2016 US Figure Skating Championships: Ladies Recap

Ashley vs. Gracie: Part 4

1. Does anyone else matter to the skating faithful?
1. I feel that as a skating community, we have taken to Hannah Miller at this competition. Bradie Tennell is another one to watch. 
2. Does Ashley come from behind in the short to win in the free as has become commonplace?
1. Well, she was behind and she did so well until that pop, but it wasn't a true Ashley Wagner comeback, clearly, as she took third.
3. Does my girl Ashley, an old broad by skating standards, have any gas left in the tank to take another US title and have a prayer of a World medal?
1. I hate to say it because I love her, but I don't think she has a shot at a world medal unless others falter. She had her shot several times when she couldn't nail a short program. 
4. Does Gracie live up to her word of “no more doubles”?
1. After popping in the short, Gracie just threw it down in the free. She certainly lived up to her promise. 
5. Does Gracie, clearly the more talented of the two, get out of her head and put up the points we know she can?
1. Finally, yes, Gracie got out of her own head and threw down a fantastic performance. That was a "Nationals" performance and she clearly owned that free!
6. More importantly, which of these two will give us the best Side Eye?
1. Oddly enough, Polina was giving us some great face when she realized that Gracie had beaten her.
7. Can Polina finally perform like a mature young woman?
1. I'm just going to say it, because the free skate hair didn't help. It was more Pollyanna than Polina. She had the jumps, but she needs to learn how to perform and needs to be packaged differently.
8. Does Karen Chen make the Gracie vs. Ashley debate moot by wiping the floor with all of them?
1. She did not wipe the floor with them, but her free skate did make an impression aside from the fall. She has the potential to be great, but let's not crown her yet. 
9. Can Courtney Hicks’ jump propel her back into the conversation?
1. Unfortunately for Courtney, her jumps are what failed her. In my opinion, she needs to back off the speed and master her jumps again before she can put together a full program again. 
10. Where does Carly Gold factor in, and more importantly, how does her presence affect Gracie?
1. If she didn't have a famous sister, we wouldn't be talking about her and NBC certainly wouldn't be showing her short before the pairs free.
11. What chance does Mirai Nagasu have after all these years, particularly where International assignments are concerned?
1. She still has the skills, clearly, after nailing 2 clean programs, but that does not guarantee the "committee's" faith in her. She finished behind Ashley Wagner who popped a jump, so that doesn't demonstrate how much faith the international committee has in her. 
12. Will any one performance make me cry or stand up and cheer?
1. I certainly didn't cry, but I did cheer for Gracie because she had a true "Nationals moment".
13. Can anyone from last year’s top ten trio of Bell, Pierce, or Miller surprise us and make the podium?
1. Miller gave us a true performance. Pierce had that phenomenal short, but she really needed to go clean if she wanted to make to get to the program. She did show some fire at the end of the free so I'm very excited about her going forward! Bell showed us that she has the potential but she needs some smoothing out and just more experience. Unfortunately, not counting her combinations killed her. Fortunately, Kori Ade is her coach and in my opinion, she is the best in the business. 
14. How will last year’s Junior winner by a mile, Bradie Tennell, handle the pressure of the Senior event?
1. Bradie Tennell put on a show! She proved that her junior win was not a fluke and that she could handle the pressure. She held onto first until Wagner skated.
15. Finally, will the dreaded “committee” have to step in when it comes to International assignments or will they let the competition play out?
1. This should be pretty straightforward--Gracie, Polina, and Ashley will go to Worlds.

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

Cup of China: Ladies Free Skate LIVE BLOG

Pl.	Name	Nation	Points	SP	FS
1	Mao ASADA	JPN	181.76	2	1
2	Julia LIPNITSKAIA	RUS	177.92	1	2
3	Kiira KORPI	FIN	169.86	4	3
4	Mirai NAGASU	USA	163.46	3	4
5	Zijun LI	CHN	160.06	5	5
6	Amelie LACOSTE	CAN	135.46	6	9
7	Joshi HELGESSON	SWE	134.43	7	7
8	Ying ZHANG	CHN	130.65	9	6
9	Sofia BIRYUKOVA	RUS	127.36	8	8

