2017-18 State of U.S. Ladies Skating

[brightphoton]

I rather doubt USFS will once again pick 4th place Ashley over the 3rd place skater (Chen). Ashley today is not the same skater she was back in 2014, when she had been in the GPF 3 times in a row. There was a lot of bad press back in 2014 when Mirai was bypassed for Ashley, but at least there were acceptable reasons for the decision. There really aren't any clear reasons to give Ashley the nod today, while there are legitimate reasons to go with Chen.

I'm such a huge Ashley fan and I'm so bummed for her. But the USFSA can't afford another 2014 with Ashley going above Karen. It was a nightmare PR then and it'll be a nightmare PR again. But I also want her on the team

But I also love Karen and I love her loons SP and I also want her on the team

Ack

 

[R.D.]

I rather doubt USFS will once again pick 4th place Ashley over the 3rd place skater (Chen). Ashley today is not the same skater she was back in 2014, when she had been in the GPF 3 times in a row. There was a lot of bad press back in 2014 when Mirai was bypassed for Ashley, but at least there were acceptable reasons for the decision. There really aren't any clear reasons to give Ashley the nod today, while there are legitimate reasons to go with Chen.

I don't really see the case for Wagner this time. Even in 2014 I was torn over the decision, but definitely understood it and accepted it. But this time I think there will be major outcry if she is chosen again that will surpass 2014

 

[klutzy]

I think Ashley peaked (beautifully) at Worlds in 2016 and she's just not there now, though I enjoyed her La La Land skate. Karen was fourth at Worlds last year. Her FS felt like she was conserving energy between jumps, but she delivered, so I see no reason not to send her.

Mirai's lack of musicality is always going to bug me, but she worked for her spot and she delivered. Bradie continues to be rock-solid.

All in all, the top three deserve to be the Olympic three.

And, damn, Polina's foot--not good that it's still bothering her. Well, at least we know what's going on with her lutz and flip.

 

[jiawen2016]

Maybe they will keep Karen on the Olympic team for now, but send Ashley, or both Ashley and Karen to 4CC to see how the international judges rank the two. The problem with Karen is that she is so inconsistent, and if Ashley medals at 4CC, it will be a hard decision to make again. I can understand Ashley's disappointment as she has been used to receiving high PCS (did not forget how she beat Anna with 5 clean triples in Worlds 2016), but it just seems that USFSA does not want her to go to the Olympics by giving her lower PCS than Karen's. I do hope Karen gets to go as she earned the 3 spots for U.S team at last year's Worlds, but frankly, who would have guessed that Karen and Ashley are now fighting for the 3rd spots at the beginning of this season...

 

[3dsushi]

So Bradie made her international debut at 19? When you turn 20 you're pretty much considered old in skating world. Late bloomer perhaps? Anyways congratulations and well deserved win. Goodluck at the Olympics!

 

[Jammers]

Maybe they will keep Karen on the Olympic team for now, but send Ashley, or both Ashley and Karen to 4CC to see how the international judges rank the two. The problem with Karen is that she is so inconsistent, and if Ashley medals at 4CC, it will be a hard decision to make again. I can understand Ashley's disappointment as she has been used to receiving high PCS (did not forget how she beat Anna with 5 clean triples in Worlds 2016), but it just seems that USFSA does not want her to go to the Olympics by giving her lower PCS than Karen's. I do hope Karen gets to go as she earned the 3 spots for U.S team at last year's Worlds, but frankly, who would have guessed that Karen and Ashley are now fighting for the 3rd spots at the beginning of this season...

4CC is too close the Olympics so no way is the Olympic team going to compete there. Ashley did it to herself again at an Olympic Nationals by burying herself in the SP and the underdog thing is getting old and it cost her. Send the podium to the Olympics and Worlds most likely we are going to lose the 3rd spot anyways but it's time to look to the future and not the past.

 

[klutzy]

So Bradie made her international debut at 19? When you turn 20 you're pretty much considered old in skating world. Late bloomer perhaps? Anyways congratulations and well deserved win. Goodluck at the Olympics!

No. Bradie was U.S. junior champion in 2013--injuries sidelined her and held her back for a couple of years.

 

[TCAngel18]

This narrative about Ashley losing it in the SP is foolish. Ashley did not lose it in the SP. it was taken from her, with PCS 2-2.5 points too low. You assume a slight nationals bump in scoring, which everyone received, except her, even though she had the same error as maybe 5 other skaters.

