2017-18 State of U.S. Ladies Skating

[evasorange]

Thinking on program repeats, after seeing stars on ice in Anaheim I really wish Ashley would have used Hand Clap for a new sp instead of hip hip chin chin again. I love the program don't get me wrong but Boston really felt like the "peak" of that program in a way. Hand Clap was fresh fun energetic and got the crowd super excited. I think with some reworking it could be a Olympic stand out.

 

[stella luna]

She needs some competitive fire in her belly.

Johnny Weir mentioned during Nationals that Gracie just needed to "burn the house to the ground and re-build". I know I've been saved from a funk from just making a change. Sometimes it doesn't matter if it was the best possible change, just changing things helps. I think that makes the Alex vs Marina argument moot to a point. (And, IMO, Frank seemed to be thinking along those lines too. Just my impression that he's veteran enough as a coach to recognize that kind of thing.)

As far as SOI, maybe she was told to do jumps she knew she could land for awhile just to build confidence (rather than falling on jump after jump and just feeling more down on herself). Plus, I read in a thread here somewhere that she was doing a new fitness class, so she is working on her cardio. Maybe it is best to work one thing at a time. Again, I'm NOT a coach or anything other than a fan. But, I know from other activities that I've had to learn and the step back to re-learn, you start small. So, this would make sense to me.

Or possibly I just want to see her make a good come back

 

[mrrice]

Thinking on program repeats, after seeing stars on ice in Anaheim I really wish Ashley would have used Hand Clap for a new sp instead of hip hip chin chin again. I love the program don't get me wrong but Boston really felt like the "peak" of that program in a way. Hand Clap was fresh fun energetic and got the crowd super excited. I think with some reworking it could be a Olympic stand out.

I would love to see Ashley go back to her Pollock SP. Now that she has increased her technical ability, I think she would do quite well with it. I loved the music and her performance was spectacular but, back then, she didn't have triple triple, so she had a hard time when she got to Worlds. Here it is from Nationals 2012: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqLGwmQAd8M

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

As far as SOI, maybe she was told to do jumps she knew she could land for awhile just to build confidence (rather than falling on jump after jump and just feeling more down on herself). Plus, I read in a thread here somewhere that she was doing a new fitness class, so she is working on her cardio. Maybe it is best to work one thing at a time. Again, I'm NOT a coach or anything other than a fan. But, I know from other activities that I've had to learn and the step back to re-learn, you start small. So, this would make sense to me.

This would be fine if the Olympic season wasn't starting in just a few months. She started training later last season, but by Nationals everything should have come together for her. It didn't. It seems that, once again, she won't be ready by the start of the season to attempt a 7 triple LP. I'd almost prefer that she goes out and falls on difficult jumps so that she can at least challenge herself; I don't think doing 1A's and 2T's does much for improving her confidence. I'm afraid the ship has sailed for her to be a serious contender for the Olympic spot.

 

[jf12]

Yes, keeping the jumps simple and easy and building confidence would have been a program with a 2a and some 3t or 3s alone. That itself is far easier than the 3lz-3t combos she has crushed in the past. 1a and 2t speaks to bigger issues and not a strategic decision.

 

[andromache]

I would love to see Ashley go back to her Pollock SP. Now that she has increased her technical ability, I think she would do quite well with it. I loved the music and her performance was spectacular but, back then, she didn't have triple triple, so she had hard time when she got to Worlds. Here it is from Nationals 2012: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqLGwmQAd8M

Ooooh thanks for bringing this up!. Lil baby Ashley with so little of the diva attitude she has now . I felt nostalgic seeing John Nicks at the boards with her. This program feels so fresh and unique because of the music.

I think Ashley was limited in which SP she could reuse - she and Phillip Mills seemed to part on sort of a sour note, so working together with him on an old program might not have been an option.

Hip Hip Chin Chin had its moment in 2016, but then again I also thought Moulin Rouge had had its moment in 2015, and I was proven wrong about that too. Ashley and Shae-Lynne can work wonders with recycled programs.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

I'd actually like to see Ashley do her Swan Lake program again. I know the choreographic choices were very polarizing on these boards, but it was my favorite program of hers.

 

[beki]

I was absolutely thrilled for Ashley that Moulin Rouge got her a world medal. I still prefer the first iteration.

I'd actually like to see Ashley do her Swan Lake program again. I know the choreographic choices were very polarizing on these boards, but it was my favorite program of hers.

I liked what she did with Mills. It's unfortunate they fell out.

 

[mrrice]

I was absolutely thrilled for Ashley that Moulin Rouge got her a world medal. I still prefer the first iteration.



I liked what she did with Mills. It's unfortunate they fell out.

Who is Mills working with these days? He really did some great work with Ashley.

 

[Bluediamonds09]

So, all the American assignments are filled, except one. Who will get it????

I'm questioning Paige Rydberg and Amber Glenn. Is the federation mad at Amber?? Will that stop her from getting an assignment?

Tessa Hong isn't high enough on the season's best list to get one, is she? Or does that matter?

 

[Moxiejan]

I'd actually like to see Ashley do her Swan Lake program again. I know the choreographic choices were very polarizing on these boards, but it was my favorite program of hers.

Yes! Somewhere in these threads, I'd said that I'd love to see her rework it as a SP, as an homage to her breakthrough program.

