- Joined
- Jun 26, 2012
Oh I certainly agree on that. A good result indeed, and yeah, presentation will come.
2017-18 State of U.S. Ladies Skating
- Thread starter R.D.
- Start date
Oh I certainly agree on that. A good result indeed, and yeah, presentation will come.
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2018
Except she was posting on her instagram story of her at/going to/from practice nearly everyday after the Oscars. She had solid weeks of training. Why do people say things with no validity as if they're true? Most skaters took a few days off after the Olympics, why is it held against Mirai because she went to the Oscars instead of going home? So ridiculous. Being slammed online simply because she didn't do a jump that no other lady in the competition did either.
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2014
But clean in past comps don’t imply clean today. And besides, Shin Amano was equally tough on everyone. Perhaps Mirai got away in the past as the callers were not as strictly relentless as Amano? Besides when I rewatched her Olympic performance, she had a lot more snap and attack on her jumps. In contrast, just by the naked eye, I could tell that the 3T on the backend of her combo looked suspect and a strict caller like Amano carroted them. The only call I disagree was the 3Lz which was to be justifiable to be a !. Otherwise, I am all fine for a very strict tech caller as that will incentivize skaters to ensure their techniques are pristine.
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2018
I see 2 possible UR and the others within the 1/4 borderline zone that they're allowed to be in. The callers were definitely less strict on the last group (especially the JPN ladies) compared to the previous groups. Relative to Mirai and Mirai only, I think her rotation issues have improved this season. She's still flawed but in my opinion there's been improvement.
Well, US ladies do not deserve a 3rd spot at this point so I'm fine with this. Maybe I just don't care any more...
Besides, the results are pre-determined.
No - after a 10(!) year competitive career, she's understandably looking to move on.
It's a vicious cycle, one I see repeating itself over and over again. Frankly this was an issue even DURING the Kwan era, but US was just lucky there was enough talent/mental toughness in the pool to remain near the top.
Nice thought though...
Kimmie was when it rose to the surface. There's a differenece between an underlying symptom/trait and it being on the surface. Now that it's on the surface they have to DEAL with it. It'll be to thier detriment if they don't.
The issue with the Americans has never been talent as there are a few that could compete with the best, but they have trouble delivering when it counts. This goes back to mental toughness an conquering nerves. The best athlete on paper doesn't always deliver. That's why I began by commending Bradie on her toughness.
I don't disagree that this is an issue that USFS needs to (FINALLY) tackle. But I think everyone also needs to realize that it's not JUST USFS at work here - it's the press, it's the judges, it's the coaching staff, it's the TV commentators, it's the skaters themselves, and yes, it is the fans too. It's endemic in the US skating community. It's going to take a cultural shift in thinking to turn things around. Just take a look at this thread as an example
More directly within USFS' control is how they prepare skaters and structure the competitive system in the US. I'd argue that should be their priority number one.
Also, I don't think you can teach mental toughness. You either have it or you don't. The best you can do (besides physical fitness) is prepare for any scenario, in HOPES that the competition anxiety can be somewhat reduced. You hope that your skater has it, but if she doesn't...likely not much you can do as a coach.
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2016
Rooting for Ting Cui and Bradie Tennell next season for the USA. There’s no one else to get excited about. I say send Ting and bradie to high profile coaches and choreographers and have them train together. I also say stop turning champs camp into a “love thy team members” speech and an “honor the greats before us” lecture. get these skaters tough and prepared.
Bradie was invited to skate in the gala!
https://twitter.com/Melon4everMelon/status/977568804870832129
https://twitter.com/Melon4everMelon/status/977568804870832129
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2016
I agree. (Although I am also excited about Alysa Liu but she's not age eligible for even JGP), Also champs camp in theory is a good idea but your'e right.
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2014
awwww!! I can't wait to see.
Bradie must be doing something right to get invited to skate in the gala.
They always invite the top 6.
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2017
But the Federation has more contact with the skaters. They are the ones that set the tone that everyone else picks up. There needs to be an admission of the damage this tone does.
You have to start somewhere, right.
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2018
I think next season Bradie should switch up the style of her programs. I don't know her as a person but on the ice she's not graceful, delicate, fluidity, etc. as her programs call for therefore she doesn't sell it. If she did something more mature and powerful it might would work for her. Something where her stiffness would be an advantage and not a distraction.
