2017-18 State of U.S. Ladies Skating

[Alifyre]

She actually is competing as a senior at Nationals. She won Eastern Sectionals to qualify. In fact with her placement, she won the battle of sectional champs!

Could you link a list of entries for nationals please? I am scouring the nats website and can't find it! (Although I might just be a really crappy detective lol)

Also, since Emmy was competing on the JGP this year, does she have a shot of going to junior worlds? (Since I doubt she'll make the senior team.)

 

[ice coverage]

... Honestly, I think faster than I type sometimes and my wording is not as precise as it should be. Might have meant to type "internationally" instead.

Thx for explaining.

If you meant to say "internationally," that's a big difference.

---

... Nathan Chen is getting endorsements despite being newly 18 and Asian-American, but he's a medal favorite.

I have lost count of how many endorsements the Shibutanis have.
Seems to be in the same range as the number that Meryl/Charlie had in 2013-14 as reigning Olympic silver medalists and two-time world champions.

---

Don't know if this also helped Polina get the endorsement, but her father has an high profile job in this business: https://www.inphi.com/media-center/...ives-intelr-validation-for-its-ddr3-register/

True that it has been no secret that her father is in the industry.

But I did not want to get into further speculation as to how the sponsorship came about.

 

[lappo]

Thx for explaining.

If you meant to say "internationally," that's a big difference.

---

True that it has been no secret that her father is in the industry.

But I did not want to get into further speculation as to how the sponsorship came about.

Just to clarify, I didn't have any ill intention by pointing this...since FS is a very expensive sport and since the US federation cannot pay for all of its skaters needs, I'm only glad when skaters find a sponsor.

 

[Mrs. P]

Could you link a list of entries for nationals please? I am scouring the nats website and can't find it! (Although I might just be a really crappy detective lol)

Also, since Emmy was competing on the JGP this year, does she have a shot of going to junior worlds? (Since I doubt she'll make the senior team.)

There's usually a list, but it's not out yet, so it's not just you.

Here's the best thing I could find: https://unseenskaters.wordpress.com/sectionals/

Basically top from each section qualify and then you can see the byes list at the bottom.

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

Please don’t be angry with me for discussing a Russian lady here but did anyone else think that Maria sort of gave off Gracie vibes today? I just think the look and the choreography are very similar to what Gracie’s team had always sort of shot for. Maybe it is just me?

https://youtu.be/IAsu1bZ40eo

I tried to discuss this in the GPF ladies thread but someone pressed the drama button over there and it’s just unbearable right now

 

[Alex D]

Please don’t be angry with me for discussing a Russian lady here but did anyone else think that Maria sort of gave off Gracie vibes today? I just think the look and the choreography are very similar to what Gracie’s team had always sort of shot for. Maybe it is just me?

https://youtu.be/IAsu1bZ40eo

I tried to discuss this in the GPF ladies thread but someone pressed the drama button over there and it’s just unbearable right now

Both women are beautiful, both skate with huge heart and know how to rock a bling bling dress. Gracie loved having that glitter around her neck too, surely there is a fashionable way for it, but I am just tired, waiting for my train in the morning... so who knows what I am talking about half asleep

 

[jFarrisFAN]

In 2013, a skater could do 3 GPs. In Mirai's other two eventa, she placed 8th & 10th. Yes, I should have said "two of three" instead of "both."

What are you saying?????? Mirai only competed in 2 GP that year and also I'm pretty sure you couldn't compete in 3 other than if qualified for GPF. http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs_cr_00010220.htm

 

[princessalica]

Both women are beautiful, both skate with huge heart and know how to rock a bling bling dress. Gracie loved having that glitter around her neck too, surely there is a fashionable way for it, but I am just tired, waiting for my train in the morning... so who knows what I am talking about half asleep

I very much see what you mean. Maybe it’s even more easy to think it watching on a smaller screen, but if you don’t look at the face you could easily mistake Maria for Gracie. Hair, both tend to wear very feminine costumes, compare this to Gracie’s first costume for sleeping beauty.

