Is Mirai even training anywhere under a coach?
She hasn't said she's coming back for Nationals 2019, and if she's not training for it, I can't see her just showing up willy-nilly and winning---that happens only in the movies.
At 2018 Nationals, when a determined Mirai was training heavily day in and day out, she couldn't beat a revitalized Bradie Tennell, who'd finished 9th at 2017 Nationals. And Mirai didn't beat Bradie at Olympics or Worlds, either.
A year later and Mirai has been away from figure skating pursuing red carpet celebrity post 2018 Worlds, while Bradie has been upping her technical and performance skills.
It may be fun to dream about Mirai returning to claim US gold, but the reality is it takes more than just a dream. Mirai put in a lot of work last year to get to the top, and almost made it, but it seems as if she just stopped at that point. Other skaters, not just Bradie, are putting in the time and energy it takes not only to get as high as they can go, and once they get there, to stay there.
Mirai is currently in Colorado Springs training with Tom. She has had some events, but returns right back to CS as she has all summer. The longest time she’s left was for ice shows in Japan and China.
She could very well decide that she doesn’t want to come back. But that’s her decision. She said she didn’t feel like she would be ready for the fall season because she gained some weight and didn’t think she could be back in shape for the fall.
As far as I’m concerned, Mirai has nothing left to prove. She should skate again this time for just pure enjoyment, without all the pressure and politics.
