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

[KatGrace1925]

I think that Gracie will come soaring back for Nationals. I think that even in her poor performances during the Grand Prix, she began to show more performance even during subpar programs. I think this might be the turning point where we get to see well-rounded artistic and technically strong Gracie. She's not done. I wish she'd just stop listening to chatter and jump for the love of jumping and just be the best her. She's got it within her reach!

I am rooting for Gracie and completely agree with you. I think she will come back strong in January and take a spot on the podium at least. She's had some time to think about why she wants to keep skating and I think thay we're going to see a new era of her skating early next year.

 

[amc987]

Does anyone know what to make of Mariah Bell's 4th place finish at Tallinn Trophy? Haven't seen her skate much beyond Skate America. Is this closer to how she usually does?

 

[topaz emerald]

Does anyone know what to make of Mariah Bell's 4th place finish at Tallinn Trophy? Haven't seen her skate much beyond Skate America. Is this closer to how she usually does?

I don't think it's good, considering her fellon american beat her??? I didn't think she did that bad to be honest. Who knows what to think of any US ladies skater? They are so inconsistent and have setbacks. If USFS wanted to support mariah, they should have done it a long time ago, say....at 2015 US nationals. Instead, they propped up a 15 year old Karen Chen, who scored a 64.66 in her short program to Mariah's 57.35, serioiusly? Karen was 5th, and 18 year old Mariah was 10th??????? it's too late. Mariah is 20 or 21? In Korea, she'll be 22? and four years later, 26? I don't expect her to win the favor of international judges, but I think she is right up there with the top international ladies, if she can stay clean. I look forward to seeing more of her.

 

[mrrice]

I just looked at GPF selections and it appears that the US doesn't have a Lady in Seniors or Juniors. When was the last time that happened and what is the US going to do about it? The US has a long history of strength in Ladies figure skating and I am shocked to see the season unfolding this way. Is there a consistent US Lady anywhere on the horizon? Are we in danger of losing our 3rd spot at Worlds?

 

[Mrs. P]

I just looked at GPF selections and it appears that the US doesn't a Lady in Seniors or Juniors. When was the last time that happened and what is the US going to do about? The US a long history of strength in Ladies figure skating and I am shocked to see the season unfolding this way. Is there a consistent US Lady anywhere on the horizon?

Well last year Gracie and Ashley were in GPF, so it's only been one year. The last time there was a lady in JGPF was the 2013-2014 season -- when Polina and Karen both got in, but then Karen had to W/D so Angela Wang went in her place, so it's been three years.

It's clear the U.S. Ladies are a bit of a low point, but things can dramatically change in the second half of the season.

 

[mrrice]

Well last year Gracie and Ashley were in GPF, so it's only been one year. The last time there was a lady in JGPF was the 2013-2014 season -- when Polina and Karen both got in, but then Karen had to W/D so Angela Wang went in her place, so it's been three years.

It's clear the U.S. Ladies are a bit of a low point, but things can dramatically change in the second half of the season.

Words of wisdom, I will be patient.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

I just looked at GPF selections and it appears that the US doesn't a Lady in Seniors or Juniors. When was the last time that happened and what is the US going to do about? The US a long history of strength in Ladies figure skating and I am shocked to see the season unfolding this way. Is there a consistent US Lady anywhere on the horizon?

Ashley has been remarkably consistent, with only one GP placement outside the top 5 in 20 events over her career (excluding GP finals). We really never know how consistent these young skaters will be until after puberty.

 

[yuzushenko]

ive been watching yuri on ice, and it makes me wish that gracie and ashley would train together at least for a short while i can just imagine ashley being a tough/snarky/kind mentor and yelling at gracie to jump when she goes into a jump, and gracie getting annoyed because it's ashley and we all know gg's jumps are superior so it sort of just cascades into this fuming rink were they're trying to appear nice and sweet but secretly are super annoyed but it only serves to help them get better individually

or an au where ashley and gracie decide to team up and become powerhouses to combat the russians at worlds after they both missed the final, so they train w/ raf and even though they might not be bffs at least they become like a really strong power couple/frenemies where they respect each other on the ice and become gritty strong as iron nails (sort of like a blades of glory dynamic)

ah i can dream

 

[Nathan13]

I just looked at GPF selections and it appears that the US doesn't a Lady in Seniors or Juniors. When was the last time that happened and what is the US going to do about? The US a long history of strength in Ladies figure skating and I am shocked to see the season unfolding this way. Is there a consistent US Lady anywhere on the horizon?

Let's send an SOS to Starr Andrews and Kaitlyn Nguyen

 

[Mrs. P]

Ashley has been remarkably consistent, with only one GP placement outside the top 5 in 20 events over her career (excluding GP finals). We really never know how consistent these young skaters will be until after puberty.

And even in the GPF, she has never finished outside the top 4. Her 6th place finish is really the worse finish she's ever had during the Grand Prix series.