 

[megenta]

But, if they intentionally took her the third place, they would've taken the Olympic spot too despite her finishing third by 0.1 type points. It's not automatically the top 3 to go.

 

[eriecold]

Maybe they will keep Karen on the Olympic team for now, but send Ashley, or both Ashley and Karen to 4CC to see how the international judges rank the two. The problem with Karen is that she is so inconsistent, and if Ashley medals at 4CC, it will be a hard decision to make again. I can understand Ashley's disappointment as she has been used to receiving high PCS (did not forget how she beat Anna with 5 clean triples in Worlds 2016), but it just seems that USFSA does not want her to go to the Olympics by giving her lower PCS than Karen's. I do hope Karen gets to go as she earned the 3 spots for U.S team at last year's Worlds, but frankly, who would have guessed that Karen and Ashley are now fighting for the 3rd spots at the beginning of this season...

They HAVE TO require Karen to go to 4CC. She needs the crappy skate in order to deliver at the Oly's.
As for Ashley, I think people are not giving the right perspective. It's not about Ashley's right to be on the team, it's about Karen's. Unlike Mirai 4 years ago that only had a national bronze medal to show for, Karen was the defending champion and World's 4th place, the main contributor to the 3 girl team.

 

[Bluediamonds09]

About 10 minuets till they announce the ladies team on the Today show.

 

[concorde]

Yeah ! They went in the finish order !

 

[frida80]

Good call, USFS. I feel bad for Ashley, but based on the tier system they had to for with the podium.

 

[Shayuki]

Good. I think they made the right call - No controversy here.

I hope Chen can repeat her last season's performance. She's definitely the near future for America at this point in time.

 

[Spirals for Miles]

Yesssss!!
My dream team!

 

[Warwick360]

She's definitely the near future for America at this point in time.

I respectfully disagree. With the number of URs she threw last night, it was like rewatching young Mirai or Zhang, and hoping for them to somehow collect themselves in the years to come. The near future definitely looks to be Brandie. But then again, that was the same thing said about Gracie, Edmunds; and many other Russians in their own country.

 

[andromache]

Well I spent weeks telling everyone that if Ashley didn't place top 3, she wouldn't make the team. I was right, but I'm bummed we had to see this play out the way we did.

Karen won't see the results USFS wants her to see as long as she keeps being dogged by these URs. At least Ashley technically improved from ages 20-24 - Karen is is the prime of her career, but her jumps have stagnated, which is a shame because she's a much more talented jumper than Ashley ever was, but this doesn't seem to be a priority for her team.

Congrats to the team. They all deserve it. I just think the judging made this type of result about as unfortunately controversial as it could've been, due to how skewed the PCS are.

 

[Shayuki]

I respectfully disagree. With the number of URs she threw last night, it was like rewatching young Mirai or Zhang, and hoping for them to somehow collect themselves in the years to come. The near future definitely looks to be Brandie. But then again, that was the same thing said about Gracie, Edmunds; and many other Russians in their own country.

Well, that's one way to look at it. Personally, I do expect Bradie to fizzle out relatively soon, but perhaps she proves me wrong. She's quite a bit older than Karen and calling her "the future" is quite off in my eyes - She's at an age where a decline would be imminent.

Regardless, this conversation made me realize that the near future isn't looking very fantastic. I guess the hope is Gracie Gold's return to form.

 

[Anni234]

Above all I am just happy for Mirai, what a ride her career has been. After 2014 I am so happy she found the passion in her and kept going and look where we are now, second trip to the olympics 8 years after her last games. :dance:

 

[Warwick360]

Karen won't see the results USFS wants her to see as long as she keeps being dogged by these URs. At least Ashley technically improved from ages 20-24 - Karen is is the prime of her career, but her jumps have stagnated, which is a shame because she's a much more talented jumper than Ashley ever was, but this doesn't seem to be a priority for her team.

I just very much dislike her triple toes. She has such beautiful loops, lutz and other jumps, but her toes jumps at the end of combos must be the most eye-sore inducing element in whole of skating for me. Not sure if it's the lack of speed out, the kick, the late turnout, or simply the lack of height compared to the first jump.

Edit: Whoops. Forgot Maria Sotskova's Helicopter arm position.