Nebelhorn Trophy 2008, Oberstdorf, September 2008
This report contains some personal impressions on the competitions in Oberstdorf.
Day 2
Pairs, Free Skating (in order of final result)
1. Savchenko/Szolkowy 183.22
Schindler’s List/Adagio by Albinoni
She wears a dark-red costume, he wears a grey costume. Beautiful program. I love the opening, wide, open movements, and they just own the ice. 3T^3T he, she did 3T^2T, 3Tw entry from a spiral, but collision on the catch. 3S finally they did it both in competition. 3Fth heavily two-footed, 3Sth slightly two-footed, interesting cist (level 3), level 1 for bods and pcosp. Strong lifts all level 4. Yes, there were some errors, but it was a lot better than the debut of their program last year. Ambitious program.
She was unhappy with herself a little, he was rather pleased. Both feel that they are on a good way.
2. Mukhortova/Trankov 168.80
The Lady and the Hooligan
There are pictures of their gorgeous costumes on their blog. This program is perfect for them, because they feel their roles so well. 3Tw higher than last year, 3S, nice Axel Lasso lift, both throws were strong, especially the 3Rth. They downgraded their second jump to a 2T^2T (he stumbled on the second one).Level
4 for fccosp. Unusual step sequence, with posing, got a level 2. One judge really seemed to hate their interpretation and gave them a 4.75! (The other scores ranged from 6 to 8 in this department).
3. Volosozhar/Morozov 156.08
Pearl Harbour
He wears a grey-military like costume, she a white costume with a red (Japanese) sun. Again, they look really improved, but unfortunately it was not their day. 3T-2T and stumble from both, 3S she fell he did 2S, 3Tw huge, no level for the pair spin, both throws two-footed. Got another deduction for a timing violation.
4. Denney/Barett 149.55
Spartacus
3Tw, 3T^2T she, he did only 2T, 3Lzth good, 2A he shaky, 3Rth, level 4 for fccosp and 3 for pcosp. They also had good speed. An athletic couple, and apparently very new, so this was an impressive international debut.
5. Sheremetieva/Kuznetsov 138.02
Nostradamus
3Fth high, but two-footed, 2Tw, 3Rth fall, they got tired a little and some elements got only a level one. Jump content still juniorish with 2R^2R and 2F, but they still have two junior seasons.
Men, Free Skating. (in order of final result)
1. N. Oda 224.67
Warsaw Concerto
3A-3T-3R excellent, 3Lz, 3S, 2A, 3F-3T, 3Lz-2T, 2A, 1A. Got a level 3 for the slst, ccsop and cssp, a level 4 for fssp. Again, he looked nervous but obviously was able to pull himself together. Nice comeback for him after the lost year. The program – nice but nothing spectacular.
2. M. Brezina 220.29
Latin Medley, Safri Duo
3A-3T, 3Lz, 3F-3T, 2A, 3R, 3S-2T-2R, 2A, again excellent jumps and also level threes and one level 4 for his spins. Only positive GOEs. He was absolutely thrilled with his skate and his score.
3. Y. Ponsero 197.71
Jazz Medley (Summertime and others)
4T great, 3A low, and you can see that this jump is not his friend, 3Lz, 3R step out, 3S-2T, 2A-2T, 3T^3S, 2A step out. Nice ccsp level 4. He showed good speed and musicality in the program. The quad was gorgeous.
4. T. Verner 197.38
Tango Medley
This program has great potential. Definitely the most complex and interesting of the Mens’s programs in this competition, and definitely a new step for Tomas. Unfortunately, he struggled. 4T fall, 3T, 1A, 3S two-footed, fights back with 3A, 3R, 3Lz, then 2F. Fssp was level 1, but had cssp level 4 and ccosp level 3. Both step sequences were level 3.
5. A. Kovalevski 179.92
2A-3T, 3F-3T (edge call), 3Lz-2T, 3R, 3Lz, 3S, 2A, 2A. Not bad for him.
6. J. Ten 170.58
3A fall/downgrade, 3Lz-2T (edge warning), 3F, 3R landed forward/stumble/downgrade, 3Lz step out (edge call), 3F-2T, 3S, 2A-1T tired at the end.
7. S. Smith 168.77
James Bond Medley
3A-2T, and five other triples, but no 4S attempt and singled second Axel. 3Lz w/hand and 3F two-footed.
8. D. Phan 168.40
Concerto de Aranjuez
He fell out of the 3A (downgraded). 3S fall.
9. P. Liebers 166.06
Ying and Yang
Four clean triples, 3A w/hand, 3Lz three turn-2T, 3S-3T stumble on toe. I like this program and I’m glad that he kept it.
10. V. Pfeifer
V. Pfeifer 165.98
Adagio by Albinoni, then Overcome
Good to see him back. 4T fall, no 3A attempt, but five clean other triples, good spins.
