2012 World Figure Skating Championships: Ladies Short Program Results

Pl.	Qual.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Q	Alena LEONOVA	RUS	64.61	34.64		29.97	7.29	7.07	7.64	7.57	7.89	0.00	#20
2	Q	Kanako MURAKAMI	JPN	62.67	34.61		28.06	7.18	6.75	7.07	7.00	7.07	0.00	#27
3	Q	Carolina KOSTNER	ITA	61.00	30.26		30.74	7.82	7.43	7.57	7.71	7.89	0.00	#28
4	Q	Mao ASADA	JPN	59.49	30.89		29.60	7.61	7.14	7.43	7.32	7.50	1.00	#19
5	Q	Akiko SUZUKI	JPN	59.38	30.67		28.71	7.39	6.82	7.25	7.14	7.29	0.00	#29
6	Q	Ksenia MAKAROVA	RUS	58.51	31.30		27.21	6.79	6.61	6.86	6.75	7.00	0.00	#22
7	Q	Elene GEDEVANISHVILI	GEO	58.49	30.86		27.63	6.86	6.57	6.96	6.93	7.21	0.00	#21
8	Q	Ashley WAGNER	USA	56.42	28.80		27.62	6.96	6.64	6.96	6.82	7.14	0.00	#24
9	Q	Kexin ZHANG	CHN	55.00	32.76		22.24	5.86	5.18	5.61	5.61	5.54	0.00	#13
10	Q	Viktoria HELGESSON	SWE	54.19	28.35		25.84	6.50	6.11	6.61	6.46	6.61	0.00	#30
11	Q	Valentina MARCHEI	ITA	52.14	27.28		24.86	6.32	5.75	6.29	6.25	6.46	0.00	#25
12	Q	Jenna MCCORKELL	GBR	50.42	27.56		22.86	5.89	5.32	5.82	5.68	5.86	0.00	#14
13	Q	Amelie LACOSTE	CAN	49.37	25.80		23.57	6.14	5.57	5.93	5.82	6.00	0.00	#17
14	Q	Elena GLEBOVA	EST	49.04	28.47		21.57	5.64	5.07	5.46	5.43	5.36	1.00	#8
15	Q	Yretha SILETE	FRA	48.42	27.60		20.82	5.46	4.93	5.21	5.18	5.25	0.00	#16
16	Q	Alissa CZISNY	USA	48.31	23.26		27.05	6.82	6.43	6.64	6.96	6.96	2.00	#26
17	Q	Juulia TURKKILA	FIN	47.75	28.18		19.57	5.11	4.57	5.00	4.89	4.89	0.00	#2
18	Q	Sonia LAFUENTE	ESP	47.36	26.98		20.38	5.32	4.79	5.25	5.07	5.04	0.00	#4
19	Q	Polina KOROBEYNIKOVA	RUS	46.71	25.36		21.35	5.54	5.11	5.25	5.43	5.36	0.00	#3
20	Q	Natalia POPOVA	UKR	46.60	26.57		20.03	5.18	4.75	5.11	5.00	5.00	0.00	#18
21	Q	Sarah HECKEN	GER	46.39	24.99		22.40	5.82	5.29	5.64	5.68	5.57	1.00	#23
22	Q	Kerstin FRANK	AUT	45.80	26.86		18.94	4.96	4.43	4.82	4.68	4.79	0.00	#12
23	Q	Alisa MIKONSAARI	FIN	44.16	24.90		19.26	4.82	4.54	5.07	4.71	4.93	0.00	#10
24	Q	Romy BÜHLER	SUI	44.02	23.78		20.24	5.18	4.64	5.18	5.14	5.18	0.00	#5
25		Victoria MUNIZ	PUR	43.27	24.56		18.71	4.79	4.32	4.75	4.64	4.89	0.00	#15
26		Isabelle PIEMAN	BEL	38.45	21.59		17.86	4.57	4.25	4.54	4.43	4.54	1.00	#11
27		Alina FJODOROVA	LAT	38.06	22.11		16.95	4.46	4.00	4.32	4.29	4.11	1.00	#9
28		Min-Jeong KWAK	KOR	36.91	18.26		18.65	4.96	4.29	4.68	4.68	4.71	0.00	#7
29		Clara PETERS	IRL	34.03	17.43		16.60	4.25	3.75	4.21	4.21	4.32	0.00	#1
30		Lejeanne MARAIS	RSA	32.22	16.96		16.26	4.18	3.79	4.14	4.11	4.11	1.00	#6

