2018-19 U.S. Ladies' figure skating

[brightphoton]

Does Caroline Zhang still plan to compete? I was under the impression that both she and Grant were retiring after this past season.

This was a while ago, so the situation may have changed, but after 2018 Nationals, Caroline made an Instagram post about re-learning the salchow, so that shows an intent to skate competitively
https://www.instagram.com/p/BeKAEJtjXZ0/

Here she is attempting a quad salchow on the harness a week ago
https://www.instagram.com/p/BiGatEPF4G5/

 

[Bluediamonds09]

People are feeling bad for Mariah Bell. Again she’ll have to beg for Raf’s attention now that he has Marin and Ensoo (?) . Hopefully she gets good programs!!! Mariah actually has many great skating qualities. But so does Angela Wang....

 

[bubblecherry]

Me too. But then I think, what would be her motivation to punish her body for another year? She could compete for the US title and maybe GP medals, but those are things she has already accomplished.

She would have a great shot at winning the US title, maybe she's not the frontrunner, but she's either the 2nd or 3rd US lady and could snatch it with good, clean programs. Hopefully when her mind is more clear after SOI and DWTS are over, she'll decide to go for another season.

 

[bubblecherry]

Not sure how valid this is but I heard Karen is looking for a new coach. I'd like to see her with Raf and I think having rink competition could help her get into a good competitive mindset (which she obviously lacks most of the time)

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

Here she is attempting a quad salchow on the harness a week ago
https://www.instagram.com/p/BiGatEPF4G5/

I wish Caroline would get this same height on her triples. It would do wonders for her GOE.

 

[mrrice]

People are feeling bad for Mariah Bell. Again she’ll have to beg for Raf’s attention now that he has Marin and Ensoo (?) . Hopefully she gets good programs!!! Mariah actually has many great skating qualities. But so does Angela Wang....

I think Mariah needs to go coach shopping. If Patrick Chan actually begins to coach, I think she should call him. Raf doesn't seem to have confidence in her and now that he's taken Marin into his stable, I think Mariah needs to be somewhere where she's the top dog. I'm not willing to write her off the way that others have.

 

[oatmella]

Not sure how valid this is but I heard Karen is looking for a new coach. I'd like to see her with Raf and I think having rink competition could help her get into a good competitive mindset (which she obviously lacks most of the time)

Is Karen currently training with a coach in Michigan?

I think lack of attention could be a concern if she moves to Raf

 

[el henry]

I have to say, and this seems as good a place to say it as any, that if Raf and Brian O. took half the skaters that everyone wants them to take (including me, at least when it comes to BO) they'd be working 24/7/365

I would suspect Karen is in Michigan this week because flying out to California in between midwest SOI stops is daunting without a reason like SOI, and she doesn't have the midwest home base that Jason and Bradie are currently enjoying. Pure speculation however.....

 

[Mrs. P]

I have to say, and this seems as good a place to say it as any, that if Raf and Brian O. took half the skaters that everyone wants them to take (including me, at least when it comes to BO) they'd be working 24/7/365

I would suspect Karen is in Michigan this week because flying out to California in between midwest SOI stops is daunting without a reason like SOI, and she doesn't have the midwest home base that Jason and Bradie are currently enjoying. Pure speculation however.....

She's been in Canton on non SOI days for a few weeks now. Her brother, an ice dancer, has been training there.

 

[el henry]

She's been in Canton on non SOI days for a few weeks now. Her brother, an ice dancer, has been training there.

Interesting. I'm obviously not as good at tracking the Karen rinks as I am at tracking the Jason rinks.

 

[oatmella]

Raf is already taking on quite a few new skaters as it is - I don’t really know if Karen would get a lot of attention Team Raf or if she has ever really considered switching to him

 

[withwings]

I wish Wagner would have a courage to leave Raf and to move to Canada, to Orser, and to make a fresh start again. I know it never will happens but can i,

 

[chuckm]

Reportedly, Medvedeva is moving to Orser. If that is true, Brian is unlikely to take on another lady. In general, Brian is reluctant to coach US skaters because of the US documentary requirements for elite coaches.

 

[Ballade88]

Any updates on Starr Andrews? Is she getting any GP assignments? She is someone who I wished could get a more renowned coach like Rafael. She has so much star power (pun intended) and potential. In my opinion, she is the future of US figure skating.

 

[Hevari]

And what about Tessa Hong? Yes, she's not a shining star right now, but still a good junior skater that can grow up and become a top spot contender in the future. Coach Tom Z knows what to do...

 

[Hevari]

I agree about the coaching change...who would you like her to work with? Is Rafael a chance if Ashley retires?

Maybe Tom Z?

 

[Ice Dance]

Any updates on Starr Andrews? Is she getting any GP assignments?

She isn't guaranteed any GP assignments based on her season's best or world standings scores. We won't know who receives the extra invitations for GP events until June. And we won't know who is likely to receive them until we know how many athletes are declining to compete this season. Starr is ranked 52nd on the season's best list, and I think below about 7 U.S. ladies, which is pretty far down the list for being selected for an invitation. However, because this is a post-Olympic season, some of the athletes above her--and significantly some of the U.S. ladies above her--aren't likely to compete the GP. So an invitation is possible. The best way for Starr to control her own destiny, though, is to go out on the summer circuit and win. It would be a very good argument for her to earn a Skate America host berth and the support of USFSA if she doesn't get a GP invite but replacement spots open up. (Which, again, is pretty likely to happen in a post-Olympic season). She placed well at U.S. Nationals so even if she doesn't get a GP, she should be invited to Challenger events.

 

[StitchMonkey]

Any updates on Starr Andrews? Is she getting any GP assignments? She is someone who I wished could get a more renowned coach like Rafael. She has so much star power (pun intended) and potential. In my opinion, she is the future of US figure skating.

He coach actually does work with Raf. In fact Derrick Delmore has been seen in the K&C with Adam Rippon more than once when Raf was not available. So I suspect she has access to him for tech/expertise is needed and wanted. I think she is happy where she is, but does have an extended behind the scenes support network.


I am kinda expecting her to get SA this year... I am expecting Mirai Bradie and Starr at SA this year.

And what about Tessa Hong? Yes, she's not a shining star right now, but still a good junior skater that can grow up and become a top spot contender in the future. Coach Tom Z knows what to do...

Pretty sure she has moved on from skating.

 

[Hevari]

Pretty sure she has moved on from skating.

Why?

 

[Hevari]

By the way - does anyone know what's with Tyler Pierce? I know she was injured and since then no information about her