beautiful storm - final thoughts

So…some (many) months ago I wrote a couple of posts about Beautiful Storm. The first being a reaction post after seeing the program for the first time (during FaOI), the second after seeing the program in competition. In the last couple of weeks, while I tried, and failed at not being angry about worlds’ results and robbery, I watched the program several times and started properly analysing the steps and turns for fun. Seeing as the program changed a lot since its first showing, I wanted to do an update of my thoughts from a more technical point of view.

I like watching programs evolve and the evolution of this program was really huge from its debut up until 4CC.

I will link a couple of videos that might help notice the changes. Disclaimer: none of these videos are mine, I only did the gifs and step and turns analysis for this post.

1. FaOI vs NHK

2. NHK vs 4CC

3. DOI vs 4CC

I will start from jump entries and exits and then go over some of the details that changed through the season:

the 3A3T exit stayed more or less the same, although the movement was slightly changed after FaOI, and became a bit more subtle in its portrayal of the waves.

the solo 3A exit was scrapped after Nepela (this one I wanted back so much, it was gorgeous and I still miss it): it was RBO-RFI 3 turn, inside SE (*spread eagle)



the 3Lo entry:

LBO-LBI change of edge

LBI-LFI rocker

LFI-LBI counter

3Lo rippon

the 3Lz2T (or 3Lz3T, depending on the layout) is usually done from a choctaw (LFI-RBO)

the 3F entry was added in after the program was debuted. At Nepela she also used a high kick exit into the LSp that didn’t appear again.

LBO-RFO mohawk

RFO-RBO counter

RBO-LFO mohawk

LFO-LBI 3 turn

3F rippon

the 3S entry and exit, both added after the program debuted:

RBI-RBO change of edge

RBO-RFI 3 turn

RFI-LBI mohawk

stag jump

RFI-RBO 3 turn

RBO-RFI 3 turn

RFI-LBI mohawk

3S

knee slide





Side note: Rika also changed her Salchow technique in the summer, as it was suggest by Ghislain to help with her 4S practice:

While the StSq stayed pretty much the same through the season (and I love it), the ChSq changed completely. When she debuted the program the ChSq was an arabesque spiral, with a change of edge, (from outside to inside, and arm movement) and an Ina bauer.

It was completely changed to a more complex spiral sequence:

arabesque spiral

LBO-RFI choctaw

arabesque spiral

RFI-RBO 3 turn

fan spiral

IB

crossgrab catchfoot spiral

The other major changes were mostly at the beginning of the program. The hand movement was changed both at the beginning and at the end, well, completely removed actually. The beginning went through several changes from FaOI/DOI to NHK/GPF to 4CC/Worlds.

Personally I quite liked how it was changed to look more fluid and less mechanical. It still hit the notes very nicely, but it looked more natural in execution.

Watching this program evolve was such an interesting process. It’s pretty rare to see programs become more and more complex, especially when the technical content is so extreme. I hope the post will be interesting (the videos I linked help!). All the steps breakdowns are mine and if you see any typos or mistakes let me know.