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

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

2011 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating: Skate America Ladies Free Skate [LIVE BLOG]

1) Elene Gedevanishvili (GEO)
     Music: Phantom of the Opera

• I really like that costume, something about it is very Victorian, yet very modern
• Solid triple lutz-double toe to start off, great speed in and out
• Pops the triple flip into a single
• Really fast rotation on the double axel-double toe-double toe
• Popped planned triple toe to a double-double toe
• She is a very mental skater, looks to come out guns ablaze and focused, but melts down much too often
• She really fought on that second 3lutz
• Nice catch foot spiral, covering a lot of ice
• Triple toe, two-footed
• I really like this program and it has a lot of potential is she can get more consistency on the jumps
• I really like the footwork sequence
• Nice flying camel, good position changes
• She won't be happy with that program, no falls, but so many points given back

FS Score: 48.15 (TES) + 49.46 (PCS) = 97.61
Total Score: 42.51 (SP) + 97.61 (FS) =140.12

2) Valentina Marchei (ITA)
     Music: Big Bad Voo Doo Daddy

• This is shaping up to be a fun program!
• Two-footed triple lutz, looked under-rotated
• Good triple flip
• The dress would be much better without those gloves
• This pace is so fast, I wonder if she'll be able to keep the energy up
• Bent legs on the spins
• I hate when music changes mid-spin, but that's just me
• Fall on a triple salchow
• She is getting very wild, losing some of her control on the program
• I like her sit spin variations

FS Score: 44.21 (TES) + 48.11 (PCS) - 1.00 (DED) = 91.98
Total Score: 43.19 (SP) + 91.98 (FS) = 135.17

3) Joshi Helgesson (SWE)
     Music: Romeo and Juliet

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FS Score: 43.57 (TES) + 45.38 (PCS)  = 88.95
Total Score: 45.03 (SP) + 88.95 (FS) = 133.98

4) Ksenia Makarova (RUS)
     Music: Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend, I Wanna Be Loved By You

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FS Score: 45.20 (TES) + 52.52 (PCS) - 1.00 (DED) = 96.72
Total Score: 45.94 (SP) + 96.72 (FS) = 142.67

5) Joelle Forte (USA)
     Music: 13th Warrior

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FS Score: 45.43 (TES) + 46.41 (PCS) - 1.00 (DED) = 90.84
Total Score: 48.86 (SP) + 90.84 (FS) = 139.70

6) Viktoria Helgesson (SWE)
     Music: Sunset Boulevard

• Oh lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, I hope Patti LuPone isn't watching this event
• Love the costume, very reminiscent of Norma Desmond
• Hard fall on the triple lutz, legs very wrapped up
• She is coming out fighting, looks very edgy and unrelaxed
• This is a lovely program if she can hit the rest of it
• Hand down on a triple salchow
• Foot needs to point harder on the fly into the sit spin

FS Score: 44.41 (TES) + 51.21 (PCS) - 1.00 (DED) = 94.62
Total Score: 51.13 (SP) + 94.62 (FS) = 145.74

7) Haruka Imai (JPN)
     Music: My Fair Lady

• This is an interesting choice of dress for My Fair Lady
• She is graceful and elegant, but doesn't have the powerful jumps of the top Japanese ladies
• This is such an odd arrangement
• Fall on a triple toe, not sure if it was rotated or not
• Stumble out of a triple loop
• Stumble out of a triple salchow, her timing is very off today
• None of her jumps have good flow out of them
• I wonder why her choreographer put all her spins right in a row here

FS Score: 39.08 (TES) + 50.19 (PCS) - 1.00 (DED) = 88.27
Total Score: 43.67 (SP) + 88.27 (FS) = 143.94

8) Caroline Zhang (USA)
     Music: Allegro, Cello Concerto in B Minor by Dvorak

• Struggle on the lutz, let's hope she doesn't unravel after this
• She looks like all the confidence is gone from her face
• Triple loop-double toe
• She is losing speed, she really needs to pick it up
• She could use more stretch in her spiral
• Very hard fall on the triple flip, she took a very long time to get up
• Another fall, she struggled to get up again, she seems as if she could be injured
• She's really having a hard time staying in the program
• All the energy has been zapped out of her
• Good double axel to end it on a good note, and of course her signature Pearl spin

