Rippon: "I take full responsibility"

[gsk8]

It seemed Adam Rippon’s dreams were over from his first element when he under-rotated and fell on a quad Lutz. He caught himself with a triple Axel-double toeloop-double loop, along with spectacular spins and footwork, to earn 171.82 points. However, with a total score of 268.34, the skater fell from second to fourth overall. The 28-year-old won the title in 2016, but he missed last season’s Nationals due to a broken foot.

“I take full responsibility,” Rippon said. “I felt really good all week. On the first quad Lutz, I felt like I was losing my right foot a little bit. I let that feeling get the best of me, like it was going. But, I did the things the criteria says to be selected for the Olympic team, but with that being said, Vincent skated very well tonight. No matter what the selection is, I will be 100 percent OK. As a competitor, I take whatever situation given to me. Ross and I, for example, have come up together for 10 years, and I am genuinely happy for him. This is what we train for. When we make a mistake, we get up and keep doing.”

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[flipsydoodle]

The Coronation of Adam Rippon

Regarding Adam’s pre-Nationals proclamation that “my mentality going into San Jose is this is just going to be my coronation” and “the only argument is if other competitor’s mothers are on the selection team.”

https://www.teamusa.org/News/2018/J...s-Past-Adam-Rippon-Ready-To-Claim-His-Destiny

http://olympics.nbcsports.com/tag/adam-rippon/

https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/12/27/skater-adam-rippon-no-reason-i-shouldnt-be-on-olympic-team/

What is it with the arrogance? Is there something about the US figure skating scene that fosters it? Hanging out with Ashley Wagner who also feels entitled per her rant last night regarding scoring? Why isn’t USFSA telling them to cut it out? Their coaches? This just plain isn’t sportsmanlike behavior.

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

Regarding Adam’s pre-Nationals proclamation that “my mentality going into San Jose is this is just going to be my coronation” and “the only argument is if other competitor’s mothers are on the selection team.”

https://www.teamusa.org/News/2018/J...s-Past-Adam-Rippon-Ready-To-Claim-His-Destiny

http://olympics.nbcsports.com/tag/adam-rippon/

https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/12/27/skater-adam-rippon-no-reason-i-shouldnt-be-on-olympic-team/

What is it with the arrogance? Is there something about the US figure skating scene that fosters it? Hanging out with Ashley Wagner who also feels entitled per her rant last night regarding scoring? Why isn’t USFSA telling them to cut it out? Their coaches? This just plain isn’t sportsmanlike behavior.

Adam is really well liked by tons of skaters and fans. Nearly all of the skaters I follow love him and he pops up on their social media. I don’t think he is any more arrogant than anyone else really.

As to my American culture....yeah...we tend to give attention to cocky athletes. Just laugh it off and let the results speak for themselves. They always do anyway

 

[brightphoton]

He was confident in his abilities, he announced it, and he faltered. No arrogance. It's no different than Usain Bolt, except the faltering part. Adam is breaking barriers and making a great contribution to this sport.


“This was the first step I needed to take to having that amazing comeback that I felt like I was going to have,” said Rippon, 28, the oldest man in the 21-skater field.
“I’m eight years wiser, I’m stronger, I’m cuter and I’m just ready. I’m poised and I’m ready to just reclaim my time.”

This is the third Olympic cycle for Rippon, who also has two runner-up finishes in addition to his title two years ago. He was fifth at nationals in 2010 after placing fourth in both the short program and free skate, and then eighth in 2014.

However, he recognizes that he has a voice as an elite athlete. When he was recently asked what it’s like being a gay athlete in sports, he replied, “It’s exactly like being a straight athlete, only with better eyebrows,” and he pointed to his own and added, “which, yes it is.”

Rippon, who was raised by a single mom in tiny Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania, said that in this day and age, it’s important to be proud of who you are.

“I can’t believe I am where I am today,” he said, “because I was just a little gay kid from the middle of nowhere Pennsylvania. Where I grew up, people sometimes don’t leave that town, everybody has their reasons for staying. I just felt like there was something else out there for me and my mom felt that way, too, growing up, I really didn’t have a lot of role models and I said if I was ever given the chance and the platform, I would share my story.”

Rippon said that sharing his story has made him a better competitor and he’s proud that he’s “able to be unabashedly myself. I love myself and so when I’m able to go out there and just really be me, I’m able to put my hard work forward.

“And I want somebody who’s young, who’s struggling, who’s not sure if it’s OK if they are themselves, to know that it’s OK. So many people have the same worries, sometimes it’s not being gay, maybe you don’t like how tall you are or what ethnicity you are. It doesn’t matter where you came from. If you set your mind to something, you can truly do anything.”

