Satoko Miyahara is one of the most consistent skaters I've seen in a long time. You can count on Satoko to not fall apart in a program. She isn't one of those skaters who falls apart as soon as one thing goes wrong in the program, and that is a rarity in women's skating. It is so nice to see one of the ladies who is so far from being a headcase. You know she has firm technique and skating skills, and she knows she can rely on her training. Yes her jumps are still tiny, but she, unlike other ladies is actually getting her jumps around. She can have a tendency to lip on occasion, but it isn't a consistent problem for her.
Elena Radionova is still skating well, but all I can think about when I see her is how horrendous that freeskate is. The Titanic program is not only terrible for her, because she isn't emoting the right way for that music, but I don't think anyone could make that program good. Can the trend of Sexy Leo Voice go die in a hole somewhere? I don't know who thought that was a good idea, but clearly there were a bunch of coaches and choreographers not taking the hint from the ice dancers that that is not how you use vocals in a program.
Ashley Wagner had a good freeskate, but her short was a disaster. If she could only manage two clean programs and actually do her choreography there would be no stopping her, but she seems mentally incapable of doing two clean programs when the pressure's on. She also has a tendency to cut out her choreography as soon as anything goes slightly wrong in the technical department. She needs to learn to rely on her PCSs when the jumps aren't perfect. She is capable of selling a program even when the jumps aren't working if she just wouldn't give up on the program the second something goes wrong.
Mao Asada is having a rough season. Like Patrick Chan, she didn't come back with a bang. She's not really back to where she was before her year off, and unfortunately, things aren't looking too good for her. She seems far too focused on the triple axel so that when it works she loses focus, and when it doesn't she loses confidence. It seems to have far too much impact on her skating, and if that's the case, I think it needs to go. If she's not going to be able to skate a clean program regardless of what happens with the axel she needs to put it away until she can get her head back on her shoulders and skate like we all know she can.
Gracie Gold like Ashley and Mao needs to get her head on her shoulders. Honestly, the US ladies need a sports psychologist with them to help them understand why they're psyching themselves out. Almost all the US ladies are very talented and capable of being great but crack under pressure. These programs seem better for Gracie than last year, but I really do think to get her out of her head and into the performance, Frank needs to let her skate to whatever pop song is her favourite. If she's skating to music she absolutely loves, rather than music she likes (or doesn't like so much) she may be able to learn to perform and get out of her head a little more. If she's enjoying herself while she's skating I think that'll go a long way to making her a better performer.