FS Score: 38.81 (TES) + 49.84 (PCS) - 3.00 (DED) = 85.65
Total Score: 55.05 (SP) + 85.65 (FS) = 140.71

9) Carolina Kostner (ITA)
     Music: Concerto No. 27 by Mozart

• So far so good for Caro
• Very solid double axel
• I like this costume on her so much better than the short
• She is not nearly as fast as she usually is
• Her jumps are rotating very quickly
• I like this program much better than the short as well, her upper body is much more fluid
• Triple sal-double toe-single loop
• Good first free skate for the first event of the season, she'll certainly improve from here
• This program is classic figure skating

FS Score: 55.45 (TES) + 61.67 (PCS) = 117.12
Total Score: 60.23 (SP) + 117.12 (FS) = 177.35


10) Alissa Czisny (USA)
      Music: Valse Triste

• Loving this costume and the stark contrast to her short program dress
• Now that is how you wear illusion fabric, matched to your skin
• Will we see the triple triple?
• Her hairstyle from last season looks lovely with this dress
• I love the intricacies of the choreography off the top and the expression
• First jump is crucial
• Triple lutz-triple toe, second jump looked two-footed and under-rotated
• Stumble on the triple flip, I don't know if it was a fall or not
• She looks a little unsettled
• This spiral sequence should calm her down hopefully
• Just going for the triple-triple hitting it, even with downgrades is a big step in the right direction
• Great interpretation of the choreography
• Nice second triple lutz, not great flow out
• She's turning out of a lot of these jumps
• Good quick thinking on her feet, adding a 3rd jump to her double axel-double toe combination
• She doesn't look as confident as she did yesterday, but she'll improve throughout the season

FS Score: 51.37 (TES) + 62.92 (PCS) - 1.00 (DED) = 113.28
Total Score: 64.20 (SP) + (FS) = 177.48

2011 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating: Skate America Ladies Short Program [LIVE BLOG}

Here we go, what is always called the headlining event, the ladies short! Zhang looks happy, let's hope that continues over into the skating.

1) Joelle Forte (USA)
     Music: O from "Cirque do Soleil"

• This is going to be touch and go to see how she does in her debut
• Her arms and hands are very stiff, I'd like to see them loosen up
• Stumble out of the lutz
• Triple salchow-double toe is an interesting combination, many of the top skaters will have flip or lutz in the combo
• She needs to pick up the speed a lot in this foot works sequence
• Would love more stretch in that Ina Bauer
• Very pleasant skater, she seems so happy just to be out there in her Grand Prix debut
• She'll be happy with that relatively clean skate, she's like the Douglas Razzano of the ladies event

SP Score: 26.61 (TES) + 22.25 (PCS) = 48.86

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

• Gorgeous fluidity in her upper body from the beginnin
• Gorgeous triple flip-triple toe, and no big donkey kick
• Lovely spread eagle
• Nice triple loop, one of her favorite jumps
• She has great flow out of those triples tonight
• Her spiral even looks better too and it's so good to see her smile
• Step out on that double axel
• She's always been a good spinner and she looks solid here
• She just looks so happy in this step sequence, I"m beaming for her from my chair
• And the pearl spin is back
• Just a glorious program for her

SP Score: 29.36 (TES) + 25.69 (PCS) = 55.06

3) Joshi Helgesson (SWE)
    Music: The Man with the Golden Arm

• Family affair again at Skate America with both Helgesson sisters and their mom the coach
• I prefer Joshi to Viktoria, I just like her on-ice personality more
• Was that 3lutz two-footed?
• Popped the toe-loop and missed the combination
• I like the jazzy accents
• She could work on her posture
• I wish she would've added a jump onto the end of the double axel
• She kind of ran out of gas toward the end

