2018-19 U.S. Ladies' figure skating

[gkelly]

I do think that a clean performance benefits a newcomer more so than an established contender. If the novice falls the judges will tend to say, "Well, she's not quite ready yet," and her PCS will suffer from that perception.

I think that the seasoned veteran is more likely to get the benefit of the doubt: "Yes, she made some technical errrors, but we all know how good her skating skills and musical interpretation are."

Yes, people, including judges, do tend to see what they expect to see.

Of course, if a skater is capable of really good skating skills and musical interpretation, quite likely she will exhibit good skating skills and musical interpretation even in performances with a couple of mistakes.

Not every performance is identical, but the ones where the SS and IN are below par for that skater (might still be well above average) aren't necessarily the ones with mistakes. Sometimes skaters skate cautiously in order to avoid mistakes, and as a result the SS and IN are weaker than performances where they just go for it, missed jump here or there be damned.

And sometimes they're just really off and everything gets negatively affected. Other times they're really on and everything is working its best.

Which is why ideally judges should be evaluating each component on its own merits in that particular performance and not automatically lowering PCS for performances with visible errors or automatically raising them for performances without.

That goes for newcomers as well as established veterans.

 

[mrrice]

Poor Angela Wang. I have been her fan ever since she was a very promising Junior. It is sad that she hasn't been able to put 2 good programs together lately. Here's hoping she skates well in the Free.

 

[frida80]

Poor Angela Wang. I have been her fan ever since she was a very promising Junior. It is sad that she hasn't been able to put 2 good programs together lately. Here's hoping she skates well in the Free.

I just hope if she does have a bad day that we won't rack her over the coals for a bad skate like we have for everyone else.

 

[mrrice]

I just hope if she does have a bad day that we won't rack her over the coals for a bad skate like we have for everyone else.

I won't rake her over the coals, I love her skating. I'd just like to see her skate the way I've seen her in the past.

 

[frida80]

I won't rake her over the coals, I love her skating. I'd just like to see her skate the way I've seen her in the past.

I know you won't. You've been so devoted to her for so long. It's very touching. It's just as of late when ever any US lady fails, people seem ready to grab the pitchforks.

 

[frida80]

Where does this information come from?

I'm basing this on what USFS has done in the past. With Vivian Le she got two spots. I don't hosting Colorado spring had much to do with her because she didn't start to be hyped until that summer. She got the very first JGP and the one in CS two weeks later.

USFS seems to have so distinct plan when it comes to JGP slots except when the person is super promising and has scored very well beforehand. For example Ting did well at junior Worlds. So even though she bombed at her first JGP, she was given another spot. Although there is argument that her placement was good over others. She's not the only one that's gotten that treatment.

I'm wondering the same... if this is true... that's MONUMENTAL pressure to place on a 13 year old... my gosh.

You think this is more pressure than pushing her to win senior nationals when she's not even she eligible for juniors?

If she fixes her jumps it will be a cake walk. If not, well... I'll guess she'll learn eventually.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

I just hope if she does have a bad day that we won't rack her over the coals for a bad skate like we have for everyone else.

If people want a champion who can compete with Alina on TES, Bradie is trying to be that person. She's putting very difficult programs out there and mistakes are going to happen. Better to try during the GP and have everything sorted out by Nationals and Worlds.

 

[gkelly]

I'm basing this on what USFS has done in the past.

I.e., you're just guessing at what will happen with assignments or at the reasons for US hosting a JGP next year but you stated them as facts.

USFS seems to have so distinct plan when it comes to JGP slots except when the person is super promising and has scored very well beforehand.

It is true that they don't do things exactly the same every year. Maybe different people on the committee from year to year, or thinking that a new approach is needed if the old one didn't seem to be working. Also strategies for assignments can vary based on how many age-eligible skaters are available each year and how many slots are available, how the skaters have done in summer monitoring competitions or other international assignments as well as last year's Nationals. But usually second assignments aren't confirmed until after the first one. Usually the cutoff for are second spot for ladies is placing 4th or higher at the first event, but it depends on the strength of the field. In other disciplines, often second assignments are easier to come by because there are fewer age-eligible skaters or teams available who meet whatever the selection committee's standard are.

USFS hosts a JGP approximately every 3 years:
1999 (final), 2001 (cancelled after 9/11), 2002 (rescheduled to make up for cancelled event the year before)
2004, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2015

They were due to host another one regardless of the how promising any given young skater might be.