11. K. Menshov 164.97
He was the only one to try two quads. The first 4T was ok, he stumbled out of the second one and added no combo. Most jumps were shaky and his last 3T-2T didn’t count as he had two combos plus the quad+sequence call.
12. I. Tretjakov 154.95
Lawrence of Arabia
3A w/two hands, lands five clean triples, no fall. He is a bit bland.
16. M. Redin 147.
Styles himself a little à la Stéphane Lambiel, even had a similar black costume with red applicatations. He is musical and niced to watch. No 3A attempt, six other triples, but no 3-3 combo.
17. M. Liebers 146.21
Music starts with Moonlight Sonata, Canon then changes into pop versions
Wanted to go for 3A, but did a nice 2A instead. No fall. Five clean triples.
18. C. Brummer 143.72
Tango Medley
3T-3T very nice, 3R, 3Lz-2T-2T, but then unfortunately runs into trouble, 1F, 2S w/hand, his shoe lace came undone and he needed a break to retie them. He got 2 points deduction for that according to the new rules.
Ladies, Short Program
1. A. Czisny 56.55
The Swan by St. Saens
3Lz-2T, 2F, 2A. Alissa had higher levels in her spins & spirals than Laura.
2. L. Lepistö 55.04
3T-3T, 3R, 2A, cssp shaky
3. A. Suzuki 55.02
3Lz-2T, 3F (a little cheated), 2A
4. E. Glebova 50.24
3T-3T, 3S, 2A nice flow
5. A. Dytrt 46.98
The Feeling Begins
2F-2T, 3S, 2A shaky, good speed. Too bad for the flip.
6. J. McCorkell 46.12
Harem
2A, 3Lz, 3F-2T
7. M. Samson 45.57
2A, 3Lz-2R, 3R fall
8. T. Karademir 44.83
3S-2T, 2Lz, 2A, nice spins
9. N.Y. Kim 41.78
3F, 1Lz-1T, 2A
10. K. Häcker 41.16
3R-2T, 3S, 1A
11. K. Wieczorek 36.73
Stray Cats, Pink Panther
3R shaky-2T, 3T fall/downgrade, 2A. Cool costume with (jeans and pink top)
12. Sarah Hecken 36.18
1Lz, 3T-2T
13. A. Ievleva 36.11
3R fall, 3Lz step out/landed forward, nice spins as usual, 2A out of twizzles, SPSQ off balance
Nebelhorn Trophy Day 1
Here are a few notes on the performances of the skaters.
Men, Short Program
1. N. Oda 77.91
Waltz Masquerade
Skated really well. 3A (rotated so fast that I first thought it was a double). 3Lz-3T (edge warning for the Lz), 3F.
2. M. Brezina 75.84
Swing Program (from last year)
3A, 3Lz, 3F-3T, beautiful jumps. Shaky on the cssp. He was very pleased and said that this was the best short of the season so far.
3. T. Verner 70.65
Gypsy Swing (last year’s) 3A landed forward/with Hand/downgrade. 3T-3T, 3Lz, two spins had only a level one.
4. J. Ten 64.06
Some Spanish inspired music (maybe „Leyenda") 3A (low), 3Lz-2T, 3F, 3x level 4 for spi
5. D. Phan 62.11
1A, 3Lz--3T with edge call, 3F, fast spins, but overall a little slow
6. A. Kovalevski 62.03
Flamenco (last year’s)
2A, 3F-3T, 3Lz. He has moved to Oberstdorf now and is training with Michael Huth and Vlasta Koprivova.
7. Konstantin Menshov 61.81
3A w/hand, 4T-2T (the only clean quad of the day)
Pairs, SP
1. Savchenko/Szolkowy 67.73
Cool program and costumes. Very powerful and fast. 3T, 3Tw, 3Fth (a little cautious on the landing).
They were happy with what they did considering this being their first competition.
2. Muchortova/Trankov 62.52
Very lyrical and classical. 3T, 3Tw, 3Loth, good levels for the other elements. They seemed pleased after the performance, but then he was not so excited about it when I talked to him. Always the perfectionist.
3. Volosozhar/Morozov 61.02
He has lost weight. 3T, 3Tw (the best of the day, very high), 3Loth she stumbles. I think Ingo Steuer really gave him some more polish.
4. Denney/Barrett 52.11
I’ve never hard of them before, let alone seen them before, so they were a pleasant surprise as they skated well and nailed all the difficult stuff: 3T, 3Tw, 3Lzth. Pcosp and spsq were only a level 1.
5. Yankowskas/Coughlin 51.26
First time I see him with his new partner. 3Tw (bad catch), 3S (she fell), 3Sth, all level four for the other elements except for the fids (level 3).
6. Sheremetieva/Kuznetsov 48.15
Their first international senior level competition. She was handicapped by pain in her leg. 3Loth two footed, 2Tw, 2Lz she stepped out, fids and pcosp only level 1. I really like them.
