2019-20 U.S. Ladies Figure Skating

[skatergurl7]

I'm sorry.... Because a skater is recovering from a severe depression and eating disorder we should... what, ignore what the skating is lacking? Not say a word? How is that respectful? To me, it equals the "let's give a gold star for trying". Maybe it's American that facts are "inappropriate, disrespectful and insensitive" but I don't subscribe to that philosophy.

Yes that gold star mentality part of why the US has been lacking in competitive senior ladies (excluding Alysa since she’s still a junior internationally). If anyone has had Russian coaches like I have, they don’t give out compliments left and right for getting through a program with just 3 triples. If you’re serious about making a real comeback, then take the criticism and learn how to improve. Otherwise I don’t see the point of wasting time, energy, and US funding.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Yes that gold star mentality part of why the US has been lacking in competitive senior ladies (excluding Alysa since she’s still a junior internationally). If anyone has had Russian coaches like I have, they don’t give out compliments left and right for getting through a program with just 3 triples. If you’re serious about making a real comeback, then take the criticism and learn how to improve. Otherwise I don’t see the point of wasting time, energy, and US funding.

You aren't the only one here that's had Russian coaches hence why I don't give out "gold stars." But there are tons of US skaters that you would say funding is being wasted on. Russian coaches don't give out those compliments easily but then again mine also didn't call their skaters fat cows. I'd think if one had such great coaching that they'd understand what other skaters were going through, no matter what it was and not sit at their computer throwing insults saying a skater is fat and should quit while they're trying to come back from an eating disorder and more.

 

[skatergurl7]

You aren't the only one here that's had Russian coaches hence why I don't give out "gold stars." But there are tons of US skaters that you would say funding is being wasted on. Russian coaches don't give out those compliments easily but then again mine also didn't call their skaters fat cows. I'd think if one had such great coaching that they'd understand what other skaters were going through, no matter what it was and not sit at their computer throwing insults saying a skater is fat and should quit while they're trying to come back from an eating disorder and more.

I think you’re reaching a bit. No one here is calling people fat or fat cows, that’s rude of you to accuse people of doing so.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

I think you’re reaching a bit. No one here is calling people fat or fat cows, that’s rude of you to accuse people of doing so.

Really, because that shows you really haven't been keeping up with this thread even though you're all over it.

 

[ice coverage]

For the record, Gracie has not been receiving USFS envelope funding this season.

Nor is she on the reserve team, whose members potentially can earn future funding this season.

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It’s the Emily that competed in Junior last year. My daughter is friends with her, so I’m sure.

She isn’t on the fence. She’s with team USA.

Thank you for the clarity re Emily Zhang.

Best of luck to her at sectionals.

 

[catjohnsn2]

Exactly.....

Alissa also won the Grand Prix Final and I believe she is the last American to do so. Her last season was amazing and was probably due to the coaching change. She was an artist on the ice and her Winter Into Spring program was inspired and just beautiful!

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

For the record, Gracie has not been receiving USFS envelope funding this season.

Nor is she on the reserve team, whose members potentially can earn future funding this season.

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Thank you for the clarity re Emily Zhang.

Best of luck to her at sectionals.

Thank you, I was just about to mention that Gracie is taking the route she is trying to get to Nationals because she doesn't have funding anymore.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

If anyone has had Russian coaches like I have, they don’t give out compliments left and right for getting through a program with just 3 triples. If you’re serious about making a real comeback, then take the criticism and learn how to improve. Otherwise I don’t see the point of wasting time, energy, and US funding.

I mean, she has just skated her first LP in over two years. This is the beginning of her journey. We'll see what adjustments she makes in her training and performance pretty soon at Sectionals. But it is way too soon to write off her comeback as a failure.

 

[frida80]

No one is against criticism. It all criticism should reflect the context of the situation. If you honestly think that Gracie will be Olympic level that fast, you’re being completely unrealistic.

Those Instagram vids tell longer story. You saw the jumps. But she also had long entrance. She was slower. She didn’t have the same height, distance or flow. Scrutinizing those videos , we can see underlying problems that would crop up in competitions.

If you we watched many people coming back from injuries, we knew that her stamina was going to be bad. She wasn’t going to skate well that first time.

If many skaters still have their 2A a decade after retirement, so we knew that it took some huge issues to suddenly stop doing triples after a matter of 3 months. That it would be more like someone temporarily paralyzed learning to walk again. In my eyes, she’s just learning how to make her very first steps. But people here are criticizing her for not running like Usain Bolt.

Be realistic. Gracie is going to be crummy for a while. That’s just how it goes. She can’t rush the process, because she has to relearn things that took her over a decade to learn in the process. No point at getting angry at her now. It’s just completely unrealistic to expect more from her. She has be awful for awhile. In times, she’ll build up more and more. Eventually she’ll be better. But telling her to lose weight, change coaches or any other extreme ideas won’t make her progress any faster. She’s got to have this period where she’s going to be a crummy skater. If you don’t like it, ignore her. She’s not instantaneous going to get better because you demand it. It’s impossible.

I’m not a Gracie fan. But I respect her and other skaters as athletes. It’s so much more harder than people understand. I don’t have any expectations for her, so she can’t disappoint me with her subpar performances. I don’t need her to be a world champion or a national champ. It’s not her job to get back three spots. Right now, this is Gracie’s decision. If she just wants to get back 70% of her best, I’ll applaud her for it. Two years ago, I thought it would be impossible for her to get as far as she has. She’s proved me wrong. Now, I’d rather see her smiling at getting a measly bronze medal at regionals, than see her weep at fourth at worlds. That’s enough for me. Unfortunately, that’s going to have to be enough for all of us.

