2017-18 State of U.S. Ladies Skating

[drivingmissdaisy]

And now another period of time off the ice for Ashley. Just how prepared for Nationals will she be or do you think she will ask for a medical by?

Hopefully she will be fine by Nationals. The window of time for events that are considered started in January with 2017 Nationals. While she has been far and away the best American woman since the last Olympics, her results during the window have not been that strong. If she gets a medical bye onto the team, it won't be because of results that are supposed to be considered for selection. It would also be problematic if she made two Olympic teams without a top 3 finish at that season's Nationals. I think she has legitimate reasons for underperforming at recent events, but she also chose not to compete more often in Senior B's, so she deprives herself of any good results to point to in order to make her case.

 

[Moxiejan]

You guys are ridiculous. Wagner is one of the most accomplished US ladies of the past decade. The amount of hate and hypocrisy displayed towards her is stunning.[/QUOTE]

I don't think there's a person on this site who "Hates" Ashley Wagner. I certainly don't. However, there are very thin flesh colored bandages that work very well. Ashley knows that a black bandage spoils her leg lines and is distracting to the point that we're talking about it.

A "very thin bandage" (whatever the color) does not at all serve the same medical purpose as the sturdy black compression wrap, which is used in cases where an infection and/or poor circulation could cause life-threatening blood clots or sepsis. The fact that Ashley's doctor had her wear a compression wrap is an indication that the cosmetic look of her "leg lines" was the least of the doctor's concerns.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

I’ve thought about this too. I think that’s what Wagner fears most - not being prepared for Nationals, having to request a medical bye and be in danger of missing the games. I have to say all things considered, I kinda feel bad for her right now TBH. Not only is she out indefinitely, but she must contend with the gossip/drama queens within the community accusing her of “faking it” or being “overdramatic”. Hopefully within tighter circles she’s getting support. Can’t be easy as an athlete to have something out of your control like an injury shake things up.

If Wagner ends up needing to request an injury bye, I’m not sure the case for USFS to give her one is a slam dunk...which must also add to her anxiety.

I feel bad that she's injured. However, I'm frustrated that she didn't compete more this season. Assigning an injured athlete to the team assumes that she can regain her pre-injury form, but what is her pre-injury form? 2017 Skate Canada? 2017 Worlds? She really needed a few Senior B's to show what she could potentially skate like.

 

[andromache]

And now another period of time off the ice for Ashley. Just how prepared for Nationals will she be or do you think she will ask for a medical by?

I think she will be prepared enough to compete. In the event she isn't, she will request a medical bye. After all, skaters have requested them before (Jason Brown) with a fairly comparable (i.e., not spectacular) resume. Like Jason was, I would expect Ashley to be turned down. though maybe USFS would give her consolation prize of Worlds?

All that said, while her infections sounds incredibly painful, it shouldn't take long for the antibiotics to do their job. The timing of it was just bad for Skate America. I expect her to be able to compete by Nationals.

A "very thin bandage" (whatever the color) does not at all serve the same medical purpose as the heavy black compression wrap, which is used in cases where an infection and/or poor circulation could cause life-threatening blood clots or sepsis. The fact that Ashley's doctor had her wear a compression wrap is an indication that the cosmetic look of her "leg lines" was the least of the doctor's concerns.

I assume mrrice meant that Ashley could have put the bandage over top of the compression wrap to try to hide it?

 

[Manitou]

I am so over Johnny. With his late arrivals to the rink and broken shoelaces, he was the drama queen and the last person to judge Ashley. His hypocrisy was also evident when he only started supporting gay marriage when he wanted to get married. Also, his defense of the anti-LGBT laws in Russia is strange and befuddling. Johnny cares only about Johnny and still has a lot of growing up to do.

Johny is fantastic. Him and Tara are probably the best FS commentators I remember on US TV. No fake positivity, very technical and constructive, lots of humor. Bring Hamilton back and kill FS on TV.
Ashley is as vulnerable to critique as everybody else. She is very strong in her mouth, and I wish she were equally strong in her character to finish her performance she decided to start. Instead, she preferred to create a public drama she loves to be in the middle of. Not the first time and not the last.

