Ava's SP is a lot better than her FS. The FS is really empty but she won on GOE and she deserved the good GOE. This panel didn't really differentiate much between different skater's PCS. A lot of the better PCS skaters had so many mistakes that took away from their performance.Perhaps an unpopular opinion, but even with the mistake, I would have had Thorngren ahead of Zeigler. What Thorngren did was infinitely more difficult, since she had actual choreography, which was entirely lacking from Ziegler's skate. Thorngren needs to keep working on taking her momentum into her jumps, using it to make them big, rather than put on the brakes going into them. Zeigler was better in this sense, but her program was utterly empty and she had no visible personality on the ice. I'm not appalled or anything, but would like to see doing choreography more rewarded. It's what is missing in the women's field for the most part — interesting programs.
One time violation is one thing but two is inexcusable. Her coach and choreography should never have allowed that to happen.Ava's SP is a lot better than her FS. The FS is really empty but she won on GOE and she deserved the good GOE. This panel didn't really differentiate much between different skater's PCS. A lot of the better PCS skaters had so many mistakes that took away from their performance.
I agree that Lindsay's programs are a lot more interesting, especially her SP. I think the panel likely would have given her PCS similar to Haein's in the free if she didn't fall. But, she fell so the PCS went down. Actually, it was the two time violations she got, one in the short and one in the free that cost her the gold here. If she hadn't gotten those, she would have won.
U.S. figure skating needs to be supportive of and fair to all their athletes. Being supportive of Starr Andrews does not negate being supportive of Ava Ziegler and Lindsay Thorngren. Plus, as @Moxiejan pointed out, Starr's international results are what earned her two GPs this season. Starr has a good sp this season, but the music choice for her FS simply does not work. I admire Starr's courage and determination as an athlete who also deals with a heart condition.I know, but I hope they wouldn't support her next year and place support behind Ziegler and Thoringren instead.
The salchow looked under to me and she had issues with her spin levels. Plus you are not seeing the replay angle the tech panel would see anyway- the rotation issue might've been more apparent to them. There was also under rotation in one of the combos as well i believe.Thorngren had rotation issues with almost every jump, but only dinged her for a q on the flip . To be second highest for PCS for that skate was not correct in my opinion.
Gubanova had a near perfect skate, the 3S was the only jump borderline but whacked her with a underrotation. Give her a q in the sequence. 8th for PCS too for a clean skate with no interruptions, a really nice program too, crowd applauded wildly they appreciated it at least.
None of this has anything to do with USFS except who they send to Skate America, which in this case was Amber and Claire Seo. Amber has won a bronze medal on the GP circuit this year so I don't think she can be counted out yet. USFS could have sent Lindsay and Ana Maria in the place of Amber or Claire to SA. And all the young Americans did not do great - Clare did not. I'm sure they wanted Amber for hometown ticket sales and I'm guessing Claire did really well at Champs Camp. Other than that the countries who host the GP invite skaters from a list.Total triump of young challengers over the famous favorites. Like complete and utter one. This event can be used in the future as an argument in favor of young talent and how it shouldn't be put on the waiting list to uphold old champions. It might be that the next Olympic cycle is speeding up the kitchen of propping the transfers from Jr. to Senior ranks to help them to be a more obvious choice in 2026. The more results like that, the better. The two Subs, C. Kim and Thoringren, are incredible, and I would have rather seen them in GPF than Sakomoto and Hendrixx. So glad Rion made it into GPF!
I am also hoping it's the last time Andrews gets two assignments and that USFS finally starts supporting young talent. Even they can't argue with the results this season. All young American women did great. I know, it's too much to hope for, but maybe it will stem off at least a little bit of 'can Gracie...' chorus.
Agree 100%U.S. figure skating needs to be supportive of and fair to all their athletes. Being supportive of Starr Andrews does not negate being supportive of Ava Ziegler and Lindsay Thorngren. Plus, as @Moxiejan pointed out, Starr's international results are what earned her two GPs this season. Starr has a good sp this season, but the music choice for her FS simply does not work. I admire Starr's courage and determination as an athlete who also deals with a heart condition.
All skaters go through ups-and-downs in their careers. When skaters don't perform well, their opportunities in turn will dwindle. There's no need to pile on either Bradie Tennell or Starr Andrews. Also, I do not see anyone gushing about Starr in general threads. You brought up her name in this thread.
Sadly there is no need for gushing for anyone at NHK or period. Yes, Kaori is good. But no one is bring the amazing program or amazing tricks in fact there are more issues with edges and under rotations than every. I am happy for Ziegler - nice skating as well as Lindsey but the state of skating is that two skaters who normally would struggle to make the US team are 1-2 at a Grand Prix. Not to be mean o r denigrate these skaters who are doing their best but this isn't the best time for excellent skating. Wonderful opportunity though and bravo Ava and Lindsey and Nina took it. Forget the 3A and quads; there are fewer 3-3 it seems here.U.S. figure skating needs to be supportive of and fair to all their athletes. Being supportive of Starr Andrews does not negate being supportive of Ava Ziegler and Lindsay Thorngren. Plus, as @Moxiejan pointed out, Starr's international results are what earned her two GPs this season. Starr has a good sp this season, but the music choice for her FS simply does not work. I admire Starr's courage and determination as an athlete who also deals with a heart condition.
All skaters go through ups-and-downs in their careers. When skaters don't perform well, their opportunities in turn will dwindle. There's no need to pile on either Bradie Tennell or Starr Andrews. Also, I do not see anyone gushing about Starr in general threads. You brought up her name in this thread.