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- Feb 17, 2010
Mirai shouldn't be attacked for her statement because she has a lot of fans and they are very interested to hear her opinion of the situation. She was polite yet honest, which is all anyone can ask for.
Mirai posts her thoughts on Nationals
- Thread starter Sasha'sSpins
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A good, well reasoned analysis, as always on your part. I would just note, as has been drummed into my head countless times by proponents of the USFSA decision, that only 8 events, or categories of events, were to be considered by the selection committee. The JGP's that you cite as evidence of Edmund's consistency should not have been considered by the selection commitee, just as Nagasu's fine 2010 Olympic appearance was not considered, nor was her 2008 national championship, nor was her junior grand prix final gold medal considered, nor her silver medal at junior worlds, all accomplishments that Edmunds never achieved. And while the junior GP final and junior worlds from 2013 could be considered, they were supposed to be seventh and eighth in priority of those events considered. How they were actually considered by the selection committee behind closed doors is something we may never know, but I suspect they may have been given more weight than seventh and eighth on the list.
Well the one EVENT that does count in the selection would have been Polina's JGPF final appearance (the third of the three events I cited). She got the her best FS TES there: 62.95. And again, if you tack on two points for a spiral sequence, then you have 64.95, which is well above the 57.95 that Mirai turned in at her GP event in Russia.
I can see the selection committee's process go something like this:
Polina beat Mirai at Nationals (Event #1), now does Mirai's performance at her GP events (#4) + her previous national performance (#6) trump that?
They will look at Mirai's 7th place at Nationals, her dismal scores at NHK and say, "No."
Then they will probably note that, oh Polina also scored well at the JGP Final. Adding to her case to be sent.
Now they will look at Ashley and Mirai. Mirai beat Ashley at Nationals (Event #1), now does Ashley's performances at Worlds, GP Series and last year's nationals trump the nationals result?
The selection committee felt that Ashley's 5th place at Worlds, Gold/Silver/Bronze during the GP and her national championship last year did make up for the fact that she was beaten by Mirai at Nationals.
However, if it was a committee that was looking at trajectory, they could have easily made the argument to leave Ashley at home.
Yes, they could and should have been more transparent about what goes into the process, but when I break it down that way, I can see how the selection committee came to the conclusion it did. And it would have made sense if they choose to go the other way.
I in general agree with this post, I think Edmunds or Nagasu would likely end up 9th to 12th. But if the USFSA isn't counting on Edmunds, then there was no reason not to give Nagasu worlds, and send Edmunds to junior worlds. Some have suggested there is a rule prohibiting a skater going to junior worlds after being in the Olympics, if so, either Edmunds could have had the Olympics and skipped junior worlds, or Nagasu could have gotten Sochi and Edmunds senior Worlds. Any of these solutions would have been more palatable to a lot of people. As far as getting you name out, I don't think the Olympics is the place for a first senior assignment if the purpose is to just get your name out. There are plenty of other competitions, including worlds or junior worlds, where that could be done.
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- Mar 3, 2012
I really had hoped this brouhaha would finally die down. I didn't understand or agree with all of the political maneuverings and inconsistent Olympic team decisions at U.S. Nationals, but that has frequently been the case with this sport.
I am ready to enjoy Olympic skating, and hope all of the skaters do well, not just the ones from the U.S.
I am ready to enjoy Olympic skating, and hope all of the skaters do well, not just the ones from the U.S.
Understand that Wagner's boots broke down - but even she did not use that as an excuse for her poor performance, so why should her fans? She said HERSELF that the pressure is what did her in, and given her competitive history I'm inclined to believe her fully. I can certainly admire the honesty because not every skater would have admitted that, especially if what her coach said was true.
And this "brouhaha" isn't dying any time soon...it's gonna be like a black cloud that hangs over Wagner the entire time she's in Sochi. In fact, it's one of the things I'm most looking forward to: how mentally tough is she? Can she TRULY handle big-time pressure? She may have choked at Nationals but she has another chance to show the world that she is not that type of skater. Will she take advantage?
But...and forgive me for playing DA for a sec - do we KNOW 100% that sponsors DIDN'T "buy Wagner's place" on the team...or even apply just a tiny bit of pressure to the committee to send her? (Remember that the USFS and Miss Wagner share more than one sponsor...) Or that Nagasu lacking a coach did not work against her? Of course we don't.
Not suggesting that they did, but there is no way for us to prove that they didn't. That gets to the heart of this controversy actually, and why so many were up in arms about this.