 

[bevybean]

This would be fine if the Olympic season wasn't starting in just a few months. She started training later last season, but by Nationals everything should have come together for her. It didn't. It seems that, once again, she won't be ready by the start of the season to attempt a 7 triple LP. I'd almost prefer that she goes out and falls on difficult jumps so that she can at least challenge herself; I don't think doing 1A's and 2T's does much for improving her confidence. I'm afraid the ship has sailed for her to be a serious contender for the Olympic spot.

I just think, from a mental perspective, maybe not. To be candid, I have suffered from depression myself --which seems to be the case for Gracie too. One thing that is stressed is taking on projects that you can succeed at to build confidence and cultivate positivity. The first attempt I made at this backfired because major mistakes were made. Even though others would have said it was a success, all I could see were the mistakes, so I saw it as a failure. That did absolutely nothing for my confidence. So, for Gracie to try challenging herself and falling every time might just tank her confidence even more. If she plans to go out and do 1A's and 2T's and she does them cleanly, it is easier to chalk it up as a success in her mind. When you add in the fans wanting to meet her and other skaters who might compliment things she is doing at a higher level (like spins and footwork). Then you are building confidence and pulling her out of the depression.

Plus, she might be practicing the triples even though she isn't performing them. Just because we don't see something as an audience member/video watcher doesn't mean it isn't being worked on. She does still have 6 months before her first GP assignment. I've seen people lose over 50 pounds and get themselves in the great shape (for a non-athlete) in that amount of time. So, I think it is possible for Gracie to make a huge comeback in that amount of time. The key word being "possible". It is obviously going to take a lot of work.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

I just think, from a mental perspective, maybe not. To be candid, I have suffered from depression myself --which seems to be the case for Gracie too. One thing that is stressed is taking on projects that you can succeed at to build confidence and cultivate positivity. The first attempt I made at this backfired because major mistakes were made. Even though others would have said it was a success, all I could see were the mistakes, so I saw it as a failure. That did absolutely nothing for my confidence. So, for Gracie to try challenging herself and falling every time might just tank her confidence even more.

I agree with you that the issue is likely confidence and motivation. I wouldn't necessarily say her lack of motivation is indicative of depression; it may or may not be. The biggest problem isn't that she's not in form now, but that she hasn't been in form for a long time and her technical level continues to decline.

 

[mrrice]

I agree with you that the issue is likely confidence and motivation. I wouldn't necessarily say her lack of motivation is indicative of depression; it may or may not be. The biggest problem isn't that she's not in form now, but that she hasn't been in form for a long time and her technical level continues to decline.

This is really a difficult time for Gracie, at least from my perspective. If I were advising her, I would suggest that she get herself into better shape so that she has the stamina to make it through a 3 hour practice. Even if she wants to do it outside of the rink. I think her jumps will return once she's back in peak physical condition. It doesn't really matter if she's thin. If she doesn't have the energy to execute a back loaded combo, she really has no chance at making the US Team, much less medaling at the Olympics.

I'll be interested to hear how her practices go over the summer. That will be the first time we'll really get a look at how she's training. What I really hope to see is a true desire to be on the ice. I'd hate to think that Gracie somehow feels "Obligated" to keep going if she doesn't want to.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

I just think, from a mental perspective, maybe not. To be candid, I have suffered from depression myself --which seems to be the case for Gracie too. One thing that is stressed is taking on projects that you can succeed at to build confidence and cultivate positivity. The first attempt I made at this backfired because major mistakes were made. Even though others would have said it was a success, all I could see were the mistakes, so I saw it as a failure. That did absolutely nothing for my confidence. So, for Gracie to try challenging herself and falling every time might just tank her confidence even more. If she plans to go out and do 1A's and 2T's and she does them cleanly, it is easier to chalk it up as a success in her mind. When you add in the fans wanting to meet her and other skaters who might compliment things she is doing at a higher level (like spins and footwork). Then you are building confidence and pulling her out of the depression.

Plus, she might be practicing the triples even though she isn't performing them. Just because we don't see something as an audience member/video watcher doesn't mean it isn't being worked on. She does still have 6 months before her first GP assignment. I've seen people lose over 50 pounds and get themselves in the great shape (for a non-athlete) in that amount of time. So, I think it is possible for Gracie to make a huge comeback in that amount of time. The key word being "possible". It is obviously going to take a lot of work.

She's not doing and hasn't been doing triples at practices or (even warm ups when she was on tour). She can't even remember her choreography most of the time lately.

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

I'm mostly afraid Gracie may inflict more bad than good on herself if she competes unprepared. I think Julia should have taken time off after she began showing signs of distress and I'd argue the trauma she put herself through competing time and time again unprepared only made things worse.

If Gracie has a plan she believes will help her achieve her goals than I say go for it. If there is serious uncertainty I think she should be cautious and ask herself what she really wants out of this and is it achievable? It will be very interesting to see how this unfolds but I think we all just want to see something good for her.

I am very optimistic at this time for Mariah and Polinaarty:

 

[andromache]

She's not doing and hasn't been doing triples at practices or (even warm ups when she was on tour). She can't even remember her choreography most of the time lately.

Do you have any idea how often she's training?

 

[MarinHondas]

She's not doing and hasn't been doing triples at practices or (even warm ups when she was on tour). She can't even remember her choreography most of the time lately.

thats very concerning.

 

[jf12]

I am very optimistic at this time for Mariah and Polinaarty:

How is Polina looking in practice? It would be awesome if she came back better than ever with better programs, dresses..

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

How is Polina looking in practice? It would be awesome if she came back better than ever with better programs, dresses..

She looks serious judging by her Instagram stories IMO. If the jumps are there I think she'll upset quite a few folks....maybe even literally