Senior Ladies FS
- Thread starter sky_fly20
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I've always been a someone that believes the highest place finishers go to the Olympics and from what I can remember the U.S. has stuck to that (correct me if I'm wrong) the one time I can remember was Kwan in '06 due to a medical waiver.
Ashley along with Gracie the whole season has had her ticket pretty well stamped to Sochi, all she had to do was stay on her feet. On the biggest stage with the most at stake she choked. My heart breaks for her (she kept mouthing "I'm sorry"), but at the same time I can't say that they should pass over Polina or Mirai because of 'past accomplishments'. Frankly a sport that deals with a small casual fan base will have a huge issue from those fans if the headlines are that a 4th place finisher is at the Olympics vs. 1 of 2 skaters that finished higher at Nationals because some committee decided she earned it in prior competitions.
And then it's how do you decide which to kick off the team for her: Polina is brand new to senior competition but the Russian babies seem to do really well and the last 2 OGM's from the U.S. for ladies were Tara and Sarah both 15 and 16 so youth has served the U.S. well in the past. And Mirai has Olympic experience and while she hasn't been the most consistent skater - at the end of the day when it mattered most she out skated Ashley.
My initial thoughts
I swear to god I was so happy when Mirai and Ashley came out because it was relief from all those blue dresses, I have never seen that much blue in my life, tbh I still think Yuna has the best blue dress in the business
Ashley: I was devastated she was trying to fight for it but sadly it didn't go her way tonight, she just had a bad day and she was crying I was crying cause she was crying and I like Ashley I want her to go to Sochi and I know this is going to be a Dai/Taka repeat and it just ain't fair and it's just gonna happen much to my dismay
Gracie: Wow Frank is a miracle worker that is all congrats, she did really good and I like both of her dresses and I like her skating
Mirai:
I was having a heart attack waiting for this girl, she delivered two clean programs but it was bittersweet because she finished third and that's suppose to be good thing but it's not because she might be kicked off the team and it's not fair and I need to be on that team tomorrow because if she isn't...goodbye U.S figure skating goodbye okay I might be exaggerating but I was so happy watching her today I felt like a proud mama I'm not even prepared I'm crying so hard, I need a hug first Taka/Dai situation now this I can't deal and what makes worse I don't know if Mirai is gonna continue her career if she's kicked off the team and it devastates me
Polina: I like her but she's still juniorish, but she has a lot of potential however this was her senior debut and she did great. But I think if she's sent to the Olympics she wouldn't finish well there.
Well, that was my longest post ever but I had a lot on my mind so...
I swear to god I was so happy when Mirai and Ashley came out because it was relief from all those blue dresses, I have never seen that much blue in my life, tbh I still think Yuna has the best blue dress in the business
Ashley: I was devastated she was trying to fight for it but sadly it didn't go her way tonight, she just had a bad day and she was crying I was crying cause she was crying and I like Ashley I want her to go to Sochi and I know this is going to be a Dai/Taka repeat and it just ain't fair and it's just gonna happen much to my dismay
Gracie: Wow Frank is a miracle worker that is all congrats, she did really good and I like both of her dresses and I like her skating
Mirai:
I was having a heart attack waiting for this girl, she delivered two clean programs but it was bittersweet because she finished third and that's suppose to be good thing but it's not because she might be kicked off the team and it's not fair and I need to be on that team tomorrow because if she isn't...goodbye U.S figure skating goodbye okay I might be exaggerating but I was so happy watching her today I felt like a proud mama I'm not even prepared I'm crying so hard, I need a hug first Taka/Dai situation now this I can't deal and what makes worse I don't know if Mirai is gonna continue her career if she's kicked off the team and it devastates me Polina: I like her but she's still juniorish, but she has a lot of potential however this was her senior debut and she did great. But I think if she's sent to the Olympics she wouldn't finish well there.
Well, that was my longest post ever but I had a lot on my mind so...
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2006
I suppose you are referring to Yuna? That was a hideous program. Charlie's Angels gun-hands does not equal commitment. Nor does it a transition or choreography make. I wrote yesterday that I was impressed by Nagasu's Bond program even at NHK. Even there I enjoyed her spark, her commitment, her speed, and her flair.
- Joined
- Nov 6, 2008
Ashley had two off nights on two very important days.
I can understand if Ashley trailed by 1 or 2 points. But 8? that's huge.
She came in 5th in LP. That kind of performance shouldn't be rewarded
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2013
Those judging Mirai's program. 
