European Championships 2015 - The Ladies, Final Chapter
One of the most exciting finals of these championships is the ladies'. Elena Radionova and Elizaveta Tuktamysheva are both in excellent positions to take home the gold medal, so the winner will be entirely decided today. Anna Pogorilaya, who finished the short on third place, is unlikely to advance, but can she maintain her rank? We'll have to wait and see.
First of all, I have more bad news. Kiira Korpi, fresh from her one year break, has fallen ill and, despite trying to overcome her illness, had to withdraw.
I have never heard of Angelina Kuchvalska before, but I'm glad she brought Latvia on the figure skating map by coming to Stockholm. Her mash-up of Tango of Roxanne and the love theme from Romeo and Juliet don't really have a lot in common, and I would have preferred to see her skate solely to the tango, but she interprets the two pieces well. I particularly like the way she uses her arms to express emotion. The only mistake is over-rotating the triple Lutz. Her score: 107.09. Overall: 156.37.
Nicole Schott's A Time for Us doesn't convince me on a presentation level; this is a sad, tragic song and she should reflect that more. Also, her plain black costume isn't the most suitable for Romeo and Juliet. Technically, she steps out of the triple Flip and Loop, and puts a hand down on the triple Salchow. She gets 101.60 points. Overall: 153.63.
I've been waiting for a long time to see someone bring Evita on ice, and Roberta Rodeghiero does it. Unfortunately, apart from the first song (Don't Cry for Me, Argentina), there isn't much here to tell the story. So instead of playing Evita Peron, all Roberta does is skate to the music, which is a shame because this is a great character to portray. She also steps out of the triple Salchow. Her score: 102.73. Overall: 154.52.
Anna Pogorilaya does her best on Stravinski's Firebird. Unluckily, her best today includes two hands down on the triple Flip and Lutz. Also, her cannonball spin is not low enough. Artistically and choreographically, her routine is superb; it was very clever of her to choose the most uneventful section of the music for most of the jumps because it allows you to concentrate on the elements. She gets 125.71 points. Overall: 191.81.
There is a huge difference between Elena Radionova's upbeat Latino short programme music and the frantic Rachmaninoff selections she uses for the free skate. This difference shows versatility and a maturity that many 16-year-old skaters do not have. She makes absolutely no error today. Her score: 139.08. Overall: 209.54.
Viktoria Helgesson is perfect in the role of an old Hollywood actress who is haunted by her former glory (aka Norma Desmond from Sunset Boulevard). This routine exudes that old Hollywood feel that denotes refinement. She falls on the triple Toeloop and puts her hand down on the triple Salchow though. She gets 106.02 points. Overall: 166.39.
One thing is sure: Elizaveta Tuktamysheva's free skate (set to Batwannis Beek by The REG Project and Sandstorm by La Bionda) is more sophisticated than Radionova's. It is also unique in that if there's been anybody else skating to this music, we've never heard of them. I love how she sort of chose a theme for her costumes this season and stuck to it even though her two routines have nothing in common. Her score: 141.38. Overall: 210.40.
"Mirror, mirror on the wall..." Joshi Helgesson skates on the soundtrack of Snow White and the Huntsman, but she doesn't go for the obvious character choice because who wants to be Snow White when you can be the awesome Evil Queen? I really enjoy the unique approach to the story, and the way it has been put together: the voice, the evil laughter, the menacing music...it gives you chills in the best possible way. She does however step out of the triple Loop and Lutz. She gets 109.52 points. Overall: 169.07.
And that's how the ladies' final ends. Elizaveta Tuktamysheva defeats Elena Radionova and takes the gold medal, leaving her younger countrywoman with the silver. Anna Pogorilaya completes the fully Russian podium and Joshi Helgesson finishes on fourth, ahead of her sister, Viktoria. Congratulations to all of them.
First of all, I have more bad news. Kiira Korpi, fresh from her one year break, has fallen ill and, despite trying to overcome her illness, had to withdraw.
I have never heard of Angelina Kuchvalska before, but I'm glad she brought Latvia on the figure skating map by coming to Stockholm. Her mash-up of Tango of Roxanne and the love theme from Romeo and Juliet don't really have a lot in common, and I would have preferred to see her skate solely to the tango, but she interprets the two pieces well. I particularly like the way she uses her arms to express emotion. The only mistake is over-rotating the triple Lutz. Her score: 107.09. Overall: 156.37.
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| Anna Pogorilaya's butterfly jump Photograph: Oleg Nikishin Getty Images/Europe |
Nicole Schott's A Time for Us doesn't convince me on a presentation level; this is a sad, tragic song and she should reflect that more. Also, her plain black costume isn't the most suitable for Romeo and Juliet. Technically, she steps out of the triple Flip and Loop, and puts a hand down on the triple Salchow. She gets 101.60 points. Overall: 153.63.
I've been waiting for a long time to see someone bring Evita on ice, and Roberta Rodeghiero does it. Unfortunately, apart from the first song (Don't Cry for Me, Argentina), there isn't much here to tell the story. So instead of playing Evita Peron, all Roberta does is skate to the music, which is a shame because this is a great character to portray. She also steps out of the triple Salchow. Her score: 102.73. Overall: 154.52.
Anna Pogorilaya does her best on Stravinski's Firebird. Unluckily, her best today includes two hands down on the triple Flip and Lutz. Also, her cannonball spin is not low enough. Artistically and choreographically, her routine is superb; it was very clever of her to choose the most uneventful section of the music for most of the jumps because it allows you to concentrate on the elements. She gets 125.71 points. Overall: 191.81.
There is a huge difference between Elena Radionova's upbeat Latino short programme music and the frantic Rachmaninoff selections she uses for the free skate. This difference shows versatility and a maturity that many 16-year-old skaters do not have. She makes absolutely no error today. Her score: 139.08. Overall: 209.54.
 |
| Elizaveta Tuktamysheva, Europe's new champion Photograph: David Ramos/Getty Images Europe |
One thing is sure: Elizaveta Tuktamysheva's free skate (set to Batwannis Beek by The REG Project and Sandstorm by La Bionda) is more sophisticated than Radionova's. It is also unique in that if there's been anybody else skating to this music, we've never heard of them. I love how she sort of chose a theme for her costumes this season and stuck to it even though her two routines have nothing in common. Her score: 141.38. Overall: 210.40.
"Mirror, mirror on the wall..." Joshi Helgesson skates on the soundtrack of Snow White and the Huntsman, but she doesn't go for the obvious character choice because who wants to be Snow White when you can be the awesome Evil Queen? I really enjoy the unique approach to the story, and the way it has been put together: the voice, the evil laughter, the menacing music...it gives you chills in the best possible way. She does however step out of the triple Loop and Lutz. She gets 109.52 points. Overall: 169.07.
And that's how the ladies' final ends. Elizaveta Tuktamysheva defeats Elena Radionova and takes the gold medal, leaving her younger countrywoman with the silver. Anna Pogorilaya completes the fully Russian podium and Joshi Helgesson finishes on fourth, ahead of her sister, Viktoria. Congratulations to all of them.
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