Finlandia Trophy 2025- Women’s Free Skate “ Let’s Finnish Where We Splatted”

[tony]

10 skaters; 24 q calls. This has to be a record. Meanwhile, only two underrotations and two downgrades (one of which was on an euler).

This is not proper application of the rules and clearly an outlier.

In Canada across both segments there were 30. So same old same old. It's never proper application seeing how it has to be EXACTLY 90 degrees. Not 91. Not 89. It's a phony thing introduced to not kill a technical score for whomever the panels feels like applying it to- sometimes it's certain skaters, sometimes it's everyone.

 

[MsZem]

Mark making me insane. If you weigh 45 kg it`s going to be easier to get around. Again, is it a women`s sport or a little girl sport? I had the same boredom with Mai Mihara that went on for years.

There are women who weigh 45kg. I don't like the policing of what women's bodies are supposed to look like.

 

[Kateri]

If it were easier for really tiny women to rotate jumps, then pairs women would be the best at it.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

If it were easier for really tiny women to rotate jumps, then pairs women would be the best at it.

How and where did this topic get brought up? Although something just popped in my mind right now Tara Lipinski had extremely tight and fast revolutions in the air. But I’m not sure why talking about this.

What I find more interesting is the comparison of jumps that have height versus those that cover distance. For example, Amber has extremely high triple axels where last week Rinka’s hertriple Axel covers distance.

 

[TAHbKA]

Schizas is a mammal who has a longest orgasm (because, apparently, I can't write the actual animal without the message being deleted - seems like the admins never googled which animal that would be) starts with a huge smile of joy, switches to happiness, bliss and then a 4 minutes of an orgasm.

 

[TAHbKA]

That’s harsh and not at all true.

Google which animal has the longest orgasm. I wish it was a dolphin, but its not

 

[Karen-W]

First and foremost, I love all the Japanese skaters and I constantly have issue in every last competition with them looking the other way for skaters from every last nation. I mean I was the resident Miyahara rotation realist for many, many seasons while saying over and over I'd probably give her the highest PCS.

What is more interesting are the select people that find the scrutiny for jump rotations to be 'way too much' for their enjoyment of the sport and go on tangents how the threads just turn into that kind of stuff--- until their selected favorites lose out from panels not doing it.

No need to be so sensitive there. My comment wasn't directed toward you at all. It was more a general comment & thought about the FS fandom (especially on X) and how they screamed about Rinka losing last week to Alysa.

You know perfectly well that I'm no Amber uber. I thought she should have had a bigger lead over Mone from the SP, but an extra point or two wouldn't have made the difference in the final placements today. I just find it ironic how many people are perfectly okay with the Japanese woman taking the win with under-scrutinized jumps while attacking the American women when they happen to be the beneficiaries of lenient tech panels. And it's particularly irritating when the narrative of the Japanese women's ubers since Boston has become very much that Alysa didn't deserve that title which is just revisionist bullshit history on their part.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

I believe her and Damon said they’re not going to do it but it would be interesting if come worlds or Olympics Amber does have a second triple axel in free.

I think I’ve seen junior skaters do this, but in the short program you could have a triple axle - triple toe and then a triple Axel again for the Axel jump, correct.

 

[TAHbKA]

Dear Finns, what is the Olympic qualification selection in Finland and who are the ladies aiming for the spot? @Hanna ?

 

[SkateFanBerlin]

How and where did this topic get brought up? Although something just popped in my mind right now Tara Lipinski had extremely tight and fast revolutions in the air. But I’m not sure why talking about this.

What I find more interesting is the comparison of jumps that have height versus those that cover distance. For example, Amber has extremely high triple axels where last week Rinka’s hertriple Axel covers distance.

It`s my fault; I posted something about 45kg women basically comparing them to girls. Not cool. I guess my taste is to power and moves on a bigger frame. Though, I did in the end come to appreciate Miyahara - her ability to project and convey meaning even being smallin stature.

