2018 US Championships Sr. Ladies SP

[skate29]

Can I be honest here? I've been pretty done with Ashley's BS the past year and a half, and I'm glad USFSA is too. Here is a skater that had one great 2016 worlds, then is unable to follow it up. Not just that, she continues to spout this underdog narrative at at every single hecking event (which at this point just sounds like an excuse for skating poorly) and declares she will win nationals, all while posting subpar results for all of last season (other than at 2016 SA) and this season. Ashley, just skate.
Send Karen. She's the only US skater I enjoy watching.

 

[temadd]

I believe Ashley Wagner made a mistake of re-using her OLD short program. It WAS a hit then, but now it looks a bit STALE. The impact on the overall presentation was "blah" to an untrained eyes, how much more on the judges. It didn't have the sparkle anymore like it used to. Even if she has skated it clean tonight, it would still be a tough SELL in my opinion.

Still hope she finish being on the podium in 3rd place. I have 1, 2 reserved for Mirai & Bradie either way.

If she had landed her combination clean I don't think it would have mattered. I thought Karen's short didn't have the spark it did last year and she still got a good score considering her mistake

 

[withwings]

Can you name one thing related to skating that she is truly good at?
People like to compare her to Carolina a lot, Carolina has undisputed skating skills lording over everyone else. What exactly is truly exceptional and in spades about Ashley? Name just one.

Oh, dear, I am left in an impression that you barely can hold your personal dislike about Ashley.... In a case I am mistaken/misunderstood you- I am sorry in advance ( English is not my first language). Is it really a sin that Ashley loves figure skating?? Not every one can be a star, and it truly IS exceptional for such a skater persist despite all the dirt which is bushed on ones head because the one dares to skate... Oh, how she dares, she is a mediocre! Where are the gifted ones? Where is Gracie? Ashley's persistence is exceptional, her skating style- either we do like it or not- is sort of exceptional and she is loved all over the world, but, I guess, not in her own country. Take her as she is, and humble yourself. She is exceptional by being herself. And, if everyone would be " a complete package", then why competitions??

 

[klutzy]

I think the scoring was a little screwy tonight because Polina Edmunds and Angela Wang both went early and had unexpectedly strong skates. Bradie then showed up in the second flight, so the judges put a large gap between her and Angela Wang which they expected a number of skaters to fill. After Bradie, however, the top women didn't deliver clean skates. Mirai's skate was very good, but not clean, so she went in second place and then Karen Chen got a bit of a boost as current champion (IMO). But Ashley Wagner and Mariah Bell didn't really skate better than Angela Wang. Or Polina, for that matter, but there was no way Polina was going to remain ahead of them given her lack of the lutz and flip and her struggles earlier this season.

Polina probably would have placed higher if she'd skated later and it became clearer that more of the old Polina was back and other skaters were having issues. That said, not a big deal because while Polina's SP is looking good, her FS has had ongoing issues. Fingers crossed though.

 

[TCAngel18]

Oh, dear, I am left in an impression that you barely can hold your personal dislike about Ashley.... In a case I am mistaken/misunderstood you- I am sorry in advance ( English is not my first language). Is it really a sin that Ashley loves figure skating?? Not every one can be a star, and it truly IS exceptional for such a skater persist despite all the dirt which is bushed on ones head because the one dares to skate... Oh, how she dares, she is a mediocre! Where are the gifted ones? Where is Gracie? Ashley's persistence is exceptional, her skating style- either we do like it or not- is sort of exceptional and she is loved all over the world, but, I guess, not in her own country. Take her as she is, and humble yourself. She is exceptional by being herself. And, if everyone would be " a complete package", then why competitions??

SAY IT LOUDER FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACKKKKKK.

I really wish we could paste memes, cuz that Meryl Streep screaming meme would be PLASTERED right here.

People don’t like that she creates her own narrative. It makes them uncomfortable.

