Aaron W
07-27-2003, 08:04 PM
Sorry it's taken me so long to type these up. I wanted to spend some time with friends after the competition ended yesterday and also wanted to wait until I had some time to actually write my comments on the programs, rather than just giving the basics like I did on Friday. Right now I only have comments on the senior skaters. I should have junior up by Monday evening and hopefully novice up by Tuesday or Wednesday (I unforutantely missed most of the novice ladies as I had to take a different route to the DSC because of ramp closures and ended up going the wrong way, lol - so I arrived late and missed most of the novice ladies final).
Senior Ladies Free Skate Final
1)Lindsey Weber (Winterhurst FSC): (1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1) Well this certainly was the best performance of the entire day on Saturday. After sitting through endless numbers of programs in which no one could get through with a clean skate, it was a breath of fresh air to watch her skate her program, completing ever element she went for. Unfortunately I didn’t note the music to her free skate, but I’m guessing it’s probably on her web site. Any way, she opened with a 3flip/2toe and then went on to a 3lutz/2toe. Definitely a great opening and it definitely looked as if she were attacking the jumps and the end result was 2 nice combinations. Her next two triples, the 3loop and the 3toe were a little shaky and she had to work to hold the landing edge (I think she was a little too far back on her blade on both landings), but she fought and pulled them out cleanly. In between those two jumps was a layback with 7 rotations and a back camel/back upright variation spin. The rest of the program went: flying camel, intentional 2lutz, straightline ftwk, 3salchow, a serpentine pattern of outside spread eagle/RFO spiral/RBO spiral, a 2axel, and a closing combination spin of camel/sit/back sit/back cross foot. She received a standing ovation from some in the crowd and a loud ovation from everyone there. Nice to see the full compliment of triples and good to see how thrilled she was when she finished.
2)Alissa Czisny (St. Clair Shores FSC): (2/2/2/2/2/2/2/2/2) After her wonderful free skate performance in group A on Friday afternoon, this performance definitely was a let down. But with the way most of the other senior ladies skated, it was certainly more than enough to remain ahead of all but Weber. She opened up her program in the same way as the day before with a problem on the opening 3lutz/2toe combination, only doing a 1z/2t but unfortunately didn’t rebound like she did the day before. Next was a flying camel to a donut (10), a 3toe/2toe, running 3’s into a 3loop in which she fell, death drop into back sit(5), a 3salchow with her hands touching down, a layback, a charlotte and a series of spirals, a popped flip, a split jump, a good 3lutz, 2a, and a closing combination spin camel/sit/biellmann/back sit/back Y. She started to get things back on track by the end of the program, but still not what she’s capable of. My main complaint is that the program doesn’t take full advantage of her spinning ability, particularly with her great layback that was not held long enough IMO. But I do like the program and I’m also happy to see that it looks like she’s doing a true lutz (if there is any change of edge, it’s so small and at the last moment that I couldn’t see it).
3)Alexandra Patterson (St. Clair Shores FSC): (3/3/4/4/3/6/5/4/4) Her jumping has been much more off and on here than what I remember seeing from her last season. I’m not sure why it’s off because she doesn’t look like she’s changed physically from last season. Maybe it’s just going to take her some time getting use to the better choreography that she has this season. Her expression of the music definitely is better than it was last season. She opened with a nice 3toe/2toe but then had to step out of the landing of her 3lutz and then added a 2toe, 2a, camel/sit/back camel/back sit/back upright variation spin, a fall on the 3flip, a layback with 8 revs, 3s, 3t(X), flying camel(4), and a forward scratch spin.
4)Amber Czisny (St. Clair Shores FSC): (5/5/6/3/4/4/3/3/6) She opened her Miss Saigon program with a 2a, 3s with her hands down, a layback with only 4 revs, a 2z (was intending to do a 3lutz, but it didn’t seem to be going all that well in the 6 minute warm-up), 3loop with a fall, ina bauer and a series of spread eagles, 3s with her hand down, a biellmann spin with 4 revs, a camel/sit spin combination in the opposite direction, ftwk into a 2t, some sort of a flying spin with 6 revs (I only wrote down fly, so I’m not sure if it was a flying sit or a flying camel), straightline ftwk, LFO to LFI change edge spiral and a RBO Kerrigan spiral, a split jump, a 3toe with a 2footed landing in combination with a 2toe that had a fall out to her knee on the landing. Once again, just as I noted with her sister, I think the spins definitely need to be beefed up more. Her layback is absolutely lovely, but I only got to enjoy it for 4 revolutions before she moved on. On a positive note, I like the choice of music and I really was impressed with her reverse combination spin (camel/sit). She skated it so well in the warm-up that I got confused as to which direction was her normal jumping/spinning direction, lol. Really nice to see someone spin so well in both directions.
