2017-18 State of U.S. Ladies Skating

[samson]

Yeah you can tell Mirai has a lot of determination this year. I'm honestly really excited she's gotten past the "will she won't she" phase of doing the triple axel and hey... it may not have been clean but it was ratified.

In Phil's Icenetwork piece about the short she mentioned she also has been working with a sports psychologist which I think is a great thing and it sounded like she had let her self feel the disappointment she needed to feel and had move forward to - what can I take away? How do I grow from this?

 

[Blades of Passion]

The toeloops are most certainly fully rotated... she has recieved full credit for every one she has done this year.

Bradie's toeloops are not fully rotated; receiving credit thus far has been a miscall at these early competitions. She cheats the entrance and comes down short even still. On her 2Axel+3Toe it's barely more than 2 rotations in the air and not hard to spot. She got called at Junior Worlds for underrotation and a ! lutz and I have seen no improvement.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

Yeah you can tell Mirai has a lot of determination this year. I'm honestly really excited she's gotten past the "will she won't she" phase of doing the triple axel and hey... it may not have been clean but it was ratified.

What do you consider "ratified"? Just that the scoresheet says "3A" with no < or fall deduction?

 

[samson]

What do you consider "ratified"? Just that the scoresheet says "3A" with no < or fall deduction?

hahah yes. It wasn't pretty but it was considered a valid triple axel. maybe ratified isn't the perfect term but in the eyes of the score sheet it was there.

in any event she just did a MUCH better one in the free that was also was marked fully rotated. and she was good enough to be the top US lady tonight and overall (second behind Honda). this is a really good start for her season.

 

[Sasha'sSpins]

Two 3A's ratified, a silver medal and the top U.S lady. Not bad Mirai! Work to be done but a very good start before the GP's!

 

[mirai4life]

that LP reaction video. Mirai has me dying.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHWjrIqfmhk

 

[hippomoomin]

I have to say Mirai the Miss Saigon is much better than I expected. Unlike other Miss Saigon programs that portray a vulnerable and emotional tragic lady, Mirai showed a strong and determined Miss Saigon. In real time, most of jumps look big and fine, but she got UR for almost all of jumps??? Something is wrong here. Maybe she needs to switch under to pre rotation, which hardly ever gets caught. It is really not fair that under rotation is severely punished but pre-rotation gets away, while the amount revolution in air can be the same:noshake:

 

[largeman]

I have to say Mirai the Miss Saigon is much better than I expected. Unlike other Miss Saigon programs that portray a vulnerable and emotional tragic lady, Mirai showed a strong and determined Miss Saigon. In real time, most of jumps look big and fine, but she got UR for almost all of jumps??? Something is wrong here. Maybe she needs to switch under to pre rotation, which hardly ever gets caught. It is really not fair that under rotation is severely punished but pre-rotation gets away, while the amount revolution in air can be the same:noshake:

A lot of times Mirai's UR is really just the toe pick touching the ice before the last 1/4 turn, and not the full blade coming down and hooking the last 1/4 turn. Also she's said in the interview with TSL that when it comes to URs, it's all about that little bit extra mental strength and not letting nerves tense her up as she takes off. We've seen at the last 4CC that she's perfectly capable of doing them clean. I think she'll get better and better as she settles into the program and continues to gain confidence throughout the season.

 

[pearly]

Karen's dress is to die for. Come to think of it, I've never seen her in a dress that wasn't stunning. Someone should have this girl OK all costumes that get put out there. Especially for ice dance in a year when we have Latin.

Congratulations Mirai on that Axel. This definitely stirs things up.

Again I am disappointed by Mirai in her reaction video. Use your words, Mirai. Don't use "like" and "um". I'm sure you can speak in a normal tone of voice too. Yes it's sassy (love the RuPaul reference!), but it's as if she is trying to sound airheaded. Is this the way she usually speaks? I hope not.

 

[pearly]

Ok, I dug up an interview on Youtube where she sounds a lot more serious and mature, as one would expect from such an accomplished athlete. I have a huge issue with this trend of girls and women dumbing themselves down when they speak.

 

[mrrice]

that LP reaction video. Mirai has me dying.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHWjrIqfmhk

Priceless!!!! Ru Paul's Drag Race.... As for Mirai's diction, phrasing, and vocabulary......I think she was still in character. I know she's from California but, she's not 16 anymore. Karen is also from Ca. and she sounds for more mature. Of course, it doesn't really matter what you sound like if you're wearing a medal around your neck.

 

[OS]

that LP reaction video. Mirai has me dying.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHWjrIqfmhk

That explains so much!!!! Mirai has been watching the wrong TV series!!!!!! What drag race? no wonder she URs.

3 letters: GOT
3 Words: Mother of Dragons
3 Axels: You are awesome

Good luck Ms. Saigon, please fly higher and fuller next time.

