2017-18 State of U.S. Ladies Skating

[MarinHondas]

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.

I agree. Karen told the media she has only had this program for a little over two weeks...... that is INSANE! She knew it was a big risk changing it so close to Skate Canada. Unfortunately it didn’t pay off. I’m still happy she changed it. This suits her much better than Carmen.

 

[frida80]

^^^^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?

I do t know. I know that she didn't skate her SP clean last year until nationals. But I blame that on her late start for the season. Karen has had Mark's programs before. So I'm not sure why there is a problem this year. It's as shame she didn't branch out. I think she would work well with Shae or Jeff.

 

[Blades of Passion]

Karen Chen should go back to Requiem for a Dream for the SP - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhfQE6hAsY0 . I don't think anyone else is using this music for the Olympics and it's a better selection of high-energy music for her than the wailing Roxanne she is doing right now. Roxanne is too harsh for her skating and isn't working, particularly with the spins at the end. Her new LP will be a good vehicle once she gets more mileage on it, time for a better SP as well. If she wants to keep Roxanne, then I think she needs to cut the vocals and just copy the way Yu-Na Kim did the program in 2007, because that version is really the best you can get.

 

[hippomoomin]

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.

Is it true the a skater's ability to memorize a new program declines in the middle 20s? I know human being's ability to memorize decline with age, but to say that at the age of 26, she has more trouble memorizing choreography than an 18 year old is puzzling. I thought with more years of skating, you learn choreography faster (not new jumps though) because you learned how to learn.

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

I agree. Karen told the media she has only had this program for a little over two weeks...... that is INSANE! She knew it was a big risk changing it so close to Skate Canada. Unfortunately it didn’t pay off. I’m still happy she changed it. This suits her much better than Carmen.

I love this program and can’t wait for it at its best. She’s unbelievably talented!!

I wish she would find a way to not jump so high or just start launching quads. I’ve never really been a sucker for big jumps and wish she could just instead focus her energy on a smooth transition out as the defining moment of her jumps. The height on her Lutz is killing her combo or is it just me who thinks that?

Best jump IMO was the 2a-1lo-3s. Perfect !!

 

[ice coverage]

A lot of the top skaters now have byes. So the contenders are now Angela Wang, Vivian Le, Starr Andrews, Kaitlyn Nyugen, and Tessa Hong. I’m very sure that Angela will get a 2nd Challenger to get her bye. ...

The USFS assignments page now says that Angela Wang :yay: and Caroline Zhang :yay: will compete at Tallinn Trophy, Nov 21 -26.

(Other Tallinn assignments: Krasnozhon; Castelli/Tran; Pogrebinsky/Benoit.)

http://www.usfigureskating.org/story?id=84032&menu=TeamUSA​

Glad that frida's prediction re Angela's second Challenger has come true .

---

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

BTW, as part of NBC's celebration of the 100 Day Countdown, Ashley Wagner will perform on the Today show on Nov 1.

Wagner will give a special performance on the newly decorated iconic Rink at Rockefeller Center that will feature the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics logo. This marks the first time the rink has featured an Olympic logo.​

[Plus I think I have mentioned before that Ashley is among the athletes from all winter sports who will take part in the USOC's WinterFest in Times Square on Nov 1 for the 100 Day Countdown.
Also Davis/White and the Shibs. Some of the WinterFest stuff will be televised that night on Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA.]

---

Congratulations to Courtney for fourth place overall at Skate Canada International. And to Ashley for the bronze.

 

[frida80]

The USFS assignments page now says that Angela Wang :yay: and Caroline Zhang :yay: will compete at Tallinn Trophy, Nov 21 -26.

(Other Tallinn assignments: Krasnozhon; Castelli/Tran; Pogrebinsky/Benoit.)

http://www.usfigureskating.org/story?id=84032&menu=TeamUSA​

Glad that frida's prediction re Angela's second Challenger has come true .

---

BTW, as part of NBC's celebration of the 100 Day Countdown, Ashley Wagner will perform on the Today show on Nov 1.

Wagner will give a special performance on the newly decorated iconic Rink at Rockefeller Center that will feature the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics logo. This marks the first time the rink has featured an Olympic logo.​

[Plus I think I have mentioned before that Ashley is among the athletes from all winter sports who will take part in the USOC's WinterFest in Times Square on Nov 1 for the 100 Day Countdown.
Also Davis/White and the Shibs. Some of the WinterFest stuff will be televised that night on Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA.)

---

Congratulations to Courtney for fourth place overall at Skate Canada International. And to Ashley for the bronze.

