Sarah's new SP

[jss]

I don't like the beginning at all. The arm movements just don't work, IMHO. I did think the program got a LOT better once it changed to the slower music, but if I were them I would change the beginning.

[nits]

I've read wonderful reports on Sarah's SP. Unfortunately, I missed it.

[CMc]

I thought it was a really nice new SP with a nice new sound (Rachmaninov cello sonata). I just hope it's not the last we see of it.

[dbny]

I LOVE it. I think it's exciting, well choreographed, and very much interpretive of the music. It's the best new SP I've seen yet this year.

[donnamarie]

I love it too, and believe it will be competitive with Sasha's sp, which is no small feat. Sarah has a more mature look this year. This sp is dynamic and compelling.

[somechick]

Well, I had absolutely horrible reception for the program but I loved it!!!! I think it is absolutely gorgeous. This is definitely a different Sarah we are seeing this year. But she looks so nervous right now which I have never seen from her. Hopefully getting these competitions over and a little feedback will relax her. I honestly think Sarah has the two best combined programs this year (yeah, call me biased, but I am rarely impressed with programs upon first viewing and I just fell in love with these!). I never thought I would like a program more than Sarah's "Vocalise", but this is better. I so so so hope that Sarah decides to keep skating at least another year because she is just now beginning to tap into how good she could be.

[Toepoint]

I loved Sarah's short. I thought the Choreography was beautiful. Fits her perfectly. I really enjoyed seeing Sarah, and her compeitive spirit. Loved her costume. But what was going on with her hair? Is she growing out her cut? She looked like she lost her comb Yikes!

[cocanuts]

i loved this program too!!!!!!!!! i think she just needs to change the ending of the music so its not so soft. i would put a loud "DUNT DUNT!" if that made any sense

[thvudragon]

Sarah's new program is good, but it isn't great. Sasha's and Michelle's so far are much better. It is between those 3 though. Sarah's foorwork was shallow and simple. I'm hoping it will get better as the season progresses. She has made improvements, I'm glad to see that. This SP won't perform well at the World seen. She still has that very obvious flutz, underrotated jumps, and simple footwork.

SP's this season

1. Sasha or Michelle
2. " "
3. Irina, she is 2nd because the judges will probably prop her up.
4. Fumie
5. Sarah

*Note, I'm am ranking these on how they will perform when all skate clean, maybe at worlds.

TV

[adrianchew]

Prefer Sarah's new LP to the SP. The SP's weakest areas - the pattern of the serpentine spiral needs work and the circular footwork is not difficult enough compared to Sasha/Michelle this season. The flutz is ever present and just as bad.

This is not the kind of SP that will help Sarah win at Worlds. The SP could be very important at Worlds given in some situations only the top 2 going into the freeskate control their destiny.

[donnamarie]

Well the flutz is not connected to any particular short program, that's a separate issue that needs to be worked on, and would be true with any sp she came up with. The footwork I hope she will develop further. Usually her spiral is pretty good isn't it? So maybe that will improve, but I don't think she can really compete with Michelle or Sasha on the spiral, anyway, which is very strong for both of them. But if she adds a 3/3 that would certainly help. As for the maturity and style of the choreography, I think that is good. Of course the program is new and still needs work.

[thvudragon]

What!! How can you say a flutz is not connected to the short program! Her flutz is a major problem and she always gets deducted for it, deservedly so. I think the choreography is poor and doesn't relate to the music, but that is a matter of opinion. I also don't think a 3/3 will help much. She still has the bent leg in her spiral, shallow, easy footwork, and bad posture, although it is getting better. Still this program doesn't stack up to the other top ladies.

TV

[nymkfan51]

thvudragon ... what donnamarie was saying is not that she doesn't think the flutz is a problem ... just that it was no more so in this SP than it would be in any SP.
As for me ... I feel lukewarm about this program. Like Adrian ... I think her LP is better. She's got alot of work to do though with both, if she expects to compete with Sasha and Michelle. And not alot of time left!

[sspye]

I really like her SP over her LP. Personal opinion I suppose. Her SP seems very complete, minus some very fine tuning. Her LP needs an improvement on tech difficulty. In fact, I think that her LP needs a major overhaul on tech difficulty. I guess that we can look at it after Nat's.

Maybe I can't express it in words... Her SP needs some minor tweaking... But her LP needs...something...more expression...tech difficulty...anyone else care to give an example??? I can't seem to get it across.

