2017-18 State of U.S. Ladies Skating | Page 182 | Golden Skate

2017-18 State of U.S. Ladies Skating

I think Ashley at least gave it a go. Nobody warms up goes through 3 elements including a 3F+2T, only to withdraw. Not to mention she did the SP yesterday, going for the 3-3. She actually TRIED to compete, so to see this reaction is absolutely ridiculous.

She stopped skating because she didn't want to risk injuring herself with the Olympics as her ultimate goal. It was a smart decision and Ashley doesn't have to answer to anyone.

I'm sure the same people giving her a hard time would have mocked her had she exacerbated her injury and showed up a wreck at Nationals, dashing her Olympic hopes.
 
Mathman said:
As I recall, the USFSA was content to let it go, but journalist Phil Hersh kept badgering them and badgering them until they agreed to levy a fine on Rachael (for not reporting an injury, as per the rules).
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Frank Carroll, Mirai's coach at the time, spoke out publicly, too. Mirai and Rachel were the top U.S.competitors then.
 
CanadianSkaterGuy said:
I think Ashley at least gave it a go. Nobody warms up goes through 3 elements including a 3F+2T, only to withdraw. Not to mention she did the SP yesterday, going for the 3-3. She actually TRIED to compete, so to see this reaction is absolutely ridiculous.

She stopped skating because she didn't want to risk injuring herself with the Olympics as her ultimate goal. It was a smart decision and Ashley doesn't have to answer to anyone.

I'm sure the same people giving her a hard time would have mocked her had she exacerbated her injury and showed up a wreck at Nationals, dashing her Olympic hopes.
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I would say she felt too much hurt she had to say no. I can't believe some people here and on youtube are saying she faked it.
 
Mathman said:
Setting the Ashley discussion aside for a moment, what do you guys think of Bradie Tennell's performance at Skate America? Is Bradie destined to be this year's Mariah Bell, to suddenly jump into the mix and onto the world team? Given that no U.S. lady has hit a home run so far this year, could Bradie win the National Championship?
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Can't rule out the possibility. The precedent is there anyway...but a lot can still change. Plus, one competition does not make a skater.
 
People crying out for Ashley to get fined like Rachael Flatt need to be reminded that Rachael was fined because she went to the Worlds injured but did not disclose the injury to the USFSA. It was an injury that not only impacted her competition but impacted her training. With the competition being as serious as Worlds, it is likely the USFSA would have wanted to replace her.

Ashley disclosed her injury (as well as her 2016 Worlds injury) to her federation. She won't be fined. Not that Skate America isn't important but it isn't at the level of Worlds.
 
Ic3Rabbit said:
Her choreo was fine, for her LP at least. She does need to be less tight in her movements though.
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I hunk as Bradie gets more comfortable with the expectations at this level and exposure to other competitors like Satoko, Carolina, Ashley and the Russian ladies as well as other choreographers she will develop her own style and interpretation. I look forward to what she has to offer.
 
CanadianSkaterGuy said:
I think Ashley at least gave it a go. Nobody warms up goes through 3 elements including a 3F+2T, only to withdraw. Not to mention she did the SP yesterday, going for the 3-3. She actually TRIED to compete, so to see this reaction is absolutely ridiculous.

She stopped skating because she didn't want to risk injuring herself with the Olympics as her ultimate goal. It was a smart decision and Ashley doesn't have to answer to anyone.

I'm sure the same people giving her a hard time would have mocked her had she exacerbated her injury and showed up a wreck at Nationals, dashing her Olympic hopes.
Click to expand...

I feel like the harshest critics were hoping she would "pogo" - sorry Anna!
 
labgoat said:
I feel like the harshest critics were hoping she would "pogo" - sorry Anna!
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Exactly. They probably do not like Wagner in general, that is okay but in this event she was the only one that could have won & get to be in the final (Polina and Satoko were already skating & Wakaba was done with her assignments) and people are still complaining that she took somebody else's spot. Who else there is to take a spot from? She tried, she failed. Expecting her to skate madly into injury & harsh defeat is just irrational.

Some even imply that Ashley should not be on the Olympic team which is just ridiculous. Nobody else has the PCS and consistency Ashley accumulated over the years. She is not the most talented out there but she is the one to trust the most.

Also about Bradie: She is good, but I don't think she will be the next big thing unless she rebrands herself and works a lot.
 
quadrupleaxel15 said:
Exactly. They probably do not like Wagner in general, that is okay but in this event she was the only one that could have won & get to be in the final (Polina and Satoko were already skating & Wakaba was done with her assignments) and people are still complaining that she took somebody else's spot. Who else there is to take a spot from? She tried, she failed. Expecting her to skate madly into injury & harsh defeat is just irrational.

Some even imply that Ashley should not be on the Olympic team which is just ridiculous. Nobody else has the PCS and consistency Ashley accumulated over the years. She is not the most talented out there but she is the one to trust the most.

