Worlds 2016 - The Dark Horses (Ladies' Short)
It's all a bit of a mess, really... That's what I said about the ladies' event going into these championships, and I stand by it. But the fact we have so many options for a gold medal who have never won a World title before is also exhilarating. So will the newbies be able to compete against Mao Asada's trained nerves of steel?
Angelina Kuchvalska is not competing for a medal here, but rather for experience and a higher placement than last season. She skates to Tosca, and the purple dress she wears is gorgeous. However, the presentation is lacking drama. Technically, she gets too close to the boards and falls on the triple Toeloop. Her score: 54.78.
We see another purple and sparkles combination, this time won by Gabrielle Daleman. The music is You'll Have to Swing It. The choreography is breathtaking, the last two jumps punctuating the sharpest points in the music. When it works, and this time it does, this approach to the choreography is a showstopper. She gets 67.38 points.
This is magical! Mirai Nagasu brings the entire arena on their feet in a roar of cheers. She is simply sublime with a delicate, elegant performance that is nonetheless strong technically. Who would've thought an Image Dragons song could turn into such a beautiful figure skating programme? Fabulous choice of routine. Her score: 65.74.
Mao Asada plays it safe after stepping out of the triple Axel. She doubles out of the combination Loop and then does a triple Loop at the end of the programme instead of the Lutz. Although this shows how good she is with thinking on her feet, it also shows insecurity. It's always a bit surprising to learn that even the greatest champions get really nervous, but at the end of the day, it's logical. They're the ones who have the most to lose. Anyway, loving how supportive the crowd is. She gets 65.87 points.
Wow! WOW! Ashley Wagner takes things to a whole new level. She's got excellent stamina and she not only keeps up with the alert pace of Hip Hip Chin Chin, but even spins to the rhythm of the song. The sassiness is there, the speed, the flawless elements, the whole package. Her score: 73.16.
Roberta Rodeghiero gets to follow that heated performance with a calmer routine set to He Sleeps. That is, until Pretty Woman barges right in without warning. Seriously, that must be the bluntest musical edit I have ever seen. It sort of leaves you dazed; it might even give you a bit of a shock if you're not paying attention. I like the costume and the idea, but the transition needs to be smoother to tie the two parts together. She gets 57.90 points.
It's very hard to remember these are Evgenia Medvedeva's first senior World Championships. Skaters at their first Worlds are usually not this flawless. Her music is called Melodies of the White Nights, and the programme has a daring set up, with the step sequence in the first half and the jumps at the end. Her score: 73.76.
I've always liked Elena Radionova's short programme more than Medvedeva's. It's more relatable, more focused and more mature. However, today Elena does touch down with the free leg on the triple Flip. She was so disappointed at the Europeans for not winning, but can she win here? It's gonna be tricky. She gets 71.70 points.
Rika Hongo takes over the ice! She's got grand gestures of power, that seductive allure of the circus going on and a fabulous song: Incantation. Oh and dizzying spins, the speed of light and strong jumps. I really enjoyed this one. Her score: 69.89.
If there is anyone who can change things at this point, it's Satoko Miyahara. She is very likely to do it too with such a powerful performance. The music is Firedance by Bill Whelan, and you can feel the fire in her flamenco, her intense gaze and every single element she performs. Love the red lace costume as well. She gets 70.72 points...alright, I'm very confused.
Is Gracie Gold the dark horse of the night? Her technical score is higher than anything we've seen before, but she might not be as strong artistically as the Russians and Wagner. Love the black and red of the dress, the low cut, in other words, the whole tango look. Her score: 76.13.
Anna Pogorilaya has been inconsistent throughout the season, but no more. Her Bolero is amazing - she's got so much control over her spins and she seems to have found her strength again. She gets 73.98 points.
Well, how about that? I did not see any of this coming. Gracie Gold is on first place, Anna Pogorilaya on second and Evgenia Medvedeva on third. Cheer on for the underdogs!
Angelina Kuchvalska is not competing for a medal here, but rather for experience and a higher placement than last season. She skates to Tosca, and the purple dress she wears is gorgeous. However, the presentation is lacking drama. Technically, she gets too close to the boards and falls on the triple Toeloop. Her score: 54.78.
We see another purple and sparkles combination, this time won by Gabrielle Daleman. The music is You'll Have to Swing It. The choreography is breathtaking, the last two jumps punctuating the sharpest points in the music. When it works, and this time it does, this approach to the choreography is a showstopper. She gets 67.38 points.
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| Angelina Kuchvalska of Latvia wearing one of the most beautiful costumes of the night Photograph: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images North America |
Mao Asada plays it safe after stepping out of the triple Axel. She doubles out of the combination Loop and then does a triple Loop at the end of the programme instead of the Lutz. Although this shows how good she is with thinking on her feet, it also shows insecurity. It's always a bit surprising to learn that even the greatest champions get really nervous, but at the end of the day, it's logical. They're the ones who have the most to lose. Anyway, loving how supportive the crowd is. She gets 65.87 points.
Wow! WOW! Ashley Wagner takes things to a whole new level. She's got excellent stamina and she not only keeps up with the alert pace of Hip Hip Chin Chin, but even spins to the rhythm of the song. The sassiness is there, the speed, the flawless elements, the whole package. Her score: 73.16.
Roberta Rodeghiero gets to follow that heated performance with a calmer routine set to He Sleeps. That is, until Pretty Woman barges right in without warning. Seriously, that must be the bluntest musical edit I have ever seen. It sort of leaves you dazed; it might even give you a bit of a shock if you're not paying attention. I like the costume and the idea, but the transition needs to be smoother to tie the two parts together. She gets 57.90 points.
It's very hard to remember these are Evgenia Medvedeva's first senior World Championships. Skaters at their first Worlds are usually not this flawless. Her music is called Melodies of the White Nights, and the programme has a daring set up, with the step sequence in the first half and the jumps at the end. Her score: 73.76.
I've always liked Elena Radionova's short programme more than Medvedeva's. It's more relatable, more focused and more mature. However, today Elena does touch down with the free leg on the triple Flip. She was so disappointed at the Europeans for not winning, but can she win here? It's gonna be tricky. She gets 71.70 points.
 |
| Russia's Anna Pogorilaya is one of the day's biggest surprises |
Rika Hongo takes over the ice! She's got grand gestures of power, that seductive allure of the circus going on and a fabulous song: Incantation. Oh and dizzying spins, the speed of light and strong jumps. I really enjoyed this one. Her score: 69.89.
If there is anyone who can change things at this point, it's Satoko Miyahara. She is very likely to do it too with such a powerful performance. The music is Firedance by Bill Whelan, and you can feel the fire in her flamenco, her intense gaze and every single element she performs. Love the red lace costume as well. She gets 70.72 points...alright, I'm very confused.
Is Gracie Gold the dark horse of the night? Her technical score is higher than anything we've seen before, but she might not be as strong artistically as the Russians and Wagner. Love the black and red of the dress, the low cut, in other words, the whole tango look. Her score: 76.13.
Anna Pogorilaya has been inconsistent throughout the season, but no more. Her Bolero is amazing - she's got so much control over her spins and she seems to have found her strength again. She gets 73.98 points.
Well, how about that? I did not see any of this coming. Gracie Gold is on first place, Anna Pogorilaya on second and Evgenia Medvedeva on third. Cheer on for the underdogs!
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