Who is likely to represent the US women at Sochi? | Golden Skate

Who is likely to represent the US women at Sochi?

Skater Boy

Record Breaker
Joined
Feb 24, 2012
Assuming Ashley Wagner and Gracie Gold will come first and second at nationals, though who will win may be at issue the big battle i suggest is the third and final spot for Oly glory. Who are the contenders? Well Mirai Nagasu if she skated her best one would think she would have the best shot - even winning nationals but she lately has struggled it appears a passion for the sort and under rotations. Christina Gao is dedicated taking time off from studies but rather ho hum. Caroline Zhang showed some promise twice now but has the mule kick and still skates a bit slow but a pretty skater. Agnes Zawadiak has a nice power about her. Alissa Czisny is a question mark. If it weren't her consistency with jumps it is now her injuries. her lack of triples at a recent competition does not give much confidence. Vanessa Lam is an outside shot and rather juniorish still. Rachel Flatt seems to be lacking good coaching and is busy with school. One wonders how wise is it to compete with two homemade programs and spreading herself thin one wonders does she have the consistency still and the jumps. There are more contenders too but what a dog fight.
 
Joined
Aug 16, 2009
A dog fight indeed. How nice to have so many possible contenders. It's going to be an interesting season!
 

chuckm

Record Breaker
Joined
Aug 31, 2003
Country
United-States
Courtney Hicks isn't my cup of tea but she can land those jumps, and Polina Edmunds has shown in the JGP that she can rotate hers. They could surprise.
 

Skater Boy

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Joined
Feb 24, 2012
Good additions chuckm. Hicks upset Gold recently. Not sure if Polina has enough polish to make the team though. Who is the front runner for no. 3. Mirai's body looks more like Caroline Zhang now taller and more filled out - these girls are still slim people please don't think I am saying they are fat. they are just built more like woman unlike Julia Lipnskaya who reminds me of Tara Lipinski though I think Julia is more refined and elegant. Small girls who rotate like tops.
 

TontoK

Hot Tonto
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Jan 28, 2013
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United-States
Based on what I've seen so far this season... granted, that ain't much... and some of what I've seen has been on pretty shaky video...

I'm not so sure that the top 2 spots are locked up.

If I were an up-and-comer, I'd be more encouraged than I was six months ago. I'm really interested in seeing how the season progresses.
 

drivingmissdaisy

Record Breaker
Joined
Feb 17, 2010
Ashley would really have to have a major meltdown not to get a spot, because she did last year and still won Nationals. She should have a good season, will probably medal at Skate America and TEB on PCS alone and has a great shot of winning TEB. Gracie also should do well at Skate Canada and will medal at NHK if she skates well. With their reputations and decent skates, these two will have the best GP results of the Americans.

For the third spot, I think the two favorites are Agnes and Courtney and if both skate their best Courtney will take it. I do hope Courtney earns the spot because she is another skater like Gracie who has the technical goods to compete with the world's best over the next 4 years.
 

Jammers

Record Breaker
Joined
Nov 4, 2010
Country
United-States
Gracie is going to have to start showing more mental toughness when she skates because looking at her when she takes the ice she sometimes has that deer in the headlights look that Alissa or Mirai get. It's all about landing her jumps which should be her strong point but she gets so nervous she starts popping them.
 

cinnamon

On the Ice
Joined
Sep 13, 2010
Gracie is going to have to start showing more mental toughness when she skates because looking at her when she takes the ice she sometimes has that deer in the headlights look that Alissa or Mirai get. It's all about landing her jumps which should be her strong point but she gets so nervous she starts popping them.
Kind a funny thinking about two seasons ago she was considered as the most mentally tough girl coming up...
 

Jammers

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Joined
Nov 4, 2010
Country
United-States
Kind a funny thinking about two seasons ago she was considered as the most mentally tough girl coming up...

She had about 3 competitions under her belt at the time. Not enough to tell you how mentally tough a skater is. Plus she was a Junior and it's a whole different thing to get to the big time as a Senior skater and then have all the hype she had coming up from Juniors. With her coaching situation and all the hype it reached it's peak and was starting to really play havoc with her as could be seen in SLC. Hopefully with Frank now taking over he can settle her down. I like that he has stopped the Gracie hype in it's track and has kept her out of the limelight now.
 

