2017-18 State of U.S. Ladies Skating

[mrrice]

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

There were a couple of clips of her on GS a couple of weeks back so I'm sure you could find one if you do a search. I believe the clip I saw had her doing a 3loop but that was literally all it showed of her. At this point, that alone puts her ahead of Gracie. I still think Karen looks the best among the US ladies followed by Ashley. I haven't seen Mariah, Mirai, or any of the other top ladies from nationals.

 

[frida80]

Before we get beside ourselves hyping and detracting everyone for the next season, I hope we all can have patience for everyone. Tyler Pierce and Vivian le are both coming back from injuries. Angela didn't compete internationally last season because of injury. Same with Polina. Gracie has to fight her own internal demons. Sometimes, even though people look good in practice vids ans sound confident it takes some time for them to find their rhythm. Vivian may not have her sky high lutz at first. Angela may be messy. Polina may struggle with her flip and Lutz because those were the only jumps she couldn't perform. Instead I hope we all can cheer for everyone and encourage. Because this is going to be a heart breaking season for several people.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

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

I'm not at her rink constantly. I am there 2-3 times weekly and that even if am even in town. I was there yesterday but didn't see her so I might have missed her session or lesson if she was there.

 

[mrrice]

Before we get beside ourselves hyping and detracting everyone for the next season, I hope we all can have patience for everyone. Tyler Pierce and Vivian le are both coming back from injuries. Angela didn't compete internationally last season because of injury. Same with Polina. Gracie has to fight her own internal demons. Sometimes, even though people look good in practice vids ans sound confident it takes some time for them to find their rhythm. Vivian may not have her sky high lutz at first. Angela may be messy. Polina may struggle with her flip and Lutz because those were the only jumps she couldn't perform. Instead I hope we all can cheer for everyone and encourage. Because this is going to be a heart breaking season for several people.

When you say Angela, do you mean Angela Wang? If so, I agree. I also think Courtney Hicks, Tyler, Vivian Le, Polina, and Mariah Bell are all prepared to carry the banner for the US, should any 'Veteran" not be prepared at Nationals. The way that Karen has been looking during the post season leads me to believe she has taken her new crown seriously. I have been very impressed with her skating and other than a not so great performance at 4cc. She looks like the top US Lady..

We have 3 spots for Worlds and I think Ashley and Karen look good for 2 of them. IMO, the fight will be for the 3rd spot.

 

[SnowWhite]

State of the U.S. Ladies #6 (2017-18)

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

IIRC, in some interview where she talked about getting in shape, she said she was training 3-4 times per week, but was planning to up the intensity.

We have 3 spots for Worlds and think Ashley and Karen look good for 2 of them.

I completely agree.

 

[skylark]

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.

Yikes. That is disturbing. Have you seen her work with Marina? Or are spectators even allowed during lessons? I'm clueless.

But your eye-witness report does make me wish someone would come out of lurking if there's anyone who's seen Ashley, Adam, and Mariah training recently.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Yikes. That is disturbing. Have you seen her work with Marina? Or are spectators even allowed during lessons? I'm clueless.

But your eye-witness report does make me wish someone would come out of lurking if there's anyone who's seen Ashley, Adam, and Mariah training recently.

I'm not considered a spectator.

I have seen two of the other three recently that you mentioned.

 

[Skatingcat]

I'm not considered a spectator.

I have seen two of the other three recently that you mentioned.

How did they look? You do not have to mention who you saw unless you wish to.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

How did they look? You do not have to mention who you saw unless you wish to.

Excellent. Also, both Adam and Ashley were doing triples and skating wonderfully (Adam wasn't jumping quads or anything since he's still slowly recovering from his foot injury). Another point to mention was Ashley was practicing triple triples even during Stars on Ice tour.

I wanted to mention that Adam has been training in Colorado Springs mostly due to still having to do rehab on his foot.

 

[skylark]

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.

This is very true. I was so impressed by how they worked with Moulin Rouge so that it evolved and transformed, which kept Ashley going a little deeper. Many subtle changes, and the most thrilling in my opinion: the turns into the solo loop on "one day I'll fly away." Sigh. Chills every time.

I love the Pollack SP. So unexpected and interesting. It's fun re-watching it.

But honestly, I think Hip Hip Chin Chin is better for the Olympic year. As has been discussed in the Repeat Programs thread, there's a lot to be said for a skater re-workng an emotionally resonant and/or highly entertaining program that will connect with viewers -- both dedicated fans and the every-four-years audiences.

 

[skylark]

I'm not considered a spectator.

I have seen two of the other three recently that you mentioned.

Tell! Tell!

