Caroline Zhang's 2009-10 season

[PolymerBob]

thanks for the pics! Caroline looks HOT! Big earrings, cute dress, she looks like she is ready to party!

Actually, the most party-animal thing Caroline did there was have a slice of cake. Most of the time, she was posing for pictures and signing autographs.

There were quite a few people taking pictures with little digital cameras. I wonder how they came out. I did not see a designated photographer. Mine was the most elaborate still photo equipment I saw.

 

[janetfan]

I see. Maybe it's because I've seen her in much nicer dresses that I am not crazy about this one.

Like what she wore to the WTT awards cermony:
http://web.icenetwork.com/gen/photogallery/year_2009/month_04/day_20/cf64115.html

That black dress is nicer. I like the black skating dress she wore in her Gala at WTT too. It looks as if Caroline and Mirai have grown and Rachael is now the "little one." But they are like the "Three Musketeers" to me I mean I will think of them and how they came up together and competed so well against each other. Caroline is my favorite but I hope they all have a great season next year.

 

[feraina]

Actually, the most party-animal thing Caroline did there was have a slice of cake. Most of the time, she was posing for pictures and signing autographs.

There were quite a few people taking pictures with little digital cameras. I wonder how they came out. I did not see a designated photographer. Mine was the most elaborate still photo equipment I saw.

A diligent party-animal... Is there such a thing. Work hard, play hard?

She really likes her cakes, it seems. Not just cakes, but all kinds of sweets. Apparently her coaches have trouble keeping her away from sweets on competition trips. I wonder how long she can keep up eating whatever she wants. It's good to be 16, isn't it? I wish I could eat all the desserts I want, whenever I want.

 

[jjane45]

That dress looks about right for the occasion, not too casual, not too fancy. Think others in jeans.
Bob mentioned she really enjoyed that one slice of cake. Just ONE, seems to be great self-control already for a 16 year old

 

[feraina]

That dress looks about right for the occasion, not too casual, not too fancy. Think others in jeans.
Bob mentioned she really enjoyed that one slice of cake. Just ONE, seems to be great self-control already for a 16 year old

I'm dying for some real skating news instead of gossipping about fashion and food.

Oh, the summer is so long...

 

[LeCygne]

I've already decided that I'm not watching 2010 Nationals live. I'll tape it and watch it the next day or something, but nothing ever turns out the way I would have liked when I watch something live. I'm bad luck or something.

 

[PolymerBob]

I would say that Nationals is going to be interesting, but we won't know how interesting until the Grand Prix.

 

[janetfan]

I would say that Nationals is going to be interesting, but we won't know how interesting until the Grand Prix.

Yes and no to that thought. It is very easy to see any of the top US ladies having a strong showing at the GP's and then totally bombing at US Nationals.
Sasha has rarely skated her best at Natls and so far Caroline has not been at her best either. I can easily see Mirai having a very so-so GP showing and then winning Natls. I can see Alissa having a strong GP season and then having a poor Natls.
I agree we will see their new programs and see how the former "little ones" have progressed at the GP events. But Sasha skating brilliantly at SA is one thing. There is such minimal pressure compared to Natls. Mirai and Caroline have both grown and have new coaches. They may not impress at the GP's but could be ready by the time Natls come around.
In an Olympic season it will all feel more important and exciting. I think US Natls for both the Ladies and Men will be wide open with a ton of pressure.
It will be interesting to watch the Skate Canada - I think it comes last and will have Alissa, Caroline and Mirai. Will one of them beat Joannie? If so, it would show the potential to skate well at a GP. Skating at Natls will be a totally different experience.

 

[PolymerBob]

Sasha has rarely skated her best at Natls and so far Caroline has not been at her best either. I can easily see Mirai having a very so-so GP showing and then winning Natls. I can see Alissa having a strong GP season and then having a poor Natls.

If Caroline or Rachael doesn't skate her best at Nationals ( or does, but gets screwed down a place or two hwell: ) either of them will need a powerful showing at the GP to be considered for the Olympic team. Sasha will need a strong showing at both GP and Nats.

 

[janetfan]

If Caroline or Rachael doesn't skate her best at Nationals ( or does, but gets screwed down a place or two hwell: ) either of them will need a powerful showing at the GP to be considered for the Olympic team. Sasha will need a strong showing at both GP and Nats.

You may be right about that. We will have to wait and see.
But if Sasha wins Natls she is on the team and I dont care if she comes in last at both of her GP's.

If Mirai wins Nationals AGAIN I don't think she will be replaced by Rachael or Caroline no matter what they do at GP's. And having Frank Carroll as your coach may help Mirai. I think fans are nuts to underestimate Mirai this season.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Spokane is a nice dignified town, and I would gladly go back, but I am planning Worlds in Torino as well as a jaunt through Sicily so money is keeping me from Nats.

