Caroline Zhang at 2014 Nationals | Golden Skate

Caroline Zhang at 2014 Nationals

The Reginator

Match Penalty
Joined
Oct 16, 2013
For what it’s worth, Caroline Zhang’s short program score of 51.11 at sectionals was the highest SP score she’s received since the 2012 Skate Canada from October 26-28.

She also received 0 underrotation calls!! (first time since 2012 Cup of Russia).
Believe it or not, it actually won’t be that hard for her to make top 5 at Nationals.

Since the US started using IJS in 2006, the two lowest scoring nationals have been Olympic year Nationals.
Year Score
2006 134.903888888889
2007 138.651428571429
2008 142.307
2009 138.54652173913
2010 136.933181818182
2011 140.687727272727
2012 150.642631578947
2013 151.0905

So, for the US Ladies at Olympic year Nationals, lots of skaters tend to do poorly.

So far this season,
Gao has been hit or miss.
Nagasu has been hit or miss.
Zawadzki has been hit or miss.
The list goes on and on.

Zhang at her best would beat Gao, Nagasu, and Zawadzki at their worst.
Is that likely? Not really. But it’s more possible that one might initially believe.
 

Mrs. P

Uno, Dos, twizzle!
Record Breaker
Joined
Dec 27, 2009
There is quite a bit of parity in this particular ladies field, aside from Ashley and Gracie (despite a subpar GP season).

As a result, getting to the top 5 for Caroline isn't just a matter of beating one of Agnes, Mirai and Christina, it'a also getting past Polina, Hannah, Mariah, Ashley Cain and Barbie. Not to mention up-and-comer Franchesca Chiera. And even Rachael Flatt, who is nowhere near her 2010 Olympic form, beat her at sectionals.

Of course, I like a good comeback story, so I'd love to prove me wrong.
 

drivingmissdaisy

Record Breaker
Joined
Feb 17, 2010
Zawadski can fall in the SP and beat Caroline's sectional score by 15 points. A few others can beat it by 10+ points by going clean (Mirai, maybe Gao and Courtney).
 

pangtongfan

Match Penalty
Joined
Jun 16, 2010
Lets be real here. If Zhang places top 10 at Nationals this year that would be like a gold medal for her (and might keep her in the sport awhile longer). Personally I think it is more likely she comes almost dead last and retires.

No at this point she would not beat those skaters you mentioned even if she skates well and they fall. Only a total meltdown could get her anywhere close to any of the skaters you named. Especialy if you actually believe her Sectionals SP score is close to the best she can do well, as a score like that will be way way down the board at Nationals.
 

drivingmissdaisy

Record Breaker
Joined
Feb 17, 2010
Since the US started using IJS in 2006, the two lowest scoring nationals have been Olympic year Nationals.
Year Score
2006 134.903888888889
2007 138.651428571429
2008 142.307
2009 138.54652173913
2010 136.933181818182
2011 140.687727272727
2012 150.642631578947
2013 151.0905

So, for the US Ladies at Olympic year Nationals, lots of skaters tend to do poorly.

What exactly do these numbers represent? If it's mean scores Caroline would still struggle to clear any of these number by enough to medal.
 

Eddie Lee

On the Ice
Joined
Jan 19, 2007
How I would like to see Caroline Zhang make a real comeback! One only had to see her qualifying attempts (sad-though-successful) at qualifying for Nationals to understand that a come-back this season is out of reach, short of a "miracle on ice".
 
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