Elena Sokolova 2003 Worlds SP (Washington D.C.)

[AnyoneElse22]

This program is fantastic!!!! One of the best ever!

[mlc2005]

Sorry, 1 US judge out of 14 judges!!!

[mlc2005]

For the few posters who say Kwan won here b/c it was in the US... remember there was only one US judge (out of 9). Plus, if you watch the coverage in other countries of this event (many on youtube), even the commentators from Europe and Asia agreed that Kwan absolutely won the event; there wasn't even a debate about it after the free program, that's for sure. I do think Elena was excellent here and I loved her skating.

[idolfan9495]

The 5.6s for tech are a bit low! Some of the judges must have thought she under-rotated the 3-3. It's hard to tell from the tape. But still... For top skaters, there really wasn't any percentage in doing a 3-3 in the short program, because a mistake could be so costly. It made much more sense to do a 3-2 and skate clean. For Sokolova, who had always skated in Irina' s shadow and had not had a big impact in big events, it made sense to try it. And it paid off because she won the silver.

[amexred]

That was a beautiful 3lz/3t.

[lutz84]

in 2003 ... on US soil ... she would have to land a triple lutz triple lutz to win ... oh wait, that combination is impossible unless she can rotate in both direction =P

[muscleboi4use]

What a lovely program, charming personality, terrific combination jump, great footwork, and indeed the judges were split 6/3 on the SP. For me, in 2003 Worlds Michelle Kwan turned in terrific programs and her artistry and experience shone in '03.

[Karosanyo]

@aintnodummy I don't think so. Elena's artistry is atrocious. Her spiral, footwork and layback were mediocre as well. Figure skating isn't all about the jumps...

[lutz84]

sigh ... even if she landed a quad she might still be second that yr ....

[mlc2005]

Just to add, obviously Kwan owns the spiral sequence, and artistic expression (she's probably the greatest of all time in terms of presentation and flow). But Elena's components were average to great (only the spirals and lay back were average to me here).

[mlc2005]

I think Kwan was rightfully put first (everything she did was perfection that night, and her expression is unequaled). However, I don't get the whole "the only thing Elena did well was the combo jump" stuff? Her stroking was a distraction, but that footwork was fantastic, as were most of the spins. For me, even had she done the triple-lutz-double toe, she should still have been second. This was a solid program in my eyes.

[todik]

it's shame that she lost because she was much better than kvan

[Karosanyo]

@todik Care to elaborate? So much better than Kwan??? You think that her "artistry", spiral, speed and spins were better? I don't think so. Kwan's choreography in her short and long programs were VASTLY SUPERIOR. Figure skating isn't just about jumps... Michelle Kwan truly deserved this World title. The emotion and speed in her short and long programs were awesome. They're two of the best skated programs in the history of that event.

[JNagarya]

@todik Never happen. Get over your nationalism.

[lamarin777]

Это было одно из лучших выступлений Елены и с точки зрения техники, и с точки зрения композиционной целостности и артистизма. Если бы ЧМ не проходил в Вашингтоне, она бы обошла Кван, всегда отличавшуюся низкими прыжками и всегда и всюду одинаковыми программами.

[ruilca]

A couple of years ago she was disqualified for ever from Russian team due to "not accomplishing goals". Actually, very stupid decision made by Russian federation of figure skating, because no russian women team can not skate like her.

[Dimusion]

Where is the LP???

[psavari]

жаль жаль к4апранова жаль подло динамить Павел

[criznueve]

I'm a big Kwan fan, but even without my fandom-colored glasses,Cupcake was no match for Kwan's superior quality.Cupcake might have quantity but only because of a 3/3.Cupcake always had problems with her stroking & edges. Speed is not skating, EDGES is.If a skater has good edges,they put less effort digging in the ice like Irina,Michelle,Yuka Sato. Good edges also equates good technique. ES never worked on her edges which are often shallow which is why she's always been an inconsistent skater.

