Ladies SP

[R.D.]

Well, she gave no indications of WD'ing during her Truth Booth speech. So, unless she is injured, I assume she will go for it. She seemed on the verge of tears though, it was kind of sad.

 

[R.D.]

Anyone like Rachel's new MAC look?

What's a MAC look? (forgive me if that's a stupid Q)

 

[PolymerBob]

Not to beat a dead horse, but is anyone else having trouble loading the ladies' short video off Ice Network?

 

[turtle]

I feel so sorry for Ashley, Mirai, and whoever will barely miss going to worlds this year. They are so talented and determined, so deserving success, and I can't imagine their disappointment after such hard work. I'm still hoping a strong comeback from Ashley. I just love her gutsy personality.

 

[shallwedansu]

If she could bring more speed, better consistency, a 3+3, and more power to her jumps, she could compete with Asada, Kim, Rochette, and Kostner. She also needs more difficulty in her LP . . . a 5 triple LP as she had at Skate Canada and Cup of Russia won't really cut it against those 4 skaters if they are all at their bests.

Agreed. Realistically speaking, Alissa would have scored closer to 60 points if it was an international competition. If she can handle a little bit more difficulty in her programs she could compete for a spot on the podium in the future.

Oh, Mirai!! OTL!!! I want her to make a big comeback tonight, but I have a feeling it's not going to happen.

 

[R.D.]

Well, one thing is clear after watching that broadcast: Doesn't matter how prepared you are, you just need to hit it WHEN IT COUNTS. Otherwise, it does not matter at all.

Anyway, just some nitpicking but I thought they could have done a better job keeping folks up to speed with the skaters they didn't show, at least showing scores and standings. When Mirai mentioned in her TB that she was close to Hacker in the standings, I could imagine tons of people going, huh? They definitely chose the right skaters to show, but they shouldn't have ignored everyone else. Also, I heard no mention of Meissner or Hughes withdrawals (or maybe I missed it earlier, I didn't watch the whole thing).

 

[Trewyn]

What's a MAC look? (forgive me if that's a stupid Q)

MAC is a make-up brand Rachael 'officially' declared them her make-up provider or maybe it was the other way around ad MAC really wanted to work with Rachael. Whatever it was, it's a reallly nice brand, they have really full colours since they started out doing mostly work for stage actors. I think any skater should be lucky to work with them!

 

[R.D.]

Agreed. Realistically speaking, Alissa would have scored closer to 60 points if it was an international competition. If she can handle a little bit more difficulty in her programs she could compete for a spot on the podium in the future.

I think it's the "Cohen effect": folks have been waiting a really long time for her to finally put it all together, and once she did, she got the Big Score.

ETA: I'm surprised at how grounded she seemed to be during her post-SP interview. It seems as if she's trying as hard as she can to stay in the competitive zone and not get too excited and thus lose focus.

 

[R.D.]

MAC is a make-up brand Rachael 'officially' declared them her make-up provider or maybe it was the other way around ad MAC really wanted to work with Rachael. Whatever it was, it's a reallly nice brand, they have really full colours since they started out doing mostly work for stage actors. I think any skater should be lucky to work with them!

Oh, I see. a cosmetic company. I guess I'm showing my male side eh?

I got the impression that skaters did their own make-up. I guess not?

 

[Tonichelle]

NBC gave up on Hughes and Meissner at Skate America... so it's no surprise they weren't mentioned today.

 

[demarinis5]

NBC gave up on Hughes and Meissner at Skate America... so it's no surprise they weren't mentioned today.

Maybe they will mention them tonight.

 

[R.D.]

NBC gave up on Hughes and Meissner at Skate America... so it's no surprise they weren't mentioned today.

I could understand Hughes, but Meissner's not COMPLETELY out of it yet. I dunno, maybe she is but I want to believe she can still make some sort of comeback.

BTW, Hughes wasn't at SA, so of course she wouldn't have been mentioned!

 

[kate]

I think it's the "Cohen effect": folks have been waiting a really long time for her to finally put it all together, and once she did, she got the Big Score.

Honestly, I think she could do very well at worlds if she skates perfectly -- even without the 3+3. It'll depend on Miki Ando, Carolina Kostner, etc. missing something, but both have already shown, over and over and over this season, that they are more than capable of doing that. She has no chance beating Mao or Yu-Na, but perfect Alissa could feasibly wind up top 5 because of her great PCS, spins, and spirals.

 

[R.D.]

Honestly, I think she could do very well at worlds if she skates perfectly -- even without the 3+3. It'll depend on Miki Ando, Carolina Kostner, etc. missing something, but both have already shown, over and over and over this season, that they are more than capable of doing that. She has no chance beating Mao or Yu-Na, but perfect Alissa could feasibly wind up top 5 because of her great PCS, spins, and spirals.

Yes, I sort of agree, but then, Perfect Alyssa is still some sort of fantasy at this point. Interesting test for her tonight, no? If she puts down a strong performance-
maybe not perfect but maybe with 1 fall or mistake...then I'll say she might have potential we haven't seen before. Remember, talent is nothing unless you put it together. We saw that in the SP.

I haven't been "nervous" for any competitor since 2005, but I dunno about this one...it's gonna be good.

 

[Tonichelle]

BTW, Hughes wasn't at SA, so of course she wouldn't have been mentioned!

IIRC she was still mentioned... but more as a 'yeah she was in the running'...

 

[kate]

Yes, I sort of agree, but then, Perfect Alyssa is still some sort of fantasy at this point. Interesting test for her tonight, no?

Definitely. I think she's either going to skate lights out or completely implode. I hope it's the former, but I'm cautiously optimistic. Honestly, perfect Alissa is our best (only) shot at 3 spots for the Olympics.

 

[R.D.]

Honestly, perfect Alissa is our best (only) shot at 3 spots for the Olympics.

Oh man, I wish it didn't come down to that

She doesn't need that burden. I didn't think she was that great, anyway- she had potential and got big scores when she did well, but was too unreliable to even be considered a contender. I think it just shows the state of US ladies' skating right now- everyone is so young and their bodies are changing from one season to the next, and the one veteran who has stuck around, it seems, since what- 2004 or something? - finally breaks through with the SP of a lifetime. And if anyone else is able to knock out the FS, it puts the pressure on Alyssa and we know those two don't mix well.

 

[Pikachuusb]

If only we could get perfect Alissa to show up at Worlds

Id probably be escorted out of Worlds from doing the happy dance/showboating and screaming with joy at perfect Alissa putting 2 great programs down on the ice at Worlds.

If perfect Alissa, Caroline & Mirai all showed up at Nationals/and 2 of them at Worlds I would be over the moon

 

[demarinis5]

Alissa does not need to be perfect to win. She has a five point lead. And how many times have we seen perfectly skated winning programs this season, not many. You do not have to be perfect to win. Alissa is better than her competition tonight, heck she is miles ahead of the field. Of course if she implodes she will leave the door open. I will be rooting for her for sure.

 

[R.D.]

I'm sure Rachel will be one of them unless she completely implodes in the FS. And the second could be anyone from Zhang to Alyssa to Nagasu. Unfortunately I think Wagner is out of contention.