No because that is where Wagner was heading anyways, age is not on Wagner's side either
and as a skater, she is already worn out
Back to Wagner - I think the analogy of the "American Suzuki" fits well, but even Suzuki has a world medal. Wagner is a good (not great) skater who is in the second-tier of world competitors. She has helped to keep the US afloat when all the other Americans were crashing and burning. But now that we have some talent now, it is time for them to lead the way. Wagner, as good as she has been, is clearly NOT going to be the one to get us back on top (even if that's what she wants).
Rather than Ashley being the gold medal threat on the GP she's been for the past two seasons, I think she's fallen down a tier and is now more likely to place 2nd or 3rd behind one of the New Big Three (who I'd say are Julia, Adelina and Gracie). In a head-to-head battle against either of those three if they are clean/close to clean, Ashley won't win. Similar to the position Akiko has been in for the past few years. She could challenge for a medal but she rarely stood on top of the podium. Akiko medaled in all but one GP event from 2008/09 to 2013/14 but only won gold twice.
I agree that if those 3 are clean, they'll beat Wagner. Julia is the most consistent except her Worlds and Olympics have been flawed. Sotnikova will be pressed to replicate her Sochi performances, although she'll now get the PCS to keep her in the game. Gold has shown inconsistency this past season, falling in practically every competition, however she is artistically improved and her PCS is way higher than at the start of the season... and if she works out the kinks this summer, she could be the only skater to really challenge the Russians next season (if Mao doesn't return).
I'm not counting out Wagner just yet. She's qualified for the GP the past two seasons and won 3 out of 4 GP events she's been in. Of course, the rest of the field has drastically improved this past season, including newcomers like Pogo and Edmunds, so her chances will be limited. However, I think people had this write-off attitude about Kostner this past season, and yet she's the only one who managed to medal at both Worlds and Sochi (individual). I don't expect her to medal at Worlds because of the depth of the Russian field (and if Gold finds her consistency), but I wouldn't be surprised if she managed to win a GP event and qualify for the GPF. I wouldn't be surprised either if she regained her national title because Edmunds is still fresh out of the games and Gold still needs to sort out her technical issues.
As far as pressure, I think Polina will be fine. We may not have expected her to make the Olympic team but I think it was totally in team Polina's plan. Watch the press conferences from Nationals. They knew no other skater had firmly penciled herself into the third spot. When she found herself with a chance being in 2nd after the SP in Boston, she didn't buckle at all. She doesn't seem to give off the nervy, deer in headlights type vibe we got from Gracie early on in her senior career. Polina seems to know she's really good and trusts her training. If she becomes a basketcase next year due to expectations, I will be shocked. I'm much more worried about Gracie buckling under the pressure of being US champion and those expectations that come with that on the GP and in Greensboro.
I saw Ashley, Gracie and Polina all at Stars on Ice this past weekend and I have to say that regardless of the scoring, I connected with Ashley the most out of the three (Mr. P felt that way as well). Ashley is a solid performer and really projects herself. Also I thought her jumps looked really good!
Gracie certainly has big jumps, great speed and ice coverage but I found that she doesn't really perform or connect to the audience though I know she's trying. (Also I hope Gracie works out whatever issues she has with that 2A -- she fell on that jump during her All that Jazz performance).
Polina has a charm to her and she has great musicality but I think her artistry will develop over time -- she's not there yet. However she definitely has the technical goods.
Ashley also got the biggest applause out of the three girls.
I would not put Mirai out, Mirai have great maturity like Ashley in her exhibition : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ns0mCEtuMM .
Ashley and Mirai are the best to me in term of ice personality and bringing the audience with them! Gracie and Polina needs some works in this area.
I would not put Mirai out, Mirai have great maturity like Ashley in her exhibition : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ns0mCEtuMM .
Ashley and Mirai are the best to me in term of ice personality and bringing the audience with them! Gracie and Polina needs some works in this area.
Just like Mao, Kostner, Kim, and Suzuki, who are all older than her? :sarcasm:
As for "worn out", Wagner had a strong GP season, being the only American woman to win a Grand Prix event, and the only American woman to manage to qualify for the Grand Prix final.
Suzuki is a late bloomer that is rare in ladies skating not the norm
the other 3 ladies are exceptional skaters, Wagner is not
even she can't beat Gracie at World Championships even with her mistakes
Ashley is also a late bloomer of sorts. Not to the same level as Suzuki, but she got her stride in hear early 20s, not her teenage years like many other skaters.
I will always root for Ashley because she has that fire and drive to succeed. Even when she falls, she doesn't give up.
Wagner is on her way down already
she peaked in 2012, I see her retiring next season
will fall to no.3 or 4 in the coming season, she is done
Gracie, Polina and many other talented fresh young girls are better than Wagner