2026 Olys Womens SP PBP - Cheated Rivalry

barbk said:
I wish I understood why I just don't find Isabeau's skating compelling because all of the individual aspects are actually pretty fabulous.
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I never did until this season. In general I’m not on board with the pretty princesses because the skating style seems to be artificial. But for Isabeau, it’s real…and I really like the lightness and airiness in her skating. And now I’m pleading again for someone with connections to her team to suggest she skate to Appalachian Spring because it would be a magical combination of skater and music.
 
I think Petrosian is going to win if she stands up on her feet. Judges are being extremely generous with their q calling and my bet is that at worst her quads will get the q. That alone will probably be enough to keep her ahead of everyone else.

Judging panel proved today they are more than happy to reward her skating style. I thought she was fine in the short. Competent and with some good elements. But the scoring was quite high for what that was. I would have had her at the lower end of the string of 69-70 point skates we saw.

I have not missed this flailing skating style at all the last four years. Took one program though for me to remember that I dislike it intently.

Anyway, it is what it is. The all still have to skate it.

I agree with the others who said Nakai might not be able to handle the pressure of going last. She was exceptional in the short and I agree with her placement, but I think this is probably the worst spot for her to have to be in terms of pressure.

I don’t expect Kaori to make tons of errors in the free, but I could see the back half of her program being vulnerable to some issues due to fatigue. It’s been a long Olympics. I hope for the best for her though.

And for Alysa, I think she will land everything but it will maybe come down to the calling (or non calling). I loved her program in the short. Very happy the world got to see that.
 
her grace said:
Petrokina was hosed especially due to inconsistent calling of those ahead of her
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I agree with you that the calling was inconsistent, with overuse of q for everything from almost-clean jumps to near-downgradable ones.

To be fair, I thought Petrokina's combo was < bordering on <<, and she was lucky to escape with a q. That said, I'd still have had her ahead of Lee, whose combo was just as bad, plus Petrosian and probably Hendrickx.
 
peibeck said:
I was saying everyone loved Liptnitskta's program, where all the random "leg lifting as a transition" began.
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I didn’t like Liptnitskta’s program but felt bad for her in the individual for sure. I think she seemed charming/fun off ice. I don’t know jack about this one.
 
I hope Nakai can handle the pressure of the LP. I loved her SP!

Isabeau is my favorite US skater..........I just like her style?

A real shame about Amber missing the triple jump after doing a clean 3A.

I thought the ladies in the top 2 flights and even below skated well. IMO, the placings are correct. A great SP event with the exception of MS failing to Q due to mistakes made.......
 
barbk said:
I wish I understood why I just don't find Isabeau's skating compelling because all of the individual aspects are actually pretty fabulous.
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The one and only time I have ever liked Isabeau is when I saw her live in Saskatoon this season. Otherwise, she has never done it for me. In my case, I think she just doesn’t show well on TV, but she was terrific in person.
 
emason said:
The one and only time I have ever liked Isabeau is when I saw her live in Saskatoon this season. Otherwise, she has never done it for me. In my case, I think she just doesn’t show well on TV, but she was terrific in person.
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Yes and, conversely, there are some skaters who translate to TV much better than they wind up being in person.
 
emason said:
The one and only time I have ever liked Isabeau is when I saw her live in Saskatoon this season. Otherwise, she has never done it for me. In my case, I think she just doesn’t show well on TV, but she was terrific in person.
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I have never seen Isabeau live but I adore her skating. My husband, who rarely ever watches anymore, commented only on Isabeau. I think this is the best thing about just being fans - we can like what we like and don't need to justify it.
 
My two cents: I pretty much agree with all the standings, of course, I'd have a couple of skaters higher or lower, but cannot claim any egregious errors on the judges part. I could see the rational behind every skater's placement.

My favorite program of the evening was easily Mikutina and it's such a shame that she can't rotate those triples, because her SP is really a sophisticated and cohesive piece of work.

