U.S.Women [#9]: Now That's What I'm F*@&%!$ Talking About!

[kwanfan1818]

Tcherkaskaya worked for Nikodinov, because she already had brilliant technique and an intrinsic fluidity and gentleness that needed to be expressed. Plus willingness and simpatico with her coach/teacher in what was an unusual relationship in skating. Everhardt doesn't have that movement quality.

I think what she does have could be amplified with a super-heroine type of program and a costume with clean lines: fussiness does not translate into detail, costume- or movement-wise. I don't know if she likes unitards, but there are plenty of dresses that could do the trick.

I know that the actual Firebird character is an empowered, magical creature, not Swan Lake II: even if she is caught, she has enough power to bargain her way out of captivity. The program didn't lean into the sharpness and power of the character, but many people wouldn't have accepted it, although I think it would have played to her strengths more.

She can be so wry IRL, but wryness isn't one of those qualities that translates into singles programs that readily.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Amber is such a strange case for me. I root so hard for her because I adore her as a person, but her skating doesn’t excite me that much. Maybe it’s because I’m always so stressed out watching her, waiting for the other shoe to drop, that I can’t fully enjoy what she’s doing. The only performance I can remember that fully engaged me was her SP this year at Nats. I know she’s had some other great performances, but maybe it’s also the music choices she’s had (the long programs have been especially snoozy for me).