2026 Olys Womens FS PBP - Missed Full of Horrors

[Former Lurve Goddess]

I was actually fine with Kurt’s commentary here too. And Brenda Irving seemed to get better at saying skaters names as the competition continued, not perfect, but better. I still wish they’d stop hiring Carol Lane though. Sure the moment at the end of Piper and Paul’s FD was sweet but overall she just doesn’t seem to be into doing it enough to actually be good at it.

Carol Lane is practically useless. Kurt had to ask her leading questions to get her to explain anything technical. As he did a bit of ice dance when he was very young, he can at least say some useful stuff. There's got to be an ice dance expert that CBC can hire. Asher Hill maybe?

 

[honey]

Carol Lane is practically useless. Kurt had to ask her leading questions to get her to explain anything technical. As he did a bit of ice dance when he was very young, he can at least say some useful stuff. There's got to be an ice dance expert that CBC can hire. Asher Hill maybe?

I agree that Carol wasn’t adding much. She wasn’t saying anything that I was annoyed by (and usually not saying much of anything), but she was just kind of there.

She also doesn’t seem equipped at all to explain ice dance and why one team out scores another. She was asked point blank at the end of the team event FD to explain the differences between the 5 teams that went and why some were judged so much higher. She literally didn’t point to a single thing between them. It was almost like she didn’t know how to answer the question. I thought this was incredibly bizarre since there were some very easy things even a non fan could probably have seen the difference of with the Japanese team.

I don’t really recall any technical anything from her in the dance commentary. If she’s not going to bring anything to the table, then certainly there must be someone else capable. I know she’s local in Toronto and that helps her case, but there is no lack of skating people in the GTA.

I wasn’t a huge fan of Asher Hill’s commentary at 2024 worlds, but I think that was one of his first commentary gigs, so would be willing to give him a chance for dance again in the future. CBC obviously likes him as they have continued to have him on some of their online shows throughout the year.

I enjoy the Kurt and Sandra dynamic, but I get that Sandra might not want to do this again and again. She seemed to have prepared herself meticulously this time and that’s a lot of effort. I know she’s not an everyone’s cup of tea, but she was being technical and thorough in her commentary, far more so than she ever was on NBC. I really enjoyed her pairs commentary.

 

[her grace]

Sofia S reminded me there once was a Russian style - strong and musical - that predated starved teenagers. I hope she’s rewarded with the PCS she deserves because I really enjoyed both her skates. And because it would send the message to former Soviet Union skaters that there is much more than the Eteri/Danny way to succeed.

Samodelkina reminded me a lot of Sokolova with her youthful energy and charm.

Her FS was noticeably empty so she needs to add more footwork and transitional choreography to enhance her Composition and Skating Skills marks. Her Performance score, OTOH, is well on its way: joyful and unflappable.

 

[Icetalavista]

I agree that Carol wasn’t adding much. She wasn’t saying anything that I was annoyed by (and usually not saying much of anything), but she was just kind of there.

She also doesn’t seem equipped at all to explain ice dance and why one team out scores another. She was asked point blank at the end of the team event FD to explain the differences between the 5 teams that went and why some were judged so much higher. She literally didn’t point to a single thing between them. It was almost like she didn’t know how to answer the question. I thought this was incredibly bizarre since there were some very easy things even a non fan could probably have seen the difference of with the Japanese team.

I don’t really recall any technical anything from her in the dance commentary. If she’s not going to bring anything to the table, then certainly there must be someone else capable. I know she’s local in Toronto and that helps her case, but there is no lack of skating people in the GTA.

I wasn’t a huge fan of Asher Hill’s commentary at 2024 worlds, but I think that was one of his first commentary gigs, so would be willing to give him a chance for dance again in the future. CBC obviously likes him as they have continued to have him on some of their online shows throughout the year.

I enjoy the Kurt and Sandra dynamic, but I get that Sandra might not want to do this again and again. She seemed to have prepared herself meticulously this time and that’s a lot of effort. I know she’s not an everyone’s cup of tea, but she was being technical and thorough in her commentary, far more so than she ever was on NBC. I really enjoyed her pairs commentary.

This is so bizarre, given that Lane coaches a top team. Guess they can’t all be Hanratty!

 

[Vagabond]

I have watched some of the CBC coverage from the individual events. I found it superior to the NBC coverage, particularly as to the idiosyncrasies of various skaters' technique. Browning's discussion of Petrosian's axel technique during the Free Skating was noteworthy.

 

[Simone411]

I hope Alysa writes a book. I'm especially interested in how her training program went after her comeback - # hours at the rink, etc . Could be an alternative to overtraining young skaters! would love to read about how her coaches accommodated her interest in being an active participant/decisionmaker in all aspects of her skating.

I learned from articles that she pierced her frenulum. I had thought it was her gum. Gosh, the things you learn LOL.

Now this would be interesting to say the least. I could see her writing "Alysa's Guide to Winning and Having Fun in Figure Skating Without the Headache. What the Hell!"