Scout

Final Flight
Joined
Sep 5, 2009
I've always loved Alissa and have been rooting for her, but unfortunately, I don't think she has any realistic chance of making it. She may have won regionals, but she didn't get credit for a single clean triple. Needless to say, you aren't going to make the Olympic team without triples. If she manages 5-6 triples at Nationals, it would redefine the words "comeback" and "underdog".
 
Joined
Aug 16, 2009
I've always loved Alissa and have been rooting for her, but unfortunately, I don't think she has any realistic chance of making it. She may have won regionals, but she didn't get credit for a single clean triple. Needless to say, you aren't going to make the Olympic team without triples. If she manages 5-6 triples at Nationals, it would redefine the words "comeback" and "underdog".

Wouldn't that be something to behold--Alissa doing 5 triples? Definitely a lovely vision to have.
 

drivingmissdaisy

Record Breaker
Joined
Feb 17, 2010
Wouldn't that be something to behold--Alissa doing 5 triples? Definitely a lovely vision to have.

I would be uncomfortable watching her try triples after her injury on the 3F last year. To go from no triples to five in 3 months seems very dangerous.
 

ice coverage

avatar credit: @miyan5605
Record Breaker
Joined
Feb 27, 2012
For what they are worth, predictions from Philip Hersh ‏@olyphil as of yesterday:

Right now, I would have to say Wagner, Gao, Gold will be US women at Sochi Olympics, but Gold must show at Skate Canada she can still jump
3:24 PM - 14 Oct 13
https://twitter.com/olyphil/status/389879319884877824

As for the U.S. men (don't recall a GS thread dedicated to this topic), Hersh tweeted:

DoubleA: Aaron/Abbott. Best for future if Brown earned - and I mean EARNED - 2d spot. ...
3:40 PM - 14 Oct 13
https://twitter.com/olyphil/status/389883472526864385
 

CanadianSkaterGuy

Record Breaker
Joined
Jan 25, 2013
For what they are worth, predictions from Philip Hersh ‏@olyphil as of yesterday:

Right now, I would have to say Wagner, Gao, Gold will be US women at Sochi Olympics, but Gold must show at Skate Canada she can still jump
3:24 PM - 14 Oct 13
https://twitter.com/olyphil/status/389879319884877824

As for the U.S. men (don't recall a GS thread dedicated to this topic), Hersh tweeted:

DoubleA: Aaron/Abbott. Best for future if Brown earned - and I mean EARNED - 2d spot. ...
3:40 PM - 14 Oct 13
https://twitter.com/olyphil/status/389883472526864385

TBH, I would much rather see Farris make the US team, as he at least has a quad, is fairly consistent, and has the potential to put a decent showing. Miner I'm less sold on. Abbott and Brown are clearly the best *skaters* of the US men, but their technical content is really lacking. I could totally picture Brown's River Dance bringing the house down in Sochi, though. A clean skate that is entertaining could garner a surprisingly high placement.
 

Mrs. P

Uno, Dos, twizzle!
Record Breaker
Joined
Dec 27, 2009
TBH, I would much rather see Farris make the US team, as he at least has a quad, is fairly consistent, and has the potential to put a decent showing. Miner I'm less sold on. Abbott and Brown are clearly the best *skaters* of the US men, but their technical content is really lacking. I could totally picture Brown's River Dance bringing the house down in Sochi, though. A clean skate that is entertaining could garner a surprisingly high placement.

Farris is pretty inconsistent on the quad still. I can only think of a handful of times he's landed it.

***
Personal/Seasons Bests can be broken, but worth noting for the sake of discussion:

Personal bests of Top 10 at Nationals:

18. Jeremy Abbott 238.82 (Grand Prix Final 2011-2012)
19. Max Aaron 238.36 (World Championship 2013)
21. Ross Miner 235.37 (NHK Trophy 2012)
24. Richard Dornbush 234.04 (4CC 2013)
25. Adam Rippon 233.04 (Skate Canada 2010)
28. Jason Brown 228.43 (Nebelhorn Trophy 2013)
29. Joshua Farris 228.32 (World Junior Championships 2013)
39. Stephen Carriere 218.30 (4CC 2008)
42. Brandon Mroz 216.80 (Cup of China 2010)
109. Alexander Johnson 187.81 (JGP J. Curry Memorial 2008)

