2011 Worlds: Miki Ando, Yuna Kim and Mao Asada
Miki Ando in 2011
Perhaps this is one of the most satisfying programs done by Ando. I give her a big hand for this piece.
However, very evidently to your bare eyes, Ando's skating is fundamentally a depleted one in terms of polishing and bodily freedom. Simply her moves are too rough to garner any GOE for virtually all elements. Other than that, I think this program appeared well directed and her execution was well done, especially in terms of musical expressiveness.
Her jumps are -1,-2,-3,-1,-1, 0 and -1( virtually two footed 3 sequence). Her PCS is 7.5.
In her short program, Ando moves with music. That's a huge difference, I mean, considering her past record. However, the overall quality of her skating here is far from being impressive, especially her spins are terrible as always.
Her jumps are 0,0 and 0. Her PCS is 7.75.
Miki Ando in 2011
Yuna Kim in 2011
As you may notice immediately, Kim's moves on ice are quite different from Ando's.
Kim's moves are all well aligned with her physiological line and momentum. In other words Kim's skating shows that the degree of her bodily freedom is much higher than that of Ando's.
Kim's jumps are -3,+1 and +1. Her PCS is 8.5.
Again, Kim's free program is a stunning one. The flow is incredible. You need to control timing, height, distance and even speed in order to synchronize the pulse of music, and this cannot be done properly without the high level of technical proficiency.
Her jumps are +2, -2 (single on second jump), single, +1,+2,+1 and 0. Her PCS is 8.75. I do not approve vocal in the program; however, this program appears very lyrical.
Of course, figure skating itself is designed to evoke lyricism one way or another, but lyricism here has little to do with expressiveness, and its manifestation is not as easy as it seems, because it involves momentum and edge skills. That's purely dynamic technicality, not static technicality, nor acting or even faking.
When you perform each element, that often disrupts the flow. It is not about how you complete an element as an independent component of program but about how you incorporate each element into musical pulse of the program. In reality, if you try to minimize its disruption, you end up with inadequate properties of elements while you are catching up with musical rhythm. So, to be a good lyrical skater, you must resolve conflicting interests.
That's why Kim's Homage to Korea is an accomplished program.
Yuna Kim in 2011
Carolina Kostner in 2011
What a performance by Kostner!
Kostner did an admirable job. Considering her weakness in jump, I think, she presented all she was cut up for. Her speed and power were satisfying in this particular program.
However, it is obvious that Kostner, due to her physiological limit, doesn't know how to use her upper body. Her moves are all turn-on-heels, arm-whirling, and some phony gestures. That sets her limit to below 8.5 even at her best.
Her jumps are +2,+1,-1, +2, single, -2 and 0. Her PCS is 8.25.
By the way, strangely, no clip for her short program is found in Youtube.
