Skaters that showed improvement.

[krenseby]

Some people complain that figure skating is monotonous. Supposedly many skaters repeat the same elements year after year and use similar choreography. Yet, this isn't always true. Some skaters surprise us but not necessarily because their skating becomes different and unrecognizable. More so because year after year, in collaboration with their coach, they improve their jumps, spins, footwork, and musical expression. Perhaps their jumps become more solid or their spirals more extended. Perhaps their use of arms becomes more expressive, or maybe it's their line and posture that becomes more pleasing. So, who were and are these skaters who made you take notice of their gradual improvements year after year and who convinced you of their commitment to strive for perfection?

[Moka-Ananas]

Improvement shown over last season: Artur Gachinski! Definitely!

[Jemestone]

Polina Shelepen

[shan]

Stephen Carriere

[Jenna]

Polina Shelepen

I wish.

Stephen Carriere

YES!

[krenseby]

Stephen Carriere

A name rarely mentioned on this forum. I would wager that most posters have no idea who he is.

[Jenna]

A name rarely mentioned on this forum. I would wager that most posters have no idea who he is.

I kind of doubt that..he is a world junior champion, after all.

[zilam98]

meryl davis has certainly improved on her legline

[paskatefan]

Stephen Carriere

Great to see it happening! I hope Stephen has a very successful, injury free season & beyond!

Going back in the past, I would say Todd Eldredge - In the early 1990's, he was known as a "technician." I think by the mid 1990's, his artistry was starting to come through (not to mention the great spinning ability - the fact that Scott Davis was such a fine spinner may have encouraged him to work on his spins). At this point I consider him a very "balanced" skater (I am not a quad obsessed fan - exciting jump, but it's only one element).

[Hedwig]

A name rarely mentioned on this forum. I would wager that most posters have no idea who he is.

Is this irony? Sorry if it isn't, I really cannot tell. But I too would imagine that 99% of the posters here know him.

Mao Asada would have been my pick a few years ago. I was amazed then that even though she had won everything the season before she was then going over her jump technique because of edge calls and tried to get better even then. But as she had a couple of rough seasons, sniff...

[museksk8r]

Improvement shown over last season: Artur Gachinski! Definitely!

No joke! He clearly has his eyes set on challenging Chan this season. I am blown away by his LP choreography this season.

[Zokko!]

Alexei Yagudin's move from Mishin 1998 to Tarasova 1999 has been a huge improvement for him, IMO.

[miki88]

Alexei Yagudin's move from Mishin 1998 to Tarasova 1999 has been a huge improvement for him, IMO.

I agree. Also Kwan's transformation from 1995 to 1996. Quite amazing.

I also think Julia Lipnitskaya improved a lot since last year. I think she can challenge Adelina and Liza in the near future.

[pani]

Polina Agafonova
Maxim Kovtun
Gabriella PAPADAKIS / Guillaume CIZERON
Ralf-Hill
If we are talking about this season.

[julieann]

Britney Simpson, maybe it's her new partner but I really think she is going to be great.

[pinky166]

Polina Korobeynikova
Christina Gao
Alissa Czisny
Samantha Cesario

Josh Farris
Brandon Mroz
Jason Brown

[pani]

Britney Simpson, maybe it's her new partner but I really think she is going to be great.

Agree

[krenseby]

Is this irony? Sorry if it isn't, I really cannot tell. But I too would imagine that 99% of the posters here know him.

Well, perhaps he is well known on this forum. Either way, he isn't discussed all that often.

[blue_idealist]

Shawn Sawyer from the 2008-09 season on was a 'different' skater than he had been in the past. That's when I became a huge fan of him.. and he took it up another notch (artistically) in 2010-2011.

[smarts1]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this name yet: Jenny Kirk