I mean the skaters, not the dolls or the song.
But seriously--as the US enters another year with only two skaters qualifying, and probably a slim chance at a world or GPF medal, I'm beginning to wonder if there is an explanation for it.
The upsurge in interest in skating in Japan is certainly a contributing factor--the top of the leader board is filled with excellent Japanese "ladies," whom I don't have to name, I'm sure we all know them. There is definitely a deeper field because of that, and it would be harder to get a medal due to competition.
But that can't explain everything. It's like skater after skater just can't break past some barrier, whether it's mental, physical, or something else.
In 2006, when Kimmie had her surprise win, I thought she would become the next American star to replace Sasha, and a worthy competitor against then- newcomers YuNa and Mao. I was looking forward to her doing her triple axel, and improving her artistry. I thought she'd be in the mix for medals for years to come. Instead-she collapsed.
But OK, there was Caroline. She made the GPF and even came in 2nd at the short program. She would be the next "one." Barring some dramatic comeback--it doesn 't look like it.
Yes, but Alissa Czisny was a latebloomer. She would be a potential world medalist. Nope--although I hope for a comeback for her, too. (At least she can win small competitions.)
But what about Rachael and Ashley? Ashley is inconsistent, and Rachael is no judges' favorite, even when she skates clean.
So that leaves us with Mirai. Mirai wins every short program, then falls apart so badly in the long, she doesn't only lose the gold medal--she falls 10 miles off the podium. I know, she was great at the Olympics, but there have been too many instances of what can only be described as choking. She hasn't even medaled at a small competition in the Grand Prix, at an age when many have already won world and Olympic medals.
So does anyone know why such a formerly dominating country can't produce a serious contender in five years? Is it just more competition from different countries (maybe the ladies are better than I give them credit for?) Is it a change in American teen culture--maybe it's harder to find kids willing to give up the fun stuff to train than it was years ago? (I'm a HS teacher, and I've seen a change the last few years.) Or is it just one of those things? And if it is just a run of "less than star quality skaters," is there anyone on the horizon to break the "curse?"
But seriously--as the US enters another year with only two skaters qualifying, and probably a slim chance at a world or GPF medal, I'm beginning to wonder if there is an explanation for it.
The upsurge in interest in skating in Japan is certainly a contributing factor--the top of the leader board is filled with excellent Japanese "ladies," whom I don't have to name, I'm sure we all know them. There is definitely a deeper field because of that, and it would be harder to get a medal due to competition.
But that can't explain everything. It's like skater after skater just can't break past some barrier, whether it's mental, physical, or something else.
In 2006, when Kimmie had her surprise win, I thought she would become the next American star to replace Sasha, and a worthy competitor against then- newcomers YuNa and Mao. I was looking forward to her doing her triple axel, and improving her artistry. I thought she'd be in the mix for medals for years to come. Instead-she collapsed.
But OK, there was Caroline. She made the GPF and even came in 2nd at the short program. She would be the next "one." Barring some dramatic comeback--it doesn 't look like it.
Yes, but Alissa Czisny was a latebloomer. She would be a potential world medalist. Nope--although I hope for a comeback for her, too. (At least she can win small competitions.)
But what about Rachael and Ashley? Ashley is inconsistent, and Rachael is no judges' favorite, even when she skates clean.
So that leaves us with Mirai. Mirai wins every short program, then falls apart so badly in the long, she doesn't only lose the gold medal--she falls 10 miles off the podium. I know, she was great at the Olympics, but there have been too many instances of what can only be described as choking. She hasn't even medaled at a small competition in the Grand Prix, at an age when many have already won world and Olympic medals.
So does anyone know why such a formerly dominating country can't produce a serious contender in five years? Is it just more competition from different countries (maybe the ladies are better than I give them credit for?) Is it a change in American teen culture--maybe it's harder to find kids willing to give up the fun stuff to train than it was years ago? (I'm a HS teacher, and I've seen a change the last few years.) Or is it just one of those things? And if it is just a run of "less than star quality skaters," is there anyone on the horizon to break the "curse?"