I am always so taken aback that Kostornaia is smaller than Trusova.

Kostornaia was terrific today! She's my favorite junior lady. Her program is quite nice, it doesn't feel too packed for me and her jumps, especially her spins are gorgeous. She had that spiral (I think you call it a spiral?) where she raised her leg and then crossed her hands in front (don't know how to describe it) that I found quite pretty. I would personally rank her higher than Trusova, though I also like her  

20 minutes ago, Puniyo said:

Kostornaia was terrific today! She's my favorite junior lady. Her program is quite nice, it doesn't feel too packed for me and her jumps, especially her spins are gorgeous. She had that spiral (I think you call it a spiral?) where she raised her leg and then crossed her hands in front (don't know how to describe it) that I found quite pretty. I would personally rank her higher than Trusova, though I also like her  

That was once a trademark Yulia spiral...

 

 

 

3 hours ago, Puniyo said:

Kostornaia was terrific today! She's my favorite junior lady. Her program is quite nice, it doesn't feel too packed for me and her jumps, especially her spins are gorgeous. She had that spiral (I think you call it a spiral?) where she raised her leg and then crossed her hands in front (don't know how to describe it) that I found quite pretty. I would personally rank her higher than Trusova, though I also like her  

 

Alenka is unbelievable and I'd have her first too. Look at the glide she has across the ice, how complex and connected her whole choreo is - and how easy and smooth she makes it look. This girl has transitions as hard as anyone, but makes them look the most effortless IMO. Beautiful movements regarding her whole body too, elegant, sophisticated for her age, fluid but sharp when she needs to be, everything perfectly timed to the music. There are very, very few girls who should outscore her in PCS, and I'm not just talking about Juniors here. And that while her choreo is IMO... the bare minimum. She sells that as 120% of what it is.

Her spins are amazing too - centered, fast, smooth transition from one position to the next. Some rather unusual positions too! Regarding her jumps - they felt bigger to me too. And IMO her technique is fine? Struggle with the lutz edge aside (it was a genuine ! though, definitely no e, so it's honestly not the end of the world - most senior ladies would still kill to have Alenkas "technical flaws").... she's not a female Yuzu, but nobody is. And I wouldn't call what she has a "leg wrap" either - additionally to the fact that I don't even see the problems with leg wraps. If you can "rotate your ass" with that, more power to you

 

Anyway, to summarize: Alenka Kostorka is a queen and that's the tea

 

Sasha was amazing as always as well - the snap into her -3Lo always makes my jaw drop. Her TES advantage over Kosto is fair, but I'd put her a bit lower in PCS, slightly putting Kosto in first. Sasha has some real complex choreo too though and energy for 10 duracell bunnies, which makes her loads of fun to watch. Rightfully 1-2 and very close, may the LP decide!

 

Shame for Rika, her overall skating and performance were beautiful, but that damn combo. She's easily within podium distance though, she "just" has to bring her 3As. Mako has big jumps, speed and power - but an unfound carrot and an empty program. I wished she'd switch coaches, as she suffers the typical Higuchi/Yamada problems (minus the flutz), but I doubt it'll happen... Young was robbed on PCS and should have been in the last group

Summary here: Junior ladies are awesome, judges are not.

Huh, got back and v tired, haven't read the last 20 pages of this thread but will try to share what I remember from today before it gets buried under tomorrow's impressions  I forget it.... 

 

So, only saw the last two groups of Ladies' SP and will go by starting order:

 

Alena Kostornaia... she is TINY in person. Almost immediately after her skate she emerged and sat with the other russians right behind us and boy is she smol. It doesn't show on the ice tho, she is very fast, precise and skates bigger than you would imagine if you just saw her off the ice. I wasn't really a fan before but I just rewatched her skate and I'm starting to really like her. Also, spins!

 

Sasha Trusova You're doing amazing, sweety  She is crazy fast going into the jumps and they are just. so. good. She will grow more mature into her own style with time for sure, however all those people that say she doesn't deserve her PCSs... well, I don't agree. These girls are fierce and my brain can't muster anything more right now but I love her 

 

Rika... I don't know if she was a bit off today in her performace or the fall and shaky landings sucked the air out of it or what but her skate didn't capture me really. Nothing against her, wasn't bad or anything but didn't impress me much?

 

Stasya was very captivating out there! She's never really stood out to me before but seeing her live, she has a commanding presence. That being said, I found the program a bit monotonous - maybe it was all meant to be flashy but it didn't really have variance and it got less exciting as it progressed.