SP Score: 22.15 (TES) + 22.88 (PCS) = 45.03

4) Haruka Imai (JPN)
    Music: Song Without Words opus 109 by Felix Mendelssohn

• I love the dress, but the eyeshadow I'm not feeling so much
• Triple lutz-double toe
• Very elegant, I love the fluidity of her arms
• She has nice spin positions, but really needs to straighten out that standing leg
• Great use of the whole body in this step sequence
• Nice to actually see a scratch spin after all the ugly, I mean innovative positions we usually see

SP Score: 28.75 (TES) + 25.92 (PCS) = 54.67

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

• Fall on an under-rotated triple lutz is not a good way to start out
• That braid in her hair is driving me nuts, I don't know why
• I like her attempt at hip action, and that she is committed to the performance
• That won't be a score she'll be too happy with

SP Score: 20.30 (TES) + 23.89 (PCS) - 1.00 (DED) = 43.19

So far I'm so proud of Caroline Zhang and loving the beauty and elegance of Haruka Ima. This will be an exciting group. Czisny looks fantastic and Gedevanishvili looks to have her game face on!

6) Viktoria Helgesson (SWE)
     Music: My Funny Valentine

• I love this song, hoping for a good performance
• Triple toe-double toe, not as difficult as the other skaters' combinations
• So I'm not loving this Latina version of this song, Rogers and Hart would not be pleased
• I love headless spins, but that transition to layback was not so great
• Her arms are very stiff, she needs to work on her fluidity
• Very tight rotation in the double axel
• Trouble in the flying sit, the foot touched the ice, that will cost her points
• Nice camel into heel stretch position
• I can't tell how she feels by her facial expession

SP Score: 26.10 (TES) + 25.03 (PCS) = 51.13

7) Elene Gedevanishvili (GEO)
    Music: Tango Jalousie

• Girl has a fire in her eyes like I've never seen from her
• She looks to be in amazing shape
• Doubled the lutz, added on a double toe
• Doubled the salchow as well
• She needs to get a grip before she throws this away
• Death drop into a great sit spin
• Wow, eeked out the landing of that double axel
• She has the right technique and timing on all these jumps, something inside her head is just telling her to bail early
• That layback has great speed
• That fire in her eye is rapidly turning to disappointment
• I like this choreography a lot but it requires 100% attack and commitment
• Very ugly flexed foot on that sit spin
• I love that knee slide at the end!

SP Score: 17.78 (TES) + 24.73 (PCS) = 42.51

8) Ksenia Makarova (RUS)
    Music: Selections by Yann Tiersen

• Is it me, or does she look slimmer than last season
• I love her flow across the ice in this opening
• That was a really hard fall on the triple toe, no way to save that
• Triple loop-single toe
• She is not even attempting the harder jumps
• Step out of the double axel
• She looks like she is on very wobbly legs
• What a shame, because she seems to have grown oh so much artistically, but her jumps are just not happening today
• Her spin positions are looking lovely today
• I love that music so much, I'd love to listen to it in yoga class or during meditition

SP Score: 20.84 (TES) + 26.11 (PCS) - 1.00 (DED) = 45.95

9) Alissa Czisny (USA)
    Music: La Vie En Rose

• Come on Alissa, we need a hit program to salvage this event
• That is the most gorgeous figure skating costume I've ever seen
• Loving the Balanchine bun by the way
• Beautiful selection of music
• The posture, the carriage, its all delightful
• Triple lutz, double toe with great flow out of it
• Triple flip, she's hitting all the difficult triples
• Nice double axel
• She looks so confident going into the program, like she knows she is going to land them
• No uncertainty
• I want to watch this program everyday of my life
• Everything about this looks easy
• With this program you see the performance, not the effort behind it
• Those spins look like they are in fast forward
• Btw she has such perfect teeth
• Jason Dungjen looks like a proud dad!

SP Score: 33.03 (TES) + 31.17  (PCS) = 64.20

10) Carolina Kostner (ITA)
      Music: Allegretto from Trio No.2 by Shostakovich

• This costume is heinous, she always goes overboard on the fake skin
• Triple toe-triple toe, the only 3-3 of the night
• Really low landing on the triple loop
• Slow entry into some pretty ugly spin positions
• She has such long limbs and I always wish she'd use them gracefully instead of flailing about 
• This musical choice merely accents how choppy her natural movements are
• That program did nothing for me, but she is clearly happy

SP Score: 30.66 (TES) + 29.57 (PCS) = 60.23

2011 Skate America: Ladies Preview

The 2011-2012 Grand Prix circuit kicks off this weekend, and though this may not be the most loaded ladies field of the series, there is one key battle to watch for. The ladies take the ice Saturday at 11:25pm (EST) for their short program and 5:40pm on Sunday for their free. I'll be live-blogging all 8 events this weekend so be sure to check back for all my thoughts and feelings! Welcome back and let's have a great season!