Also about Bradie: She is good, but I don't think she will be the next big thing unless she rebrands herself and works a lot.
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I was with you until I got here...what exactly has Wagner done at the tiered competitions to clearly warrant selection over any of the other contenders? As far as I can see, the case for her is not clear cut at this point. From my POV she must earn her spot on the team by landing in the top 3 at Nats.

The situation now is messier than it was in 2014.
 
R.D. said:
I was with you until I got here...what exactly has Wagner done at the tiered competitions to clearly warrant selection over any of the other contenders? As far as I can see, the case for her is not clear cut at this point. From my POV she must earn her spot on the team by landing in the top 3 at Nats.

The situation now is messier than it was in 2014.
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I agree that she must win at Nationals. But I spoke the way I did because I think it is more likely that she will than for three others among Chen, Mirai, Mariah, Bradie to do better. The only scenario I could think of is another injury, but if it is something that can heal then the Fed would still have good reasons to send her.

I definitely see Ashley at the Olympics, but I understand what you are trying to say because mine are only predictions ( which I obviously think as strong ones, yet without evidence)

To be honest, Chen should have been the 1st American at the moment but she is not delivering. I mostly trust Ashley not because she is perfect but because the others aren't really reliable. I always wanted Chen, Ashley, Mirai in that order for the Nationals and the Olympics but who knows what will happen now.
 
R.D. said:
I was with you until I got here...what exactly has Wagner done at the tiered competitions to clearly warrant selection over any of the other contenders? As far as I can see, the case for her is not clear cut at this point. From my POV she must earn her spot on the team by landing in the top 3 at Nats. The situation now is messier than it was in 2014.
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It's true that Ashley isn't in as strong a position as she was in 2014. But here's why she's still ahead of all other USA ladies, based on the tiered competitions:
Grand Prix performance: No USA lady made the Final, so no one gets the top-tier credit for that. The only medals were bronzes by Ashley & Bradie. Courtney Hicks gets a bit of a bump here because her 4th in one event gave her the same number of points (9) that Mirai got in two events and more than Karen (7), Mariah (5) and Polina/Amber (0). No one is "ahead" of Ashley here.
2017 Worlds: Ashley's 7th gives her status above everyone except Karen (4th), since Mariah had a weak 12th and no one else was there.
2017 Nationals (lower tier): Karen, Ashley, Mariah, Mirai.

So that leaves 2018 Nationals (the final one of the three in the top tier) as the decider. Very likely, Ashley is "safe" with a podium finish and "possible" with a close 4th. Karen is probably still "safe" in the top 3 (unless she bombs again, at Golden Spin), but not with a 4th; her GPs were just too weak. Bradie likely "safe" in the top 3, unless she goes to Golden Spin & bombs OR is a narrow 3rd over Ashley's 4th. All others likely need a 1st or 2nd, especially if Ashley or Karen is in 4th.

Here is a scenario that would give the committee fits:
1. Courtney/Mirai/Mariah
2. Bradie
3. Karen
4. Ashley
 
One thing I like about Bradie is that she gets great vertical on her jumps. Not a hint of an under-rotation at Skate America. Plus, she has a certain unrefined elegance about her. (Is there such a thing as unrefined elegance? ;) )
 
Moxiejan said:
Here is a scenario that would give the committee fits:

1. Courtney/Mirai/Mariah
2. Bradie
3. Karen
4. Ashley
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:yes: I think the USFSA would just have to go with the national champion -- otherwise they would be saying that their national championship is worthless. If it's Mirai, I don't think there would be any problem. If it's Courtney or Mariah -- well, that's how it turned out, so let's hope for the best.

If Tenley got second and Karen third, I think that Ashley would be left out, despite her admirable career.
 
Mathman said:
One thing I like about Bradie is that she gets great vertical on her jumps. Not a hint of an under-rotation at Skate America. Plus, she has a certain unrefined elegance about her. (Is there such a thing as unrefined elegance? ;) )
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Inherent natural grace perhaps?
 
Mathman said:
One thing I like about Bradie is that she gets great vertical on her jumps. Not a hint of an under-rotation at Skate America. Plus, she has a certain unrefined elegance about her. (Is there such a thing as unrefined elegance? ;) )
Click to expand...

Interesting comment! Yes, I agree that Bradie's technique with her jumps is wonderful and something the judges are looking for - a full rotation with visible amplitude. The "unrefined elegance" is a very good description of Bradie's style. She has the ballerina stature and shows the beginning steps of how to use her beautiful long legs and arms. But is it any where close to a Kostner or even any of the other top 10 women? - No. I think she was given generous artistic marks at SA. My guess is that her coaching team will have her skip Golden Spin so as not to "jinx" her high standings and let her prepare for Nationals. I know there is history with letting a young, developing skater who happens to have her jumps down hit the big stage early, with the hopes of grabbing a medal early and then disappearing into the sunset. My hope is that Bradie is allowed to mature and becomes a force in the next 4 years. It's true that Michelle Kwan never won gold but she had a 10+ year competitive career that made her an icon in the sport. I would hope for the same with the Bradie's of this sport.
 
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