2015-16 State of U.S. Men's Figure Skating

[solani]

And it could be argued that both Jason and Joshua was kept in Juniors a year to long also. You need to get talent out there as soon as possible just look at the Russians and how they get their girls out there as soon as possible.

But women peak earlier in FS. And I think that f.e. Kovtun would have benefited from staying longer in Juniors.

 

[chuckm]

Kovtun is one perfect example of why it is not a good idea to push a young skater up into the GP before he is ready. Kovtun may be physically mature, but his skating technique and emotional development lag far behind. Adian Pitkeev OTOH lacks physical maturity, seems emotionally stable and has decent technique but is stylistically blah. Both might have benefitted from a little more time as juniors.

Both were pushed up, though, because there were so few senior Russian males contending for medals, and those who were contenders were over 25.

 

[karne]

And it could be argued that both Jason and Joshua was kept in Juniors a year to long also. You need to get talent out there as soon as possible just look at the Russians and how they get their girls out there as soon as they can.

But even if you take that year, they were still seventeen, which is older than Chen is now, and stylistically they were both much more advanced. I don't see any need for a great rush to push him up, especially as he appears to be injury-prone. Let him develop more, and then he can go to Seniors. There's no hurry, it's not like the US is lacking in talented men.

 

[ice coverage]

Exemplary good sportsmanship from Jeremy Abbott, in the form of this selfless tweet re the voting for 2015 Readers' Choice/Skater(s) of the Year:

@jeremyabbottpcf

I have the best fans in the WORLD! I love you guys! IMHO @joshDfarris #4CC or @AshWagner2010 #NC2015 are more deserving of your votes!
5:55 PM - 2 Jul 2015
https://twitter.com/jeremyabbottpcf/status/616772179171086340​

 

[el henry]

Exemplary good sportsmanship from Jeremy Abbott, in the form of this selfless tweet re the voting for 2015 Readers' Choice/Skater(s) of the Year:

@jeremyabbottpcf

I have the best fans in the WORLD! I love you guys! IMHO @joshDfarris #4CC or @AshWagner2010 #NC2015 are more deserving of your votes!
5:55 PM - 2 Jul 2015
https://twitter.com/jeremyabbottpcf/status/616772179171086340​

Of course, I believe Jeremy *won* last year, so it's just a little (just a little) easier to show sportsmanship. And maybe the 17 other competitors will get shout-outs from Jeremy over the coming weeks?

 

[rollerblade]

Jeremy is too hard to read. I can never tell if he's 100% serious or partially sarcastic.

I mean, his instagram profile is: "I do stuff... People judge me! Lol 4X US Champion, 2014 Olympic Bronze medalist, Team USA Figure Skating." (why the "lol" on 4x nationals champ? I don't get it!)

 

[TheGrandSophy]

I think it is meant to pertain to the phrase before rather: 'people judge me!'

 

[ice coverage]

Of course, I believe Jeremy *won* last year, so it's just a little (just a little) easier to show sportsmanship. And maybe the 17 other competitors will get shout-outs from Jeremy over the coming weeks?

Wow ... I'm disappointed by your cynicism.
Yes, I was/am well aware that Jeremy won last year. To me, that does not diminish his sportsmanship.

He could have sat back as last year's winner, and tweeted nothing at all in support of any other skater.
Would that have been better sportsmanship than his tweet about Josh and Ashley?

IMO, singling out Josh and Ashley is an indication that his respect for them is sincere.
Tweeting about every skater on the ballot would be a completely empty gesture -- a gimmick that would smack of false modesty and a desire to call attention to himself.

(I believe the voting ends on July 8, by the way.)

 

[centerpt1]

He tweeted that in response to fans who said they were voting for him. He was giving examples of those that had stellar skates and deserved votes more than he did.

The underlying message was thank you fans for thinking of me but others deserve it more this year.

No sarcasm. Haters just love to hate him and are looking for any excuse.

 

[el henry]

Wow ... I'm disappointed by your cynicism.
Yes, I was/am well aware that Jeremy won last year. To me, that does not diminish his sportsmanship.

He could have sat back as last year's winner, and tweeted nothing at all in support of any other skater.
Would that have been better sportsmanship than his tweet about Josh and Ashley?

IMO, singling out Josh and Ashley is an indication that his respect for them is sincere.
Tweeting about every skater on the ballot would be a completely empty gesture -- a gimmick that would smack of false modesty and a desire to call attention to himself.

