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

[Skatingcat]

I cannot explain why, but Polina leaves me cold. I feel like if I get anything, it's a bad attitude and a sense of entitlement that, in my opinion, has not been earned.. Now I have no reason to feel this way, and I am certain that many other feel differently. I know she is a talented skater, but I just don't like it.

It's very odd to feel that way.

 

[topaz emerald]

I cannot explain why, but Polina leaves me cold. I feel like if I get anything, it's a bad attitude and a sense of entitlement that, in my opinion, has not been earned.. Now I have no reason to feel this way, and I am certain that many other feel differently. I know she is a talented skater, but I just don't like it.

It's very odd to feel that way.

well, it's perfectly normal to feel this way! I know what you mean...do you know how long it took me to notice Ashley Wagner? when i saw her perform her moulin rouge program, i think it was at Nationals, not sure. But she made me take notice of her after that performance. Maybe polina will never do that for you, but its normal to feel that way.

 

[amc987]

I cannot explain why, but Polina leaves me cold. I feel like if I get anything, it's a bad attitude and a sense of entitlement that, in my opinion, has not been earned.. Now I have no reason to feel this way, and I am certain that many other feel differently. I know she is a talented skater, but I just don't like it.

It's very odd to feel that way.

I get what you mean about Polina. I found her to be a bit arrogant and entitled too. I understand that she's confident and even that she's been disappointed with some of her results: she thinks she's a great skater and can't understand why she doesn't get the marks or recognition that Ashley and Gracie get. IMO, there are legit reasons Polina has been the 3rd American since 2014: speed, ice coverage, immaturity of her programs, choosing bad vehicles for herself, underrotations, etc. I don't get her statements to the effect that she doesn't have any weaknesses. According to her, she has always skated like a senior lady, she always rotates her jumps, she always has the right edge on the flip, etc. It's like the girl is infallible in her own mind, and that's ridiculous. If she really is as great as she thinks, her results should show that.

I'd bet money on Ashley and Gracie being on the World team. They have a couple of months to get themselves together. And the USFSA knows that the USA's entries for Pyeongchang are at stake. The federation will do everything it can to send the women who have the strongest international reputations in hope of retaining 3 spots.

 

[StitchMonkey]

I understand why people are so hyped for Mariah Bell and the possibility of her gaining a Worlds spot but I would have to say that Polina is a much easier bet than Courtney or Mariah. I don't like her skating and sometimes her attitude but I think her grit is undeniable. Her first senior event was 2014 Olympics and she has consistently performed well at Nationals and Worlds, I think I could count on her to do reasonably well compared to other skaters.

The problem is that we have not seen Polina skate for almost a year. I would say Polina was a safer bet but we don't know that Polina is the same skater. Look at Elizaveta Tuktamysheva from the last two years One season she was unstopable and very reliable. The next season she did not make it to worlds to defend her title. Polina is around the same age Liza was when she started struggling - we need to see the Polina of today, not make assumptions based on Polina of the past. She could be the same old reliable Polina, or she could go the way of Liza and so many before her and struggle for awhile.

Luckily we will get to see her at Golden Spin soon. And with Mariah is competing this week. Mariah has a great track record this season. I want to see if she can keep the momentum up.

 

[mrrice]

OK, I just need to clarify something. Is this the year that we select the Olympic team, or is it next year? I thought San Jose was when the Olympic Team would be selected. Am I wrong?

 

[frida80]

OK, I just need to clarify something. Is this the year that we select the Olympic team, or is it next year? I thought San Jose was when the Olympic Team would be selected. Am I wrong?

This is the year where we see who gets three slots for the Olympics. I can't comment on thr criteria for selecting for thr Olympics next year, however I would assumed that starting early next season, especially with the Grand Prix the accomplishments for each skater will be the deciding factor for the Olympics in 2018.

 

[mrrice]

This is the year where we see who gets three slots for the Olympics. I can't comment on thr criteria for selecting for thr Olympics next year, however I would assumed that starting early next season, especially with the Grand Prix the accomplishments for each skater will be the deciding factor for the Olympics in 2018.

So, the winners from this season will determine how many spots we have at the OG's and in 2018, we select the skaters to fill them?

 

[StitchMonkey]

So, the winners from this season will determine how many spots we have at the OG's and in 2018, we select the skaters to fill them?

Yes that is correct. Spots earned at worlds earn them for the country. And they can be assigned to whoever the country wants. Next fall there will also be a last chance type of competition where from countries that don't have spots can qualify for the last few Olympic spots.

Basically spots for the Olympics are just like slots for worlds.

