I don't know, after all this time I think it's been pretty obvious Gracie shouldn't skate to classical music, it doesn't work with her and she comes off as wooden. If she should skate to slow music you should skate to something recent like John Legend's All of Me which is relatable for a modern girl like her and for upbeat music she can do something jazzy (her All that Jazz Ex was good enough)
State of US Ladies in skating III: 2014-15 Season
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I don't know, after all this time I think it's been pretty obvious Gracie shouldn't skate to classical music, it doesn't work with her and she comes off as wooden. If she should skate to slow music you should skate to something recent like John Legend's All of Me which is relatable for a modern girl like her and for upbeat music she can do something jazzy (her All that Jazz Ex was good enough)
I think in the hands of a mature skater (ie. Mao 
) Debussy's Claire de Lune would come off as mature, ladylike and elegant without being so "ice princess" feeling.
Unfortunately, I don't think Gracie is mature enough in her skating yet to skate Claire de Lune without coming off looking like an ice princess. At this point anything light classical on Gracie would come off as "ice princess."
The funny thing is Mao's Claire de Lune was choreographed by none other then......Lori Nichol
) Debussy's Claire de Lune would come off as mature, ladylike and elegant without being so "ice princess" feeling. Unfortunately, I don't think Gracie is mature enough in her skating yet to skate Claire de Lune without coming off looking like an ice princess. At this point anything light classical on Gracie would come off as "ice princess."
The funny thing is Mao's Claire de Lune was choreographed by none other then......Lori Nichol
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- Jan 12, 2014
The best music for Gracie is the windmill anthem.
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- Feb 17, 2010
How about something with a latin theme or feel? She could bring some sass to her programs that we have seen in exhibitions.
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I figure if we keep saying it at some point it will come true. 
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- Apr 12, 2014
Agreed! We have plenty of good skaters, we lack strong competitors. I think USFSA needs step up and make changes as well but people have their heads in the sand. All this talk of next year, we'll do better has gotten old. It's been way too long since American ladies have been a factor in international competition.
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There are several younger American girls ready to take over soon from Chen, Cain, Bell and host of other and some veterans in Gao, Zawadiak and Nagasu and again there are others.
Zawadiak?
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I know her as Agnes "Type in 'Agnes Z' into Google, find the first autocomplete result, Ctrl-C, Ctrl-V"
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Liza is definitely beatable; it wouldn't surprise me if Ashley or Gracie or Sakoto beats her at WTT. She is not invincible. she misses the axel and flubs up some jumpslike she did at worlds - Ashley will score higher pcs if she is on so it isn't impossible at all. I agree the Americans need more fierceness/competiveness like Witt or Evan or Yuna or Michelle and Boitano. These skaters did it when it counted. Well except for Michelle at the Olympics - I guess we all have our weaknesses but she still medalled.
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- Dec 29, 2013
Of the above mentioned skaters.....I'd score Ashley the lowest in PCS based on this years performances and programs. What is it that I'm missing? I'm being serious because outside of "intense gaze" I don't see why Ashley should score higher PCS than any of those three girls. Willing to be enlightened. Please advise.
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- Nov 30, 2014
The intense gaze along with skating to a soundtrack is considered choreography.
I would need some enlightening as well.
You know...I have this small, yet high-quality camera I use for travel. It's quite dependable actually. Yet, I would never think of making it my primary camera...lacks some critical features I use for advanced photography. I've got a DSLR for that.
Wagner is a good placeholder for the U.S. until someone better comes along that can win big medals. She is not a leading lady. She is like that small camera - good to have on the team, but just not capable of handling the most demanding of conditions. That's where the big gun shines.
Gold - to use the same analogy - would perhaps be a newer model of that same camera, minor improvements made but at the end of the day, still built for convenience and not functionality.
Anchors are fine to hold the fort (i.e., help keep spots) but the problem for the US women is the lack of a leading lady. I could get by without my DSLR, and use just the travel camera - I did for years - I just wouldn't be able to quite fulfill my potential.
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- Jan 12, 2015
During her spiral, when music hits and Ashley straightens her arms along her body, I almost hear PCS numbers exploding in my TV.
before the choreographer for this moment.
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I think Liza is out of reach at this point from anyone in the current field. But, if there is someone puts her efforts at a right pace and direction, I think maybe at the end of the next season or in two seasons, it is possible to match to Liza's score.
I think the best strategies for the ladies are;
one. to correct any edge errors (ie. flutz, lip) and/or UR
two. to build your SS (ie. what Yuzu did over the past season were great) Judges love good SS and fans love it, too. I don't think you get injured by practicing SS.
three. to have an amazing program (ie. P/C's Mozart pushed them to be a hot medal contender from the 13th last season and earned them WC in one of the most conservative sports.)
*******
I do not think a skater working on 3A, 4T, or 4S just because Liza did is a good idea. Working on the basics will not bring anything overnight, but it will over years...
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- Dec 29, 2013
During her spiral, when music hits and Ashley straightens her arms along her body, I almost hear PCS numbers exploding in my TV.
This whole post makes me envision Sasha Cohen!!!
I think RD is on to something and I'd simply say we Americans have two girls fighting to be the US #2 while also at the same time our #3 is making a run at #2
Meanwhile...I am honestly tired of who I like better out of the three and have simply decided that my US #1 is Mariah Bell. Problem solved. All are welcome
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- Feb 9, 2014
I agree with you on that USFSA needs to step up and make changes. But I think Russia and Japan have as many great unknown skaters in their local rinks as US has. It is just they have the hardcore competitive skaters on top of them. I do not know... maybe they have a system to chose a few great skaters and train them to have the competitive spirit? If so, perhaps that is what USFSA needs to work towards?
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- Nov 18, 2014
Yes! I love her! Great skater, and she's one of the nicest skaters I've ever met.
if she can get the triple-triple, there's no stopping her.She sells her programs and delivers a performance--not just a paint-by-numbers choreographer-told-me-to-do-this skate. Sometimes Ashley feels like an older version of Elena--they both have fire and determination, though Elena offers more of a youthful wildness, while Ashley has more polish.
She's weaker at SS compared to Liza, Gracie, and Satoko, but that doesn't mean she's worse at everything else. I think she has better musical timing (INT), better performance ability (P/E), and more fitting programs (CH) compared to, say, Gracie.
Of course, these are all really subjective things, but can't we say the same about every skater? I don't know why Ashley's getting singled out here, especially since she's not even going to get the highest PCS if everyone goes clean. I suspect Liza will.
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