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

[Ice Dance]

If Nathan comes third, and Joshua comes fourth, Joshua will go.

Based on one senior international medal at 4CCs? I find that doubtful. If Josh has a fabulous season this year, then it's certainly possible. (Have you seen his draw though? Two words: Skate Canada. A little more possible at NHK, but he'd have to go through team Japan at home & Jason). Josh has a history of imploding in either the short or the long if not both. Nathan does not have that reputation. Did Josh win any events last season? Nathan has just won three. It's hard to "select" an inconsistent skater onto the team. And Josh doesn't have much time to prove he is a consistent one.

With regard to Max, I'm afraid you're right. Not "afraid" as in I think it would be a poor decision. (I'm old school & I prefer to see the athletes duke it out on the ice). But as a fan of Max, I really thought he had a good shot of grabbing at least third place this season. Not feeling that way now. It's going to be a battle. The quad is Max's money jump & last season he wasn't cranking the triple on the end in competition. He needs it. Quad double isn't getting the job done for him. And Nathan is cranking the 4/3.

Personally, I'll be rooting for Jason, Max, & Nathan. (Maybe more, depending on the programs). But more importantly, I would like everyone to improve throughout the season and then have a great Nationals. And have TPTB keep their hands off the results. (I also don't want any ratifying of any unrotated jumps. This gets us in serious trouble when it comes to trying to earn spots at Worlds for the following year).

 

[Hyena]

But more importantly, I would like everyone to improve throughout the season and then have a great Nationals. And have TPTB keep their hands off the results. (I also don't want any ratifying of any unrotated jumps. This gets us in serious trouble when it comes to trying to earn spots at Worlds for the following year).

Agreed.

 

[karne]

(Have you seen his draw though? Two words: Skate Canada. A little more possible at NHK, but he'd have to go through team Japan at home & Jason). Josh has a history of imploding in either the short or the long if not both. Nathan does not have that reputation. Did Josh win any events last season? Nathan has just won three. It's hard to "select" an inconsistent skater onto the team. And Josh doesn't have much time to prove he is a consistent one.

I have seen Joshua's draw, and of course it's impossible for him to win Skate Chanada (oops, did I slip?) - bronze will be the maximum anyone who is not Chan or Hanyu will be able to go for.

Joshua does not have a history of imploding in either program. Let's review: Worlds, two ordinary programs. 4CCs, two great programs. Nationals, two great programs. Write off NHK because injured. Nationals, two good programs (no implosions). COR - injured. Skate Canada - two good programs (for a 5th on GP debut). Junior Worlds - two almost flawless programs. Come on, give the guy some credit.

Nathan has won two meaningless summer comps and a JGP that was practically set up for him to win. It's a bit early to go shrieking his season results from the rooftops.

With regard to Max, I'm afraid you're right. Not "afraid" as in I think it would be a poor decision. (I'm old school & I prefer to see the athletes duke it out on the ice). But as a fan of Max, I really thought he had a good shot of grabbing at least third place this season. Not feeling that way now. It's going to be a battle. The quad is Max's money jump & last season he wasn't cranking the triple on the end in competition. He needs it. Quad double isn't getting the job done for him. And Nathan is cranking the 4/3.

I won't be secure about Max on the world team unless he wins Nationals. Anything less than that and they'll bump him.

Max DID land a 4-3 last year that was so perfect the judges gave it +2s (and some +3s). Where was it? US Nationals - the ONLY skater there to land it.

I think chances are that we would see a Batman Max before we see a Batman Josh .

http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130304&content_id=42248594&vkey=ice_news (see answer #3)​

Gasp! But we know Josh was helping chase bats out of his house the other day! Max, what are you up to?


We need a superhero group number.

 

[OS]

http://youtu.be/9-wCDKP920g

This is his Glacier Falls sp. It's a hot mess. He fell on all three jumping passes. He looks like a catering waiter with the poorly tailored outfit. However, you will see the quick step choreography, the quad attempt. Its also worth noting that he is putting the 3f-3t combo in the last 20 seconds of the program. So he is trying to push himself.

Oh dear... I wish i hadn't seen this. I tried to give it a go., but how can you not call that anything but hokey even when skate perfect? There seems some clear cognitive dissonance across the pond... as usual it seems going for THIS, but I am seeing THIS. Hopefully season end 'we' will be seeing THIS. Speak of which, that could make a far better contrasting choice from last season than what he is currently doing. In My Opinion.

He seems to have boxed himself into a corner and en route to rival Candeloro for the campiest showman of all time! Along with his stupendous Hicksville exhibitions, I dont know what else is there left to say. The team seems to be deliberately package him in fullon Americana to cater for the US heartland judges/audience... while I can sort of understand their strategy it is just not my 'cup of tea'. It is the sort of reason why swanlake always go down a storm in Russia.

