Perhaps. But think of Meissner, Em Hughes and Zhang as counterexamples. Two were supposed to lead us through to this year and the other was supposed to become the next MK. What happened?
sorry I'm so skeptical about all this. I've learned very quickly in my time here not to buy into hype very easily. Only skaters I can think of that actually lived up to it were Mao Asada and to a lesser extent, Miki Ando. I don't remember even Mighty Yuna getting as much hype as these two did and look where she is.
Kostner was hyped around 2004, especially after 2005 when she beat MK. Been a headcase ever since.
Not saying you'll be mistaken but I prefer to wait and see. You never know what can happen.
Post #22
All I've been hearing the past couple of months is how great Gao and Zawadki(sp) are and how they'll take over US skating in the coming years- no wait, months.
THE WAIT AND SEE approach cannot be stressed enough...I've seen many come and many go just in the past 8 years. Hyped to the hilt and then fall flat. And at the other end of the spectrum, skaters that come out of nowhere and amaze. I think in the coming season we will still have our current crop of Nagasu, Flatt, Zhang, Wagner, and (I suppose) Czisny. Assuming, of course, they can stay healthy. Everyone else would either be newcomers or old-timers who are long past their prime. But come 2012 who knows.
Well, I agree. All we know for sure is that US skating will be exactly the way it was this year except the highest expectations will be on Nagasu instead of Flatt. She'll have more respect from the international judges, too. Let's hope she deals with it like she did at the Olympics and not at worlds. Nagasu has the potential to be a worlds medalist more than the other U.S. ladies. But fulfilling that potential is another story.
As for Gao, I'm excited about her but I think she needs a transformation like Michelle Kwan's in 1996 to be a world medal contender. Not saying it won't happen this year but we'll just have to wait and see. Judging from the results last year though, she already is a U.S. championship medal threat.
I'm not surprised to hear Alissa is not retiring. Ever since I read that Brian Boitano urged her not to leave competitive skating with any regrets I expected to her to at least keeping training through the summer... I'm glad because I always love watching her. But it's hard to have any expectations. Quite apart from her nerves, I think she'll be at a total disadvantage with the new rules. She'll be able to rely even less on her spins and spirals to compete against much better jumpers. But I"m glad for her that she is not throwing in the towel. Good for her.
If I had to make a very early prediction, I see these three ladies medaling at US championships: Nagasu, Wagner, Gao. Always assuming they skate clean...
...though I have heard some very promising reports about Caroline recently, who is apparently now doing 3f with no mule kick, 3lo 2a sequences, and even 2a-3t :agree:
Nice post. ITA. The thing new rules will also put Caroline at a disadvantage in addition to Alissa, though I have heard some very promising reports about Caroline recently, who is apparently now doing 3f with no mule kick, 3lo 2a sequences, and even 2a-3t :agree:
yes but we were told all of that last year, too, IIRC, and yet when the pressure was on...
The thing about Gao and Zawadzki:
1.) They aren't headcases like Czisny
2.) They don't have awful technique like Zhang
3.) They aren't as bland and un-artistic as Rachael
That is why they are hyped so much and I tend to think they will live up to the hype. Nagasu and Wagner will still be up there for at least a few more years, but Czisny, Zhang, and Flatt have a lot of things they need to work on, and I actually think Gao and Zawadzki, though juniorish they may be, are more complete skaters than those three.
Well, I agree. All we know for sure is that US skating will be exactly the way it was this year except the highest expectations will be on Nagasu instead of Flatt. She'll have more respect from the international judges, too. Let's hope she deals with it like she did at the Olympics and not at worlds. Nagasu has the potential to be a worlds medalist more than the other U.S. ladies. But fulfilling that potential is another story.
As for Gao, I'm excited about her but I think she needs a transformation like Michelle Kwan's in 1996 to be a world medal contender. Not saying it won't happen this year but we'll just have to wait and see. Judging from the results last year though, she already is a U.S. championship medal threat.
I'm not surprised to hear Alissa is not retiring. Ever since I read that Brian Boitano urged her not to leave competitive skating with any regrets I expected to her to at least keeping training through the summer... I'm glad because I always love watching her. But it's hard to have any expectations. Quite apart from her nerves, I think she'll be at a total disadvantage with the new rules. She'll be able to rely even less on her spins and spirals to compete against much better jumpers. But I"m glad for her that she is not throwing in the towel. Good for her.
