The Best US Nationals In a Long Time

[R.D.]

and ever, since I've been following after the SLC Olympics.


The scores were VERY close. It could have gone any way. I hope this is a sign of things to come. It's boring when there's a dominant champion out there.

Back in 03/04/05, there was that feeling of suspense while Kwan and Cohen duked it out but you KNEW Kwan would get the better end every time. I mean, Kwan would have to fall and Cohen would have needed a SOHL to pull off the upset. I think the most underwhelming Nationals was, surprise, last year's. Cohen had that title in the bag and Kimmie didn't have the goods to challenge her at that point. Everyone else (save Hughes) crumbled under the pressure of the Olympic year. And EVERYONE made major mistakes- Cohen flubbing two jumps, Kimmie falling on a 2a, Hughes falling...

I rest my case...this has been the best Nats by miles. Alyssa delivered, Emily gave a strong effort, Kimmie held on. Even BeBe Liang outside of the two falls basically held it together. Katy was the only one that tanked.

The first time I truly felt that it wasn't completely a shoo-in for gold (although they wanted to make it that way, Kimmie nearly didn't deliver).

 

[heyang]

I agree with you Red Dog. With perhaps the exception of Dance, there were big surprises in the other 3 discplines.

Pairs: no one predicted that Inoue and Baldwin would be dethroned and by a team that seemed to come out of nowhere.

Ladies: The fight for the top spot was so close. An underdog lept into 3rd place - I call Alyssa an underdog because she wasn't an overwhelming predicition for a podium spot. We also got a preview of some of the juniors. Seems like the competition for National title will be tight through Vancouver.

Mens: Battle between Evan and Johnny gave us 3 brilliant performances and the shock of Johnny in 3rd.

 

[Tonichelle]

it was extremely exciting... a part of me is glad I wasn't there, I'd have gone insane by the men's final.

 

[*~RussianBleux~*]

The scores were VERY close. It could have gone any way. I hope this is a sign of things to come. It's boring when there's a dominant champion out there.

ITA. This is one of the reasons why I like the COP system(even though it may still have flaws in certain areas that need to be tweeked). Under the old 6.0 system it is very unlikely that pair teams/skaters like C&O and Ryan Bradley would have overtaken pair teams/skaters like I&B and Johnny Weir. Well ok, maybe C&O would have had a chance considering they were perfect and I&B had two mistakes but had John landed the 3toe then I think the judges under the 6.0 system would have held up the reigning national champs even with the mistake on the throw 3axel and C&O wouldn't have had a chance even if they had 3toes as well and everything else was perfect. However in the mens event I'm almost positive that the 6.0 judges would have held up Johnny Weir for second place and left Bradley at third, everything being the same.

I love how the COP is simply about points rather then the judges just picking their favorite. This is the reason why we are able to have competitions that are as intense as this year's nationals...I think it's great! And the best thing is it's already looking like Worlds is going to be just as intense with Mao and Yu-Na in the mix this year in the ladies event and Brian Joubert doing 3 quads with everyone else now playing catch up. I can't wait!

 

[flying camel]

I enjoyed it. I was a little disappointed in the coverage. Some of it was on too late. I ended up falling asleep on some of the men.

 

[Tonichelle]

ESPN will never get it right

we want good coverage like football and baseball, but when they give it to us we complain because we're up late...

complain to the USFSA for having the competition so dang late

 

[blue dog]

That was a good one, but never as good as this one!

 

[Mathman]

For the ladies' event, I lean more toward Blue Dog than Red. It is true that the ladies LP was exciting because we didn't know who was going to win. Alissa's skate was expecially "exciting" because we were holding our breath in anguish on each jump.

Still, when the smoke cleared, the gold medalist had backed into the championship with an uninspired "do just enough to win" performance and the silver medalist failed to seize her opportunity by falling. Meanwhile crowd pleasers Bebe and Rachael, after fine short programs, couldn't maintain the pace. So to me, the whole thing kind of fizzled out in the end.

2004 was better, for the ladies. Could the old grey mare crank it up for one more ride around the park? Yes! yet another "performance of a lifetime!" Let the teddy bears rain!

 

[Kwanford Wife]

For me, this nationals was like last night's Miss America pagent... all the skaters worked really hard and deserved their placement, but it still was a little weak, a little boring and totally lacking in the excitement of Nationals past... ho hum...

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I really enjoyed this Nationals LIVE more than the previous ones I've seen. I think Spokane had a lot to do with it. Very nice suburb type of town in a medium urban setting. And the arena was full for every discipline including the Juniors. The Spokanians (or is it Spokanites) came out an supported the event. In turn the event supported Spokane. It was such a success that the city planners want to bring in more top events to the arena.

I thought too, the mystery of who would win and the upsets made the Nationals very special.

Joe

 

[Dee4707]

I love Nationals so I can't say this one was better than another. I think every Nationals I've watched there was excitement in it for me---if there isn't what's the point??

Dee

 

[SailorGalaxia518]

Was anyone suprised at all that ESPN actually showed the free skates and of course the interview afterwards of Mirai Nigasu and Caroline Zhang? I so wanted to see their free skates and was in shocked that they were going to air them.

They are so cute, especially Mirai

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Was anyone suprised at all that ESPN actually showed the free skates and of course the interview afterwards of Mirai Nigasu and Caroline Zhang? I so wanted to see their free skates and was in shocked that they were going to air them.

They are so cute, especially Mirai

You'll love the Exhibtions!!

 

[emma]

Was anyone suprised at all that ESPN actually showed the free skates and of course the interview afterwards of Mirai Nigasu and Caroline Zhang? I so wanted to see their free skates and was in shocked that they were going to air them.

They are so cute, especially Mirai

OMG I missed this, I hope it gets rebroadcast!

About this year's nationals - I really enjoyed it; loved some of the coverage and was totally disappointed in other aspects of it (including men's sp coverage), but also have all kinds of mixed feelings - i do agree with MM and blue dog about the fizzle, yet it wasn't over till it was over in three of the disciplines and that was cool too. And, it was so cool to see the stands full - we should give Spokane some kind of medal!

 

[enlight78]

For me this was one of the most intense nationals in a couple of years. It's been a while since I was so emotionaly involved in the event. I relally like the live coverage even though we missed the male short programs.

 

[Realitycheck]

This was my favorite Nationals in a long time! The thrill of seeing people capture medals who have worked long and hard to gain recognition was absolutely amazing. I am so happy for Ryan Bradley and Castille and Okolski especially. Also good Senior National debuts by Vlassov and Meekins, Moyle and Seitz and my personal fave, Namiotka and Coughlin (gave me chills!) Also thrilled by Jeremy Abbott's Senior National debut.
Spokane was so welcoming and it seemed the entire city was behind the event.:thumbsup:

 

[Mathman]

Thanks for joining us, Realitycheck. Welcome to the forum! :agree:

Mathman

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

This was my favorite Nationals in a long time! The thrill of seeing people capture medals who have worked long and hard to gain recognition was absolutely amazing. I am so happy for Ryan Bradley and Castille and Okolski especially. Also good Senior National debuts by Vlassov and Meekins, Moyle and Seitz and my personal fave, Namiotka and Coughlin (gave me chills!) Also thrilled by Jeremy Abbott's Senior National debut.
Spokane was so welcoming and it seemed the entire city was behind the event.:thumbsup:

Agree with you 100 per cent. There was more in this Nats than meets the podium.

Joe