Season's best 2012-2013 200+
10. Max Aaron 238.36 (World Championships 2013)
13. Ross Miner 235.37 (NHK Trophy 2012)
16. Richard Dornbush 234.04 ( 4CC 2013)
18. Jeremy Abbott 231.84 (WTT 2013)
20. Joshua Farris 228.32 (World Junior Championships 2013)
22. Jason Brown 224.15 (World Junior Championships 2013)
29. Adam Rippon 210.47 (NHK Trophy)
* Alex Johnson, Brandon Mroz and Stephen Carriere have no ISU Season's Best scores.
 

museksk8r

Record Breaker
Joined
Oct 31, 2006
Country
United-States
My hopes would be Wagner, Edmunds, and Gao. I'm well aware that my hopes are not in line with reality though. :(

What will most likely happen is a stab in the heart to fans who appreciate artistry on ice once Gold and Hicks, aka 2 raging bulls in a china shop, are named to the US team. :scowl:
 

Mrs. P

Uno, Dos, twizzle!
Record Breaker
Joined
Dec 27, 2009
And the ladies, Top 12 + Flatt/Czisny/Edmunds

Personal Best:

10. Ashley Wagner 192.41 (4CC 2012)
12. Mirai Nagasu 190.14 (Olympics 2010)
17. Gracie Gold 188.03 (WTT 2013)
22. Rachel Flatt 182.49 (Olympics 2010)
23. Alissa Czisny 182.24 (Worlds 2011)
34. Caroline Zhang 176.48 (GPF 2008)
35. Christina Gao 176.28 (4CC 2013)
36. Polina Edmunds 171.21 (JGP Mexico 2013)
41. Hannah Miller 168.41 (JGPF 2012)
44. Agnes Zawadzki 166.61 (Rostelecom Cup 2012)
58. Angela Wang 162.65 (JGP Croatia 2012)
60. Ashley Cain 162.39 (Nebelhorn Trophy)
65. Yasmin Siraj 161.75 (JGP J. Curry Memorial 2010)
71. Samantha Cesario 157.72 (JGP Austria 2012)
86. Courtney Hicks 153.77 (JGP Lake Placid 2012)

Season's Best (2012-2013)
6. Ashley Wagner 190.63 (TEB 2012)
9. Gracie Gold 188.03 (WTT 2013)
15. Mirai Nagasu 176.68 (NHK 2012)
16. Christina Gao 176.28 (4CC 2013)
18. Hannah Miller 168.41 (JGPF 2012)
20. Agnes Zawadski 166.61 (Rostelecom Cup 2012)
22. Angela Wang 162.65 (JGP Croatia 2012)
27. Samantha Cesario 157.72 (JGP Austria 2012)
35. Courtney Hicks 153.77 (JGP Lake Placid 2012)
39. Caroline Zhang 149.87 (Skate Canada 2012)
62. Yasmin Siraj 139.08 (World Junior Championships 2013)
63. Ashley Cain 135.51 (JGP Courchevel 2012)
64. Rachael Flatt 136.09 (Skate America 2012)
No ISU SB for Czisny or Edmunds.
 

Jammers

Record Breaker
Joined
Nov 4, 2010
Country
United-States
Gao needs to improve everything about her skating to have a chance to make the team. She looks a bit slow and isn't pushing herself technically in terms of jumps either. I'm surprised Hersh picked her over Agnes or even Hicks to be honest.
 

drivingmissdaisy

Record Breaker
Joined
Feb 17, 2010
Gao needs to improve everything about her skating to have a chance to make the team. She looks a bit slow and isn't pushing herself technically in terms of jumps either. I'm surprised Hersh picked her over Agnes or even Hicks to be honest.

I noticed Gao's speed at a recent competition too. Based on what we've seen through the end of last season, Gao and Agnes would be the favorites. I'm very impressed by Courtney but I'm not sure how her skating will hold up through the season. A lot of us thought Angela might make an impact at Nationals last year after nailing some impressive jumps in the JGP but she ended up being a non-factor, so I hope the same won't be true for Courtney.
 
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