 

[cholla]

Google which animal has the longest orgasm. I wish it was a dolphin, but its not

30 mn! I'm impressed

 

[4rkidz]

Mark saying Maddie will graduate in May. Wish she had taken a year or at least a semester off to concentrate on her skating. Oh, well.

I disagree, education and career is for life - this is a sport that has very limited professional options. Many science programs also require a full time commitment especially when pursuing graduate studies as well. Plus nerves are not helped by more ice time necessarily. Balance in life is important, especially in highly competitive individual sports. (Saying as a mom of a former national athlete who is now a successful scientist).

 

[kwanfan1818]

Chiba had a little stumble taking bows before the medal ceremony, and Hanretty said, "Wheeeee -- step-ball-change"

 

[kwanfan1818]

Good for President of Finnish skating for saying nice things to each medalist as he handed out flowers. It peeves me when the medal presenters look away to the next one after putting a medal around someones head. At least keep eye contact during the handshake before going to the next skater.

 

[Private Citizen]

I believe her and Damon said they’re not going to do it but it would be interesting if come worlds or Olympics Amber does have a second triple axel in free.

Doubtful. Glenn spends so much time setting up for her triple axel as it is. If she added a second, they'd probably be back to back, creating a "Jason Brown"-like impression of the first minute of the program spent entirely on setting up for triple axels.

I think I’ve seen junior skaters do this, but in the short program you could have a triple axle - triple toe and then a triple Axel again for the Axel jump, correct.

No, impossible. Neither jump in the combination can be repeated. Juniors have done 3A+3T and 2A (not 3A). Juniors don't have the option of doing the 3A as the solo axel, as a double is required. Glenn could also do that, but her current setup garners more points.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

So, in the short program, you couldn’t make your combination a triple axle triple toe and then a triple lutz and then a triple axle again?

 

[kwanfan1818]

Nope. One of the 3A's needs to be a 2A or 4A.

 

[mtnskater]

Women’s thoughts:
Mone Chiba is so blatantly favored by tech panels this fall. What is going on? Hey I like her skating, though she is not someone I would rewind and watch again. But in my book she should not have won her previous GP if her jumps had been reviewed. Here I think she skated better and still would have won even if she had been properly reviewed.

Amber was really robbed points wise in the short program. One of the best programs I’ve seen her do. Mone had the squatting turn out from her combo with little penalty applied. In the free, Amber looked a bit too tight and a bit tired. I don’t think it was good for Amber to win everything last year because the pressure just kept building to win. I still don’t get the stingy GOE the panel gives for her super high powerful 3 axel…and stingy GOE for other elements. Is it because Alysa is the World Champ so Amber is no longer perceived as US #1? GP panels doing a lot of weird judging this season. Let’s hope GPF panels are good.

Rino…she and Yuna Aoki are truly my favorite Japanese skaters to watch who I would rewatch again. I loved Rino’s short program so much. The Nutcracker is not the best for her because she is not particularly balletic to my eye. But her deep gliding held out edges are so devine!

Bradie had a great shot to medal here…wish she could have made it happen. Her spins got big audience applause! Deserved!

 

[skatingguy]

Selma Valitalo
Rank after SP: 11
Coach: Alisa Drei
Music: Bonfire, Myrskyluodon Maija

3T+3T
2F
3Lo+2T
3Loq - step out
Layback Spin 3
Step Sequence 2
3Sq+1Eu+2S
1A
Choreo Sequence
2A
Flying Camel Spin 3
Change Foot Combo Spin 3

Needs to improve her posture, especially in the cross-overs which will also help with speed, and overall presentation. Another nice moment for a local skater in their home event.

98.63 = 1st Place
142.47 = 1st Place

 

[skatingguy]

Iida Karhunen
Rank after SP: 9
Coach: Marina Shirshova
Music: Sawn Lake by Petr I. Tchaikovski

3S
3F+3T
3Lz
Change Foot Combo Spin 4
Choreo Sequence
3F
3Lz+1Eu<<+2S - step out of the Lutz used as an Euler
3Lo+2A+SEQ
2A
Step Sequence 3
Flying Change Foot Combo Spin 4
Layback Spin 4

Dramatic music, but the skating doesn't quite live up to the grandeur of the music. Technical issues with the harder toe jumps.

