2019-20 U.S. Ladies Figure Skating

[moonvine]

How well does Gracie need to finish at nationals to get herself back on the GP?

Past a certain level (obviously the top skaters will get GP assignments), it appears much of it has to do with how well a skater does in summer comps and at Champs Camp, at least for Skate America, where USFSA can send some lower ranked skaters to promote. I think Megan Wessenberg finished 17th at 2018 Nationals and still got a Skate America berth due to her great performances in the summer comps. So if USFS wanted to send Gracie to Skate America even if she came in last at Nationals, they could do that. I’m sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong quite soon!

 

[Skater Boy]

Oh the drama. Let's let Gracie do her thing. In some ways I am thrilled she is going to Nationals because it is geat to hear a happy story at the same time it will be weird if she is not medal contending. The hopeful side of me says this is a sign Gracie can come back ; the evil sideof me says it may have been better if she didn't make it and she went on to do whatever the plan is for her life. In fairness or to be balanced there are a lot of skaters like Gracie (level of skating and they keep going in the hope or dream of going to worlds or sometimes just because they like skating though because of the costs usually have the money. In many ways I am in awe of these skaters especially like Nathan school and skatinga the highest of levels - great hard work discipline and some talent too of course. But without sponsors or a lot one wonders. It's okay to go to school and worka t McDonalds or a clothing store. I am excited still to see Gracie - I think top three might be hard but who knows - she is Gracie Gold. I do think though she needs to find new costumes. I am not sure what they have to do with the programs, they look "cheap" and they are not really flattering especially the short. She used to look like a milliin buks no matter what. Her dresses were amazing before. She looks great now; i just think more skating effective dresses/performance are required.

 

[moonvine]

Oh the drama. Let's let Gracie do her thing. In some ways I am thrilled she is going to Nationals because it is geat to hear a happy story at the same time it will be weird if she is not medal contending. The hopeful side of me says this is a sign Gracie can come back ; the evil sideof me says it may have been better if she didn't make it and she went on to do whatever the plan is for her life. In fairness or to be balanced there are a lot of skaters like Gracie (level of skating and they keep going in the hope or dream of going to worlds or sometimes just because they like skating though because of the costs usually have the money. In many ways I am in awe of these skaters especially like Nathan school and skatinga the highest of levels - great hard work discipline and some talent too of course. But without sponsors or a lot one wonders. It's okay to go to school and worka t McDonalds or a clothing store. I am excited still to see Gracie - I think top three might be hard but who knows - she is Gracie Gold. I do think though she needs to find new costumes. I am not sure what they have to do with the programs, they look "cheap" and they are not really flattering especially the short. She used to look like a milliin buks no matter what. Her dresses were amazing before. She looks great now; i just think more skating effective dresses/performance are required.

Do not worry about the dresses. It was posted somewhere (not sure if it was here or her fan thread) she had lost so much weight between regionals and sectionals that her regionals dresses had become too large. She is so loyal to her dress designer that she scoured the country looking for dresses from the same designer to wear to Sectionals. She found some from around a decade ago and that’s what she wore. Her dress designer promises she will look great at Nationals!

 

[NanaPat]

How well does Gracie need to finish at nationals to get herself back on the GP?

A host spot at SkAm is it's totally up to the discretion of USFS.

A non-host invitation totally depends on international results: placement at worlds, best score at a (select) international competition, and world standings.

 

[Ice Dance]

I have a lot of confidence in Mariah and Bradie. The easily could earn three spots for the US. Bradie could even win a world medal if some skaters falter wich is possible at least one Russian lady crashing and a Japanese lady or two can be beaten. The only issue is if the second American ie mariah or whoever loses to the two Koreans, Lilbet, and all three Russians and Japanese ( do the Japanese have 2 or 3 ladies?) then there is trouble.

Japan has 3 ladies.

I think the GP is always way too early to do this, but what they heck? We have a little time so why not? (Keeping in mind that none of the competitive National teams have been selected yet & that Tursynbaeva did not establish herself as a medal contender last season until February).

I have zero expectations of Mariah & Bradie earning back the three berths, but they can do it. They've skated well on the GP and done pretty much what they need to do, which is stay calm after a setback or mistake and continue to do their best.

-I'd say 3 Russian ladies & Kihira are the favorites.

-Then Young has enough firepower to control her own destiny. Do not know if she has the experience yet to make that happen. Worlds is really a whole different level of competition so maybe I should say probably not at her first one, but I'll pencil her into that 5th spot with the firepower in mind.

