2017-18 State of U.S. Ladies Skating

[SnowWhite]

August 26th seems a bit late to still doing "Show Programs." Do you think there's a chance she'll try either of her 2017/18 programs? I actually don't really care as long she looks more like her old self. There's plenty of time between now and then for her to regain her stamina and her basic triples....UNLESS....She's masking an injury. I would love to be there to see her perform and I wish her the very best.

I'm not sure I'd say there's "plenty" of time to get back into competition shape. There's still time, but it seems like it's getting kind of tight. I mean, lots of top teams / skaters didn't even do shows because they wanted to prep for the Olympics, so not doing triples by this point would be less than ideal. That's why I was so relieved to see Gabby Daleman doing that 3Lz-3T combo on insta after her surgery - you hate to be behind in an Olympic season. Obviously not her fault if she is injured, but either way, not great. Instead of being able to get a head start on her competitors who were at Worlds or 4CC, she's starting from behind. I'd hoped to see her in a little better form at SOI, but hopefully she'll look better by the Sun Valley show. And I agree, it would make sense for her to skate one of her competitive programs.

 

[Tavi...]

I'm not sure I'd say there's "plenty" of time to get back into competition shape. There's still time, but it seems like it's getting kind of tight. I mean, lots of top teams / skaters didn't even do shows because they wanted to prep for the Olympics, so not doing triples by this point would be less than ideal. That's why I was so relieved to see Gabby Daleman doing that 3Lz-3T combo on insta after her surgery - you hate to be behind in an Olympic season. Obviously not her fault if she is injured, but either way, not great. Instead of being able to get a head start on her competitors who were at Worlds or 4CC, she's starting from behind. I'd hoped to see her in a little better form at SOI, but hopefully she'll look better by the Sun Valley show. And I agree, it would make sense for her to skate one of her competitive programs.

Whether or not Gracie will be back to form next season is an open question, but I don't really see why doing a one-off show in late August would have a huge impact on her training one way or the other. It's not a weeks-long show tour such as Stars on Ice - it's just a few days.

Theoretically, she will need to be in reasonable competitive shape by mid-August, because Champs Camp is August 19-23. So for all we know a few days of relative down time at Sun Valley will work perfectly with her training schedule, especially given her first GP isn't until November 3 - and I'm betting she discussed it with her coach before accepting.

While Gracie is in a bit of a difficult position this season because she underperformed badly at her competitions and didn't look good at SOI, I expect that she, like everyone else, will be aiming to peak at Nats / Olys - which is from the end of December through mid February. So if she shows steady progress back to competitive form on the GP this fall, that may be "good enough" even if she doesn't medal, as long as she has a stellar showing at Nats.

Only time will tell, but I, personally, am rooting for her.

 

[breadstal]

Yes, Ting Cui won the novice silver medal at Nationals. You can watch her programs on ice network if you have it. Her free was a lot of fun.

Thank you. I hope she's going juniors next year

 

[princessalica]

Just saw Gracie and Karen are on the initial roster for the Japan open.

 

[frida80]

Just saw Gracie and Karen are on the initial roster for the Japan open.

I saw too. In concerned about Gracie going against Zhenia and Alina so early. I hoped aged have some senior B's to get her feet wet and build her confidence first.

 

[andromache]

Just saw Gracie and Karen are on the initial roster for the Japan open.

If she isn't ready, USFS better be ready to send Ashley instead of allowing Gracie to embarrass herself in international competition again.

I know it's harsh, and I'm a Gracie fan, but seriously.

 

[Jammers]

If she isn't ready, USFS better be ready to send Ashley instead of allowing Gracie to embarrass herself in international competition again.

I know it's harsh, and I'm a Gracie fan, but seriously.

Why is Gracie going to the Japan Open again? She's bombed it twice when she was in much better shape and a much better skater before her slump.

