- Joined
- Aug 29, 2016
so much shade at jason brown lol
2017-18 State of U.S. Ladies Skating
- Thread starter R.D.
- Start date
so much shade at jason brown lol
As someone who has sought professional help in the past, I can tell you that often the first thing a professional will tell you is not to make any big changes or decisions right away --especially anything potentially life changing. So, while it might be quite obvious that she isn't ready to compete in the Japan Open, pulling out of the GP series is definitely a more life changing thing for Gracie. It completely makes sense to wait to make a decision about it with guidance from a professional.
Also, seeking help doesn't mean she is now going to sit in therapy all day and do absolutely nothing else. Unless you are being hospitalized for a major mental health issue ("major" being defined as you being a danger to yourself or others), you have time to do other things, like skating, going to the gym, spending time with friends who make you happy, etc.
Her thinking isn't disordered. She is actually being very smart.
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2012
I have been a Jason fan since before 2014 Nats.
And as I said, I am not ruling anything out regarding his plans for four quads.
He is a determined young man who always works hard.
I would not bet against him. Nor would I bet against Gracie.
The difference, of course, is that the "optimism" of the men's skater affects only himself. It won't keep other hard-working skaters from a GP spot.
Yes, it's two months until Cup of China. But realistically, the deadline is only about 6 weeks away if China wants to name a replacement.
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2012
In 2016, Rostelecom began on Nov 4, and Polina Edmunds withdrew on Oct 11. And was replaced.
So I am comfortable with giving Gracie a chance to start regrouping and with giving her and her team a chance to evaluate her status in several weeks.
YMMV.
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2014
I'll admit I'm a quiet Mirai skeptic. To me it seems like she's just never able to gain the momentum she needs to start making an impact - she did well at Worlds in 2016, and then at her first GP nearly all of her jumps were called UR. At Nationals she went from second in the SP, last to skate in the LP, a Worlds spot with her name practically written on it all ready, and she didn't deliver. Then she wins silver at 4CCs! A lot of what I loved about young Mirai's skating - her speed, spins, and performance ability, have faded a bit, because she has had to work so hard on getting those jumps around.
And part of my Mirai skepticism comes from the fact that there's a section of fandom that makes her out to be a victim of the opportunities she has failed to capitalize on, which just makes me more cynical
I'm glad she's looking better than ever, and I'll let probably let myself get excited about her chances this season. Amid the Gracie drama (who I've usually been a bigger fan of), it's wonderful to see a US lady who has been "the chosen one" and failed, who has faced immense amounts of pressure and adversity, who has struggled, who has been written off, but who continues to skate, and all in all seems happy, healthy, and more driven than ever. She's very inspiring.
You can't really read anything into a pre-prepared PR statement released to the media, especially something as serious as disordered thinking. This wasn't even something said in an interview.
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2014
Not only do you sound highly judgmental, you're assuming that you know where Gracie is in the process, and concluding that your assumptions are "evidence of disordered thinking."
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2014
Well, I will use the word "bravery".
It takes braveness for a public figure, particularly one subjected to as much gossip, innuendo, and snark as Gracie, to say she is seeking treatment. What treatment, how long it takes, and where she is in the treatment process: why would that *possibly* be any of our business?:noshake:
As Jackie Wong, a class act, tweeted about Gracie: "It's a time for us to stay out of personal lives; no use in speculation about what she's doing. Keep her in your thoughts."
And comments to the contrary under the guise of "just the facts", "it happens in all sports" and "if you can't take criticism, you shouldn't be skating", is just so much happy hoo-hah.
I haven't had to break out the old lady cane in quite some time, but I'm about ready ....:dev2:
It takes braveness for a public figure, particularly one subjected to as much gossip, innuendo, and snark as Gracie, to say she is seeking treatment. What treatment, how long it takes, and where she is in the treatment process: why would that *possibly* be any of our business?:noshake:
As Jackie Wong, a class act, tweeted about Gracie: "It's a time for us to stay out of personal lives; no use in speculation about what she's doing. Keep her in your thoughts."
And comments to the contrary under the guise of "just the facts", "it happens in all sports" and "if you can't take criticism, you shouldn't be skating", is just so much happy hoo-hah.
I haven't had to break out the old lady cane in quite some time, but I'm about ready ....:dev2:
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2010
The statement she made is a bit confusing. I'm not sure what she is "stepping away" from if she is still "preparing" for the GP. It's encouraging that she has made a decision to alter the path that she is on, so hopefully she can find happiness whether or not that includes competing this season.
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2014
Three cheers for Gracie. It's brave of her to seek help and announce it publicly. It''s significant that this announcement came four days after Julia Lipnitskaya's. Gracie said "my passion for skating and training remains strong." That's something many fans here have wondered about.
What you're calling 'negativity' often seems more like people who love Gracie and want to see her do well; and who've been puzzled and trying to figure out what's going on with her. But I know how you feel. Ashley Wagner fans don't think she deserves the negative comments she receives, either. And I'm sure you could fill in the blank with nearly every skater who's discussed on this forum. It's all a matter of perspective. We all have the freedom to choose what threads to read, when to respond and how we respond.
