GPF 2014 - The Ladies' Big Moment

Russia has never had a stronger line-up in the ladies' event than they have here. The first four places are all occupied by their skaters and it's not looking as though that will change. Enjoy it while you can because we're unlikely to see them all on the same ice again this season.

But first, let's check with the United States. I will never get tired of Ashley Wagner's Moulin Rouge. The story is an iconic tale about the ugly costs of beauty and luxury, and there is nobody who could tell it better than the eloquent American. She is virtually perfect on a technical level as well. Her score: 129.26. Overall: 189.50.

Anna Pogorilaya's Firebird is entirely different than the American's routine, and it lacks the conviction we've seen before from the Russian. Her biggest technical error is the fall on the triple Salchow, but she also messes up her camel spin. She gets 118.95 points. Overall: 180.29.

The winners of the night
Photograph: David Ramos
/Getty Images Europe
The first half of Elena Radionova's routine takes something away from her distinctive cheerfulness, which almost makes you feel like she's not trying very hard to interpret it. She's back to her usual smiley self in the second half, but by then her individuality is already lost in the gravity of the music and she looks no different than any other girl skating to classical music. Her score: 134.85. Overall: 198.74.

It's after the second fall, as she sits there on the ice for a second longer than usual, that you realise Julia Lipnitskaia has given up on the routine before it's even over. The first fall is on the second Axel. She gets 111.55 points. Overall: 177.79.

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva, on the other hand, has no intention of giving up on the gold medal. And she's bound to get it because, compared to Radionova's programme, this is more mature and unique. The music is Batwannis Beek and Sandstorm by The REG Project and La Bionda. Her score: 136.06. Overall: 203.58.

Ashley Wagner has done it! She manages to break the Russian monopoly and get a bronze medal for herself. However, she can't get past the step-perfect Elena Radionova, who takes the silver, and Elizaveta Tuktamysheva, who wins the competition. Congratulations to them all!

For more comments on the other events, go to: http://crystalskate.blogspot.co.uk/.

Comments

  1. Unknown14 December 2014 at 10:54

    1) I know I was right for believing in Liza Tukt, she's fabulous, all hail the new queen
    2) Ashley's awsome!!!! what a come back from SP :v
    _TheGothicEme

    ReplyDelete

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