After that things do get interesting. Sakamoto, I think, underperformed on the GP; but she looks in shape & ready. With Satoko, I'm worried about this coaching change. And while Wakaba is looking better, I'm more hopeful for next year than this one. Miyahara seems a more likely bet for the team & with the coaching change a bit more volatile than I usually anticipate from her. (Though I think her LP will bring in a big second mark if she nails it). Elizabet & Gabby have done nothing to indicate factoring them in at this stage, but they do not have to do so until late winter. I don't know who will make it out of Korean Nationals with silver or the second highest score of an age-eligible athlete (probably Eunsoo but I think they should give Yelim a chance if she gets the job done).

Anyway, at this point I think Bradie has a pretty good shot of finishing top 5-8. Looking at Mariah's history under pressure, I think less of one but still probably a better shot than Korea's #2 or Gabby. So . . . a 5 & 8 would be enough. A 6 & 8 wouldn't. We'll see. It's a good goal. Both U.S. ladies look healthy right now and ready to compete. They've done a good job & are continuing to gain experience.

 

[mrrice]

I think it will be interesting to see if the USFSA uses Gracie's return to Market Nationals when the commercials start airing.

 

[macy]

According to TSL she fired Vincent and told him not to come to sectionals. She is still at same rink working with these two guys, Alex and Pasha to prepare for Nationals:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B49OGSTHc-0/?igshid=uzprqh1m900f

Apparently Vincent is no longer at the rink but is in California, unclear what is going on with him. Also Gracie is no longer with IMG, she is with Tara Modlin, who is Rohene Ward’s agent - causing TSL to hope / speculate that he will do choreography for Gracie next year.

OMG I would die to see Gracie with Rohene programs!

oh wow. i also wondered about why he wasn't with her at sectionals or made a social media post, but didn't think too much of it. i wonder where TSL got this info?

will Gracie stay with ice works then? or will she move to another high level or semi high level coach? i don't think she'll change anything in the lead up to nationals, as it would be too soon and probably too much. i wouldn't doubt she'll re evaluate her situation after January though. would she ever go back to Alex O. full time?

also, edit: so Vincent basically just moved across the country and dropped all his students at ice works mid season, less than 2 months until nationals and left them coachless? i really really hope that's not the reality of this situation.

 

[MarinHondas]

oh wow. i also wondered about why he wasn't with her at sectionals or made a social media post, but didn't think too much of it. i wonder where TSL got this info?

will Gracie stay with ice works then? or will she move to another high level or semi high level coach? i don't think she'll change anything in the lead up to nationals, as it would be too soon and probably too much. i wouldn't doubt she'll re evaluate her situation after January though. would she ever go back to Alex O. full time?

also, edit: so Vincent basically just moved across the country and dropped all his students at ice works mid season, less than 2 months until nationals and left them coachless? i really really hope that's not the reality of this situation.

She won’t ever go back to Ouriashev. She sites him as the main cause of most of her issues.

 

[mrrice]

She won’t ever go back to Ouriashev. She sites him as the main cause of most of her issues.

Where can Gracie go at this late stage in the game. I would imagine that all high caliber coaches have students already. Maybe should could call a retired skater for help but, it's getting down to the wire.

 

[macy]

Where can Gracie go at this late stage in the game. I would imagine that all high caliber coaches have students already. Maybe should could call a retired skater for help but, it's getting down to the wire.

i honestly kind of wonder if Adam would be willing to take on a full time student, or one of Mariah's (past for now) rivals. the work he's done with her just this season is really remarkable, and i think he has an understanding of what Gracie has been through plus can always lighten the mood with some humor when needed. but he may have other obligations that take up too much of his time.

 

[mrrice]

I wonder what Jeremy Abbott is doing these days? Maybe she could call Patrick Chan...…..Now I'm just dreaming.

 

[Charlotte 71]

I mostly agree, but I think two of the Japanese women will be within reach of the Americans. If Bradie can manage a 5th place finish, we'll be in really good shape.

Top 10 for Gracie at Nationals would be an amazing accomplishment. Top five seems highly unlikely, although outside Alyssa, Bradie and Mariah pretty much anything seems possible. Wishing Gracie all the best, and pretty impressed that her technique is still there, I would hope for Top 10 in 2020, Top 5 in 2021 and in the mix for the podium and the Olympics in 2022, but that's a long road back. Incredibly impressed by how far she has come since last year at this time.

