*covets*

I remember you telling me about him. that's a stunning piece and so perfect for the theme and the skater.

Absolutely loved the costume - agree with pennswoods that it's perfect for this skater/this routine.

(Can you maybe weigh in with some intelligent commentary on the routine? She struck me as all arms and no ice speed - is that just me/camera work?)

Thank you! I was wondering what the deal was there; she did one jump, a double, in that routine. She's lovely to watch; glad it's the ice and not her!

Okay, just watched the program. I haven't actually watched her skate before, but judging from this program, she has average-to-good presentation but excellent quality for skills that don't translate to small ice: speed, correct jumping form and positioning. This is just the right focus for her stage of competitive development, breaking into the senior ranks. This program was choreographed to make for good close-ups rather than emotional impact, since she doesn't have that kind of command yet, and it was a good choice for her to do simple spirals and a scratch spin at the end, things that don't overtax her but look good on camera. Those were Russian splits and they take far less set-up than double or triple jumps.

I think she looks promising and she has it all for moving into the lead among U.S. senior ladies in the run-up to Sochi. :-)

Oh, it would be fun to write about programs knowing you're reading. That might be what I need to inspire me to pay the slightest bit of attention to Nationals and Worlds coming up instead of going "ergh; not interested anymore" and going back to Rupert Graves.

I could be totally wrong since this is based on a single, inattentive viewing of an exhibition program, but: I'm guessing she's just not strong at spirals. The real masters at spirals can hold them at any speed. But there's no point in focusing on them these days if you're on the international medal track like she is and you have to build up your points base with a solid repertoire of triples first.

Probably all the arm-waving in this program is her coach and choreographer setting her an exercise on beginning to emote to move an audience. They probably told her to use this opportunity to learn to hold a position and convey meaning in movements and not worry about technical elements.

I like the illusion effects of the costumes. I suspect these are custom made.

That's a stunning costume. Your friend does good work. (And omg, Johhny Weir read your posts? And fanboyed them? I'm filled with bliss at the thought, and I didn't even write them!)

Oh, REALLY nice costume!

Really gorgeous! Very mesmerizing to watch how the costume moved!

I love the changing colors. And that the use of the nude color was to make something look lithe and beautiful, instead of improbable.

I have a friend here in Portland who figured skated competitively growing up. A couple of years ago she spent a bunch of her savings to go to a national competition and see Johnny Weir. I think she met him at some point.

This friend is so amusing, she has some deep obsessions and reads slash sometimes, but she's never the flailing/squealing kind of fangirl. Except over Johnny Weir!