At NHK Trophy there was way too many skaters "going against the grain." That is, trying to be skaters that they are not.I have a pretty strong opinion about this. Skaters need to find a lane and stay in it. Perfect it. Optimize it. Win! I'll use my favorite skater of all time to demonstrate this point; Michelle Kwan.
For over a decade she was hammering out amazing programs...she stayed "in her lane." Then in 2004-2005 she did that Bolero program and for the first time I was like "Oh girl, that is not a great program." She tried to be a skater she wasn't...it didn't work.
At NHK there was an overwhelming amount of these types of programs happening. Here are some of the culprits:
Oh boy...ummm. The skaters that win a lot, even when they try new things, they do it in a way that doesn't take away from who they are as skaters. It's like changing the color of your car...but still keeping the same car. Skaters have to know what their strengths are as skaters and play to them. The above programs do the exact opposite. Armin is a flowing classical skater, Cynthia and Agnes are strength skaters, and the Reed's do best when they aren't attempting character pieces.
In short, what I'm saying is...If you're going to push yourself as an artistic and try something new...make sure it works.
Side note not associated with the above post, but I feel as if the judges righted a wrong by giving Shibby the win at NHK...however I feel like it was at the expense of Weaver and Poje...just saying.
4 comments:
Interesting article, but I have to disagree re Cynthia Phaneuf. IMO, all her programs are the same -- always slow music of some sort. Cynthia needs to reinvent herself -- maybe a new coach, like Ashley W. did.
Also, what wrong did the Shibs suffer that had to be righted? I felt Weaver & Poje should have won that one.
Last week at Cup of China, Shibby was overtly dissed by the judges and handed a silver when they should have won. I'm with you...I think Weaver and Poje were the best but the judges were like "our bad on last week."
I also agree with you on Phaneuf...she needs to ditch the artsy lady-like act and be a skater who shows strength and vitality (think Irina Slutskaya).
What does that mean trying to be skaters that they are not? All you have to be is yourself.
Skating Lessons Toronto
What harm was suffering Shiba had to be repaired? Weaver and Poje I felt should have won one.
Post a Comment