2017 U.S. Nationals Championship Ladies FS

[EdgeCall]

No Miraicle tonight. But she keeps fighting, and I keep faith. hwell:

Congrats Karen! Now since Gracie is going to the dogs on full throttle USFSA has apparently decided they need a new darling, and you are the chosen one. I wish you all the strength in the world, you will need it. P.S. I think you are awesome!

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

It'll be interesting to see how many spots for worlds we get.

 

[gravy]

It has to be the top 3 because nobody off the podium has a strong case to argue otherwise (even Gracie doesn't at this point)

Well Mirai actually has the highest scoring international SP this season. But I think it will be the top 3.

They should duel it out at 4CC.

 

[NAOTMAA]

Wow, Worlds will be .... interesting.

Karen slayed here, but this season, not so much. Ashley is Ashley, I love her personally but I don't get the LP, I'm not loving it, but the international judges like her.

Mariah is a performer's performer, she's got Rohene's choreo to show her off perfectly, but can she finish top ten and help keep three????? She needed major meltdowns in front of her to podium here tonight.

Decisions, decisions.....

A big part of her crazy PCS marks this season was because she was the reigning world silver medalist. But she goes into this worlds as the national silver medalist losing to a skater who as you said hasn't slayed it internationally (not even once). USFSA may have shot themselves in the foot by sabotaging their biggest hope

 

[temadd]

Probably depends on if Ashley decides to go or not. I don't think she should. I think at her age peaking for 4CCs and Worlds is probably too tough, and a meltdown at 4CCs won't do her any good.

Kudos for Karen for rising to the occasion after the pressure she must've been feeling after the SP. I truly did not think she had it in her.

Ashley always prefers to stay at home and train. For sure she will pass on 4CC.

 

[OS]

CAROLINE IN FIFTH PLACE <3

I seriously am so happy for her.

Caroline in 5th, Mirai in 4th... The 2 peas in a pod. they can console/congrat each other like old times.

 

[NAOTMAA]

Well Mirai actually has the highest scoring international SP this season. But I think it will be the top 3.

They should duel it out at 4CC.

Highest scoring SP doesn't matter when you can't hold it together in the LP. US won't get 3 spots for the Olympics based on the SP alone. Mirai NEEDED to hit both, not just one

 

[frida80]

I'm mad at Tom. He pushed his students to do dramatic new things at nationals and they are paying the price! The triple axel should've been for next year! Now Mirai is at risk of not getting two Grand Prix slots! I'm so sad!

 

[Princessroja]

Considering that the new rule change allows USFSA to put skaters that are past the top 5 in contention if deemed necessary, I still wouldn't be that shocked if Gracie got sent to Worlds. I mean, I hope not, for her sake and everyone else's, but...

 

[icellist]

super interesting that

Karen - national champion
Ashley - highest international total score
Mariah - highest international free skate
Mirai - highest international short program

 

[qwerty]

A big part of her crazy PCS marks this season was because she was the reigning world silver medalist. But she goes into this worlds as the national silver medalist losing to a skater who as you said hasn't slayed it internationally (not even once). USFSA may have shot themselves in the foot by sabotaging their biggest hope

Ashley entered Boston Worlds as the US Bronze medalist. She'll be fine.

 

[jaylee]

Congrats to all the medalists, and to Caroline Zhang, who though she missed the podium, skated wonderfully.

Really happy for Karen Chen--a few hiccups but didn't detract from the performance. Those spins, spiral, lutzes are magnificent. Excited for her and Mariah Bell; they may be young, but they are such exciting talents.

Ashley really gave that performance her all, and it was a performance of a veteran competitor who wasn't shaken by a challenge. The thing with Ashley is that well, technically, she's hit her ceiling. She can't consistently hit her 3/3, she doesn't have a real lutz, she's always had trouble hitting all her levels on the spins. And for a veteran, her skating skills and footwork are surprisingly not where you'd expect them to be for a world medalist and a skater who's been competing so long. What she has is consistency, dedication, and real performance ability. But it wasn't enough this time, nor should it be.

 

[OS]

Karen need to goto 4CC and get more international reputation and prove herself more.

I am beyond elated for her, soo EXTREMELY SPECTACULARLY happy!!! Except emotionally i am all over the place, because I am also very sad right now for Mirai...

 

[penguin]

In a normal year it might be wise to skip 4CC, but isn't this the year everybody will want to go, because it's in Pyeongchang and a really great way to get extra preparation for the Olympics? I can't imagine a skater wanting to pass up that chance.

 

[Princessroja]

I'm mad at Tom. He pushed his students to do dramatic new things at nationals and they are paying the price! The triple axel should've been for next year! Now Mirai is at risk of not getting two Grand Prix slots! I'm so sad!

What on earth does nationals have to do with Grand Prix slots?

 

[mirai4life]

I'm mad at Tom. He pushed his students to do dramatic new things at nationals and they are paying the price! The triple axel should've been for next year! Now Mirai is at risk of not getting two Grand Prix slots! I'm so sad!

is she? 4th is pretty good.

 

[Plisskin]

It's not just Frank, she is out of shape, and seems to not care anymore. Apparently she is not even doing off-ice since leaving Alex.

Really? All that talk in the media about how she deserved to go to Worlds and invoking the name of goddess Michelle Kwan in her interview and she's not even training right? Smh.
I kind of wonder if Frank might drop her then. Didn't he do that to one of his skaters before? I can't remember who.

 

[temadd]

A big part of her crazy PCS marks this season was because she was the reigning world silver medalist. But she goes into this worlds as the national silver medalist losing to a skater who as you said hasn't slayed it internationally (not even once). USFSA may have shot themselves in the foot by sabotaging their biggest hope

I think it may be good for Ashley to be silver. It sends a message to her that she needs to clean up the URs and the loss of levels on spins (and so does Karen who should have been called UR too). Ashley is good when she has something to fight for. This will make her mad and more hungry.

 

[andromache]

A big part of her crazy PCS marks this season was because she was the reigning world silver medalist. But she goes into this worlds as the national silver medalist losing to a skater who as you said hasn't slayed it internationally (not even once). USFSA may have shot themselves in the foot by sabotaging their biggest hope

You're all overthinking it. Ashley was the bronze medalist last year at Nationals, and that turned out fine.

IMO, it's good that the judges will be forced to take Karen somewhat seriously despite her lack of international success. When she's on, she's on, and the quality of her elements and skating is on par with the best in the world (when her jumps are rotated).

Now Karen needs to get into the mindset of a National champion. In Alex's words, she must be **tch.

 

[el henry]

Really? All that talk in the media about how she deserved to go to Worlds and invoking the name of goddess Michelle Kwan in her interview and she's not even training right? Smh.
I kind of wonder if Frank might drop her then. Didn't he do that to one of his skaters before? I can't remember who.

He's dropped a couple, but the only one I know for sure is Christopher Bowman, who had waaaay more issues than Gracie.

Gracie does not "need" tough love. She does need to figure it out. And only Gracie can do that.