23.65 (PCS) - 1.00 (DED) = 51.99

6) Valentina Marchei (ITA)
     Music: Johnny's Mambo, Ronny's Mambo

• Yuka is here for Team Detroti, no surprise b/c of her connection with Jeremy Abbott
• Again, I hate the braid, it's immature for her age
• Her opening combo took off from and landed on very straight legs
• She came out firing today, seems to really have her legs under her
• This program doesn't do much for me, the transitions are really just crossovers with sassy facial expressions
• She's landed all of the jumps, but none of them really have much height at all
• Pretty quick rotation on the spins, she must be studying Alissa

SP Score: 26.46 (TES) + 25.96 (PCS) = 52.42

7) Ksenia Makarova (RUS)
     Music: Maria and the Violin's String

• What a lovely program this is if she can just stay upright
• The choreography is fantastic, the opening is so unique
• Fall out of the opening 3F, I really don't know that the coaching change did her any favors
• This audience really gasps when a skater falls
• Step out of the triple loop,won't get full credit
• I don't know where this girl's mind is, if I had that choreography I wouldn't be throwing away jumps
• This poor girl, she's so lovely if she could get her mind in the game and learn to compete

SP Score: 20.44 (TES) + 26.46 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 45.90

8) Kanako Murakami (JPN)
     Music: Violin Muse

• Wow she's grown up since last season!
• 3lz-3t, 2nd jump likely underrotated and maybe two-footed
• Triple loop, UR probably
• This is a much more mature program for her, she's improved her sense of interpretation
• A bit of a funny layback position; broken leg line
• Her hands are a bit stiff for me, softening them would do wonders for her arm line
• Double axel, good to see she's maintained her jumps even with the growth spurt

SP Score: 25.80 (TES) + 27.29 (PCS) = 53.09

9) Mirai Nagasu (USA)
     Music: Danzarin

• Lord I don't even know what to think anymore when Mirai steps onto the ice
• It looks like good Mirai came out to skate today, all jumps landed
• She really does a fantastic job of not traveling at all on that layback spin
• I like that camel variation into the donut that she does
• Sassy Mirai is out there today, Frank is looking on as seriously as ever
• I like this step sequence a lot
• Mirai is one of the best spinners around in terms of speeding up rotation as she goes

SP Score: 31.75 (TES) + 29.21 (PCS) = 60.96

10) Carolina Kostner (ITA)
      Music: Alegretto from Trio No. 2 by Shostakovitch

• The illusion mesh is still horrible but the costume as a whole has grown on me
• The more I watch it I like this program
• She went for the 3-3, wasn't watching closely enough for rotation
• She really carries a lot of speed with those long legs
• Two hands down on the triple loop
• Nice sharp double axel
• I appreciate the way the subtleties of the choreography mirror the music
• Nice deep edging, she'll likely pass Mirai in PCS but not in TES after the hands down

SP Score: 31.44 (TES) + 30.44 (PCS) = 61.88

Skaters to Watch: Cup of China Edition

Jeremy Abbott (USA)-2011 Four Continents Free Skate





Yuzuru Hanyu (JPN)-2011 Four Continents Free Skate





Nobunari Oda (JPN)-2010 Skate America Short Program





Adelina Sotnikova (RUS)-2011 Russian Nationals Short Program





Carolina Kostner (ITA)-2011 Skate America Free Skate





Kanako Murakami (JPN)-2010 Grand Prix Final Short Program





Yuko Kavaguti & Alexander Smirnov (RUS)-2010 Cup of Russia Free Skate





Wenjing Sui & Cong Han (CHN)-2011 Skate Canada Free Skate





Maia Shibutani & Alex Shibutani (USA)-2011 Finlandia Trophy Short Dance





Ekaterina Bobrova & Dmitri Soloviev (RUS)-2011 Cup of Russia Free Dance





Charlotte Lichtman & Dean Copely (USA)-2011/2012 Free Dance

2011 Cup of China: Ladies Preview

The ladies field at Cup of China can be described in one word, young. Only two of the ten were born before 1992. Four ladies have already skated in one Grand Prix event but the rest are making their Grand Prix debut for the season. The ladies take the ice for their short program at 5:00 a.m. EST on Friday November 4th and for the free skate at 4:15 a.m. EST on Saturday November 5th.

