- Joined
- Jan 9, 2017
2017-18 State of U.S. Ladies Skating
- Thread starter R.D.
- Start date
Wagner will be a familiar face to many during the Olympics should she be able to make it back there...so it makes some sense that they would pick her. That said, they latched onto her in 2014 as well...I have a theory (let's just leave it at that in the interest of not going off the rails)
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- Dec 5, 2016
You can't say that and then leave us hanging!
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2006
But mrrice, you are used to traveling. Or were when you were younger. One thing that stood out in that local interview of her was that she's admitted to a back issue. Something which I know way too much about. If her goal is Nationals in a month, then WHY would she risk the pain and potential exacerbation of her back injury by traveling for a competition thousands of miles away two weeks before Nationals? She created her buzz last week. If she bombed at SkAm I'm sure she would go, but now she has some buzz and cred and staying home and training for Nats is what's most important, IMO. I don't know if she'll w/d from GoldenSpin, but I'd seriously consider it if I was in her camp. Karen has to prove herself, but then again, I think she's lost for this season, and even a bronze at GoldenSpin won't help her if she bombs at Nationals. If I were TeamTennell I'd say FOCUS ON NATS! The brass ring is there, don't make it harder on yourself! Stay at home, train as you've been training, and see what happens in a few weeks. All, IMHO.
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2010
It's really going to be a crapshoot. Mariah had a good GP event and then medaled at Nationals, while Karen had a mediocre season but then won. It would not surprise me to see Bradie succumb to the pressure of the event, or any one of the contenders not making the podium. Any woman who can stay on her feet for two programs has a shot; I don't think it's going to come down to choreography nuances or who's repeating programs.
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2014
This in an excellent comment. I do know what it's like to travel a long distance just to compete and it can be an absolute nightmare just to get there. Just going through Customs is exhausting as it usually takes forever, especially if there's a language barrier. However, Karen's loss to Bradie is fresh in the judges minds and if she wants to change the script, she needs to go to Croatia and defeat Bradie. This is an Olympic year and as the defending Champion, she needs momentum and that's something she just doesn't have. Maybe in a Non-Olympic year, I'd say risk it and stay home. There's too much on the line and with her low ranking and recent outing, she needs to tough this out and go. She's already listed so I'm sure the trip was already part of the budget. I think they might have thought she wouldn't need to go but, IMO, she does.
OMG! I've said that Agela's LP is my favorite of anybody's this year! I wish she would really get it together and make it onto the podium this year at Nationals.
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2017
Get it together? What is there to get together? She's had one bad skate all season so far.
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2014
I think it's because we love her so much and want her to do well. She's a bit like Angela Nikodinov in that respect. We ALL know that if she brings it and skates to her full potential, she could not only medal, she could win Nationals.
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2017
Please don't curse her like that.
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- Jul 9, 2014
I meant it as a compliment but I know what you mean.....:agree:
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- Jun 11, 2012
I might possibly be in the minority but I don't see Karen doing well at Nationals. I think almost this entire season has been a repeat of many seasons prior to the last one. I was very surprised when she skated so well to win Nationals but ever since then it's the same ol' Karen. She has so much talent and yet her programs are ho hum (to me) and she just always seems to have one problem or another. She's had boot problems for years....for example. Someone with more knowledge about boots can maybe answer this but I don't understand how an elite skater can't get custom-made boots. It's not like they buy them from Wal Mart or something. It would seem like any of the companys would be willing to work with a skater of her caliber to make sure the boots fit properly. What am I missing here?
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2017
Most elite skaters usually do have custom boots. There can still be issues. I can't remember what brand off the top of my head right now that Karen wears but for instance right now boots being made by Edea are having heel and sole issues. This is causing a bunch of issues because it's not allowing blades to be mounted right etc.
ETA: Karen wears Jackson's like me. IDK why I couldn't remember, I'll just rack it up to being tired.
Anyway even with customs sometimes it's a tough go of it to get the boots just right. Her boots may be breaking down faster than they are supposed to, I can't remember her specific issue.
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2014
Wasn't Polina's injury caused by a boot problem. I remember Tim Goebel talking about trying 13 different pairs of skates before giving up on an entire season of skating. It's a very serious issue......http://articles.courant.com/2004-01-08/sports/0401080824_1_boot-goebel-s-coach-timothy-goebel
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2017
I can't remember about Polina specifically, but it happens more often than fans realize. It's happened to all of us at least once.
I agree. It seems like a huge risk. If she does well, that’s great momentum for Nationals and a confidence boost. If not, and considering jet lag effects and slippery ice, she not only loses some momentum, but likely gets a confidence hit.
I’m sure she has the boots custom fitted to her foot. They now can use computer imaging to mold the boot to fit and use pressure molds. I think the issue was in the construction of the boot and it’s blade support, but I wish I knew more about her specific boot issue. Usually, boot problems are a mechanical issue, not a fit (or custom) issue. I imagine it depends on individual skater technique too as the torque pressure on various parts of boot/blade differ based on how each skater’s vault/pick hits. I’m 50, so I’ve marveled at how advanced boot technology has become since I first started skating (1973). I hope it’s figured out as I would hate that to hold her back... but, it’s a huge issue when the boot rubs the wrong way because of impact of blade on boot. I can recall major anxiety when I wore out of a pair of boots that were my most comfortable and for which I had developed great consistency. It played with me in that I attached my consistency to the boot ... I want all skaters to be at their best...and not be plagued by equipment issues.
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2012
Another example is Kevin Reynolds, who was working with Risport, but had persistent boot issues a couple of years ago. IIRC, he also went through something like 13 pairs and missed a whole season (or much of one?).
FWIW:
Before 2017 Worlds (on her media call, IIRC), Karen said her new boots were from Avanta.
Mentioned also in a pre-Worlds article by Lynn Rutherford for IN:
Jacksons would be a change since then.
Mentioned also in a pre-Worlds article by Lynn Rutherford for IN:
Jacksons would be a change since then.