[raichmaneuvers]

You are right. She was more then given credit for doing the very hard triple lutz-triple toe in every program, and skating clean on all other triples with that, as otherwise she wouldnt have been nearly as high as silver when you look at the rest of her skating. The judging was right.

[ShaefDawg]

HAHA I always get a kick when I hear someone call Elena "Cupcake"

LOL

[iceroby72]

may I ask what's the meaning of that nikname (cupcake)?

the italian translation means nothing to me...

[lambielkwanfan]

I agree. Her triple lutz-triple toe in this program was an extremely impressive feat and rightly earned her 2nd place but no more than that. She certainly was rewarded richly for that element as without out she probably is only 5th or 6th as the rest of her skating is quite average, although she seems like a very charming girl and nice to see her do well.

[criznueve]

Elena- good spin,fast speed.Good 3/3 jump; second part is slightly underrotated.She lip her flip.Poor stroking/edges.Telegraphs.Good FW,not that difficult.She doesn't dig in the ice.Arm flailing & hand movements that doesn't make sense.Poor spiral sequence.

Kwan- clean lines,deep edges,holds all position.Difficult FW with all the turns. Great spiral.Technique- textbook quality. Great facial expression,you can feel the tension & seduction in her skating.Downside, no 3/3.

[Darkangel127]

I'm very amused by some of the comments: people claim that Michelle deserved to win over a stronger technical performance by Elena and yet they'll be the same ones who whine about Russsian pairs and ice dancers winning because of their artistic superiority. Decide already! In my opinion, Michelle deserved all of her world titles except for her first one back in 1996. Lu Chen was mesmerising that night and by far better in terms of presentation!

[mk146hw]

Agree 100%

[mlc2005]

@Darkangel127: Good point. I am US and love Kwan, and I get annoyed when people argue that Russian pair artistry is silver worthy over US and Canadian technically superior but choreographically weak programs. Good call. Chen/Kwan in 1996: That for me could have gone either way, as Kwan did one more triple, and had incredible footwork and presence. That really was a tie if I've ever seen one.

[frostdiamond1]

Michelle deserved to win in comparison to this performance. Elena had a great jump combination but everything else was poorly done.

[Zuranthium]

Anyone have Elena's SP from 2005 Worlds?

[todik]

oh shut up guys everyone knows that elena at this championships was better than michelle and michelle knows but is about reputation because michele at that moment was 4 time world champion and the advantage of michelle was that the worlds was in usa if i want to see music expresion i will go see ballet but here elena was skated with a fire anyway it was 4 years ago congratulation to aboth

[AnanasHasOlfrygt]

ITA!

[Karosanyo]

@todik Everyone knows that Elena was better than Michelle? Did you ever hear of diverse opinions? In my opinion, Michelle's short and long program were VASTLY superior to Elna's. I think that Elena's artistry, spiral and spins were atrocious to mediocre. Michelle Kwan truly deserved this title.

[sk8trjess]

Figure skating is not about the jumps. Elena had a great skate, but what Kwan beings to the ice is not just the techinical, its the connection to the music and expression. Kwan's footwork was also more difficult w/ the to work and rockers, etc. not just 3turns and mohawks. The spirals don't even compare.

[pspruce18]

I agree that her combination jump was more difficult, but MK's step sequences, music, artistry, spins, extension, sophistication and untouchable spiral blow Elena out of the water. I really miss the attention to detail as today's skating is ONLY about the jumps. I respect your opinion though; I guess it came down to the presentation marks - reminds me of the crap Midori Ito had to put up with in her day.

[milena2222]

I'm sorry..but not only Elena's jumps were better, but her step sequence was spectacular and the music "Samsom et Dalila" is fantastic. I only agree that her spiral sequence and spins could be better, although her camel was great.

[Zuranthium]

Yes, the MUSIC was good...that doesn't mean Elena's skating skills and presentation comes close to the depth of Kwan's.