2017-18 State of U.S. Ladies Skating

[topaz emerald]

Aww, so cuuute. Never lose that smile! Doesn't she do pairs too? I don't care which discipline, she is a talent! She has a kind of throw-back style, and I mean that in the best way. How ladies used to skate before it was pts., pts., pts. I love skaters who can make you forget you are watching a competition. She takes you away! You can see how she feels the music and it powers her.

yep, totally agree. I loved that Cello Wars program of her, especially that outfit, she was looking like a jedi warrior princess, haha, very unique looking costume with her arms wrapped up in what looks like padding, lolol. You can see how much she enjoys performing and that bubbly smile on her face. I just don't see this at all when watching a lot of the senior skaters. When it comes to performing, either you have it or you don't. Or you can work on it, but for some, even after years, they still don't have it.

 

[topaz emerald]

My main concern with Starr (and a lot of US ladies) comes out of her tendency to pop jumps rather than risk a fall. You don't typically see Russian juniors or seniors pop jumps - they'd rather fall than get fewer or zero points on an automatically downgraded jump.

Well but Starr is not competing in the same kind of environment as the Russian girls, so it's hard to compare. Starr is one of a few very talented in the US. US girls have only a couple of events to really test their strength. I hope for these handful of girls, there will be more opportunities to go head to head with the best.[/QUOTE]

That's why I think Starr and Kaitlyn should turn Senior already. Starr is already 15 will soon 16? and especially Kaitlyn who already has all her jumps. They will get to compete against Ashley, Gracie, Karen, Mariah, Polina? and see for themselves how they will be judged and what areas to work on, plus they will get exposure nationally. Nobody in the US will know who they are unless they turn senior, whereas in the other countries, they already have tv cameras following their every move in the junior rank. I think in the US, once they turn 13, let them skate senior already.

 

[mrrice]

I just have to post this again. I think this young lady will become a future US ladies figure skating star. Alysa Liu https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNtF7ewBsWo

She is really a great young skater. If she can stay healthy as she matures, she'll be a threat. She's a dynamo and is clearly in the hands of good coaching. That program is well choreographed and the fact that she can make it through a heavily backloaded LP is fantastic.....I love that video.

 

[apgold]

I found this young skater on Youtube, ANASTASIYA CHECHETENKO, who trains in San Jose with Tammy Gambill. I think she is intermediate/novice and looks to be around 11 or 12.

She definitely needs some polish but her jumps are high and she has musicality. Doesn't have a lutz yet as far as I can tell.

SP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X83Hnwf4rzc

FS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zlsuu84dRfc (skating to the WE soundtrack, Evgenia's 2016 music)

 

[Arriba627]

I found this young skater on Youtube, ANASTASIYA CHECHETENKO, who trains in San Jose with Tammy Gambill.

Looks promising! Is that Sean Rabbitt at the end of each video?

 

[StitchMonkey]

That's why I think Starr and Kaitlyn should turn Senior already. Starr is already 15 will soon 16? and especially Kaitlyn who already has all her jumps. They will get to compete against Ashley, Gracie, Karen, Mariah, Polina? and see for themselves how they will be judged and what areas to work on, plus they will get exposure nationally. Nobody in the US will know who they are unless they turn senior, whereas in the other countries, they already have tv cameras following their every move in the junior rank. I think in the US, once they turn 13, let them skate senior already.

Kaitlyn is only now age eligible for junior events, so senior is not an option. Starr I do hope gets a senior B. Several JGP skaters do a senior event as well and I do think Starr getting that experience is a good idea. For one she is older but good, so give her the experience now to practice and grow on, and to be honest I don't think 4CC is out of the question for her. She is planning on being a senior domestically, and I don't think a sixth place finish is that far fetched for her... and a sixth place finish (or better) could net a 4CC spot.

I think she is well positioned to get a good JGP assignment and turn that into two if she does well. No reason not to take that chance as it is there for the taking.

The thing with Starr is also that she seems to be a bit of a later season skater. She got a slowish start last season and I think that is part of why she did not get a JGP spot. By later in the season, it was clear she was worth investing in, but it was too late for the JGP. So it will be interesting to see if she can do well early and really leave a mark, and if so if she can sustain it. In any case I wish her the best.

