2017-18 State of U.S. Ladies Skating
- Thread starter R.D.
- Start date
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2010
I don't think it's genetics. Mirai can fully rotate a 3A, Karen gets plenty of height on her jumps, and Ashley's rotation issues on non 3-3 jumping passes is a relatively new problem. I know that they are working on these things but, as a fan, it's frustrating that they lack the mindset to execute the rotation in competition.
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2010
I agree. Ashley probably did nothing this weekend to hurt her chances. Realistically, silver was going to be the best possible result with Kaetlyn skating as well as she is, so bronze isn't bad.
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2007
Surprise, it happened!
It's odd that many are saying Kaetlyn is skating well, maybe because she got such high scores? But to me hands down on the 3T, a doubled triple and a fall with lifeless performance, is not great skating.
I was dumbfounded at that short program! It was the first time I can say that I enjoyed Courtney's performance. In the past she has wowed me with her jumps but otherwise put me to sleep. Rohene worked magic on her.
I wanna know who was on that panel at Champs Camp and after seeing all of these programs said yes to Ashley repeating her short and three-peating her long, thought Mariah's WWS long was good, and were all on board with Karen's Carmen (although I'll give them that one, I saw her Carmen at Glacier Falls and while it wasn't my favorite dang was that girl COMMITTED to that program when she performed it). While I fully respect and admire Ashley's determination to have these programs because she wants that moment, I think they are doing her no favors with the judges. It is also a bummer that Karen has this program that just doesn't have the run throughs and practice time put into it because she changed it so recently (it is lovely and I hope to see it get stronger) so that probably played a part in how things went at Skate Canada.
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2010
Since she gets all the way around on her jumps, she can get away with a few mistakes because she gets high GOE on everything she lands well. She seemed a bit tight today, but I think her performance quality was strong relative to the rest of this field.
A bit off-topic, but look who showed up on my Facebook feed. This one's for you SamS!
https://www.dropbox.com/s/7idyvk3pbbwes8r/Screenshot 2017-10-28 15.22.31.png?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/7idyvk3pbbwes8r/Screenshot 2017-10-28 15.22.31.png?dl=0
I would say everyone is more or less on an even playing field at this point. If Wagner somehow squeaks her way into the Final, that could factor in "The Decision" *particularly if she improves*. Chen's 7th place will likely have her out of the running...probably same with Bell's 6th(?) at COR...next step...Wagner needs to get herself onto that SA podium. And ALL the US women need to find SOME way to get to 70 for the SP and 130 for the FS. It's tough to see who can at this point...
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2015
apparently Ashley never even skated la la land for them...bad call imo. That program seemed promising. I have to say i am surprised but moulin rouge felt fresher to me then hip hip. I'm shocked i feel that way since its Moulin third time around. but it didn't bother me as much as i thought it would. Hip hip i just don't know...I still think she should have taken her stars on ice exhibition hand clap and turned that into a new sp. Its vibe is pretty similar to hip hip, she could have even kept the jump layout the exact same and alot of similar choreography if she was having trouble memorizing it. Would have had the same energy but felt fresher since it was a new song. Oh well, I think she's stuck with these new programs for the season now. Glad to see her fight for a bronze, even if it wasn't peak Wagner form yet. Thank God we have a few weeks until skate America!
When you look on the ice, you can see whether or not a jump is fully rotated. But judges do not get that ability in a competition. If it looks fully rotated in real time, the skater is scored that way. But if a judge finds a landing questionable, then they look at the instant reply and that is only from that one camera angle.
Awhile back, I got to sit directly behind the judging panel so I got to see which elements were being scrunitized. It was very enlightening to see which elements were reviewed and some were reviewed multiple times.
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2014
Now that Courtney Hicks has defeated defending Champion and World Pewter Medalist Karen Chen, I hope she'll be seen as a possible threat at Nationals. I still find it sad that she wasn't given a GP event from day 1 but, she made a big statement in Canada and she should be proud of herself.
Courtney seems to do better internationally at the GP then she does at nationals. She always sets herself up as a medal contender only to completely fall apart. If she had skated the past few seasons at nationals as she had done at the GP she would be a multi world team member by now 
I guess that's why many call nationals the toughest competition of the year
I guess that's why many call nationals the toughest competition of the year
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2014
Courtney seems to do better internationally at the GP then she does at nationals. She always sets herself up as a medal contender only to completely fall apart. If she had skated the past few seasons at nationals as she had done at the GP she would be a multi world team member by now
I guess that's why many call nationals the toughest competition of the year
That was an excellent response. Thank you.....
Phil is being pretty harsh with Karen. I don’t think he realizes that it’s impossible to skate a two week old program well. You have to get used to the layout, tweak it so you can Land your jumps consistently and practice it until it becomes body memory. Truth be told I was expecting worse. A few pops and indeed with an already harsh tech panel? Not bad at all.
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2014
I say this as an Ashley fan....but the PCS she is receiving are very generous. I don't think her programs are as impressive as they were two years ago, but it doesn't appear to be hurting her actual numbers.
On the one hand, I basically agree with you. On the other hand....someone who wants to be taken seriously as an Olympic medal contender should know that the Grand Prix matters and that she shouldn't show up with such a new program (especially for a skater who isn't consistent even with material she is confident with).
I love Karen and Ashley, and I root for them harder than I root for any other lady, mostly, but there's only so many excuses that can be made.
I blame it on her being young and wanting to follow in Zhenia’s and Marin’s example. But Karen isn’t Zhenia. She can’t just debut a self choreographed program and expect results. She should’ve changed her program much earlier if she wasn’t sure. Now her focus should be entirely on her jumps and getting them consistent. I have no doubt they program will improve just as it did last year. But the timing of this is awful.
^^^^THIS! I was praying almost every moment when she take on the ice. yes being 7th here doesn’t help her but if you look at her scores, she got a 8 for interpretation of music (higher than several others), which is not bad at all. It would probably be lower if she would have been stick with Carmen. It is a risk but I think overall people can see she like this better than Carmen which will help her as she keep competing and also help with PCS scores.
Here is another thing I want to ask: something about her SP that also not clicking like her last season SP. Is it because of Mark’s choreograph that is hard for her or is it something else?
It sure is, and she is out of the GPF running due potentially in part to it.
Of course, no one wants to peak early in the season - but the super-slow starts by the US women can get old after awhile.
Still, each has another event - let's see how much improvement, if any, we see. We're venting frustration here but I think at that point, the picture will become clearer as to where the US women truly are going (even if it's nowhere).
