2017-18 State of U.S. Ladies Skating

[Icey]

Wagner has typically shown good self-awareness of what she needs to work on, or at least enough to SAY the right things to the press whenever they stick a mic in her face. I don't doubt that she genuinely wants high results, but sometimes I wonder if she allows her mind to race ahead of her body at times. I get the impression that occasionally she thinks she is stronger or better prepared than she really is, and this has been a pattern with her for some time now. But these are all mind tricks.

I would say she is sometimes the victim of overconfidence.

Someone should have advised Ashely to stop skating long before 5 concussions. Does she wear protective head gear during practice now?

 

[temadd]

Research indicates that , in general, memory doesn't start declining until around 35. I don't know why a skater would lose that ability any faster than the general population.

5 concussions would do it

 

[skylark]

I would say she is sometimes the victim of overconfidence.

I disagree. If you watch her (especially post-competition) interviews over time, she is relentlessly self-critical. She usually frames her answers by acknowledging her errors, and then saying what she is doing to correct them.

It's who she is ... self-critical, funny (as in her tweet after last year's CoC: "On the bright side, I can make a lovely salad with all the carrots I got yesterday") and determined to build up her self-confidence by stating aloud her actions and intentions. It's also smart media strategy.

 

[macy]

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.

as skating fans who have never skated competitively or even those who used to compete long ago, we often forget or truly don't understand how much pressure is on these girls in competition. competing is a WHOLE OTHER ball game versus practice. you are in a dress you don't wear every day, you aren't wearing gloves or a jacket or your favorite practice gear you are so comfortable in, you're in a different country/time zone often, different ice, in front of judges and thousands of people watching your EVERY move, yet you are expected to skate exactly like you do in practice at home. that is a HUGE expectation to have on your shoulders, not to mention you are also proving to your federation you are worthy of being on an Olympic team, trying to podium, trying to win, trying to make the final, etc. when you take yourself out of your routine every day into something foreign can be even scary, and nerves can always take over what you do in practice every day. I have no idea if that's truly why some girls under rotate in competition, but that can be a HUGE factor...stiff knees/ankles, doubt, expectations, etc.

 

[Spirals for Miles]

as skating fans who have never skated competitively anymore or even those who used to compete long ago, we often forget or truly don't understand how much pressure is on these girls in competition. competing is a WHOLE OTHER ball game versus practice. you are in a dress you don't wear every day, you aren't wearing gloves or a jacket or your favorite practice gear you are so comfortable in, you're in a different country/time zone often, different ice, in front of judges and thousands of people watching your EVERY move, yet you are expected to skate exactly like you do in practice at home. that is a HUGE expectation to have on your shoulders, not to mention you are also proving to your federation you are worthy of being on an Olympic team, trying to podium, trying to win, trying to make the final, etc. when you take yourself out of your routine every day into something foreign can be even scary, and nerves can always take over what you do in practice every day. I have no idea if that's truly why some girls under rotate in competition, but that can be a HUGE factor...stiff knees/ankles, doubt, expectations, etc.

I agree, but at the same time, other ladies and skaters in other disciplines have managed to do it,so it CAN be done.

 

[LRK]

Me too. She has my favorite SP, and least favorite LP, among the American women. I'd love to see her bring back last season's LP.

Same. I love her SP - not the FP. I just don't care for this version of Amazing Grace. It is just... too much.

 

[temadd]

as skating fans who have never skated competitively anymore or even those who used to compete long ago, we often forget or truly don't understand how much pressure is on these girls in competition. competing is a WHOLE OTHER ball game versus practice. you are in a dress you don't wear every day, you aren't wearing gloves or a jacket or your favorite practice gear you are so comfortable in, you're in a different country/time zone often, different ice, in front of judges and thousands of people watching your EVERY move, yet you are expected to skate exactly like you do in practice at home. that is a HUGE expectation to have on your shoulders, not to mention you are also proving to your federation you are worthy of being on an Olympic team, trying to podium, trying to win, trying to make the final, etc. when you take yourself out of your routine every day into something foreign can be even scary, and nerves can always take over what you do in practice every day. I have no idea if that's truly why some girls under rotate in competition, but that can be a HUGE factor...stiff knees/ankles, doubt, expectations, etc.

Which is why I think Ashley needs to compete more. She rarely goes to Challenger events or anything other than the Grand Prix, Nationals and Worlds. As someone who is a competitive athlete, 5 or 6 times a year is not enough to get used to the nerves and pressure. It is possible to learn to compete better but it takes a lot of practice.

 

[macy]

I agree, but at the same time, other ladies and skaters in other disciplines have managed to do it,so it CAN be done.

