Anyway, back on topic...so, who should USFS select for Skate America with its host picks?
I have not changed my mind. Post #1 on this thread:
I prefer this, our strongest lineup, to trying to play games of "strategy." (Just my opinion -- only I meant Agnes.))Originally Posted by Mathman
I say Christina. If she doesn't get SA I'm afraid she'll only end up with 1 assignment and I would hate to see that.
I would be ok if Christina gets selected for SA.
Would that mean that Agnes might only get one GP event?
Last season Agnes beat Christina at Natls and Jr Worlds. If we go by that it seems Agnes deserves two GP events more than Christina.
I see MM as set in his ways. For me he watches competitive figure skating as an entertainment on his TV set. It doesn't matter that there is safety-in-numbers by allowing American skaters to compete in other venues to have a shot at the final instead of knocking each other off at SA. I believe he glorifies Skate America as the entire GP series. He really doesn't understand what the competition is all about.
Oh the joys of television, we can assume from SA just who will win the non international Nationals.
Who cares who the Americans line their SA venue with? Most fans aren't going to see it LIVE anyway.
What is important for discussion is when we know what the entire lineup of SA, will be, and who will be the Seeded skaters that prevent at least 2 American skaters from making the Final.
Why rush this prediction without knowing the facts?
I agree with both you and mathman on this.
There is a strategy than can be used to protect skaters with the goal of getting them to the GPF.
I think mathman understands that. But there is another strategy which could be based more on trying to revitalize skating in the USA.
I don't see anything wrong with being a TV fan and wish there were many more of them so we could see more and better TV coverage of skating in USA.
I remember when SA used to be a more important event and set the table for Natls. When that was working we used to get some coverage of Worlds and better coverage of Olympic skating.
Kanako winning SA last season did not help set the table for Natls and neither did Alissa winning the GPF have much effect.
I watched Worlds on my computer but would have rather watched it on TV sitting in my comfortable armchair
The lack of interest in skating in USA seems to be dwindling and I hope that we see a change for the better soon.
Last season I was hoping Kanako would win SA. This season I hope we have a couple of American skaters I can root for. That would include Jeremy, D/W + Shibs and either/or Alissa and Mirai and either Agnes or Christina.
But as far as getting to the GPF it makes more sense to split up our best skaters/teams.
I have noticed NHK has a strong lineup of Japanese skaters. Even in a country where skating is at an all-time high the Japanese fans want to see their best skaters competing and trying to win their own GP event.
Americans have never viewed skating as a serious sport and to help bring the casual fans back we need one of our Ladies to win SA.
You are well aware that the Men and Pairs take a backseat to the Ladies and since B/A the Dance has become more popular.
Last edited by janetfan; 05-22-2011 at 08:54 AM.
^^^^
You are very diplomatic.
Only in America is it so important for Ladies and Dance to be the favorite disciplines. I have been to many international events which show more favorable interest in Mens and Pairs. This is the Sonia Henie legasy with the Media.
The Sport(?) attracts more women than men. The LIVE female fans look for clean programs and take a dim view of Falls. That's what their ovations are all about. Like their other performing arts, they believe Seniors are the best of the figure skaters and pay money to see them. Not unlike Dance performances without sport, but with much opinions.
I reiterate, there is nothing special about Skate America among the six venues except for some fans who are stuck with their patriotic feelings. Some fans want to see the best of figure skating from all competitive skaters at the Finals - their nationalities are of no importance.
Getting into skating personalities is not my take on this thread, and I have no power to list the skaters. I leave that to the powers that be and look forward to the list of non American competitors for SA.
All the qualified American skaters will be at various venues, why single out SA as the most important? I can wait, and not put Czisny and Mirai in jeapordy of one another when both have a shot at the Finals against two Worlds podium placers. From my experiences with the results of the GPs, the cutoff for qualifying for the Finals are minimum silver medals.
There are many reasons for the drop in monies for all countries. The reasons given on this board are quite valid.
Christina has a higher SB than Agnes (by 7 points, but still), but Agnes as you said medaled at Nationals and JW and has already competed on the senior GP, so I think regardless of if she gets SA or not, she will still get 2 assignments. I mean, she got 2 assignments last season after competing internationally once. I hope the same is true of Christina, but where she didn't skate her best at big events like JGPF, Nationals, and JW (no medals), I just worry where the spots are getting slashed. Although she's probably ahead of Ashley in terms of getting 2 assignments. She can definitely get 1 assignment (16th on SB list is really good), but SA would be a nice way to ensure she gets 2.
silverlake, the new rules actually complicate matters such that I think while Agnes might be more likely to get one, Christina is more likely to get two. Bizarre, isn't it?
Just remember that Flatt received two Silver Medals in last season's GP. She didn't make the Finals.
Yes, she did. She finished 6th in the GP Final (skating injured).
Wasn't her eligibility for Finals done very cautiously? I was happy to see her make the Finals, and could not understand how two silver medals may not have been enough. So in naming an American Lady at whatever venue, two silver medals is a must if a gold is unreachable.
Which of these skaters will go for gold at SA? Ando, Kostner, Kim, Asada, Leonova, Nakano. We don't know yet.
Yeah that is weird. In any event, I hope they both get 2.
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