Ladies podium: Future, Rascal, and OO.
World team: Ashley (4th), Kimmie (5th), Emily (6th).
Well, it's high hopes for Ashley. She will be more suited to backing Kimmie up for a 3rd skater to be in Los Angeles when the 2009 US Nats comes around. Is there any other skater age-elligible to be in this US Nats and going to 2008 Worlds besides Hughes?LOL!
Although I wouldn't be surprised if Ashley ends up on the podium, because I think the USFSA would like to send the National champ to worlds LOL...
Well, it's high hopes for Ashley. She will be more suited to backing Kimmie up for a 3rd skater to be in Los Angeles when the 2009 US Nats comes around. Is there any other skater age-elligible to be in this US Nats and going to 2008 Worlds besides Hughes?
However, will Ashley make the 2009 Nats podium with Kimmie, Caroline and Mirai around and eligible? We can only wait and see her progress.
Joe
My predictions for Ladies at this point:
1. Kimmie Meissner
2. Caroline Zhang
3. Emily Hughes
4. Ashley Wagner
5. Mirai Nagasu
6. Rachael Flatt
I think Mirai and Rachael are both enormously talented, but since National's will be the first time they put out a senior program they will make minor mistakes (Rachael skated in senior national's last year, but has been skating junior programs this whole season, and not entirely consistent with them either). Also the judges might be influenced by the more well-known reputation of the first four -- even though Caroline and Ashley both just entered seniors this year, they should have earned some respect from their GP medals.
I somehow have a feeling though that Emily will be held up for a bronze medal over Ashley...
My predictions for Ladies at this point:
1. Kimmie Meissner
2. Caroline Zhang
3. Emily Hughes
4. Ashley Wagner
5. Mirai Nagasu
6. Rachael Flatt
I think Mirai and Rachael are both enormously talented, but since National's will be the first time they put out a senior program they will make minor mistakes (Rachael skated in senior national's last year, but has been skating junior programs this whole season, and not entirely consistent with them either). Also the judges might be influenced by the more well-known reputation of the first four -- even though Caroline and Ashley both just entered seniors this year, they should have earned some respect from their GP medals.
I somehow have a feeling though that Emily will be held up for a bronze medal over Ashley...
I'm sure it will be Kimmie. Probably Zhang, and maybe Mirai or Ashley, and since Zhang and Mirai can not go to Worlds, it will be Meissner, Wagner, and not sure but Chrissie Hughs or Angela Maxwell.
There is a battle here for the Ladies.
Joe
thanks El Fuego. You've come to the rescue again!Angela Maxwell is competing junior this season (and is too young to go to senior worlds... she turned 15 after July 1).
Indeed! Rohene's past record is nothing to go by but his potential is as good as the best of American Men. It's one of those Hope Predictionsisn't that a big if, though?
I don't know about that.. I actually think a clean Mirai Nagasu, should beat a clean Caroline Zhang, if you were to go by just skating.