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

[drivingmissdaisy]

Anything can happen though. Making predictions this early is difficult. Let's see what happens in the ladies free skate tomorrow. Let's see what the girls do at nationals. By worlds the field could be completely different, Gracie could pull something like Anna did last year. You never know.

That's true. My real cause for concern is that there are so many women internationally who are skating well. Last year at Worlds, 9 skaters went 195+ in a field that didn't include Carolina or Kaetlyn. Only Ashley has achieved that score this season. The one reason for hope is that Russia can only send 3 skaters to Worlds.

 

[pjskater]

This might sound crazy but I think Gracie should start over with new routines. I think just trying to skate those with such bad memories can be damaging her psyche, I know not enough time but I'd give it a try. It seems to be mental and physical at this point which is hard to come back from quickly. I'm cheering for her and hoping people can try and be kind.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

I agree with the sentiment of this post, but I think it remains to be seen what sort of shape Carolina is in. The free skate is more revealing in terms of stamina and what sorts of triples are in her repertoire.

I'm not expecting a great LP. It seems like her speed, especially at the end of her SP, was below her peak form from Sochi. However, she still has over 3 months until Worlds to get in top condition.

 

[andromache]

I'm now of the mind that Gracie should join Marina's camp. Like, now. Before Nationals. A major change like that can't hurt her skating anymore than it already is, and I think a major overhaul will knock some of the bad feelings out of her and get her focusing on something new.

 

[R.D.]

Is it, though, a given that she'll be on the US World Team?

If she doesn't snap out of this deep funk...I'd say it's far from a done deal. She CAN end up missing out on Worlds. If Wagner is vulnerable in that department when shaky, then so is Gold.

Having said all that, no one else is really stepping up, so...

 

[desertskates]

I'm now of the mind that Gracie should join Marina's camp. Like, now. Before Nationals. A major change like that can't hurt her skating anymore than it already is, and I think a major overhaul will knock some of the bad feelings out of her and get her focusing on something new.

I hadn't even thought about Marina, but I really like it! And the change of scenery can only be a good thing at this point.

 

[stella luna]

I did not watch, but just looked at the results.

Sad now.

After watching Gracie and Karen today, I think it may be presumptuous to believe that the US women will have 3 spots at the Olympics.

 

[OS]

Madam Ashley.. you are smart as well as sassy... made the right call not to risk jetlags @ Golden Spin.

Running out of excuses for Gracie except.... please seriously consider for a fresh start with another Coach, choreographer. I mean Mirai with all that talent ended up being bit of a headcase under Frank as well. I'd hate you ends like Mirai II until you find your own independence.

Don't live in the past.. moving forward.. live for the future.

 

[amc987]

Silver lining: Gracie finally landed a 3F. But all the other jumps were terrible. I really hope she pulls herself together in time for Nationals.

I agree that she needs to shake things up. For whatever reason, it looks like Frank can't help her with whatever she's going through. A different voice/ change of scenery could do wonders for Gracie.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

I mean Mirai with all that talent ended up being bit of a headcase under Frank as well.

She had some of her best results while with Frank. I don't get all the Frank bashing; some people just aren't good competitors.

 

[stella luna]

He does have a lot of haters.

She had some of her best results while with Frank. I don't get all the Frank bashing; some people just aren't good competitors.

 

[OS]

She had some of her best results while with Frank. I don't get all the Frank bashing; some people just aren't good competitors.

Hardly bashing. It is a recurring observation with his skaters.

I wish it works out, but when some of the most talented skaters repeated losing the the mental game, something is clearly not working, then something has to be done.

Simple.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

Hardly bashing. It is a recurring observation with his skaters.

I wish it works out, but when some of the most talented skaters repeated losing the the mental game, something is clearly not working, then something has to be done.

Simple.

Anyone coaching a top US skater at the moment is coaching a talented skater who is losing the mental game, except Rafael.