I made a guess that the best performers on the Challengers without a 2nd GP would get another assignment. Courtney, Angela, and Caroline are all likely pics for FCC.

Nathan is in NYC right now. I wonder if he will be in the event as well.

 

[loopy1217]

Karen Chen should go back to Requiem for a Dream for the SP - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhfQE6hAsY0 . I don't think anyone else is using this music for the Olympics and it's a better selection of high-energy music for her than the wailing Roxanne she is doing right now. Roxanne is too harsh for her skating and isn't working, particularly with the spins at the end. Her new LP will be a good vehicle once she gets more mileage on it, time for a better SP as well. If she wants to keep Roxanne, then I think she needs to cut the vocals and just copy the way Yu-Na Kim did the program in 2007, because that version is really the best you can get.

I would definitely vote for Requirem for a Dream!!! Love that programs 2 years ago. My only concern/worry is if judges would think of it as juniorish. Also the fact she changed her LP 2 times is already looking bad to the USFS, I don’t think they would support another change so soon unless something drastic happened (which I hope never would happen)

I love this program and can’t wait for it at its best. She’s unbelievably talented!!

I wish she would find a way to not jump so high or just start launching quads. I’ve never really been a sucker for big jumps and wish she could just instead focus her energy on a smooth transition out as the defining moment of her jumps. The height on her Lutz is killing her combo or is it just me who thinks that?

Best jump IMO was the 2a-1lo-3s. Perfect !!

I thought of this ‘quad’ idea before. If she love Lutz so much and her 3Lz is this high, why hasn’t she train or attempt 4Lz? I am probably talking crazy as a newbie (and I apologize in advance), but wouldn’t that be better than 3A that she mentioned earlier this season in one of the USFS videos?

 

[brightphoton]

Is it true the a skater's ability to memorize a new program declines in the middle 20s? I know human being's ability to memorize decline with age, but to say that at the age of 26, she has more trouble memorizing choreography than an 18 year old is puzzling. I thought with more years of skating, you learn choreography faster (not new jumps though) because you learned how to learn.

No, a 26-year-old normal human doesn't have trouble memorizing new choreography. But Ashley has had 5+ concussions, so it makes it really difficult for her remember new choreography.

“The concussions definitely rewired my brain in the way that I process information,” Wagner said. “My short-term memory is not that incredible; talking to me is a little bit like talking to Dory from “Finding Nemo” [laughing]. It’s really affected me in the way that I learn programs because you have to memorize this choreography and the choreography is very intricate. So for me, retraining my brain to be able to learn choreography and be able to remember it, that’s probably my biggest challenge.”

http://www.excellesports.com/news/ashley-wagner-concussions-body-espn/

On Skate Canada, it must be frustrating for her to receive the scores she did. She added two new tano jumps, and didn't have any falls. But she still scored relatively low. I haven't looked at the protocols yet, but I assume she had a few underrotation calls.

 

[skatenewbie]

After winning bronze Ashley is possible making GPF again, USFS will push her as much as they want in SA to make her 1st or 2nd, her other rivals are not as strong, Tsurskaya, Pogorilaya, Satoko, Daleman. Well Daleman could be if she's back to her 2017 World from (let's see next week in CoC) and also Satoko but her form is unknown till now

 

[skylark]

Ashley Wagner, Shine On, You Crazy Diamond! Many of us can see the perfection in your imperfections!

You keep on winning medals for the U.S.A. Thank you. You keep on rising above your critics.

Some minimize your accomplishments, blaming you for winning a bronze medal with an imperfect skate. And yet … that's how the competition is supposed to work. By doing better than your competitors did, knowing you'll be judged, in an arena of thousands, millions more by television and internet. If you do better, under pressure and on the day, you get a higher placement. Some predict doom for you in the months ahead. But you defy the odds; you keep going.

Diva Wagner, you showed incredible fight and spirit all through your FS at Skate Canada. You performed to the music, told the story, created emotion, smiled, enchanted and amazed the audience.

You kept going for whatever you could. (that's what you always do. You won't quit.) In my book, that's true valiance.

 

[R.D.]

BTW, as part of NBC's celebration of the 100 Day Countdown, Ashley Wagner will perform on the Today show on Nov 1.

Wagner will give a special performance on the newly decorated iconic Rink at Rockefeller Center that will feature the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics logo. This marks the first time the rink has featured an Olympic logo.​

[Plus I think I have mentioned before that Ashley is among the athletes from all winter sports who will take part in the USOC's WinterFest in Times Square on Nov 1 for the 100 Day Countdown.
Also Davis/White and the Shibs. Some of the WinterFest stuff will be televised that night on Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA.]

