What's next for Ashley Wagner?

[chuckm]

Rochette will definitely be at 2010 Worlds---all the Canadian skaters had to sign an agreement that if they made the Olympic team they would compete at Worlds.

If Yu-Na wins the OGM, I'm fairly sure she won't be at Worlds. Asada probably will be unless she wins the OGM (not that likely); if Ando wins a medal in Vancouver, I'd say chances are she won't be. But if one of Asada/Ando is out, that means Suzuki is in, so it's a draw.

Lepisto, Korpi, Kostner---definitely in. Not sure about Meier and Sebestyen.

Winning back 3 spots depends on whether Mirai can rotate all or most of her jumps and that she doesn't crumple under the pressure of a) her first Worlds and b) getting back 3 spots. If Mirai places decently in Vancouver (top 10) her chances of placing high enough for 3 spots are much improved.

 

[lcd]

I kind of see the reason for this thread, but I think Mirai is unique, and that can only be positive. It will be important for her to continue to grow out of the cutesy tendency that she has with her program choices and packaging though IMO.

 

[PolymerBob]

There is something I don't quite understand. Before last season, the USFSA gave us this list of 5 ISU events that would factor into choosing the Olympic team. Two of them were Junior Worlds where Ashley won the Bronze, and the GP Final where Ashley was the only U.S. lady. Mirai was not in any of the 5 events. Ashley's 2 events were not enough to get her on the team. So how were those ISU events factored in?

How were they factored in for any of the 4 disciplines??

 

[silversprings77]

There is something I don't quite understand. Before last season, the USFSA gave us this list of 5 ISU events that would factor into choosing the Olympic team. Two of them were Junior Worlds where Ashley won the Bronze, and the GP Final where Ashley was the only U.S. lady. Mirai was not in any of the 5 events. Ashley's 2 events were not enough to get her on the team. So how were those ISU events factored in?

How were they factored in for any of the 4 disciplines??

I agree. This is the very reason I was confused as to why Mirai was named to the team over Ashley. No disrespect for either of them (Mirai is one of my favorite skaters) but I (stupidly) took the USFSA at their word that they were going to factor in more than just nationals when making their Olympic nominations.

 

[aftertherain]

I agree. This is the very reason I was confused as to why Mirai was named to the team over Ashley. No disrespect for either of them (Mirai is one of my favorite skaters) but I (stupidly) took the USFSA at their word that they were going to factor in more than just nationals when making their Olympic nominations.

Maybe they only made that rule in case Alissa made the podium. I'm not insulting her, really, I'm not. Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't they say that after her not-so-spectacular showing at last year's worlds?

 

[Layfan]

I agree. This is the very reason I was confused as to why Mirai was named to the team over Ashley. No disrespect for either of them (Mirai is one of my favorite skaters) but I (stupidly) took the USFSA at their word that they were going to factor in more than just nationals when making their Olympic nominations.

Nationals is weighted much more heavily in the decision that those other factors. Being a bronze junior world medalist and making to it to the grand prix final is just not enough of an accomplishment to be given special treatment.

If Ashley were a world medalist or something then we can start talking. Ashley got sent to 2008 worlds when Mirai was the national champion in 2008 but was too young to go. Ashley finished 15th.

Ashley is a gorgeous and talented skater. But she is unproven in the international stage and does not deserve special treatment.


If someone was guaranteed a spot on the Olympic team just because they medaled at the last junior worlds it would render nationals pretty meaningless.

 

[PolymerBob]

If Ashley were a world medalist or something then we can start talking. Ashley got sent to 2008 worlds when Mirai was the national champion in 2008 but was too young to go. Ashley finished 15th.

If someone was guaranteed a spot on the Olympic team just because they medaled at the last junior worlds it would render nationals pretty meaningless.

Nobody is asking for a guarantee, but I think bumping up one place ( not 5 ) for Olympic selection is reasonable.

 

[silverlake22]

Nobody is asking for a guarantee, but I think bumping up one place ( not 5 ) for Olympic selection is reasonable.

Maybe, but they didn't make any exceptions in pairs and if the USFSA were to abide strictly by those rules Sasha would have had no business trying to get on the team. I think that rule was just made so that, say it had been a splatfest and Christina Gao was 2nd and Alissa 3rd, Alissa could go over Christina, or something like that. After they didn't make an exception for Ryan Bradley in the men's event, I pretty much knew they weren't going to make one for Ashley. Mirai also won the SP which could have been a factor.

If the ladies event had been first, it could have been different, but where pairs was first and the favorites were down in 5th, and the other favored teams 3rd and 4th, they couldn't really send 3rd and 5th without controversy, so they sent 1 and 2 and that held for the other events as well.

 

[Layfan]

Nobody is asking for a guarantee, but I think bumping up one place ( not 5 ) for Olympic selection is reasonable.

If the skater is hugely accomplished, yes. If Evan Lysacek had finished fourth, then I can see how they would let him on the team anyway.

