- Joined
- Apr 18, 2012
For the U.S., the wildcard is of course . . . Abbott.
The United States has one of the best chances it has had in a long time to get the third spot, but a lot (perhaps too much) will depend on which way the wind is blowing inside of Abbott's head (ie from left ear to right ear or from right ear to left ear as it passes straight through). My sixth sense is that the variation in the scoring for Abbott can take him anywhere, from a really great performance to a terrible one, BUT if he nails the short, then he will nail the fs. We'll know after the short how the U.S. is going to do. (All he has to do then is nail the short. One step at a time, Jeremy. Oh, I so hope you nail it.)
Aarron's fs skate at U.S. Nationals this year is, imho, one of the more over-looked skates of the season for senior men. My sense is that his artistry is a lot better as at the time of U.S. Nationals (overlooked because of reputation) than it has ever been while his jumps were all back and intact, so whatever Hell he went through at the beginning of the season, he came out the other end of it, better all around. His trajectory is a positive one and he is likely in the zone. If I had to bet on one skater coming through with their best skate, ie a personal best at worlds, I think it would be him.
post edit comment: When I think of all the different countries in men's skating, now that Chan is not competing, the United States is probably the second strongest country (ie behind Japan) and they will be getting stronger over the next quad.
The United States has one of the best chances it has had in a long time to get the third spot, but a lot (perhaps too much) will depend on which way the wind is blowing inside of Abbott's head (ie from left ear to right ear or from right ear to left ear as it passes straight through). My sixth sense is that the variation in the scoring for Abbott can take him anywhere, from a really great performance to a terrible one, BUT if he nails the short, then he will nail the fs. We'll know after the short how the U.S. is going to do. (All he has to do then is nail the short. One step at a time, Jeremy. Oh, I so hope you nail it.)
Aarron's fs skate at U.S. Nationals this year is, imho, one of the more over-looked skates of the season for senior men. My sense is that his artistry is a lot better as at the time of U.S. Nationals (overlooked because of reputation) than it has ever been while his jumps were all back and intact, so whatever Hell he went through at the beginning of the season, he came out the other end of it, better all around. His trajectory is a positive one and he is likely in the zone. If I had to bet on one skater coming through with their best skate, ie a personal best at worlds, I think it would be him.
post edit comment: When I think of all the different countries in men's skating, now that Chan is not competing, the United States is probably the second strongest country (ie behind Japan) and they will be getting stronger over the next quad.