Pl.	Name	Nation	TSS =	TES +		PCS +	SS	TR	PE	CH	IN	Ded. -	StN.
1	Mao ASADA	JPN	118.87	54.53		64.34	8.14	7.75	7.96	8.11	8.25	0.00	#9
2	Julia LIPNITSKAIA	RUS	114.86	57.43		57.43	7.21	7.00	7.32	7.25	7.11	0.00	#10
3	Kiira KORPI	FIN	110.17	51.03		59.14	7.43	7.04	7.32	7.54	7.64	0.00	#7
4	Mirai NAGASU	USA	103.70	45.89		57.81	7.39	6.96	7.25	7.32	7.21	0.00	#8
5	Zijun LI	CHN	100.85	51.58		51.27	6.61	6.21	6.32	6.54	6.36	2.00	#6
6	Ying ZHANG	CHN	87.27	46.97		42.30	5.61	4.96	5.36	5.29	5.21	2.00	#2
7	Joshi HELGESSON	SWE	84.76	38.16		47.60	6.04	5.64	6.04	6.04	6.00	1.00	#4
8	Sofia BIRYUKOVA	RUS	82.97	37.07		45.90	6.21	5.50	5.50	5.86	5.61	0.00	#3
9	Amelie LACOSTE	CAN	78.03	31.06		48.97	6.46	6.11	5.71	6.25	6.07	2.00	#5
WD	Bingwa GENG	CHN											#1

1) Ying Zhang (CHN)

  Music: Soul Dance

• She is loving the blue costumes at this event
• She needs to straighten those legs and point the feet
• I knew that jump was going down from the minute it went up
• 3F-2T very low to the ground
• This program isn't doing anything for me, she is just going through the motions
• Nice scorpion position in that spiral, but the standing leg really needs to be straight
• 46.97 (TES) + 42.30 (PCS) -2.00 (DED) = 87.27
• 43.38 (SP) + (FS) = 130.65

2) Sofia Biryukova (RUS)
  Music: Turandot

• She is a beauty!
• This costume looks Asian to me; funny we don't see that more for Turandot
• Bad slip, hands down; I'm always surprised when hands down can actually stop a fall on slippery ice
• 2-foot crossed landings, we aren't starting out well here
• Very sloppy, I can't even comment on anything because it's so labored and sloppy
• That spread eagle into 2A was nice, but the eagle could've been on a deeper edge to enhance the drama
• She was not happy with that, looked like a mental lapse
• 37.07 (TES) + 45.90 (PCS) = 82.97
• 44.39 (SP) + 82.97 (FS) = 127.36

3) Joshi Helgesson (SWE)
  Music: Burlesque, Express, Blues in Night

• That white bodice is not that flattering, a brighter color like magenta or turquoise would've been nice
• There's absolutely nothing going on here right now
• She is totally going through the motions, not nearly enough sass
• Only 1 fall, but a lot of potential underrotations
• 38.16 (TES) + 47.60 (PCS) -2.00 (DED) = 84.76
• 49.67 (SP) + 84.76 (FS) = 134.43

4) Amelie Lacoste (CAN)
  Music: Rhapsody in Blue & Concerto in F by Gershwin

• I love her intensity, how she attacks everything
• Even if she's technically not sound, she's still exciting to watch
• Starting out with a fall usually puts her on a downward spiral, let's see how that plays out
• Of the first 4 jumps, all have had landing issues thus far
• She cannot land a clean jump to save her life, that's not a technical issue, that's confidence
• The program is composed beautifully and the choreography is well executed; if she had the jumps she'd be right in the thick of things
• 31.06 (TES) + 48.97 (PCS) -2.00 (DED)= 78.03
• 57.43 (SP) + 78.03 (FS) =

5) Zijun Li (CHN)
  Music: Sleeping Beauty

• She is at the perfect age to skate to this music, it's light and ethereal
• Jumping bean!
• Nice 2a-3a combo, 2 footed
• This is so sprightly, the program is just perfect for her
• I didn't realize Chengjiang Li was her coach, he was such a great jumper when he competed
• I also see that Karen Kwan choreographed this piece, it's lovely
• Her jumps are very small, quick, but small
• She is losing speed in the middle; as we saw at last year's 4 continents, it seems the Chinese skaters often aren't very well conditioned
• 51.58 (TES) + 51.27 (PCS) -2.00 (DED) = 100.85
• 59.21 (SP) + 100.85 (FS) = 160.06

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

• This dress is divine, as all of her dresses always are
• I love the drama in that opening
• 3T-3T to open, very strong
• Feed froze in the middle of the program, missed a good chunk
• Jumps are starting to unravel, very squirrely landings
• A couple popped jumps, not want she wants or needs to get on the podium
• She's left enough of a door open technically that Li will pass her
• This is a very well composed program, once she builds up her stamina it should be lovely
• I think we have  clean triples, lots of wonky landings, she'll get there
• 51.03 (TES) + 59.14 (PCS) = 110.86
• 59.69 (SP) + 110.86 (FS) = 169.86