If I had to make a very early prediction, I see these three ladies medaling at US championships: Nagasu, Wagner, Gao. Always assuming they skate clean...
Anything can happen, but I have to go along with R.D. on this one. Let's wait and see what happens.
Christina Gao is sixteen and Agnes Zawadzki will be sixteen in July. Kimmie Meissner was world champion at sixteen. Mirai Nagasu was U.S. champion at 14. At 13 Caroline Zhang won her junior grand prix events by 53 points and 33 points, won thejunior grand prix final by 20 points, won the junior world championship, and was heralded as the second coming of Sasha Cohen for her positions, spins and spirals.
I think wait and see is all we can say at this point.
Nagasu was able to bounce back this season. It remains to be seen whether Zhang can do the same next season, or even if Nagasu can keep up the momentum and not let her Worlds slip-up trip her up.
Meissner has had a strain of bad luck lately but I think she is past her prime. Wouldn't mind seeing her put down some skates she is happy with though.
The key for these young up-and comers is to KEEP IMPROVING. Be the best you're capable of and let the chips fall where they may.
my answers are in bold!I wasn't aware that Agnes trained with Rachel Flatt. I knew about Gao and Yuna though. Nothing like having someone better than you around to push you and motivate you.
It was great that NBC took the time to show Gao last year. Even if these skaters DO turn out to be all they're cracked up to be, I don't see it happening next season. Possibly the 2011-12 season at the earliest.
What's more interesting to me is:
Can Nagasu can build upon her stellar season (save Worlds)?
Yes, I think she can. Her growing is over, Frank will continue to push her to work her hardest, she has all that international experience now, she was inspired by Evan yet also had a rough time of it at worlds so we know she won't be resting on her laurels thinking she has conquered her demons
Can Wagner conquer her SP demons?
I hope so. I think she will certainly try. If she is trying to rework her lutz and land 33 combos that might mess with her consistency, especially at the start of the season but the 1/4-1/2 rule will help her.
Can Flatt take it to the next level now with more time/attention to devote to skating?
hmmm. we will wait and see. Racheal's mom said something about looking at coaching possibilities, so maybe she is looking to change coaches and/or move to CA. Honestly I don't see her making leaps and bounds in the PCS section due to her less-than spectacular olympics and worlds (in the judges eyes), and I don't see how flexiblity and toe point can really improve that much in one summer.
Will Zhang take the time to try to improve her basics so she can get back in the game?
If i was a betting girl I would say no. I think she will try and re-work her lutz and try and fully rotate her jumps. She will try and skate faster like she did this past year, but revert back to the slow scared deer when the pressure is on. I think she will improve her jumps but not her skating skills.
Will Czisny be able to redeem herself after the crushing defeat at 2010 Nats as the reigning champ?
No.
Will any old-timers (e.g. Meissner, Hughes) try to stick it out at least for another year or two?
They will try, but i don't see any of them showing up in Greensbourgh
That and more, coming up next. Stay tuned.
She does and ITA. Agnes said Rachael and Alexe are her best friends at Broadmoor. Gao loves Yuna and despite the age difference they are very good friends. She also tweets a lot to Adam Rippon so he may be another source of inspiration.I wasn't aware that Agnes trained with Rachel Flatt. I knew about Gao and Yuna though. Nothing like having someone better than you around to push you and motivate you.
It was great that NBC took the time to show Gao last year. Even if these skaters DO turn out to be all they're cracked up to be, I don't see it happening next season. Possibly the 2011-12 season at the earliest.
What's more interesting to me is:
Can Nagasu can build upon her stellar season (save Worlds)?
Can Wagner conquer her SP demons?
Can Flatt take it to the next level now with more time/attention to devote to skating?
Will Zhang take the time to try to improve her basics so she can get back in the game?
Will Czisny be able to redeem herself after the crushing defeat at 2010 Nats as the reigning champ?
Will any old-timers (e.g. Meissner, Hughes) try to stick it out at least for another year or two?
Can't wait! Also looking forward to Amanda Dobbs, I know she doesn't have all the jumps but she's so pretty and powerful .That and more, coming up next. Stay tuned.