I wondered about the accuracy of "spectator" as soon as I finished the post, but I was too lazy or too hurried to fix it. You train there, right? and that's how you've seen Gracie at practice sessions.

 

[skylark]

Excellent. Also, both Adam and Ashley were doing triples and skating wonderfully (Adam wasn't jumping quads or anything since he's still slowly recovering from his foot injury). Another point to mention was Ashley was practicing triple triples even during Stars on Ice tour.

I wanted to mention that Adam has been training in Colorado Springs mostly due to still having to do rehab on his foot.

That is all very cool to hear, especially about Ashley keeping up her 3-3 practice. Sounds like she's feeling pretty motivated.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Tell! Tell!

I wondered about the accuracy of "spectator" as soon as I finished the post, but I was too lazy or too hurried to fix it. You train there, right? and that's how you've seen Gracie at practice sessions.

I posted above and I've also posted about what Gracie has been doing regarding jumps here and in other threads. Also, I won't be talking about my status at rinks here on GS, other than not considered 'spectator' status whatsoever.

 

[skylark]

^^^ Sorry, I should have prefaced with something like "only as specific as you wish to be." I'll try to do better in future.

 

[bevybean]

Ic3Rabbit I didn't realize anyone on here was able to see Gracie at practice as well. You're report certainly dashes my hopes, though I think I'm more concerned that she can't remember her choreography. As I said on the other Gracie thread, it's a whole different story if she needs to work on more than just her jumps.

 

[Tutto]

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

I'd love to know too, I absolutely loved his choreo for Tatsuki Machida

 

[Tutto]

Ic3Rabbit I didn't realize anyone on here was able to see Gracie at practice as well. You're report certainly dashes my hopes, though I think I'm more concerned that she can't remember her choreography. As I said on the other Gracie thread, it's a whole different story if she needs to work on more than just her jumps.

Lets not despair just yet.. All she needs is to regain her former form - this is still achievable before the season starts. Liza T had a miserable 2013-14 season, was injured in March her foot I think it was, in August she was treated for serious issue with her back and yet was able to start competing in late September and we all know how her season unfolded after that!

 

[Bluediamonds09]

It's June and summer competition season will begin in a few weeks (!!!!!) so can we start discussing out US juniors? Oh how nervous I am for them! thinking back to last year, I don't think one junior lady got off the Grand Prix ice smiling. Not one. They all performed poorly . So no one got 2 JGPs, if I'm correct. Who are you looking forward to? I see promise in Ashley Lin and Starr Andrews but what if they don't receive assignments?

Does anyone know how JGP assignments are given, please?

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Lets not despair just yet.. All she needs is to regain her former form - this is still achievable before the season starts. Liza T had a miserable 2013-14 season, was injured in March her foot I think it was, in August she was treated for serious issue with her back and yet was able to start competing in late September and we all know how her season unfolded after that!

Yes but Liza wasn't in as bad physical/weight shape as Gracie is right now.:sarcasm:

 

[frida80]

It's June and summer competition season will begin in a few weeks (!!!!!) so can we start discussing out US juniors? Oh how nervous I am for them! thinking back to last year, I don't think one junior lady got off the Grand Prix ice smiling. Not one. They all performed poorly . So no one got 2 JGPs, if I'm correct. Who are you looking forward to? I see promise in Ashley Lin and Starr Andrews but what if they don't receive assignments?

Does anyone know how JGP assignments are given, please?

It's hard to say. I'm sure all junior eligible girls are asked at the beginning if they plan on competing as a junior or a senior next year. Once that is confirmed they start monitoring girls in the summer competitions. Last year the highest scoring girls were chosen to compete on the JGP aside from Kaitlyn and Starr.

Starr was injured early in the season and wasn't able to score well until September. Kaitlyn wasn't age eligible. This year they are the reigning junior gold and silver medalist, so they will both be eligible for slots.

The reason the ladies did "badly" was due to inexperience. Ashley and Alexia just came up from novice. First year juniors ladies seldom do well on the JGP. Brynne was 17 and body changes caused her to start underrotations. The tech controller didn't call her on her jumps at skate Detroit, so she didn't learn of the problem until the JGP and by then it was too late to fix it. Tessa was recovering from an injury. Gabby was a last minute replacement, she only had a week to prepare. Vivian Le was supposed to compete but was injured.

USFS wanted Tessa and Vivian since healthy they would've scored fairly high. But that didn't happen, so they gave slots to girls that had some potential, with no expectations of winning. Of course it's bothersome to see us not winning any medals, but last year doesn't bother me. I call it a recovery year. In college basketball you have off years when a bunch of players have gone pro and your new players need to build up their skills to compete. I'm more optimistic about next year. But I wait until Broodmore to make a solid prediction on who will get slots and how well they will do.