 

[frallik]

in FS Polinka will punish all & come to OG!!! she has a Russian character...
did you notice how Ashley reacted to the judges' scores? she realized the true value of their deceitful smiles. they will also be punished by her FS.

 

[Anyasnake]

I just caught up with Ladies SP.

Angela Wang skated really well, I'm wondering why (in comparaison of course) her PCS isn't higher.
Bradie has a nice SP (makes me wish she hadn't cinderella for her FP) and skated really well too.
Mirai made quite the statement despite the mistake, the rest was really good.
Ashley seemed a bit laboured and stiff today. Iffy elements.
Karen despite the mistake, has such a quality to her skating and her having the highest PCS is (IMO) not debatable. Maybe on this portion though, I'd have Angela Wang higher in scoring.

I'm surprised why USFS doesn't go with PCS inflation for everybody. Also, if Mirai skates her LP well I think her tech score is going to be too high to be caught.
I will be very okay if the Olympic team is 1-2-3 (and I think the USFS agrees with me).

 

[frallik]

Sttar skated competitions, when I went to school...

 

[largeman]

What a weird event. Surprised that Mirai was held up so much... guess the USFS feels they owe her a trip to the Olympics. I'm quite happy for her though! Kind of shocked with Ashley's PCS though, not sure what message the USFS is sending.

I don't see how Mirai was held up...

-----------------------
ETA: I'm sorry, I have to amend my statement... I just went back and rewatched the replay of Mirai's 3F-3T a few times, and I have to agree that the 3T was <

Still, it was for me the skate of the night :thumbsup:

 

[AngelENTL]

Karen despite the mistake, has such a quality to her skating and her having the highest PCS is (IMO) not debatable.

Agreed.

 

[yoloaxel]

Finally caught up! My thoughts:

-Bradie: she rotates, she’s consistent, she’s nice to watch and solid. I think her score is quite fair for Nats.

-Mirai: good performance, still some uncertainty on the jumps but overall happy about it. I think her PCS are fair tbh. She’s not a great interpreter nor does she have spectacular SS.

-Karen: the usual UR, but otherwise a nice performance from her and fair score.

-Ashley: oh man. To be honest, as much as I love Ashley, this wasn’t great and her score is on par with how she scored during the season. Her PCS: she’s beaten everyone else on interpretation and performance and, frankly, she’s not better then the others when it comes to SS or TR. I hope she gets redemption in the FS but this is in line with her last season and current one

 

[ask]

Oh, dear, I am left in an impression that you barely can hold your personal dislike about Ashley.... In a case I am mistaken/misunderstood you- I am sorry in advance ( English is not my first language). Is it really a sin that Ashley loves figure skating?? Not every one can be a star, and it truly IS exceptional for such a skater persist despite all the dirt which is bushed on ones head because the one dares to skate... Oh, how she dares, she is a mediocre! Where are the gifted ones? Where is Gracie? Ashley's persistence is exceptional, her skating style- either we do like it or not- is sort of exceptional and she is loved all over the world, but, I guess, not in her own country. Take her as she is, and humble yourself. She is exceptional by being herself. And, if everyone would be " a complete package", then why competitions??

You are twisting my words based on my response to claims that she is exceptional in some way. No one is faulting her for trying. She can try all she want, but don't go and claim to be best of whatever when in reality, you aren't the best of anything. She went farther than her actual talent should take her, thanks to the USF support. That's it.

 

[NathanandMiraifan111]

Mirai was robbed, how is her PCS 2 points lower than Bradie's? I like Bradie fine, she is consistent but she lacks passion. Bradie reminds me of a more boring Kimmie Meisner. Mirai deserved at least 32.5 PCS; that 3A was almost fire, the jumps were there, and she was feeling the music! Good job Mirai!!!

Also, can we send the current top 3 to the Olympics. Mirai, Bradie, and Karen deserve to go.

 

[schizoanalyst]

https://twitter.com/mirai_nagasu/status/948834749413388288

lol.