This is getting OT but I'm currently planning to head up there for the afternoon portion when they open the event to the public. (Not to see anyone in particular, but to check things out as I've really wanted to go to one of these pre-Olys things in NYC for quite awhile now but either had conflicts or was unaware that it was going on...) I'll report back if I see any skaters.

 

[R.D.]

I agree. Karen told the media she has only had this program for a little over two weeks...... that is INSANE! She knew it was a big risk changing it so close to Skate Canada. Unfortunately it didn’t pay off. I’m still happy she changed it. This suits her much better than Carmen.

You know...after thinking about this for a bit...I'm not even convinced her result would have been a whole lot better if she stuck with her original FS. Chen historically has just not been consistent with her jumps and appears to be off to a slow start (let's see if she turns things around as she gets more comfortable with the program).

 

[Spirals for Miles]

After winning bronze Ashley is possible making GPF again, USFS will push her as much as they want in SA to make her 1st or 2nd, her other rivals are not as strong, Tsurskaya, Pogorilaya, Satoko, Daleman. Well Daleman could be if she's back to her 2017 World from (let's see next week in CoC) and also Satoko but her form is unknown till now

Tsurskaya is back on form! So it will not be as easy for them to push Ashley. Polina never underrotates her jumps and gets huge GOE even without tanos or rippons...

 

[frida80]

Tsurskaya is back on form! So it will not be as easy for them to push Ashley. Polina never underrotates her jumps and gets huge GOE even without tanos or rippons...

You must have missed JW. Polina was underrotating a lot. I’m glad she doing better. But spinal injuries are no joke. I want her to succeed, but I expect things to be a little rough when she returns.

Underrotations won’t be a problem for Ashley at SA. Only if they're egregious. Plus she will have a huge PCS boost. The only people that can take her down is Gabby and Karen. But she is a favorite to win at SA.

 

[brightphoton]

You know...after thinking about this for a bit...I'm not even convinced her result would have been a whole lot better if she stuck with her original FS. Chen historically has just not been consistent with her jumps and appears to be off to a slow start (let's see if she turns things around as she gets more comfortable with the program).

Just watched Karen Chen's free skate. Jumps, I guess that's been said.

The music is well-suited for a free program, lots of highs and lows, and a vibrant melody. If that makes sense. Choreographically, it's a good start. I think once Karen gets a few more run throughs for muscle memory, tweaks it a bit, it'll be a masterpiece. Can't wait to see it at Skate America

 

[Spirals for Miles]

You must have missed JW. Polina was underrotating a lot. I’m glad she doing better. But spinal injuries are no joke. I want her to succeed, but I expect things to be a little rough when she returns.

Underrotations won’t be a problem for Ashley at SA. Only if they're egregious. Plus she will have a huge PCS boost. The only people that can take her down is Gabby and Karen. But she is a favorite to win at SA.

Sorry, Polina's not a chronic underrotator like many of the girls at SA.. she competed at the 2nd stage of the Russian Cup and rotated everything. She was goregeous there. So the US ladies have their work cut out for them.

 

[R.D.]

Wagner verbally acknowledges that she's got to do better via this tweet from @ISUFigureSkating:

@AshWagner2010: I need to up the ante. I refuse to be the 26-yo who is hanging on, I want to be a competitive 26-yo who is here for a reason

https://twitter.com/ISU_Figure/status/924402650199687168

So, now we wait for her to translate that onto the ice. :yes:

 

[Spirals for Miles]

She's got grit all right!

 

[frida80]

Sorry, Polina's not a chronic underrotator like many of the girls at SA.. she competed at the 2nd stage of the Russian Cup and rotated everything. She was goregeous there. So the US ladies have their work cut out for them.

I already said this is SA. The tech controller won’t be an issue. They will overlook underrotations from Americans as long as their not obvious. Any American lady has a huge advantage. It’s called home field advantage. Skaters from Russia and Canada just benefited from skating on home ice. The cheering crowds will encourage judges to give Ashley a massive score to ensure her spot on at the GPF. This is nearly a done deal.


Plus Polina still made some clear errors. She popped her 3lz and fell on her 3F. She only scored a 124 in her FS. She’s got to be a lot better than that at SA. Falls and pops are deadly when the tech controller is a nonissue. She’s been off the ice for a while and that was a domestic competition, which all skater will over perform. Let’s wait until after NHK to say if Polina will be a threat. We’ve already seen with Marin that judges will be stingy with rising junior PCS scores. I’m expecting a solid fifth or sixth place for her. Unless she has a meltdown.