 

[readernick]

I think you’re reaching a bit. No one here is calling people fat or fat cows, that’s rude of you to accuse people of doing so.

Actually, a number of people have said quite inappropriate things about her weight. Which is terrible because she struggled with an eating disorder previously.

In addition, a number of people have mentioned that she should just quit since she is not competitive.

Pointing out her lack of technical content, lack of speed, need to improve her spins. That is fine. Being honest about her chances of making nationals is fine, too. But, some people are going beyond what is acceptable.

I see the same terrible comments on the Russia thread about Maria Sotskova. There is a very clear line between being realistic and being disrespectful and inappropriate.

 

[moonvine]

Yes that gold star mentality part of why the US has been lacking in competitive senior ladies (excluding Alysa since she’s still a junior internationally). If anyone has had Russian coaches like I have, they don’t give out compliments left and right for getting through a program with just 3 triples. If you’re serious about making a real comeback, then take the criticism and learn how to improve. Otherwise I don’t see the point of wasting time, energy, and US funding.

Coaching styles and how one responds to them vary wildly. I would not do well at all with a Russian coach I am pretty sure. I am not sure, but I believe none of us are elite figure skating coaches. Seriously doubt BOrser is hanging out here, he’s pretty busy. I don’t believe Gracie gets US funding anymore. Other than that it’s her money and time and she should do with it as she wants. She has her own team and I don’t see why on earth she should spend any time taking criticism from here hearing about how her dress is ugly and the song is wrong and the choreography isn’t good and blah blah. Then people want to farm her out to adult skating? For real?

 

[medoroa]

I agree. But there's been plenty of insulting language before, criticizing skaters personally, and second guessing their musical choices, without this great rising of reproof.

This is rather unfair. Personally I put people who constantly do this kind of thing on my ignore list and move on, because these people typically never change. (Also, if I sought out and replied to every single person who doesn't respect skaters, that's all I'd be doing on the internet.) However, it's only human that people will react more passionately when it comes to GG considering what she has gone through and been public about. It's unfair of you to try to silence that by exploiting the unwarranted and ugly bashing that other skaters receive.

 

[Mishaminion]

I don't understand this attitude people have towards skaters, there's a line between criticism and bashing and people seem to think it's fine to cross it.
This was Gracie's very first proper competition in nearly 3 years, she's essentially starting right over from the beginning. Give her a chance to get some competitive experience again before mouthing off about how bad she is and how she should just retire/do adult skating.
Her skating isn't anywhere near her previous standard, nobody is denying that, but there has been so much negativity and very harsh things said about her as soon as she stepped back on to the ice, as if people just couldn't wait to trash the poor girl.
Her comeback attempt might be successful or maybe it won't, but give her a chance to possibly improve and compete a little more. Shouldn't we be encouraging her not picking apart everything she does?

 

[Bluediamonds09]

With home cooking and a clean performance I think that Bradie has a...... decent shot at getting the bronze medal at skate America. Maybe. Possibly. Depending on how Kaori performs.

Oh, and good luck to Megan and Starr this weekend. I hope they both just skate clean, no matter the final placement.

 

[medoroa]

With home cooking and a clean performance I think that Bradie has a...... decent shot at getting the bronze medal at skate America. Maybe. Possibly. Depending on how Kaori performs.

My dream podium includes both Tennell and Sakamoto. I know, I'm :whack: but I can dream!

 

[skylark]

This is rather unfair. Personally I put people who constantly do this kind of thing on my ignore list and move on, because these people typically never change. (Also, if I sought out and replied to every single person who doesn't respect skaters, that's all I'd be doing on the internet.) However, it's only human that people will react more passionately when it comes to GG considering what she has gone through and been public about. It's unfair of you to try to silence that by exploiting the unwarranted and ugly bashing that other skaters receive.

My post was intended as a call to fairness, including to skaters who've had to endure difficult attacks (and those who may face them in the future) through no fault of their own, and who may not have the outpouring of support that Gracie has. Maybe that was a mistake. I'm not perfect, just trying for the upward trail.

Good luck to Starr and Megan at Finlandia. I'm very disappointed not to see Ting skate there, but recovery from her injury is the most important.

 

[mrrice]

I mean, she has just skated her first LP in over two years. This is the beginning of her journey. We'll see what adjustments she makes in her training and performance pretty soon at Sectionals. But it is way too soon to write off her comeback as a failure.

Exactly...She's coming back from so much and like ANY athlete coming back, the road is long and I would guess, a bit lonely. I see no reason not to offer our full support as long as she's out there trying.

 

[nataliebunard12]

For the record, Gracie has not been receiving USFS envelope funding this season.

Nor is she on the reserve team, whose members potentially can earn future funding this season.

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Thank you for the clarity re Emily Zhang.

Best of luck to her at sectionals.

Emily zhang is not on the official team USA, but she is still part of the uses member. Sadly she got rejected by China tho I guess it's because they already have ashley lin and beverly zhu?

 

[natsulian]

Emily zhang is not on the official team USA, but she is still part of the uses member. Sadly she got rejected by China tho�� I guess it's because they already have ashley lin and beverly zhu?

Imagine the amount of facepalms the federation will have to endure if Emily goes to 2022 Beijing and does something major. Hypothetical talk only, but it would be quite entertaining.

Also, my high school intends to host a festival celebrating Asian American success... and the board decided to pick important Asian American figures to showcase and Alysa Liu was picked alongside people like Sandra Oh. Imagine my shock at the amount of people who recognized her.

 

[Ykai]

Emily zhang is not on the official team USA, but she is still part of the uses member. Sadly she got rejected by China tho�� I guess it's because they already have ashley lin and beverly zhu?

Not sure if Emily is rejected by China. The Chinese Fed tried to recruit her, but the two parties might not reach an agreement in the end.