 

[LRK]

I have seen Joshua's draw, and of course it's impossible for him to win Skate Chanada (oops, did I slip?) - bronze will be the maximum anyone who is not Chan or Hanyu will be able to go for.

Joshua does not have a history of imploding in either program. Let's review: Worlds, two ordinary programs. 4CCs, two great programs. Nationals, two great programs. Write off NHK because injured. Nationals, two good programs (no implosions). COR - injured. Skate Canada - two good programs (for a 5th on GP debut). Junior Worlds - two almost flawless programs. Come on, give the guy some credit.

Nathan has won two meaningless summer comps and a JGP that was practically set up for him to win. It's a bit early to go shrieking his season results from the rooftops.



I won't be secure about Max on the world team unless he wins Nationals. Anything less than that and they'll bump him.

Max DID land a 4-3 last year that was so perfect the judges gave it +2s (and some +3s). Where was it? US Nationals - the ONLY skater there to land it.



Gasp! But we know Josh was helping chase bats out of his house the other day! Max, what are you up to?


We need a superhero group number.

What we need is a skate-off, of course, to this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHFA_wEK_00

Let the best Batman win!

 

[plushyfan]

Maybe I'm wrong, but I didn't read Andrew Torgashev name in the Junior GP. If I'm right I'm really curious why?

 

[karne]

Maybe I'm wrong, but I didn't read Andrew Torgashev name in the Junior GP. If I'm right I'm really curious why?

He is/was injured. I'm not up on the specifics, but IIRC they were hoping for him to be ready for one of the late JGPs.

 

[plushyfan]

He is/was injured. I'm not up on the specifics, but IIRC they were hoping for him to be ready for one of the late JGPs.

Thank you, he is my favorite American junior. .... One of my favorites of all juniors. I hope I will see him later.

 

[karne]

What we need is a skate-off, of course, to this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHFA_wEK_00

Let the best Batman win!

I actually could see Max, Joshua or Jason skating to this - it'd be a little stretch for Joshua, but it's dark and heavy and perfect for Max, or for a more "mature" (less hokey? ) theme for Jason.

But now thanks to this thread I'm going to be randomly singing "na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na BATMAX!" for the next couple of days.

Thank you, he is my favorite American junior. .... One of my favorites of all juniors. I hope I will see him later.

I quite like the look of him too. If we don't see him on the JGP, I've no doubt we'll see him at Nationals and Junior Worlds.

 

[LRK]

I actually could see Max, Joshua or Jason skating to this - it'd be a little stretch for Joshua, but it's dark and heavy and perfect for Max, or for a more "mature" (less hokey? ) theme for Jason.

But now thanks to this thread I'm going to be randomly singing "na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na BATMAX!" for the next couple of days.

Yes, I could see all three of them skating to it as well - and I think the different interpretations would be interesting to see. And while I agree it would be a bit of a stretch for Joshua, I actually think he could pull it off; otherwise there is of course this, which I think would be straight up his alley:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROw7WsS9cnM

And obviously I thought of that Batman theme as well - and even a glancing thought in that direction is risking having it stuck in one's head.

 

[aromaticchicken]

Thank you, he is my favorite American junior. .... One of my favorites of all juniors. I hope I will see him later.

He is/was injured. I'm not up on the specifics, but IIRC they were hoping for him to be ready for one of the late JGPs.

Andrew broke his ankle this summer, apparently while training his triple axel. Shame really, because he apparently already was landing it.

Ice network put up an article a few weeks ago about how he and haven Denney have been physical therapy recovery buddies all summer. He may be slated for a later JGP but I doubt he will be in any shape (physical and performance ready) to go since he's been off the ice this entire time.

If he's able to even skate at all this season, his best bet is to try to skate at nationals again as a junior (he's not senior eligible internationally) ... But not sure how possible that will be since he probably also has to compete at regionals and sectionals and those are in just a couple weeks. He'll also have to contend with Vincent zhou and Alexei K for the junior title, and fight with them and Nathan for just two junior world spots.

 

[karne]

Yes, I could see all three of them skating to it as well - and I think the different interpretations would be interesting to see. And while I agree it would be a bit of a stretch for Joshua, I actually think he could pull it off; otherwise there is of course this, which I think would be straight up his alley:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROw7WsS9cnM

And obviously I thought of that Batman theme as well - and even a glancing thought in that direction is risking having it stuck in one's head.

Ahhh, yes, that is much more up Josh's alley - it's even called "Emotional Suite"!

BATMAX!

(Since you're partly responsible for this, I shall impart the mental image that goes with it: a little cartoon Max in Batman costume jumping all over the ice.)

Andrew broke his ankle this summer, apparently while training his triple axel. Shame really, because he apparently already was landing it.

*lightbulb goes on over karne's head*

I thought it was his ankle, I just couldn't quite remember...thanks

 

[aromaticchicken]

Ahhh, yes, that is much more up Josh's alley - it's even called "Emotional Suite"!