7) Mirai Nagasu (USA)
  Music: Symphony No. 3 by Saint-Saens

• Let's get this one Mirai
• Nearly into the boards on the first jump
• Clean 2a, 2-footed the combo
• Why are all of these jumps so close to the boards
• Feed froze, missed a good chunk of the middle
• This dress is lovely on her, I love the neckline/haltar detail
• I want more intensity in these steps, right now it looks like she's going through the motions
• Clean 3-2-2 combo, all of these landings are nice too, good flowing edges and straight free legs out of them
• This has been a great skate for Mirai, she looks really free out there
• Much more passion on that last step sequence
• She should be very happy and relieved right there
• 45.89 (TES) + 57.81 (PCS) = 103.70
• 59.76 (SP) + 103.70 (FS) = 163.46

8) Mao Asada (JPN)
  Music: Swan Lake

• I hope we get good Mao today, she has so much speed!
• That costume is to die for!
• She looks so delicate out there
• Gorgeous combination spin, every position is fantastic
• This is so graceful and lyrical
• I like the musical selection, she used in interesting arrangement with sections that aren't completely overdone
• This is going to be phenomenal by Worlds
• Very strong ending, what a beautifully composed and choreographed program
• Tarasova choreographed that, I wonder if it is odd working with your old coach as choreographer
• 54.53 (TES) + 64.34 (PCS) = 118.87
• 62.89 (SP) + 118.87 (FS) = 181.76

9) Julia Lipnitskaia (RUS)
  Music: Nutcracker

• Leaning very far over on landings of first combo
• Fall out of 2nd combo, one more little mistake like that and she'll give it away to Mao, she needs all the TES she can get
• There is no attempt at expression, she's just ticking the elements off the list
• I like this step sequence a lot, it's well placed in the music
• Best I-spin since Sasha Cohen
• She has a lot there to work with in that program; just let it develop
• 57.43 (TES) + 57.43 (PCS) = 114.86
• 63.06 (SP) + 114.86 (FS) = 177.92

Skate Canada: Ladies Free Skate LIVE BLOG!

1) Polina Shelepen (RUS)
 Music: Gone With The Wind

• 36.37 (TES) + 43.74 (PCS) -2.00 (DED) = 78.11
• 46.18 (SP) + 78.11 (FS) = 124.29

2) Gracie Gold (USA)
 Music: Life Is Beautiful

• Here's to hoping she can recover from this
• From what I can see on my feed she is looking confidant
• Lovely Bielman
• Squirrely landing on that axel
• This is a very senior program, she will do well as she grows with this over the season
• Does this costume remind anybody else of Tara Lipinski when she won her Olympic gold?
• She is a little taller this season, let's hope this is all that she'll do in terms of growing so there is no re-learning of jump technique
• 48.02 (TES) + 51.36 (PCS) = 99.38
• 52.19 (SP) + 99.38 (FS) = 151.57

3) Caroline Zhang (USA)
 Music: Nessun Dorma

• Not much height on these jumps, she is looking winded
• Not a lot of speed on the spins or steps either
• The feed is frozen to the extend where I really can't assess the quality of the skating
• I'm glad she stuk with this program, it definitely still has growing room
• Her spiral position has improved, I like the extension there
• Definitely not the disaster that she usually starts out with, this is really a new Caroline
• 46.96 (TES) + 49.94 (PCS) = 96.90
• 52.97 (SP) + 96.90 (FS) = 149.87 

4) Amelie Lacoste (CAN)
 Music: Rhapsody in Blue & Concerto in F

• My feed is totally froze but I hear she did a lovely 3flip and 3lutz
• Maybe the new blonde did her some good!
• I love nuance in the little footwork section on the part of Rhapsody that we all know!
• She looks so light this year, like a little fairy
• I like her much better this season, great adjustments!
• 45.05 (TES) + 52.58 (PCS) = 97.63
• 53.81 (SP) + 97.63 (FS) = 151.44

5) Elizaveta Tuktamysheva (RUS)
 Music: Black Eyes

• Is it just me or is Liza starting to look like Sasha Cohen?
• She is definitely taller, but from what I've seen in this small sample size, the jumps havent been affected
• Uh oh, little slip, not enough pop caused that fall
• This music choice suits her very well
• Very zippy spins
• Her performance quality is much improved, she is interacting with the audience
• Her upper body is more expressive as well
• The middle of the program is a little dull, the choreographer may need to tweak a few things here in the middle
• 58.14 (TES) + 53.76 (PCS) - 1.00 (DED) = 112.90
• 55.10 (SP) + 112.90 (FS) = 168.00