120.14 = 1st Place
180.17 = 1st Place

 

[skatingguy]

Lorine Schild
Rank after SP: 8
Coach: Malika Tahir
Music: Not Alone Anymore, No More Fight Left in Me

3Lz+3Tq - tight landings
3F!
3Lz
Flying Change Foot Combo Spin 3
2A
Choreo Sequence
3Loq+2A+2T+SEQ - tight, lacking flow
3Loq - hand down
3S<+2T
Change Foot Combo Spin 4
Step Sequence 3
Layback Spin 3

Losing points, or at least not gaining points on the quality of the jumps because the air position is different every time Lorine jumps. At the same time it does look like she's trying to perform more, and have more expression.

114.89 = 2nd Place
175.63 = 2nd Place

 

[skatingguy]

Olivia Lisko
Rank after SP: 7
Coach: Virpi Horttana
Music: Stars Wars Attack of the Clones

3T+3Tq
1Lo
2Lz+2A+SEQ
3Fq
Flying Sit Spin 4
Step Sequence 2
2Lz+1Eu+2S
3S
Choreo Sequence
2A
Layback Spin 4
Change Foot Combo Spin 3V

Seems like the Lutz was just not comfortable today as she popped both of them. Overall a nice impression from her skating, and hopefully something she can build on.

103.67 = 3rd Place
164.67 = 3rd Place

 

[skatingguy]

Rino Matsuike
Rank after SP: 6
Coach: Machiko Yamada, Yuko Hongo, Soshi Tanaka
Music: The Nutcracker Suite by P.I. Tchaikovski

3Lo
3Lz+3Tq+2T
3Fq
2A
Flying Change Foot Combo Spin 4
3Lzq+2T
3F+2A+SEQ
3S
Step Sequence 3
Choreo Sequence
Change Foot Combo Spin 4
Layback Spin 2

Beautiful skate, and some stunning display of skating skills throughout the program.

131.95 = 1st Place
193.21 = 1st Place

 

[skatingguy]

Rion Sumiyoshi
Rank after SP: 5
Coach: Koji Okajima, Noriko Sato
Music: Adiemus: Songs of Sanctuary

4T< - fall
2A+3T
Change Foot Combo Spin 3
3Loq - tight landing
3Sq - fall
Choreo Sequence
3Lz+3T
3Fq+2A+2T+SEQ
Flying Change Foot Combo Spin 4
3Lz<< - fall
Step Sequence 4
Layback Spin 3

Rion not able to replicate her skates at Grand Prix de France here. Hard to know how the fall in the short program affected her in this performance, but the 2nd, and 3rd falls were also quite awkward looking.

-4.00 = Falls
116.84 = 3rd Place
178.26 = 3rd Place

 

[skatingguy]

Bradie Tennell
Rank after SP: 4
Coach: Benoit Richaud, Jeremy Allen
Music: The Mission by Ennio Morricone

3Lzq+3Tq
3Loq+2A+SEQ
3F!q
2A
Flying Change Foot Combo Spin 4
3Lzq+2T+2Loq - Lutz landing was tight
3S
3Loq
Step Sequence 3
Choreo Sequence
Change Foot Camel Spin 4
Change Foot Combo Spin 4

Solid skate for Bradie with a few rotation issues particularly on the flip & Lutz jumps.

126.46 = 2nd Place
190.38 = 2nd Place

 

[skatingguy]

Madeline Schizas
Rank after SP: 3
Coach: Nancy Lemaire, Alison Purkiss
Music: Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto

3Lz+2T
3F - step out
3Lo
3S
Change Foot Combo Spin 4
3Lz+2A+SEQ
3Lo+2T+2T* - 3rd double toeloop is invalid
2A
Flying Change Foot Combo Spin 3 (4 after review)
Step Sequence 2 (3 after review)
Choreo Sequence
Layback Spin 3

Good to see Madeline go for the second triple Lutz as too often she leaves out that jump. A bit tight off the top of the program, but settled down nicely to deliver the rest of the elements.