This is a forum where people who are fans and people who aren't fans of any particular skater have s right to post their opinions, as long as they're within GS Guidelines. You don't get to just tell people to keep quiet. GS fan forums are safe places to post and visit when you don't want to hear or read criticism. Again, I empathize.
What you're calling 'negativity' often seems more like people who love Gracie and want to see her do well; and who've been puzzled and trying to figure out what's going on with her. But I know how you feel. Ashley Wagner fans don't think she deserves the negative comments she receives, either. And I'm sure you could fill in the blank with nearly every skater who's discussed on this forum. It's all a matter of perspective. We all have the freedom to choose what threads to read, when to respond and how we respond.
This is a forum where people who are fans and people who aren't fans of any particular skater have s right to post their opinions, as long as they're within GS Guidelines. You don't get to just tell people to keep quiet. GS fan forums are safe places to post and visit when you don't want to hear or read criticism. Again, I empathize.
I'm not assuming anything; I based my comment on what Gracie herself said about where she is in the process:
"... I realize I need to seek some professional help and will be taking some time off while preparing for my Grand Prix assignments."
Instead of saying "I realized I needed to seek ..." (past tense about an activity that has begun), she said "I realize I need to seek" (present tense, referencing a future activity).
Yes, verb tense matters as to meaning.
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2014
Moxiejan, I thank you for the information, but I have a degree in English and analyze evidence for a living. Since I don't want to derail this thread further, all I will say is that without knowing who wrote Gracie's prepared statement and when it was written, as opposed to when it was released to USA Today, the verb tense means very little.
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2003
Thanks Tavi. I mean seriously...who is she? A playwright? John Donne? I'm sure it's great to unpack author's intent in verb tenses and punctuation use in works of great literature, but I wouldn't take it so seriously with a public comment by Gracie to USA Today. If we were to look at it deeper, she could still be looking for a professional to help her, or she is presently seeking professional help with someone she already found, or she meant to say she's already started but used the wrong tense. It could be a lot of things. What I don't get is why is it such a big deal right now to psychoanalyze Gracie at this moment and diagnose her with disordered thinking and then continue to find ways to critique her for how she's going about the skating season. Sure, there are two skaters who might like to be invited to a GP that she's currently slotted for, but just make that point. Everything else seems a bit much.
I think it's worth noting that multiple parties likely went through the statement to make sure she didn't say anything that would get her sued and into further legal trouble with various parties. So it's a bit much to try to make broad conclusions about her plans or state of mind or what not.
And she can still "train for the GP" and "get help." They are not mutually exclusive of each other.
And she can still "train for the GP" and "get help." They are not mutually exclusive of each other.
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2008
There are 4 ladies in contention for the Olympic team:
Karen Chen
Ashley Wagner
Mirai Nagasu
Mariah Bell
All energy should be focused there. Nobody else has any international experience or enough consistency/technique. Bradie Tennell is trying to be the Polina Edmunds breakout of the Olympic season but it's not going to happen, she doesn't have the quality Polina was showing 4 years ago. The one tiny chance at a wildcard would be Starr Andrews, if she were to somehow master the Triple Axel in the next few months and do clean programs at Nationals (but let's be real).
Karen Chen
Ashley Wagner
Mirai Nagasu
Mariah Bell
All energy should be focused there. Nobody else has any international experience or enough consistency/technique. Bradie Tennell is trying to be the Polina Edmunds breakout of the Olympic season but it's not going to happen, she doesn't have the quality Polina was showing 4 years ago. The one tiny chance at a wildcard would be Starr Andrews, if she were to somehow master the Triple Axel in the next few months and do clean programs at Nationals (but let's be real).
It of course is not mutually exclusive for her to do those two things. But that isn't what she said; here is the quote:
"I realize I need to seek some professional help and will be taking some time off while preparing for my Grand Prix assignments."
It is not possible to be "taking some time off" and "preparing" at the same time.
Yes, mutually exclusive.
Perhaps she meant to say that she would be "taking some time off" from competing (Japan Open and probably Nepela).
But that would be speculation.
- Joined
- Aug 30, 2015
So... just to make sure I'm not missing anything (I'm still learning a lot about the sport)
It seems like the most likely women to make the Olympic team are Karen Chen and Ashley Wagner, unless there are major shifts from last season. That leaves a third spot, with Mirai Nagasu or Mariah Bell as likely possibilities and with Polina Edmunds as a bit of a wild card since she hasn't competed in a while and we don't really know right now how she's skating.
Did I miss anyone? Any major contenders that I left out?
(Edited to add: sorry, I just realized someone posted a similar summary earlier this evening. Thanks!)
It seems like the most likely women to make the Olympic team are Karen Chen and Ashley Wagner, unless there are major shifts from last season. That leaves a third spot, with Mirai Nagasu or Mariah Bell as likely possibilities and with Polina Edmunds as a bit of a wild card since she hasn't competed in a while and we don't really know right now how she's skating.
Did I miss anyone? Any major contenders that I left out?
(Edited to add: sorry, I just realized someone posted a similar summary earlier this evening. Thanks!)
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