The state of U.S. Figure Skating

[silverlake22]

I blame the USF for Adam, Alissa.
Adam was held up at Nationals. His PCS should be way lower. I said it when I saw it. There's no way he's competitive. After 4CC, they should have sent Ross.
Alissa was help up greatly at Nat. Her PCS was a joke. She had no transition at all. Her SP shouldn't get anywhere near 60 but they gave her 63 or something. Ridiculous. Her LP should get about 20 points lower than actual score. Somehow she managed to win the silver medal. Disgusting! Judging at Nat is about the same as here. No real accountability at all. Anyway, after the Challenge cup, take her out of the roster. Put Zhang in. You don't have to follow the alternate order. Mirai finished lower than Rachael, but they put her in the alternate list anyway, correct? They can change the list to have Zhang as first alternate after 4cc.
Jeremy was a hot mess at the Challenge cup, but because he wasn't injured and because he won fair and square at Nats, I would still send him.

I would investigate Yuka and Jason and Alissa. Fine them, humiliate them in public, have hersh beat them with a proverbial stick just like they did to Rachael last year. Well, not even so. They should have harsher punishment for these three because they KNEW what would happen and they did it anyway.

Ross or Josh Farris would have been a safer bet than Rippon, internationally the PCS are all the same, and ADAM ESSENTIALLY DOES NOT HAVE A 3A. Heck even Mahbanoozadeh would have been a safer bet than Rippon. But I mean, honestly, Farris beat Denis Ten by 13 points at JW, Denis skated just slightly better here than at JW and winds up 7th - ahead of both Americans. Heck even Jason Brown with no 3a beat D10 at JW. The sad thing is Rippon's performance here was not even disappointing - he skated exactly like he has all season, the quad is never more than 3.5 rotations and always a fall or 2ft, he always fudges up at least one axel if not both, when he does miraculously manage to land the 3a, he exits the jump at a standstill due to stalking it for 20 seconds before the takeoff. Honestly, why not send Ross, who beat Adam at 4CC and is on the upswing, who can actually do a respectable 3a and is proving himself to be a very strong competitor? Or send Farris after posting that big score at JW, he is just 17 and shows so much promise for the future, and has great technique on his jumps (including the 3a), has been training the 4t and already tried it in competition with more success than Adam, and has posture, spins, and artistry that are just beautiful. Sure, maybe they would have ended up 13th, but honestly, either would have probably placed higher, and a 17 year old placing 13th with that kind of talent doesn't even look bad, a 22 year old who can't land a decent 3a and is supposedly the number 2 man in the nation finishing 13th does.

[Becki]

^ silverlake22

Sadly, I would have to agree with you on Adam. He really needs to consistently land 3As before attempting quads if he wants to be a serious threat on international podiums.

Jeremy has the potential to be a world medalist and even WC, but he has been so inconsistent lately. I think he peaks too early...

[R.D.]

Can't even imagine what would it have been if falls should get zero points or progressive deduction for each additional fall as suggested by some figure skating fans.

I remember I suggested a similar system a few weeks back. I'm guessing under that, she would have failed to make the free skate with her mess of a short program...

[R.D.]

Ashley was great, 4th at Worlds and 3rd in the FS is nothing to sneeze at. Then we have Gracie Gold coming up, Mirai if she can get her mojo back (yes I know she is a headcase but never in the Alissa category), Caroline skating well, and Agnes and Christina very good jumpers when "on" and young enough that they have time to improve everything else.

You know what, I'm done with having any hope for the ladies whatsoever. Six years in this funk, and EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM has had a lady who tanks/fails to rise to the occasion. Actually, now that I think about it, Czisny is the only one of those ladies who has failed on more than one occasion. That's it, no more World Championship for her ever again. Stick a fork in her, she's done for good this time...

Perhaps Ashley Wagner & Gracie Gold next year? Even then I'm not holding my breath. One or both of them will find a way to screw it up

[silverlake22]

^ silverlake22

Sadly, I would have to agree with you on Adam. He really needs to consistently land 3As before attempting quads if he wants to be a serious threat on international podiums.

Jeremy has the potential to be a world medalist and even WC, but he has been so inconsistent lately. I think he peaks too early...

