US Olympic Team Announced

[Mathman]

I don't think there is anything to the "Russian name" business. The majority of Americans have names reflecting ancestral ethnicity and the anc estral national origin, or mixed up combinations. Nathan (Hegrew) Chen (Chinese, Vincent (from Latim) Chou -- how many Americans know how to pronounce "Chou" For that matterr, Malinin does not sound ALL that Russian to American ears (it could be Finnish?) Michelle (French) Kwan (Chinese), not to mention her new daughter Kalista (Greek) Belle (French).

Ilia is a first name of Russian origin, but it could just as well be a cool-soundinmg name given to any American baby just because it trips sweetly off the tongue. By the way, of the babies born in America named Ilia, 85% of them are girls. I just wish that my friend Princess-Wades-in-the-Water would become a skater. Maybe Johnny Weir would rush out and learn some words of her language (Blackfoot).

 

[Minz]

@Minz I noticed that there is an error listed in the first page of this thread with the alternates in the Mens group for the Olympics.

Thanks for the correction! I’ve fixed it now.

 

[moonvine]

We're at a point now in which the USFSA has totally discouraged anyone from skating in junior events if they're eligible for senior events because of BOW considerations. We won't have any 16 year old men interested in skating in as juniors because it will eliminate them from consideration for big events even if they medal at Nationals. The USFSA is doing a truly awful job nurturing young talent with the decisions they make.

No, only every 4 years does this all blow up like crazy. Who knows if the criteria will even be the same next time.

Whatever the rules are in 2026, skaters who are age eligible for both juniors and seniors can make whatever decision is best for their careers at that time.

The good thing is that USFS has made it public. So the skaters know what they have to do.

 

[icybear]

Ilia could have challenged for the olympic bronze more than Brown could ever do. What other guy this season has landed 6 quads in a single competition. Probably less than 4. If he skates clean, the pcs and goe will roll considering he skates for USA so its not like the judges are going to hold him down like they do with other high tech/low pcs skater like Boyang. I mean even if he bombs at the olympics, its still worth the risk of a potential medal vs someone who will just sit around 6/7th place.

 

[rollerblade]

If he'd finished ahead of Vincent, I wonder if they'd have chosen Ilia over Vincent - a move that would have had far less justification than the decision they made?

Peopsle keep forgetting the selection criteria. Vincent is in Priority group 2.

IMO, Vincent having a terrible FS was a bigger monkey wrench than Ilia having a breakout.

Betcha USFS will be amending that selection criteria for the next cycle or season, so they don't box themselves in like they did here.

 

[moonvine]

Peopsle keep forgetting the selection criteria. Vincent is in Priority group 2.

IMO, Vincent having a terrible FS was a bigger monkey wrench than Ilia having a breakout.

Betcha USFS will be amending that selection criteria for the next cycle or season, so they don't box themselves in like they did here.

I didn’t forget and have also pointed out that they (USFS) pointed themselves into a corner.

 

[el henry]

I have no idea what the contributer you referenced said. That's not an accident.

As you know, I did not support the Ross/Adam decision - I've been consistent.

I am sorry, my friend, I did not mean to say *you* were inconsistent, and I hope it did not come across that way. I realize that I am inconsistent, because I have always argued for "first three go". But, if the rules that were established in advance say "First three don't go", then I can say the rules should be changed, but I can't say it was unfair to apply them as written.

I also agree that Raf is not a random online troll. I *am* saying Raf is hypocritical in his argument. When his own skater, fourth place Adam Rippon, was selected for the Olympic team instead of second place Ross Miner, did he argue that Ross should go to the Olympics instead? Did he call Ross' coach to tell him how unfair the decision was?

What a piece of work.

ETA: I see @moonvine has also made this argument. Great minds and all that...

 

[moonvine]

I am sorry, my friend, I did not mean to say *you* were inconsistent, and I hope it did not come across that way. I realize that I am inconsistent, because I have always argued for "first three go". But, if the rules that were established in advance say "First three don't go", then I can say the rules should be changed, but I can't say it was unfair to apply them as written.

I also agree that Raf is not a random online troll. I *am* saying Raf is hypocritical in his argument. When his own skater, fourth place Adam Rippon, was selected for the Olympic team instead of second place Ross Miner, did he argue that Ross should go to the Olympics instead? Did he call Ross' coach to tell him how unfair the decision was?

What a piece of work.

ETA: I see @moonvine has also made this argument. Great minds and all that...

Who will look Ross In the eyes??!!!

*flops dramatically onto fainting couch, hand over my forehead*

 

[zebobes]

I just realized something about the selection of alternates and the naming of competitors to 4CC. The alternates of the disciplines where one of the team are currently COVID positive (Alysa and Brandon in Women and Pairs) or recently exposed to someone who is COVID positive (Jason Brown in Men to his coach, Tracy Wilson), their alternates are not being sent to 4CC, as we don't know if they will be COVID free in time/be ready for the games. However, the IAM teams in Ice Dance have all been quite careful in COVID prevention, so there is not as much to worry at the moment, so G/P are being sent to 4CC.