 

[andromache]

She had some of her best results while with Frank. I don't get all the Frank bashing; some people just aren't good competitors.

Agreed.

But as far as Gracie and Frank go, I do think some coaches aren't always the right fit at the right time for every student. Frank was the right coach for Gracie in 2014 - but he very well might not be anymore.

Gracie's usual "not putting two clean programs together (but usually one program is great)" is the sign of a bad competitor being a bad competitor. This season is something else entirely.

 

[Tolstoj]

Will the fed stop to push the same skaters at Nationals? let's be honest: both Ashley, Gracie, Mirai were disappointing this season, now every skater has to prove something, let's treat each skater at the same way and see then what happens.

Amber Glenn skated a great SP at Golden Spin and i didn't even know who she was.

I'm now of the mind that Gracie should join Marina's camp. Like, now. Before Nationals. A major change like that can't hurt her skating anymore than it already is, and I think a major overhaul will knock some of the bad feelings out of her and get her focusing on something new.

Morozov could be better: he's so experienced to train skaters going into the Olympics, he's doing great things with Denis Ten.

 

[KatGrace1925]

I'm now of the mind that Gracie should join Marina's camp. Like, now. Before Nationals. A major change like that can't hurt her skating anymore than it already is, and I think a major overhaul will knock some of the bad feelings out of her and get her focusing on something new.

I read an old article on her switch to Frank and I think I remember reading that she was with Marina betwen Alex and Frank and she really liked it there. It would be a good move for her.

 

[KatGrace1925]

That's true. My real cause for concern is that there are so many women internationally who are skating well. Last year at Worlds, 9 skaters went 195+ in a field that didn't include Carolina or Kaetlyn. Only Ashley has achieved that score this season. The one reason for hope is that Russia can only send 3 skaters to Worlds.

I am really excited about Kaetlyn this year! Russia has been bringing up great skaters in their programs, every year they seem to add another great skater. Having them down at 3 for worlds is very nice for everyone else.

 

[Nathan13]

Is it, though, a given that she'll be on the US World Team?

If she doesn't snap out of this deep funk...I'd say it's far from a done deal. She CAN end up missing out on Worlds. If Wagner is vulnerable in that department when shaky, then so is Gold.

Having said all that, no one else is really stepping up, so...

Well considering that two US Ladies beat her here and 2 different US Ladies beat her at Skate America, someone doesn't really need to step up for her to be pushed off the world team. At this point, Mariah Bell, Mirai Nagasu, Ashley Wagner, Bradie Tennell, Courtney Hicks, and Karen Chen have all won a medal at some international competition, and if Gracie skates the way she has been, she will not beat them at Nationals. There is no way that if she places 7th that she would be on the world team.

 

[Vickys21]

Well considering that two US Ladies beat her here and 2 different US Ladies beat her at Skate America, someone doesn't really need to step up for her to be pushed off the world team. At this point, Mariah Bell, Mirai Nagasu, Ashley Wagner, Bradie Tennell, Courtney Hicks, and Karen Chen have all won a medal at some international competition, and if Gracie skates the way she has been, she will not beat them at Nationals. There is no way that if she places 7th that she would be on the world team.

Do not forget about Amber Glenn, Angela Wang and Caroline Zhang!

 

[sabinfire]

At this point, Mariah Bell, Mirai Nagasu, Ashley Wagner, Bradie Tennell, Courtney Hicks, and Karen Chen have all won a medal at some international competition, and if Gracie skates the way she has been, she will not beat them at Nationals. There is no way that if she places 7th that she would be on the world team.

That would be great to believe that Nationals is the grand qualifying event that it's made out to be.

Unless Gracie voluntarily ends her season early, I've got dollars to doughnuts that Gracie makes it to Worlds even if she finishes off the podium at Nats.

Strangely, most people would rather watch a spectacular meltdown from Gracie, over a 'pretty good' showing from a skater like Courtney Hicks, for example.