(I believe the voting ends on July 8, by the way.)

For once in my posts, I was not trying to be cynical about the "vote for someone else" tweet. I do think it is made easier by his win last year, (I know it would be for me) and that is why I repeated "just a little". Saying vote for someone else *is* a nice gesture. I apologize if I did not say that.

I am puzzled however by his saying "vote for these two" when there are 17 other members of Team USA eligible for voting. How do Max, Adam, Jason, Gracie, Polina, Karen and Sammi feel? Let alone the pairs and the ice dance? Honest question: why these two? Are they his best buds? Have they been more helpful to him than other Team USA members? Does he like their programs better? Is there a money prize and he thinks they need it more?

 

[StitchMonkey]

For once in my posts, I was not trying to be cynical about the "vote for someone else" tweet. I do think it is made easier by his win last year, (I know it would be for me) and that is why I repeated "just a little". Saying vote for someone else *is* a nice gesture. I apologize if I did not say that.

I am puzzled however by his saying "vote for these two" when there are 17 other members of Team USA eligible for voting. How do Max, Adam, Jason, Gracie, Polina, Karen and Sammi feel? Let alone the pairs and the ice dance? Honest question: why these two? Are they his best buds? Have they been more helpful to him than other Team USA members? Does he like their programs better? Is there a money prize and he thinks they need it more?

He probably just found those cited programs as the ones he first thought of when he thought of programs from last season he respected. I can see him listing Josh especially since he saw Josh and NHK and may genuinely respect his comeback.


I do agree the previous year's win can have an effect on his attitude, and that is perfectly human an fine.

 

[ice coverage]

... I am puzzled however by his saying "vote for these two" when there are 17 other members of Team USA eligible for voting. How do Max, Adam, Jason, Gracie, Polina, Karen and Sammi feel? Let alone the pairs and the ice dance? Honest question: why these two? Are they his best buds? Have they been more helpful to him than other Team USA members? Does he like their programs better? Is there a money prize and he thinks they need it more?

I have filed your questioning of Jeremy's motives under "No good deed goes unpunished."

Turns out that after Jeremy's original tweet, the following conversation ensued:

Tatiana Lily ‏@tatililyskt

@jeremyabbottpcf What about Jason, our current U.S. men’s champion + 4th place finish at Worlds which helped secure 3 spots for Team USA?
7:02 PM - 2 Jul 2015
https://twitter.com/tatililyskt/status/616788962435137536​

@jeremyabbottpcf

@tatililyskt I think u missed my point. Everyone nominated did something deserving of ur vote!!! I just gave examples in < 140 characters.
8:08 PM - 2 Jul 2015
https://twitter.com/jeremyabbottpcf/status/616805784496635904​

As for what other skaters thought of Jeremy's original tweet:

First, I will say that I have a hunch that USFS told the skaters to feel free to campaign for themselves. Some skaters already have done so on social media; some have not.
B/c I pay a lot of attention to Max and Jason (neither of whom has campaigned, AFAIK), my opinion is that their reactions would have been along the lines of: "Josh and Ashley really were great this season. If one of them wins the voting, good for him or her. It's cool that Jeremy won last season, and it's cool that he is encouraging support for skaters other than himself."
And I believe that most of the skaters on the ballot prob. would have much the same reaction as Max and Jason.​

I know that you are a big fan of Jason, as am I. And I do fear a big double standard here.
If the original tweet had been posted by Jason (who, granted, did not win last year) instead of Jeremy, I bet the armies of Jason fans all over the world would be singing Jason's praises to the highest of heavens over the wonderful sportsmanship of his tweet. And I bet that you would only be joining in the praise -- and would not be raising questions as to why Jason named only two of the skaters on the ballot; as to how the non-named skaters feel about Jason's tweet; etc.; etc.

 

[el henry]

^^^
Thank you for posting the tweeted question by Tatiana Lily and Jeremy's answer; it answers my questions. (I actually post on Twitter so infrequently that I tend to forget its limitations.)

We will just need to agree to disagree on whether my two earlier posts disrespected Jeremy or were motivated by blind for Jason. I will admit, since Jason's are some of the few tweets in my feed, (another reason I am grateful when anyone expands my horizons) that I am looking forward to some outrageous July 4 costume. I hope it's not that ridiculous onsie he used at WTT).

 

[karne]

*blinkblink* What happened in here while I was away?

