- Joined
- Oct 14, 2017
He can improve the urs, it’s something about his skaters’ mental confidence that seems to be an issue when they’re training with him. They don’t always seem to rise to the occasion and can get very nervous
2018-19 U.S. Ladies' figure skating
- Thread starter Spirals for Miles
- Start date
He can improve the urs, it’s something about his skaters’ mental confidence that seems to be an issue when they’re training with him. They don’t always seem to rise to the occasion and can get very nervous
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2014
Maybe they are looking at a bigger picture.
TomZ has been wonderfully supportive of Mirai and took her on when people told him not to. Maybe some people want a coach that will give them a clean slate and work with them patiently for years.
TomZ also cited Mirai's boyfriend as a good thing in her life. It was not that long ago (and I think it still happens) that people are told that relationships are too much a distraction and you should focus on skating. Maybe some skaters want to learn the whole work/life balance thing and think interpersonal normal relationships are a good thing.
TomZ is also very pro college. He thinks college is actually a great distraction for skates to learn to compartmentalize. If you are stressed about a class GOOD! Go out and skate and lean to do it with the distraction. So maybe some skaters want a coach of Tom's level that will work with them education wise and not see it as a competing interest.
I think location is also a factor, but I think some people might be selling TomZ short in the big picture department.
EDIT: I just remembered another location factor. The Colorado governor a couple years ago signed a bill into law that if you are a TeamUSA member (I know ParaOlympic training is included but not sure the exact rules) you can qualify for instate college tuition in Colorado. So that could be appealing to some skaters.
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2014
Not a huge fan of Tom Z. as I tend to find his skaters underwhelming for a host of different reasons (Mirai lost artistry and great spins under him, IMO, Max plateaued, Vincent has those UR quads, etc.) but you've listed some great "pros" in Tom's favor that I hadn't really thought about. He considers the whole person, not just their skating results, and that can be very valuable. So thanks
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- Joined
- Aug 29, 2016
Congrats to Alysa Liu for winning the Asian Open! She landed a CLEAN 3a-2t called by the tech panel and garnered almost 10 points for the element! She fell on the second 3a attempt and it was called underrotated (<). She then went on to land a 3loop, which was also called underrotated(<). After these two passes though, she was able to complete the rest of her jumps completely clean. She landed clean 3ltz-3t and 3flip-2t followed by a second 3ltz. Indi Cha ended up fourth in the free skate but fifth overall. Her hardest combo was a 3ltz-2t which she did well, but she fell on 3flip and had a solo 3t called underrotated (<). Ellen Slavicek moved up one place to end the competition in sixth place.
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2017
Alysa never fails to amaze me
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2016
Another US ladies at Asain Open update! Gabriella Izzo is in first after the short, beating Korean Haein Lee, who is jr gp eligible and attempted 3-3. (Izzo did not)
My problem with Tom Z is that he doesn't give a rodent's behind about presentation. All he cares about is jumps, jumps, jumps. I hated to see his name on Vincent Zhou's bio because the last thing Vincent needs is a coach who cares only about jumps.
Look at Mirai's main Olympic performances (not the team FS). She skated without any connection to her music and at one point, was actually grinning ear-to-ear during Miss Saigon, a piece with tragic undertones. Throughout the last couple of seasons, she has skated robotically through her competitions while delivering delightful exhibitions showing lots of spirit and emotion.
IMO, this dichotomy is because on the competition side, Tom Z's sole emphasis on jumps forced Mirai to focus only on the technical during her competition programs, abandoning any attempt at musical interpretation or expression of the character she was representing.
Look at Mirai's main Olympic performances (not the team FS). She skated without any connection to her music and at one point, was actually grinning ear-to-ear during Miss Saigon, a piece with tragic undertones. Throughout the last couple of seasons, she has skated robotically through her competitions while delivering delightful exhibitions showing lots of spirit and emotion.
IMO, this dichotomy is because on the competition side, Tom Z's sole emphasis on jumps forced Mirai to focus only on the technical during her competition programs, abandoning any attempt at musical interpretation or expression of the character she was representing.
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2016
Can anyone confirm if Karen is competing this weekend or not? It’s been radio silence for a lot of US ladies. Maybe only a handful of fans go to the summer competitions so no one knows what’s up?
