- Joined
- Jul 9, 2014
Thank you.....It's been killing me. I'm so proud of her. That was a very deep field and she really held it together.
2018-19 U.S. Ladies' figure skating
- Thread starter Spirals for Miles
- Start date
Thank you.....It's been killing me. I'm so proud of her. That was a very deep field and she really held it together.
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2017
If Bradie skate in SA like she did in ACI she definitely gonna win. USFS will shower her with GOE and PCS. The real threat is Kaori rather than Satoko since she can get a lot of < calls. IdF is tough field with Medvedeva, Sotskova, Kihira and Mihara as well but i can see her getting 3rd at least, and even with 4th place she still have a chance to qualify GPF
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2017
Alysa? She barely ever makes mistakes, and when she does, it's usually on the triple axel (or the 3Lz-3Lo when she was trying that).
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2014
Bradie looks great. Ted described her as "tenacious" and I think that's a style that fits her - her music is strong and intense and that fits how she skates. She'll never be a ballerina on ice, but they've figured out what works for her. She also has decent transitions and her programs definitely can't be criticized for being empty.
Character-wise, Juliet makes no sense, but the music itself suits Bradie just fine. Again, the sense of intensity in the music works well.
Overall, I'm proud of Bradie! Considering how I wrote her off at the start of last season (and she was on no one's radar at all) she has come a loooooooooong way and continued to improve and rise to every unexpected occasion.
Character-wise, Juliet makes no sense, but the music itself suits Bradie just fine. Again, the sense of intensity in the music works well.
Overall, I'm proud of Bradie! Considering how I wrote her off at the start of last season (and she was on no one's radar at all) she has come a loooooooooong way and continued to improve and rise to every unexpected occasion.
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2015
She need to do sth about her hair and makeup though. She look too much like Queen E than Juliet here.
Her skating looks less frantic and showing much more maturity. They chose to go after the difficult elements showing how much she wants to stay not just the relevant but also as a serious contender. Gutsy and hard work will make her be the top US lady for now.
But please really Bradie is such a pretty young lady, someone (maybe Alexa) need to stage a Makeover Intervention ASAP. :cool14:
- Joined
- May 19, 2011
There's something a bit stiff about the way Bradie moves. My biggest wish for her is that she spends a couple of weeks working with Lori. I feel like that would add the softness and finish to Bradie's movements and really help draw people into her performance.
For now I don't really connect with Bradie when she skates but I'm loving her "go for the kill" approach to this season. She upped her technical ante and it's clear she's playing to win. I love that about her. We need a few more US skaters like her. Hopefully Bradie stepping up her game even more will light a fire under some of these other skaters. She is far and away the #1 for the US but everyone else is a question mark.
Karen has been injured for the past few months. Considering the way she skates healthy, I have zero expectations for her this season...Gracie is coming back but has anyone seen her skate yet? No telling which Gracie we'll be getting...Courtney is still Courtney...Amber has the potential to be a #1 or #2 for the US but can't seem to get it together...Angela has potential but hasn't made a mark yet...Mirai is out for the GP season and possibly the whole season...Ashley doesn't appear to be coming back...
Then there are all of the youngsters coming up. Honestly, I'm expecting them to come in hungrier than the vets at this point. I think that's what the US needs at this point: fresh new skaters who are ready to seize the opportunity to move up, rather than the same crew of ladies we've had for the past few years who can't seem to get anything going.
For now I don't really connect with Bradie when she skates but I'm loving her "go for the kill" approach to this season. She upped her technical ante and it's clear she's playing to win. I love that about her. We need a few more US skaters like her. Hopefully Bradie stepping up her game even more will light a fire under some of these other skaters. She is far and away the #1 for the US but everyone else is a question mark.
Karen has been injured for the past few months. Considering the way she skates healthy, I have zero expectations for her this season...Gracie is coming back but has anyone seen her skate yet? No telling which Gracie we'll be getting...Courtney is still Courtney...Amber has the potential to be a #1 or #2 for the US but can't seem to get it together...Angela has potential but hasn't made a mark yet...Mirai is out for the GP season and possibly the whole season...Ashley doesn't appear to be coming back...