6) Akiko Suzuki (JPN)
 Music: O

• That opening is charming, it's so musical
• Girlfriend si still doing her thing at age 28, major props to her for that
• I hate that bent leg camel, just not my cup of tea
• I love this music, it's whimsical, yet very post moder as well
• She loks so comfortable in this piece; not that I know her but I believe this suits what I believe her personality to be
• She just keeps ticking off those jumps and elements
• This seems like a championships caliber program; I can see this looking outstanding by worlds
• I love that beautiful open position on the stretched out camel; she looks like a star hanging from the sky and spinning in midair
• That was lovely, that was the most enjoyable of all of the ladies programs I've seen this year aside from Ashley Wagner's
• 60.22 (TES) + 59.82 (PCS) = 120.04
• 55.12 (SP) + 120.04 (FS) = 175.16 

7) Kanako Murakami (JPN)
 Music: Oblivion, Fuego Lento

• Oh no, all my commentary was deleted
• Basically, I said that this is a step in the right direction for her and she has a lot of room to grow in this program
• 53.49 (TES) + 58.34 (PCS) = 111.82
• 56.21 (SP) + 111.82 (FS) = 168.04

8) Ksenia Makarova (RUS)
 Music: Megapolis

• Oh no, I miss my little Russian blonde
• I love her expressive upper body
• This music is a little odd, I can't decide if I like it or not
• She has such a fluid upper body, but then the lower body seems so rigid
• When she falls, it's always dramatic
• This isn't really holding my interest, I'm not so sure why
• The music is interesting and I love the choreography, but it's not a complete piece yet
• 40.43 (TES) + 56.12 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 95.55
• 58.56 (SP) + 95.55 (FS) = 154.11

9) Kaetlyn Osmond (CAN)
 Music: Carmen Ballet

• This is interesting, a Canadian lady with amazing potential; something we haven't seen in about 3-4 years
• She is a firecracker, loving her already
• Skate Canada has been the poster child for Carmen thus far
• Uh oh, feed going wonky, but I hear applause so I assume things are still on the up and up
• She has a lot of things to clean up, but she is landing the jumps and she is exciting which is what the Canadian ladies have lacked since Rochette
• This is starting to get pretty messy toward the end, but those are all things that can be fixed with better conditioning and more experience
• 57.28 (TES) + 59.61 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 115.81
• 60.56 (SP) + 115.81 (FS) = 176.45 

10) Elene Gedevanishvili (GEO)
 Music: Don Quixote

• Hard fall on opening jump, she is a very heady skater, the beginning always sets the tone for the whole program
• She is looking like such an elegant diva out there on the ice
• She is going so fast, can she hang onto this speed for the whole program??
• I love her intensity, through the good and the bad she never loses that quality about her
• Definitely losing speed here at the end
• She is running out of steam, but I love that little ode to a fouette in the footwork sequence
• 42.83 (TES) + 57.89 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 99.72
• 60.80 (SP) + 99.72 (FS) = 1160.52 

2012 Four Continents Championships: Ladies Free Skate LIVE Coverage

1) Lejeanne Marais (RSA)
   Music: The Holiday

• I like this costume, but not for this music
• She's really stalking those jumps
• Those jumps are all in one place, they kind of stay on top of each other and don't travel much
• Kind of an interesting layback variation, she looked like she was hanging from the season
• Why did you end at the end of the rink? #weird
• Competition Total = 94.34

2) Crystal Kiang (TPE)

•  Two foot on the first jump
• She has nice upper body carriage
• We've got an opposite jumper!
• Really slow spins, but oddly some nice positions
• She really stalks these jumps, really slow entrances and lots of two-footing
• Competition Total = 93.78

3) Chatelle Kerry (AUS)

• She is so leggy that jumps have to be difficult for her
• Pretty spiral if she'd straighten that standing leg
• Wow that tucked sit spin was really cool
• She's taken advantage of her height to make some really cool spin positions
• She's a very fragile looking skater, this was good music for her
• Competition Total: 102.49

4) Melanie Swang (THA)

• We are having a lot of film soundtrack moments
• Lots of double jumps here, we just can't have that
• She is really hunched over
• I appreciate her knee bend, but her upper body should be more upright
• Competition Total: 96.16

5) Zhaira Costiniano (PHI)

• 1 and a half lutz?
• That high free leg is a technical error
• Those bangs have got to go
• Needs to point that foot on the sit spin
• Well we missed the rest of the piece due to feed malfunctions
• Competition Total = 87.26

