^^ I agree Doris. Ross has shown me something this season with his steady approach to improvement. His coaches are bringing him along at the pace that's right for him rather than rushing his progress to keep up with particular trends. I think that lends itself to developing the consistency he's displayed. He's gaining comfort with his skating through the consistency hes achieved. With his success this season, he's no longer a skater to be overlooked or seen as a fluke or fill in skater. Once again Peter and Mark prove what fine developmental coaches they are.
Your comments are exactly why I posted the "slow-and-steady" comment in the SP thread. Everyone is obsessing over the quad, which is why people overlook Ross. But Ross and his coaches, as you said, has been smart to allow him to get an awesome 3A — I find it hard to believe this is the same guy that struggled with them early last season — and work on other aspects of his program.
Also to Ross' advantage is that he did not have to did with the same hype as Rippon. I think he'll probably have to learn how to deal with more expectations next year, but I think he'll do fine.