 

[bluelutz]

They competing with real ISU judges, Japan open is still a show for the Japanese audience,
and I assume that the organizers pick the skaters for their rating, not USFS.
Also this is the not U.S. team but the North American team
even though this particular one does not contain any Canadian.

If I were one of the organizers, I would pick Ashley and Gracie since they are the most famous North American female skaters.
even if Gracie falls apart on ice, she still can contribute to the rating with her good looks.

However, I would pick one of Canadian ladies or Mirai if Ashley declines the invitation.
Then why Karen?
Well, I can guess a few stories behind it
like USFS wanted to promote Karen as the new American top skater to ISU judges and the international skating community,
and the organizers accepted it since they liked to keep having a good relationship with them for the future cooperation.

After all, it is a show for some people's profit,
so the usual standard, rules & logics for the serious competition do not apply.

 

[R.D.]

If she isn't ready, USFS better be ready to send Ashley instead of allowing Gracie to embarrass herself in international competition again.

Well, judging by Wagner's recent history with the Japan Open, it's definitely no guarantee she would be "ready", either. But - I get the point.

 

[musicfan80]

If she isn't ready, USFS better be ready to send Ashley instead of allowing Gracie to embarrass herself in international competition again.

I know it's harsh, and I'm a Gracie fan, but seriously.

I don't entirely trust USFS with having the most common sense when it comes to skater's readiness and international assignments. I'm still about them sending Gracie to Golden Spin last December after she obviously wasn't sharp at her Grand Prix events. Gracie ended up scoring a 54.04 SP and a 104.98 LP there.

I actually wondered briefly if USFS cared whether Gracie would be ready for U.S. Nationals. There was a time when USFS doing something like this meant that they were coming close to dropping you.

 

[andromache]

I don't entirely trust USFS with having the most common sense when it comes to skater's readiness and international assignments. I'm still about them sending Gracie to Golden Spin last December after she obviously wasn't sharp at her Grand Prix events. Gracie ended up scoring a 54.04 SP and a 104.98 LP there.

I actually wondered briefly if USFS cared whether Gracie would be ready for U.S. Nationals. There was a time when USFS doing something like this meant that they were coming close to dropping you.

Isn't Japan Open kind of prestigious? Not necessarily competitively prestigious, but isn't there a cash prize? Doesn't seem like USFS would send someone they're close to dropping to it.

Also, totally forgot that one of the Canadians could be going. It's nice that Karen is getting the opportunity (though she always bombs low-stakes competitions), but methinks Gabby or Kaetlyn should be going instead of Gracie.

 

[ice coverage]

The Japan Open is an invitational.

JSF invites the skaters whom it wants to invite.
JSF has no obligation to invite *any* U.S. ladies, AFAIK.
In 2014, the Team North America men were Jeff Buttle and Patrick Chan. None from the U.S.

http://static.isu.org/media/165641/japan-open-announcemement-2014.pdf​

AFAIK, we have no way of knowing whether one or more Canadian ladies were invited this year -- but declined.
Or whether any U.S. ladies other than Karen and Gracie were invited this year -- but declined.
Or whether USFS gives itself the authority to require any U.S. skater to decline an invitation from JSF.

---

Cross-posting from the Josh Farris thread:

BTW, re this year's streaming of the Broadmoor Open (as distinct from the Aerial Challenge):

Apparently a pass must be *purchased* from ProEventPhoto, which will have two channels of streaming ("World Arena" and "World Arena - Zamboni End").

(I do not know the cost. At this point, do not plan to purchase a pass.)

http://proeventphoto.com/livestreams/

http://proeventphoto.com/channel-one/

http://proeventphoto.com/channel-two/​

...

A notation has been added at the first link:

Since the Olympic and NHL rinks are not equipped for livestreaming at this time, we are only able to stream events occurring in the World Arena.​

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

The Japan Open is an invitational.