 

[Jay42]

Carol Lane is practically useless. Kurt had to ask her leading questions to get her to explain anything technical. As he did a bit of ice dance when he was very young, he can at least say some useful stuff. There's got to be an ice dance expert that CBC can hire. Asher Hill maybe?

I mean even Kirsten Moore-Towers would be better and she was in Pairs.

I agree that Carol wasn’t adding much. She wasn’t saying anything that I was annoyed by (and usually not saying much of anything), but she was just kind of there.

She also doesn’t seem equipped at all to explain ice dance and why one team out scores another. She was asked point blank at the end of the team event FD to explain the differences between the 5 teams that went and why some were judged so much higher. She literally didn’t point to a single thing between them. It was almost like she didn’t know how to answer the question. I thought this was incredibly bizarre since there were some very easy things even a non fan could probably have seen the difference of with the Japanese team.

I don’t really recall any technical anything from her in the dance commentary. If she’s not going to bring anything to the table, then certainly there must be someone else capable. I know she’s local in Toronto and that helps her case, but there is no lack of skating people in the GTA.

I wasn’t a huge fan of Asher Hill’s commentary at 2024 worlds, but I think that was one of his first commentary gigs, so would be willing to give him a chance for dance again in the future. CBC obviously likes him as they have continued to have him on some of their online shows throughout the year.

I enjoy the Kurt and Sandra dynamic, but I get that Sandra might not want to do this again and again. She seemed to have prepared herself meticulously this time and that’s a lot of effort. I know she’s not an everyone’s cup of tea, but she was being technical and thorough in her commentary, far more so than she ever was on NBC. I really enjoyed her pairs commentary.

There was once in the individual RD's where she said she wasn't going to explain something technical and I swear you could hear Kurt's frustration. She actually did explain it later, though I can't for the life of me remember what it was right now.

 

[Former Lurve Goddess]

I mean even Kirsten Moore-Towers would be better and she was in Pairs.

There was once in the individual RD's where she said she wasn't going to explain something technical and I swear you could hear Kurt's frustration. She actually did explain it later, though I can't for the life of me remember what it was right now.

KMT is a surprisingly good dance commentator.

 

[Matryeshka]

Watching Glitter and Gold and reading the comments made about Carol Lane's commentary, I think she was probably the biggest obstacle to Piper and Paul's success. Not that I think Marie Universe would EVER have been a good fit for Piper and Paul, but I think maybe if they had gotten a dfferent coach earlier, one who was willing to incorporate judge feedback, criticism, etc., they might have gotten that that World medal they richly deserved last quad.

 

[MacMadame]

Now this would be interesting to say the least. I could see her writing "Alysa's Guide to Winning and Having Fun in Figure Skating Without the Headache. What the Hell Now that's what I'm ****ing talking about!"

 

[kwanfan1818]

KMT is a surprisingly good dance commentator.

Definitely better than Weaver.

 

[Alilou]

KMT is a surprisingly good dance commentator.

And a truly excellent pairs commentator.

 

[Alilou]

Definitely better than Weaver.

Who isn't?

 

[kwanfan1818]

Who isn't?

Carol Lane, but you'd have to go out of the country to find a bunch, however sad this is...

 

[Jammers]

I was actually fine with Kurt’s commentary here too. And Brenda Irving seemed to get better at saying skaters names as the competition continued, not perfect, but better. I still wish they’d stop hiring Carol Lane though. Sure the moment at the end of Piper and Paul’s FD was sweet but overall she just doesn’t seem to be into doing it enough to actually be good at it.

I don't understand why a coach wants to be in the booth when her top team like G/P is competing especially at the Olympics. You think she would have wanted to be in the K&C when G/P won their Bronze medal. A coach prioritizing more on being on TV then being with her team in the K&C at competitions is just weird.

 

[Alilou]

Carol Lane, but you'd have to go out of the country to find a bunch, however sad this is...

Oh I disagree. I find Carol Lane infinitely less aggravating than Weaver.

 

[Augusztus]

I'm very late to the party, but I'm so happy Donna Summer won the Olympics!

I much prefer Sakamoto's skating, but Alysa created such an Olympic moment, so huge congrats, and good for her!

 

[Theatregirl1122]

She also doesn’t seem equipped at all to explain ice dance and why one team out scores another. She was asked point blank at the end of the team event FD to explain the differences between the 5 teams that went and why some were judged so much higher. She literally didn’t point to a single thing between them. It was almost like she didn’t know how to answer the question.

I feel like this explains a lot, honestly.

 

[Coco]

...(Sandra Bezic) was being technical and thorough in her commentary, far more so than she ever was on NBC. ...

That tracks, as NBC seemingly forbids their skating and gymnastics commentators from detailed, technical commentary.

Elfi Schleigal (gymnastics) provided fantastic technical commentary on CBC. When she moved to NBC, she was basically reduced to a few trite phrases, repeated over and over.