I feel sorry for Mirai Nagasu

[tulosai]

Yeah this sums up my feelings, as a fan.

Well, I'm with her no matter what she decides to do and certainly if she decides to keep at it. In the last few years only two USA lady skaters have really given me performances I love to revisit and she is one of them. Maybe she hasn't won a world medal but she has contributed greatly to my enjoyment of figure skating in the post-Michelle/Sasha era. Many figure skating fans surely feel the same way so that's quite an accomplishment already even if it might take her a long time to see it that way.

THIS 100%. Thank you for saying it better than I could. Indeed, post Sasha-Michelle she is the ONLY USA female skater who has performances on the senior level that I regularly watch again.

 

[change of edge]

Well said Layfan. I couldn't agree with you more.

I think whatever Mirai chooses to do, she should know that she has a large (quite possibly the largest out of the current crop of US ladies) fanbase who admire her performances and continue to root for her. I for one hopes she will continue, even though it's going to take a lot of hard work from her again.

Maybe she can pull an Alissa Czisny in 2011 and come back next year with gorgeous programs and blow everyone away. It also seems the international judges give out higher PCS to "older" competitors, so this should work in her favor as she's competed internationally for many years now. With her natural grace, I'm sure she'll continue to gain reputation for putting out beautiful performances.

Yeah this sums up my feelings, as a fan.

Well, I'm with her no matter what she decides to do and certainly if she decides to keep at it. In the last few years only two USA lady skaters have really given me performances I love to revisit and she is one of them. Maybe she hasn't won a world medal but she has contributed greatly to my enjoyment of figure skating in the post-Michelle/Sasha era. Many figure skating fans surely feel the same way so that's quite an accomplishment already even if it might take her a long time to see it that way.

 

[avalyn]

Like others have said, the main reason I felt sorry for Mirai was because of her reaction after her skate and receiving her scores, how she was so disappointed and upset that she was unable to contain her emotions. (I hope she's feeling better about it now!) Plus, I was probably extra sympathetic because I was rooting for her to make the world team in the first place, I was happy that she had made improvements this year and did pretty well on the Grand Prix, and recently I'd watched how hard she worked and trained with her new coaches during that 20 min. mini-documentary.

After Mirai's long program, I knew it wasn't perfect and that she wouldn't be on the world team, but I guess I was expecting something more in the 3-5 range, so 7 seemed harsh to me. But after seeing many posters here say that they could see the many URs in real time, that they weren't borderline and therefore not ignorable, etc., I can accept that her placement was at least not outrageous and that it was probably correct. One explanation for her placement being low that seems strange to me, though, is that she was "lifeless," her interpretation was poor, things along those lines. This mostly just seems strange to me because I didn't think Ashley and the other top U.S. ladies skated with signicant more "life" or superior interpretation here. I don't think Ashley is the very best in the world when it comes to artistry/presentation/interpretation categories in the first place, but when she's at her best, the confidence, fire, and polish with which she performs her choreography is what makes her stand out compared to many skaters. She was not at her best at Nationals, the same fire and confidence was not there, she was more slow, cautious, and visibly nervous (therefore making the audience nervous for her, taking us out of the program), and the falls marred her program -- same with Agnes's. Gracie's long program had more of an impact because it was clean and an amazing technical display and accomplishment, but she did not seem invested in selling the choreography or show much expression until after she completed the jumps, and the choreography itself is forgettable and juniorish. But all three were still rewarded despite not being as clean or artistically satisfying and inspiring as the earlier skaters (Cesario was probably my favorite performance-wise), so I guess I expected similar treatment for Mirai, being the highest ranked U.S. lady in Vancouver, being a former National champion, having a pretty good season with visible improvement, and having her own great skating and presentation qualities such as in her spirals (though not held very long) and spins (normally I'm tired of the ever-present layback > haircutter/side layback > Biellmann, but I love the one at the end of her long program! It was also the only spin that my dad who doesn't watch skating specifically pointed out that he liked). I'm not saying she deserved to be placed ahead of Ashley or Gracie anything like that, just explaining why my first impression after seeing her placement at 7th was that she was given harsher treatment than the other top U.S. ladies. And if picking what the USFSA perceives to be the right skaters for the world team is at all on judges' minds when scoring programs at Nationals, I wish the system for choosing the world team could be changed and based on factors other than Nationals like other countries.

