2018-19 U.S. Ladies' figure skating

[Skater Boy]

I've always thought Elizabet was underrated on PCS. Her programs this season are very Daniil/Eteri; but she is a very musical skater. (Always has been, ever since she was a junior). I think her second mark has stayed down because she has struggled to get her TES scores up (mostly due to struggles with the lutz); but when you have good presentation and you finally start to bring in the technical marks, then your PCS can go up & deserve to go up quickly. Better late than never, IMO. Denis's & Karen's did the same.

This is why skating is so difficult to compare; we all have such different opinions. With ET some feel she is undermarked pc wise and some say overmarked. It is so hard to say Rika should be on the podium or not - it was far too close.
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[temadd]

I gotta agree with Casual, I wasn't happy with the judging either. Not it wasn't the worst judged competition ever but I definitely feel as though the GOE & PCS for the top 3 were overblown and in a competition where things were so close, those points made a big difference. I mean come on...Alina clearing 37+ in TES with that program? Lil Bet's PCS suddenly skyrocketing by 2-3 points in the SP and 3-4 points in the FS? Satoko consistently being under marked despite the overall strength of her program...

Also the tech caller must have been high. No edge calls. The only thing I can say about that is at least it was consistent--no one got called. Still, PCS & GOE are deciding factors when everyone skates well and the judges pick and choose who gets awarded those scores which greatly impacts the overall scores. Forget the GOE--had the PCS been awarded fairly and without bias, the podium would look different.

This tech caller was the only one I saw the entire season who was so generous on under-rotations and edge calls. So many URs not called. Where is the consistency? Shouldn't worlds be judged by the same standards as the rest of the season?

 

[temadd]

She probably knows that if she learns a lot of difficult jumps and lands them in competition, the judges will ignore her in-between skating and her PCS will rise drastically. That’s probably why she’s focused more on the jumps.

This is so true. Skating skills, Performance and Int are not always scored based on reality. History has shown judges are afraid to give top skaters a 7 on SS even if it's deserved. Clean consistent jumps = higher PCS

 

[Mathman]

This tech caller was the only one I saw the entire season who was so generous on under-rotations and edge calls. So many URs not called. Where is the consistency? Shouldn't worlds be judged by the same standards as the rest of the season?

I don't know. In any sport sometimes calls go in your favor, sometimes against you. Sometimes you get away with stuff that you shouldn't and sometimes you get nailed. Certainly consistency in judging is desirable. Still, every athletic program that I know of teaches "no excuses." It is your job to execute so well that your fate is not left in the hands of the judges.

(Easier said than done, of course.)

 

[Jammers]

She said in an interview that her goal is to make it to Beijing and that ultimately she wants a world medal. That's what worries me. She's coming back with the intention of being a factor competitively. The landscape has changed A LOT in the last two years since she's been out and will change drastically again next year with more women attempting quads and 3As. The level is extremely high and I just don't know if Gracie can reach that level. I don't see her adding 3As or quads...

I think it would be different if her goal were to make top 5 or even top 3 at nationals or just to come back and be happy with competing...but she has goals and they are lofty considering what she'll need to do to attain them.

Let's be honest Medvedeva just won a bronze medal at Worlds and she doesn't have a quad or 3axel either. If prime 2016 Gracie had skated a clean SP and then skated like she did her LP at Nationals that year she would have probably beaten Medvedeva at these Worlds because she's a stronger and better overall skater i think and the judges always loved her.

 

[oatmella]

That is a lot of what ifs though, and Evgenia has proven to be stronger competitor than Gracie.

Gracie at her prime we later discovered was not healthy or happy. It would be incredibly difficult to return to similar form in a mentally and physically healthy way.

And likely the competitive level within senior ladies will be changing next season. Trusova is capable of TES that could be competitive with the top men! Favorable judging cannot really go against 4Lz, multiple quads, etc.

I wish Gracie well, just realistically do not see her returning to the scenario of Worlds three years ago - a medal certainly within reach.