Not when people stood up even before she finishes her program. :yay: What kind of goddess?
Not when people stood up even before she finishes her program. :yay: What kind of goddess?
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2006
Ashley: I was devastated she was trying to fight for it but sadly it didn't go her way tonight, she just had a bad day and she was crying I was crying cause she was crying and I like Ashley I want her to go to Sochi and I know this is going to be a Dai/Taka repeat and it just ain't fair and it's just gonna happen much to my dismay
Gracie: Wow Frank is a miracle worker that is all congrats, she did really good and I like both of her dresses and I like her skating
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2010
Any idea of when the US will announce the team members for the Olympics/Worlds?
Aside from the USA lady Christine Brennan emphasizing that the USFSA has been repeating all week the importance of the fully body of work, etc. I thought this tweet was an interesting thought.
Justin Lambchop @JustinLambchop 52s
Ashley has a ton of sponsors for the Olympic games.... It would be a wise business decision to send her to Sochi. #Boston2014
As far as the business side of it all, I can only imagine what all those sponsors would do. All drop her and take on someone else, while having shelled out the money to her already?
And when the USFSA wants to keep people involved, is dropping the one consistent face for the last four years for the new "hot item" a good idea based (nearly entirely) on the skates from one event only?
If they do it now, and drop the person who has served as the face of US Ladies skating for the last several years, what happens if the new 'face' then doesn't do well at the Olympics? Replace them, then, if another lady does better at Worlds? It could become quite a cycle with no consistency, which doesn't appeal to many - and essentially says if you have one bad event you'll be replaced by another (typically temporary) hot commodity. Now, if someone became a clear breakout star, proving that at Nationals, then the Olympics or something, then making a change for a new 'face' after the Olympics (whether for FS specifically or even in terms of business relationship between the sponsor and whomever they are sponsoring) is a different thing, IMO.
There are some really interesting possibilities in terms of things the committee may be taking into account - or may be dealing with as fallout from afterward.
One person who I think really ended up in a truly unfortunate spot is actually Samantha Cesario. She had a great night - one of the best - but her short program obviously held her back (otherwise Ashley may have been even lower). She did great, but obviously isn't Gracie, yet had a great clean skate that won't be remembered by many.
Most will just remember the splats of Agnes, Christina, and Ashley. The drama of Ashley vs. Gracie. The surprise of Polina (and Mirai) The crowd love for Mirai and her own joy. And of course Gracie's skate and joy at the end. And of course, the drama of who goes to the Olympics - an entirely different scenario than what nearly everyone anticipated - that it'd be Ashley and Gracie and a battle for the third position - not Gracie, and THREE (including Ashley) battling for the two other spots. And the nearly certain to be discontent by the fans of someone - whoever doesn't get that third spot.
Samantha will fall into the books for most after today, despite the fact that she gave one of the best skates of the night - and that's unfortunate for her as she's deserving of at least a little more mention!
Justin Lambchop @JustinLambchop 52s
Ashley has a ton of sponsors for the Olympic games.... It would be a wise business decision to send her to Sochi. #Boston2014
As far as the business side of it all, I can only imagine what all those sponsors would do. All drop her and take on someone else, while having shelled out the money to her already?
And when the USFSA wants to keep people involved, is dropping the one consistent face for the last four years for the new "hot item" a good idea based (nearly entirely) on the skates from one event only?
If they do it now, and drop the person who has served as the face of US Ladies skating for the last several years, what happens if the new 'face' then doesn't do well at the Olympics? Replace them, then, if another lady does better at Worlds? It could become quite a cycle with no consistency, which doesn't appeal to many - and essentially says if you have one bad event you'll be replaced by another (typically temporary) hot commodity. Now, if someone became a clear breakout star, proving that at Nationals, then the Olympics or something, then making a change for a new 'face' after the Olympics (whether for FS specifically or even in terms of business relationship between the sponsor and whomever they are sponsoring) is a different thing, IMO.
There are some really interesting possibilities in terms of things the committee may be taking into account - or may be dealing with as fallout from afterward.
One person who I think really ended up in a truly unfortunate spot is actually Samantha Cesario. She had a great night - one of the best - but her short program obviously held her back (otherwise Ashley may have been even lower). She did great, but obviously isn't Gracie, yet had a great clean skate that won't be remembered by many.