4)Kristen Sheaffer (Starlight Ice Dance Club): (7/4/3/5/5/3/4/5/3) She opened with a back shoot the duck, a popped 2axel into a single, a 3flip, 3lutz with a fall, flying sit with 5 revs, serpentine pattern of spirals, spread eagles, etc, 3toe, layback with 6 revs, 3s(step out), 2t, 2a with a turn into a 2t, circ ftwk nicely done and complicated, and two combination spins to close out the program, the second of which included the spin she created with her leg above her head in a sit position (for some reason I seem to recall hearing something about this being called a “bug spin”). I really like this program as I think she expressed the music extremely well. The audience really seemed to be watching her closely, despite some jump problems, because the music is different than the constant repeats heard throughout the week and the choreography & footwork sections do the music justice. Here’s hoping she can get the jumps together and perform this program to it’s fullest. Loved it.
6)Christie Jaszewski (Onyx Skating Academy): (4/6/5/6/6/7/6/6/5) She opened with a 2axel, flying camel with 7 revs, a 2z, 3toe that might have been landed on 2feet, a camel-change-camel (3/4), a 3salchow landed on the wrong foot, 2loop, layback, a 3toe popped to a 2toe on 2feet, 2a, RFO/LBO spirals, a diagonal ftwk sequence that expressed the music nicely, and a combo spin of camel/sit/sit variation/back sit/back scratch. As I noted, her diagonal ftwk sequence really captured the feel of the music. She got quite a bit of cheering out of the crowd during it, something that very few others were able to do on their own footwork sequences. Unfortunately I didn’t note what the music was.
7)Jillian Sheard (Mariposa Winter Club): (11/7/9/7/7/5/7/10/9) It was unfortunate to see her struggle in competition because her practices generally looked pretty good. Others were noting it as well that she was landing some decent jumps in practice but that once she got out in front of the judges, everything went down hill. Elements were 2f, 2z, 3s with her hand down, death drop into back sit (10), popped loop, 3z landed on 2feet, layback with 6 revs and a lot of traveling, RBO/RBI catch foot/LFO spirals, 2a turns 2f, spread eagle to ina bauer, flying camel with 6 revs, circ ftwk, 2s(2feet), and combination spin back camel/back sit/forward camel/forward sit/layback.
8)Jessica Saban (SC of Novi): (8/8/7/8/8/8/8/7/7) 2a, 2z/2loop, flying camel(6), 2s, death drop into back sit (5), 3loop that was under-rotated, 3toe (free foot was still in front on the landing), layback with 6 revs 3f that was under-rotated and had a step out, 2a(2ft), 2z, camel/sit/layback/back camel/back sit/back scratch.
9)Halie Bojovic (SC of Novi): (9/11/8/9/10/9/11/9/8) 3toe (under-rotated), 2a, flying camel(7), 2f/2t with a fall on the 2t, 2loop, 2z/2l/2l all of which were landed on the beats of the music, layback, LFO Kerrigan/LFI catch knee behind/RBI spirals in serpentine pattern, ina bauer, 3s under-rotated and 2foot, circ ftwk, death drop into back sit, 2z, 2a(X), and camel/sit/layback/back camel/back sit.
10)Stephie Smith (Eden Prairie FSC): (6/9/11/10/9/11/10/8/10) 2a, 3t(X), flying camel (4 ½), 2z, 2s, layback(7), 2loop, LFO/RFO/ina bauer/RBO serpentine pattern spirals, 2s/2t, 2f, camel/sit/upright variation/back camel/back sit, circ ftwk, 2a/2t(X), death drop into back sit.