6) Yea-Ji Yun (KOR)

• She has a very fresh faced look 
• I like her elegance and her style, but some of the jumps just aren't there
• I love this Cinderella music on her, but the performance quality is not there
• Competition Total = 96.85

7) Chae-Yeon Shur (KOR)

• What to even say about this costume...it's just a lot
• Green is bad luck for sure
• Straighten that standing leg in the spins please!
• She's stalking those jumps big time
• That fall was horrible, right on the hip, that's gotta hurt
• Bailed jump mid air, she's running out of steam big team
• Poor girl, she looks so dejected
• Competition Total = 94.95

8) Alexandra Najarro (CAN)

• What's with the CDonn bun
• Popped 3toe, oh boy
• This is not going so well so far
• Point that foot please!
• This program took a long time to get to the part of the music that we know
• If you're going to take on this program, you need to kill it
• If she doesn't point that foot I don't even know what I'm going to do 
• She's a big fan of the headless spin
• Competition Total = 117.11

9) Mimi Tanasorn Chindasook (THA)

• This costume is interesting, it's rough to pull off all white
• Aborted first jump
• She's at least showing some grace
• Nice 2-3 combo
• A little clunky in the jumps
• Uh oh, botched a spin and had to skate around a little to wait for the music
• Poor girl, shes really running out of steam here
• She really needs some umph her in the big part of the music
• Competition Total = 97.19

10) Sandra Khopon (THA)

• I love this costume, its so elegant and interesting
• I like this music, it's different
• She could use a little zap of energy, but she's still about the best we've seen thus far
• Really high wrap on that leg in the jumps
• Competition Total = 103.15

11) Quiying Zhu (CHN)

• This is a fun little latin number
• Lots of two-footing moments happening
• She looks like she really can't breathe at all
• She's having a hard time even getting off the ice
• They are massaging her chest to keep help her breathe, this is really scary
• Competition Total = 102.77

12) Melinda Wang (TPE)

• This costume is very pretty, I like the deep purple
• She looks thrilled to be there, good for her!
• She's doing a really nice program, nice presentation, she is very present in this program
• She's breathing hard too, but I think she's going to make it okay though
• Competition Total = 103.69

13) Haruka Imai (JPN)

• This is a program where lyrics would help to bring out some personality
• Nice 3-3
• She needs a lot more face and more choreography 
• This is going very slowly, but then again the music isn't helping her at all
• That was a weird fall, her feet just fell out from under her
• She is running out of steam and this lounge version of My Fair Lady is doing nothing
• Competition Total = 134.49

14) Cynthia Phaneuf (CAN)

• She pops the first jump, that's what she always does
• There you go, good triple
• And another pop
• Nice turn out on that leg in the spin, good low position
• I'm not loving this white costume on her
• Let's get it on this footwork, keep it up and keep fighting for it
• Now she's really living up to the momentum in this music, needs to keep fighting
• Competition Total =147.47

15) Amelie Lacoste (CAN)

• This costume is a nice cut on her
• So far so good, 2 clean triples
• Stumble and trip on that next one there
• I like that side-stretched position on the layback
• Definitely some errors, but a cleaner skate overall than Cynthia
• And then you go and cock it up with a fall on a double axel
• Competition Total = 147.65

16) Bingwa Geng (CHN)

• Did these skaters all decide after practice and the men's event to just cut their losses and do double jumps?
• Lovely catch foot spiral
• She seems to be holding back, we'll never know how much this altitude is affecting the skaters
• These jumps are barely off the ground
• Competition Total = 127.89

17) Victoria Muniz (PUR)

• Good 3-jump combo off the bet, seems very strong
• That was a very ugly A-spin
• Definitely the best of the unknown skaters tonight despite some falls and doubling
• She is definitely breathing hard
• Competition Total = 117.83

18) Min-Jeong Kwak (KOR)

• These gloves are too much for me, they don't go with the costume
• Barely getting these jumps around
• Really running out of speed
• Good flexibility in the spins
• Competition Total = 130.52

19) Caroline Zhang (USA)

• Which Caroline will we get today?
• A lot of arm swing into that 2a
• So far so good, she doesn't seem to be too affected by the altitude
• Good clean program ending with her signature pearl spin!
• Competition Total = 176.18

20) Ashley Wagner (USA)