 

[mskater93]

Mirai still got scores similar to Zawadski and Gold from a PCS standpoint (60+ for Nagasu, 60+ for Zawadski, and 61+ for Gold who really got a boost for SS due to the speed and attack she skated with and PE for the execution of crazy-hard tech content since it's a presentation and EXECUTION mark and she certainly did the latter) whereas Nagasu got a 49 for tech due to 4 UR and 1 DG and a lack of GOE in general due to the UR and DGs (these are automatically negative) that got counteracted (somewhat) by higher GOEs on spins and steps.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

Between Gold and Mirai, a 1 point difference is probably fair given Mirai's PCS would likely be much higher if she skated clean. I still have no idea how Agnes gets those kind of marks though. I suppose all the right pieces are there but something about her skating seems to lack refinement IMO and does not warrant the type of PCS she gets.

 

[PolymerBob]

I still think it stinks that Mirai had to skate with the flu. How well would she have done if she was healthy?

 

[change of edge]

Who knows. I hope Mirai isn't brooding over that question too much either. She can show us what she can do the next time she skates

I still think it stinks that Mirai had to skate with the flu. How well would she have done if she was healthy?

 

[Sasha'sSpins]

I don't know where you're getting that... Agnes threw her comp away as usual. She would have been first above favorite Ashley in the SP had she not blown her double axel. She certainly had a chance. A great chance.

I disagree. The way Gracie was held up in the SP after a fall and popping a jump and then again the huge PCS scores she received-I think the best Agnes could hope for was third. The World team was pre-determined imo. It was always going to be Ashley and Gracie. Now I just hope they bring back 3 Olympic spots for the U.S. and if not at least that they both skate lights out. And Agnes imo should have placed above Ashley in the FS what with Wagner's two falls which was jarring and affected the overall quality of her skate. Still, I suppose if one goes by the GP season Ashley deserve to be on the team. Gracie however did no better nor worse overall than the other top two, Agnes and Mirai. Imo Christina Gao was the one who was really robbed. Her two performances were better overall than everyone else over two nights. Mirai falted in the FS and I probably would have had her in 5th, certainly not 7th.

Looking at the SP protocals, what about Gracie's score didn't you like? The TES reflect what she did and her PCS was 4 points behind Agnes

Her PCS scores should have been even further back than 4 points. She still skates like a junior between the jumps. Her blank expression in the LP was as she ticked off her jumps was no better. She was held up. Mind you-I still think she should have won the LP but not by so much.

Mirai had the misfortune to be skating sick. It happens - Caryn Kadavy had to withdraw from the Olympics after skating the short program because she got the flu and was too feverish to skate her free program. As one who has felt ill recently, I can't imagine what it takes to skate and spin while feeling nauseous.

Would she have skated better if she had been feeling well? can't really say. I'd like to think she would've.

Anyway, I won't count her out until she retires. Mirai has the ability and the energy. Hopefully, her new coaching situation will help her find the self discipline to train and the competitive spark again.

Well put. It ain't over til it's over and Mirai still has a lot of skating in her imo.

Marai knew she blew it when she came off of the ice. Her LP was listless and looked like she was just going threw the motions. I don't get all the sympathy. She has had more chances going to the Olympics and Worlds than any one skating tonight. She will never recapture the magic she had at 14 so I think she needs to move on. If Frank Caroll could do nothing with her. no one can. In my opinion the judges got it right. Ashley got a gift but even with her falls her program was far superior to Marai's.