Then there are all of the youngsters coming up. Honestly, I'm expecting them to come in hungrier than the vets at this point. I think that's what the US needs at this point: fresh new skaters who are ready to seize the opportunity to move up, rather than the same crew of ladies we've had for the past few years who can't seem to get anything going.
Kaori skated at Lombardia and really blew her SP. She did come back in the FS and scored 130 to finish 4th, but her FS content wasn't as ambitious as Bradie's and she did get a UR. Kaori's total score was 180.85. Kihira just won Nepela with two clean 3a, one in combination, for a total score of 218.16. Mai Mihara skates this week at Neblehorn.
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2015
Well I think that Gracie and Ashley pushed each other, and Ashley stumbled and lost her edge without Gracie - yes, I'm sure that there were other factors, but I definitely think it was a contributing factor. I know everyone is saying how sad the state of US ladies is, but 2 years ago, we had three US ladies fighting for the podium, with legitimate chances of medaling at any competition - not at the same level of internal competition as the Russians. And Gracie might just fight Bradie for the top. If Gracie has found the will to fight back, we might see a new Gracie.
I thought I saw a lot of growth and softness in Courtney. I really think that softness is a major aspect of what she is missing. She has so much raw power, but the power without refinement ends up looking awkward. But there were moments that in the US classic that I saw a softness - it wasn't the entire skate mind you, there were definitely still moments of awkward, but Courtney can podium on the GP as long as she lands her jumps.
Amber, oh Amber.... She has moments where you can see she could have it all. If she can figure out why it falls apart, she'd definitely be in the hunt.
Karen - Karen can be such a lovely skater, and she can also be a total a mess.
I'm at the moment counting Ashley and Mirai out.
Mariah- she also can be such a lovely skater. So much potential...
Bradie has the tech and the consistency.
And I still have a soft spot for Hannah Miller - At one time she was also making a splash as a junior on the international scene. If she could find a competitive edge, she might be able to vie for a spot.
And then we have the babies - Ting, Alysa, Pooja, etc..... And Starr just up from Juniors...
In short - don't count our ladies out. Any and all might surprise you!
- Joined
- May 19, 2011
I totally agree re: Gracie & Ashley. When Gracie went belly up it took some of the pressure off of Ashley. She stopped working as hard b/c she knew one of her 3 spots was secure...until SA last year when Bradie popped up. From there she, Ashley, tried but it was too little too late. I also think Ashley is done competing. Mirai may try to come back for nationals one more time but I don't see her coming back to competing full time either.
As for Gracie, we'll have to see what kind of shape she's in. All I can do is go by the last time I saw her skate, and it wasn't good. I hope that she's found her way and her competitive edge/focus, but there's no guarantee. Her first competition will set the tone for what we can expect from her. For now, she's still a question mark.
Courtney has been primed for a come-up for the past 4 years. She consistently skates decently on the GP but falls to pieces at nationals. I loved her set of programs from two seasons ago and her SP last year was gorgeous. She's made improvements but her main issue isn't her aesthetic; it's her ability to keep her nerves in check and execute.
Amber and Karen are in the same boat. Both have the potential to light it up or go down in flames. Both are very talented across the board and beautiful all-around skaters with nerves as steely as jello. One day maybe...
I adore Mariah but I've stopped holding my breath for her too. Another skater with massive potential and an inability to stay focused for back-to-back performances.
I've always liked the way Hannah performed. Very entertaining to watch but, ultimately, her content isn't competitive enough.
I'm hanging my hat on the newbies and babies, namely Ting. For me Alysa goes in the back pocket for now simply b/c she's so tiny and so far away from a senior. We'll have to see if all of the axels and 3-3s hold up past the puberty monster...or at least until the JGP. Ting already has sprouted up quite a bit and she has a wonderful quality about her skating: fast, great SS, lovely jumps. Fingers crossed she finds her stride at some point in the near future.
There is a ton of talent in the US. It's just missing that drive and focus. Bradie has it. We need for a few others to catch it too.
As for Gracie, we'll have to see what kind of shape she's in. All I can do is go by the last time I saw her skate, and it wasn't good. I hope that she's found her way and her competitive edge/focus, but there's no guarantee. Her first competition will set the tone for what we can expect from her. For now, she's still a question mark.