And this "brouhaha" isn't dying any time soon...it's gonna be like a black cloud that hangs over Wagner the entire time she's in Sochi. In fact, it's one of the things I'm most looking forward to: how mentally tough is she? Can she TRULY handle big-time pressure? She may have choked at Nationals but she has another chance to show the world that she is not that type of skater. Will she take advantage?
But...and forgive me for playing DA for a sec - do we KNOW 100% that sponsors DIDN'T "buy Wagner's place" on the team...or even apply just a tiny bit of pressure to the committee to send her? (Remember that the USFS and Miss Wagner share more than one sponsor...) Or that Nagasu lacking a coach did not work against her? Of course we don't.
Not suggesting that they did, but there is no way for us to prove that they didn't. That gets to the heart of this controversy actually, and why so many were up in arms about this.
Well, seems the wise thing to do is after your boots get a certain age on them, you start breaking down another set gradually while the other set is on its final leg. Still seems like bad planning in an olympic year imo and one that is avoidable. Hope Raphael doesn't repeat what he did to Michelle at Torino.
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- Mar 3, 2012
I think the accusations of racism that some people made were way overboard. Figure skating will always have an element of bias. The favorites are always protected when they screw up, and when the USFSA wants someone to retire, that person does not get fair marks regardless. In this case it was exaggerated because Ashley didn't deliver.
It would be sad to have Americans wishing for another American to perform poorly at the Olympics, that's all. The competition on the international stage is tough enough, as is. Peace out.
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- Mar 3, 2012
Also, there is a bigger "black cloud" than Ashley's to worry about as far as Sochi is concerned. Try suicide bombers ...
http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/suicide-bombers-called-biggest-sochi-olympics-risk-22308875
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Max Aaron - proudly sponsored by Nike and Liberty Mutual.
Jason Brown - no sponsors (yet).
End of argument.
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- Nov 19, 2013
This is exactly what my non-skating husband observed and I agree. With so much at risk, why not have 2 pairs of working skates?
^ for people who have an inside view into elite skating, it would be great to learn more about this whole boot breaking in/breaking down conundrum. Do the blades factor into this equation - do skaters tend to have only one set of 'good' blades and does this factor into the process at all?
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2012
Yes, Max definitely is on Team LM.
But are you sure that Max is sponsored by Nike??
I remember that he tweeted thanks to the company after taking home some Nike swag from one or both media summits. But I assume all the athletes at the summit -- whether sponsored by Nike or not -- received the same stuff.
And in random photos, Max can be seen wearing Nike stuff now and again ... but lots of athletes wear Nike by choice, not because they are sponsored.
So I am not sure ... :think:
ETA:
Interesting that Jason has deleted his Instagram and Twitter posts regarding the nut butter company. But Kori's posts remain, so seems true that she really is the one being sponsored.
Consistent application of "body of work"
Here's what confuses me - and maybe Mirai. Polina is new to the senior level. She has no body of work at the senior level. So, did the committee look at Polina's placement with other junior competitors and compare them to Mirai's at the senior? That doesn't seem like a fair comparison. True that Polina outscored Mirai by about 3-4 pointsat the Nationals. One of those points was Mirai's one second time infraction. Polina has excellent technical elements that will serve her well now and in the future. But subjectively, I am not in love with Polina's arm flapping artistry. Very junior-ish and what you'd expect from a 15 year old. The international senior judges will be no where as generous as the US judges were. And finally, the pairs Olympic decision was also very, very close. Zhang and Bartholomay (who I love) beat out Denney and Coughlin by .29 points. The committee awarded Z/B the Olympics and D/C the Worlds. Why didn't they split the assignments like that for Mirai and Polina/Ashley? Especially since Polina, supposedly will go to the Junior Worlds.
I think Mirai wrote her piece to put an end to the conversation. 4CC was a disappointment, I'm sure. But if she has renewed determination to keep skating I hope she finds the right coach. Mirai had to go through a physical growth spurt; now she's going through an emotional one. Before, she seemed like that little 14 year old that won Nationals. I'm starting to see a woman emerge. I'm rooting for you , Mirai!
Here's what confuses me - and maybe Mirai. Polina is new to the senior level. She has no body of work at the senior level. So, did the committee look at Polina's placement with other junior competitors and compare them to Mirai's at the senior? That doesn't seem like a fair comparison. True that Polina outscored Mirai by about 3-4 pointsat the Nationals. One of those points was Mirai's one second time infraction. Polina has excellent technical elements that will serve her well now and in the future. But subjectively, I am not in love with Polina's arm flapping artistry. Very junior-ish and what you'd expect from a 15 year old. The international senior judges will be no where as generous as the US judges were. And finally, the pairs Olympic decision was also very, very close. Zhang and Bartholomay (who I love) beat out Denney and Coughlin by .29 points. The committee awarded Z/B the Olympics and D/C the Worlds. Why didn't they split the assignments like that for Mirai and Polina/Ashley? Especially since Polina, supposedly will go to the Junior Worlds.
