2017-18 State of U.S. Ladies Skating

[skatefan17]

Ashley's flame is barely lit this season. If she makes it to the Olympics, I expect it to be her last competition ever. She should be super proud of everything she's done for ladies skating in the US.

 

[Bluediamonds09]

I would say Nationals is her nemesis, not the other competitions. She put too much stress at Nationals.

I agree. That’s why I’m so worried for mirai’s chances for the Team, she often can’t handle the pressure of nationals.

 

[yoloaxel]

It isn't only the Skate America bronze that would make Bradie the favorite.

1) She has the highest SP, LP, and Total scores of the season.
2) She also has the second highest LP and Total scores of the season.
3) She was the strongest of the second tier skaters gunning for the Skate America spot over the summer.
4) I think she is the only skater who has won a senior international event this season.
5) She is one of two skaters to win a GP medal this season, and would have beaten the other at Skate America had Ashley completed her LP.

Of course, all bets are off at Nationals, but if there is a favorite, it is Bradie.

EDIT: One other thing that might help Bradie is that most people still don't know who she is. Despite her successes this season, Braide might be overshadowed by Ashley, Karen, and Mirai when it comes to attention from the media. It's probably a good thing.

I agree, Bradie has proved that she can score high and is the only US lady who broke 200 points this season (if I'm not mistaken, Karen never has broken them internationally?). I think if she doesn't tank at Nationals she will go - and she should go! I would understand sending Ashley because of her amazing career, but I don't think Mirai, Karen or Mariah have done enough to be unreplaced by Bradie despite her being very new to the field. The scores speak for themselves.

 

[concorde]

Bradie has been at only two Senior Nationals before this year. That she was 6th at her first is pretty amazing; she had an injury last year and was 9th.

That is incorrect. She was injured two years in a row but somehow still made it to Nationals both years.

Don't underestimate her. The girl has grit!

 

[chuckm]

Ashley is 26 and Mirai is 24. Ashley peaked in 2016; Mirai may have peaked in 2016 but is still looking for a second peak. Each one has already enjoyed an Olympic experience, and somehow both feel entitled to a second.

 

[temadd]

Compared to everyone else there is to chose from, Ashley is more deserving of an Olympic spot. No one other than Bradie has skated well this season. So if we are judging by what has happened up to this point, you must say that Ashley should get an Oly spot. Of course Nationals should play a part but that remains to be seen.

By saying that she needs to be national champion, I think Ashley has shown that she doesn't think the Olympic spot is a given for her. Neither Ashley nor Mirai have done or said anything to imply that they are "entitled."

 

[Spirals for Miles]

Compared to everyone else there is to chose from, Ashley is more deserving of an Olympic spot. No one other than Bradie has skated well this season. So if we are judging by what has happened up to this point, you must say that Ashley should get an Oly spot. Of course Nationals should play a part but that remains to be seen.

By saying that she needs to be national champion, I think Ashley has shown that she doesn't think the Olympic spot is a given for her. Neither Ashley nor Mirai have done or said anything to imply that they are "entitled."

I agree that neither Mirai nor Ashley are entitled.
But beep beep I think you're forgetting that Mirai's fourth place GP finish was TEN POINTS higher than Ashley's bronze. So Mirai has definitely skated well this season if we use your logic
I think someone else is setting themselves up for an Olympic spot... Mirai Nagasu!!

 

[R.D.]

I think it’s pretty clear Nagasu peaked in 2010 with the Vancouver games. After that it was downhill from there, although there have been small ups along the way.

I expect that neither Wagner nor Nagasu would feel “entitled” to an Olympic spot, and both will know to skate for it at Nationals.

 

[Moxiejan]

I agree that neither Mirai nor Ashley are entitled.
But beep beep I think you're forgetting that Mirai's fourth place GP finish was TEN POINTS higher than Ashley's bronze.

The scoring at SC was quite low for everyone, not just Ashley. It's tough to compare different GP events.

 

[chuckm]

The scoring at SC was quite low for everyone, not just Ashley. It's tough to compare different GP events.

Yes, the SC tech team had a very heavy hand. Every single skater in the FS got multiple URs except, of course, Kaetlyn Osmond, who got none.

 

[AshWagsFan]

The scoring at SC was quite low for everyone, not just Ashley. It's tough to compare different GP events.

Yeah SC scoring was low... I think based on this seasons results the team should be Ashley Mirai Bradie cuz Ashley and Bradie both medaled and Mirai was 4th with two 3axels planned

 

[Spirals for Miles]

Yes, the SC tech team had a very heavy hand. Every single skater in the FS got multiple URs except, of course, Kaetlyn Osmond, who got none.