 

[MarinHondas]

I'm basing this on what USFS has done in the past. With Vivian Le she got two spots. I don't hosting Colorado spring had much to do with her because she didn't start to be hyped until that summer. She got the very first JGP and the one in CS two weeks later.

USFS seems to have so distinct plan when it comes to JGP slots except when the person is super promising and has scored very well beforehand. For example Ting did well at junior Worlds. So even though she bombed at her first JGP, she was given another spot. Although there is argument that her placement was good over others. She's not the only one that's gotten that treatment.


You think this is more pressure than pushing her to win senior nationals when she's not even she eligible for juniors?

If she fixes her jumps it will be a cake walk. If not, well... I'll guess she'll learn eventually.

Yeah I do. I think the fact that USFSA brought the entire JGP to your country just for you to do well is more pressure than a few people expecting her to win. Anyway, it doesn't matter because I think that rumor is false.

 

[mrrice]

If people want a champion who can compete with Alina on TES, Bradie is trying to be that person. She's putting very difficult programs out there and mistakes are going to happen. Better to try during the GP and have everything sorted out by Nationals and Worlds.

100% Correct.....

 

[crazydreamer]

I do hope Gracie comes back strong but I’m getting slightly worried. I feel like if she were in old form and landing consistent 3-3s we’d have seen a video or two by now.

It doesn’t really matter at the end of the day. Getting back to form takes time and even if she drops out of her GP I won’t give up hope for a comeback. It’s more just that the state of US skating is so depressing atm I just would love it if she showed up at the GP and wowed everyone.

 

[halulupu]

it is a bit sad. what happend with all the promising talents in the US? the figure skating world needs strong us ladies

so bradie, an almost retired gracie and a maybe comeback from edmunds are the last hope

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

it is a bit sad. what happend with all the promising talents in the US? the figure skating world needs strong us ladies

so bradie, an almost retired gracie and a maybe comeback from edmunds are the last hope

If Mariah Bell could just hit at a big international event I think she’d be scored very generously. I’m still very hopeful for her!

 

[halulupu]

If Mariah Bell could just hit at a big international event I think she’d be scored very generously. I’m still very hopeful for her!

true I forgot about bell. she is very lovely and has two very nice programms. but can she be a real threat for the top russian and japanese ladies? I fear not. youth promotion system doesn't seem to work

 

[tosca]

My prediction for nationals... i know we are far out and have not seen Gracie skate but I am just going wild...

1. Bradie Tennell
2. Mariah Bell
3. Gracie Gold, making a strong comeback setting herself up for future seasons
4. Alyssa Liu - making a splash in her senior nationals debut with a few bobbles but an insane BV
5. Karen Chen
6. Ting Cui

 

[andromache]

I just don't know what's up with Angela Wang. I wonder what her practice run-throughs are like. Mental or physical inconsistency?

 

[chuckm]

It just seems as if she's lost her lutz. She's either popped it or fallen on it in both SP and FS. I can remember when she had a terrific 3z+3t+2t, but that was many years ago.

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

^Yeah, at one point she had the highest score for any element in IJS for a 3Z+3T+2T, IIRC.

I just don't know what's up with Angela Wang. I wonder what her practice run-throughs are like. Mental or physical inconsistency?

She's an odd one. Goes out and nails a beautiful 3F+3T, and then the rest of the program is... augh. She can be such a lovely skater but these programs are not emotionally griping or aesthetic the way she normally is. Even if you haven't heard "Praying" those have got to be the most jarring cuts ever. The packaging is all off too. She just needs to do a complete turnaround, because things aren't quite right with her, even though she can clearly execute most of the big tricks still.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

I just don't know what's up with Angela Wang. I wonder what her practice run-throughs are like. Mental or physical inconsistency?

I think that hard fall probably affected her ability to do triples afterwards. Still, most of the mistakes she made in both programs were probably due to loss of concentration. She doesn't have much time to recover before her event next week.

I hope the US women do better in the final 3 GP events. So far, they have no medals but two last-place finishes. It's too bad Bradie or Mariah aren't going to Rostelecom, because with Wakaba injured it is a wide open field after Alina.

 

[MarinHondas]

I think that hard fall probably affected her ability to do triples afterwards. Still, most of the mistakes she made in both programs were probably due to loss of concentration. She doesn't have much time to recover before her event next week.

I hope the US women do better in the final 3 GP events. So far, they have no medals but two last-place finishes. It's too bad Bradie or Mariah aren't going to Rostelecom, because with Wakaba injured it is a wide open field after Alina.

They have gotten two fourths at least. I think Bradie may come through at IDF despite the very deep field.