• Great 3-2-2 combo to open
• 2a-2t  instead of a planned 2a-3t but not too bad so far
• A little loss of speed in that spin
• Altitude is not affecting her, she looks strong as can be
• This is a fantastic skate from Ashley and she's really selling it well
• The title of US Champion suits her well
• Great clean program from Ashley, not just clean but inspired
• Let us hope that wasn't Ashleys peak
• Competition Total = 192.41

21) Agnes Zawadzki (USA)

• She's starting off much better than at US Nationals
• She looks so tall and elegant this season
• So far so good, but lacking spark
• There's no life in her skating, the seems tired, but she trains here
• I love that she points her foot on that final spin, I'm obsessed with that
• She's not happy, she just seems mentally blocked this season
• Competition Total = 157.23

22) Kanako Murakami (USA)

• I love Kananko...get it baby girl!
• She looks a little wild tonight, something just isn't quite right
• She looks exhausted, poor baby
• Her jumps looked really sloppy, technique looks off
• Competition Total = 169.32

23) Mao Asada (JPN)

• 3a, but looked 2-footed
• She's looking lovely tonight
• Hand down on the 3lz
• This is a really well composed program
• Beautiful pointed foot on that catch foot spin, I love the head back variation
• 2a-3t combination
• 3-2-2 combination, she's just floating through this, nothing is affecting her
• I love that spiral to end the program
• Good for her, she looks amazing and oh so happy out there!
• Competition Total = 188.62

24) Kexin Zhang (CHN)

2012 US Figure Skating Championships: Senior Ladies Free Skate LIVE Coverage

1) Morgan Bell
  Music: Avatar

• Rough short for Morgan, I want a really great free, I"m pulling for her
• Good 2a, two-foot on a 3lz, little stumble
• She is always intense out there on the ice, I think the music fits her well
• 2lz-2t, really close the boards
• Spread eagle into the 3t was a highlight
• Rough 3s and a fall, seemed like she was lacking energy getting up in the air
• She looks really tired in this step sequence, very rigid in the upper body
• I think she's just run out of steam here
• Only one fall, and a very respectable program from Morgan

   38.46 (TES) + 38.47 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 73.93
   38.55 (SP) + 73.93 (FS) = 112.48

2) Joelle Forte
  Music: 13th Warrior

• She was really able to shine in the free skate last year at Nationals
• She looks a little tentative here tonight, very relaxed
• She is just really missing a spark here tonight
• I don't think this music is pushing her as much as it should, there's not a lot of energy behind it

   49,98 (TES) +  41.71 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 91.69
   48.13 (SP) + 91.69 (FS) = 139.82

3) Angela Wang
  Music: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

• Calm and collected off the bat
• 3f-2t, and 3lz-2t back to back
• Any position with the booty up in the air should be banned
• I like this music, it sounds like the theme from Survivor Thailand
• She is just ticking off her elements
• She's not doing the hardest elements, but she's putting out a clean performance
• I love the placement of that layback spin right on the crash in the music

   62,61 (TES) + 47.07 (PCS) = 109.68
   48.98 (SP) + 109.68 (FS) = 158.66

4) Aimee Buchanan
  Music: Medley by Michael W. Smith

• Not crazy about the design, but love the color of the costume
• That donut spin is fantastic
• Oh no, her jumps aren't with her today, but she's so happy just to be there as a last minute replacement
• She achieves a fantastic Biellmann position, the leg was almost completely straight in the back
• The music was lovely, but I don't think it had enough drama to propel her through the program

  31.75 (TES) + 35.37 (PCS) -3.00 (DED) = 64.12
   37.77 (SP) + 64.12 (FS) = 101.89

5) McKinzie Daniels
  Music:

• I love her body lines on the ice, nice long limbs
• It's a difficult transition from Junior to Senior
• I love a good Wally jump!
• This program is simply lacking in excitement for me, I think she's holding back as to avoid mistakes
• She looks exhausted, probably some under-training

  49.17 (TES) + 42.29 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 90.46
   49.96 (SP) + 90.46 (FS) = 140.42

6) Kiri Baga
  Music: La Strada

• We love Kiri, she's a dynamic little firecracker
• Kiri actually belongs in a later group, but issues in the short can kill you
• I don't know that she's tapping into the character of La Strada
• She still looks a little junior-ish to me, I'd love to see her choose totally revamp her costuming, make-up and artistry
• Needs to point the foot on that Sit spin
• She's starting to bring it home here toward the end
• Strong finish