I think it will be a great Nats in all divisions for the podium as well as gold, so if you are able to get to Spokane, you should, if you love the sport, and I would not omit Novice and Juniors which are also good comps. I'll miss them, more than the main events which will show up on youtube, I presume.

The whole kit and kaboodle involves two weekends of main events. I am wondering how that will work out in attendance. Damn that NBC.

 

[cornell08]

I wonder what section(s) of the Nutcracker she's using...

 

[LeCygne]

It seems like ever since Cohen won 2006 Nationals (actually even Michelle in 2005), the National champion has been decided by the short program only. It was understandably so in 2005 where Cohen fell in the long and in 2006 where, in the absence of Michelle, no one could touch Sasha.

But from 2007 on, the National champion has basically been outskated every year in the long program and yet they've still won. Emily Hughes almost took it away from Kimmie in 2007, Mirai fell on a double axel in 2008 (while Rachael, Ashley, and Caroline all went clean), and we all know the story with Alissa, Caroline, and Rachael in 2009. And the it's not due to an insurmountable lead after the SP either, IIRC there was never more than a 5 point lead after the SP.

So I guess for 2010, we can't expect anyone to try to "catch up" in the LP. The SP tells all.

 

[R.D.]

It seems like ever since Cohen won 2006 Nationals (actually even Michelle in 2005), the National champion has been decided by the short program only. It was understandly so in 2005 where Cohen fell in the long and in 2006 where, in the absence of Michelle, no one could touch Sasha.

But from 2007 on, the National champion has basically been outskated every year in the long program and yet they've still won. Emily Hughes almost took it away from Kimmie in 2007, Mirai fell on a double axel in 2008 (while Rachael, Ashley, and Caroline all went clean), and we all know the story with Alissa, Caroline, and Rachael in 2009. And the it's not due to an insurmountable lead after the SP either, IIRC there was never more than a 5 point lead after the SP.

So I guess for 2010, we can't expect anyone to try to "catch up" in the LP. The SP tells all.

That's a good point, one I've sort of overlooked. I think Cop, coupled with the judging that is a National Championships, has helped fuel this phenomenon. However, I really don't see any instances where anyone was "robbed". I do think Alyssa's win in 2009 may have been the most controversial, but when it's all said and done, I do think she was the right winner (even if the margin of victory should have been no more than a fraction of a point). In 2007, Emily fell so that alone was enough to give the win to Kimmie.

And, there is some concern over here that next year's comp. will be decided on the SP as well. Suppose Cohen shows up and skates like Czisny did this year, and gets something insane like a 8 or 10 point lead. It's basically over at that point even if she falls twice in the long. The drama that used to be US Nationals has completely evaporated with the onset of the NJS.

 

[Sylvia]

I wonder what section(s) of the Nutcracker she's using...

She's skating to the "Pas de Deux."

 

[cornell08]

She's skating to the "Pas de Deux."

Oh, I didn't realize she confirmed this already....did she say whether its the Act 1 or Act 2 pas?

 

[Tinymavy15]

So I guess for 2010, we can't expect anyone to try to "catch up" in the LP. The SP tells all.

Interesting point. This does not bode well then for Caroline, who has bad shorts three years in a row at nationals, and historically skates better freeskates than shorts in all events. This does, on the other hand look good for Sasha, who dazzles in the short. Racheal too, usually finds herslef higher after the free than the short, due to her lack of major mistakes. Ashely has had the same problem as Caroline. So Mirai and Sasha, the olympic team is yours.

 

[Eurofan]

...So Mirai and Sasha, the olympic team is yours.

That would be okay with me. Meissner and/or Wagner causing an upset would also be okay with me. Flatt and Zhang on the podium after delivering the usual :indiff: programs, not so much.

 

[feraina]

Interesting point. This does not bode well then for Caroline, who has bad shorts three years in a row at nationals, and historically skates better freeskates than shorts in all events. This does, on the other hand look good for Sasha, who dazzles in the short. Racheal too, usually finds herslef higher after the free than the short, due to her lack of major mistakes. Ashely has had the same problem as Caroline. So Mirai and Sasha, the olympic team is yours.

Well, Caroline hasn't always skated bad shorts. In 2007 CoC, she beat Yu-na Kim for second place after the SP, and at the 2007 GPF, she beat everyone but Yu-na Kim for second place after the SP. In both cases, she skated perfect SP's, and then not so perfect LP's and fell in the rankings.

But I agree that she hasn't skated very strong SP's at National's in recent years.

 

[PolymerBob]

Meissner and/or Wagner causing an upset would also be okay with me. Flatt and Zhang on the podium after delivering the usual :indiff: programs, not so much.

I don't know how Rachael and Caroline will do at Nationals, but I'm fairly certain they will be our Olympic team.