Worlds 2016 - The Perfect Ending (Ladies' Final)
The last final of the 2016 World Figure Skating Championships is here, and it's possibly the one we're most impatient to see. In the short programme, Gracie Gold put herself in the leader position, hinting at a possible gold medal in Boston. Can she carry the task until the end? And if she doesn't, which one of the ladies lining up for the chance to be world champion will take the title?
Mirai Nagasu shows once more she shouldn't be ignored. The only mistake is double-footing the landing of the triple Flip. The routine is set to music from The Great Gatsby. I love how she chose three different songs to cover all the nuances of the story from the romance to the glamorous parties. Gorgeous costume. Her score: 120.91. Overall: 186.65.
Mao Asada brings a sad story, Madame Butterfly, to the ice. Her facial expressions are phenomenal - you can see the pain in her eyes. Technically, the triple Axel might be under-rotated and she doubles out of the triple Lutz. It gets incredibly loud in the TD Garden after her performance. She gets 134.43 points. Overall: 200.30.
There's so much joy in Rika Hongo's routine you can't help but feel instantly merry. She puts on quite the Irish dance performance. It's no wonder I love the choreography as it was created by one of my favourite skaters, the sublime Akiko Suzuki. A bit of a shaky landing on the last double Toeloop, but otherwise the elements are fine. Her score: 129.26. Overall: 199.15.
Gabrielle Daleman skates to Maria de Buenos Aires and Yo Soy Maria. I love this music ever since Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje introduced me to it in 2013/2014 and I think it really fits Gabrielle's assertive style. Hand down on the triple Flip and Lutz. She gets 128.30 points. Overall: 195.68.
Everybody loves Titanic and everybody loves Elena Radionova, so how can this routine not be a success? I really like the direction she's taking with her routines in terms of music and concept. She's also got fabulous variations on her spin positions. Her score: 138.11. Overall: 209.81.
Evgenia Medvedeva's W.E. and Adagio routine seems effortless. The way she uses her hands and head to tell a story throughout the programme ties everything together. This performance might just bring her the gold medal. She gets 150.10 points. Overall: 223.86.
Satoko Miyahara is the softer of the two new Japanese stars. Her step sequence for Un Suspiro is full of expansive movements to fit the music and the spins are cleverly placed to mirror the music. Her score: 138.89. Overall: 210.61.
Anna Pogorilaya is stronger than Evgenia, but she doesn't have the delicate interpretation of her rival. Of course, their styles are different and, to be honest, I prefer Anna's more, but on the day, Evgenia's was superior, in my opinion. The music is the famous Sheherazade. So good to see her back on track. She gets 139.71 points. Overall: 213.69.
Gracie Gold is under a lot of pressure: she's within touching distance of a potential first World title, she's beaten everyone in the short against all odds and she's skating on home ice. It's no wonder then that the nerves get to her; she falls on the triple Toeloop and doubles out of the second triple Lutz and a triple Toeloop. Her score: 134.86. Overall: 211.29.
This is how every World Championship should end: with the crowd on their feet roaring. Ashley Wagner handles with calm the same pressure Gracie faced, and aces the free skate. Her Moulin Rouge is my favourite ladies free programme this season just as it was last season. Only mistake is stepping out of the triple Flip. She gets 142.23 points. Overall: 215.39.
Another great final from these amazing World Championships! Evgenia Medvedeva is the new world champion, Ashley Wagner takes the silver and Anna Pogorilaya finishes on the third step of the podium.
Mirai Nagasu shows once more she shouldn't be ignored. The only mistake is double-footing the landing of the triple Flip. The routine is set to music from The Great Gatsby. I love how she chose three different songs to cover all the nuances of the story from the romance to the glamorous parties. Gorgeous costume. Her score: 120.91. Overall: 186.65.
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| Canada's Gabrielle Daleman takes on the role of Maria de Buenos Aires Photograph: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images North America |
There's so much joy in Rika Hongo's routine you can't help but feel instantly merry. She puts on quite the Irish dance performance. It's no wonder I love the choreography as it was created by one of my favourite skaters, the sublime Akiko Suzuki. A bit of a shaky landing on the last double Toeloop, but otherwise the elements are fine. Her score: 129.26. Overall: 199.15.
Gabrielle Daleman skates to Maria de Buenos Aires and Yo Soy Maria. I love this music ever since Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje introduced me to it in 2013/2014 and I think it really fits Gabrielle's assertive style. Hand down on the triple Flip and Lutz. She gets 128.30 points. Overall: 195.68.
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| Japan's Satoko Miyahara greeting the public Photograph: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images N America |
Evgenia Medvedeva's W.E. and Adagio routine seems effortless. The way she uses her hands and head to tell a story throughout the programme ties everything together. This performance might just bring her the gold medal. She gets 150.10 points. Overall: 223.86.
Satoko Miyahara is the softer of the two new Japanese stars. Her step sequence for Un Suspiro is full of expansive movements to fit the music and the spins are cleverly placed to mirror the music. Her score: 138.89. Overall: 210.61.
Anna Pogorilaya is stronger than Evgenia, but she doesn't have the delicate interpretation of her rival. Of course, their styles are different and, to be honest, I prefer Anna's more, but on the day, Evgenia's was superior, in my opinion. The music is the famous Sheherazade. So good to see her back on track. She gets 139.71 points. Overall: 213.69.
Gracie Gold is under a lot of pressure: she's within touching distance of a potential first World title, she's beaten everyone in the short against all odds and she's skating on home ice. It's no wonder then that the nerves get to her; she falls on the triple Toeloop and doubles out of the second triple Lutz and a triple Toeloop. Her score: 134.86. Overall: 211.29.
This is how every World Championship should end: with the crowd on their feet roaring. Ashley Wagner handles with calm the same pressure Gracie faced, and aces the free skate. Her Moulin Rouge is my favourite ladies free programme this season just as it was last season. Only mistake is stepping out of the triple Flip. She gets 142.23 points. Overall: 215.39.
Another great final from these amazing World Championships! Evgenia Medvedeva is the new world champion, Ashley Wagner takes the silver and Anna Pogorilaya finishes on the third step of the podium.
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| From left to right: Ashley Wagner (silver), Evgenia Medvedeva (gold) and Anna Pogorilaya (bronze) Photograph: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images North America |
Congrats to all the NEW WORLD MEDALISTS!!
ReplyDeleteIt was a great competition!
ReplyDeleteI like Ashley Wagner and Evgenia Medvedeva so much.
ReplyDelete