I'm all about Isabeau, her positions, style, etc. but this and last year's SP's are just okay. The execution is excellent but I feel that the construction could be better or maybe it's just inherent to the style that it just doesn't make that significant an impact. It's fine, but it's generally a 'small' program and I think in an Olympic Games she would have benefitted for something that would have showcased her strengths in a 'bigger' way.

I know it's the party line that we're supposed to hate all Russian skaters because drugsinstitutionalcorruptioncheatingwarmongering, but I kind of like Petrossian and have no problem with her placement at all and would even have her ahead of Chiba if I'm being honest. Yes, it looks (sort of) like and Eteri program, but so did the last two Olympic Gold medal winning programs, so...With that said, I'm uncertain as to how she'll fare in the FS and honestly don't expect her to podium.

Alysa really is a once in a lifetime sort of talent, isn't she? This program is perfect for her and suits her so well. If I had to wager on the skater most likely to podium it would be Liu, though what position I'm not certain, but gold would not be a surprise at all.

I can only imagine how impressive and grand Kaori's skating must look in person, because it is pretty evident on the screen how big, fast, sure and strong her skating is. No problem with her placement either. I think she is along with Alysa pretty much a sure bet for some place on the podium.

Poor Amber, I've never been a fan, but she seems like such a lovely person. I think the SP is just okay, but you can't deny that 3A. Speaking as someone who doesn't have a head for competition, I would say that it's pretty clear that neither does Amber, but if the trade-off is being such a kind, compassionate person that she seems to be, I (at least) think that's just fine.
 
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Isabeau has the best basic skating skills of all the US women as far as I'm concerned; that may be more evident live--I get to see her at Nationals every year. I think she was a bit hesitant in the SP and that affected her placement to a degree.

I agree that Alysa's SP is a work of art. I suspect it helps that I don't feel I need to tense up every time she heads into a jump.
 
Over the last number of years I felt like I’ve been one of the few Isabeau fans on FSU. I’m happy to see so many people really appreciate her.

I do love her retro short programs. But maybe didn’t create the Olympic moment she hoped for as @Maximillian pointed out. But I think my very favorite short program she has done was the season she won Junior Worlds 2022 when she did a glorious classical music/ballet program to “The Swan”. Would love to see her do a classical ballet number again. And maybe work with other choreographers. She would stand out from the field even more if she really leaned into her classical ballet style. Lori Nichol??!!

All that being said, I do appreciate that female skaters are more free to do their own style these days and are rewarded for it.
 
I'm just watching the last group now. I am thinking of pausing the Olympic venue feed before Amber starts and playing her Nationals short program instead. So much happier feeling. I remember feeling transported when Madonna sang "Let the choir sing!" during that performance.
 
Amber is probably not the most disappointed in the event. She has a shot of redeeming in the free.

Whle we talk about disappointment, how is Schizas doing? (how is the Canadian press responding to her short?)
I haven't seen much chatter about her so wondering
 
Skaterbob said:
Henin continues to be a great competitor in big events at least for the short.
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beckab81 said:
Judges please give Henin good PCS, that was a lovely skate
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I've gone through this whole thread and am still trying to figure out when Justine switched to figure skating and how Belgium got a third spot. :confused:

All I can say for sure is that Jade Holovine wuzrobbed. :wuzrobbed
 
I've seen Isabeau compete live in '22, '24, '25, and this year. While I could always recognize her overall skills, didn't really "get" her appeal until her free skate at Nationals in January. She floated across the ice, creating a very peaceful and content aura. That performance made me understand her fandom.

I hope (almost) everyone has a skate they can be proud of today!
 
Private Citizen said:
Not an Alysa fan, but I agree. Which makes the recycled Donna Summer free skate all the more disappointing. It's a shame she never figured out Gaga.

I'd have had Alysa first in the short, and I'm incensed she's behind Sakamoto.
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Donna Summer?!?!? Not Richard Harris!?!? :drama:
 
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