- Joined
- Sep 21, 2016
Pretty sure she is competing. Haven’t got a formal withdrawal announcement yet or any signs of injury. Unlike last year, where she personally told her story.
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2014
I'm not going to 100% blame Tom for that - I think if you've got fundamentally flawed jumps and have to spend most of your training time/performance energy focusing on them, something is going to be sacrificed. I think Ashley sacrificed skating skills and spins, while Mirai sacrificed interpretation and expression. It's unfortunate for both ladies that, despite their focus on jumps to the exclusion of other aspects of their skating, they never could really consistently nail those rotations.
Kind of off-topic, but I am intrigued by Camden Pulkinen. He has above-average skating skills for a junior guy and is extremely expressive. I hope we see him continue to improve in those areas.
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2014
I don’t know why you’re so worried Karen dropping out.
Maybe only a handful of fans go to summer club comps, but at Liberty (Philly International) quite a few are dedicated GS members. The skaters go to these comps to rack up points toward international standing and for early practice, not for the adoring crowds.Nonetheless, if something happens at Liberty, we’ll know
ETA: according to Ice Coverage, you are right. I’m impressed by your spidey sense
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2012
Karen Chen did withdraw. Officially announced at tonight's draw.
(She also had not attended official practice right before the draw.)
I like all your big-picture thoughts, Stitch.
Sorta on topic, sorta off topic:
(She also had not attended official practice right before the draw.)
I like all your big-picture thoughts, Stitch.
Sorta on topic, sorta off topic:
Emmanuel Savary (new member of Z squad) is a college freshman studying physics and astronomy … per his reply last night to an Instagram question.
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2014
Wow, @bluediamonds should buy lottery tickets
Are you attending again this year, @ice coverage, or do you know this from reporting? Sadly, I am unable to attend this year, but I hope to attend again next year
I can't say I am surprised that Karen withdrew, but I do wonder about what it means for this season. She has been relatively quiet about skating, but has posted about hanging out in Canton with her brother, sponsorship posts, and stuff about the ACT. These skaters deserve to have lives outside of skating, but she has a lot of issues that need to be ironed out. I really wonder what her goals are for this quad.
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2012
Wow, @bluediamonds should buy lottery tickets
Are you attending again this year, @ice coverage, or do you know this from reporting? Sadly, I am unable to attend this year, but I hope to attend again next year
The reporting from the draw is my own.
[Not surprisingly, no reason for Karen's withdrawal was announced.]
Off topic, but FYI for you, el henry: Mr. Ward has been ubiquitous. For one thing, he was at the boards as coach for Dimitra Korri (representing Greece) at International Ladies practice.
At this point in time, I'm just going to go with the theory that athletes who toured post-Olympics generally aren't ready to compete yet. (That they are late finally going on hard-earned vacations, late getting programs, late getting ready to compete.
When we start seeing these athletes showing up for more competitions than they withdraw from, then I will start to worry about the ones who aren't competing. We are undoubtedly getting closer; but with the exception of paid shows, we are currently seeing athletes who had shorter regular seasons last year.
When we start seeing these athletes showing up for more competitions than they withdraw from, then I will start to worry about the ones who aren't competing. We are undoubtedly getting closer; but with the exception of paid shows, we are currently seeing athletes who had shorter regular seasons last year.
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2014
The reporting from the draw is my own.
[Not surprisingly, no reason for Karen's withdrawal was announced.]
Off topic, but FYI for you, el henry: Mr. Ward has been ubiquitous. For one thing, he was at the boards as coach for Dimitra Korri (representing Greece) at International Ladies practice.
Thank you for the reporting and also for the slightly OT comment:agree:; hopefully Mr. Ward will make an appearance next year too
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2014
Clip of Courtney Hicks practicing for DuPage, with a very extended combo spin! Her camel position is lovely and her pretzel position (not sure real name) is pretty awe inspiring:
https://instagram.com/p/Bl_t3UtgXNx/
https://instagram.com/p/Bl_t3UtgXNx/
- Joined
- Oct 14, 2017
Nice! I hope Courtney does well this year, I’ve always been rooting for her