 

[TCAngel18]

https://twitter.com/mirai_nagasu/status/948834749413388288

lol.

I had to comment on it lol. I love the shaaaaaaade.

 

[readernick]

You are twisting my words based on my response to claims that she is exceptional in some way. No one is faulting her for trying. She can try all she want, but don't go and claim to be best of whatever when in reality, you aren't the best of anything. She went farther than her actual talent should take her, thanks to the USF support. That's it.

You obviously do have a fair amount of personal hatred for Ashley. No person is truly non-biased but you seem to have some deep personal issue there. I would say that the USF has never actively supported her. They have always scored any other promising skater above her. Gracie Gold, Karen Chen, Mirai Nagasu and Rachel Flatt in 2010 and now Bradie Tennell. The only time they supported her was 2014 and that was because she had amazing results from 2012-2014. She medaled at the Grand Prix Final and had two first-place finishes at Grand Prix events. She earned that support. She has had success because she kept doing what she loves. In 2016, she was only in 3rd place at nationals (the federation as not supporting her) and won the world silver medal fair and square. Other skaters who have been placed ahead of her by the USAFS have not had the results that the federation was hoping for. That is not Ashley Wagner's fault. Any success she has had has been the result of her own efforts and the fact that other skaters have not lived up to their promise. Not some imaginary support from the USAFS.

Watching her practices vs her actual performances leads me to believe that many of the issues with her skating are actually the result of nerves not lack of effort, practice or even talent. The fact that she has never addressed the way nerves affect her during performances is her own fault. In practices this week, she has consistently fully rotating her 3F+ 3T but she struggled during the skate. ( i have noticed this issue in other competitions as well) In terms of skating skills, she is fast in person and she has an excellent back position. Her basic skating skills are good (She is not Carolina Kostner though- I don't think anyone can/ has made such a claim). I have never heard her claim that she is the best? She is the first to acknowledge downfalls. She has made jokes about her bad spins, lack of transitions, and her messed up jumps. So, I am not sure why you are claiming that she says she is the best??? She certainly knows her strengths and weaknesses. She is a great performer. She can sell a program much better than other US ladies. Her PCS should reflect that. Bradie Tennell has many great qualities which will be rewarded with TES scores but she does not deserve the same PCS as Ashley Wagner. She is really slow. The only PCS score that she might deserve over Ashley is transitions everything else should be much lower. She is receiving help from the USAFS in a way Ashley never has.

I would just advise letting go of your hatred. Ashley will retire this year whether she goes to the Olympics or not.

 

[TCAngel18]

You obviously do have a fair amount of personal hatred for Ashley. No person is truly non-biased but you seem to have some deep personal issue there. I would say that the USF has never actively supported her. They have always scored any other promising skater above her. Gracie Gold, Karen Chen, Mirai Nagasu and Rachel Flatt in 2010 and now Bradie Tennell. The only time they supported her was 2014 and that was because she had amazing results from 2012-2014. She medaled at the Grand Prix Final and had two first-place finishes at Grand Prix events. She earned that support. She has had success because she kept doing what she loves. In 2016, she was only in 3rd place at nationals (the federation as not supporting her) and won the world silver medal fair and square. Other skaters who have been placed ahead of her by the USAFS have not had the results that the federation was hoping for. That is not Ashley Wagner's fault. Any success she has had has been the result of her own efforts and the fact that other skaters have not lived up to their promise. Not some imaginary support from the USAFS.