How do you know this for certain? You don't know what Mirai will or won't be able to do with her skating as time goes by. And why should a 19 year old in the bloom of youth 'move on' as you say? She can still improve a ton in the years to come as Ashley and Kostner and others have. While there is health, talent and desire anything is possible. And I believe Mirai has all three in spades. This season she did much better than she's done in years. Her hard work going into the GP showed and she was getting better and better with each competition. Then the flu happened a week before Nationals. I don't suppose many of us could have done better. She rocked the SP and basically survived the LP. All my respect to Mirai.

I could not agree more. Marai is the one who is responsible for her poor skate. no one eles. And if she was really as sick as some claim than she should have withdrawn.

It's Mirai actually not Marai, but anyway if Mirai had withdrawn likely you would have criticized her for that as well. I think she was a trooper to try and skate. She did well in the practices and probably felt she could get through.

Mirai is only 19!!!!. So one more Olympic cycle after this one is certainly possible if she wants to continue.

^^^
THIS! Hopefully her heart and mind are willing and she'll stay in good health.

I agree. Actually, I thought she was smiling (who wouldn't, she had just won) until she caught Mirai's picture on the side screen. Then the smile disappeared and she appeared sympathetic to Mirai's pain. I thought she was very classy.

This is exactly how I saw Ashley's reaction. Much ado about nothing.

Mirai worked hard this year and her coaches DID try to address her URs and attempted to boost her PCS scores with better transitions:
Road to Omaha: Nagasu happy to be under radar


"We have brought in Jamie Isley to touch up her short program (Benny Goodman's "Downhill Special") and Cindy Stuart to work with her on her long ("Symphony No. 3 in C minor" by Camille Saint-Saëns)," Olson said.

Both programs were choreographed this summer by Susan Austin.

"The goal is to add more transitions and more body movement in the [step sequence] in the short, to gain another level," Olson continued. "Jamie's style is great with jazz

Olson and Evidente have also attacked Nagasu's jumps, with Evidente's off-ice training regimen adding zip to the skater's form.

"Mirai is in great shape now, much better than last year," Olson said. "The main thing is she is fit, and it is easier for her to rotate the jumps. She has to keep her jumps clean while also showing excellent skating skills."

And the AT&T mini-documentary on Mirai gives some idea of the hard work she's put in this past year before Nationals. I hope she keeps it going into next year and beyond.

 

[Tinymavy15]

I wonder if Mirai will be back next season. I got the feeling after seeing her break down after seeing her scores that it was if she had been given an ultimatum (by her parents?) that she would make the team or else just move on and go to school next September.

 

[Sasha'sSpins]

I wonder if Mirai will be back next season. I got the feeling after seeing her break down after seeing her scores that it was if she had been given an ultimatum (by her parents?) that she would make the team or else just move on and go to school next September.

I think you're reading too much into Mirai's reaction. I think it was frustration. She was naturally upset but I think she'll get over it soon just as she has her (many) other disappointments. That's one thing about Mirai. She keeps trying and hopefully she'll go on.

 

[Icey]

Did she get a flu shot?

 

[tulosai]

Did she get a flu shot?

I don't really see how this matters. That said, most of the people sick with the flu this year are sick with a variation the flu shot didn't protect against- basically doctors 'guess' in early spring which 3 strains of the virus to put in the shot to immunize people against and this year they guessed wrong. It's part of why so many people seem sick this year compared to last year.

 

[Mrs. P]

I don't really see how this matters. That said, most of the people sick with the flu this year are sick with a variation the flu shot didn't protect against- basically doctors 'guess' in early spring which 3 strains of the virus to put in the shot to immunize people against and this year they guessed wrong. It's part of why so many people seem sick this year compared to last year.

Yeah, flu shots do not make you 100 percent immune. At best it gives you about 70 percent, which is better than nothing but certainty not fool-proof. And a flu shot won't make you 100 percent immune to other sickness. I got a flu shot and still got knocked down with a bad cold for the last week. I know that perhaps the flu shot provided more immunity that enabled me to recover quicker, but still nothing's 100 percent.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

I don't really see how this matters. That said, most of the people sick with the flu this year are sick with a variation the flu shot didn't protect against- basically doctors 'guess' in early spring which 3 strains of the virus to put in the shot to immunize people against and this year they guessed wrong. It's part of why so many people seem sick this year compared to last year.