I absolutely agree, and I agree with temad's post about her needing to compete more. I don't know if this is the case with Ashley, but some skaters no matter how often they compete do not get past nerves. some skaters feel it until the music begins, others feel it the whole way through a performance. i'm just saying it COULD be a factor as to why she under rotates in competition. nerves can really mess with you sometimes, no matter how much you train.

 

[andromache]

Which is why I think Ashley needs to compete more. She rarely goes to Challenger events or anything other than the Grand Prix, Nationals and Worlds. As someone who is a competitive athlete, 5 or 6 times a year is not enough to get used to the nerves and pressure. It is possible to learn to compete better but it takes a lot of practice.

Being in peak competitive shape becomes tougher and tougher as you age. Sure, Ashley could compete at the lesser events while NOT at her peak shape, but that won't do any favors to her confidence or the judges' perception of her.

 

[temadd]

Being in peak competitive shape becomes tougher and tougher as you age. Sure, Ashley could compete at the lesser events while NOT at her peak shape, but that won't do any favors to her confidence or the judges' perception of her.

At 26 she is far from old and physically should not have any more trouble being in peak shape than a few years ago.

 

[Seren]

Being in peak competitive shape becomes tougher and tougher as you age. Sure, Ashley could compete at the lesser events while NOT at her peak shape, but that won't do any favors to her confidence or the judges' perception of her.

I mostly agree with you. She definitely doesn't need to go out and do a Liza T a la 3 years ago but I do think doing even one early season could help her. Going in blind to the GP seems like a risky thing to do when you are known for underrotations.

 

[ask]

Karen is one of the most inconsistent top US ladies. The BBC guys said she has the whole package and can challenge for a medal. Everyone can see her potential.
If she puts together a decent showing, she will be on the team for sure.

The other girls are the one who need to show growth trajectory. They cannot rely on placing well at Nationals to earn a spot. Case in point, Mirai.

Not saying that Karen has it in the bag. She just doesn't have to worry about someone else taking her spot like all other girls.

 

[andromache]

At 26 she is far from old and physically should not have any more trouble being in peak shape than a few years ago.

I think just about 26 year old woman will tell you they have far less energy and a much harder time losing/maintaining weight than they did when they were 20.

 

[VIETgrlTerifa]

I think just about 26 year old woman will tell you they have far less energy and a much harder time losing/maintaining weight than they did when they were 20.

Different sport, but Svetlana Khorkina said she finally started feeling her age in gymnastics when she hit 24. I remember when I hit 24, I felt a marked difference and I was not close to being an elite-level athlete like Ashley.

 

[Mrs. P]

This might an interesting read regarding training at an older age: http://www.npr.org/2017/10/18/558477305/age-defying-athletes-may-provide-clues-for-the-rest-of-us

 

[temadd]

I think just about 26 year old woman will tell you they have far less energy and a much harder time losing/maintaining weight than they did when they were 20.

I am a competitive athlete and at 26 I was stronger and smarter than at 20. Scientific studies have shown that we peak strength wise in our mid 20's.

 

[Eeyora]

Maybe it’s the the red dress and the blonde hair but I was thinking about Ashley in the Fall of 2014. In which she did ok but didn’t hit it out of the park until the GPF.. Where would you compare her shape now to of that then?

I do realize there is more competition near the top now with at least 7 other Olympic medal contenders...

 

[b-man]

Karen is one of the most inconsistent top US ladies. The BBC guys said she has the whole package and can challenge for a medal. Everyone can see her potential.
If she puts together a decent showing, she will be on the team for sure.

The other girls are the one who need to show growth trajectory. They cannot rely on placing well at Nationals to earn a spot. Case in point, Mirai.

Not saying that Karen has it in the bag. She just doesn't have to worry about someone else taking her spot like all other girls.

Mirai is 2-0 against Karen this year in direct competition.

 

[andromache]

I am a competitive athlete and at 26 I was stronger and smarter than at 20. Scientific studies have shown that we peak strength wise in our mid 20's.

Figure skating involves more than strength or muscle mass. It's a sport where a gaining a few pounds can have an incredible impact on what you're able to do, and being stronger or more muscular might not be all that helpful.

In addition, any elite athlete is going to experience more aches and pains the longer they've been competing (i.e., as they get older), and those can have a dramatic impact on the intensity with which athletes can train, or how long or how often they can train.

 

[Bluediamonds09]

Anyone have an update on Amber Glenn? She’ll be at COC this week, the only US lady. Based on who she’s competing against, she could wind up as low as ......

but amber is honestly good enough to finish strong here! It’s the inconsistency that does her in.