 

[mrrice]

Let's send an SOS to Starr Andrews and Kaitlyn Nguyen

OMG, YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :agree:

 

[hippomoomin]

Unfortunately, I don't think Mariah can go much beyond her 3rd place at Skate America. I feel it is pretty much the same situation when Christina Gao grabbed a SA Silver in 2012. Gao was a better skater though.
Mariah's jumps are unstable, and her skating skills are pretty average. Very few female skaters can improve their jumps after they reached 20. Ashely Wagner is a rare case. But considering she is 20, and she is still seriously competing, chances might pop up again for her in the future. Lots of U.S. ladies are in a semi retirement mode or retire completely around the time they should go to college. Hope Karen Chen can be more consistent and don't retire to go to college, because she has so much more potential.

Does anyone know what to make of Mariah Bell's 4th place finish at Tallinn Trophy? Haven't seen her skate much beyond Skate America. Is this closer to how she usually does?

 

[apgold]

Does anyone know what to make of Mariah Bell's 4th place finish at Tallinn Trophy? Haven't seen her skate much beyond Skate America. Is this closer to how she usually does?

Mariah has always been inconsistent - she's had two great skates that I can remember in her senior career, SA 2016 and Nationals 2015.

I think being in Raf's training team will help her be more consistent, but it won't be overnight. I hope she has another great skate in Kansas City, but we'll see.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

Unfortunately, I don't think Mariah can go much beyond her 3rd place at Skate America. I feel it is pretty much the same situation when Christina Gao grabbed a SA Silver in 2012. Gao was a better skater though.
Mariah's jumps are unstable, and her skating skills are pretty average. Very few female skaters can improve their jumps after they reached 20. Ashely Wagner is a rare case. But considering she is 20, and she is still seriously competing, chances might pop up again for her in the future. Lots of U.S. ladies are in a semi retirement mode or retire completely around the time they should go to college. Hope Karen Chen can be more consistent and don't retire to go to college, because she has so much more potential.

Mariah got 2nd at Skate America She medalled at two other Sr B's, so she has had a good season. Certainly there is a huge drop off in quality after Ashley and Gracie, but I think Mariah is solidly in contention for the third spot.

 

[Crossover]

I think Karen was way underscored in her PCS. She is quite an artist already,but she has to land all jumps without seemingly noticeable UR in order to get reasonable PCS that she deserves.

 

[topaz emerald]

I just looked at GPF selections and it appears that the US doesn't have a Lady in Seniors or Juniors. When was the last time that happened and what is the US going to do about it? The US has a long history of strength in Ladies figure skating and I am shocked to see the season unfolding this way. Is there a consistent US Lady anywhere on the horizon? Are we in danger of losing our 3rd spot at Worlds?

It's OK. Everything goes in a cycle, it seems. For example, my home team the Oakland Raiders are doing a fantastic job this year. Do you know how long they sucked? They were so bad the owner refused to air our games on national television because of the empty seats in the stands. LOL. All of a sudden, they are -9-2 and first in the AFC-West. I can't believe it. i think it's the same in figure skating. We just have to try harder.

 

[mrrice]

It's OK. Everything goes in a cycle, it seems. For example, my home team the Oakland Raiders are doing a fantastic job this year. Do you know how long they sucked? They were so bad the owner refused to air our games on national television because of the empty seats in the stands. LOL. All of a sudden, they are -9-2 and first in the AFC-West. I can't believe it. i think it's the same in figure skating. We just have to try harder.

As a life long 49er fan who's Sister was a Gold Rush Cheerleader. I know all about the raiders and their surprising season thus far. I hear it frequently from my friends who know how much I love the 49ers. Thanks for bringing that up.

 

[humbaba]

Does anyone know what to make of Mariah Bell's 4th place finish at Tallinn Trophy? Haven't seen her skate much beyond Skate America. Is this closer to how she usually does?

I became a fan of Mariah during the 2014-15 season. At that time there was a question of whether she would have any success at all in seniors because she didn't have a 3-3. To have reached a point where she is medaling in senior Bs and a GP is a significant accomplishment for Mariah.

I'm don't where her career will top out, but for now I think Mariah is progressing very nicely.

 

[topaz emerald]

Alysa Liu is 11 years old and I think she placed 2nd at Regionals and Sectionals in Novice skating. Found her video on youtube. She looks bubbly I don't know who got first place.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obNKUXsWt-M

update: Isabella Miller got first place

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WT1zSXjD1a4&t=150s

I found 30 minutes of ice skating, Northwest regionals 2017 if anyone is bored https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsXqpOIx5I8

I would love to be a figure skating judge at that competition, LOL!

 

[champs]

Leah Keiser stopped skating/competing in 2015 (she didn't enter Regionals last season). She currently is a freshman at Northwestern University in Chicago.

Thanks for the info Sylvia, that's a shame. She was quite promising. Injuries + growing too tall did her big disservice I guess.