- Joined
- Sep 1, 2020
I doubt the wonderful fp video of C/J was ever posted. Everyone was looking for it. A lot of people feel music rights was the issue. If that's the case, it should have been mentioned. I don't think it is the case because C/J's performances to this music throughout the season at other comps are posted on YouTube. It's possible that NBC decided last year to only post the gold medal performances, which was short-sighted in the case of C/J. That's why I feel it ironic that C/J's fp was posted this year when they had some problems, and actually placed 3rd in the fp.
I think C/J's fp this season is lovely, but they've yet to skate it with full confidence. Not having the benefit of a normal season has been a hindrance for them, and of course for many athletes. Last season, they had the benefit of working out jump issues in competition which seemed to make them feel more relaxed and confident at 2020 Nationals.
BTW, I don't question C/J 'not being treated as equals at their rink.' I was curious to know whether C/J were also working with Raf (and apparently Jess has been working with 'one of his assistants' -- no specific mention was made of Brian). Raf had been brought in to work with the Knierims initially, so the work continued apparently when Brandon partnered with Alexa. C/J obviously have more issues landing jumps consistently than K/F, so I'm glad to hear some additional assistance is being given at least to Jess. I also wonder a bit how these jump challenges were previously being addressed, since the problems haven't magically just happened.
My curiosity doesn't mean I'm questioning Meno/Sand's judgment or coaching or care for their athletes. We heard from C/J and the Knierims at last season's press conferences just how much Meno/Sand care about their athletes as people first. The situation I was questioning mostly is the outside chatter/ media hype and how difficult that can be to deal with for all involved. The media will tear athletes down as quickly as it builds them up.
There's also the tendency by U.S. fed, which has clearly happened in many instances, whereby they push one athlete over another, or allow the feeding into faux rivalry notions (as with Evan vs Johnny back-in-the-day -- those guys respected each other but the media made it into something it wasn't with U.S. fed sitting back and allowing the depiction). Water under the bridge, but it happened. I don't see anything like that here at all. C/J and K/F are friends and supporters of each other as far as I can see. I don't see that changing. But the media's intentions can be something to watch out for.
The over building up of Mariah Bell this season, particularly at Skate America actually seemed to make Bradie fight harder. Mariah being set up to repeat her performance from last year in order to be rewarded this year was seemingly a huge burden on her shoulders. The pushing of coaches, i.e., Tammy Gambill to work with Tom Z, and then asking Peterson to work with Sappenfield, which he refused that suggestion, is stuff that seems to be overstepping sometimes in the wrong direction, no matter the good intentions.
In the case of K/F, my feeling is they should be allowed to grow and do their thing without unnecessary hype. They need encouragement and support, not hype. C/J and K/F are uber-talented and can push each other and the entire discipline to great heights. So there's no need for U.S. fed or the media to create a 'super' narrative around one team. There's no need to place all the eggs in one basket. The best thing to do is to find ways to nurture all the athletes and give the top teams everything they need to excel.
I think C/J's fp this season is lovely, but they've yet to skate it with full confidence. Not having the benefit of a normal season has been a hindrance for them, and of course for many athletes. Last season, they had the benefit of working out jump issues in competition which seemed to make them feel more relaxed and confident at 2020 Nationals.
BTW, I don't question C/J 'not being treated as equals at their rink.' I was curious to know whether C/J were also working with Raf (and apparently Jess has been working with 'one of his assistants' -- no specific mention was made of Brian). Raf had been brought in to work with the Knierims initially, so the work continued apparently when Brandon partnered with Alexa. C/J obviously have more issues landing jumps consistently than K/F, so I'm glad to hear some additional assistance is being given at least to Jess. I also wonder a bit how these jump challenges were previously being addressed, since the problems haven't magically just happened.
My curiosity doesn't mean I'm questioning Meno/Sand's judgment or coaching or care for their athletes. We heard from C/J and the Knierims at last season's press conferences just how much Meno/Sand care about their athletes as people first. The situation I was questioning mostly is the outside chatter/ media hype and how difficult that can be to deal with for all involved. The media will tear athletes down as quickly as it builds them up.
There's also the tendency by U.S. fed, which has clearly happened in many instances, whereby they push one athlete over another, or allow the feeding into faux rivalry notions (as with Evan vs Johnny back-in-the-day -- those guys respected each other but the media made it into something it wasn't with U.S. fed sitting back and allowing the depiction). Water under the bridge, but it happened. I don't see anything like that here at all. C/J and K/F are friends and supporters of each other as far as I can see. I don't see that changing. But the media's intentions can be something to watch out for.
The over building up of Mariah Bell this season, particularly at Skate America actually seemed to make Bradie fight harder. Mariah being set up to repeat her performance from last year in order to be rewarded this year was seemingly a huge burden on her shoulders. The pushing of coaches, i.e., Tammy Gambill to work with Tom Z, and then asking Peterson to work with Sappenfield, which he refused that suggestion, is stuff that seems to be overstepping sometimes in the wrong direction, no matter the good intentions.
In the case of K/F, my feeling is they should be allowed to grow and do their thing without unnecessary hype. They need encouragement and support, not hype. C/J and K/F are uber-talented and can push each other and the entire discipline to great heights. So there's no need for U.S. fed or the media to create a 'super' narrative around one team. There's no need to place all the eggs in one basket. The best thing to do is to find ways to nurture all the athletes and give the top teams everything they need to excel.
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) But I appreciate hearing the actual information, although I have no trouble with speculation, which is also fun.
