Does Emily Hughes have a shot at the National Title?

[Tonichelle]

I adore Emily's skating... she really keeps your attention (or maybe just mine) I'm not sure if it translates as well on TV as it does on ice... She has such an energetic style that I really enjoyed seeing her last year at nationals and I thought she did better there than a lot of people gave her credit for...

 

[slutskayafan21]

The way Emily has shown on the GP circuit her biggest concern is probably getting that 2nd spot she is favored for, as opposed to upsetting Meissner. She has shown nothing this year to do that, even if she improves her level from the GP circuit, and she can, Meissner almost certainly will too.

 

[euterpe]

Em does need some improving, but so does Kimmie yet everyone already has Kimmie crowned the next US National Champion. I agree that if Kimmie has all her jumps and her 3axel she will be hard to beat but Em just might pull it off, especially if Kimmie doesn't land the 3axel.

Emily must have a near-perfect FS to beat Kimmie, and therein lies the rub. Emily's last clean FS was at Jr. Worlds in 2005, when she edged out Kimmie for bronze. If Kimmie lands her 3/3s, even with no 3A, that should be enough to beat a 4- or 5-triple FS from Emily. So far this season, the most clean triples Emily has landed is 3.

 

[R.D.]

The "Asian Fortress" definitely is not invincible, but they're mighty tough. It's a hockey player taking on four football players shoulder to shoulder.

And I agree with the above post. Emily has a LOT to prove this season, and Kimmie not so much (OK, maybe that her Worlds win last year wasn't a complete anomaly)

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

The way Emily has shown on the GP circuit her biggest concern is probably getting that 2nd spot she is favored for, as opposed to upsetting Meissner. She has shown nothing this year to do that, even if she improves her level from the GP circuit, and she can, Meissner almost certainly will too.

But Emily is getting so much publicity from this forum. I wonder if it is the same on other forums? The fans are (I wont say hyping) really giving her a lot of praise even more than Alyssa Czisney (and I wont mention, Rachael Flatt or Megan Oster).

Joe

 

[SeaniBu]

I remember hearing hype - spectator and some media - shortly after 2002 SLC about Emily - "wait until ypou see her sister, I hear she has even more potential." I think it is coming on "strong" now due to US Ladies questions and where Emily stands in the future (and thinking of someone's future often recalls the past). I don't know if I am one of the few who don't see this as a problem, but I am not a verse upper-echelon skating guru, just a perpetually learning fan with opinions too.

And I would love to hear more about Megan. I know practically nothing about her. Maybe not on this thread, but would be reading if people started talking for sure. I mean there really is not that much out there. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megan_Oster. And I would shout with glee if someone started chatting more about Flirth.

JMO, and I'm always open to being told I should "zip it."

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I remember hearing hype - spectator and some media - shortly after 2002 SLC about Emily. I think it is coming on now due to US Ladies questions and where Emily stands in the future (and thinking of someone's future often recalls the past). I don't know if I am one of the few who don't see this as a problem, but I am not a verse upper-echelon skating guru, just a perpetually learning fan with opinions too.

And I would love to hear more about Megan. I know practically nothing about her. Maybe not on this thread, but would be reading if people started talking for sure. I mean there really is not that much out there. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megan_Oster. And I would shout with glee if someone started chatting more about Flirth.

JMO, and I'm always open to being told I should "zip it."

Megan is another talented American junior and now skating seniors. Not quite in the Zhang class but they will be rivals one day with Flatt. You can get her on Youtube just search Megan Oster.

Joe

 

[chuckm]

Megan Oster competed at Senior Nationals last season and was 14th. Before that, she was 3rd at Nationals as a Junior, and before that, 3rd as a Novice.

 

[SeaniBu]

Megan is another talented American junior and now skating seniors. Not quite in the Zhang class but they will be rivals one day with Flatt. You can get her on Youtube just search Megan Oster.

