That's a good point. For every Caro (and there are not many of her for sure), there's...well, too many skaters who we thought would stay for a long time but didn't.I think the best bet in ladies is to assume nothing.
That's a good point. For every Caro (and there are not many of her for sure), there's...well, too many skaters who we thought would stay for a long time but didn't.I think the best bet in ladies is to assume nothing.
The reason I'm a bit optimistic for Ashley is that there isn't much depth in the US ladies at the moment. It isn't hard to imagine her among the top 3 nationally for at least a couple of years. I don't think she will ever medal at Worlds but it isn't out of the realm of possibility either because we sometimes see surprises on the podium (Leonova, Meissner, etc.)
[Gold is] still developing artistically and while she has delivered cleaner skates this year, it's still rare for her to do a long program without a major mistake. Let's see how the individual event and Worlds turn out.
Ashley's said in the past that she wanted a 'long career', mentioning Joannie Rochette as a role model. She's never spoken about retirement though I feared she *could* drop the bomb at the end of this season, after having the Olympic dream come true. I think a Worlds medal is Ashley's unfinished business. She came very close in 2012 (and should have bumped Alena Leonova off the podium in my opinion). The consistency of Gracie Gold and Adelina Sotnikova is the unknown factor here, to have an idea as to what kind of success is possible, as well as that 3-3. Practice report are always great, and she *has* gotten credit for it a couple times this season, but it's not very consistent in competition. That could still come if she get more mileage on it (especially if it's clean in practice all the time).
I don't really expect to see her at the next Olympics, but someone mentioned 2016 Worlds in Boston.
True she could capitalize on her McKayla Marony-like fame and good looks to make money through other things than skating, but skating is what she loves and as skating fans, shouldn't we applaud that she prefers
to put her ambitions on the ice?
I think so too. It's a big competition to lose to Gold at, but then again, it's hard to say if Gold can maintain her consistency post-Olympics (I mean, look at Mirai).
Thank you posters for mitigating a pretty mean remark. I cannot understand why people come in here and totally trash a skater. Only Ashley (like Plushenko, Joubert, etc. etc.) knows when she should quit. If she wins Nationals next year it will be because she's worked hard and is better than her competitors.
I think Gracie's a lot more solid than Mirai was. I think Gracie's a lot more solid than other young talents right now, actually. I wouldn't have been able to say it last year, but we've seen Gracie at seniors for two seasons now and she seems to be improving steadily and and more than that, I can sense that she's committed. I feel like she'd have longevity.
You people seriously thing 22/23 is old? Seriously?
Butyrskaya? Malinina?