Article on Mirai from teleconference!
http://figureskatersonline.com/news...focused-on-olympic-goal-at-u-s-championships/
http://figureskatersonline.com/news...focused-on-olympic-goal-at-u-s-championships/
2017-18 State of U.S. Ladies Skating
- Thread starter R.D.
- Start date
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2013
It would be interesting if Bradie gets on the Olympic Team (and based on her track record this year, she is in with a good chance). Kaori Sakamoto (Japan's 2nd spot) was also very much a dark horse this season. Just praying that both these ladies survive being suddenly thrust into the limelight. 
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2007
I think you have made a very good and fair assessment of the US ladies chances. While their medal prospects may not be very exciting, the suspense of who makes the team is tantalizing. I like all the ladies mentioned and will be happy for whoever makes the team and sad for whoever doesn't.
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2017
I love Mirai and you can really see from this article how badly she wants it. She's going for the 3A in both programs despite being one of the older girls at 24! I also love what she said at the end:
"What’s important to me is that I go out there and that I’m responsible for myself, accountable to myself."
That's a really good mindset and hopefully she'll go out there and kill it and book herself a room in Pyeongchang's Olympic Village!
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2016
Polina sure loves flipping her hair, LOL.
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2014
Ice Network predictions. Rutherford mentions Karen Chen's impressive clutch performances at nationals and worlds last year. Brannen mentions Ashley Wagner's wealth of experience and fighting spirit as factors. In addition to the assemblage of numbers, all four journalists' remarks are interesting to read.
http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2017...will-the-senior-podiums-look-like-in-san-jose
http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2017...will-the-senior-podiums-look-like-in-san-jose
- Joined
- Oct 14, 2017
In regards to Ashley going back too LLL, this is a very similar move that Gracie made leading up to 2014. Gracie was not performing very well (even with Frank) in her gp events in 2013. She switched her sp for nationals, and then she won the title and was 4th in the olympics. I think if Ashley made the right decision switching, she can build her mental and physical momentum leading up to Pyeongchang. I think If she makes the team, she should get at least the fs in the team event, just as a practice run on the international stage, and if that goes well, does everything she can to will herself to the Olympic podium (if she’s on top form and the stars completely align for her).
- Joined
- Oct 14, 2017
Lmao let’s do it, Polina was my favorite Russian Lady this season! And the US really needs a new crop to push the current crop to do more
Agreed. Bradie's the only one who has the program/performance combo that would give the U.S. an outside shot at an individual medal. (very outside, but it gives NBC someone to talk about)--and if she's the U.S. Champion, she'll get a PCS/federation-backing bump. Ashley's a crowd-pleaser and Mirai's a sentimental favorite, but that's going to have limited sway in South Korea and the American fed knows that.
I still think it's possible that the team will be Bradie (unless she implodes), either Ashley or Mirai, and then a third--Karen or Mariah are both capable of having a great performance. Very outside chance with Polina--not much skating on her Instagram feed. I'm sure she's practicing, but I don't sense the kind of single-minded focus she'd need to radically improve her performance right now. She'll be better than she was in France, but my guess is the FS jumps still won't be all there. She does know to compete though, so whatever she has, she'll be able to deliver.
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2010
Sarah Brannen says: "Nagasu wasn't at her best all fall, but she always shines at the U.S. championships."
Has she watched a Nationals since 2008?
All I'll say is this: doesn't exactly look like Miss Tennell is going to be flying under the radar any more.
At least not in the way Edmunds did in 2014 (no one had her in their predictions IIRC)Note that I still think the pressure will be mostly on Wagner, Nagasu and Chen to make the Team, while Tennell is still mostly looking at things from the outside.
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2014
I wouldn't count Karen out yet either. She had a lackluster Grand Prix last year and then killed it at nationals. If she does that again she will earn a spot on the team.
The ladies event this year is going to be intense. I just hope it's intense because everyone throws down great skates- not because it is a splat fest. These skaters have all worked so hard, people are going to be disappointed but I hope everyone can look back and know they did everything they could.
The ladies event this year is going to be intense. I just hope it's intense because everyone throws down great skates- not because it is a splat fest. These skaters have all worked so hard, people are going to be disappointed but I hope everyone can look back and know they did everything they could.
She was fourth that year--I remember a charming, but not brilliant performance. Polina was second, Ashley was third. Grace, of course, was first. I've always wondered how Polina would have done at Worlds that year--she had that wonderful short.
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2014
Nationals is always more exciting in an Olympic year. My wish is all the Ladies skate brillently, that the judging is fair and honest. That the 3 medalists get to go to the Olympics. And those who lose, including their fans, are gracious and not throw a hissy fit about how they were robbed.
In 2016 her boot split in her short program. They made a quickie repair and she skated a near clean long.
Yeah agreed, her boot split during her short which I think caused her to pop her triple toe into a double toe. I also remember a few of the elements afterwards she executed, but they looked a bit off (probably due to her boot being split). So she lost some points. But given what happened it was actually a good save on her part and she skated a fairly clean long program after her boot was temporarily repaired. I'd say that was a pretty good nationals for her, given what she was working with, and she ended up getting to go to worlds in her home country after Polina withdrew, where she placed in the top 10. She also placed 2nd at 4 continents that year.
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2013
Mirai traditionally has a great short program at Nats. It's her FS that can be the undoing. 2011 was also a good year for her. First in the short, third in the FS including zero points for a botched spin. Bronze at 4CC's behind Miki and Mao. Also the year of tibia-gate, so she didn't go to Worlds.
2012 Nats was arguably her weakest performance in BOTH segments of the last decade. 2013, 3rd after the short by about 5 points and fighting through the flu. She couldn't keep it up in FS. 2014 was a respectable 3rd place, 2015 - 4th after the short - two points behind 2nd place, but then she clipped the boards early in the FS and was injured for the rest of the skate - resulting in her lowest finish at nats - but showed guts to continue on. 2016 4th place - as already mentioned - silver at 4CC's and a top 10 Worlds, which she was probably underscored slightly as the 3rd US lady, getting no favors with Ashley and Gracie getting all the home court push.
Fingers crossed and prayer circles for two solid programs and another Olympic birth for her!
2012 Nats was arguably her weakest performance in BOTH segments of the last decade. 2013, 3rd after the short by about 5 points and fighting through the flu. She couldn't keep it up in FS. 2014 was a respectable 3rd place, 2015 - 4th after the short - two points behind 2nd place, but then she clipped the boards early in the FS and was injured for the rest of the skate - resulting in her lowest finish at nats - but showed guts to continue on. 2016 4th place - as already mentioned - silver at 4CC's and a top 10 Worlds, which she was probably underscored slightly as the 3rd US lady, getting no favors with Ashley and Gracie getting all the home court push.
Fingers crossed and prayer circles for two solid programs and another Olympic birth for her!