 

Eunsoo  @yuzupon this one is for you! She was AMAZING. I haven't followed much of the juniors and most of them surprised me in their own little ways, but ohmygod Eunsoo was fantastic  Definitely one I will watch more closely from now on. She was CLASSY, her skating so smooth and slick, it felt very mature and sort of... her own? It wasn't just trying to be pretty but felt fresh. Her jumps were very nice and one of the biggest in terms of length. Will have to rewatch to pinpoint and remember more things but I was VERY impressed with her and would have placed her higher. (Also.... do I really want to go that far...... she might have given me a slight Yuna feeling.... but don't wanna get ahead of myself)

 

Last, Mako Yamashita! Very very much liked her as well, I specifically remember liking her jumps but also overall. Will rewatch as well but definitely wasn't mad that she got that third place.

 

Every other lady from these groups not mentioned, I remember liking something or other about them but can't possibly remember what exactly it was right now. Phew, going to sleep at last. But before I go....

 

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: That ice ain't lookin' half as bad in person as it does on screen. It just has a very slight yellow tinge to it.

 

Thank you, @draka !

I guess you didn't catch Young You performance?

 

Also, thank God the ice just looks worse than it actually is, then. Cz, phew!

If you're also watching FS, I'd be happy to read another arena report

Hurrah for Alyona! Can't wait to watch her performance! 

 

But what happened to Rika? Is she in 4th? Really hope she bounces back in the free. 

1 hour ago, draka said:

Huh, got back and v tired, haven't read the last 20 pages of this thread but will try to share what I remember from today before it gets buried under tomorrow's impressions  I forget it.... 

 

So, only saw the last two groups of Ladies' SP and will go by starting order:

 

Alena Kostornaia... she is TINY in person. Almost immediately after her skate she emerged and sat with the other russians right behind us and boy is she smol. It doesn't show on the ice tho, she is very fast, precise and skates bigger than you would imagine if you just saw her off the ice. I wasn't really a fan before but I just rewatched her skate and I'm starting to really like her. Also, spins!

 

Sasha Trusova You're doing amazing, sweety  She is crazy fast going into the jumps and they are just. so. good. She will grow more mature into her own style with time for sure, however all those people that say she doesn't deserve her PCSs... well, I don't agree. These girls are fierce and my brain can't muster anything more right now but I love her 

 

Rika... I don't know if she was a bit off today in her performace or the fall and shaky landings sucked the air out of it or what but her skate didn't capture me really. Nothing against her, wasn't bad or anything but didn't impress me much?

 

Stasya was very captivating out there! She's never really stood out to me before but seeing her live, she has a commanding presence. That being said, I found the program a bit monotonous - maybe it was all meant to be flashy but it didn't really have variance and it got less exciting as it progressed.

 

Eunsoo  @yuzupon this one is for you! She was AMAZING. I haven't followed much of the juniors and most of them surprised me in their own little ways, but ohmygod Eunsoo was fantastic  Definitely one I will watch more closely from now on. She was CLASSY, her skating so smooth and slick, it felt very mature and sort of... her own? It wasn't just trying to be pretty but felt fresh. Her jumps were very nice and one of the biggest in terms of length. Will have to rewatch to pinpoint and remember more things but I was VERY impressed with her and would have placed her higher. (Also.... do I really want to go that far...... she might have given me a slight Yuna feeling.... but don't wanna get ahead of myself)

 

Last, Mako Yamashita! Very very much liked her as well, I specifically remember liking her jumps but also overall. Will rewatch as well but definitely wasn't mad that she got that third place.

 

Every other lady from these groups not mentioned, I remember liking something or other about them but can't possibly remember what exactly it was right now. Phew, going to sleep at last. But before I go....

 

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: That ice ain't lookin' half as bad in person as it does on screen. It just has a very slight yellow tinge to it.

 

Thank you for your report! Happy that Eunsoo did well too! Like her skating as well

10 hours ago, Fay said:

That was once a trademark Yulia spiral...

 

 

Can you imagine the scores she would've got if the current inflation had been happening then? Her spirals and spins are so gorgeous. *sigh* I guess Tat said it right about her.

It's soon, right?

1 minute ago, WinForPooh said:

It's soon, right?

20 min

Here is the yt link if anyone looking 

Spoiler

 

 

The eurovision ISU link is working? That is live, right?

 

http://www.eurovisionsports.tv/isu/

I must demand to know where Ted is. We were promised Ted, weren't we? I want Ted's beautiful informative, unbiased, kind commentary.