BATMAX!

(Since you're partly responsible for this, I shall impart the mental image that goes with it: a little cartoon Max in Batman costume jumping all over the ice.)



*lightbulb goes on over karne's head*

I thought it was his ankle, I just couldn't quite remember...thanks

Well... My original "insider" sources originally told me it was his leg, but later the ice network article said ankle, so.... Shrug haha

Either way, he's on the mend! I'm sure we'll see him in the future. He's young and the injury should heal fine and they are taking care of him diligently. With his parents as coaches (they're former Russian world team competitors), I'm sure they are on it.

 

[karne]

Well... My original "insider" sources originally told me it was his leg, but later the ice network article said ankle, so.... Shrug haha

Either way, he's on the mend! I'm sure we'll see him in the future. He's young and the injury should heal fine and they are taking care of him diligently. With his parents as coaches (they're former Russian world team competitors), I'm sure they are on it.

I sure hope so

 

[Mrs. P]

Oh dear... I wish i hadn't seen this. I tried to give it a go., but how can you not call that anything but hokey even when skate perfect? There seems some clear cognitive dissonance across the pond... as usual it seems going for THIS, but I am seeing THIS. Hopefully season end 'we' will be seeing THIS. Speak of which, that could make a far better contrasting choice from last season than what he is currently doing. In My Opinion.

He seems to have boxed himself into a corner and en route to rival Candeloro for the campiest showman of all time! Along with his stupendous Hicksville exhibitions, I dont know what else is there left to say. The team seems to be deliberately package him in fullon Americana to cater for the US heartland judges/audience... while I can sort of understand their strategy it is just not my 'cup of tea'. It is the sort of reason why swanlake always go down a storm in Russia.

hwell:

It was only 3:50 of your time. He can be your snack/bathroom break during th GP if you really don't enjoy it.

Just one thing: I'd appreciate if you wouldn't stereotype those who like Jason's programs and skating style as being 'Merican. Others who are fans have pointed out they are not from the U.S. And he has a sizable fan base in Japan and Russia.

FWIW, I have a friend who absolutely abhors Philippe Candeloro, but loves Jason. I actually made the comparison once (I think they both exhibit some similarities) and she was like "No!"

 

[LRK]

hwell:

It was only 3:50 of your time. He can be your snack/bathroom break during th GP if you really don't enjoy it.

Just one thing: I'd appreciate if you wouldn't stereotype those who like Jason's programs and skating style as being 'Merican. Others who are fans have pointed out they are not from the U.S. And he has a sizable fan base in Japan and Russia.

FWIW, I have a friend who absolutely abhors Philippe Candeloro, but loves Jason. I actually made the comparison once (I think they both exhibit some similarities) and she was like "No!"

I'm not American, for example. And I'm not sure what good catering to "the US heartland judges/audience" would be to Jason.... internationally? Unless all those judges are also Americans in disguise?

I do adore Philippe, though. Maybe I just enjoy myself a bit of showmanship and camp - regardless its country of origin.

 

[Mrs. P]

I'm not American, for example. And I'm not sure what good catering to "the US heartland judges/audience" would be to Jason.... internationally? Unless all those judges are also Americans in disguise?

I do adore Philippe, though. Maybe I just enjoy myself a bit of showmanship and camp - regardless its country of origin.

Not to mention that we all know Rohene Ward was/is about going along with the skating establishment. Ha!

As I said Jason's style is not for everyone, but obviously he is doing something that has given him solid results so far.

 

[TMC]

I'm not American either. Way way on the other side of the pond and then some.

FWIW, I've watched videos of Jason's programs with Dutch, German, British, Spanish, Italian, Swedish and Finnish commentary, and he seems to be pretty much universally admired by all those commentators. The Spanish commentator especially went nuts after his free at Worlds. So no, I don't think his success is so very much due to nationality.

 

[plushyfan]

Andrew broke his ankle this summer, apparently while training his triple axel. Shame really, because he apparently already was landing it.

Ice network put up an article a few weeks ago about how he and haven Denney have been physical therapy recovery buddies all summer. He may be slated for a later JGP but I doubt he will be in any shape (physical and performance ready) to go since he's been off the ice this entire time.

If he's able to even skate at all this season, his best bet is to try to skate at nationals again as a junior (he's not senior eligible internationally) ... But not sure how possible that will be since he probably also has to compete at regionals and sectionals and those are in just a couple weeks. He'll also have to contend with Vincent zhou and Alexei K for the junior title, and fight with them and Nathan for just two junior world spots.

so sorry! I'm unhappy...:scowl:

 

[Mrs. P]

I believe Andrew is a placeholder entry for Croatia, the final JGP. I hope we will see him then. And if not, that he has a healthy and speedy recovery.