Cup of China 2015 - The Great Comeback (Ladies' SP)
Whenever a legend returns to the ice, the event is watched by hundreds of eyes - the rivals, who wonder if their own positions are threatened, the fans, who await impatiently to see their favourite shine again, and the judges, who get ready to witness something great. I have no doubt that a lot of eyes are turned towards Beijing today, as Mao Asada prepares to get back in the game. But before that happens, let's see how the other contestants perform:
This is a big day for Lu Zheng as well, as she debuts on senior ice. Unfortunately, she doesn't yet have the grace to express the beautiful fragility of Amelie. Her score: 47.23.
Ziquan Zhao's interpretation of Caravan is practically nonexistent. She is technically a little sharper than her co-patriot though. She gets 48.66 points.
Zijun Li is China's favourite skater, and you can see why. She is the only Chinese to actually present the music - it's Claire de Lune for her, and it fits her like a glove. Difficult entry into the double Axel. Her score: 58.62.
So Youn Park's Black Orpheus has a Spanish flavour which doesn't come through enough in the choreography, I think. She falls on the triple Lutz. She gets 52.47 points.
Mao Asada comes back in full force. Wearing a brilliant pink dress, she is witty and glamorous dancing to Bei mir bist du schoen. Her elements are also flawless. Her score: 71.73.
Nicole Rajicova is one of those skaters born in a highly competitive country (US) who is able to represent another (Slovakia). She gets the best of both worlds: training in the best of conditions while not having any national rivals. She gets 54.76 points.
Courtney Hicks times her choreography very well to the epic The Feeling Begins by Peter Gabriel, but presentation-wise, she doesn't stand out as unique to me. Her score: 62.38.
Everything about Rika Hongo's Incantation is super detailed; from the many changes in the music to the many turns accompanying it to the green and golden costume. She gets 65.79 points.
Elena Radionova is all grown-up. It shows in her choosing Lara Fabian to sing her short programme music and in the feminine dress. She singles out of the double Axel though, which is very unusual for her. Her score: 58.51.
Anna Pogorilaya takes a nasty fall on her side at the end of the triple Toeloop, after putting a hand down on the triple Lutz. She also almost loses control over the spin. This is not the beginning of the season she was looking for, but the routine looks promising. She gets 61.47 points.
The Russians can't hold the Japanese at bay in Beijing as Asada and Hongo climb to the first and second positions, but Pogorilaya is still close enough to the podium to get a medal tomorrow.
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| Rika Hongo is Japan's newest start Photogaph: Lintao Zhao / Getty Images Asia |
Ziquan Zhao's interpretation of Caravan is practically nonexistent. She is technically a little sharper than her co-patriot though. She gets 48.66 points.
Zijun Li is China's favourite skater, and you can see why. She is the only Chinese to actually present the music - it's Claire de Lune for her, and it fits her like a glove. Difficult entry into the double Axel. Her score: 58.62.
So Youn Park's Black Orpheus has a Spanish flavour which doesn't come through enough in the choreography, I think. She falls on the triple Lutz. She gets 52.47 points.
Mao Asada comes back in full force. Wearing a brilliant pink dress, she is witty and glamorous dancing to Bei mir bist du schoen. Her elements are also flawless. Her score: 71.73.
 |
| Mao Asada took a one-year break from skating Photograph: Lintao Zhang / Getty Images Asia |
Courtney Hicks times her choreography very well to the epic The Feeling Begins by Peter Gabriel, but presentation-wise, she doesn't stand out as unique to me. Her score: 62.38.
Everything about Rika Hongo's Incantation is super detailed; from the many changes in the music to the many turns accompanying it to the green and golden costume. She gets 65.79 points.
Elena Radionova is all grown-up. It shows in her choosing Lara Fabian to sing her short programme music and in the feminine dress. She singles out of the double Axel though, which is very unusual for her. Her score: 58.51.
Anna Pogorilaya takes a nasty fall on her side at the end of the triple Toeloop, after putting a hand down on the triple Lutz. She also almost loses control over the spin. This is not the beginning of the season she was looking for, but the routine looks promising. She gets 61.47 points.
The Russians can't hold the Japanese at bay in Beijing as Asada and Hongo climb to the first and second positions, but Pogorilaya is still close enough to the podium to get a medal tomorrow.
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