Since they are chartering a plane to Beijing, I wonder how many alternates will be going to Beijing. For those who compete at 4CC, there isn't a whole lot of time to get everything in place to fly to Beijing.

Man, there are a lot of logistics to keep in mind this year.

 

[sheetz]

He could absolutely win the SP, though, which is where people are saying he's needed - if either Chen or Zhou will bomb a program, it'll be the short.

Having Chen skate both segments when the Men's FP is all of two days before the individual SP is a bad idea, and would honestly just amount to handing Hanyu a third gold medal.

Nathan will not be asked to skate the FS two days before the SP. Nathan, if he does the Team Event, will choose the SP and it will be given to him.

 

[moonvine]

I just realized something about the selection of alternates and the naming of competitors to 4CC. The alternates of the disciplines where one of the team are currently COVID positive (Alysa and Brandon in Women and Pairs) or recently exposed to someone who is COVID positive (Jason Brown in Men to his coach, Tracy Wilson), their alternates are not being sent to 4CC, as we don't know if they will be COVID free in time/be ready for the games. However, the IAM teams in Ice Dance have all been quite careful in COVID prevention, so there is not as much to worry at the moment, so G/P are being sent to 4CC.

Since they are chartering a plane to Beijing, I wonder how many alternates will be going to Beijing. For those who compete at 4CC, there isn't a whole lot of time to get everything in place to fly to Beijing.

Man, there are a lot of logistics to keep in mind this year.

If they are following their own rules they are chartering minimum 2 planes. Whole team does not travel in 1 place since 1961

 

[slider11]

Nathan will not be asked to skate the FS two days before the SP. Nathan, if he does the Team Event, will choose the SP and it will be given to him.

Good point, considering what happened at Pyong Chang in 2020. I think a lot will ride on how Vincent is landing his jumps as to who skates the Long. As much as I love Schindler's List, Jason's Sinnerman SP is the masterpiece. I know, without the quad can he get the points? Maybe enough to be in the top 3 and let Nathan or Vincent take the LP. The Russians seem to have a strong hold for the team event with top pairs, women and decent ice dancers. Love the strategy to this!

 

[sheetz]

Good point, considering what happened at Pyong Chang in 2020. I think a lot will ride on how Vincent is landing his jumps as to who skates the Long. As much as I love Schindler's List, Jason's Sinnerman SP is the masterpiece. I know, without the quad can he get the points? Maybe enough to be in the top 3 and let Nathan or Vincent take the LP. The Russians seem to have a strong hold for the team event with top pairs, women and decent ice dancers. Love the strategy to this!

Nathan has priority and will be given the SP if he wants it.

 

[moonvine]

Nathan has priority and will be given the SP if he wants it.

There is speculation that Nathan will not skate either part. He has a team medal. He wants an individual OGM.

 

[sheetz]

There is speculation that Nathan will not skate either part. He has a team medal. He wants an individual OGM.

In interviews he's clearly stated his desire to skate in the team event, preferably the short. The only issue would be if he were having health problems in which case he might skip the team event altogether.

 

[moonvine]

In interviews he's clearly stated his desire to skate in the team event, preferably the short. The only issue would be if he were having health problems in which case he might skip the team event altogether.

I thought he was nursing some sort of injury.

And I’ve got to start following these interviews. As long as Andrea Joyce isn’t doing the interviewing.

 

[sheetz]

I thought he was nursing some sort of injury.

And I’ve got to start following these interviews. As long as Andrea Joyce isn’t doing the interviewing.

Yes, he's said he has an issue with his hip or groin but wouldn't elaborate on it. I don't know how much it's actually affecting him, though, because he continues to attempt his hardest layouts ever.

 

[Mathman]

IMHO, when all is said and done there was really no controversy about the decissions of the USFSA. Every year someone suprizes with an outstanding performance at Nationals. Amber Glenn got silver last year, and was working on a triple Axel. These one-offs are never enough to displace established front-runner.s.

To me, what makes Malinin's situation different is not thast he scored a lot of points one time, but that the effortless perfection of his jump technique is not likely to be exposed later on as a fluke. He is the real goods, as near as can be determined so far. What will be will be, but I do not expect his technique to suddenly abandon him.

 

[bekalc]

IMHO, when all is said and done there was really no controversy about the decissions of the USFSA. Every year someone suprizes with an outstanding performance at Nationals. Amber Glenn got silver last year, and was working on a triple Axel. These one-offs are never enough to displace established front-runner.s.

To me, what makes Malinin's situation different is not thast he scored a lot of points one time, but that the effortless perfection of his jump technique is not likely to be exposed later on as a fluke. He is the real goods, as near as can be determined so far. What will be will be, but I do not expect his technique to suddenly abandon him.

That’s the issue the talent here is real and obvious and he is being held back in Favor of a skater who know one seriously thinks is legitimately a medal contender either now or the future.

I would get it if Jason had let’s say Lizas body of work he doesn’t.

This feels like sentiment and favoritism.

 

[moonvine]

Yes, he's said he has an issue with his hip or groin but wouldn't elaborate on it. I don't know how much it's actually affecting him, though, because he continues to attempt his hardest layouts ever.

He didn’t skate the gala, though he was there. Oh well, I guess we will find out soon.