  51.08 (TES) + 48.15 (PCS) = 99.23
   50.15 (SP) + 99.23 (FS) = 149.38

7) Sophia Adams
  Music: Titanic

• We love Titanic around here, it was a thrill to see Simpson & Blackmer do it so well
• Not a good start so far, 2 falls
• Fantastic stretch on that catch foot spin
• Stumble out of that loop, I think she's not opening up out of those jumps quickly enough
• Lovely spiral, that stretch is fantastic, a true highlight of the piece
• The whole piece is really lacking speed
• Kind of anti-climactic, I don't feel the choreographer used the best parts of the music

   32.56 (TES) + 3.26 (PCS) -2.00 (DED) = 73.82
   51.40 (SP) + 73.82 (FS) = 125.22

8) Haley Dunne
  Music: Rondo Capriccioso

• Fall on the 3s, fall on the opening jump seemed to be the theme of this night
• Not her night tonight, I'd like to see more attack on this program
• I want her to just go all out
• This music has so much nuance, but I want her to accent it with her expression and her movements
• She looks just happy to be done with that program, but still seems upbeat
• I think she showed us a lot of good qualities and aspects of her skating, she can take away a lot from this and improve for next year

   43.46 (TES) + 43.41 (PCS) -2.00 (DED) = 84.87
   51.41 (SP) + 84.87 (FS) = 136.28

9) Leah Keiser
  Music: Dr. Zhivago

• 3lz-3t looked to be in slow motion a little but, but hey, great combo
• Sat down that easy 2a after that great combo
• Gorgeous donut position on that spin
• She is lovely to watch, a little spitfire, but I'd love more speed
• She still looks very junior-ish in her skating, but good for her for trying to come into the senior level

   49.10 (TES) + 46.01 (PCS) = 93.11
   52.44 (SP) + 93.11 (FS) = 145.55

10) Yasmin Siraj
  Music:

• Lovely musicality, good nuanced use of the body
• Really crooked in the air on that 3f
• I love her style, she has a special air about her
• I keep forgetting about her injury, that will really effect flip and lutz
• The choreography suits her well
• Normally she is more of an explosive performer than this, but I'm afraid that a poor technical showing is throwing off her presentation skills

   41.92 (TES) + 44.95 (PC) = 86.87
   51.96 (SP) + 86.87 (FS) = 138.83

11) Nina Jiang
  Music: Turandot

• Fall on the 3lz, very short on that as well
• 3f turned into a 3t, nice and clean on that one
• She has a very fluid upper body, expressive arms
• Popped loop
• She looks scared to death out there, you can see it on her face
• Oh good old Nessun Dorma, why always purple for this piece
• Nice spread eagle, strong finish though 
• Beautiful moments, gorgeous qualities

   (TES) + (PCS) = 92.76
   53.66 (SP) + (FS) = 146.42

12) Rachael Flatt
  Music: Firebird

• I'm so nervous I can hardly watch
• Wobbly triple lutz, but landed
• Doubles the flip
• Nice accents with the arms and head
• I feel like she's just going from element to element, so nervous she's going to miss, that she's forgetting to attack the program
• There's a good triple flip in a 3-jump sequence
• Her legs are under her out there now, she can really start going after the performance now
• Nice seeing some passion on her face in the spiral sequence
• 3loop-2t
• Lovely stretch on the Ina Bauer
• I feel like this is really slow, but it's a very courageous skate for her
• Just letting it fly in the foot work, letting it fly 

   56.49 (TES) + 55.78 (PCS) = 112.27
   52.71 (SP) + 112.27 (FS) = 164.98

13) Vanessa Lam
  Music:

• Gorgeous skater if she can stay out of her own head
• Those gloves are bothering me
• 3lz-2l-2l
• These jumps lack height, but so far so good
• Stumble on the 3lo
• Very promising skater, lots to work with there and build on

  51.27 (TES) + 52.68 (PCS) = 103.05
   54.57 (SP) + 103.05 (FS) = 157.62

14) Christina Gao
  Music:

• She has such long legs, she's still growing into her height
• All of her landing are a little wobbly, she just looks slightly uneasy
• This program is lacking in excitement for me
• Very few of these landings have been clean and smooth, growth spurt is the cause of most of that
•  A choppy skate, but no falls!