11)Kimberly Kroh (University of Denver SC): (10/10/10/11/11/10/9/11/11) Nessun Dorma. LFO/LBO/RBO spirals, 2a with turn out, 2t(X), layback (5), 2t, 3s(2ft), 2z, flying camel(3)/back upright variation, 3loop(2ft), death drop into back sit (6), 3s(X), popped 2a to a 1a, LFO Kerrigan, camel/layback/back sit/back scratch.
Senior Ladies Free Skate Final
1)Lindsey Weber (Winterhurst FSC): (1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1) Well this certainly was the best performance of the entire day on Saturday. After sitting through endless numbers of programs in which no one could get through with a clean skate, it was a breath of fresh air to watch her skate her program, completing ever element she went for. Unfortunately I didn’t note the music to her free skate, but I’m guessing it’s probably on her web site. Any way, she opened with a 3flip/2toe and then went on to a 3lutz/2toe. Definitely a great opening and it definitely looked as if she were attacking the jumps and the end result was 2 nice combinations. Her next two triples, the 3loop and the 3toe were a little shaky and she had to work to hold the landing edge (I think she was a little too far back on her blade on both landings), but she fought and pulled them out cleanly. In between those two jumps was a layback with 7 rotations and a back camel/back upright variation spin. The rest of the program went: flying camel, intentional 2lutz, straightline ftwk, 3salchow, a serpentine pattern of outside spread eagle/RFO spiral/RBO spiral, a 2axel, and a closing combination spin of camel/sit/back sit/back cross foot. She received a standing ovation from some in the crowd and a loud ovation from everyone there. Nice to see the full compliment of triples and good to see how thrilled she was when she finished.
2)Alissa Czisny (St. Clair Shores FSC): (2/2/2/2/2/2/2/2/2) After her wonderful free skate performance in group A on Friday afternoon, this performance definitely was a let down. But with the way most of the other senior ladies skated, it was certainly more than enough to remain ahead of all but Weber. She opened up her program in the same way as the day before with a problem on the opening 3lutz/2toe combination, only doing a 1z/2t but unfortunately didn’t rebound like she did the day before. Next was a flying camel to a donut (10), a 3toe/2toe, running 3’s into a 3loop in which she fell, death drop into back sit(5), a 3salchow with her hands touching down, a layback, a charlotte and a series of spirals, a popped flip, a split jump, a good 3lutz, 2a, and a closing combination spin camel/sit/biellmann/back sit/back Y. She started to get things back on track by the end of the program, but still not what she’s capable of. My main complaint is that the program doesn’t take full advantage of her spinning ability, particularly with her great layback that was not held long enough IMO. But I do like the program and I’m also happy to see that it looks like she’s doing a true lutz (if there is any change of edge, it’s so small and at the last moment that I couldn’t see it).
3)Alexandra Patterson (St. Clair Shores FSC): (3/3/4/4/3/6/5/4/4) Her jumping has been much more off and on here than what I remember seeing from her last season. I’m not sure why it’s off because she doesn’t look like she’s changed physically from last season. Maybe it’s just going to take her some time getting use to the better choreography that she has this season. Her expression of the music definitely is better than it was last season. She opened with a nice 3toe/2toe but then had to step out of the landing of her 3lutz and then added a 2toe, 2a, camel/sit/back camel/back sit/back upright variation spin, a fall on the 3flip, a layback with 8 revs, 3s, 3t(X), flying camel(4), and a forward scratch spin.
4)Amber Czisny (St. Clair Shores FSC): (5/5/6/3/4/4/3/3/6) She opened her Miss Saigon program with a 2a, 3s with her hands down, a layback with only 4 revs, a 2z (was intending to do a 3lutz, but it didn’t seem to be going all that well in the 6 minute warm-up), 3loop with a fall, ina bauer and a series of spread eagles, 3s with her hand down, a biellmann spin with 4 revs, a camel/sit spin combination in the opposite direction, ftwk into a 2t, some sort of a flying spin with 6 revs (I only wrote down fly, so I’m not sure if it was a flying sit or a flying camel), straightline ftwk, LFO to LFI change edge spiral and a RBO Kerrigan spiral, a split jump, a 3toe with a 2footed landing in combination with a 2toe that had a fall out to her knee on the landing. Once again, just as I noted with her sister, I think the spins definitely need to be beefed up more. Her layback is absolutely lovely, but I only got to enjoy it for 4 revolutions before she moved on. On a positive note, I like the choice of music and I really was impressed with her reverse combination spin (camel/sit). She skated it so well in the warm-up that I got confused as to which direction was her normal jumping/spinning direction, lol. Really nice to see someone spin so well in both directions.
