State of U.S. Ladies' skating 2016-17

[Seren]

I really like Ashley's new program. I was worried at first that without a character she wouldn't emote as well but I thought she did a really lovely job portraying the emotion of the program. Her dress and makeup are also on point. And I will say that while I always tense up when she goes into her lutz her loop is one of the best in the current field. I think it's pretty clear that Raf has helped her both technically as well as in learning how to compete- and they are equally important. Ashley is right where she wants to be at the start of the season.

I don't hate Gracie's program but it does seem pretty 1990's. If she skated to her potential it wouldn't matter. She is so gifted and I don't doubt she works hard. I think if she could have a few successful comps in a row her confidence would build. But these meltdowns are painful to watch.

 

[StitchMonkey]

How does that Albert Einstein quote go? "Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results" ???

HONESTLY, Gracie. Please get it together. I want you to do well, but watching these epic meltdowns time and time again is exhausting, not to mention frustrating.

Well she did at least move the 2A to the start of the program... that could generously be called a change i guess... trying to get her legs under her on a simple jump. Sadly it did not work.

 

[matcha]

Well she did at least move the 2A to the start of the program... that could generously be called a change i guess...

Ash and ha influence!!

 

[KatGrace1925]

What in the world, that was the worst free program I've ever seen Gracie do, I actually like the program and her costume but that was tragic. She only hit her first jump and the rest of the program was labored like she wasn't even trying anymore. Those first two falls looked like thet hurt. Are we going to have another roller coaster season here? I don't think I can watch such a talented skater meltdown to nerves anymore. This girl needs a huge load of confidence!

 

[Princessroja]

As I said, I like Mariah and glad to see her progress, but at this point I wouldn't put her as a threat *yet* for the top three spots or that she's gained a new-found consistency.

That said, I agree with you that she's having a much better season now than last and I hope she improves from there.

Same goes for Mirai. One good SP does not a season make, but it's a very good opening statement.

We are in agreement there--I am hopeful but by no means certain. My response was to the general conversation, since I thought Mariah had earned a good word anyway.

 

[SarahSynchro]

Well she did at least move the 2A to the start of the program... that could generously be called a change i guess... trying to get her legs under her on a simple jump. Sadly it did not work.

Ash and ha influence!!

Yes I immediately thought of Ashley when Gracie did this. In theory it's a good idea, but if she's still going to fudge up her 3Lz-3T immediately afterwards... Yeah. Doesn't work.

 

[yyyskate]

Gracie can pull a Mirai. She was already criticized a lot currently. She may bomb even more, and hit the absolutely bottom, then USFS eventually give up on her "Gold" name. Then she can pack her bags and went home, then she has all the time and space in the world to reflect and then start to work on her jump precision and landings and soul searching about her artistry under the hood, in the shadow. And come back again as a brand new Gracie. AND during her absence, fans now criticize her may actually miss her. And she become the sentimental favorite.

 

[Mrs. P]

We are in agreement there--I am hopeful but by no means certain. My response was to the general conversation, since I thought Mariah had earned a good word anyway.

Yeah, I hope I didn't sound too harsh. I honestly was more responding at what seem like a underhanded dig at Mirai (though didn't name her) by saying that Mariah did well enough consistently and wasn't peaking in September.

Sometimes a medal is earned in a messy way; but it still counts. I was thinking she did much better here than she did the last time she was at the same competition.

 

[KatGrace1925]

Gracie can pull a Mirai. She was already criticized a lot currently. She may bomb even more, and hit the absolutely bottom, then USFS eventually give up on her "Gold" name. Then she can pack her bags and went home, then she has all the time and space in the world to reflect and then start to work on her jump precision and landings and soul searching about her artistry under the hood, in the shadow. And come back again as a brand new Gracie. AND during her absence, fans now criticize her may actually miss her. And she become the sentimental favorite.

I think a huge part of her confidence problem comes from not being able to take a ton of the criticism she gets. A lot of US fans have been super critical of her from the beginning, and when I watched the live tweeting of nationals this year there were some really hateful people. I don't know what she's done to spur on so much vitrol but It does seem she reads her online criticism. She responded to some disappointed tweets after worlds. She just needs to overcome the pressure, it doesn't look like she's figured that out yet.

