OH, CANADA. You certainly threw us some curveballs this weekend. I'm glad I was home and able to watch the whole event, because if not, I would have been *very* confused. I'm not sure that I have yet to even process all that happened, but I'll do my best. LADIES: Well, Evgenia Medvedeva winning was one of the least controversial things to happen. The World champ was consistent and technically solid (aside from a few small errors) and expectedly walked away with the title. I give her 100% credit for actually using her face, interpreting music and performing to the audience, but I am tired of her style after just two seasons. I would love to see her try something entirely different. Speaking of, Evgenia, you seem sweet- the 9/11 voiceovers NEED TO GO. She may be too young to understand and apparently the program isn't about that, but the voiceovers are uncomfortable, unnecessary and bordering the line of good taste. The program will work without them; DITCH THEM. So far, it looks like she's managed to hang on to her consistency and should be a lock for the Final, pending a good finish a Trophee de France. She'll face Mao Asada and Gracie Gold there. Canada loves Kaetlyn Osmund and so did the Skate Canada judges. She does have great speed and her jumps are big (with great ride out) when she's on. She interprets her music well enough, even if the music isn't anything special. So I can't entirely hate on her medalling here, but FOR SURE she was overscored and I can't see that performance getting the same score outside of Canada. It will be interesting to see if she can continue to be technically solid as the season goes on. She'll skate next at Cup of China, against Wagner, Tuktamysheva and Radionova. What on earth is happening to Satoko Miyahra? And I don't mean happening WITH her- I mean TO her. I will admit some of her jump landings in the free were a little off, but her skating went far under appreciated here. I think her programs are fantastic choices - most especially that free skate- but what on earth does she have to do to convince the judges?!? She's a tiny person; she can't jump as high as someone four inches taller than her. Overall, we're early on in the season and it's her incredible consistency that may end up serving her the best in the long run this season. (It's a marathon, not a sprint!) She skates at home for her second event (NHK) and she could very well win there and get to the Final. Elizaveta Tuktamysheva showed some technical improvements over last season and her preseason events here, but her consistency is still sketchy and her programs are still empty. A landed 3A in practice has brought her back into the conversation, but without the backup of her other jumps' consistency, it may not matter. She skates next at Cup of China. Alaine Chartrand had a decent event here; I like her programs and it will be very interesting to see who wins the Canadian ladies title in January. She's assigned next to NHK. Unfortunately for Mirai Nagasu, she couldn't capitalize on great practices in the competition. While this was a missed opportunity, she does have a second assignment at the last event before the Final and hopefully she'll be extra motivated to make a statement there before U.S. Nationals. More Skate Canada recaps to follow!
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