Most will just remember the splats of Agnes, Christina, and Ashley. The drama of Ashley vs. Gracie. The surprise of Polina (and Mirai) The crowd love for Mirai and her own joy. And of course Gracie's skate and joy at the end. And of course, the drama of who goes to the Olympics - an entirely different scenario than what nearly everyone anticipated - that it'd be Ashley and Gracie and a battle for the third position - not Gracie, and THREE (including Ashley) battling for the two other spots. And the nearly certain to be discontent by the fans of someone - whoever doesn't get that third spot.
Samantha will fall into the books for most after today, despite the fact that she gave one of the best skates of the night - and that's unfortunate for her as she's deserving of at least a little more mention!
Well technically it's not just the Nationals, but the U.S. has typically stuck with the top finishers of the nationals for the Olympics team. But my reasoning behind liking the 'take the highest finishers' is that Nationals is easily the biggest stage to skate on prior to the Olympics, and it exposes those that maybe can't rise to the top when the spotlight is on the brightest.
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2008
Top 3 should be sent to the Olympics. Ashley hasn't done anything that shows she has a good chance of being on the podium in Sochi. It's too bad she didn't focus more on the choreography of her programs this season. Her trump card should have been her maturity, musicality, and performance quality. She could have deserved 2nd place still with a couple falls and no 3-3 combo, but she didn't raise herself to the level of a Kostner/Yu-Na/Asada to be able to pull those scores with mistakes.
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2012
Ashley can sell her program but Mirai did not, though I am not a huge fan of either of them.
I also agree that her program isn't going to be successful in Sochi since Yuna has a much better one in every way.
NBC commentator mentioned Mirai's program seems to have some serious flaws: long break in the middle, simply to rest for the jumps in the 2nd half; she was saving as much energy as possible for each jump---I kind of agree.
I also agree that her program isn't going to be successful in Sochi since Yuna has a much better one in every way.
NBC commentator mentioned Mirai's program seems to have some serious flaws: long break in the middle, simply to rest for the jumps in the 2nd half; she was saving as much energy as possible for each jump---I kind of agree.
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2009
Mirai fan: Why Mirai will likely (and maybe should) be left off of the Olympic team
Given that the Federation will be considering all major competition results since 2013 4CC with the Executive Director on record saying that consistency is the overriding factor, I'm guessing that Ashley and Polina will be sent to the Olympics over Mirai. This may be desirable in that it gives Polina Olympic experience and letting her establish herself at Junior Worlds, while giving Mirai the opportunity to re-establish herself with a high ranking at Worlds (which will have a watered-down field).
From a public relations perspective, this is also desirable for the Federation in that it's an easier argument to sell if you're making an exception and adding a skater to the Olympic team (adding 4th-Ashley over 3rd-Mirai), relative to making an exception and removing a skater from the Olympic team (removing 2nd-Polina for 3rd-Mirai AND 4th-Ashley).
Given that the Federation will be considering all major competition results since 2013 4CC with the Executive Director on record saying that consistency is the overriding factor, I'm guessing that Ashley and Polina will be sent to the Olympics over Mirai. This may be desirable in that it gives Polina Olympic experience and letting her establish herself at Junior Worlds, while giving Mirai the opportunity to re-establish herself with a high ranking at Worlds (which will have a watered-down field).
From a public relations perspective, this is also desirable for the Federation in that it's an easier argument to sell if you're making an exception and adding a skater to the Olympic team (adding 4th-Ashley over 3rd-Mirai), relative to making an exception and removing a skater from the Olympic team (removing 2nd-Polina for 3rd-Mirai AND 4th-Ashley).
No – she had two off nights. And it's not like she had a disastrous short program and a great free skate or even finished ahead of one of the top three tonight – she finished fourth in the short program and fifth in the free skate and lost third by eight points. If it's anyone else in her place, this would be a no-brainer. I feel awful for Ashley, but I really don't like the thought of her making the team based on what she showed this week.
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2012
We could have two skaters who arguably should not have been even going to the olympics medal - Ashley and Dai. And as for "inconvenient" I think it was inconvenient that Ashley skated so poorly, inconvenient that Mirai after four years of disasters peaked, inconvenient that the judges and or technical specialists may have been very generous. Gracie is the onlyu shoo in for the olympics and worlds. My guess is they will send Polina to junior worlds and add Ashley to the team. This is setting up for possible upsets at the olympics or fluke skates fro skaters with huge expectations but for 3 or 4 years faltered and even this year didn't look great in the GP and now they appear to be peaking Abbott and Nagasu. I kind of hope they don't medal at olympics; I prefer and this is just me someone more consistent. But life is n't fair. and fair is what favours your side. Now compared to the Canadians Gracie clearly is the best but I have to say Osmond isn't all that bad and would have beaten or should have beaten Polina and Mirai today. Polina has great power and jumps but she is a bit juniorish. I have to say Mirai has some natural grace but her actual program isn't all that good and I do wonder about UR's Mind you all the girls or most seemed to have iffy rotation completions or edges.
This is a good reason to have your child play hockey and not waste money dumping it into years of figure skating equipment, lessons, ice time, travel, testing, competition, costumes, programs, etc.
Edmunds basically is being mentioned as if she's worthless/an afterthought simply because she was born in a later year, and past results that are largely worthless as pertains to the Olympics are being used to bump skaters who put in the effort to earn these spots. Being able to hotbed it counts should matter, otherwise why have Wagner skate and potentially risk injury when you can just Bye her onto the Olympic team anyways?
Two years in a row Ashley bombed at Nationals. She got her free past last season when they gifted her that title. This is not just another GP assignment.
This is using unrelated competitions that didn't even include most top contenders that will be in Sochi as a criteria to crush the dreams of people who dumped countless hours and dollars into the sport. Have tou seen how these Japanese and Russian ladies have been skating? Gracie Gold has leapfrogged Ashley convincingly. That enough tells you how worthless that criteria is. It's an excuse and a way for them to manipulate the team to their liking, nothing more.
No offense but this discussion is kind of embarrassing to read.
Edmunds basically is being mentioned as if she's worthless/an afterthought simply because she was born in a later year, and past results that are largely worthless as pertains to the Olympics are being used to bump skaters who put in the effort to earn these spots. Being able to hotbed it counts should matter, otherwise why have Wagner skate and potentially risk injury when you can just Bye her onto the Olympic team anyways?
Two years in a row Ashley bombed at Nationals. She got her free past last season when they gifted her that title. This is not just another GP assignment.
This is using unrelated competitions that didn't even include most top contenders that will be in Sochi as a criteria to crush the dreams of people who dumped countless hours and dollars into the sport. Have tou seen how these Japanese and Russian ladies have been skating? Gracie Gold has leapfrogged Ashley convincingly. That enough tells you how worthless that criteria is. It's an excuse and a way for them to manipulate the team to their liking, nothing more.
No offense but this discussion is kind of embarrassing to read.
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2006
I'm a purist and I say that you earn an Olympic berth by winning gold, silver, or in this case bronze at US Nationals. Period. If you say that the 4th place skater would have to replace the bronze medal winner and not the silver medal winner - then you certainly cannot do it for this Nationals. You can say that Ashley just had an off night, but an off 2 nites? What, put her in Mirai's place? Absurd!
And I certainly would be 100% against the 4th place skater replacing the silver winner, in any case and especially in this case. You can say all you want about Polina's inexperience and "juniorish" appearance, but remember, "juniorish" won '97 Nationals and Worlds and '98 Olympics.
I remember when Kimmie Meissner won bronze at '95 Nationals with, among many other noticeable attributes, a triple axle, but was ineligible for Worlds because she turned 15 after July 1st 2004. Well, isn't it enough that Polina passed the age rule? Sure she looks very young, but if she is eligible by the age rule, then she has earned an Olympic berth. The performances by Wagner in her two programs just don't add up to a strong enough argument to replace the excitement of Edmonds or Nagasu.
Sorry Ashley - Harsh, but true.
And I certainly would be 100% against the 4th place skater replacing the silver winner, in any case and especially in this case. You can say all you want about Polina's inexperience and "juniorish" appearance, but remember, "juniorish" won '97 Nationals and Worlds and '98 Olympics.
I remember when Kimmie Meissner won bronze at '95 Nationals with, among many other noticeable attributes, a triple axle, but was ineligible for Worlds because she turned 15 after July 1st 2004. Well, isn't it enough that Polina passed the age rule? Sure she looks very young, but if she is eligible by the age rule, then she has earned an Olympic berth. The performances by Wagner in her two programs just don't add up to a strong enough argument to replace the excitement of Edmonds or Nagasu.
Sorry Ashley - Harsh, but true.
So when did you become a psychic?
Someof you forget that Mirai only bombed in 2012-2013 nationals.A spin kept her off the team at worlds in 2011. The performance 2011 4cc where she smoked both her teammates that beat her weeks earlier, would have generated 3 spots for the following year had she competed that same way.
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