123.44 = 3rd Place
188.60 = 3rd Place

 

[skatingguy]

Mone Chiba
Rank after SP: 2
Coach: Mie Hamada, Satsuki Muramoto, Hiroaki Sato
Music: Romeo and Juliet

3F+3Tq
3Loq
3S
2A
Flying Change Foot Combo Spin 4
3Lz+2A+SEQ
3Lz+2T+2Lo
3F
Change Foot Combo Spin 4
Step Sequence 4
Choreo Sequence
Layback Spin 4

Very lovely skate from Mone. Really took her time through that program, and delivered a much improved presentation from her first Grand Prix.

144.33 - 1st Place
217.22 = 1st Place

 

[skatingguy]

Amber Glenn
Rank after SP: 1
Coach: Damon Allen, Tammy Gambill
Music: I Will Find You, The Return

3A
3F+3Tq
2Lz
3S
Flying Sit Spin 4
3Lo+2A+2A+SEQ
3F!q
Change Foot Combo Spin 4
3Lo
Step Sequence 3
Choreo Sequence
Layback Spin 4

A pretty solid free skate for Glenn. The Axel looked better in the air than it did on landing, and possibly too much height, or at least more than she expected.

137.69 = 2nd Place
213.41 = 2nd Place

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Women’s thoughts:
Mone Chiba is so blatantly favored by tech panels this fall. What is going on? Hey I like her skating, though she is not someone I would rewind and watch again. But in my book she should not have won her previous GP if her jumps had been reviewed. Here I think she skated better and still would have won even if she had been properly reviewed.

Amber was really robbed points wise in the short program. One of the best programs I’ve seen her do. Mone had the squatting turn out from her combo with little penalty applied. In the free, Amber looked a bit too tight and a bit tired. I don’t think it was good for Amber to win everything last year because the pressure just kept building to win. I still don’t get the stingy GOE the panel gives for her super high powerful 3 axel…and stingy GOE for other elements. Is it because Alysa is the World Champ so Amber is no longer perceived as US #1? GP panels doing a lot of weird judging this season. Let’s hope GPF panels are good.

Rino…she and Yuna Aoki are truly my favorite Japanese skaters to watch who I would rewatch again. I loved Rino’s short program so much. The Nutcracker is not the best for her because she is not particularly balletic to my eye. But her deep gliding held out edges are so devine!

Bradie had a great shot to medal here…wish she could have made it happen. Her spins got big audience applause! Deserved!

Boy you and I have never been more of the moral center of this group then we are right now.

It’s adding to the things lately that are going in the wrong way will figure skating, judging specially in dance and some other issues. I like Mone and I’m like you I don’t rewind to watch again because she still has that junior feel to her. I think everybody knows I like the mature women aspect of skating. And I’m not always the best at pointing out a UR or an edge call and everybody else seems to be pointing hers out and she’s not getting it so then why are we even here competing? I’ll be watching football today and like I said yesterday, could you imagine, referees not throwing the flag for offsides or penalties on a regular basis?

And I’m Switzerland on the issue ….if Amber or Paul, we’re not getting called for things I thought that they should be I would say that.

PCS it’s still too subjective. The order of how certain judges ranked skaters in PCS in the short program at Finlandia, I mean come on.

Also, was so baffling to me is that back at the first stop and angers Ami got close to 80 points or 80 points for her short program with no ultra c elements where Amber puts them in consistently and can barely even get a 75, her short program had no errors in Finlandia and even with the triple axel on the short She’s not getting 78–80? Her short program scores are still too low as others have mentioned.

 

[tony]

Also, was so baffling to me is that back at the first stop and angers Ami got close to 80 points or 80 points for her short program with no ultra c elements where Amber puts them in consistently and can barely even get a 75, her short program had no errors in Finlandia and even with the triple axel on the short She’s not getting 78–80? Her short program scores are still too low as others have mentioned.

Ami did a glorious triple Axel there.