2017 U.S. Nationals Championship Ladies SP

[drivingmissdaisy]

I agree. Although Ashley has that silver medal from Boston and Gracie hits every now and then, it's all a coin flip as to who might get lucky at worlds. Maybe someone like Karen will be the one.

Karen's international LP scores are really low, I'm not sure if it's from falls or under rotations. If she stays on her feet without popping jumps, it's hard for me to see her falling out of the top 3. However, being in first is uncharted territory for her so if she skates well with that kind of pressure she probably deserves a spot to go to worlds. My guess is Ashley, Gracie and Mariah or Mirai for the last spot.

 

[stella luna]

Normally I enjoy her insight but I found her annoying this time. It took away from the skating. Too much talking.

If that weren't bad enough, what she says is annoying too, imo.

 

[FlattFan]

If you guys think Mirai or Karen was overscored, you should see Canadian Nationals. I didn't actually watch, but Kaetlyn got 81 which shouldn't be possible without a 3A.

Yup, GOE was outrageous. That is more like a 74-75.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

If you guys think Mirai or Karen was overscored, you should see Canadian Nationals. I didn't actually watch, but Kaetlyn got 81 which shouldn't be possible without a 3A.

It's high, but honestly Kaetlyn is the best skater in the world outside of RUS and JPN at the moment.

 

[Li'Kitsu]

Gracie's 3T as well was UR, which I guess people wouldn't expect given it's her, but on replay it was definitely missed (same at Worlds last year in the FS). They really need to call out these skaters... or at least the tech specialist should go up them after and be like "Hey, I know I need to be lenient so that the skaters get higher scores and seem more competitive when they hit the 2nd half internationals, but clean up your URs!"

Yes you are right - I only focused on the top 3 and should have clarified that, but those weren't the only weird calls.

 

[KatGrace1925]

Karen's international LP scores are really low, I'm not sure if it's from falls or under rotations. If she stays on her feet without popping jumps, it's hard for me to see her falling out of the top 3. However, being in first is uncharted territory for her so if she skates well with that kind of pressure she probably deserves a spot to go to worlds. My guess is Ashley, Gracie and Mariah or Mirai for the last spot.

Karen get's low PCS scores internationally when she skates mostly clean (just a couple <). I think she has been underscored in that regard this year but it will be interesting to see where she lands if she does skate well.

I could see the team being Mirai, Ashley and Miriah. As much as I want Gracie on the team I am being cautious with her current physical state in mind. She's got a little more ways to go before she is the Gracie of last year.

 

[KatGrace1925]

Gracie's 3T as well was UR, which I guess people wouldn't expect given it's her, but on replay it was definitely missed (same at Worlds last year in the FS). They really need to call out these skaters... or at least the tech specialist should go up them after and be like "Hey, I know I need to be lenient so that the skaters get higher scores and seem more competitive when they hit the 2nd half internationals, but clean up your URs!"

I saw that too! I was rewatching the short and the slowmo video came on, it looked like her toepick touched down a half revolution early. But it was difficult to tell from the angle. She did underrotate last year at worlds which is what caused the fall. She did do some good combos in practices this week, so she has it in her, that Lutz was just kind of off so the 3T was pretty tentative.

 

[snowflake]

If you guys think Mirai or Karen was overscored, you should see Canadian Nationals. I didn't actually watch, but Kaetlyn got 81 which shouldn't be possible without a 3A.

I did and she was georgeous! Great jumps, level 4 on spins and steps + positive GOE on all her elements! Watch out for Kaetlyn

 

[kresslia]

If you guys think Mirai or Karen was overscored, you should see Canadian Nationals. I didn't actually watch, but Kaetlyn got 81 which shouldn't be possible without a 3A.

lol, why are you complaining if you didn't watch?

People whine about inflation every year. Get over it already. Everyone, including the skaters, knows they won't get those scores internationally.

 

[Icey]

The judges have every reason to uphold a quality skater like Gracie Gold. Even Eteri said this year if Gracie got it together it would be hard for Evgenia to stay on top. The international community recognizes what potential Gracie has and so do the US judges. And she legitimately earned her score tonight with the fight she put up.

Eteri was probably just playing mind games.

