Why is Mirai Nagasu getting the snub?

Mrs. P · Oct 12, 2012

Given the great number of withdrawals, one would think Mirai would have received a second GP. But yet she has not and the spots have gone to ladies who are farther down the season's best rankings. Perhaps it will all be settled with Kexin Zhang's WD in TEB (maybe Mirai will get that spot), but it's still noteworthy that she's been passed over several times.

Why do you think this is happening? Is it a direct snub, or is Mirai simply the victim of active politicking of other skaters?

Also Mirai made it clear she wanted a second GP at Finlandia, so this is not an Alissa situation we're seeing here.

FSGMT · Oct 12, 2012

I agree, it's sad. I've already written my opinion about this many times: after Kostner, Silete, Ando and Zhang retiring (all of them from CoC!), I think it's normal to expect that a skater with her kind of past results and who is in 11th place in the World Standings receives a second GP assignement, but it didn't happen...

I don't think this is about politicking, it's just bad luck... Please, ISU, give Mirai a second assignement!!

tulosai · Oct 12, 2012

FSGMT said:
I agree, it's sad. I've already written my opinion about this many times: after Kostner, Silete, Ando and Zhang retiring (all of them from CoC!), I think it's normal to expect that a skater with her kind of past results and who is in 11th place in the World Standings receives a second GP assignement, but it didn't happen... I don't think this is about politicking, it's just bad luck... Please, ISU, give Mirai a second assignement!!

I don't think it is a direct snub for what it's worth. I think it's a combination of luck/politics. We have to keep in mind Mirai was ALREADY GOING to CoC (Unless i'm sorely mistaken) so all 4 of those drops could not help her. The only spot I know of that opened that she could have taken so far was the TEB spot. Have there been other drops and I am just really behind? I think Elena was a decent choice for that slot though ranked lower than Mirai. Being from Europe probably also helped her slightly.

I am hopeful that Mirai will still nab a spot.

samson · Oct 12, 2012

It's frustrating for sure, I definitely feel like she deserves a second spot. She was a silver medalist last year at CoC and she just earned a bronze medal at Finlandia. You would think TEB would want her.

Tulosai is right, Mirai is already going to CoC this year so she couldn't have benefitted from that, but it seems like now would be a good opportunity for Mirai to get her second spot now that Zhang also has withdrawn.

Mrs. P · Oct 12, 2012

I feel that TEB was set up to be a Worlds showdown with last year's 4CC chamption (Ashley), two former world champions (Carolina, Miki) and two young upstarts (Tuktamysheva, Lipnitskaia) plus a showcase for its star skater (Silete). But Silete dropped out (replaced by Mae Bernice). Then Kostner and Miki dropped out, so suddenly TEB decided to be a mini-Euros instead given that 3 of the 4 spots (the fourth being France's host pick) were given to Eurpoean skaters. Though it doesn't quite explain why Gao got one of those spots.

Kissx3 · Oct 12, 2012

I'd sort of get it if she was 36th or something, but it's ridiculous that #11 is likely to end up without a second event. It'll especially be a shame if she kills it at CoC as right now it looks like this could very well be a comeback season for her.

bigsisjiejie · Oct 12, 2012

IMO, the French do not want a third USA lady at TEB. So unless the ISU holds a gun to their heads, likely Mirai will keep getting passed over for any other spot that has opened up for that competition.

Skater Boy · Oct 13, 2012

Maybe some of the federations are afraid that Mirai could knock their skater off the podium. She has huge potential we know probably to be world champ if she skated her best.

fairly4 · Oct 13, 2012

she isn't getting the snub, she finished 7th at nationals most times nationals don't get 1 gp assignment. she got 1 assignment.
due to withdrawals she might get 2. for me she should only get 1.

mirai has skated to her potential. this is her best. (she should get one) as ususal the easy assignments.

chuckm · Oct 13, 2012

For the past two years, Mirai hasn't exactly been a standout performer. Every now and then she turns in a exceptional performance, but then follows it up with another blah effort. Much of the time, she skates as if her heart weren'
t in it---her 2012 Nationals performances were of that ilk.

If a skater can't crank up the enthusiasm for Nationals, she can't expect her federation to shower her with the best competitive opportunities. If USFS had wanted to make sure Mirai got 2 GPs, they would have given her Skate America. That they didn't tells the story.

janetfan · Oct 13, 2012

chuckm said:
For the past two years, Mirai hasn't exactly been a standout performer. Every now and then she turns in a exceptional performance, but then follows it up with another blah effort. Much of the time, she skates as if her heart weren'
t in it---her 2012 Nationals performances were of that ilk.

If a skater can't crank up the enthusiasm for Nationals, she can't expect her federation to shower her with the best competitive opportunities. If USFS had wanted to make sure Mirai got 2 GPs, they would have given her Skate America. That they didn't tells the story.