Joe

I believe I saw her on the ice network. I guess there just isn't enough of a "scoop" yet to hear conversations. Kat Hacker was another that I enjoyed immensely, I look forward to the hype of some of these - I will fully give thanks to you Joe for being the main person to cause me to start watching that level - for it will likely mean they are going to get more coverage and attention. My eyes and ears are looking forward to "Spokane talk."

A good example of why I like to hear "all ya all" talking about these skaters is how far off I was about Caroline Z and her personality. I saw little and drew the wrong conclusion about her. It also left me not knowing about consistency or things of that nature until reading some of the comments about her.

Maybe it is not evident - my fault if any - that I have a great deal of respect for the most of members here. Sometimes I don't post because the only thing I could say is "I see, and I agree, thank you."

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

chuckum - you are correct about Oster but this is the first season, I actually took interest. There are so many Megans in USFS it can be confusing. She's looking good now, imo - not for a medal at Nats but as a statement for the future.

Seanibu - My first experience with juniors was in Atlanta. I really didn't get the names of the talented ones because the whole junior thing was new to me. But in Portland they had two arenas within walking distance, and I could easily go to whatever competition was featured in whatever arena.

Anyway, I got to see more juniors and got interested in them. You have to love figure skating to take an interest. There are no more than 4 in each division, imo, that will go on to become newsworthy but it's worth the watch.

I've got my notes ready for Spokane. Megan is on the list even at the Senior level.

Praise to be we have youtube. Hope it gets more and more talented skaters on there and not just the stars.

Maybe we should start a HYPING whomever thread rather than a GUSHING thread.

 

[icesk8erdude4e]

I think that Emily Hughes definately has a shot at the National Title, after this short programme that she put up there.

If she does something similar in the Free she can do just that, hopefully she does win Silver or Bronze at least though.

I hope though most of all that Beatrisa Liang finally makes the podium after so many appearances at the US Nationals.

 

[R.D.]

Hmm, I still think the title is Kimmie's though. I got the impression after the SP results that the judges are "leaning towards" Kim for that title and will give her the benefit of the doubt.

 

[Spun Silver]

Looks to me like this is one of those rare cases where public outcry forces a scoring change.

In which case Kimmie is far from having a lock on the title.

 

[R.D.]

you mean they're going to lower Kimmie's score?

IMHO, they should lower Kimmie's score and raise Rachel's.

 

[Spun Silver]

There's a review of Rachel's downgraded score going on now. So hers may go up.

 

[Mathman]

That won't threaten Kimmie's lead, however. It will just raise Rachael from 5th to 4th.

 

[SeaniBu]

Must Say I loved Emily tonight as well, just too many girls to love and aprechieate.

Go Emily! That was a great prog.​

OK now BT.:agree:

 

[chuckm]

Rachael is currently in 6th, behind Czisny. I doubt very much that anything is going to be changed, unfortunately for Rachael. As far as Kimmie's 3/3 is concerned, the only one who can protest Kimmie's score is Kimmie's coach, and that is not going to happen.

What is important is that Rachael has made the final group, and she has a good chance to stay in the top 6 or even move up, since she is a far more consistent jumper than either Liang or Czisny.

 

[nymkfan51]

No, I don't think Emily will win ... mainly because it is highly unlikely that she will land more than 4/5 triples.(on a good night)
Kimmie got a huge gift last night. Not only was her 3/3 ratified when it shouldn't have been, but they had to have given her some + GOE's on top of it, since she was given 10.57 pts for the combo. Absolutely insane to me. Her spins were horrible and the whole program seemed bland to me ... in contrast to Bebe and Katy especially.
I am happy that much is being made of this. No, I'm sure they will not change any of the point totals, but it just might make the judges a bit more skittish in the LP if they are faced with a similar call.

 

[Mathman]

Emily skated great last night, but I think that was her very best. If Kimmie falters, I think the title will go to someone who comes out of nowhere with a skate of a lifetime. (Alissa, Bebe).