Skate America thoughts, and Skate Canada predictions

Top 10 thoughts about Skate America:

1. Ya-Na Kim’s programs (and dresses): Simple elegance, and gorgeous skating. In *two* programs. Good to see some consistency!

2. Yes. Rachael Flatt was not a fluke at nationals (may I remind you under the “old” system should would have been the winner since she won the FS). And as I predicted, she was the highest finishing U.S. woman at the competition. And I really wish I had seen better quality video of her skate… because I felt she was underscored somewhat. I must have missed some of the minor-but-it-all-adds-up type of mistakes due to the quality/size of icenetwork video. Hm. Great start to the season girl!

3. Mirai grew!?!?! Good to see her maturing physically already, and considering the growth spurt and ankle injury I think she’s handling training well. I think she needed this iffy competition to help keep her grounded the rest of the season. No worries here.

4. Kimmie… I used to find watching Michelle Kwan fall, pop, or make mistakes on Triple Loops (or occasional Lutz) competition after competition was going to be my most consistent fan frustration. Kimmie has now replaced that. She has all the pure skating skills and talent in the world, and is such a joy to watch… but her inconsistency has now become my most consistent frustration as a fan.

5. Ice dancing may very well be my second favorite discipline to watch this season, internationally. There are *so* many talented, quite young teams that have moved into senior this year/last year. And, I *love* the Original Dance (OD) music selection this year!

6. As I said early, McLaughlin & Brubaker are going to really step it up and start to startle the top 6 teams in the world this season… and if they keep progressing as they are, I really believe they have a strong shot at a bronze medal (at least) in the 2010 Olympics. I mean, afterall she was second at *juvenile* girls nationals just 2.5 years ago… and look at how quickly she’s progressed. You go girl!

7. I have full respect for any man that can go out there in a completely plain, solid colored, elegantly designed outfit and beat any over-sequined man.  Thank you Takahiko Kozuka: you are my hero of Skate America. Glad to see you pull this off after your 2006 World Junior title. (Photo from Getty Images)

8. Where are these triple axels and quad salchows I keep hearing that these ladies are training? I’d really like to see one outside of practice video one of these days. IMO, the Grand Prix competitions is the best place to be putting those risky jumps out there. Play it a little safer at Nationals and Worlds if the conditions aren’t favorable — but what does one have to loose other than a possible spot in the Grand Prix Final?

9. Props to all the Canadian Men. Kevin Reynolds has really got some potential that has gone under my radar, Ian Martinez has the potential to be such a great entertainer (despite placing last I really enjoyed watching him perform!), and Shawn’s flexibility is outrageous. I thought Emmanuel Sandhu and Rohene Ward were flexible. (Photo is taken from moon6pence, flickr) His catchfoot *spin* is insane: 

10. Can icenetwork.com please find someone other than Nancy Kerrigan to commentate? PLEASE? I’ll pay premium membership fees if you allow me to turn off the commentary all together. Anyone with me?

SKATE CANADA PREDICTIONS

Ladies:
1. Caroline Kostner
2. Caroline Zhang (I believe she could skate better, but may get rightfully slammed for underroated triples, possibly pushing her as low as 4th)
3. Joannie Rochette

4. Alissa Czisny
5. Bebe Liang
6. Fumie Suguri

*Watch out for:  Jenni Vahamma (FIN) and maybe even Elena Glebova

Men:
1. Evan Lysacek
2. Sergei Voronov
3. Patrick Chan
4. Brandon Mroz
5. Shawn Sawyer
6. Ryan Bradley (wish he was higher, with his knees… :>/)

PAIRS
1. Dube/Davidson
2. McLaughlin/Brubaker
3. Kawaguchi/Smirnov
4. Vise/Trent
5. Evora/Ladwig
6. Brodeur/Mattalal

DANCE
1. Davis/White
2. Pechalat/Bourzat
3. Navarro/Bommentre
4. Borbrova/Soloviev
5. Crone/Poirier
6. Gorshkova/Butikov
*Watch out for Wester/Barantsev

~ by rochelleonice on October 30, 2008.