I respect that you are typically fair (even if I disagree with you alot) but why do you think skaters with lower world rankings and lesser achievements deserve better opportunities than Mirai?

Surely it can;t be because she has never been your favorite?

That feels the same to me as saying ISU, the CoP the whole thing you regard as a legitimate sport is totally bogus.

Which is it?

Just feelings and favoritism are what counts - and the rest of your so called sport is a meaningless fraud?

heyang · Oct 13, 2012

I tend to agree with some of the posters citing Mirai's recent results at Nationals. She was definitely a spark plug during the Olympics, but she's been on a down hill curve since then. There's still a possibility that she'll find the competitive fire, but she really has to find it this season.

IMHO, the federations want to send skaters who will compete. Mirai hasn't proven herself in that regard. Given the years of opportunity, I think the USFSA wants to see what the up and comers might be able to do.

BTW, I enjoy Mirai. I really hope she finds herself - whether it be in skating or not.

sky_fly20 · Oct 14, 2012

I don't think Mirai will be passed for the 3rd time, she should get either CoC or TEB
there are only a few to choose from left Glebova, McCorell, Flatt ? lol

Mathman · Oct 14, 2012

^ Glebova got the Eric Bompard spot.

Mirai already has Cup of China. Sofia Biyukova picked up Miki Ando's spot in Cup of China. Now Biyukova has two events, Cup of China and NHK. Biryukova came in ninth at Russian Nationals last year and is ranked 60th in the ISU world standings.

Olympia · Oct 14, 2012

Well...that's not exactly mathematically symmetrical. Eleventh in the world, 60th in the world.

I guess it's possible that Russia has more power in this Olympic cycle because it has Sochi? In any case, what's done is done.

MoonlightSkater · Oct 14, 2012

Olympia said:
Well...that's not exactly mathematically symmetrical. Eleventh in the world, 60th in the world.

I guess it's possible that Russia has more power in this Olympic cycle because it has Sochi? In any case, what's done is done.

Unfortunately for Mirai, I don't think world standings are the main thing influencing these picks. I imagine organizers are weighing a few things such as who might best highlight the event and, relatedly, who might be able to best bring more ticket sales, as well as, possibly, who is least likely to beat their skaters. Combined this makes me totally unsurprised that a European skater got chosen. Her fans are closer to France. Figure skating is more popular in Russia than it is here, and thus more people are likely to travel to see her. And she's not as likely as Mirai to beat Meite.

l'etoile · Oct 14, 2012

USFSA is doing what they can best do in the given situation, I think. It seems like everytime Mirai shows a hint of her true potential, people, including myself, have such high hopes, and then she just falls apart under the pressure. For the nth season? I don't even remember. But at the same time she has a special quality that makes people think "This time, it'll be different." USFSA is just waving a seriously red flag to Mirai, considering her "unreliable" like they almost did to Ashley or Caroline. Who knows, maybe this time, it'll be really different and Mirai will have stronger motivation than ever.

tulosai · Oct 14, 2012

Olympia said:
Well...that's not exactly mathematically symmetrical. Eleventh in the world, 60th in the world.

I guess it's possible that Russia has more power in this Olympic cycle because it has Sochi? In any case, what's done is done.

It is actually Glebova who took the spot Mirai could have taken. Again, Mirai is already going to CoC. The drops there do not, cannot, and will not help her. Biyukova took a spot not available for Mirai.

Glebova is ranked 33rd as far as I know. I definitely am very disappointed they gave her the spot over Mirai and think it is crazy. However, there is no point complaining about Biyukova-Mirai could not receive that spot.

Tonichelle · Oct 14, 2012

tulosai said:
It is actually Glebova who took the spot Mirai could have taken. Again, Mirai is already going to CoC. The drops there do not, cannot, and will not help her. Biyukova took a spot not available for Mirai.

Glebova is ranked 33rd as far as I know. I definitely am very disappointed they gave her the spot over Mirai and think it is crazy. However, there is no point complaining about Biyukova-Mirai could not receive that spot.

Can I just say thank you. You bring a sense of reason to all of this. :yes:

britebells · Oct 14, 2012

FSGMT said:
after Kostner, Silete, Ando and Zhang retiring (all of them from CoC!)

Caroline Zhang? What happened to her? Did I miss something?

Why is Mirai Nagasu getting the snub?

Mrs. P

Uno, Dos, twizzle!

FSGMT

tulosai

samson

Mrs. P

Uno, Dos, twizzle!

Kissx3

bigsisjiejie

Skater Boy

fairly4

chuckm

janetfan

Match Penalty

heyang

sky_fly20

Match Penalty

Mathman

Olympia

MoonlightSkater

l'etoile

tulosai

Tonichelle

Idita-Rock-n-Roll

britebells

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