Who is your favorite USA lady and who do you think will come out on top this season?!

[gocaroline]

favorite skater

Definitely Caroline Zhang
She is in a league of her own with her whole package of elegance, out-of-this-world spins, and solid jumps. Also loves Mirai, but felt last season judges were favoring her and harsh on Caroline, that makes me root for Caroline more

 

[ChrisH]

My favorite is Caroline by a substantial margin. It's Caroline, Mao, Yu-Na, then Kimmie. I tried to find a word or two to describe Caroline's two final spins at Skate America, but I couldn't find any that did them justice. I know that many felt the same way as many members posted about how they were so deeply touched that they cried and how their non-skating-fan spouses were in awe. I also love her spirals, her ina-bauer, and her jumps (when she rotates them enough).

I suspect that Mirai will come out on top. She has many of Caroline's skills and the rules favor her greater power over Caroline's grace. Still, Caroline may get the greater applause and IMO have the best exhibitions.

 

[bethissoawesome]

I have a feeling that it will be Mirai again to come out on top at Nationals. She had her falter at Junior Worlds, so hopefully the pressure of reigning National Champ won't get to her anymore. I could see Caroline placing second as long as she corrects some of her mistakes and starts rotating her jumps a bit more. I feel like either way, Mirai and Caroline would have atleast one bobble and still be able to place above a solid skate by Rachael, since they rack up a lot of points in other areas that Rachael lacks. But then again, it's a bit too early to tell. We don't know if there have been any growth spurts of if any mid-season growth spurts will occur. Kimmie will need to muster every ounce of strength in her to overcome a season like last one. I feel like if she has one bad skate over the season, it could kill her confidence completely and count her out for Nationals.

 

[museksk8r]

It will be interesting to see if Mirai Nagasu will somehow be able to avoid the wretched curse of the 1st time defending US ladies' champion. Kimmie Meissner in 2008, Tara Lipinski in 1998, Michelle Kwan in 1997, and Tonya Harding in 1992 all tried to defend and were unable to retain the title after their 1st win. Sasha Cohen (did not compete in 2007), Nicole Bobek (injured and withdrew after placing 3rd in the SP in 1996) Nancy Kerrigan (attacked and injured in 1994), and Kristi Yamaguchi (did not compete in 1993) did not defend their 1-time victories. This is one of skating's Alfred Hitchcock-like/bad omen statistics.

Some skating trivia: The last time a 1st time senior ladies' US champion successfully defended her title was Rosalynn Sumners in 1983, 25 years ago.

 

[chuckm]

So if Mirai doesn't defend her US title, then the 2009 champion will be in the same bad-luck boat---unless it's Kimmie Meissner.

The important thing is NOT to win the US Championship going into the Olympics. In 1998 and 2002, the OGM was won by a US lady, but NOT the reigning US Champ.

 

[clairecloutier]

ChuckM, that last statistic really speaks to our depth in the ladies discipline. And the amazing thing is, going into the next Olympics, we may well be deeper than ever, with a real chance for all 3 of our Olympic ladies qualifiers to be genuine medal threats in Vancouver! (I hope and assume, anyhow, that we'll have 3 ladies qualifying for 2010--fingers crossed!)

 

[Pikachuusb]

I have to say Nationals will be quite exciting There are sooo many girls that I am a fan of, so choosing who will be on top will be hard. I think I liked everyone who was in the top 10 at Nationals this past year. It will be extra difficult to pick a winner since the Grand Prix season hasnt started yet. Lord knows the ice is slippery.. as they say

So I will choose who I would love to see at Worlds in LA:
Mirai Nagasu
Caroline Zhang

although I am also a fan of Alissa Czisny & Bebe Liang

I really think Kimmie, Ashley & Rachel Flatt will make it EXTREMELY hard for Mirai & Caroline to go to Worlds but it will make for exciting tv:agree: I will be happy for whoever makes it to Worlds though, and wish all the girls the best of luck this upcoming season.

 

[Blades of Passion]

It's criminally unfair that only 2 of the excellent Nagasu, Zhang, Flatt, and Wagner are going to be able to go to Worlds now and in the future (3 in the future, but still).

Nationals last year was rather legendary for the ladies. What an explosion of new talent.

I think that the judges are going to favor Wagner the least. She doesn't fit into the mold of the ice princess/queen as well as the other three and that's what people want to see. It's good that she got the experience of going to Worlds last year because, unfortunately, she may never again be allowed. If everyone skates clean, they will place her 4th.

I will also predict that Nagasu doesn't skate her best at Nationals this year. At this point in the season, I'm going to guess that Flatt and Zhang will be the top 2.

 

[Wrlmy]

I really hope USFSA will factor international performances into the world team selection process. Nationals placement can be somewhat...misleading.

 

[Cal Girl]

It depends on the day . . . . and politics.

My bet for best skate is Rachael Flatt. Whether they give her the title or not is political.
I think Alissa Czisny will improve and have a good showing at Nationals.
I think Mirai will struggle through but still end up with a medal.
Caroline will also improve but will still have downgrades in her jumps. That is a hard habit to break.
Ashley and Kimmie will also have good showings and could contend for the last medal.