 

[concorde]

Starr got 6th at Nationals as a Novice so that is why she did not initially get a JGP assignment. Then she won the SLC Challenge over several others who did have some JGP assignments. By then USFS was out of assignments so they sent her to Golden Bear to get the minimums. At least that is that is the way I remembered it.

If anything, it was a relatively early season performance that got USFS's attention.

 

[Bluediamonds09]

I'm worried for Starr. I want her to do well, but based on the scores she got at junior worlds, I feel like the judges are going to treat her like they treat Mae Berenice.

 

[frida80]

I'm worried for Starr. I want her to do well, but based on the scores she got at junior worlds, I feel like the judges are going to treat her like they treat Mae Berenice.

The judges were quite generous considering. She got great components for her LP, I think 5 points higher than nationals. She popped her axels including a 2A+3T jump costing her a lot of points. Plus she had Shin Amano as a tech controller. I think her score is right in line with Tyler Pierce, another National silver medalist. But Starr takes her losses seriously and normally improves greatly the next season. I think she'll do fine. I'm more worried that USFS will start pushing her to early.

Her next comp is this weekend with Kaitlyn. Im hoping she goes clean so we can get a video.

 

[andromache]

I'm worried for Starr. I want her to do well, but based on the scores she got at junior worlds, I feel like the judges are going to treat her like they treat Mae Berenice.

Is this based on her race?

While I do think black women in figure skating face race-based stereotypes of being athletic instead of artistic, too powerful/strong to be pretty, not graceful, etc., Mae's scores probably have very little to do with any of that. There are numerous problems with her skating - even a few years ago when she was skating much better than she is now, her lack of speed has always been a major issue.

Starr's scores at Junior Worlds are due to her relative newness to the international scene (no reputation) and her lackluster technical content there.

 

[Bluediamonds09]

It is, actually. I think the judges will hold down her scores simply because of race. It makes me sad thinking about her future in the sport and dreading the day that the commentators call her "physically imposing" like they did to Mae. Now, Mae isn't my favorite at all, and her team really needed to start working with her on artistry about 5 years ago, but mae's race alone is no reason to hold down scores. Keep the score low based on her skating abilities, and that alone.
Starr is such a cute little diva I hope she does well!!!!!!!

 

[frida80]

It is, actually. I think the judges will hold down her scores simply because of race. It makes me sad thinking about her future in the sport and dreading the day that the commentators call her "physically imposing" like they did to Mae. Now, Mae isn't my favorite at all, and her team really needed to start working with her on artistry about 5 years ago, but mae's race alone is no reason to hold down scores. Keep the score low based on her skating abilities, and that alone.
Starr is such a cute little diva I hope she does well!!!!!!!

Trust me they will never call her physical imposing. I doubt she'll be taller than 4ft 11 inches. She is tiny.

 

[bevybean]

It is, actually. I think the judges will hold down her scores simply because of race. It makes me sad thinking about her future in the sport and dreading the day that the commentators call her "physically imposing" like they did to Mae. Now, Mae isn't my favorite at all, and her team really needed to start working with her on artistry about 5 years ago, but mae's race alone is no reason to hold down scores. Keep the score low based on her skating abilities, and that alone.
Starr is such a cute little diva I hope she does well!!!!!!!

But, Mae is "physically imposing" and Starr isn't. I've never seen Mae live, so maybe that makes a difference. Mae looks like she is large boned --no euphemism intended. I'm sure she is in great shape physically, but she has a large frame. I'm not even saying it is a bad thing. I just don't think Starr will get the same comment since she is smaller in frame. I don't see how it proves Mae is being held back because of her race. (If she is, then I agree that it is wrong. I'm just not seeing proof of that.) If Mae is being held back unfairly, I think it is more because her body type doesn't match the stereotype. (Equally wrong, IMO)

 

[concorde]

I think USFS wants a winner and I don't think they care about the person's skin color or religion. The only thing they care about is if the skater can rake in the hardware. Maybe I am naive but I don't think so.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

I think USFS wants a winner and I don't think they care about the person's skin color or religion. The only thing they care about is if the skater can rake in the hardware. Maybe I am naive but I don't think so.

