LADIES LONG PROGRAM Thread

[sweetskates1]

This is not registering... The way this is turning out.... Ashley is the contender? She is the one with the chance to beat Mao and Carolina? not Alissa? Mirai is not competing and the US has possibly 2 contenders heading into Worlds?

Well, isn't it funny how quickly things change? Just a few days ago the general consensious was that we were all rooting for Alissa to get top5 again at Worlds and for Ashley to keep up with her, and now we're rooting for Ashley to get on the podium and for Alissa to please, please, please not mess up the best thing that the US ladies has had going in years.

So proud of Caroline...I hope she is able to take this confidence and come out next year swinging! Especially if the US gets three spots, there will be room for her to go to Worlds, which would be amazing. Has Caroline ever been to Senior Worlds?

[burntBREAD]

I was actually thinking of the spiral sequence specifically when writing this Mao spiral has such extension (and the look on her face!) that I don't think it needs to be accentuated with jerky arm movements. Of course, this isn't the only part...I just find Liebestraum to have more nuances.

But still Ashley was amazing!! No longer the "Almost Girl" in US skating!

Mao's spiral is very nice but I wish she (and Kanako) wouldn't drop their backs so far so that their legs could go higher...I think the upper body should be at least parallel, otherwise it looks like a kind-of Charlotte which isn't too attractive. Mao's spiral in 2006-2008 is her optimal spiral IMO.

[jaylee]

I was actually thinking of the spiral sequence specifically when writing this Mao spiral has such extension (and the look on her face!) that I don't think it needs to be accentuated with jerky arm movements. Of course, this isn't the only part...I just find Liebestraum to have more nuances.

But still Ashley was amazing!! No longer the "Almost Girl" in US skating!

Well...Ashley's arm movements go perfectly with her music. Mao didn't need to do sharp movements during her spiral sequence, but she could've done something.

Thrilled for Ashley! And she just gave a very cute interview. Rather rude questions, though, by the interviewer, trying to get her to gloat.

[Spun Silver]

Caroline medaled!! I think Mao is way too thin. She doesn't have the power she used to have. Very happy for Ashley and Caroline!!!

Honestly, if Mao would gain 5 pounds, she would be her old beautiful self. She just looks forced and unhappy. Even though she's still a great skater, she doesn't have that effortless quality now.

[Mrs. P]

I'm willing to give Ashley a break. I mean, she hasn't won anything in six years as SB mentioned! She is probably not accustomed to those type of interview. And if nothing else, she's probably still in a state of shock!

[bigsisjiejie]

And a big to John Nicks. Whatever his magic stick is, it's worked with Ashley. (And similar to Kwan-Oppegard for Caroline).

[Serious Business]

Oh my god, that interviewer. I am shaking my head so hard at him. What an awkward and impolitic question to ask someone in figure skating. Ashley is a charming, funny and witty woman. But even she is hard pressed to come up with a diplomatic answer to such a loaded question as "are you happy your rival borked it?" right after the rush of winning.

On another note, I am going to be unable to sleep for a while now, I am soooo psyched for most of the ladies!

[pangtongfan]

So proud of Caroline...I hope she is able to take this confidence and come out next year swinging! Especially if the US gets three spots, there will be room for her to go to Worlds, which would be amazing. Has Caroline ever been to Senior Worlds?

Even with 3 spots it wouldnt be easy though. If Ashley medals at Worlds it pretty much makes her a lock for next years team. Unless something happens to Gracie Gold she probably is as well. Then there is Czisny, Nagasu if she gets her act together, and Agnes.

[mylastduchess]

Did Mao 3A get ratified?

[evangeline]

Well...Ashley's arm movements go perfectly with her music. Mao didn't need to do sharp movements during her spiral sequence, but she could've done something.

I don't know....I think adding arm movements would seem very superfluous, especially as Mao's spiral is placed at the end of the program, when the music is quietly winding down. Simple but sure does the trick here.

[herro]

Even with 3 spots it wouldnt be easy though. If Ashley medals at Worlds it pretty much makes her a lock for next years team. Unless something happens to Gracie Gold she probably is as well. Then there is Czisny, Nagasu if she gets her act together, and Agnes.

This in itself is making me happy - that the U.S. team is finally strengthening.

[100yen]

And a big to John Nicks. Whatever his magic stick is, it's worked with Ashley. (And similar to Kwan-Oppegard for Caroline).

I keep thinking our American coaches have finally discovered the secret to calm consistency and are sharing the knowledge with each other through secret underground meetings

[ImaginaryPogue]

Oh my god, that interviewer. I am shaking my head so hard at him. What an awkward and impolitic question to ask someone in figure skating. Ashley is a charming, funny and witty woman. But even she is hard pressed to come up with a diplomatic answer to such a loaded question as "are you happy your rival borked it?" right after the rush of winning.

On another note, I am going to be unable to sleep for a while now, I am soooo psyched for most of the ladies!

Seriously. I'll give her credit for her answer because she was all ...."shut up man, happy I won, but still, shut-up." Or at least that's what her eyes said.

[herro]

Did Mao 3A get ratified?

it got a <

Protocols are up btw.

[tulosai]

I'm willing to give Ashley a break. I mean, she hasn't won anything in six years as SB mentioned! She is probably not accustomed to those type of interview. And if nothing else, she's probably still in a state of shock!

I agree but I also think that she does need help, and I don't say that with any malice or sarcasm. Nicks cold probably help her here too. I don't think it was a DISASTER but it did NOT hit the right note IMO (and that is putting it generously). I like Ashley (both as a person and as a skater) and she really, literally, needs help. I think 'interview lessons' might be a bit of overkill, but basically kind of straightforward 'say THIS kind of thing' (especially since I think she did not mean to sound as she did or mean exactly what she said).

So much happy for her regardless.