 

[mrrice]

I really like Ashley's new program. I was worried at first that without a character she wouldn't emote as well but I thought she did a really lovely job portraying the emotion of the program. Her dress and makeup are also on point. And I will say that while I always tense up when she goes into her lutz her loop is one of the best in the current field. I think it's pretty clear that Raf has helped her both technically as well as in learning how to compete- and they are equally important. Ashley is right where she wants to be at the start of the season.

I don't hate Gracie's program but it does seem pretty 1990's. If she skated to her potential it wouldn't matter. She is so gifted and I don't doubt she works hard. I think if she could have a few successful comps in a row her confidence would build. But these meltdowns are painful to watch.

Where did you Ashley's program? I've been dying to have a look at her programs.

 

[Sunny Little]

[ removed ]

 

[mrrice]

I think a huge part of her confidence problem comes from not being able to take a ton of the criticism she gets. A lot of US fans have been super critical of her from the beginning, and when I watched the live tweeting of nationals this year there were some really hateful people. I don't know what she's done to spur on so much vitrol but It does seem she reads her online criticism. She responded to some disappointed tweets after worlds. She just needs to overcome the pressure, it doesn't look like she's figured that out yet.

I agree with this comment. I've been a fan of Gracie's for a long time and she actually reminds me of Mirai in many ways. She's had the best coaches that any skater could have. She is one of, if not THE most talented jumpers in the history of US Ladies. Second to Tonya Harding during the 1991 season. I hope that Gracie can finally relax and enjoy her skating because when she's on. She's unbeatable amongst the US Ladies. Remember, even though Ashley beat her at Worlds. Gracie is the defending Champion of the US.

 

[mrrice]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kY8vppVOssE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLlkcvKAHmM

WOW!!!!!!! That is the BEST Ladies Free Program I've seen by anyone this season. I still have chills while I'm typing this. Congratulations Ashley. Did she win this event?

 

[Sunny Little]

WOW!!!!!!! That is the BEST Ladies Free Program I've seen by anyone this season. I still have chills while I'm typing this. Congratulations Ashley. Did she win this event?

She didn't win but she placed third for the ladies free skate, behind Evgenia Medvedeva and Satoko Miyahara. Her score was 130-ish I think

 

[mrrice]

She didn't win but she placed third for the ladies free skate, behind Evgenia Medvedeva and Satoko Miyahara. Her score was 130-ish I think

Med was there?? Have I been living on Mars? How did I not know about this event.

 

[tulosai]

Oh for goodness sake if watching Gracie bothers some of you so much then just don't watch her live any more, problem solved.

 

[yyyskate]

I think a huge part of her confidence problem comes from not being able to take a ton of the criticism she gets. A lot of US fans have been super critical of her from the beginning, and when I watched the live tweeting of nationals this year there were some really hateful people. I don't know what she's done to spur on so much vitrol but It does seem she reads her online criticism. She responded to some disappointed tweets after worlds. She just needs to overcome the pressure, it doesn't look like she's figured that out yet.

vitriol of such kind is mostly come from jealousy and fear. I actually have meet people at skating event that just hate Gracie Gold for her appearance. Anyways, Gracie Gold is always nice to me and many other fans, when asking for autograph or photo etc. She is a very nice girl.

 

[Sunny Little]

Med was there?? Have I been living on Mars? How did I not know about this event.

Yes, she was and she scored a whopping 147. Here's the results for the event:

http://www.goldenskate.com/forum/showthread.php?60680-Japan-Open-2016-Videos-amp-Results

P.S. I've removed the links in my previous post because I just read that we shouldn't post video links to avoid them getting taken down. Doh.

 

[yyyskate]

another thing regarding the vitriol towards Gracie I wanna add is that, Some people just assume she is bitchy (exact word from people in those events) based on her appearance that is stereotyped related to such appearance I think that is borderline racist against white people of this kind. People should have the freedom to choose whatever style they wanna appear for their everyday life.

 

[mrrice]

Yes, she was and she scored a whopping 147. Here's the results for the event:

http://www.goldenskate.com/forum/showthread.php?60680-Japan-Open-2016-Videos-amp-Results

P.S. I've removed the links in my previous post because I just read that we shouldn't post video links to avoid them getting taken down. Doh.

Thanks Sunny, I just watched Meds Free Program and I have to say that I would hate if it were done by any other skater in the World. I don't like the music or the costume. However, and it's a Giant However, Med is one of the best skaters of all time. Her face and body express every second of the music and she stays in character from beginning to end. THAT was the best skate I've seen all year.