JSF invites the skaters whom it wants to invite.
JSF has no obligation to invite *any* U.S. ladies, AFAIK.
In 2014, the Team North American men were Jeff Buttle and Patrick Chan. None from the U.S.

http://static.isu.org/media/165641/japan-open-announcemement-2014.pdf​

AFAIK, we have no way of knowing whether one or more Canadian ladies were invited this year -- but declined.
Or whether any U.S. ladies other than Karen and Gracie were invited this year -- but declined.
Or whether USFS gives itself the authority to require any U.S. skater to decline an invitation from JSF.

---

Cross-posting from the Josh Farris thread:



A notation has been added at the first link:

Since the Olympic and NHL rinks are not equipped for livestreaming at this time, we are only able to stream events occurring in the World Arena.​

They ran into issues with funding for Aerial Challenge and have a gofundme thing going on trying to raise money to stream it.

https://twitter.com/AerialChallenge/status/874642889464315904

 

[ice coverage]

One more thought re the Japan Open:

The Organizer pays for travel expenses and lodging/meals of skaters.
Plus lodging/meals for coaches.

http://static.isu.org/media/384309/japan-open-2016_announcement.pdf​

USFS is not paying for its skaters to compete, so it seems unlikely (IMO) that it could/would dictate whether U.S. skaters accept JSF's invitation or not.

---

They ran into issues with funding for Aerial Challenge and have a gofundme thing going on trying to raise money to stream it.

https://twitter.com/AerialChallenge/status/874642889464315904

Yes.

In case someone else reads our posts and does not feel clear as to what we are saying:

I will repeat that my post above was not about streaming of the team portion of the Aerial Challenge.
It was for anyone interested in streaming of the Broadmoor Open.​

 

[asp11]

We'll have to wait and see.

 

[ice coverage]

Mariah and Morgan Bell were on Instagram Live tonight. They were making candles at home in Colorado Springs. As they did, they answered lots of questions -- for at least thirty minutes. Fun to see the sisters together . Both have such sweet personalities :luv17:.

In answer to questions, Mariah said her first competition of the season will be Glacier Falls, where she will skate her SP.

---

ETA:

Brynne McIsaac and Livvy Shilling were among those who performed on Fri night in the Broadmoor SC's first Fire and Ice exhibition of the season:

http://broadmoorskatingclub.com/fire-and-ice/june-16th-schedule/​

 

[qwerty]

Polina Edmunds has a 2A-3T on her Instagram story right now. Looks like she's taking her comeback seriously!

 

[mrrice]

Polina Edmunds has a 2A-3T on her Instagram story right now. Looks like she's taking her comeback seriously!

Good for her. The US needs another consistent lady and maybe having Polina back will light an even hotter fire under our ladies. There's nothing like having a true contender back on the ice to keep you motivated. Good luck Polina.

 

[topaz emerald]

I just saw this on youtube. Alysa Liu's new short program and freeskate. I think this young lady is coming along great.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNZnFgZCBeM (short program)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNtF7ewBsWo (long program)

I'm not sure how old she is, I'm guessing 12. I really like her long program. Hopefully she stays healthy and strong. Looking foward to seeing Alysa, Kaitlyn N., and Starr A, as well as the younger juvenile skaters break out...I saw some talented ones in the juvenile rank since seeing them on ice network.

 

[frida80]

I just saw this on youtube. Alysa Liu's new short program and freeskate. I think this young lady is coming along great.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNZnFgZCBeM (short program)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNtF7ewBsWo (long program)

I'm not sure how old she is, I'm guessing 12. I really like her long program. Hopefully she stays healthy and strong. Looking foward to seeing Alysa, Kaitlyn N., and Starr A, as well as the younger juvenile skaters break out...I saw some talented ones in the juvenile rank since seeing them on ice network.

:shocked:

She backloaded all her jumps aside from her 2A! She still needs to develop her PCS, but she's well on her way! Last year she struggled with underrotations, but I'm happy to see her jumps are improved.