 

[mrrice]

A "very thin bandage" (whatever the color) does not at all serve the same medical purpose as the heavy black compression wrap, which is used in cases where an infection and/or poor circulation could cause life-threatening blood clots or sepsis. The fact that Ashley's doctor had her wear a compression wrap is an indication that the cosmetic look of her "leg lines" was the least of the doctor's concerns.

I guess I'm an old school type. I need to remember that her injury is not a sprain or ligament damage and doesn't really need "Support" to keep it from moving out of place. As for leg lines being the "least of her doctors concerns".......If that's true, Ashley should have pulled out of the event and let herself heal. Her leg lines may not matter to her doctor but, they matter to the judges. The fact she could barely jump is why I fear that she's made things worse for herself by taking this risk. I just hope she'll be ready for Nationals.

 

[R.D.]

I feel bad that she's injured. However, I'm frustrated that she didn't compete more this season. Assigning an injured athlete to the team assumes that she can regain her pre-injury form, but what is her pre-injury form? 2017 Skate Canada? 2017 Worlds? She really needed a few Senior B's to show what she could potentially skate like.

Yes, more (recent) data points would help the committee. But, hindsight is ALWAYS 20/20 - and she almost certainly didn’t plan to be injured.

Sometimes things just aren’t meant to be...I’m not sure how she obtained that injury, but perhaps more early competitions would put her out of commission sooner?

 

[princessalica]

Its sad. Maybe she will rethink. I hope US will go top 3 at Nationals for Olympics on selection. There is no preselected criterion that allows for international results other than Karen Chen's 4th at worlds. Congrats to Bradie Tennell

This is my dream. I realize that it won't happen, but I just had this vision in my head of Gracie catching up on the scores and shaking her head, lacing up her skates, and saying put me in coach. I can do it. I mean Gracie's Skate America wasn't great, but it was certainly a better result than KAren's. Maybe seeing that no one (not even Medvedeva) is perfect will help Gracie. I miss watching her skating.

But I was super excited for Bradie to do that well on her first time out. T=She's got shades of Gracie and shades of Polina - ( Also don't Gracie and Bradie technically represent the same club?)

 

[noskates]

It was a compression bandage and they ARE very thin. Wow. I can't believe how people are roasting Ashley this morning. this is another case where I hope the skater doesn't come near this board.

 

[Moxiejan]

The fact she could barely jump is why I fear that she's made things worse for herself by taking this risk. I just hope she'll be ready for Nationals.

Barely jump? In her LP, the opening triple flip & both double axels were quite strong.

 

[mrrice]

It was a compression bandage and they ARE very thin. Wow. I can't believe how people are roasting Ashley this morning. this is another case where I hope the skater doesn't come near this board.

Look, better here than on National Television like Tara and Johnny. Did you notice Raf's body language and facial expressions......I think he might have suggested she not skate as well but, she's such a fighter that she probably thought she could tough it out. I'm concerned for Ashley, she's been at this for more than decade and I know she wants to go out on her own terms. It doesn't matter now, what's done is done. I just hope she has enough time to heal, let alone train to be ready for Nationals. I don't think the committee will give her a medical Bi to the Games like they did with Michelle in 2006.

 

[MarinHondas]

This is my dream. I realize that it won't happen, but I just had this vision in my head of Gracie catching up on the scores and shaking her head, lacing up her skates, and saying put me in coach. I can do it. I mean Gracie's Skate America wasn't great, but it was certainly a better result than KAren's. Maybe seeing that no one (not even Medvedeva) is perfect will help Gracie. I miss watching her skating.

But I was super excited for Bradie to do that well on her first time out. T=She's got shades of Gracie and shades of Polina - ( Also don't Gracie and Bradie technically represent the same club?)

They don’t represent the same club anymore, Bradie changed what club she represents this season for some reason. She still trains at Twin rinks in Illinois so I’m not sure what the reason for switching clubs was.

 

[lyndichee]

Johny is fantastic. Him and Tara are probably the best FS commentators I remember on US TV. No fake positivity, very technical and constructive, lots of humor. Bring Hamilton back and kill FS on TV.
Ashley is as vulnerable to critique as everybody else. She is very strong in her mouth, and I wish she were equally strong in her character to finish her performance she decided to start. Instead, she preferred to create a public drama she loves to be in the middle of. Not the first time and not the last.

