The USA Needs 13 Points in 3 Disciplines

[Joesitz]

If we use the word inconsistent literally and not derrogatorially , it also means that sometimes a skater is consistent. The consensus of the thread is that every skater is inconstistent (bad way) except for Evgeni. But among the other top ten, I would presume 5 will be consistent on those days of judgement, if not more than 5.

Have you ever seen Brian, Dai, Nobu, Tomas, Ryan Patrick, Jeremy, Adam skate a clean routine? I have. If two of them do, we have the podium. Predictions are out of the question because they would only be 'hopefuls'.

If we believe a non-reputation skater to slip on the podium, we have Amodio, Michal, Ten, Takahiko, Samuel, Artem

We have a heluva roster of hopefuls here - all would-be winners, but only 3 will inherit the podium.

Let' worry about whether we will see them all do their thing. Any good computer streams working?

[silverlake22]

If we use the word inconsistent literally and not derrogatorially , it also means that sometimes a skater is consistent. The consensus of the thread is that every skater is inconstistent (bad way) except for Evgeni. But among the other top ten, I would presume 5 will be consistent on those days of judgement, if not more than 5.

Have you ever seen Brian, Dai, Nobu, Tomas, Ryan Patrick, Jeremy, Adam skate a clean routine? I have. If two of them do, we have the podium. Predictions are out of the question because they would only be 'hopefuls'.

If we believe a non-reputation skater to slip on the podium, we have Amodio, Michal, Ten, Takahiko, Samuel, Artem

We have a heluva roster of hopefuls here - all would-be winners, but only 3 will inherit the podium.

Let' worry about whether we will see them all do their thing. Any good computer streams working?

Excellent point. I couldn't agree more. In order to be known as inconsistent or headcases, you have to be good some of the time, otherwise you'd just be known as a bad skater. It will be exciting to see who does their thing, I really hope they all do, because then it would be a GREAT competition

[jennylovskt]

I apologize if it has been posted somewhere I didn't see.

Jeremy Abbott says, "This one's for me."

http://web.icenetwork.com/news/artic...&vkey=ice_news

"Going in to nationals, I honestly wasn't concerned about the result at all. I was so focused on my performance and just putting out a good, solid program," Abbott, 25, said.

"Then I made the Olympic team and all my focus just went straight out. I was really aware of it, but I just couldn't figure out how to change my mindset. I talked to people and tried to do everything I could to change how I was viewing things, because I knew it was wrong, but I couldn't make that switch. The result obviously spoke for itself."

"I'm feeling a lot more confident and relaxed going into Torino than I did Vancouver," he said. "I'm excited to go to worlds and really just skate for myself this time, and not get so caught up in the results and the whole hype of it.

"I really learned a lot from the Olympics and going through something that immense and big and fantastic. Worlds last year was also huge. The year before was even bigger, because I wasn't even expecting to go [Abbott was named to the team when Lysacek got injured]. I'm still so excited and honored any time I compete for the U.S., but it's just not this overwhelming, huge competition it used to be. I'm really excited to go in and just be focused on the performance and not be worried by the outcome."

OT:

In SOI tour after the Worlds:

Abbott plans to perform to Michael Buble's "It's at this Moment," as well as a portion of his competitive free skate, in the show.

[Joesitz]

I think when Abbott is "on" he is the closest skater to the whole package. But he has a problem with being "on". His changing attitude should be dropped and he should be about what Frank Carroll tells his skaters.

It is NOT about gold, silver or bronze, but it is about showing what one does best. No need to worry about anything else. If a skater has had good practices of his program leading up to the
event, there is no reason to worry about medals if someone skates better. The test is just for skating at one's pinnacle. Making an impression is what every skater should strive for, and often enough it produces medals.

Evgeni is a gold medal skater and that is the toughest position to be in when one takes the ice for his program. IMO, he is the only one in that position, so let him face those nerves. All other skaters have to do is ensure they skate their best. Easier said than done, but it is more advantageous than taking risks or falling apart for an error. Skip the Quad if it has been lately problematic, and if one misses it, don't go bobbling the rest of the program. Just be a STAR with one's own program.

How many skaters are still loved although they never won an Oly or even a World? One cant do any better than their best.

[Wicked]

With Tomas withdrawing, it just got easier for the US guys.

[silverlake22]

With Tomas withdrawing, it just got easier for the US guys.

Yeah, and I'm still not convinced Joubert and Contesti will be on their game, I think it was actually smart of Tomas to withdraw, I feel like Joubert might want this too much and end up bombing again because he is not in the best form due to injury and not in the best mindset due to the coach drama and dissapointment of the olympics. If Ryan performs like he did at nationals and Adam like he did at 4CC I'd be surprised if they both didn't make the top 10.

[wonderlen3000]

I think the 3 U.S men should place decent standing. The only challenger are Plushy, PChan and the Japanese trio of Takahashi, Oda and Kazuko.

[silverlake22]

I think the 3 U.S men should place decent standing. The only challenger are Plushy, PChan and the Japanese trio of Takahashi, Oda and Kazuko.

Don't forget Czech Buttle and the three Frenchmen!

[Wicked]

Don't forget Czech Buttle and the three Frenchmen!

Aren't there just two Frenchmen- Joubert and Amodio?

[#1Kerryfan]

If Jeremy is uninjured, I sure hope that he will jump all his jumps. For some time Evan has not tried to jump quad (except in 2010 US Nationals), because he has had an injury, which quad practicing has caused. That injury was first mentioned already in 2009 Worlds. I have understood that he had a cast in his foot after the skating season ended for him. That same injury came back as he tried to practice the quad.

Evan landed the quad at 2007 and 2008 nationals, and has tried it at several international competitions.

[silverlake22]

Aren't there just two Frenchmen- Joubert and Amodio?

Oh guess so. I assumed where there were 3 at the Olympics there would be 3 at worlds too. We'll see how Brian does here, I'm hoping for the best but expecting the worst.

[SamuraiKike]

Oh guess so. I assumed where there were 3 at the Olympics there would be 3 at worlds too. We'll see how Brian does here, I'm hoping for the best but expecting the worst.

There were only 2 french men at Vancouver.

[silverlake22]

There were only 2 french men at Vancouver.

Oh, that is right. I get confused because Samuel Contesti IS French, but he represents Italy. My bad.

[Joesitz]

Doesn't the results of Euros have an affect on who is elligible for Worlds? (But I am not sure.) In the US, the 4cc doesn't mean all that much.

[Layfan]

I apologize if it has been posted somewhere I didn't see.

Jeremy Abbott says, "This one's for me."

http://web.icenetwork.com/news/artic...&vkey=ice_news



OT:

In SOI tour after the Worlds:

Thanks for sharing those comments.
I'm rooting for the guy but these comments only make me feel more uneasy. Every time a skater says things like that it never seems to bode well. How many times did we hear Alissa Czisny saying oh, yes, my confidence is way higher, I've learned a lot from last year or the last competition or whatever....
Jeremy should just say to himself or to the world that he messed up like skaters sometimes do and that he'll try his best at worlds like he always intends to. All this trying to assure everybody that everything is different a month later and that this time he is really ready mentally ... how does he know? He doesn't. The fact that he's banging on about his own mental toughness tells me that he's still too focused on the end result and not on focusing on each element at a time.
But of course, all that is way easier said that done ... I hope he proves me wrong b/c he's one of my favorites.