This event has two standouts in Alissa Czisny (USA) and Carolina Kostner (ITA) who will fight it out for Gold, and then an inconsistent rest of the field who could fall into place any number of ways. Czisny & Kostner had nearly identical seasons in 2010/11 with each winning Gold & Bronze on the Grand Prix. Czisny finished one notch ahead of Kostner to win the Grand Prix Final while Kostner finished two spots ahead of Czinsy when she won Bronze at Worlds. Both have been inconsistent in the past but if they are both on, I'd prefer to watch Czisny any day. Her spins are among the best in the World, and in my opinion her artistry is far superior with grace and fluidity to spare, while I have always found Kostner to be a bit robotic. Bronze will be key here and there is no favorite now that 2010 World Bronze Medalist Laura Lepisto has withdrawn. Ksenia Makarova (RUS) had an up and down 2010/11 season and she withdrew from Nebelhorn Trophy earlier this month due to injury so only time will tell if that was serious enough to affect her here. Elene Gedevanishvili (GEO) made a coaching change in the off-season and seemed to have settled down a bit when she debuted at Nebelhorn earlier this month with a Silver Medal. Sisters Viktoria Helgesson (SWE) & Joshi Helgesson (SWE) had strong showings last year and normally Joshi is the higher scoring athlete, though she has a habit of finishing lower when she competes directly against her sister. We'll see if that trend continues. Haruka Imai (JPN) finished as high as 5th last season at Skate Canada, and though she is a nice skater, she has never reached the level of the top Japanese Ladies. Valentina Marchei (ITA) is a nice skater when she can land her elements and she too finished as high as 5th last season at Rostelecom Cup. At 25, she is pushing the age envelope for a singles skater and this could be her last season. Last but not least, America's host picks Caroline Zhang (USA) & Joelle Forte (USA) are dark horses to say the least. Zhang was a Junior phenom but never achieved success as a senior and you have to wonder if this may be the last year that US Figure Skating gives her International assignments unless she produces results. Forte is a pleasant skater, though I don't see a hugely successful career ahead of her given that she is making her International debut this season at age 25.

My Podium Predictions:
1) Alissa Czisny (USA)
2) Carolina Kostner (ITA)
3) Ksenia Makarova (RUS)


My USFSA Fantasy Picks:
A) Alissa Czisny (USA)
B) Elene Gedevanishvili (GEO)
C) Joshi Helgesson (SWE)


Competitive History:

Alissa Czisny (USA)-5th 2011 Worlds, 5th 2011 Four Continents, 1st 2010 Grand Prix Final, 3rd 2010 Trophee Eric Bompard, 1st 2010 Skate Canada; PB: 182.25 at 2011 Worlds


Joelle Forte (USA)-7th 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy, 4th 2011 Gardena Spring Trophy


Elene Gedevanishvili (GEO)-2nd 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy, 10th 2011 Worlds, 8th 2011 Europeans, 7th 2010 Skate America, 6th 2010 NHK Trophy; PB: 164.54 at 2010 Europeans


Joshi Helgesson (SWE)-3rd 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy, 15th 2011 Worlds, 2nd 2011 Mont Blanc Trophy, 6th 2011 Nordics, 4th 2010 Skate America, 7th 2010 Cup of China; PB: 149.08 at 2011 Worlds

Viktoria Helgesson (SWE)-5th 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy, 17th 2011 Worlds, 6th 2011 Europeans, 1st 2011 Nordics, 1st 2010 Merano Cup, 6th 2010 Skate America, 9th 2010 NHK Trophy; PB: 161.79 at 2010 Worlds


Haruka Imai (JPN)-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


Carolina Kostner (ITA)-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)-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)-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 


Caroline Zhang (USA)-9th 2010 Skate America, 7th 2010 NHK Trophy; PB: 176.48 at 2008 Grand Prix Final