 

[sarahjane]

"I'm cuter" -- what the heck does that have to do with it? My cat Ollie is as cute as can be, bu he ain't got no skating skills!

 

[Weathergal]

"I'm cuter" -- what the heck does that have to do with it? My cat Ollie is as cute as can be, bu he ain't got no skating skills!

I'm sure he was joking and just trying to lighten the moment.

 

[moonvine]

The cynical side of me wonders if this will play better with US Figure Skating than Ashley's "I'm furious."

 

[GGFan]

Regarding Adam’s pre-Nationals proclamation that “my mentality going into San Jose is this is just going to be my coronation” and “the only argument is if other competitor’s mothers are on the selection team.”

https://www.teamusa.org/News/2018/J...s-Past-Adam-Rippon-Ready-To-Claim-His-Destiny

http://olympics.nbcsports.com/tag/adam-rippon/

https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/12/27/skater-adam-rippon-no-reason-i-shouldnt-be-on-olympic-team/

What is it with the arrogance? Is there something about the US figure skating scene that fosters it? Hanging out with Ashley Wagner who also feels entitled per her rant last night regarding scoring? Why isn’t USFSA telling them to cut it out? Their coaches? This just plain isn’t sportsmanlike behavior.

We have to consider the context. I always saw Adam as a headcase and a weak competitor. Eventually he decided to take charge of his career and has been working extremely hard. He has grown up before our eyes and over the years he's gotten comfortable with himself. I take his comments as being part of the philosophy that you have to speak things into being. He put in the work and expected to see results.

I have never heard of Adam disrespecting his competitors or thinking he was intrinsically better than them. When you're someone who has struggled with competing I can totally understand you trying to course correct by projecting confidence.

 

[russianfan]

well, at least he can admit he made mistakes

 

[Wilwarin]

It's not the quad problem, more like those 2 singles.

 

[evangeline]

Regarding Adam’s pre-Nationals proclamation that “my mentality going into San Jose is this is just going to be my coronation” and “the only argument is if other competitor’s mothers are on the selection team.”

https://www.teamusa.org/News/2018/J...s-Past-Adam-Rippon-Ready-To-Claim-His-Destiny

http://olympics.nbcsports.com/tag/adam-rippon/

https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/12/27/skater-adam-rippon-no-reason-i-shouldnt-be-on-olympic-team/

What is it with the arrogance? Is there something about the US figure skating scene that fosters it? Hanging out with Ashley Wagner who also feels entitled per her rant last night regarding scoring? Why isn’t USFSA telling them to cut it out? Their coaches? This just plain isn’t sportsmanlike behavior.

To paraphrase Julius Caesar from HBO's Rome, it's only hubris if Adam fails.

 

[lost3iron]

There are rumors that a selection has already been made and Miner is not chosen for the Olympics :disagree:. I just read it on another FS forum and I don't know if it is the truth or not so take it with a grain of salt...

 

[TheCzar]

Maybe Adam can talk his BFF to can it before she ends her career with the USFS. The problem with being cocky as an athlete isn't being cocky itself. If you have the goods to back it up then go for it. It's Patrick Chan all over again. It doesn't matter if you have the best skating skills in the world. If your mouth runs faster than you can land a jump then it's all over and you just come off looking pathetic. To crown yourself before you actually skate is a joke. Ashley has been doing it for years and its ironic that she always loses when shes the loudest. As for Adam, I applaud his new sense of self esteem since his big coming out party and partially he has been able to skate stronger and deliver. However, he needs to caution his soundbytes because not only does he sound entitled like the USFS OWES him the title and the Olympic Spot, but it's beginning to sound delusional. If Nathan is on form, just on the tech Adam will never catch up- so in what world does he think it's his time? It has been his time for two cycles now and it's unfortunate that's he's arriving late to his own party that's about to wrap.

Full disclosure: I'm writing this as a gay man who has never had to come out. So forgive me for the candour- I'm as out as they come and I get that Adam is feeling himself and it's great to show diversity in a sport that ironically looks very gay indeed. However, he's turned into a caricature of a yassss queen who screams hallelu everytime he lands a jump. It's only cute when you get the crown girl.

 

[Anni234]

Given that the ladies in the Olympic team were already doing some promo stuff at 5:30 am yesterday, I would expect the decision to be finalised. But we’ll see, it is going to be interesting.

