2020-21 US Women's Figure Skating

[skatinggold]

That was definitely better skate.

Wow I am actually quite surprise, the long program is very good. Music selection is good, program is interesting. She did improved a lot. Her jumps are good. I enjoyed this a lot more than her short. That’s why music selection is so important, if you got some bad music your whole program is ruin like that short program.

 

[natsulian]

The long program is a stunning and her skating skills have improved quite a bit; the movements are held, beautiful, and her edges and stroking power have become stronger. Her rotational speed is just as mesmerizing as ever, so I'm certain she will get back her 3A very soon. I cannot wait to see how she performs tomorrow for the ISP Points Challenge.

 

[bubblecherry]

I’m glad I chose not to comment on Alysa’s SP yesterday. I’ll just go ahead and say that program is absolutely awful and is doing Alysa absolutely no favors. This FS looks pretty nice (the more classical and musical FS worked better for her last year, too) and her 3-3s look the same as ever. Still concerned about her growth and her spins, but I think she can hang onto her 3-3s and probably get her 3a back, too. Still, this would be a great time for someone like Ting to steal the show with Bradie and Alysa not in form, and Mariah having lesser programs than she did last year.

I sincerely hope that Alysa and whoever they put on the Junior Worlds team (who will it be?) can keep 3 spots for the junior ladies. Assuming that competition will happen of course.

 

[oly2018]

I actually don't like the program has much. The music seems really heavy for a 15 year old. The really dark dress probably doesn't help. There are some nice choreographic flourishes, but sometimes it seems like she skating right through the music. I want to see her with someone other than Lori.

 

[el henry]

lutz toe looked clean to me. second combo looks ur. well, I think it was quite important for her to show in this long that she does have 3-3's and she did. it's not like they were squeaky clean even last year anyways. I believe what she needs is the 3a back to be competitive because others can quite outdo her in the ss department. I feel better seeing this though, it is not quite as dire as not even having her 3-3's like we all thought yesterday.

Just to add, she needs to be in canada with her jumps coach. She needs that 3a back!! come on alysa prove everyone wrong girl!!!! (and i hope the new costumes are pretty, not that these aren't )

Welcome to Goldenskate; post long and post often! I also wish that Alysa could be in Canada, I like American skaters in Canada.

 

[askaterfan]

I actually quite like the program!
So much pre-rotation. SO much. Alysa really is such a determined skater.
I worry that Lee Barkell can only do so much in year. The limited time between the now and the Olympics is not on Alysa's side. Retooling your jumps with new technique is a long arduous process. Look at Mao!

I agree but judges don't really call pre-rotation so she's okay on that end from a scoring perspective. If she gets back triple axel she should be okay for the Olympics, at least making the team...

Welcome to Goldenskate; post long and post often! I also wish that Alysa could be in Canada, I like American skaters in Canada.

Thank you!!

 

[dancelion21]

Alysa's performance in the free program was significantly better than the short, and she clearly didn't lose her 3-3s. I imagine she was distracted in her short program since her hair was falling down as she skated, which is why she went for the 2T. The spins looked strong, and the improvement in edge quality and skating skills was really apparent in this program. Her 3-3s look the same as they always did, so she didn't really lose her incredible rotation speed. I have much more faith after seeing the free program.

 

[TontoK]

Setting aside the issue of jump quality, the actual skating looks much improved.

How much of that is a function of natural age/strength and how much is plain old hard work and improved technique... probably a mix.

Will she be able to regain the jumps that catpulted her onto the scene? Time will tell.

 

[Dogo]

Hopefully this will change but she's 1 note in her presentation of being cute and smiley, they either need to focus on adjusting that or give her appropriate music.

Yeah, that's on Lori. Don't know what is Lori trying to make Alysa portray. On a related note, Boyang Jin was also quite smiley on this program (and I personally think he's quite adorable, so sometimes when he smiles it comes off as being cute too)

 

[frida80]

PEople are so ignorant when it comes to body types. Last year people were saying Amber was fat and needed to lose weight. This year, she has a 3A. We really need to get away from this silly idea that overly slender body are the optimal in skating. We all know that over dieting leads to muscle loss, weakness, fatigue, and hunger related issues like poor concentration. She’s growing girl, and I for one can’t wait to see her develop.

That said, I am a hypocrite. I really don’t like when the little ones wear so much make up. But I’ll try to get over it. Be who you want Alysa.

 

[Lunalovesskating]

I really like Alysa's Free Skate and I am glad she still has her 3-3s. I also hope she can go to Canada soon. Being coached over zoom is not the optimal solution. I wish Alysa all the best. She seems like such a sweet girl and works hard to improve herself. She is a sunshine off and on ice.

Alysa barely did her layback spin in both programs and left out the Biellmann position, which makes me wonder if she has a back injury?!