Well, it's a little more than "guessing" because they look at the strains prevalent in South America from their winter season a few months before the flu shots are given in North America. To say they guessed wrong is inaccurate; yes, most people who get sick were not protected against a particular strain but a lot of people didn't/won't get sick because they are protected. Regardless, Mirai has had problems rotating her jumps all season so I don't think her level at nationals was much worse than what she presented all season.

 

[tulosai]

Well, it's a little more than "guessing" because they look at the strains prevalent in South America from their winter season a few months before the flu shots are given in North America. To say they guessed wrong is inaccurate; yes, most people who get sick were not protected against a particular strain but a lot of people didn't/won't get sick because they are protected. Regardless, Mirai has had problems rotating her jumps all season so I don't think her level at nationals was much worse than what she presented all season.

I don't want this to go too off topic but I just wanted to say it is doubtless better to have the shot than not have it, and that I do acknowledge that the guesses made are educated ones, as proven by the fact that (as I acknowledged above albeit in a roundabout way) they are often correct and this year is unusual. However at the end of the day they are guesses, nothing more.

My real larger point was that whether Nagasu had the shot or not, and whatever strain of the flu she had regardless of if she had the shot or not, it is still a pity she got sick right before Nationals. The flu is a nasty thing and even if she would have UR her jumps anyway, it's too bad she had to feel so physically crappy while doing it.

 

[jenaj]

She has not lived up to her potential. And she can't do it no matter how hard she tries. We don't know if she has a long career ahead of her since the depth of US ladies is improving. She may have harder time making US team in the future.

What if someone had told Shizuka Arakawa, at age 19, that she had "not lived up to her potential" and that the depth of Japanese skaters coming up would make it hard for her to make the Japanese team in the future?

 

[Jammers]

The problem with Mirai though is her jumps. She's been under-rotating them for some time now. She doesn't rotate fast enough in the air to land them fully rotated. And i'm still not sure about her handling pressure when it counts. But then we can say that about almost every top US skater at the moment.

 

[ManyCairns]

What if someone had told Shizuka Arakawa, at age 19, that she had "not lived up to her potential" and that the depth of Japanese skaters coming up would make it hard for her to make the Japanese team in the future?

I love watching my 1998 -- yes, '98! -- Olys video and seeing a very young Arakawa, and knowing now what is in store for her in 2006. She did have to stick with it through some somewhat less-successful years, for sure.

Still, perhaps someone said something like that to Arakawa, and it lit her competitive fire to prove him/her wrong. I don't know if Mirai will want to stay or not, though; she really doesn't seem to enjoy skating, or at least skating competitions.

 

[Olympia]

I love watching my 1998 -- yes, '98! -- Olys video and seeing a very young Arakawa, and knowing now what is in store for her in 2006. She did have to stick with it through some somewhat less-successful years, for sure.

Still, perhaps someone said something like that to Arakawa, and it lit her competitive fire to prove him/her wrong. I don't know if Mirai will want to stay or not, though; she really doesn't seem to enjoy skating, or at least skating competitions.

Yes, aren't we all lucky that Arakawa hung in there and either didn't listen or wasn't told. What a splendid presence we would have been deprived of, and what a career she would have missed out on. I don't know whether Mirai has similar potential, but there's always that possibility. Remember also Paul Wylie, an overnight Olympic star ten years in the making.

 

[louisa05]

I wonder if Mirai will be back next season. I got the feeling after seeing her break down after seeing her scores that it was if she had been given an ultimatum (by her parents?) that she would make the team or else just move on and go to school next September.

My worry is that it is a financial issue. It is clear that the family is not wealthy. Making the team would have resulted in much more funding from USFSA than 7th place will.