 

[labgoat]

Regarding Adam’s pre-Nationals proclamation that “my mentality going into San Jose is this is just going to be my coronation” and “the only argument is if other competitor’s mothers are on the selection team.”

https://www.teamusa.org/News/2018/J...s-Past-Adam-Rippon-Ready-To-Claim-His-Destiny


http://olympics.nbcsports.com/tag/adam-rippon/

https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/12/27/skater-adam-rippon-no-reason-i-shouldnt-be-on-olympic-team/

What is it with the arrogance? Is there something about the US figure skating scene that fosters it? Hanging out with Ashley Wagner who also feels entitled per her rant last night regarding scoring? Why isn’t USFSA telling them to cut it out? Their coaches? This just plain isn’t sportsmanlike behavior.

This is not new for sports remember Ryan Lochte, many track and field stars, and a certain media star Johnny Weir.

 

[silverfoxes]

The cynical side of me wonders if this will play better with US Figure Skating than Ashley's "I'm furious."

Well, obviously. One skater speaks rationally and thoughtfully like a grownup, accepting responsibility for a bad skate, one throws a tantrum because she thinks she deserves the world for two less than stellar performances and a season that barely was. (And in her case, it's been a longstanding pattern of behavior, which makes her even less sympathetic).

 

[qwertyskates]

In the end, it's also the programs themselves. Adam's are simply not great, FS is a bit "precious", and they look worse when he misses his jumps. There's a lot of "posing" and glitz - Adam and Ashley seem to exude the same "glamor on ice" for higher PCS with mediocre TES.

Ross' isn't great as a concept either but his FS is exuberant, upbeat, with some truly creative WOW transitions and steps. There were flashes of Patrick Chan in Ross last night. :luv17: I enjoyed it the most, even more than Nathan's, simply for how free and infectious he performed it. Of course the jumps all landed quite cleanly with great entries helped.

 

[Mrs. P]

In the end, it's also the programs themselves. Adam's are simply not great, FS is a bit "precious", and they look worse when he misses his jumps. There's a lot of "posing" and glitz - Adam and Ashley seem to exude the same "glamor on ice" for higher PCS with mediocre TES.

Ross' isn't great as a concept either but his FS is exuberant, upbeat, with some truly creative WOW transitions and steps. There were flashes of Patrick Chan in Ross last night. :luv17: I enjoyed it the most, even more than Nathan's, simply for how free and infectious he performed it. Of course the jumps all landed quite cleanly with great entries helped.

I have come to appreciate Adam's performance ability and it was in full-force in the SP, but MIA in the second half of the FS.

Ross has really great skating skills -- he's one of the best if not the best. Adam's SS is not great compared to Ross or Jason. I noticed that Adam doesn't glide -- his skates kind of stops and starts and he has to do a lot of crossovers to compensate for that. He also has far less transitions compared to those two as well.

Ross is a former national medalist. A few years ago, he shared a podium Daisuke Takahashi and Patrick Chan at 4CC, beating the other two Americans who beat him at Nationals -- Adam was one of them, incidentally.

 

[slider11]

Throughout the 2017-18 season, Adam showed consistency and maturity in his skating. His "Birds" FS is a beautiful expression of what attracts people to figure skating with solid jumps and spectacular spins and body movement. Adam's SP at Nationals was outstanding. The second half of his FS was a disaster. One can highlight Ross' accomplishments from 2-3 years ago. But if "body of work" is truly applied , Adam is on the Olympic team.

 

[DorYiu]

Regarding Adam’s pre-Nationals proclamation that “my mentality going into San Jose is this is just going to be my coronation” and “the only argument is if other competitor’s mothers are on the selection team.”

https://www.teamusa.org/News/2018/J...s-Past-Adam-Rippon-Ready-To-Claim-His-Destiny

http://olympics.nbcsports.com/tag/adam-rippon/

https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/12/27/skater-adam-rippon-no-reason-i-shouldnt-be-on-olympic-team/

What is it with the arrogance? Is there something about the US figure skating scene that fosters it? Hanging out with Ashley Wagner who also feels entitled per her rant last night regarding scoring? Why isn’t USFSA telling them to cut it out? Their coaches? This just plain isn’t sportsmanlike behavior.

I was shock as well, when I heard Tara said during Adam’s SP: Adam said US national is his coronation.
But if you know Adam and follow Adam, you know he is the drama Queen, and its just his character, it kind of make me laugh (in a good way), he is just not the humble type.
I actually admire him saying he is 100% responsible of the outcome, and he agree that’s a bad skate that put him behind Vincent and Ross.