I agree. The USFSA was fully behind Debi Thomas when she was skating well in the 1980's.

 

[posha]

Speaking of Debi Thomas, if she was able to, she could be a mentor to Starr.

Actually I have been thinking for a while no one would know better what Gracie has gone through as U.S. "it" girl than Debi, who might have some words of wisdom and caution. Debi, like Gracie has big star power, athletic big jumps, and all-American type feel to her skating. Both did not quite live up to the expectations set FOR them and both are/were fan favorites.

I mean. Look how crowds went wild for Debi. I get the same vibes for Gracie.

 

[posha]

I'm worried for Starr. I want her to do well, but based on the scores she got at junior worlds, I feel like the judges are going to treat her like they treat Mae Berenice.

I don't think she has or will get "the Mae treatment" but I know your concern. I am thinking of some other 'almost' Black American Senior skaters like Andrea Gardiner or Kristine Musademba, who did pretty well domestically but internationally....well...

But same thing can happen for any skater. Think Polina Edmunds. That is something a leeetle out of an individual's control and has to do with natural talent and likeability, just depends, and there can be a double standard.

Of course race/ethnicity will be a talking pt whenever Starr is mentioned, BC it is an elephant in the room. She is different than most of her peers, who will be of European or Asian decent. Her race will be a weakness and a strength, will make her unique and hard to ignore. And will give her a lot of pressure to "prove"

 

[mrrice]

But, Mae is "physically imposing" and Starr isn't. I've never seen Mae live, so maybe that makes a difference. Mae looks like she is large boned --no euphemism intended. I'm sure she is in great shape physically, but she has a large frame. I'm not even saying it is a bad thing. I just don't think Starr will get the same comment since she is smaller in frame. I don't see how it proves Mae is being held back because of her race. (If she is, then I agree that it is wrong. I'm just not seeing proof of that.) If Mae is being held back unfairly, I think it is more because her body type doesn't match the stereotype. (Equally wrong, IMO)

Exactly!!!! Mae is like Polina Edmunds. Polina IS physically imposing due to her height, and she towers of Ashley Wagner. I can't imagine how she'd look standing next to Starr. The difference is that I don't think they are imposing people...Does that make sense. I can't imagine either of them being like Katt and standing at the boards watching their competitors. As far as race goes.....I don't think anyone cares. Debi was backed heavily when she came on the scene. I think the USFSA backs who ever is skating well. They backed Michelle Kwan, Kristi Yamaguchi, Rudy Galindo, and Debi Thomas. All from different races.

I'm sure it was much easier to back those skaters than it was to back Tonya Harding or the late Christopher Bowman. They made mistakes on and off the ice that tarnished the image of skating.

 

[posha]

But Mae HAS had some awful comments said about her in regard to skin tone and "ethnic" features. And.
Remember when Surya was referred to as the "chimpanzee" of France. Not cool. Obviously the judges and tv commentators did not say this, but it was very apparent she did not fit the 'image' desired. Even her own mother talked of the pain of her daughter not fitting in.

Starr 'looks' different than a Mae or a Surya. But. Actually this brings me to another pt. after which I will shut up for a bit. ��

 

[posha]

Do you think the fact that figure skating is broadcast on television and usually sold as "entertainment" more so than "sport" to the general public has something to do with skaters fitting a certain 'image?'

Stereotypes run the tv and really performance arts world. For instance in film casting, how you LOOK is often how you are cast. No matter how soft spoken, shy, outgoing, well educated and sometimes even how TALENTED you are.
A friend of mine was often turned down for being "too blonde." The casting directors would literally tell him he looked like a Nazi?? And he was never cast in leading roles just as like a psychopath killer or bad guy.

Anyway, I wonder if the same type of "type-casting" transfers over to figure skating? A black female is perceived as "strong", an Asian pair "doesn't emote" A blonde girl must be "a princess" and maybe that effects scores and marketability for the athletes? My thoughts for the day, peace.