 

[brightphoton]

Please don’t be angry with me for discussing a Russian lady here but did anyone else think that Maria sort of gave off Gracie vibes today? I just think the look and the choreography are very similar to what Gracie’s team had always sort of shot for. Maybe it is just me?

https://youtu.be/IAsu1bZ40eo

I tried to discuss this in the GPF ladies thread but someone pressed the drama button over there and it’s just unbearable right now

I can see the resemblance.

Maria is a perhaps-dyed blonde, wearing a high crystal neckline and low V-shaped crystal back pink dress, with a high hair bun, and skates to Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAsu1bZ40eo&t=0m11s

Gracie is a perhaps-dyed blonde, wearing a high crystal neckline and low V-shaped crystal back blue dress, with a high hair bun, and skates to Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiESB6HYKZE&t=0m43s

 

[flipsydoodle]

I always assumed that Ashley and Gracie were givens. The debate was between Polina and Moral. And for both of them, I could see 6 for and a half dozen against. I would have loved to be a fly on the wall during the selection committee meeting.

I’m not sure how you’d come up with the concept that “the debate was between Polina and Mirai.” Polina was prepared and skating with confidence. She was in great shape. She outscored Mirai. She is extremely competitive. Those are qualities any country would want on an Olympic team, because they are winning qualities, and the point is to win.

 

[college pat]

brought up competitive. yes-- how competitive is the mindset of the u.s. skaters this olympic season.

the russian, japanese and even canadians ladies seem to have more of a competitive mindset than the u.s. ladies--

that is what seem to me.


it what they want out of the sport, competition. they compete their way to get it. and ready for it.
which brings me to the next question regarding "eteri ladies", is the competition their mindset or their coaches,

is it what the coaches want, or the skaters,

I see on the forum the coaches state we talk to skaters and see what want from sport as well as federation.
but is it.

like a parent we want one thing for a child -child comes up with they want- a parent get upset if not what they wanted for child.

ex--child bring home b -happy; parent wanted a-upset
child happy with a certain toy-parent take away.

u.s. federation-michelle wanted to be president-- tara ogm medalist-to me one better the president-ogm great but not as good.
yet like tara more-ogm-- what wrong with being president.

michelle stay family in naganao--made fun of--tara by herself at village--not why--suppose to athletes meet and greet and get to know one another

have to wonder if that kinda of politics didn't come into play at 1998 olympics.

you have stated so many times the income of parents--does that come into play when pushing-winning,

even clubs certain clubs & coaches--politics as well as affordability-- who gets pushed further, who gets left out and leaves.

 

[concorde]

I’m not sure how you’d come up with the concept that “the debate was between Polina and Mirai.” Polina was prepared and skating with confidence. She was in great shape. She outscored Mirai. She is extremely competitive. Those are qualities any country would want on an Olympic team, because they are winning qualities, and the point is to win.

I always assumed that Ashley and Gracie were givens. The debate was between Polina and Mirai. And for both of them, I could see 6 for and a half dozen against. I would have loved to be a fly on the wall during the selection committee meeting.

To answer flipsydoodle's question.
Ashley and Gracie were clearly the #1 and #2 going into Nationals.
Just 4 years before, Mirai had been 4th at the Olympics but then had done ok but not great.
Polina to seemed an unknown who got lucky at Nationals. I viewed her skate as more of a Sara Hughes at SLC.

Those were my opinions at the time the decision was made.

 

[matcha]

I’m not sure how you’d come up with the concept that “the debate was between Polina and Mirai.” Polina was prepared and skating with confidence. She was in great shape. She outscored Mirai. She is extremely competitive. Those are qualities any country would want on an Olympic team, because they are winning qualities, and the point is to win.

I actually agree with the assumption that "the debate was between Polina and Mirai". Ultimately, it wasn't much of a debate, but I remember around the time a quote floating around from an anonymous US Fed source that "Ashley is in, even if she's tenth." (Plus with all those sponsors and being one of the faces of NBC Olympics). She was in.

Polina never had a chance in hell at the podium, she had never even competed as a senior internationally; the Golden ticket was Gracie.

