hoodie axel

Rika's PCS in isolation doesn't make sense, I suppose. But, at least at worlds, considering what went on, it makes sense. She popped her 3A in the SP while Kaori was perfect, and so the judges (and the JSF) tried to set Kaori up as their contender for the podium. It's also why Satoko was considered as having lower PCS than both of them, I'd say. She was Japan number three going in. ETA: And I agree it's too early to say who's up for the GPF. We could see easily Tennell or Samodurova randomly make it in (and Sakamoto, Miyahara, Kostner if she returns, maybe Karen Chen although not likely), seeing that Kihira will be doing her incredibly hard layout and could bomb under pressure, and same for the fresh seniors from Russia. Only Tursynbayeva has shown the ability to land a quad + skate the rest of her program in seniors and under maximum pressure at Worlds. If there's an overall upgrade in tech content, I won't be shocked if we take a season to stabilize, and the ones who can tackle the field based off PCS can make it in. If everyone lands everything, then not considering "who goes where" in terms of assignments, I'd expect: 1. Trusova 2. Kihira 3. Shcherbackova 4. Tursynbayeva 5. Tuktamysheva 6. Sakamoto/Kostornaya/Medvedeva (whoever gets a tech upgrade first) But right here we can see that PCS will matter a lot, that consistency will matter a lot, and that I haven't even put Zagitova in the conversation.

I think this is why I think it's fair to detach the choreo from the practice session performance + it's only recently choreographed. I actually can see what you're talking about, her presentation style doesn't look like it's changed from what it was with Beautiful Storm, and it makes it look "same-y". It's several chopped up pieces, too. I do think the step sequence looks like it will have good character for now.

I'm really not a fan of the way that 4S looks, but it looks like a real 4S anyway so

My thoughts are actually the opposite. I like some of the character they provide to the program, although it could be better and might improve. It's the way she's performing currently that I dislike. In that *particular* case, I don't think she'll have the direction she needs with Raf. Rika's was just a practice skate, so I'm holding judgement on her performance there. But I agree the choreography has potential.

Not a fan currently. I like Rika's step sequence (I'm guessing) as it looks currently

That music sounds... Familiar.

The guy doesn't know himself. He could try to go for the performance quality needed, but I think it's too late and he also lacks direction. I'm sure he loves the songs, but nope.

The wind of change!

I predict the ISU gets taken over by Blibbering Humdingers before the GP assignments are out... Oh it's already filled with them.

It's O Virtus Sapientiaie apparently, in which case I'll be taking donations on the left.

It sounds familiar. Dickson has taste when it comes to music choices. He uses things from cirque du soleil sometimes, for instance.

I'm not lying when I say I don't recognize half of these new pop stars. I don't like the genre, but there's so many too keep track of, too! Bring back Bieber!

That would be amazing lol

What is a Billie Eilish? Is it related to Hildegaard von Bingen?

Oh. Annoying software developers

Huh. Have no clue at all why a quote notification redirected me to this. But

A Team France thread!

Satoko is with Lori I guess?

It would be a great learning opportunity for Tomono. I wish more actual dance choreographers were tapped in by skaters. Would give a lot more depth of interpretation and choreography, and they would absolutely be able to learn, develop, and bring in more variety, because dance choreographers would be far more adept at recognizing a performer's characteristic style (or what it could be) than what we see from regular skating choreographers who try to hole everyone into the same space. I bet the USFS and all its several fans would look at Hardest Button and recognize it's actually more of Modern (to end up at contemporary ballet, as he calls it.)

He would be I hope Tomono has some interesting choreography. I doubt anyone skating at all has the dance training to pull any of that McGregor dance off, but it does give great opportunity for creation and storyline even with a lot less training. A very versatile choice, IMO. ETA: McGregor wants to choreograph him?! I guess I am excited about what Torgashyev does for himself, too, but it might be too much to take up as a fresh senior.

A Star is Born is officially a warhorse, now.

Hmmm. Not really a fan. But let's see I guess. I thought it might be Bourne, and I would have been dampened a little because it could have turned out to be predictable. OTOH, he's using Ge for the LP, and while I would have been impressed with him for the music choice, I wouldn't have trusted his ability to do anything with this at all. I think they might go for a jazz-oriented character piece with this given Tomono's personality (at least he goes for those funky exhibitions).

Huh. Having trouble visualizing him skating to that in his SP. But the actual song seems top class and innovative! Good for him. Quite an opportunity for invention tbh. (and that dance is bloody amazing and HARD). Who did the SP again?

I don't know how I feel about Patrick Chan choreographing or teaching novices how to be artistic. On one hand, being a poor dancer says nothing about one's ability as a choreographer. Otoh, he'd been on the scene for so long and had lots of varied material to work with and never showed any meaningful understanding of music or performance, to the point that I started thinking that it was hopeless to expect much out of him in that regard the more I watched of him. He's great to watch when you turn the music off. Hopefully, his students are better than that.