Ok, I dug up an interview on Youtube where she sounds a lot more serious and mature, as one would expect from such an accomplished athlete. I have a huge issue with this trend of girls and women dumbing themselves down when they speak.

She is just being a Cali girl, this was she back in 2010... hope she don't change too much, always stay true to herself, even one that remains young at heart.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENQb4iTUelA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsGmBMVe8-s

 

[klutzonice]

Karen's dress is to die for. Come to think of it, I've never seen her in a dress that wasn't stunning. Someone should have this girl OK all costumes that get put out there. Especially for ice dance in a year when we have Latin.

Congratulations Mirai on that Axel. This definitely stirs things up.

Again I am disappointed by Mirai in her reaction video. Use your words, Mirai. Don't use "like" and "um". I'm sure you can speak in a normal tone of voice too. Yes it's sassy (love the RuPaul reference!), but it's as if she is trying to sound airheaded. Is this the way she usually speaks? I hope not.

A reaction video is just that - a reaction. She doesn't need to apply a filter if she doesn't want to. In fact, I think most people appreciated seeing her genuine charm, honesty and humour. She is an accomplished athlete with a brilliant personality, regardless of whatever judgements people make about the way she talks.

 

[pearly]

Yes, well She most certainly doesn't need to do anything or care what anyone thinks.

My opinion - I've watched her skate many times, but this is the first time I've heard her talk. I'll always enjoy a good talk by a well rounded person who can express themselves well and show confidence. I guess it comes with age.

 

[Moxiejan]

Bradie's toeloops are not fully rotated; receiving credit thus far has been a miscall at these early competitions. She cheats the entrance and comes down short even still. On her 2Axel+3Toe it's barely more than 2 rotations in the air and not hard to spot. She got called at Junior Worlds for underrotation and a ! lutz and I have seen no improvement.

So ... every tech specialist at these early competitions (all senior) have called every one of her toe loops clean, and yet you think every one of these is a miscall. Really, have you considered that your personal opinion of full rotation in a toe loop doesn't match the reality of the existing tech requirements for this jump?

 

[nimi]

I'm happy for Mirai for doing well!

I thought her reaction video was lovely! To me, she just sounded genuine and in the moment. (Also I don't quite understand why so many people are so annoyed by young girls/women sounding like young girls/women, but then again, if you look at, say, 19th century newspaper columns there's a lot hand-wringing and tut-tutting about the annoying speech mannerisms of "young women these days" and why don't they talk like "proper ladies" talk and o tempora o mores etc. etc. so I guess that's just something endemic to our culture that never goes away...)

 

[Blades of Passion]

So ... every tech specialist at these early competitions (all senior) have called every one of her toe loops clean, and yet you think every one of these is a miscall. Really, have you considered that your personal opinion of full rotation in a toe loop doesn't match the reality of the existing tech requirements for this jump?

There is no consistent "existing tech requirement". It simply comes down to the callers. Even if you go by the theory of "they will only look at where the blade started on the ice and not where the toepick foot leaves the ice", her 2Axel+3Toe should still be getting called. Look at it yourself in slow-mo and try to say it's not under.

 

[Moxiejan]

There is no consistent "existing tech requirement". It simply comes down to the callers. Even if you go by the theory of "they will only look at where the blade started on the ice and not where the toepick foot leaves the ice", her 2Axel+3Toe should still be getting called. Look at it yourself in slow-mo and try to say it's not under.

The callers go through extensive training on how to review each element. That includes the subject of pre-rotation. Yes, you can have your opinion of what they should be calling. That doesn't make it true.

ETA: There indeed is a "consistent tech requirement" on pre-rotation. It's defined as "a clear forward (backward for Axel type jump) take-off." It appears on Page 20 (in a paragraph titled Cheated take-off) in the ISU's tech manual for singles skating. It even lists the toe loop as the most commonly pre-rotated jump, especially in combination or sequence. HOWEVER, it says the panel MUST review for it at "regular" speed and NOT in slo-mo. So, yes, you can do all the personal reviews you want in slo-mo. But that is NOT the "existing tech requirement" for the panel's review.

 

[R.D.]

Ok, I dug up an interview on Youtube where she sounds a lot more serious and mature, as one would expect from such an accomplished athlete. I have a huge issue with this trend of girls and women dumbing themselves down when they speak.

I honestly think it was more play-acting than anything. She (MN) got a kick out of the reaction to the last video (as she points out) and decided to have some more fun with this one. Fine by me...raw and somewhat less filtered, let your personality come out (regardless of whether folks identify with it or not).

 

[hippomoomin]

Mirai should easily find herself in the entertainment industry after she retires. I am thinking of a talk show host, or soap opera actress. I am not joking.

that LP reaction video. Mirai has me dying.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHWjrIqfmhk