State of the U.S. Men's Figure Skating for 2014-15

[centerpt1]

Jeremy has had two 5th place finishes at Worlds - better than any other US man since Lysacek and Weir. None of the men currently competing has done better than Jeremy at Worlds -the closest is Rippon with a 6th place.

Jeremy did not go in 2011...and guess what? The men that went lost a slot.

Jeremy has never been the golden boy of USFS or of the press. He's been pushed to the side and essentially spat on, while USFS fawned over others. He went years without being invited to Skate America-even after he was a two time National Champ

I hope he has a great season- but I'm doubtful. USFS seems to prefer others.

 

[IcyEdges]

No - but he sure was a waste of an Olympic spot.

 

[Mrs. P]

Jeremy has had two 5th place finishes at Worlds - better than any other US man since Lysacek and Weir. None of the men currently competing has done better than Jeremy -the closest is Rippon with a 6th place.

Jeremy did not go in 2011...and guess what? The men that went lost a slot.

However, Jeremy did not get it back in 2012 by placing in 8th place.

FWIW, Max Aaron was 7th in 2013 with a much more competitive field that included Patrick Chan, Denis Ten and Daisuke Takahashi.

Jeremy deserves credit for getting three spots in 2010 and 2014, but let's not forget that he also did not do so in 2012. (Or in 2009, really when he placed 11th, Evan's win is what kept the U.S. with 3 Olympic spots).

Jeremy had moments of brilliance and moments where he underperformed, and his worlds record states as much.

 

[ice coverage]

No - but he sure was a waste of an Olympic spot.

I forever will regret that the U.S. men did not have a third Sochi spot for Max ... but we'll never know whether he (or Josh or Richard or Adam or any other man) could/would have performed better in Sochi than Jeremy did.

 

[karne]

You can roll your eyes all you like but it's true. He didn't even put an effort in in the team event and then whoop-de-doo, he was 12th in the individual. Not exactly a shining example of best use of a spot.

 

[Mrs. P]

I will be looking forward to see how Jeremy does at Skate America. I was there in person when he was last there and I have to say, watching him double all those jumps in his "Bring Me Home" FS was pretty dang painful.

I hope he fares better this time around.

 

[jace93]

You can roll your eyes all you like but it's true. He didn't even put an effort in in the team event and then whoop-de-doo, he was 12th in the individual. Not exactly a shining example of best use of a spot.

And the he bounced back at worlds an it's mainly thanks to him that US got three spot back since Aaron under-performed (I would say that that was his worst competition of the year) and was quite helped by the weak field to hang on to that 8th place

 

[StitchMonkey]

Abbott should get as many more chances as he earns fair and square.



Surely you are not saying that Jeremy wasted his 2014 Worlds spot by earning a third 2015 spot for the U.S. men???



Not true. The U.S. criteria for the World team include both national and international results.

Point one, I agree with to the extent they (the skater) does not call something his last chance/season. I have much less an issue with Jeremy sticking around than I do with how much he talked about last season being his last and then sticking around. He should have corked his mouth last season.

As for the three spots. Well wasn't it Jeremy that said that no one is thinking about that? Personally I say yes good for both he and Max for getting three spots, but at the same time, i am not going to tell someone good for for something they have personally claimed to not care about or think is an accomplishment.

 

[centerpt1]

I really worry that Jeremy has not had a prep competition going into SA. He has very new programs.

Last year he got lost after he landed the quad in the short. A prep event would have helped.

 

[StitchMonkey]

Nick Zaccardi writes a brief story based on aforementioned teleconference.
http://olympictalk.nbcsports.com/2014/10/13/jeremy-abbott-figure-skating-skate-america-olympics/

This was an interesting quote:

“When I comepted against Evan and Johnny, I was always constantly fighting for that attention, because I was always that third one,” Abbott said. “I was always brushed aside by the media because they garnered the attention. Now, Jason Brown is garnering that attention as well. That’s great for figure skating, and that’s great for the U.S., but that doesn’t necessarily mean that he’s going to win.”

I guess his point is that just because Jason's getting all the media attention that he won't necessarily win Skate America (or Nationals, I suppose), but that seems to be an odd way to say it.

Speaking of Jason Brown, he will likely have a similar teleconference soon since he will also be at Skate America.

I think it seems unnecessarily catty. Evan has a world and Olympic gold, Johnny has a worlds medal. . . . so it seems to me USFS gave attention to the right skaters. Either they are focusing their attention on winners, or their attention leads to winning. . . either way, no reason to have a dance of the seven veils dig at Jason.

Jeremy is a great skater but a bad competitor. He needs to get his own head straightened out rather than looking at outside blame and excuses. I want to like Jeremy, I want to root for him, but the more I see of him as a person, the more I want whip him within an inch of his life with a spin doctor stick!

 

[Meoima]

Is it just me or Jeremy and PChiddy should form a "We have put feet in our mouths" team?

 

[Violet Bliss]

I think it seems unnecessarily catty. Evan has a world and Olympic gold, Johnny has a worlds medal. . . . so it seems to me USFS gave attention to the right skaters. Either they are focusing their attention on winners, or their attention leads to winning. . . either way, no reason to have a dance of the seven veils dig at Jason.

Jeremy is a great skater but a bad competitor. He needs to get his own head straightened out rather than looking at outside blame and excuses. I want to like Jeremy, I want to root for him, but the more I see of him as a person, the more I want whip him within an inch of his life with a spin doctor stick!

Jeremy does have a mouth. He's a Gemini. I am concerned with his mind being with other skaters. Winners know they have competition but they focus on their own preparation. I knew Jeremy and Verner would not do well when I read their comments about the World Champion at the time, Chan, simply because that was not a winning mindset.

Jeremy doesn't seem to get the respect he deserves, either by the press or the fans. It seems his failures make lasting impression while his considerable achievements escape people's mind. As well, he didn't have international Junior experiences. However, I hope he puts all these aside and focus on his own training and strategy. He is still among the best all round skaters when he's on and can medal at Worlds if the stars align.

 

[centerpt1]

It is true that USFS gave all their lurve and support to Jason last year, while Jeremy- their 4 time champ -got the shaft.

Jeremy deserves more respect.

 

[mrrice]

Jeremy has never been the golden boy of USFS or of the press. He's been pushed to the side and essentially spat on, while USFS fawned over others. He went years without being invited to Skate America-even after he was a two time National Champ.

I don't think that's exactly accurate. I remember the USFS trying to promote Jeremy after he won the GPF in 2008. I can guarantee that if you asked Johnny Weir, he'd say that he was never the USFS's favorite. Jeremy was certainly fawned over after he won Nationals in 2010. It is only because he's consistently failed to produce internationally that he's out of favor and deservedly so.

Jeremy has had tons of attention and when gets it, he has completely failed to produce. I love Jeremy's skating and he is certainly well respected internationally. I have no problem with him getting a shot at Worlds if he wins Nationals. However, if Joshua and Jason are 1st and 2nd with Jeremy 3rd and Max 4th, I'd send Max in heartbeat.

Jeremy chose to return and skate for "Me" which I can respect. The USFS has to think in their best interest as well and with Jeremy's track record, I'd send Max without blinking an eye.

 

[StitchMonkey]

Jeremy does have a mouth. He's a Gemini. I am concerned with his mind being with other skaters. Winners know they have competition but they focus on their own preparation. I knew Jeremy and Verner would not do well when I read their comments about the World Champion at the time, Chan, simply because that was not a winning mindset.

Jeremy doesn't seem to get the respect he deserves, either by the press or the fans. It seems his failures make lasting impression while his considerable achievements escape people's mind. As well, he didn't have international Junior experiences. However, I hope he puts all these aside and focus on his own training and strategy. He is still among the best all round skaters when he's on and can medal at Worlds if the stars align.

But there are better ways to use that mouth.

He could talk about how in Salt Lake all the attention was on Sasha and Michelle, and Sarah won the gold. Then how four years later Emily got more attention for being Sarah's sister than Kimmie got, and it was Kimmie who had a shot and proved it by going on to win world's that year. In that way he could have shown how the USFS does not always pick the winners, that sometimes being the under dog is an advantage and he can promote positively USA skaters rather than take a dig at a competitor. Right now he sounds like a bitter teenager girl who is mad at the homecoming queen for being more popular than they are. He also could have focused more on why they got more attention. Evan was a world champion with Frank Carrol as a couch, Johnny is a larger than life walking art piece with personality that you can't not look at, Jason's smile and enthusiasm is more infections than ebola. He could have focused on how they get attention for other aspects than skating (sans Evan) but acknowledged their likeability. Hell he could have played up liking the chance to compete with less attention even. He has a mouth, fine, learn to use it. Ashley's comment to her expression during teams was "It's not the worst face i pulled" that is a great way to have a mouth but not be an idiot about it and alienate people. As much as I think it is uncalled for, I likely do respect him more for at least admiring he was talking about Jason rather than dancing around it.

I am not sure how much respect he deserves overall. He certainly deserves it as a skater/performer, but as big picture whole package, I am not sure how much respect he "deserves" in the metal side of things. He needs a shrink or a life coach to be a side kick to Yuka. It seems Jeremy looks at how he can defeat his rivals, rather than how he an better himself and has just not learned how to keep an iron skin exterior. You defeat your rivals by being better. For him his rivals beat him by likely having a better head in the game. Possibly the best I have seen him skate was after he nearly cracked a rib at the Olympics and was likely in too much pain to think about competing or skating. That is sorta problem. You should not need to be in pain to do better. . . I am not sure skating better in pain is ever a good thing.

He is one that I really wish there was more a pro circuit. I think he enjoys skating more than competing, and sadly there is very little chance anymore to do one without the other.

 

[noskates]

It is true that USFS gave all their lurve and support to Jason last year, while Jeremy- their 4 time champ -got the shaft.

Jeremy deserves more respect.

Oh please!!!! Many of us have tried and tried to respect Jeremy over the past 5 years or so. He has a couple of bright shining moments and then he competes like he's a novice. It's very hard to sustain respect for someone's skating that repeatedly breaks your heart. I don't wish him any ill will but I wish he'd put a cork in it. His "last time on National ice" statement last year, his poor performance at the Olympics.....etc. The attention is ALWAYS going to go to the winner or the skater that performs the best. Jeremy has to earn that respect back!

And I totally agree with StitchMonkey....Jeremy is a better show skater than a competitor because he skates with his head in competition instead of with his feet!!! When there is no pressure he's stunning on the ice! Otherwise you're sitting there biting your nails wondering when he's going to fall or start doubling his triples.

 

[ice coverage]

“When I comepted against Evan and Johnny, I was always constantly fighting for that attention, because I was always that third one,” Abbott said. “I was always brushed aside by the media because they garnered the attention. Now, Jason Brown is garnering that attention as well. That’s great for figure skating, and that’s great for the U.S., but that doesn’t necessarily mean that he’s going to win.”

I guess his point is that just because Jason's getting all the media attention that he won't necessarily win Skate America (or Nationals, I suppose), but that seems to be an odd way to say it.
....

... no reason to have a dance of the seven veils dig at Jason ...

... In that way he could have shown how the USFS does not always pick the winners, that sometimes being the under dog is an advantage and he can promote positively USA skaters rather than take a dig at a competitor.

In the quote above, I do not see any dig from Jeremy against Jason.

Jeremy says that Jason is getting more media attention -- and I think we all can agree that Jason truly is. Jeremy never says that the media is being unfair -- he is merely making an accurate observation.
Then Jeremy says that the media's interest in Jason is great for FS and for the U.S. How is that a dig? I think Jeremy means it as a gracious tip of the hat to Jason's popularity.
And then Jeremy says that Jason's popularity doesn't necessarily mean that Jason is going to win. And Jeremy again is correct. Skate America is not and should not be a preordained popularity contest. What the heck is wrong with saying so?

Where is the supposed dig from Jeremy against Jason???

 

[Mathman]

Amy Rosewater ‏@amyrosewater 24m24 minutes ago
.@jeremyabbottpcf tells reporters that this season is different than any other because it is "just for me"

Jeremy, Jeremy, Jeremy. Do you know what response you are inviting?

 

[StitchMonkey]

In the quote above, I do not see any dig from Jeremy against Jason.

Jeremy says that Jason is getting more media attention -- and I think we all can agree that Jason truly is. Jeremy never says that the media is being unfair -- he is merely making an accurate observation.
Then Jeremy says that the media's interest in Jason is great for FS and for the U.S. How is that a dig? I think Jeremy means it as a gracious tip of the hat to Jason's popularity.
And then Jeremy says that Jason's popularity doesn't necessarily mean that Jason is going to win. And Jeremy again is correct. Skate America is not and should not be a preordained popularity contest. What the heck is wrong with saying so?

Where is the supposed dig from Jeremy against Jason???

It came across to me that he was implying the attention was unwarranted, so yeah i saw it as a dig. But I thank you for your deconstruction and a new angle to look at it with. I hope we can find a recording how his full interview so we can hear his full quote, in context, with vocal inflections.

You are right that Jason is getting more attention, in someways even I would say too much even (there is a clip of Max's skate at worlds where the commentators are talking about Jason not being there for instance. . . I found that unnecessary) so i sorta wish that the skaters would not play into the same game. Jason did not need to be mentioned. If his point is about giving others attention over himself. . . don't bloody give them attention himself! If he feels he is deserving of the attention. . . than give himself the attention.

 

[Icey]

To my surprise, Jeremy has won more national gold medals than Evan or Johnny and has competed at that event fewer times than either one of them. Not bad. I think he is a skater that showed such promise that his failures are remembered more than his successes. He has won 4 golds at nationals (Johnny, 3; Evan, 2) and competed there 8 times compared to 10 times for Lysacek and 9 times for Weir. Abbott, I believe, never has finished lower than 4th, while both Evan and Weir have.