Johnny Weir, a two-time national champion and senior world medalist, pushed to go to worlds last year even though he finished off the podium at nationals, and they said no. Did you really think they were going to give Ashley a break because she made the GP final? If she had won gold at the GP final, then we can start talking.

And while it's all good and well that Ashley won the bronze at the 2009 junior world championships, the fact that she was at juniors that year at all was a bit of a failure since she was aiming for making the senior world team.

 

[Tonichelle]

the rule was made so that the USOC (US Olympic Comittee) couldn't get their fingers in US Nationals. calling Nationals the only qualifier for Olympics gives the USOC a foot in teh door to take it over. USFSA didn't want that to happen.

 

[Layfan]

the rule was made so that the USOC (US Olympic Comittee) couldn't get their fingers in US Nationals. calling Nationals the only qualifier for Olympics gives the USOC a foot in teh door to take it over. USFSA didn't want that to happen.

That's interesting. But not sure I get it. How can the USOC get the foot in the door if nationals is the only qualifier?

 

[aftertherain]

the rule was made so that the USOC (US Olympic Comittee) couldn't get their fingers in US Nationals. calling Nationals the only qualifier for Olympics gives the USOC a foot in teh door to take it over. USFSA didn't want that to happen.

Wait. I don't understand. How does that work?

 

[silversprings77]

the rule was made so that the USOC (US Olympic Comittee) couldn't get their fingers in US Nationals. calling Nationals the only qualifier for Olympics gives the USOC a foot in teh door to take it over. USFSA didn't want that to happen.

if thats the case then i suppose it makes sense. i wonder how a USOC Nationals would be run as opposed to USFSA nationals. my guess...probably the same.

doesn't gymnastics have a nationals and then an Olympic qualifier?

 

[Tonichelle]

doesn't gymnastics have a nationals and then an Olympic qualifier?

yes they do have a nationals, but it's not as big a deal as teh olympic qualifier


how it would be different - the USFSA doesn't get to choose who goes to teh olympics, the USOC does. (this has been discussed all season - and summer - long on this board) IF they have just ONE event that qualifies the skaters for the team

with teh way the rule is worded they can decide based on numerous "reasons" (wink wink) as to why one skater gets to go over the other... but the USFSA can also choose to keep with tradition because they have the rule worded that it's up to them.

 

[Tinymavy15]

Neither Racheal or Mirari had worse international results than Ashley. Sure Ashley had a pretty decent GP and even made the GPF (arguably because she was seeded into weak events). Racheal has the best international events of all three and trip to worlds to boot with an impressive 5th place finish. Being National champion there is no way she would not make the team. Mirari also had a pretty decent GP and although she did not make the world team last year, neither did Ashley.

 

[Layfan]

yes they do have a nationals, but it's not as big a deal as teh olympic qualifier


how it would be different - the USFSA doesn't get to choose who goes to teh olympics, the USOC does. (this has been discussed all season - and summer - long on this board) IF they have just ONE event that qualifies the skaters for the team

with teh way the rule is worded they can decide based on numerous "reasons" (wink wink) as to why one skater gets to go over the other... but the USFSA can also choose to keep with tradition because they have the rule worded that it's up to them.

Oh. Thanks.

 

[silverlake22]

Neither Racheal or Mirari had worse international results than Ashley. Sure Ashley had a pretty decent GP and even made the GPF (arguably because she was seeded into weak events). Racheal has the best international events of all three and trip to worlds to boot with an impressive 5th place finish. Being National champion there is no way she would not make the team. Mirari also had a pretty decent GP and although she did not make the world team last year, neither did Ashley.

The GP scores for Rachael, Mirai, and Ashley were all pretty similair.

Rachael:
CoC - 157.71
SA - 174.91

Mirai:
CoC - 155.38
SC - 156.83

Ashley:
COR - 163.97
NHK - 155.99
GPF - 162.07

Rachael's SA score is a lot higher than any of the other girls', but between Mirai and Ashley, the scores are not too different. Mirai was also, IMO, grossly underscored at SC and should have gotten a score in the 160s. 5 points isn't a huge difference but that's what got Ashley into the GPF. Mirai is also on the rise, while Ashley continually scores around 160. Therefore, Mirai potentially could do better at Olympics/Worlds judging by her steady progress this season and so making an exception doesn't really seem in that dire of a need.

 

[DesertRoad]

I'd like to see Ashley go to a jump specialist (Arutunian for example). And I'd like to see her do what Ryan Bradley did--do some lessons with team Shpilband on basic stroking to get more power in her skating.

Really? Bradley did that? Was it after nationals? Otherwise, he should go get his money back.

 

[Nadine]

Regards the original question, I'm personally looking forward to seeing Ashley skate at Junior Worlds, hopefully this time she can take the gold!:thumbsup:

Unfortunately, I don't think IN is showing it, will have to check.

 

[silverlake22]

Regards the original question, I'm personally looking forward to seeing Ashley skate at Junior Worlds, hopefully this time she can take the gold!:thumbsup:

Unfortunately, I don't think IN is showing it, will have to check.

Who else is going to Jr. Worlds? Gao and Dobbs? Gao and Zawadski? Gilles?