I'm one of Sarah's biggest fans, but I can't come up with what she needs other than tech. improvement for the LP.

Denise

[TAF2984]

I agree with adrian and TV. Her marks reflected it too at Hallmark. she got 4 5.5s and one 5.4 for RE and 5.7s for presentation in fact one judge placed Irina over her who fell on the 3flip and to be honest I can perfectly see why and it wasn't even the Russian judge. Even though I still believe Irina's short is weak choregraphically, she doesn't have the egregious jump errors that Sarah has or other major tech problems. Both of them have very basic fw and their spirals are wobbly in the short. I still quite frankly think Sarah is being overmarked in required elements. At this point, Michelle/Sasha are way ahead of the rest in the sp.

[donnamarie]

I thought this thread was about Sarah's new short program - as a program - not her jump technique shortcomings. I still think they are two separate issues. As a program, with choreography and music and concept and style, I like this program. Her jump technique is another issue and has nothing to do with the program itself. She would still have these problems with ANY short program. Wobbly spirals etc. don't have anything to do with the merits of this particular program. Oh well. Perhaps this thead is about how well she performed her new sp, and not about the new sp itself.

[spiralsrfun]

I did not care for her new SP at all...as it stand right now.

I like the music, but I thought is was a big step down in many areas for her from last year. Her apparent lack of training is really showing and if she wants to be competitive at Nationals and Worlds, she'll really need to step this SP up.

[LAVENDER]

I think Sarah has the 3 best short program this season behind Michelle and Sasha. I like the feel of it but Sarah was only ahead of Irina because she fell by looking at those scores. Their scores were pretty close being that Sarah was clean and Irina was not.

[thvudragon]

I still think Fumie's SP is better. Lori Nichol is much better at coming up with choreography that relates to the music. Some may shun her reserved style, but I find it very pleasing to watch with her. She seems like a ballet dancer. The only problem I have with Fumie is her spirals. They need work. Other than that, I think she has the 3rd best short. I would put Sarah around 4th or 5th.

TV

[AxelAnnie22]

I didn't particularly care for the SP. It was OK, but not great....in my book.

I didn't see anything that particularly stood out as WOW. I hope that as she skates it more, it will become more impressive.

I don't think the dress flatters her, and her hair, I found, very distracting. The part wasn't even straight! I really have a problem with ANY skater who goes out with their hair going every which way. In this day of jell, spray, and even glue, there is just no reason for a skater to look messy, and that is how her hair looked to me. (And, if you know me at all, you know that I am an equal opportunity complainer about skater's hair. Comes from my ballet backround which included a $50.00 fine if the ribbon on your pointe shoe came un-tucked.)

I would love to see Sarah in long sleeve, and a softer color. Also, the back of the FOSSE costume is wonderful for her. The part that goes across her upper back masks the shoulders just enough, and the opening is very flattering. It is a good look for her.....just like Michelle's gored waist is a good look for her.

Can't wait for NATS.

[LAVENDER]

I don't know if I've seen a clean short from Fumie and I can't seem to get a good feel on her program. I will have to looke for her short somewhere.

[duane]

about sarah's SP, i like it, but i dont think it compares to michelle or sasha's. i think the only way this program would possibly rank above michelle or sasha's program is if sarah includes a 3/3 combo.

[Mayra]

I liked it!

I don't think it needs to compare to Michelle's or Sasha's. So long as she keeps the lutz/loop combination, which neither Michelle or Sasha are doing, and cleans up the choreography a little bit, she is in business.

[missmarysgarden]

I didn't "dislike" Sarah's new SP - but I think it falls into the category of "not memorable". Even if she does a 3/3, and I think that is doubtful - if everyone skates clean, I don't think it has any special "WOW" to bump her score.

[yelana]

Sarah's sp was very pleasent. She finally seems less akward. That said it is not that strong of a program. There is no astounding artistic choreography or flair. There is also the lack of footwork. What little there is, is simple. Also her spirals have detereated. She used to have spirals with i nice edge, her only flaw being her knees were never straightened. TO me her edges seem not as strong or deep anymore and her freeleg is now completely bent.

[thvudragon]

Fumie skated a clean short at Nations Cup. It was very good. A little plain compared to that of Michelle and Sasha's, but still good. 3rd best of the year. Nations Cup SP's are being repeated on Dec. 23 10pm-12am on ESPN.

TV