I don't understand the fuss over Jeremy's tweet - I thought it was very sweet and sporting. And of all the performances of my favourites this year I would agree with his male choice, so it doesn't bother me. I have to say I have thrown a couple of votes Jeremy's way anyway, because to turn up at Nationals so soon after the death of his father and still manage to be competitive is pretty mega.

 

[ice coverage]

The JGP Final is one of Nathan Chen's goals for the coming season, per the new GS article today:

“I would love to go to senior worlds this year,” said Chen, when asked about his goals. “I definitely want to make the JGP Final as a more solid goal. I want to stay healthy the whole year and compete to my fullest potential.”

http://www.goldenskate.com/2015/07/nathan-chen/​

---

ETA:

... I'm more excited to see Lukas Kaugars back. I missed my happy little doctor this year!

Per his website, Lukas will start skating for Latvia this season.

http://www.goldenskate.com/forum/sh...vian-skaters&p=1194720&viewfull=1#post1194720​

 

[Mrs. P]

Several US men competed at Skate Detroit this weekend (results via Sylvia at unseenskaters.wordpress.com)

Alexander Johnson 202.25 3rd overall; 71.54 3rd in SP 4th in FS( (130.71 FS 62.07/71.64 -3),
Tim Dolensky 201.12 4th overall ; 70.06; 4th in SP; 3rd in FS (131.06 FS 63.54/68.52 -1),
Philip Warren 185.67 5th overall; 71.83; 2nd in SP; 7th in FS (113.84 FS 54.82/60.02 -1),
Shotaro Omori 63.49 6th in SP; (did not do FS)
Ryan Santee 122.83 12th in SP; 10th in FS

ETA to add scores from other club comps:
Broadmoor Open (end of June)
1 Nathan Chen, Salt Lake FSC 220.21 1 1
2 Jason Brown, Skokie Valley FSC 201.58 3 3
3 Timothy Dolensky, Atlanta FSC 200.91 4 2
4 Vincent Zhou, All Year FSC 191.41 6 4
5 Patrick Rupp, Orlando FSC 187.09 5 6
6 Jordan Moeller, Northern Ice SC 181.66 8 5
7 Alex Johnson, Broadmoor SC 179.43 2 7
9 Sebastien Payannet, Rocky Mntn FSC 135.83 9 9

Next up: Glacier Falls featuring: Jason Brown, Timothy Dolensky, Richard Dornbush, Scott Dyer, Grant Hochstein, Daniel Kulenkamp, Jimmy Ma, Jordan Moeller, Sean Rabbit.
***

Also the latest update to the USFSA International Selection Pool shows that Jeremy Abbott has been removed. (http://www.usfsa.org/Athletes.asp?id=447)
Not sure if this is indicative of anything or is due to the fact he is not competing this fall.

 

[StitchMonkey]

***

Also the latest update to the USFSA International Selection Pool shows that Jeremy Abbott has been removed. (http://www.usfsa.org/Athletes.asp?id=447)
Not sure if this is indicative of anything or is due to the fact he is not competing this fall.

FWIW Patrick of "Patrick Commentates Skating" was at Evening With Champions and claimed he talked to Jeremy and Jeremy said he is skipping the full season - even Nationals, and only will be doing the Japan Open.

Really only gossip, but it may corroborate what is going on here.

you can see the tweet here if anyone is interested.

https://twitter.com/Team_PDD/status/622639489798684672

To be honest, I was kinda hoping to see him at his 10th nationals. But I still wish him the best no mater what he does.

 

[Mrs. P]

I knew he got the Japan Open invite. Hm, it sounds like he's pulling a page from the Patrick Chan playbook if the above info is true.

 

[Mathman]

Next up: Glacier Falls featuring: Jason Brown, Timothy Dolensky, Richard Dornbush, Scott Dyer, Grant Hochstein, Daniel Kulenkamp, Jimmy Ma, Jordan Moeller, Sean Rabbit.

Go, Grant Hochstein!

 

[Jammers]

FWIW Patrick of "Patrick Commentates Skating" was at Evening With Champions and claimed he talked to Jeremy and Jeremy said he is skipping the full season - even Nationals, and only will be doing the Japan Open.

Really only gossip, but it may corroborate what is going on here.

you can see the tweet here if anyone is interested.

https://twitter.com/Team_PDD/status/622639489798684672

To be honest, I was kinda hoping to see him at his 10th nationals. But I still wish him the best no mater what he does.

I wonder why he won't say he's retiring then.