I think he was trying to get a quad so that he didn't need to rely on his 3a so much, but sadly, he doesn't really have a quad either, it seems, at least not in competition. I like Adam as a skater but he really has no business being sent to Worlds when his 3a is that unstable and his quad attempts are always <<.

As for Jeremy, it's one thing to be a headcase and to represent a country like France or Czech Republic, because we all know Brian and Tomas are very talented and have bombed all over the place at various events these past few years, but their teams keep earning 2 spots to Euros and Worlds, and no one else sitting at home is close to being as good as them even when they tank, so it's fine if they want to continue competing and continue to be named to these teams. It's different for Jeremy, yes he is talented, but when he continually flubs his skates like this, he really shouldn't be getting sent to major events automatically. There are too many talented men sitting at home in the US who deserve a chance to go if he's not going to deliver, and could likely top his placement/scores with solid skates.

For example, the men's event wasn't that strong apart from the top 5 skaters. Had Ross or Josh been given the chance to go, they likely could have placed 7th with replication of their 4CC and JW programs - that would have been huge for either going into next season, just add to the momentum they already gained from their good showings at other events this season, but instead Jeremy and Adam went, Jeremy underperformed as expected and Adam performed as he usually does and winds up 13th. Some people act surprised but I suspected this would happen. Jeremy said are you serious? after being placed below D10, but honestly, he didn't deserve to place above D10 with those skates, I don't care how good his SS are and how emotional that FS is - he needs to get it together when it counts, or he's not going to get anywhere near the podium.

[Bentley]

They keep sending Alissa and she keeps bombing. Why not send Agnes or Caroline so they can get the experience and learn to handle the preasure. With the Olympics coming up they can't afford to send some one different every year. And I bet neither one would have finised as low as 22nd.

[Mathman]

A lot of second guessing after the fact. If Abbott had won a medal everyone would be saying how smart the USFSA was for sending him despite his up and down results.

(But he didn't. Oh well. )

Edited to add: Same with Czisny. Last year the USFSA were geniuses because they sent Alissa and she finished fifth, just one jump off the podium. But they were idiots for sending Rachael.

This year they are idiots for sending Alissa and geniuses for sending Ashley.

[BarbC]

I really feel for Czisny. I like her very much. I think she has such grace and elegance, and when she's "on" she can light up the room.

The problem lies in her nerves. She needs to see a sports psychologist (as does Abbott -- I think he does, mind you), and she needs to see one today.

In addition, if she was injured, she should've withdrawn. I doubt anyone would've done any better, but at least she wouldn't have this on her mind; no one would want to be in her shoes, considering she did stay and skate. (Poor thing.)

[Becki]

I think Alissa is finding too many excuses to cover up her mishaps. Honestly, she should just suck it up, admit her weaknesses and try to improve them. I like Ashley Wagner's attitude in that aspect, she knows what she's lacking and she fights hard to make it up.

[Mathman]

^ What excuses did Alissa offer for her performances at Worlds? I must have missed that part in her post-event interviews.

[SkateFiguring]

A lot of second guessing after the fact. If Abbott had won a medal everyone would be saying how smart the USFSA was for sending him despite his up and down results.

(But he didn't. Oh well. )

Per argument for sending Jeremy last year, he still did better when he bombed than any of last year's team members. Unfortunately for Jeremy and Adam, this year a few fast rising new stars leapfrogged ahead of them - Hanyu, D10, plus Fernandez and rebounded Reynold for Adam.

Something important lacking in current top Americans is what Canadian champs like Buttle and Chan know well - a champion has a small range between his best and his worst. I believe it was also Lysacek's winning attribute.

[Becki]

^ What excuses did Alissa offer for her performances at Worlds? I must have missed that part in her post-event interviews.

I think it was something about not being able to feel her legs? I can't quite remember, but when she did poorly at the International Cup competition, didn't she blame her federation for not sending her to 4CC instead so she could have more practice?

And she often blamed her poor performances on injury, or in the case of 4CC, the competition being too close to Nationals.