4)Kristen Sheaffer (Starlight Ice Dance Club): (7/4/3/5/5/3/4/5/3) She opened with a back shoot the duck, a popped 2axel into a single, a 3flip, 3lutz with a fall, flying sit with 5 revs, serpentine pattern of spirals, spread eagles, etc, 3toe, layback with 6 revs, 3s(step out), 2t, 2a with a turn into a 2t, circ ftwk nicely done and complicated, and two combination spins to close out the program, the second of which included the spin she created with her leg above her head in a sit position (for some reason I seem to recall hearing something about this being called a “bug spin”). I really like this program as I think she expressed the music extremely well. The audience really seemed to be watching her closely, despite some jump problems, because the music is different than the constant repeats heard throughout the week and the choreography & footwork sections do the music justice. Here’s hoping she can get the jumps together and perform this program to it’s fullest. Loved it.
6)Christie Jaszewski (Onyx Skating Academy): (4/6/5/6/6/7/6/6/5) She opened with a 2axel, flying camel with 7 revs, a 2z, 3toe that might have been landed on 2feet, a camel-change-camel (3/4), a 3salchow landed on the wrong foot, 2loop, layback, a 3toe popped to a 2toe on 2feet, 2a, RFO/LBO spirals, a diagonal ftwk sequence that expressed the music nicely, and a combo spin of camel/sit/sit variation/back sit/back scratch. As I noted, her diagonal ftwk sequence really captured the feel of the music. She got quite a bit of cheering out of the crowd during it, something that very few others were able to do on their own footwork sequences. Unfortunately I didn’t note what the music was.
7)Jillian Sheard (Mariposa Winter Club): (11/7/9/7/7/5/7/10/9) It was unfortunate to see her struggle in competition because her practices generally looked pretty good. Others were noting it as well that she was landing some decent jumps in practice but that once she got out in front of the judges, everything went down hill. Elements were 2f, 2z, 3s with her hand down, death drop into back sit (10), popped loop, 3z landed on 2feet, layback with 6 revs and a lot of traveling, RBO/RBI catch foot/LFO spirals, 2a turns 2f, spread eagle to ina bauer, flying camel with 6 revs, circ ftwk, 2s(2feet), and combination spin back camel/back sit/forward camel/forward sit/layback.
8)Jessica Saban (SC of Novi): (8/8/7/8/8/8/8/7/7) 2a, 2z/2loop, flying camel(6), 2s, death drop into back sit (5), 3loop that was under-rotated, 3toe (free foot was still in front on the landing), layback with 6 revs 3f that was under-rotated and had a step out, 2a(2ft), 2z, camel/sit/layback/back camel/back sit/back scratch.
9)Halie Bojovic (SC of Novi): (9/11/8/9/10/9/11/9/8) 3toe (under-rotated), 2a, flying camel(7), 2f/2t with a fall on the 2t, 2loop, 2z/2l/2l all of which were landed on the beats of the music, layback, LFO Kerrigan/LFI catch knee behind/RBI spirals in serpentine pattern, ina bauer, 3s under-rotated and 2foot, circ ftwk, death drop into back sit, 2z, 2a(X), and camel/sit/layback/back camel/back sit.
10)Stephie Smith (Eden Prairie FSC): (6/9/11/10/9/11/10/8/10) 2a, 3t(X), flying camel (4 ½), 2z, 2s, layback(7), 2loop, LFO/RFO/ina bauer/RBO serpentine pattern spirals, 2s/2t, 2f, camel/sit/upright variation/back camel/back sit, circ ftwk, 2a/2t(X), death drop into back sit.
11)Kimberly Kroh (University of Denver SC): (10/10/10/11/11/10/9/11/11) Nessun Dorma. LFO/LBO/RBO spirals, 2a with turn out, 2t(X), layback (5), 2t, 3s(2ft), 2z, flying camel(3)/back upright variation, 3loop(2ft), death drop into back sit (6), 3s(X), popped 2a to a 1a, LFO Kerrigan, camel/layback/back sit/back scratch.