 

[hippomoomin]

Realistically I don't think Gracie has a shot at a World medal in the future. It takes several seasons to get back to her pervious competitive shape if it happens at all, and by then, the technical aspects of lady's skating would have moved even further. She also has a different figure now, which would require more strength on jumps and perhaps stamina. I would be happy to see her skating two semi clean programs with two 3-3 in each. Then she will need to keep her performance up and performance wasn't even her strength... I don't even think Karen will get back to her previous level.

 

[katymay]

I agree with this regarding Gracie.



They would have needed more at the 2018 and 2019 Junior Worlds. I know you meant major senior internationals, but I think it's worth acknowledging. Especially considering how competitive Kihira was all season. She controlled her own destiny. She didn't get it done at Worlds, but she controlled it. Trusova & Scherbakova move up next year. Will they still have those jumps in a couple years? I have my doubts. But I suppose their odds are better than someone who doesn't have them. And they could certainly have them next season.

I do think it is worth acknowledging that the ceiling has been blown off. The possibility is a reality now. Kihira's triple axel triple combo, Trusova's multiple quads, Scherbakova's lutz. This isn't "a" triple axel. Or even "a" quad salchow. These are big point elements. Three girls (Kihira, Trusova, Liu) with multiple ones. For the next generation, this is the picture.

Aspirations do not a quadruple jump or triple axel make. They certainly don't get it done under the pressure of competition, don't guarantee you will get the clean calls from the judges that are needed to maximize scores, and don't guarantee that those jumps will last.

But needing a triple axel or a quad to win a major international? This is the reality those girls have been living in for two years.

I'm glad Medvedeva was selected this year and got the bronze. Because I think this Worlds is the end for her. (Liza Tut. has a 3A and will still be competitive next year). I also have my doubts that Alina can be competitive next year. It isn't just Sasha, Anna, Rika, Alysa and Elizabet. A huge number of those in the Junior Class are either sporadically landing quads or triple axels, or very close to landing them. (E.G. Young You) Gold, Medvedeva and Zagitova had their time to shine, but the landscape has changed.

 

[noraaa]

I'm glad Medvedeva was selected this year and got the bronze. Because I think this Worlds is the end for her.

Gold, Medvedeva and Zagitova had their time to shine, but the landscape has changed.

I think a lot of people are counting out quite a few very good and very determined skaters. Will it be difficult to up their technical content? Absolutely. But several of the ladies you named (Alina, Zhenya, Liza, etc.) have expressed not only a willingness to fight forward but a very strong drive and determination to do so.

Gold may have a much more difficult time, seeing as she has not competed on a high level in years and likely isn't even getting through a full program run-through yet (no hate towards Gracie, I'd love to be proven wrong but she has quite the uphill battle ahead).

But the other ladies? Frankly, even if they don't all come out at their first GP with quads and 3As (and likely will not), it is not yet necessary to do so. The 2020-2021 season is when we may see many more skaters with consistent quads and 3As and there's plenty of time to get there. The Russian 3As are moving up? They may not all have consistent quads or triple axels in the years to come, and even so they are only 3 ladies. Yes, the tech revolution is coming and skaters must start now to prepare but it has not yet fully arrived and there's plenty of time to make waves.

I hate to see so many posts counting out skaters who have likely never given up a day in their lives

 

[natsulian]

Recent article on Ting Cui: https://usfigureskatingfanzone.com/news/2019/3/28/figure-skating-world-junior-bronze-medalist-cui-hopes-big-things-and-quads-are-in-her-future.aspx

Key Points:
- States that she's aware about her inconsistency and lack of focus during competitions
- Says that she gets very excited during her programs, so she makes "stupid mistakes"
- Does not want to fall behind the Russians
- Has been working on a 4T for awhile, but not very seriously because of injury and other aspects of skating
- This offseason, she says that she's more confident than ever that she will land the 4T and be ready to take on the Senior ranks next season
- Does NOT officially know if she's moving up, but she would like to sooner than later

 

[DanseMacabre]

I really hope Ting moves up completely. The junior ranks can only prepare you so much for seniors and I don't know how much more she can possibly get out of it until it becomes a crutch. And honestly, she has the goods to compete with the US seniors domestically. The field's not that deep.