[bekalc]

As for Jeremy, it's one thing to be a headcase and to represent a country like France or Czech Republic, because we all know Brian and Tomas are very talented and have bombed all over the place at various events these past few years, but their teams keep earning 2 spots to Euros and Worlds, and no one else sitting at home is close to being as good as them even when they tank, so it's fine if they want to continue competing and continue to be named to these teams. It's different for Jeremy, yes he is talented, but when he continually flubs his skates like this, he really shouldn't be getting sent to major events automatically. There are too many talented men sitting at home in the US who deserve a chance to go if he's not going to deliver, and could likely top his placement/scores with solid skates..

How can you seriously compare Joubert with Jeremy. Brian has a total of 6 world medals, including one world title. And just recently finished fourth at worlds... Now did Brian make some stupid mistakes in his career, sure..But the USFSA wishes Jeremy was that kind of headcase.

I really feel for Czisny. I like her very much. I think she has such grace and elegance, and when she's "on" she can light up the room.

The problem lies in her nerves. She needs to see a sports psychologist (as does Abbott -- I think he does, mind you), and she needs to see one today.

In addition, if she was injured, she should've withdrawn. I doubt anyone would've done any better, but at least she wouldn't have this on her mind; no one would want to be in her shoes, considering she did stay and skate. (Poor thing.)

You seriously think the other US girls couldn't have done better than 22nd. I think Zhang for example was certainly capable of not falling 5 times.

[FlattFan]

Ross or Josh Farris would have been a safer bet than Rippon, internationally the PCS are all the same, and ADAM ESSENTIALLY DOES NOT HAVE A 3A. Heck even Mahbanoozadeh would have been a safer bet than Rippon. But I mean, honestly, Farris beat Denis Ten by 13 points at JW, Denis skated just slightly better here than at JW and winds up 7th - ahead of both Americans. Heck even Jason Brown with no 3a beat D10 at JW. The sad thing is Rippon's performance here was not even disappointing - he skated exactly like he has all season, the quad is never more than 3.5 rotations and always a fall or 2ft, he always fudges up at least one axel if not both, when he does miraculously manage to land the 3a, he exits the jump at a standstill due to stalking it for 20 seconds before the takeoff. Honestly, why not send Ross, who beat Adam at 4CC and is on the upswing, who can actually do a respectable 3a and is proving himself to be a very strong competitor? Or send Farris after posting that big score at JW, he is just 17 and shows so much promise for the future, and has great technique on his jumps (including the 3a), has been training the 4t and already tried it in competition with more success than Adam, and has posture, spins, and artistry that are just beautiful. Sure, maybe they would have ended up 13th, but honestly, either would have probably placed higher, and a 17 year old placing 13th with that kind of talent doesn't even look bad, a 22 year old who can't land a decent 3a and is supposedly the number 2 man in the nation finishing 13th does.

Yes! And I said it many many times, Adam's 3As at Nationals should get - GOE every single time. His 3As are the worst of the men competing. I think I said he had glacier moving speed coming to the 3As.
The brilliant judges at Nats gave him huge GOE for terrible 3As. He should not beat Ross at National. I was shocked when they announced his scores.

Alissa, I also said many times, was not good live. She does not project at all. She was faster than a lot of girls, but because she didn't do anything between elements but cross-overs, so her speed appeared to be above other girls. That is not skating skill.

Both of them were gifted big time. (And if the Fed thought they could manage, then use 4cc as feedback to see how the others will do in front of international judges)

[Simoncat]

Misery loves company. Just last week on CBC,Tracey Wilson commented that in Japan,Russia,etc,the federations pay attention to masses of young skaters. As one poster commented above,she stated they chew them up and spit them out,and what we see are the tough survivors.She then went on to say that we can't do that. In Canada,however terrible,the Lady chosen goes on and on and on,and nobody is allowed to challenge. For the second year we have only one Lady,and with the exception of a few bright lights,nothing coming up. I expect even these to become human sacrifices to the established princesses. At least the US champion changes yearly even if the system is flawed,and you have numerous talented skaters in the wings,killing themselved for a chance. What is needed is more opportunity to compete early and often,and monitoring available for skaters and coaches. I hope that with more B competitions coming to N.America we make them open to whoever wants to compete and rise fall on their merits.