Johnny and Tara technical? They spend a lot of time not discussing technicals and I think the overall sentiment is that they are overly dramatic.

Ashley was already being strong trying to attempt to qualify for the final despite her injury and lack of training time. Who are you to judge her saying she is a weak character because she couldn't "will" herself through that performance? I think her body of work in the past 8 years is a testament that she is strong mentally. This has got to be one of the most ridiculous criticisms ever.

 

[mrrice]

Barely jump? In her LP, the opening triple flip & both double axels were quite strong.

I realize that but.....The fact that she couldn't finish the program was the obvious problem. Who knows if she can still complete those jumps after re-injuring herself. I'm not trying make this personal as I would feel the same way about any skater in Ashley's position.

 

[princessalica]

I watched the event on a youtube livestream, and I was apalled at how rude people were about different skaters - even skater who weren't at the competition. People have no respect for others. They were roasting Gracie and Courtney. sometimes I just want to shake people!

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Look, better here than on National Television like Tara and Johnny. Did you notice Raf's body language and facial expressions......I think he might have suggested she not skate as well but, she's such a fighter that she probably thought she could tough it out. I'm concerned for Ashley, she's been at this for more than decade and I know she wants to go out on her own terms. It doesn't matter now, what's done is done. I just hope she has enough time to heal, let alone train to be ready for Nationals. I don't think the committee will give her a medical Bi to the Games like they did with Michelle in 2006.

How about not at all?!? Also, that's Raf's usual state so IDK what you thought you were seeing, but the assumptions need to stop.

 

[mrrice]

How about not at all?!? Also, that's Raf's usual state so IDK what you thought you were seeing, but the assumptions need to stop.

I'm not assuming anything. I saw Ashley not complete her program with my own eyes. I have seen Raf's facial expressions for more than a decade. This was my impression and I certainly don't expect other's to agree with me. If you're not worried for Ashely that's fine. I am. She's been our Champion and a roll model for several of my students. Without Ashley and Gracie, the Olympics won't be the same and since we know that Gracie is out, our hopes lie with Ashley.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

I'm not assuming anything. I saw Ashley not complete her program with my own eyes. I have seen Raf's facial expressions for more than a decade. This was my impression and I certainly don't expect other's to agree with me. If you're not worried for Ashely that's fine. I am. She's been our Champion and a roll model for several of my students. Without Ashley and Gracie, the Olympics won't be the same and since we know that Gracie is out, our hopes lie with Ashley.

What I was saying was that you need to not be critical of Ashley here nor do the terrible twins of Tara and Johnny on TV. That's what I was addressing.
I know Raf's expressions and that's why I said you were reading something into them that was not there, and why you would say that I am not worried for Ashley is beyond me. Again, assumptions that are not needed. If you really cared like you said you do then you wouldn't be so mean and approve of being rude and critical of her here.

 

[R.D.]

FWIW, Wagner has an Instagram post shedding a little light on her situation:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BcAJgVXAGhn/

So it was just a week ago that she was diagnosed with this infection. I think it would have been understandable to TPTB if she immediately pulled out of SA upon hearing that, but I’m betting she felt the pressure to compete, both out of her own strong will and to prove to TPTB that she deserves a spot on the Team (via qualifying for the GPF). Now, there is always the possibility that she COULD have gotten through it, but there was no way she was going to win, anyway. Not after doubling the combo at least. The result wouldn’t have helped her case.

Clearly not worth further pain and aggravating the injury further. It was the right call.

 

[labgoat]

My final words on this subject...I would hate to see Ashley end up like Jill Trenary did many years ago in 1991 when a leg infection landed her on crutches, requiring surgery and a withdrawal from competition ironically leading to the 1991 US ladies sweep of the worlds.

Jill Trenary' experience
https://youtu.be/uUypC8lz8ZI
https://youtu.be/pZ8vwAWWWLY

I am relieved she withdrew and will now spend her time recovering and training to improve all the things people bash her for. For what it is worth, I thought she looked more in fighting shape, quicker and sharper than Skate Canada and appeared to have worked very hard since then. I wish her a full recovery and look forward to her skates at Nationals. I also liked both dresses! I also wish all the other ladies skaters good health and some solid training so that they can be proud of their skates no matter what the outcome.