 

[Jeanie19]

lutz toe looked clean to me. second combo looks ur. well, I think it was quite important for her to show in this long that she does have 3-3's and she did. it's not like they were squeaky clean even last year anyways. I believe what she needs is the 3a back to be competitive because others can quite outdo her in the ss department. I feel better seeing this though, it is not quite as dire as not even having her 3-3's like we all thought yesterday.

Just to add, she needs to be in canada with her jumps coach. She needs that 3a back!! come on alysa prove everyone wrong girl!!!! (and i hope the new costumes are pretty, not that these aren't )

Nice post. Welcome to Golden Skate. Post often.

 

[herro]

I'm a bit appalled by the people who started assuming Alysa had lost her 3-3s and speculating about her technical content without much evidence... when it has now become clear from her FS that she seems to be doing all right given the circumstances. I don't post as much as I used to several years ago, but man, this forum has become a lot more aggressive than I'm used to it being!

I think Alysa skated pretty well given the pressures that are on her and the less than ideal training situation. This season is a transitional one for many skaters and I'm hopeful she'll get to where she wants to be over the course of the season.

 

[katymay]

Well she is in the public eye. I don't think the comments are nasty. Just stating the obvious. Her abilities have regressed and with this content she will not be competitive internationall

That was definitely better skate.

lutz toe looked clean to me. second combo looks ur. well, I think it was quite important for her to show in this long that she does have 3-3's and she did. it's not like they were squeaky clean even last year anyways. I believe what she needs is the 3a back to be competitive because others can quite outdo her in the ss department. I feel better seeing this though, it is not quite as dire as not even having her 3-3's like we all thought yesterday.

Just to add, she needs to be in canada with her jumps coach. She needs that 3a back!! come on alysa prove everyone wrong girl!!!! (and i hope the new costumes are pretty, not that these aren't )

Well yes, this is a much better effort. Jumps all look good to me.

 

[jenaj]

Well she is in the public eye. I don't think the comments are nasty. Just stating the obvious. Her abilities have regressed and with this content she will not be competitive internationally.

Did you notice that Kostornaia didn't have her 3A at the Russian test skates? Are you writing her off, too, as not competitive?

 

[halulupu]

Well, kostornaia has actually better spins than last year, still solid 3-3, wonderful ss,speed- yes she was a bit shaky at test skated... but Liu is still extremely slow, lost her spins (ok maybe injury), no 3-3, and barely landed her 2a, bad technique, ss . Not writing her totally off, she still is lovely to watch, seems to have fun, but she is in a much worse position right now than kostornaia,you can't deny

 

[dancelion21]

Well, kostornaia has actually better spins than last year, still solid 3-3, wonderful ss,speed- yes she was a bit shaky at test skated... but Liu is still extremely slow, lost her spins (ok maybe injury), no 3-3, and barely landed her 2a, bad technique, ss . Not writing her totally off, she still is lovely to watch, seems to have fun, but she is in a much worse position right now than kostornaia,you can't deny

In her free program today, it's pretty clear that Liu still has her 3-3s and the SP yesterday was a fluke (probably since her hair was falling down the whole time). The 2A looks the same as it always did, and she clearly improved her skating quality. Obviously, Kosto is the better skater and jumper, but both girls are in a similar position in terms of adjusting to a coaching change and needing their triple axels back, yet no one is writing off Aliona. On the other hand, plenty of people were saying that Alysa's done after watching just the SP in what is essentially preseason after a long break.

 

[natsulian]

If Alysa is or was injured, I truly hope that she's recovered by now. Rumors have been flying amuck and I'm just glad to see her smile and persevere through obvious growing pains. No one is immune to puberty, it is a matter of when and not if. As for Alysa, her body changed drastically and it will take some time to get used to. I truly hope that she begins working with Lee in-person so as to fix her technique. If Caroline Zhang can survive 12 years on the international circuit and fix her technique to the point where she won ISU Championship medals later in her career, so can Alysa. Caroline didn't fix her technique until she was in her late teens so if Alysa starts now, I'm sure the process will be much more rewarding in the long run.

 

[ice coverage]

FWIW, Ting Cui is on the entry list for the Leesburg event (in Dec) of the Championship Series.

As are: Gabbie Izzo, Emily Zhang, Milly Murdock, Gracie Gold, Julia Biechler, Haley Beavers, and many more.

---

Fort Wayne's Battle of the Blades results from this past weekend (with free skates taking place before short programs):

Not a combined event, but top four were the same for Senior Ladies FS and SP:

Finley Hawk, Calista Choi, Emilea Zingas (now representing Cyprus), Isabelle Inthisone.​

Elsa Cheng won Junior Ladies FS and SP.

ETA (on Oct 6):

Forgot to say earlier that I have no idea whether video is available from Fort Wayne.
FWIW, I do not recall seeing any information about live streaming (or official archiving of live streaming).​

 

[tosca]

FWIW, Ting Cui is on the entry list for the Leesburg event (in Dec) of the Championship Series.

Yay! It sounds like she isn't rushing her recovery which I appreciate. I wonder if se will be in ISP tomorrow...