True.
Also yeah, of course

 

[FSLover17]

These are the average total scores for the US ladies taken from one of my new favourite websites, SkatingScores. I checked Mirai's just to check the rest were correct and it was so I think they are accurate:
1) Bradie: 200.40
2) Mirai: 185.42
3) Ashley: 183.94
4) Angela: 183.85
5) Karen: 178.51
6) Courtney: 178.37
7) Mariah: 174.42
8) Caroline: 167.95
9) Amber: 150.55
10) Polina: 149.98

 

[frida80]

These are the average total scores for the US ladies taken from one of my new favourite websites, SkatingScores. I checked Mirai's just to check the rest were correct and it was so I think they are accurate:
1) Bradie: 200.40
2) Mirai: 185.42
3) Ashley: 183.94
4) Angela: 183.85
5) Karen: 178.51
6) Courtney: 178.37
7) Mariah: 174.42
8) Caroline: 167.95
9) Amber: 150.55
10) Polina: 149.98

It doesn’t count the last five CS scores. So the average scores for Courtney and Angela are lower and Caroline is higher. Added in Courtney has an average of 174.04, Angela has 171.95, and Caroline has 169.39.

Also, both Bradie, Courtney, and Angela competed at another senior B early in the season. Philadelphia International. With those scores, the new averages are:

Bradie: 195.26
Angela: 175.81
Courtney: 174.41

Ashley has competed only once, so it’s not really an average.

 

[mrrice]

Bradie is the only skater that won't be a surprise if she wins. I hope Angela and Courtney skate well. I'd like to see Polina do well because it's in her hometown and I know how badly she wants to do well there. Whoever brings it should go...Defending Champ Karen, and Mariah Bell have been disappointing this season mainly because of their programs. I wish Mariah had kept her East Of Eden LP as I thought it was very "Olympic." The costume was lovely and it was choreographed beautifully......

 

[NAOTMAA]

I think it’s pretty clear Nagasu peaked in 2010 with the Vancouver games. After that it was downhill from there, although there have been small ups along the way.

I expect that neither Wagner nor Nagasu would feel “entitled” to an Olympic spot, and both will know to skate for it at Nationals.

Don't forget Mirai WON the SP at the world championships the following month against a surprising non-depleted field (except for Joannie all the big guns were there even if mentally tired). She then of course completely bombed in the LP.

That 4th place at the Olympics and 1st place SP at worlds in 2010 was her peak. It probably was that exact period where the pressure became different then before, more intense, and she suddenly felt more weight on her shoulders. There is a huge difference spotlight wise between a young future hopeful with great promise and a current big medal contender. The pressure at that time switched from the first to the latter and she clearly couldn't deal with it. As you said except a few small minor ups along the way she hasn't come close to that success again.

 

[brightphoton]

Don't forget Mirai WON the SP at the world championships the following month against a surprising non-depleted field (except for Joannie all the big guns were there even if mentally tired). She then of course completely bombed in the LP.

That 4th place at the Olympics and 1st place SP at worlds in 2010 was her peak. It probably was that exact period where the pressure became different then before, more intense, and she suddenly felt more weight on her shoulders. There is a huge difference spotlight wise between a young future hopeful with great promise and a current big medal contender. The pressure at that time switched from the first to the latter and she clearly couldn't deal with it. As you said except a few small minor ups along the way she hasn't come close to that success again.

:noshake: oh 2010 Worlds. That was a sad one for the US ladies. Even though Mirai didn't do well in the LP, her SP score was so good, that she was only 3 points away from beating Laura Lepisto, who won the bronze. Three points! Even Laura only managed 3 clean triples in the entire free skate.

http://www.isuresults.com/results/wc2010/CAT002RS.HTM

If only Mirai didn't get a Zayak deduction after she panick-added a double toe to her intended solo triple lutz. But back in 2010, Zayak deductions were way harsher.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyjLYZ9PYSc&t=3m04s
If only Mirai had stood up on her solo double axel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyjLYZ9PYSc&t=3m40s

If only ...

 

[mrrice]

My last trip to Nationals was in 2011. Mirai still had momentum from Vancouver and did quite well in the SP where I believe she placed 1st with her Witches Of Eastwick SP......She unfortunately, didn't have a great long program and missed the world team by 1 spot taking the Bronze in a year we only had 2 spots.

Here's her SP.....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEDJOZQhOI0

 

[chuckm]

That's the way Nationals has been for Mirai over the years: :agree: great SP, :shocked: oops FS.

 

[Heleng]

Ashley is 26 and Mirai is 24. Ashley peaked in 2016; Mirai may have peaked in 2016 but is still looking for a second peak. Each one has already enjoyed an Olympic experience, and somehow both feel entitled to a second.

If Mirai actually felt entitled to go to the Olympics, she wouldn't have bothered learning the triple axel.