  55.40 (TES) + 56.13 (PCS) = 111.53
   54.83 (SP) + 111.53 (FS) = 166.36

15) Mirai Nagasu
  Music: Spartacus

• I want to see her be gritty and gutsy
• Nice clean, crisp 3lo-2t
• 2a-2t, was going to be a 3t
• 3-2-2 looked like she had it but, tripped and stumbled at the end
• Another fall, and a pop
• I'm sorry, she just looks so bored out there, no expression
• She's crumbling, so rattled right now
• I feel like this program never suited her well all season
• There is no energy out there at all
• Fantastic as that layback is, it will not salvage that program

   50.74 (TES) + 56.23 (PCS) = 104.97
   59.02 (SP) + 104.97 (FS) = 163.99

16) Caroline Zhang
  Music:

• Stumble on the trip flip
• 3lz had that big donkey kick, but still lands it
• 2a, not a lot of height or distance, but hits it
• She is losing a lot of speed here, needs to be more aggressive at this point
• She has no expression on her face either
• Come on girlfriend, the jumps and elements are nice, but where's your spark? Where's your hunger to win?
• Now after the the last jump was landed, she's finally giving us some face!
• That's the comeback story of the last 5 years

   56.46 (TES) + 56.55 (PCS) = 113.01
   60.18 (SP) + 113.01 (FS) = 173.19

17) Ashley Wagner
  Music: Swan Lake

• Come on Ashley, you got this girl
• Awesome start, girl is competing hard
• Nice speed coming into this section
• Lazer beam focus here, beauty of a triple lutz
• I love that look in her eye on the spiral, such focus and passion
• Nothing even looks shaky, oh no spoke too soon, just singled a triple salchow
• No falls, but she'll be unhappy about that popped salchow
• People are applauding that port de bras, that you don't see everyday

   60.64 (TES) + 63.32 (PCS) = 123.96
   63.06 (SP) + 123.96 (FS) = 187.02

18) Alissa Czisny

  Music: Valse Triste

• I'm not loving this costume, it's very Nancy Kerrigan
• Hand down on that triple lutz, needs to relax and get it together
• 2a-2t, looking really tight
• She's finally coming to life with this more uptempo section
• Very crossed on that jump, fall and a very had one on the knees at that
• She needs to get out of her own head here
• 3lo-2t-2t
• The layback is to die for
• She just wasn't her usual self tonight, it was a struggle

  56.03 (TES) + 61.86 (PCS) -1.00 (DED) = 116.86
   63.14 (SP) + 116.86 (FS) = 180.00

19) Agnes Zawadzki
  Music: Rhapsody in Blue

• 2a-3t
• Big, big jumping tonight
• Big wipe out on that triple lutz, uh oh
• We'll see if that rattles her or not
• She looks like she's running out of steam her
• 3lz-2t almost into the wall, rough pass there
• Another fall, she's crumbling a bit
• 2toe
• Did she just make eye contact with her coach off-ice?
• I'm not really sure where this will finish at this point, could be a toss up at this point
• I love her toe point on that catch foot spin

   (TES) + (PCS) -2.00 (DED) = 107.86
   66.24 (SP) + (FS) = 174.10

Start No.	Name	Short Program		Free Skate		Total Score
		Place	Score	Place	Score
1	17	Ashley Wagner, SC of Wilmington	3	63.06	1	123.96	187.02
2	18	Alissa Czisny, Detroit SC	2	63.14	2	116.86	180.00
3	19	Agnes Zawadzki, Broadmoor SC	1	66.24	7	107.86	174.10
4	16	Caroline Zhang, All Year FSC	4	60.18	3	113.01	173.19
5	14	Christina Gao, Northern KY SC	6	54.83	5	111.53	166.36
6	12	Rachael Flatt, Broadmoor SC	9	52.71	4	112.27	164.98
7	15	Mirai Nagasu, Pasadena FSC	5	59.02	8	104.97	163.99
8	3	Angela Wang, Salt Lake Figure Skating	16	48.98	6	109.68	158.66
9	13	Vanessa Lam, All Year FSC	7	54.57	9	103.05	157.62
10	6	Kiri Baga, FSC of Bloomington	14	50.15	10	99.23	149.38
11	11	Nina Jiang, TX Gulf Coast FSC	8	53.66	12	92.76	146.42
12	9	Leah Keiser, All Year FSC	10	52.44	11	93.11	145.55
13	5	McKinzie Daniels, Broadmoor SC	15	49.96	14	90.46	140.42
14	2	Joelle Forte, SC of NY	17	48.13	13	91.69	139.82
15	10	Yasmin Siraj, SC Of Boston	11	51.96	15	86.87	138.83
16	8	Haley Dunne, WA FSC	12	51.41	16	84.87	136.28
17	7	Sophia Adams, All Year FSC	13	51.40	18	73.82	125.22
18	1	Morgan Bell, Rocky Mountain FSC	18	38.55	17	73.93	112.48
19	4	Aimee Buchanan, Colonial FSC	19	37.77	19	64.12	101.89