Alissa is ready!
- Thread starter Mathman
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I don't think Ashley's that type of skater though. She never struck me as that type. In fact, I don't think any of the Americans currently do that...
But neither have her competitors (save Emily Hughes and Cohen IF she shows up) It's the biggest comp of her career alright. And she's going in as the reigning champ. Pressure's on, Alyssa- wow us
RD, you sure seem like you want to direct the pressure Alyssa's way, but what about Ashley? I think Ashley really needs to put it all together too. Otherwise, she might end up just outside the top 2 spots of the podium.
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- Jun 21, 2003
The vibe I get from her is that she is self-conscious at being the center of attention.
She (Ashley) DOES need to put it all together. She seems to want this really bad and she needs to be careful not to let that dominate her mindset coming into this competition. That's my one worry about her- hopefully she learned from what happened last year. BUT, the reason I'm putting more emphasis on Alyssa is because she's the reigning champ. It's been about 26 years since a US ladies' skater has last defended her first National title. It's tougher to defend than it is to win the first time...ask any pro athlete and that's what you're likely to hear...
Then again, I think you could say that about just every Nats competitor, right? If Zhang, Flatt, et al. don't "put it altogether too", they very well "might end up just outside the top 2 spots of the podium"...unlike previous Oly years I say there's no done deal...Flatt is about the closest to one but based on previous years, she'd better be her usual consistent self as well...
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- Nov 12, 2009
Regaining a title is hard, it hasn't happened in 26 years for the US ladies, and that is saying something. If Alissa managed to do it that would be awesome, but she seems very sensitive to pressure so I doubt it will happen. That being said, I think she has a very good shot at 2nd. She really has to land those jumps though.
I've never seen Rachael "bomb" a competition before, but for her, a 5 triple FS won't warrant a great score internationally (like at CoC - she might have only gotten credit for 4 triples but landed 5). At nats she might have a little more of a cushion but unfortunately for her and Caroline, more is required of them to place in the top 2. The same could be said for Ashley and Mirai though, but I think these two ladies have better basic skating, speed, and carriage than Rach and Caro. Alissa and Sasha can do the least and still do well, but even they will need 4 or 5 triples, as i'm sure some competitors will successfully land 6 or 7.
One other thing, does anyone think Emily Hughes is a potential spoiler? I haven't seen her since SA where she was just ok, but if she has gotten back to her old form, she could do quite well. I still bet that if there's a spoiler it will be Maxwell or Gao, but really there are a lot of ladies with potential.
I wouldn't even give her that title. I mean, her Big Sis was a spoiler, but she was a medal contender. Em is not a medal contender at this event. But if she did somehow get close to or back to 2006 form, she'd definitely make the event more exciting
and hopefully everyone else can really raise the bar. Unfortunately, I think it will be "the last one standing" who wins...- Joined
- Nov 12, 2009
I wouldn't even give her that title. I mean, her Big Sis was a spoiler, but she was a medal contender. Em is not a medal contender at this event. But if she did somehow get close to or back to 2006 form, she'd definitely make the event more exciting
Ugh splatfest I hope not. That's what happened at SC and they still managed to rig the results anyways. I really hope to see some great performances! If the US ladies can't deliver at nats we can't really expect them to at the Olympics.
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2006
I really don't see Emily placing above 7th.
As for the winner being the last standing... I think the winner will have at least one fall overall. Just my prediction considering the past 4 years or so.
As for the winner being the last standing... I think the winner will have at least one fall overall. Just my prediction considering the past 4 years or so.
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- Oct 24, 2009
I agree. Emily was rather lethargic at Skate America. Agree on the winner having at least one fall... not even Flatt is immune to that.
My take is that Alissa, rightly or wrongly, is not seen by anyone as the dominant US skater. She may have come out on top at Nationals but she was left behind by her Nationals competitors at 4CC, Worlds, and even on the Grand Prix Final.
Ashley, on the other hand, is ready to vie for top dog status. She won the LP at Nationals last year and she has done a terrific job on the GP circuit. I think if she doesn't let the nerves rattle her and the excitement overtake her, she is on her way to becoming National Champion. But she has to be calm and composed and resist the pressure of her expectations for success. (She seems to really want to prove herself.)
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- Joined
- Jun 21, 2003
...so in other words, she's [Alissa] shy.
I don't know if she is shy or not as a person. But my impression is that she half-way dreads competition and feels more relief than anything else when it is over. (I might be dead wrong about this, just guessing.)
As opposed to someone like Michelle Kwan, for instance, who just had to get her competition fix or suffer withdrawal symptoms.
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- Nov 12, 2009
I don't know if she is shy or not as a person. But my impression is that she half-way dreads competition and feels more relief than anything else when it is over. (I might be dead wrong about this, just guessing.)
As opposed to someone like Michelle Kwan, for instance, who just had to get her competition fix or suffer withdrawal symptoms.
I have heard from those who have met Alissa that she is shy, and she certainly seemed quiet and reserved on ice diaries. I think she's maybe still a little uncomfortable with all the attention, she does not come from a wealthy or flashy family and she seems to have that down-to-earth midwestern vibe about her.
I still think Rachael and Ashley have the best shot at 1 and 2, then Alissa and Mirai, then Caroline, although Caroline could surprise us and win it all. The only thing is that Caroline seems unable of getting a really high score in the short, which could be a disadvantage. I'm not so sure that the winner will fall, but I wouldn't be surprised if a few competitors played it safe and ditched the 3-3 or had it downgraded.
I like that. I haven't seen ice diaries though.
So many of these ladies seem to crave the attention and/or seem sort of self-absorbed (not surprising in the least).
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2009
ITA. The US actually has what appears to be some pretty normal ladies though - Rachael, Alissa, Mirai. I don't know much about Ashley but she doesn't seem like too much of a diva. Kimmie always seemed very normal and genuine too. I imagine there must be an element in self-centeredness in all these athletes though, as I think it's required to be at this level of the sport.
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- Nov 12, 2009
Yeah, and even in team sports you still get a lot of that. Your body is the machine, your mind can mess you up, your training routine, diet, sleep habits all effect your performances and chances of doing well. So you have to be cognizant of all these things meaning... 1 2 3 all about me. But it's not their fault
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2006
Alissa does seem like a very shy girl and that reflects in most of her music choices of late. (Sabrina, The Swan, Dr. Zhivago). I sometimes think that trying to do a charachter program would help her get out of her shell, like Michelle's Salome. That said, I am happy with her choice of Zorro for the short, when she is on, she really comes alive to that music.
Rachael Flatt fell in the FS at her Senior debut at Nationals 2007. But she has not fallen in any of the 12 competitions since then (JGP AUT 2007, JGP GER 2007, 2007 JGPF, Nationals 2008, JW 2008, SA 2008, CoR 2008, Nationals 2009, Worlds 2009, World Team Challenge, CoC 2009, SA 2009).
That's not to say she won't fall in the future, but she has a pretty impressive record of staying on her feet.
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