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2012
Congratulations to Mirai 
, who won one of Professional Skaters Association's 2018 EDI Awards for Best Performances at the 2018 Prudential U.S. Championships in San Jose, CA.
So glad that Mirai was recognized for "total performance" :yay: (and not technical ability alone).
Thanks to Mirai, Bradie, and Mariah for representing the U.S.
Not criticizing Ashley, but her wording on Instagram was slightly different. Meaning this part:
To me, her Instagram sounded as if her thought was to take a break from competing in 2018-19??
But her tweet re "period" of rest does not sound like a reference to the 2018-19 season??
Will have to patiently wait to see what the upcoming months/years hold for her. I wish her the best.
Hope Ashley, Mirai, Bradie, and Karen have a great tour with SOI.
, who won one of Professional Skaters Association's 2018 EDI Awards for Best Performances at the 2018 Prudential U.S. Championships in San Jose, CA.... The award is based on the "total performance" with an eye to costuming, presentation, music selection, choreography, style, and technique. Winners were determined by a committee present at nationals that reviewed all long and short programs at the junior and senior levels for each discipline. ....
Mirai's FS won for the Ladies discipline;
Ross' FS won Men;
Madi H/Zach's FD for Ice Dance;
Tarah/Danny's FS for Pairs;
Skyliners, SC of New York, Senior FS for Synchro.
http://www.skatepsa.com/psa/Best-Performances.html
https://www.facebook.com/ProfSk8rsA...977363114767/1735691303143357/?type=3&theater (Mar 23)
Mirai's FS won for the Ladies discipline;
Ross' FS won Men;
Madi H/Zach's FD for Ice Dance;
Tarah/Danny's FS for Pairs;
Skyliners, SC of New York, Senior FS for Synchro.
http://www.skatepsa.com/psa/Best-Performances.html
https://www.facebook.com/ProfSk8rsA...977363114767/1735691303143357/?type=3&theater (Mar 23)
So glad that Mirai was recognized for "total performance" :yay: (and not technical ability alone).
Thanks to Mirai, Bradie, and Mariah for representing the U.S.
Not criticizing Ashley, but her wording on Instagram was slightly different. Meaning this part:
... I made the choice to ... take an intentional season of rest away from skating ....
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgZcGNqgYHy/?taken-by=ashwagner2010 (Mar 16)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgZcGNqgYHy/?taken-by=ashwagner2010 (Mar 16)
To me, her Instagram sounded as if her thought was to take a break from competing in 2018-19??
But her tweet re "period" of rest does not sound like a reference to the 2018-19 season??
Will have to patiently wait to see what the upcoming months/years hold for her. I wish her the best.
Hope Ashley, Mirai, Bradie, and Karen have a great tour with SOI.
I hope the usfsa continues to promote developed technical excellence and artistic expression - not just focus on triples and quads at a young age. For the immediate future Bradie has sound technical skills which can be greatly enhanced with the right artistic training and choreography. She seems to have a tight-knit coaching group now and I hope they are open to new ideas and opportunities for Bradie. I also agree that Ting Cui and maybe Angela Wang (if she can get her jumps in order) have potential. Alyssa Lui seems to have great potential in 2-3 years; let her keep building a strong foundation and finding her voice on the ice. I'm sure there are others but I'm of the opinion that Mirai, Polina and Courtney have had their days and will/should move on. Just an opinion. Mariah Bell is a question to me. Seems to have some potential but not seeing the results.
Sorry, but I'm afraid Angela Wang, much as I love her, fits in the same category as Mirai and Courtney (Polina's unfortunately persistent injury puts her in a slightly separate category). Angela is 21, has competed at every Senior Nationals since 2012 and has never finished higher than 7th.
Internationally, she has two gold medals to her credit: a JGP medal in 2012, and a 2017 Bavarian Open gold medal. She has been on the podium at some summer and Challenge events, including a silver last summer at the Philadelphia Intl, bronze at the 2015 US Intl FS Classic, and silver and bronze at 2014 Challenger events. But she has come up short at the bigger events: She finished 8th and 9th at her two GP events, one in 2014 and one in 2015. She was 9th at 2018 4CC.
Angela just seems to crumble when faced with serious competition---it's almost as if she doesn't believe in herself. I certainly wouldn't put her in the same category as Bradie Tennell and Ting Cui.