Watching her practices vs her actual performances leads me to believe that many of the issues with her skating are actually the result of nerves not lack of effort, practice or even talent. The fact that she has never addressed the way nerves affect her during performances is her own fault. In practices this week, she has consistently fully rotating her 3F+ 3T but she struggled during the skate. ( i have noticed this issue in other competitions as well) In terms of skating skills, she is fast in person and she has an excellent back position. Her basic skating skills are good (She is not Carolina Kostner though- I don't think anyone can/ has made such a claim). I have never heard her claim that she is the best? She is the first to acknowledge downfalls. She has made jokes about her bad spins, lack of transitions, and her messed up jumps. So, I am not sure why you are claiming that she says she is the best??? She certainly knows her strengths and weaknesses. She is a great performer. She can sell a program much better than other US ladies. Her PCS should reflect that. Bradie Tennell has many great qualities which will be rewarded with TES scores but she does not deserve the same PCS as Ashley Wagner. She is really slow. The only PCS score that she might deserve over Ashley is transitions everything else should be much lower. She is receiving help from the USAFS in a way Ashley never has.

I would just advise letting go of your hatred. Ashley will retire this year whether she goes to the Olympics or not.

I was going to write a nice long clapback, but I don’t think I need to. I can’t find a word that I disagree with. Perfect post.

 

[ask]

Characterization, for starters. I could make a list of things she is great at, but I really don’t think you want to hear them. You have your preset opinion, and nothing that I or anyone else say or prove is going to change that.

I don’t ignore that she has her weaknesses. She needs more transitions and deeper edges. However, some of y’all are acting like she’s the 2nd coming of Yulia Lavrenchuk and Olga Markova.

Oh no, just curious what do people see. Something like what you mentioned is super subjective and not measurable in anyway.

 

[ask]

You obviously do have a fair amount of personal hatred for Ashley. No person is truly non-biased but you seem to have some deep personal issue there. I would say that the USF has never actively supported her. They have always scored any other promising skater above her. Gracie Gold, Karen Chen, Mirai Nagasu and Rachel Flatt in 2010 and now Bradie Tennell. The only time they supported her was 2014 and that was because she had amazing results from 2012-2014. She medaled at the Grand Prix Final and had two first-place finishes at Grand Prix events. She earned that support. She has had success because she kept doing what she loves. In 2016, she was only in 3rd place at nationals (the federation as not supporting her) and won the world silver medal fair and square. Other skaters who have been placed ahead of her by the USAFS have not had the results that the federation was hoping for. That is not Ashley Wagner's fault. Any success she has had has been the result of her own efforts and the fact that other skaters have not lived up to their promise. Not some imaginary support from the USAFS.

Watching her practices vs her actual performances leads me to believe that many of the issues with her skating are actually the result of nerves not lack of effort, practice or even talent. The fact that she has never addressed the way nerves affect her during performances is her own fault. In practices this week, she has consistently fully rotating her 3F+ 3T but she struggled during the skate. ( i have noticed this issue in other competitions as well) In terms of skating skills, she is fast in person and she has an excellent back position. Her basic skating skills are good (She is not Carolina Kostner though- I don't think anyone can/ has made such a claim). I have never heard her claim that she is the best? She is the first to acknowledge downfalls. She has made jokes about her bad spins, lack of transitions, and her messed up jumps. So, I am not sure why you are claiming that she says she is the best??? She certainly knows her strengths and weaknesses. She is a great performer. She can sell a program much better than other US ladies. Her PCS should reflect that. Bradie Tennell has many great qualities which will be rewarded with TES scores but she does not deserve the same PCS as Ashley Wagner. She is really slow. The only PCS score that she might deserve over Ashley is transitions everything else should be much lower. She is receiving help from the USAFS in a way Ashley never has.

I would just advise letting go of your hatred. Ashley will retire this year whether she goes to the Olympics or not.

Lol. You realized you put down a host of girls to make a point? The other girls did better than her because they are better. Do you want Bradie to get 62 for the SP so Ashley can go? Need a reality check?

Typical head in the sand. If she is not doing better than other girls, it MUST be USF is not supporting her. I never said she made the claims. Her delusional fans did.

 

[Skater Boy]

The good thing about Ashley is the usual info. She likes being the underdog, she skates better when she's mad, she LIVES for the drama, and she skates better in the long program.

Can you imagine if she comes a close fourth and Mirai ends in third. OMG what drama and trauma!