 

[Jammers]

brought up competitive. yes-- how competitive is the mindset of the u.s. skaters this olympic season.

the russian, japanese and even canadians ladies seem to have more of a competitive mindset than the u.s. ladies--

that is what seem to me.


it what they want out of the sport, competition. they compete their way to get it. and ready for it.
which brings me to the next question regarding "eteri ladies", is the competition their mindset or their coaches,

is it what the coaches want, or the skaters,

I see on the forum the coaches state we talk to skaters and see what want from sport as well as federation.
but is it.

like a parent we want one thing for a child -child comes up with they want- a parent get upset if not what they wanted for child.

ex--child bring home b -happy; parent wanted a-upset
child happy with a certain toy-parent take away.

u.s. federation-michelle wanted to be president-- tara ogm medalist-to me one better the president-ogm great but not as good.
yet like tara more-ogm-- what wrong with being president.

michelle stay family in naganao--made fun of--tara by herself at village--not why--suppose to athletes meet and greet and get to know one another

have to wonder if that kinda of politics didn't come into play at 1998 olympics.

you have stated so many times the income of parents--does that come into play when pushing-winning,

even clubs certain clubs & coaches--politics as well as affordability-- who gets pushed further, who gets left out and leaves.

The Canadian Ladies have more of a competitive mindset then the US Ladies? Just because they finally have more then one good skater in what 30 years? Beyond the top 2 Canada ladies is beyond weak and only Kaetlyn has shown she's ready to have a chance at a medal of any kind while Daleman seems to be one of those skaters who looks like she will be a one time World medalist who never challenges again.

 

[skylark]

Please don’t be angry with me for discussing a Russian lady here but did anyone else think that Maria sort of gave off Gracie vibes today? I just think the look and the choreography are very similar to what Gracie’s team had always sort of shot for. Maybe it is just me? .....
I tried to discuss this in the GPF ladies thread but someone pressed the drama button over there and it’s just unbearable right now

It's not just you. Gracie has gorgeous lines (minus the flung-up arm at the entry of some jumps) and a classical look. She skates well to classical music, but in leisure I understand she likes pop music.

Maria has gorgeous lines (minus the awkward, bent tano) and a classical look. She skates well to classical music, and it is her choice. The rest of the time, she listens to top 40.

"I can't really skate faster programs. They are not my style. When I skate to classical music, it comes directly from my soul. The feeling is so good. It allows me to show all the beauty of the music." http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2017...ova-warns-skaters-of-heeding-online-criticism​

Sorry. but I thought it was an interesting question. Also, it's a great interview and others might enjoy it.

 

[mrrice]

After looking at the scores from Croatia, I guess we need to included Emmy Ma in the conversation for Nationals. I thought she was a Junior but Golden Spin in a Senior B. The way the veterans are looking, she might get on the podium.

 

[Alifyre]

After looking at the scores from Croatia, I guess we need to included Emmy Ma in the conversation for Nationals. I thought she was a Junior but Golden Spin in a Senior B. The way the veterans are looking, she might get on the podium.

Even if she did make the podium though, would they send her to the olympics or any other major championships? She doesn't have a 3-3 at all from what I can tell. It's too bad though, with the Russians and Japanese in the juniors I don't think her competition would be any less fierce were she sent to an international competition on the junior level.

 

[Spirals for Miles]

Even if she did make the podium though, would they send her to the olympics or any other major championships? She doesn't have a 3-3 at all from what I can tell. It's too bad though, with the Russians and Japanese in the juniors I don't think her competition would be any less fierce were she sent to an international competition on the junior level.

She doesn't have a 3-3, mainly because she has yet to get her triple toe.
I think she'll be on the team to junior worlds, but that means that one of Hanna or Ting doesn't go. So maybe the latter two will go since they're younger and show more promise?

 

[mrrice]

She doesn't have a 3-3, mainly because she has yet to get her triple toe.
I think she'll be on the team to junior worlds, but that means that one of Hanna or Ting doesn't go. So maybe the latter two will go since they're younger and show more promise?

She just beat Starr at Golden Spin and wasn't Starr on JW team last year? I don't really follow Juniors but in any case, Emmy did quite well in the free skate in Croatia.

 

[Bluediamonds09]

No, Hannah won’t go to jr Worlds because she’s too old to go. I wish they could send her *somewhere*. Did u see how defeated she looked in kiss and cry?
Emmy could be sent but she is so inconsistent and has no 3-3.
There are some other juniors who could go but they also are inconsistent.
One spot for the US jr ladies next year, I believe.