World Team:
Rachael Flatt
Alissa Czisny or Mirai Nagusu

 

[chuckm]

Alissa Czisny has been skating SO well that I'm afraid she'll break into the top 2at Nationals. I like Alissa and her skating is beautiful, but she has a bad habit of crumpling under pressure, and we need to send two ladies to Worlds 2009 who can both finish high enough to earn the US 3 spots for the Olympics.

I would be thrilled if she won bronze or pewter, but please, no Alissa in the top 2.

 

[AwesomeIce]

Alissa Czisny has been skating SO well that I'm afraid she'll break into the top 2at Nationals. I like Alissa and her skating is beautiful, but she has a bad habit of crumpling under pressure, and we need to send two ladies to Worlds 2009 who can both finish high enough to earn the US 3 spots for the Olympics.

I would be thrilled if she won bronze or pewter, but please, no Alissa in the top 2.

With her track record, I would be SHOCKED if USFS sent her to Worlds even if she did finish in the top two at Nats. With only two spots open this year, they need to be reasonably sure that whoever they send is dependable in high-pressure situations, which Alissa is not. I think she would need to be absolutely stellat all season long to even have a chance at being named to the World team regardless of her Nationals placement.

 

[Mathman]

Butr then again, which of the U.S. ladies can absolutely guarantee a top score under pressure? Rachael Flatt is the most consistent, but she has not yet skated as a senior internationally. Caroline Zhang had a great year, but faltered at U.S. Nationals and missed the podium.

Mirai was solid at the Junior Grand Prix final and in the Short Program at U.S. Nationals -- only to lose ground in the LP and again at Junior Worlds. Ashley Wagner made it to Worlds in her first senior season -- but did not fare well once she got there. Kimmie tanked at the end of the season.

Maybe Alissa's new coaching situation has given her the confidence and consistency to take her all the way through the season. I think it would be amazing if she won the U.S. championship. Let Worlds and the Olympics fall as they may.

That said, though, I think Alissa is a long shot for the podium. Rachael, Caroline, Mirai, Ashley and Kimmie all have hard triple-triples. Even at her best, Alissa doesn't. So I think she will have more than nerves and shaky confidence to overcome if she is going to rise to the top this year.

Edited to add Alissa does have a true Lutz, though. :yes:

 

[Wrlmy]

Wow, is this real? People actually discussing the prospect of Alissa making the worlds team? I won't be shocked if she's not selected even if she places within top 2. If that's actually the case, I'll just make my peace with Alissa on Olympic ice.

 

[KayMil01]

I;m pleasantly surprised how well Alissa is doing so far this new season...obviously working with Brian Boitano and his coach have helped her alot. Good for her. I like Alissa, her skating is beautiful to watch...:thumbsup: so it's nice to see her doing well.

 

[museksk8r]

I really hope Alissa continues to skate well! Given her well known inconsistency and disappointing results of past seasons, I think she will need more than a top 2 finish at Nationals. Given the high level of her competitors at Nationals, I would suspect Alissa would need to advance to the Grand Prix Final AND medal there in order for the USFSA to allow her to leap frog over some of the top USA gals for that 2nd World spot. Since Czisny only has Skate Canada on her GP calendar at the moment, the probability of this scenario is really not likely. I would suspect the USFSA would also expect Alissa to attempt a 3+3 combination in her SP at Nationals, which has become a necessity to compete with the top ladies in the world. As has been mentioned, it's very likely Rachael, Caroline, Mirai, Ashley, and Kimmie will attempt a 3+3 in the SP. Alissa needs to step up as well. Same with Bebe, Katrina, Emily, and everyone else.

Consider the ante upped for sure!

 

[CzarinaAnya]

It's between Mirai and Caroline. I can't quite make up my mind.

Not sure who'll be ahead of the other.

 

[goldenpleasures]

It's criminally unfair that only 2 of the excellent Nagasu, Zhang, Flatt, and Wagner are going to be able to go to Worlds now and in the future (3 in the future, but still).

You may think it's unfortunate, but it's not remotely unfair, let alone "criminally" so. Our girls last season simply weren't good enough to allow three to qualify this time.

Everybody has to play by the rules. Or do you think that an exception should be made for the US?

 

[Mathman]

Everyone has to play by the rules. But I think we can still ask whether the rules are fair to all individual competitors.

Caroline Zhang is currently ranked #6 in the world by the ISU. Suppose she does well in the 2008 Grand Prix, making the finals like she did last year, but finishes third at U.S. nationals. Suppose that Rachael and Mirai do equally well -- better than 90% of the skaters that will be competing in Los Angeles.

But Caroline does not get to compete at Worlds because three completely different skaters -- Kimmie, Bebe and Ashley -- dropped the ball the previous year.

This is all in accordance with the rules. But couldn't the rules be revised in such a way that each skater has a chance to compete on his or her own merit?

(To quote the town beggar in Fiddler on the Roof, "Because you had a bad day, I should suffer?" )

 

[goldenpleasures]

This is all in accordance with the rules. But couldn't the rules be revised in such a way that each skater has a chance to compete on his or her own merit?

This idea as it's stated is rather too cryptic - could you explain eactly what you mean if it's not a question of stretching the rules?

And perhaps you wouldn't be arguing the same if, for instance, it was Japan who were restricted by the rules to two skaters this year?