 

[mrrice]

Yes that is correct. Spots earned at worlds earn them for the country. And they can be assigned to whoever the country wants. Next fall there will also be a last chance type of competition where from countries that don't have spots can qualify for the last few Olympic spots.

Basically spots for the Olympics are just like slots for worlds.

Thank you so much, StitchMonkey. I really appreciate the people on this site who are so helpful to our fellow members. After listening to the news this afternoon, there are some politicians who could learn a lot from reading this site.

 

[andromache]

I think last years Nationals could have gone to Polina. She lost that competition with her weak Rudy galindo choreographed Gone with the Wind progam....had it been choreographed like Alain Chartrand of Canada, no way Gracie would have beat Polina that day, just my opinion.

and I actually would not be surprised if both of them didn't make the podium at nationals....I think whoever can deliver solid heartfelt performances to a roaring audience applause that day at Nationals will have the momentum going into olympic season. My bet is on mariah, polina, and another new face girl.

If Polina had better choreography, yeah she would've beaten Gracie and would've deserved to. Will her programs this season be significantly stronger or will they still handicap her? Mariah, at least, we know has the programs to take her places. Courtney doesn't, unfortunately. Mirai.....maybe. Karen Chen could be brilliant if clean, but that's about as likely as a clean Gracie. Tyler Pierce and Bradie Tennell skated well last year at Nationals, but they would be extremely dark horses at this point to podium and would depend on a lot of mistakes from the girls with better reputations and more experience.

If neither Ashley or Gracie make the world team, goodbye three Olympic spots.

 

[brightphoton]

If neither Ashley or Gracie make the world team, goodbye three Olympic spots.

Ashley could get the Americans 3 spots, with a World gold medal

 

[StitchMonkey]

Ashley could get the Americans 3 spots, with a World gold medal

Not if the next highest lady is 13th

 

[mrrice]

Exactly, or Korea would have had 3 spots every time that Yuna won. Plus, I don't even know of there were 3 Korean Ladies who could make it out of the first round when she won her first title..

 

[theskatingbutterfly]

Not if the next highest lady is 13th

Doesn't the gold medalist automatically get 3 spots for their country the following year, no matter where anyone else places?? I was just looking it up and could've sworn those were the rules.

 

[Mrs. P]

Doesn't the gold medalist automatically get 3 spots for their country the following year, no matter where anyone else places?? I was just looking it up and could've sworn those were the rules.

The gold/silver medalist gets three spots rule only applies if that skater is the only skater competing. That's why Yuna Kim got 3 spots for the Olympics but Ashley Wagner (or any of the 3 US ladies going) would not.

 

[ice coverage]

... after that, i realized that literally all of her friends are white. ...

Wrong.
Two examples easily come to mind: Nathan Chen is one of Polina's good friends. As is Nam Nguyen.
Polina has a good relationship with Kristi Yamaguchi ... participates in events for Kristi's foundation. I would say that they are friends from different generations.

I don't claim to know anything one way or another re Polina's political preferences.

But it's ridiculous to say that "literally all of her friends are white."

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

What really matters (for our purposes) is how Polina skates.

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

I can't believe the things being said in this thread but anyone who follows Polina knows that she is a great friend and role model to all of the kids at her local rink. Kids of multiple ethnicities for those intent on dividing us up into groups and kids that she has coordinated and choreographed ice shows for in her spare time.

https://youtu.be/i7j2wrH_UfY

These kids are a huge part of her life and vice versa. :yes:

 

[topaz emerald]

I can't believe the things being said in this thread but anyone who follows Polina knows that she is a great friend and role model to all of the kids at her local rink. Kids of multiple ethnicities for those intent on dividing us up into groups and kids that she has coordinated and choreographed ice shows for in her spare time.

https://youtu.be/i7j2wrH_UfY

These kids are a huge part of her life and vice versa. :yes:

thank you, i've seen pics of her with so many asian american friends, not just white, wth? silicon valley has such a large percentage of asians....

 

[gravy]

thank you. People are against her because of her politics? I'm sorry, but some really mean and uncalled for things have been said about this girl, calling her arrogant and entitled....without ANY proof whatsoever, and now t his talk about her politics? Sorry, I will be rooting for this girl to be on top the podium come Nationals now....

It is arrogant of her to say that she doesn't under rotate jumps and that those accusations are better suited for other skaters or claiming that her flip is on the right edge when it clearly isn't. These are all statements released in print interviews or things she's said in teleconferences on IceNetwork.

And (un)fortunately, people are humans and will judge her (well or poorly) for her personal and political leanings as they will for any other skaters like Ashley or Gracie. This attitude isn't exclusive to figure skating or even sports at all. It's human nature. As long as it doesn't creep towards harassment, I don't see a problem with discussing something an adult shares on social media.