Thoughts after watching the rest of the Ladies' Short Program:
Thoughts after watching the rest of the Ladies' Short Program:
1. Carmen and Swan Lake need to be banned from figure skating. At least from the women's programs. Please, just ban them both. No, really. Ban them.
2. I loved Miyahara's music. Not to mention her skating. Sakamoto was also impressive.
3. Choi Da-Bin (South Korea) was also graceful and beautiful and elegant. Loved it.
4. In the category of no, this isn't anti-feminist, what is with the heavy eye makeup on the Canadian women? Since you have to communicate with the judges and you're mostly doing that with your eyes, they need to see them. Some makeup enhances their visibility, too much makes them two black holes. It was especially distracting and noticeable on Gabrielle Daleman. Details matter, even this stuff.
5. Although I know Bradie Tennell has been amazingly consistent this year, I never expected much from her. Probably not fair, but she never makes me feel secure. Chen and Nagasu I can definitely see potential if they can get the jumps and some competitive programs. Chen is amazingly expressive and graceful and her program was wow. Nagasu had a better day during team competition, and I'm sure she has more. I agree with Scott Hamilton that US women's figure skating program needs some tweaks - programs, coaches, competitiveness. Something.
6. The Russians:
a) Firstly, without some detail that shifts it away from the technical advantage of her jumps, I expect Zagitova to edge Medvedeva. I could be wrong, but the judges clearly like Zagitova's type of program slightly better at this point.
b) As a team/program smarter because they know the scoring system and they use it. Fact is, the 10% bonus was put in so people would stop front-loading their programs with all the jumps. Predictably, if you want to win you now back-load your program. What a surprise. Same effect people complained about before on what you are watching, but in reverse.
c) Not the most naturally beautiful or graceful, other than a learned sort of grace. Superb jumpers, exceptional technicians. Of the two in contention for the gold, Medvedeva is the more mature, graceful, artistic of the two, but Zagitova has all the hardest skills and all the drama of a 15 year old (which reads well in the right program). This creates the effect of a checklist of what's the hardest thing stuffed into something vaguely artistic. But they are both extremely well trained and well choreographed and have polished, complete presentations.
Which leads to the fact that we're in another era of the debate over is skating supposed to be lines and edges and figures and flow, or more obviously "athletic" jumps, jumps, and more jumps. It's a big argument in men's singles right now, as well. It comes up off and on whenever the balance shifts to things turning into jump-offs. Meaning the difference between winning and not is the hardest jumps. To the point where almost nothing else effectively matters much in the scoring and ranking and many programs turn into jumps and the stuff you kind of put between the jumps. It'll cycle again into some other iteration at some point. Possibly when a bunch of youngsters start getting spiral fractures, again.
7. Lastly, could we please stop calling women's events "Ladies" whatever? Like they're pouring tea, or something? In all the Olympic events, right? Jiminy Christmas, that is so Edwardian. Men, women, done. Ok? Ugh.
P.S. AC/DC in studded leather still my favorite program choice. Sorry, Johnny.
1. Carmen and Swan Lake need to be banned from figure skating. At least from the women's programs. Please, just ban them both. No, really. Ban them.
2. I loved Miyahara's music. Not to mention her skating. Sakamoto was also impressive.
3. Choi Da-Bin (South Korea) was also graceful and beautiful and elegant. Loved it.
4. In the category of no, this isn't anti-feminist, what is with the heavy eye makeup on the Canadian women? Since you have to communicate with the judges and you're mostly doing that with your eyes, they need to see them. Some makeup enhances their visibility, too much makes them two black holes. It was especially distracting and noticeable on Gabrielle Daleman. Details matter, even this stuff.
5. Although I know Bradie Tennell has been amazingly consistent this year, I never expected much from her. Probably not fair, but she never makes me feel secure. Chen and Nagasu I can definitely see potential if they can get the jumps and some competitive programs. Chen is amazingly expressive and graceful and her program was wow. Nagasu had a better day during team competition, and I'm sure she has more. I agree with Scott Hamilton that US women's figure skating program needs some tweaks - programs, coaches, competitiveness. Something.
6. The Russians:
a) Firstly, without some detail that shifts it away from the technical advantage of her jumps, I expect Zagitova to edge Medvedeva. I could be wrong, but the judges clearly like Zagitova's type of program slightly better at this point.
b) As a team/program smarter because they know the scoring system and they use it. Fact is, the 10% bonus was put in so people would stop front-loading their programs with all the jumps. Predictably, if you want to win you now back-load your program. What a surprise. Same effect people complained about before on what you are watching, but in reverse.
c) Not the most naturally beautiful or graceful, other than a learned sort of grace. Superb jumpers, exceptional technicians. Of the two in contention for the gold, Medvedeva is the more mature, graceful, artistic of the two, but Zagitova has all the hardest skills and all the drama of a 15 year old (which reads well in the right program). This creates the effect of a checklist of what's the hardest thing stuffed into something vaguely artistic. But they are both extremely well trained and well choreographed and have polished, complete presentations.
Which leads to the fact that we're in another era of the debate over is skating supposed to be lines and edges and figures and flow, or more obviously "athletic" jumps, jumps, and more jumps. It's a big argument in men's singles right now, as well. It comes up off and on whenever the balance shifts to things turning into jump-offs. Meaning the difference between winning and not is the hardest jumps. To the point where almost nothing else effectively matters much in the scoring and ranking and many programs turn into jumps and the stuff you kind of put between the jumps. It'll cycle again into some other iteration at some point. Possibly when a bunch of youngsters start getting spiral fractures, again.
7. Lastly, could we please stop calling women's events "Ladies" whatever? Like they're pouring tea, or something? In all the Olympic events, right? Jiminy Christmas, that is so Edwardian. Men, women, done. Ok? Ugh.
P.S. AC/DC in studded leather still my favorite program choice. Sorry, Johnny.
#7 was brought up by Christine Brennan yesterday too in her column. Figure skating is the only sport that still uses 'Ladies'. Christine says if they absolutely insist on 'Ladies', then they need to follow Wimbledon and also use 'Gentlemen'.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely officially on skiing events, as well (downhill, cross country). Not sure about other things. The fact that broadcasters may not observe that convention is just another spin on the chauvinism.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. I was looking at the text labeling on the alpine skiing tonight and it said Women's. I can see that the IOC may have different labelling.
ReplyDeleteI'd prefer Medvedeva to win. I kinda think the Olympics should have a minimum age of 18... 15 is too damn young to win an Olympic gold medal. (Get off my lawn. shakes cane)
ReplyDeleteDavid Scotton Remember Tara Lipinski was 15 when she won.
ReplyDeleteBut yes, perhaps they should adopt a gymnastics type age limit.
Christina L Brainard how could I forget that travesty? Michelle Kwan was robbed.
ReplyDelete