Courtney has been primed for a come-up for the past 4 years. She consistently skates decently on the GP but falls to pieces at nationals. I loved her set of programs from two seasons ago and her SP last year was gorgeous. She's made improvements but her main issue isn't her aesthetic; it's her ability to keep her nerves in check and execute.
Amber and Karen are in the same boat. Both have the potential to light it up or go down in flames. Both are very talented across the board and beautiful all-around skaters with nerves as steely as jello. One day maybe...
I adore Mariah but I've stopped holding my breath for her too. Another skater with massive potential and an inability to stay focused for back-to-back performances.
I've always liked the way Hannah performed. Very entertaining to watch but, ultimately, her content isn't competitive enough.
I'm hanging my hat on the newbies and babies, namely Ting. For me Alysa goes in the back pocket for now simply b/c she's so tiny and so far away from a senior. We'll have to see if all of the axels and 3-3s hold up past the puberty monster...or at least until the JGP. Ting already has sprouted up quite a bit and she has a wonderful quality about her skating: fast, great SS, lovely jumps. Fingers crossed she finds her stride at some point in the near future.
There is a ton of talent in the US. It's just missing that drive and focus. Bradie has it. We need for a few others to catch it too.
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2017
well Kaori when she's on she get high GOE in her jumps, she scored 140s in SA and 4CC last season so if she can fixed her pop/falls issue and skate clean she is a threat! Unlike Satoko who is always prone to UR and TP surely can go very strict to her to prevent her to win.
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2005
Hanging my hat on Bradie, Ting and Starr, but other than Bradie, it seems wide open for the second spot.
- Joined
- May 19, 2011
Agreed. When clean Bradie can earn +2s or +3s but when Kaori is on her jumps are easily +4/+5 by the rules. Speed, height, distance, ease and flow coming out...she's a remarkable jumper.
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2014
I won't get my hopes up - Kaori is Japanese lady #3 and Bradie is US lady #1.
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2016
Well didn’t Liza Tuk step out of 3a? I wouldn’t expect a +5 there but I am surprised none of Rika’s jumps at Nepela got +5. Anyways, I am glad +5 isn’t being given out like candy. It’s good that it’s a rarity. +5 to me means that it’s absolutely perfect and that’s pretty rare. Even a nicely landed jump usually isn’t completely and utterly perfect.
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2016
This week we get to see how Mariah has been looking. She will face tough competition so it would be a really big positive if she managed a podium finish.
We will also see Ting at her second JGP. She, also, isn’t being let off lightly with who she’s competing against( you could argue the competition at Ostrava will be even stronger than what Bell will face).
Good luck to both!!
We will also see Ting at her second JGP. She, also, isn’t being let off lightly with who she’s competing against( you could argue the competition at Ostrava will be even stronger than what Bell will face).
Good luck to both!!
- Joined
- May 19, 2011
Well they are definitely handing them out on the junior level: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1819/jgpsvk2018/jgpsvk2018_JuniorLadies_SP_Scores.pdf
I expect as more of the big names compete at the bigger events we'll see more of those.
I'd agree that a +5 should be extremely rare but +3s weren't that rare. Essentially that's what a +5 is...and most of the skaters who received +3s are now getting +5s. I just don't see the point in changing the scale. Used correctly and fairly, very few +5s would ever be rewarded...but when has judging ever been any of those things?
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2014
I disagree about the scores on juniors translating to seniors: I think as the juniors transition to seniors, the 5s that are being handed out like gummy bears at junior ladies will morph into something more reasonable. Particularly when they come up against more established senior skaters. I base this, however, on what happens to “name” men with big old jumps their first year in seniors (Nathan, Vincent) and not the ladies whom I follow less.
My moneys on Bradie, unless Ting and Alysia considerably up their performance factor, and they are young and should be given time to do so, rather than expected to slay this year.
Then again, I *always* thought, based on seeing her live twice last year, that Bradie was mature and confident. Now we can add “more polished” to the list.
My moneys on Bradie, unless Ting and Alysia considerably up their performance factor, and they are young and should be given time to do so, rather than expected to slay this year.
Then again, I *always* thought, based on seeing her live twice last year, that Bradie was mature and confident. Now we can add “more polished” to the list.