I think Mirai wrote her piece to put an end to the conversation. 4CC was a disappointment, I'm sure. But if she has renewed determination to keep skating I hope she finds the right coach. Mirai had to go through a physical growth spurt; now she's going through an emotional one. Before, she seemed like that little 14 year old that won Nationals. I'm starting to see a woman emerge. I'm rooting for you , Mirai!
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- Feb 17, 2010
I don't think Mirai should be confused, as the junior competitions are listed among the events to be considered. You're right it isn't an apples to apples comparison. However, Polina skated very well at nationals and her junior events. Does Mirai's season justify bumping Polina off the team after her her performances this season? The answer seems clear to me that it does not, but others have a difference of opinion and I'm not sure to what extent their opinion is clouded by their affection towards Mirai.
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- Oct 22, 2005
Because breaking in boots takes some time away from training AND pairs of blades are each a little different and take time to get used to which makes having two pairs of "working skates" difficult (unless they are dance or figure and FS). Also, sounds like this pair of boots aren't quite the same as the last pair for her (blisters). Since boots are more craftsman than production, you never know when a pair is going to be a little off...also, moving blades is typically what you do if they aren't worn out between boots instead of buying a new pair and adjusting (especially since they have a shelf life, if well cared for, of at least 1 full year and up to 3 or 4 if you have a great sharpener).
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emma, if you want to know more about breaking in/down boots and blade selection/moving/new blades, PM me. I could write novels on boots breaking down and in and blade selection, etc
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I think Mirai's response was real and honest. For the most part, I like Mirai and her skating, but I think the USFSA made the right call by leaving her off the Olympic team. She placed 10th at an event that is (for most competitors there) a consolation competition with a rather weak ladies field. This proves why the USFSA did not want her on the Olympic team.
I know Mirai says she was sick at 4CC (and since I'm not her doctor), I believe her. Though it seems like the last few seasons that Mirai has skated poorly, she says it was because she was sick. At the same time, there have been other skaters that have competed (and got better results) while having something more serious than a cold. Evan Lysacek going from 10th to 4th at the 2006 Olympics after having been in the hospital, Hongbo Zhao coming back to top form after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon or Maxim Shabalin competing the last three or so years of his career with severe osteoarthritis in his knees. Just a few examples that come to mind.
Someone mentioned Shizuka earlier. She competed in Nagano, missed Salt Lake City and won Torino. Coming back to the top after some dismal seasons can be done. I believe if Mirai can get a coach (someone like Frank Carroll), start training seriously, fix her UR issues, get consistently decent/good results for a few seasons, she can likely rebuild her reputation with the USFSA and judges. It would be very difficult, but I don't think it's an impossibility.
I know Mirai says she was sick at 4CC (and since I'm not her doctor), I believe her. Though it seems like the last few seasons that Mirai has skated poorly, she says it was because she was sick. At the same time, there have been other skaters that have competed (and got better results) while having something more serious than a cold. Evan Lysacek going from 10th to 4th at the 2006 Olympics after having been in the hospital, Hongbo Zhao coming back to top form after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon or Maxim Shabalin competing the last three or so years of his career with severe osteoarthritis in his knees. Just a few examples that come to mind.
Someone mentioned Shizuka earlier. She competed in Nagano, missed Salt Lake City and won Torino. Coming back to the top after some dismal seasons can be done. I believe if Mirai can get a coach (someone like Frank Carroll), start training seriously, fix her UR issues, get consistently decent/good results for a few seasons, she can likely rebuild her reputation with the USFSA and judges. It would be very difficult, but I don't think it's an impossibility.
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- Apr 2, 2009
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Illness affects everyone differently. Caryn Kadavy got a case of the flu at the 1988 Olympics and had to withdraw. Alexei Yagudin got sick at the 1998 Olympics but skated anyway in the LP - and did not perform well. It's great that others were able to overcome the flu but that is not always the case. I remember Caryn saying in an interview at Calgary that she couldn't even lift her head off the pillow she was that sick. Mirai has rhinitis - that can make her prone to get sick at the most inopportune times. It's a large part of the reason that she tends to sniffle through her whole program. She's had nosebleeds too as she did during the SP at the 2010 Olympics. Ashley was sick too just before Nationals - it's not just boot issues that were bothering her. And you saw how she skated.