 

[okokok1777]

What does Mariah’s recent post say? Her instagram is (understandably) private and I can’t view the post

"I’m happy to be back home after two good skates at World Championships and a season that I’m really proud of. I want to thank my family, fans and friends, Rafael and Vera Arutunian and U.S. Figure Skating for their support last week. As I told Eunsoo in Japan, the incident at practice was very unfortunate and I meant absolutely no harm. Our training environment is professional and supportive, and I’ve never changed locker rooms or training times or anything like that. The comments that my friends, family and I received on social media were hateful and disturbing and hopefully this situation raises awareness and causes people to think twice before hitting ‘tweet’ or ‘post.’ I learned a lot about my inner strength last week, and I’m excited to continue to train in the lead up to Beijing in 2022."

 

[GS Forum Staff]

At this time, we are not allowing discussion of the Bell/Lim incident other than the sharing of Mariah's statement on Instagram. If/when statements are made from other relevant parties, those will be permitted to be shared as well.

 

[dorispulaski]

And any statements by Eun Soo.

 

[tothepointe]

And any statements by Eun Soo.

She posted this on her instagram 3 days ago and I think this will be the last we really hear from her end on the "incident".

Hello, everyone.
At the end of this long , difficult , and yet a bit unsatisfying season , I want to thank you all for your great support and encouragement throughout this season more than anything .
I want everyone to know that I'm in pursuit of my own happiness at the moment and I hope that everybody , including myself , to be happy as well .
So , I don't want anybody to be blamed for me .
I wanted to let everybody know this , especially for those who might be curious and waiting for my updates .
Thank you ."

 

[demitasse]

She posted this on her instagram 3 days ago and I think this will be the last we really hear from her end on the "incident".

Hello, everyone.
At the end of this long , difficult , and yet a bit unsatisfying season , I want to thank you all for your great support and encouragement throughout this season more than anything .
I want everyone to know that I'm in pursuit of my own happiness at the moment and I hope that everybody , including myself , to be happy as well .
So , I don't want anybody to be blamed for me .
I wanted to let everybody know this , especially for those who might be curious and waiting for my updates .
Thank you ."

To clarify, since it seems like she just used whatever instagram's translation feature produced for her original Korean message, and it's made some of the wording a bit odd and unnatural-sounding in English: she wrote that she does not want anyone to be attacked on her behalf.

 

[mrrice]

topic: Do we know the ladies who will be skating for the US WTT? I would guess Mariah and Bradie but, you never know.

 

[journalist101]

topic: Do we know the ladies who will be skating for the US WTT? I would guess Mariah and Bradie but, you never know.

It was confirmed yesterday. Bradie and Mariah got tapped with Starr Andrews as the alternate. Nathan, Vincent, Cain/LeDuc, and Hubbell/Donohue were also named with Hubbell acting as team captain.

 

[mrrice]

It was confirmed yesterday. Bradie and Mariah got tapped with Starr Andrews as the alternate. Nathan, Vincent, Cain/LeDuc, and Hubbell/Donohue were also named with Hubbell acting as team captain.

I love this site. So much knowledge and people are always so willing to help fellow members.

 

[natsulian]

Congrats to Calista Choi,14, on winning her very first international gold medal as a junior at the Egna Spring Trophy. This is Choi’s international debut as well.

Calista CHOI (Free)
• 2A
• 3Lz-2T
• 3Lo
• 3Lz
• 3T-Eu-2F
• 3S-2T
• 3T <
• Level 4 spins and steps
• Highest PCS in the event

Free Score: 107.64 (57.91+49.73)
Total Competition Score: 159.68

Audrey Shin placed a disappointing 4th after a 1st place Short Program. Hopefully she improves during the off-season.

Audrey SHIN (Free)
• 2A
• 3Lz-3T <
• 3S
• 2A <<
• 3F !
• 1Lz
• 3Lo<-2T-2Lo<
• Level 4 spins and Level 3 steps

Free Score: 90.84 (43.25+47.59)
Total Competition Score: 144.94