Swans

Over the years, many skaters have chosen to skate to music from Swan Lake. This has brought forth many different music selections and cuts, however, Swan Lake is one of those programs that either works or doesn't. Here is my take, in as few words as possible, on various Swan Lake programs.

Sasha Cohen:
Yes

NO

Mao Asada:
Yes

Rika Hongo:
NO

Adelina Sotnikova:
Yes

Miki Ando:
Yes

Ashley Wagner:
Not really...

Polina Korobeynikova:
Maybe...

Kanako Murakami:
Maybe

Polina Shelepen:
NEVER.

Daisuke Takahashi:
Always

Shizuka Arakawa:

The tackiness of this costume is distracting my from what actually happened in this program.

And finally, no Swan Lake post could be complete without these:

The Return...Part 2

Hopefully, I will actually make a return to blogging for real this time.
If there are any readers out there, I am sorry for the long hiatus and hope you will continue to read my blog.

Here is a gem some of you may have seen, some may not have. It is from all the way back in 2009. If only she could combine these jumps from back then to her greatly improved spins and performance skills of today. If so, she is the total package.

More in the coming days...

I'm Back!

Hello everyone,
If you haven't noticed, I've taken a little break from blogging this fall. I've been really busy these past few months and haven't been around to write good posts, but I have been keeping up with the Grand Prix and Jr. Grand Prix. I've also been checking my formspring so if anyone has any questions for me I will answer them even if I'm taking a break from blogging at the time.

These are just some thoughts on the season so far:

In the men, I actually like Patrick Chan's LP this season, and it will be magical if he ever skates it clean. However, I do think that Daisuke deserved to win the LP in the GPF. I am personally a bigger fan of Takahashi's SP than his LP, but one has to admit he skates to EVERY note in that program. I also really like Abbott's LP this season, and was impressed by his quad, however he will need to finally get it together for the second half of the season if he wants to challenge for podium positions. I have also been impressed with Fernandez's consistency and SP as well as Hanyu's LP and think these two will pose great threats in the future.

In ice dance, I have really been impressed with Weaver/Poje. Obviously team Canton is in a league of their own right now, but W/P could challenge them in the future. The Shibutanis programs just don't really do it for me this year as much as last year, most likely because of the latin SD and not-as-good similar FD. I really hope that I/K can reach their potential because they are one of the most interesting teams for me to watch, and they really have a connection that the Americans don't have. Time will tell...

I really cannot comment too much on pairs because I don't know much about the discipline, but the battle between S/S and V/T is turning out to be very interesting and should push the sport forward and hopefully the discipline back into the spotlight. I am also a big fan of Takahashi/Tran and hope they can improve their consistency because they are really a beautiful pair to watch.

And finally, my favorite discipline, the ladies. First of all I have to talk about Mao Asada. My deepest condolences to her and her family. The last thing this poor girl needed was another obstacle to overcome, but if anyone can overcome this, it's Mao. She was finally looking to be back to her old self. Even if she crumbles once again, she has shown she still has it and shows great courage to keep pushing forward. Carolina Kostner seems to be finally living up to potential, even without a lutz. Her programs this season are beautiful, especially her LP, and with Asada she really is the class of the field. Alissa's programs aren't as good this season, which is disappointing for someone who could prove herself as a world medalist this season. I have been impressed with Liza this season, however, her program actually goes around in that same circle so many times I get dizzy. She needs to fix that and fast, because otherwise, it's really not a bad program. Her lutz-toe combination is incredible, and even her spins seem slightly improved. Sotnikova should not be skating to Liebestraum because it just doesn't compare to Mao. Her nerves are also getting to her, but I expect her to get it together for the second half of the season. Leonova's LP just confuses me. Finally, I want to talk about Polina Korobeynikova. I really have been the most impressed by her this season. Yes, she struggles with consistency, but her technique is actually solid and when she hits, her jumps are big and rotated off the right edge. She actually his a good layback position! I hope she can break through because her skating is mature and beautiful, and her ice coverage is nice and fast.

Those are my thoughts, and I will try to post a few more times before I get busy again. Happy holidays readers and remember if you have a question to ask me on my formspring! I will respond.

August 19

She's so happy in this video! I want Mao to have performances this season where she can truly be happy and the end of her program.  This is probably her best performance of the 04-05 season but is less known because it is from Japanese Jr Nationals.  Everything looks effortless and she carries good speed throughout the program.  She needs to bring these 2 qualities back to her skating this season so the judges will once again recognize and appreciate Mao for what she still is - a great skater with a newfound maturity on the ice.  I wish her well this season not only as a fan of Mao, but also as a fan of the sport.

August 15

I've come to appreciate this program more and more every time I watch it.  The transitions are what they should be - difficult but not flashy like some skaters "look at my footwork that has nothing to do with the music before this jump".  Everything is choreographed on the music and I agree with the commentators - he does a great job presenting her.

Damned youtube won't let me put the video on this...but you can watch it here.

August 10

I wish more of the current US ladies could bring me in and force me to focus on them for an entire program.  Actually, now that I think about it, none of them can (with the exception of Alissa because you never know if/when she is going to splat).

The need to share

I was browsing the internet and found this interesting article about a fellow blogger's book and her take on TV coverage.  I think she does a great job explaining the situation and makes good points about the nature of the sport.  Here is the article - I would recommend reading it!  I don't know the blogger myself, but I would also recommend reading her blog if you like what she had to say in the article!



This is a completely unrelated point... but I can't wait for the new season to start! With all the Black Swans there seem to be, we should be treated to at least one in each event this year...yay! (sarcasm)