State of US Ladies in skating III: 2014-15 Season

[Mrs. P]

Maybe a little off topic, but looking to the state of U.S. ladies in the future…I think this is the first time ever that no U.S. junior lady made the Grand Prix Final. (Or junior man, for that matter. Or junior ice dance team. But there is always our stronghold, pairs. :yes: )

Nope! Though it is the first time since 2001-2002 that we had no U.S. lady in the GPF.

That's the last time we didn't have a U.S. man either.

2002-2003 was the last time we didn't have a U.S. Ice Dance team.

That said, some of those years had more expanded fields...

 

[aftertherain]

Nope! Though it is the first time since 2001-2002 that we had no U.S. lady in the GPF.

I didn't know Ashley Wagner defected.

 

[noskates]

 

[Mrs. P]

I meant jgpf, lol. Will correct.

 

[yyyskate]

 

[sequinsgalore]

Yeah, it's a shame US don't seem to have someone down the pipeline. There's potential, but it seems to be hampered by technique, nerves and injuries as soon as they get a taste of succes...


Though for girls, stars can come out of nothing like Wakaba Higuchi from Japan. Who knows...

 

[FlattFan]

Ando did the 3Lz-3Lo for a while but I think it got marked as underrotated a few times, I never followed her closely but I think during the Olympic SP in 2010 it was <
But let's not forget, Joannie Rochette won a bronze without a 3-3 though she had a good flip and lutz edge, the 3-3 wasn't as important back then, also most of 2010-2014, there was kind of a lull in women's figure skating (Yuna not coming back, Mao reworking her jumps etc) but it picked back up towards the end of it

Joannie did 3x3 sequence, so she did put in 7 triples in her LP. And she had no issue with edge call and rotation.
I think ashley needs to do a clean 7 triple, do 3T-sequence-2A. and 6 other triples. maybe get a ! for the lutz. That should be competitive for 3rd place.

 

[Krunchii]

Joannie did 3x3 sequence, so she did put in 7 triples in her LP. And she had no issue with edge call and rotation.
I think ashley needs to do a clean 7 triple, do 3T-sequence-2A. and 6 other triples. maybe get a ! for the lutz. That should be competitive for 3rd place.

Whoops my bad, I think it's because her LP isn't on Youtube (I think there's an LQ fancam but I don't remember) so I forgot about it, but yeah Joannie was very good with edges and rotation

If Ashley can go clean with a ! on the lutz she could place on the podium depending on how the other girls do, I doubt that will happen, technical panelists tend to be more strict with those that they know underotate so it won't be easy for Ashley

 

[stella luna]

I didn't know Ashley Wagner defected.

She must have wanted one of those fancy Russian apartments!

 

[flying camel]

The present state is sad and the future looks sad. Ashley may have to compete past 2016.

 

[leolion11]

The present state is sad and the future looks sad. Ashley may have to compete past 2016.

If it's so bad that the US' main hope is Ashley Wagner, then yes the future is indeed looking very bleak. Not taking anything away from Ashley though, because I really love her skating, but her technical stuff just aren't enough to do that well against the Russians, and maybe the Japanese once the junior ladies move to seniors.

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

I think Karen Chen shows tremendous promise. Polina is only a rookie to the GP and to be frank she looks like she is still growing into her body. I have no clue who will win Nationals but I'm looking for Karen to place relatively higher than some may expect. **saying a prayer she has improved her FS delivery**

 

[salchowx4]

For the next few years, Gracie Gold is USA's main hope.

 

[R.D.]

If it's so bad that the US' main hope is Ashley Wagner, then yes the future is indeed looking very bleak.

Yes, I agree it's dire but we shouldn't forget about Gold...

But if Wagner can at least stay top 7 in the world, we will continue to need her(!) even if Gold is able to rise near the top (for 3 spots). Edmunds isn't ready yet and the others are hopeless.

 

[leolion11]

I find Gold and Edmunds rather inconsistent though, so it'll be interesting to see how Wagner fares at nationals and worlds compared to them. I thought Edmunds had promise, but after her two grand prix events I'm starting to reconsider that. Though she could always pull a Hanyu and get her **** together...

Omg I love Karen! Hope she does well at nationals

 

[samson]

The present state is sad and the future looks sad. Ashley may have to compete past 2016.

The things is, she's stated she wants to compete in 2018 so I don't think that right now there's a "have to" for skating past 2016.

 

[OS]

Quite honestly... if Gold cleaned her 3lz3T combo in her SP at this GPF, she should win the SP and deserving so. She has 3 seasons worth of maturity and refinement and it showed at the last outing. Her greater athleticism will have also makes a stark contrast to the rest of the 'girl's there.

Love Karen too... I do worry about her though. She need to fight and she hasn't been the same since her injuries last season.

 

[OS]

Yes, I think the point you make about her being the person who is making mistakes, not benefitting from others making them, is about right.

Mrs. P: I agree with you, but the post 2010 era is a bit different though.
Not so many girls doing it but the top needed. Kostner as well had the combo.

By the way, what about Ando? Didn't she had a 3 combo as well?

Hope this unofficial chart from ICENetwork helps. It list highest scoring jumping combo under IJS ladies ever

See Miki #1 http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B4qa6g8IQAApjZc.jpg

Though people have said it was UR and she got the benefit of doubt for skating at home.

 

[Totentanz]

Right now I think Gracie is clearly the most successful American lady (including juniors). US figure skating may have a bright future if some skaters solve their problems like Cesario and Hicks. Apparently Polina Edmunds has some growth changes causing problems. I think US team may need one of Samantha, Courtney and Mirai this season.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

Quite honestly... if Gold cleaned her 3lz3T combo in her SP at this GPF, she should win the SP and deserving so. She has 3 seasons worth of maturity and refinement and it showed at the last outing. Her greater athleticism will have also makes a stark contrast to the rest of the 'girl's there.

The problem is that a skater can't come out and skate one great program and get great marks. You have to do it competition after competition to build momentum in the marks. That momentum and edge can quickly evaporate with a few weak performances as well (see: Julia L). This is why it is important for the USFSA to back more consistent skaters, as they did last year choosing Ashley over Mirai.