 

[Icey]

Ashley lost first place because she lost levels on her spins. Let that be a lesson for Worlds Ashley.

Mirai's spins are definitely superior to Ashley's.

 

[Icey]

Ashley's overall skating doesn't stand up against not just the top international skaters but even here at Nationals. Her shimmys and head bobs and OTT facial expressions seem to almost be a cover from some of her weaknesses on the ice which the judges ignore. Slow spins few transitions two foot skating.

Sadly, I agree, and she really has the talent not to play the game that way.

 

[sailormoon]

Karen Chen finished third before and she has a chance to win when the best two skaters in America are not in their top conditions. Gracie Gold's problem is psychological but she didn't skate too badly and she still is the competition. Ashley's score was 70.94 and she can easily catch up with Chen's 72.82 after a free skate.

 

[Jammers]

Karen Chen finished third before and she has a chance to win when the best two skaters in America are not in their top conditions. Gracie Gold's problem is psychological but she didn't skate too badly and she still is the competition.

Gracie's problem is also that she is not in top physical condition from taking to much time off during the summer.
I think she now knows never to do that again because she has been playing catch up to the other skaters and it might be to late. While the other skaters were gearing up for the new season Gracie was feeling sorry for herself and not doing the work needed to be ready for the season.

 

[OS]

SP mixed zones interviews

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0DGyRfaBZs

Oh Mirai.... *giggles* Pls keep up your sunny disposition and simply skate and have fun. Sames goes to Gracie!

 

[KatGrace1925]

Eteri was probably just playing mind games.

She was very open in that interview, it was clearly not a mind game but something she has been thinking about. She did say Gracie is good and that even though it would be hard she thinks Evgenia is just as good as Gracie. Gracie is filled with potential and that hasn't gone away with one bad season. She could overcome this and be stronger than ever. It's all up to her. The USFA has been glad have her, because her and Ashley have held onto three spots at worlds together. She's been relevant on the world stage which is a huge stride forward for a US figure skater, so has Ashley. These girls deserve or support.

 

[frida80]

Mirai's spins are definitely superior to Ashley's.

I know. Everyone knows that Karen and Mirai have the best spins. But Ashley still needs to work on her levels. At least that she can fix.

 

[Macassar88]

What was the problem with Gracie finding her opening pose? That was so weird.

She did her free program pose

 

[Mathman]

Karen's international LP scores are really low, I'm not sure if it's from falls or under rotations. If she stays on her feet without popping jumps, it's hard for me to see her falling out of the top 3. However, being in first is uncharted territory for her so if she skates well with that kind of pressure she probably deserves a spot to go to worlds. My guess is Ashley, Gracie and Mariah or Mirai for the last spot.

I forgot about Miriah! She certainly performed the heck out of her music. One mistake and she seems to be out of the conversation. She could easily pull up in the LP.

 

[kalee]

Just for some fun -- these are some predictions based on the following assumptions:
- Skaters who outscored their PB on the SP, overshoot their PB on the FS by the same amount points
- Skaters who didn't outscore their PB on the SP achieve their FS PB

Using US Nationals / Sectionals PBs:
1. Ashley = 70.94 + 148.98= 219.92
2. Karen = 72.82 + (135.13 + 8.16) = 216.11
3. Gracie = 64.85 + 147.96 = 212.81
4. Mirai = 71.95 + (129.20 + 1.72) = 202.87
5. Mariah = 63.33 + (122.90 + 4.48) = 190.71
6. Tessa = 65.02 + (114.38 + 10.6) = 190.00

Using international PB:
1. Ashley = 70.94 + 142.23 = 213.17
2. Karen = 72.82 + (121.11 + 8.36) = 202.29
3. Gracie = 64.85 + 137.41 = 202.26
4. Mirai = 71.95 + 129.68 = 201.63
5. Mariah = 63.33 + (130.67 + 2.41) = 196.41
6. Tessa = 65.02 + (102.24 + 9.21) = 176.47

Using domestic and international PB's both came up with the same pecking order -- and since the rest seem to be in better form (and thus more likely to get close to or beat their PB's) at the moment, Gracie is going to have a tough time to stay in the medals unless she can pull off a clean FS like she did last year.