 

[Charlotte 71]

I wonder what Jeremy Abbott is doing these days? Maybe she could call Patrick Chan...…..Now I'm just dreaming.

Does Yuka Sato still coach? Have she and Jeremy ever coached together?

 

[kwanatic]

I think it will be interesting to see if the USFSA uses Gracie's return to Market Nationals when the commercials start airing.

I hope not...for her sake. Gracie is just starting to get her feet back under her. When you're shaky and just getting back into the swing of things the last thing you need is someone shining a spotlight on you. That's unnecessary pressure. Gracie has virtually no chance of making the world team this year; the media would do better to focus on Tennell, Bell and Liu as they are likely to be the top finishers.

I think a small fluff piece on Gracie would be good during the broadcast as hers is a story that should be told...but they don't need to use that as a marketing point for the whole event. I think that would be distracting/unfair to her and disrespectful to the other top skaters.

 

[macy]

I hope not...for her sake. Gracie is just starting to get her feet back under her. When you're shaky and just getting back into the swing of things the last thing you need is someone shining a spotlight on you. That's unnecessary pressure. Gracie has virtually no chance of making the world team this year; the media would do better to focus on Tennell, Bell and Liu as they are likely to be the top finishers.

I think a small fluff piece on Gracie would be good during the broadcast as hers is a story that should be told...but they don't need to use that as a marketing point for the whole event. I think that would be distracting/unfair to her and disrespectful to the other top skaters.

i'm also afraid of this. i kind of don't think they'll put a giant spotlight on her because she's been out of it for so long, isn't coming back in top form, isn't a contender for worlds, etc. but then again i also wouldn't put it past NBC. no matter what happens in that aspect, i hope she's prepared for it and has a plan to stay in her own bubble.

 

[mrrice]

i'm also afraid of this. i kind of don't think they'll put a giant spotlight on her because she's been out of it for so long, isn't coming back in top form, isn't a contender for worlds, etc. but then again i also wouldn't put it past NBC. no matter what happens in that aspect, i hope she's prepared for it and has a plan to stay in her own bubble.

It would be unlikely that Gracie would see anything broadcast on the day of the event. What I really hope is that the crowd shows her a ton of support no matter how she skates. A positive experience is all I truly hope for and I think it will keep her motivated to keep moving forward. I remember when katarina Witt came back in 1994. She landed a 3toe and a couple doubles in her SP and the crowd went wild.

 

[jenaj]

What TSL reported was that Gracie wasn't working with Vincent anymore but was working with other coaches at the same rink. If true, she isn't coachless or looking for a new coach.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

What TSL reported was that Gracie wasn't working with Vincent anymore but was working with other coaches at the same rink. If true, she isn't coachless or looking for a new coach.

I think Gracie will be fine. I'd be concerned if she were on the cusp of a Worlds spot and these last minute changes could affect whether she finishes high enough to medal. This season seems to be more about getting used to competing again and building up the stamina to complete two strong programs. She's improved from Rostelecom to Regionals to Sectionals, so if she keeps getting better she'll be in a good position to medal at Senior B's next season.

 

[Skater Boy]

I think Gracie will be fine. I'd be concerned if she were on the cusp of a Worlds spot and these last minute changes could affect whether she finishes high enough to medal. This season seems to be more about getting used to competing again and building up the stamina to complete two strong programs. She's improved from Rostelecom to Regionals to Sectionals, so if she keeps getting better she'll be in a good position to medal at Senior B's next season.

She is probably good enough to make Canada's lady's team maybe even win (sorry Gabby).

 

[Skater Boy]

i honestly kind of wonder if Adam would be willing to take on a full time student, or one of Mariah's (past for now) rivals. the work he's done with her just this season is really remarkable, and i think he has an understanding of what Gracie has been through plus can always lighten the mood with some humor when needed. but he may have other obligations that take up too much of his time.

I don't think Adam is ready to coach at this level. Megan Duhamel would be better probably. Maybe Ravi Walia(Kaetlyn Osmond's coach might be a good choice. It's in Canada where Kristi Yamaguchi and Kurt Browning skated (though not at the royal glenora but Ice Palace) right between starbucks and Cinnabon. Jeremy is at least a little more seasoned. I think someone who is both coach and friendly might be good. Yuka Sato? Liz Manley?