I can't wait to watch 2011 World Junior Champion Adelina Sotnikova (RUS) in her senior Grand Prix debut and see if she can take home the Gold as Tuktamisheva did in Canada. She is consistent, artistic, polished, and packs her program with difficult elements, including triple-triple combinations. Reigning World Bronze Medalist Carolina Kostner (ITA) debuted at Skate America two weeks ago and took Silver, narrowly missing out on Gold. I've always been critical of her but I'm trying to be open-minded and I really do enjoy her new programs this season. At 24, she is more experienced than anyone in this field, but will that help her hold off the teenagers? Speaking of teens, 17-year-old Kanako Murakami (JPN) started her senior GP last season with a splash, winning a Bronze, a Gold, and Bronze at the final. She ran out of steam late in the season and placed 8th at Worlds but I bet she comes out strong and more mature to start this season. Also in the mix is Christina Gao (USA), who is making her senior Grand Prix debut after a strong junior career. She went through a huge growth spurt last year but is now really growing into her body and using her long lines to her benefit. Mirai Nagasu (USA) made me so upset last week because she blew her chance to win Skate Canada by falling on several jumps and yet again botching a spin. I'm afraid she maybe be destined to become the skater who "could've been" as she's talented beyond belief but never learned how to thrive in competition. Ksenia Makarova (RUS) has two of my favorite programs of the season but she struggles with consistency and anything less than two clean programs will leave her off the podium with this extremely talented field.

My Podium Predictions:
1) Adelina Sotnikova (RUS)
2) Carolina Kostner (ITA)
3) Kanako Murakami (JPN)


Competitive History: 


Christina Gao (USA)-4th 2011 World Juniors, 6th 2010 JGP Final, 2nd 2010 JGP Germany, 2nd 2010 JGP Austria; PB: 167.14 at 2010 JGP Czech


Bingwa Geng (CHN)-18th 2011 Worlds, 13th 2011 Four Continents, 5th 2011 Asian Winter Games, 5th 2010 Cup of China; PB: 142.48 at 2010 Cup of China


Carolina Kostner (ITA)-2nd at 2011 Skate America, 3rd 2011 Worlds, 1st 2011 Gardena Spring Trophy, 2nd 2011 Europeans, 3rd 2010 Skate America, 1st 2010 NHK Trophy; PB: 184.68 at 2008 Worlds


Ksenia Makarova (RUS)-5th at 2011 Skate America, 7th 2011 Worlds, 4th 2011 Europeans, 7th 2010 Rostelecom Cup, 4th 2010 Skate Canada, 4th 2010 Finlandia Trophy; 171.91 at 2010 Winter Olympics 

Valentina Marchei (ITA)-9th at 2011 Skate America, 10th 2011 Europeans, 5th 2010 Rostelecom Cup, 8th 2010 Skate Canada, 2nd 2010 Coup de Nice, 2nd 2010 O Nepala; PB: 153.71 at 2010 Rostelecom Cup


Kanako Murakami (JPN)-8th 2011 Worlds, 1st 2011 Asian Winter Games, 3rd 2010 Grand Prix Final, 1st 2010 Skate America, 3rd 2010 NHK Trophy; PB: 178.59 at 2010 Grand Prix Final

Mirai Nagasu (USA)-5th at 2011 Skate Canada, 1st 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy, 3rd 2011 Four Continents, 2nd 2010 Trophee Eric Bompard, 4th 2010 Cup of China; PB: 190.15 at 2010 Winter Olympics


Adelina Sotnikova (RUS)-1st 2011 World Juniors, 1st 2010 JGP Final, 1st 2010 JGP England, 1st 2010 JGP Austria; PB: 178.97 at 2010 JGP Austria


Kexin Zhang (CHN)-4th 2010 Asian Winter Games, 11th 2010 JGP Germany, 3rd 2010 JGP Japan; PB: 134.08 at 2010 JGP Japan 

Quiying Zhu (CHN)-14th 2011 Four Continents, 19th at 2010 World Juniors, 4th 2009 JGP Istanbul, 8th 2009 JGP Budapest; PB: 102.38 at 2011 Four Continents