2020-21 US Women's Figure Skating

[drivingmissdaisy]

Geez, Alysa didn't even try triples here. I'm not sure it was a good idea for her team to let her compete if she's not fit or healthy enough to jump better. We saw her do most of her triples not too long ago so I'm not sure what happened.

 

[Fireplace7890]

I saw Audrey, Alysa, Bradie, and Mariah. I started watching 15 minutes late though, so I may have missed someone.

Starr Andrews skated at the top of the show.

 

[natsulian]

It’s... an... exhibition? Why would we judge based on an exhibition? Let’s wait until Nov 15 when the actual team competition airs.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

It’s... an... exhibition? Why would we judge based on an exhibition? Let’s wait until Nov 15 when the actual team competition airs.

Ah ok. It looked like a SP I only watched Alysa's skate on YouTube.

 

[Amei]

How do you figure that? The US ladies were doing just fine last season and had a great chance of getting that 3rd spot back before this virus came along. Only Russia had a obvious stronger ladies team last season and the US was doing as well as the Japanese team which hasn't been the case for years. Pairs is still the weak link where winning a medal on the GP is still cause for celebration. Younger skaters like Ting and Hanna Harrell being hurt all last season hasn't helped with the depth either. Speaking of is Ting going to compete at all this season? If she's healthy she needs to get out there and show what she can do. She still i think has the most potential of all of the younger ladies coming up but can't afford to sit out another season.

Well, Alysa Liu was the only skater with jumping elements that could compete with the Russians and the Japanese ladies last year, and while I've not seen the Japanese ladies perform we have seen a good number of the Russian contenders for the ladies team and they are not multiple steps back from their form last season, Liu is. Even if you just look at the Russian skaters that are the same age as Liu and will be competing as seniors in the Olympic season they are much better packaged for senior skating; Liu's packaging is still cute, little girl.

 

[katymay]

Well, Alysa Liu was the only skater with jumping elements that could compete with the Russians and the Japanese ladies last year, and while I've not seen the Japanese ladies perform we have seen a good number of the Russian contenders for the ladies team and they are not multiple steps back from their form last season, Liu is. Even if you just look at the Russian skaters that are the same age as Liu and will be competing as seniors in the Olympic season they are much better packaged for senior skating; Liu's packaging is still cute, little girl.

Last year I think Mariah and Bradie both looked far stronger-(and maybe they will again by March). I figured they would finish below the Russians, and below 2 of the 3 Japanese girls and Young You. Optimistically 6th and 7th. This year I think they both might be edged out by Leona and Haein Lee (finally eligible I think), pushing them down to 8th and 9th. But by Worlds both might look as strong as they did last year, and stuff happens to other skaters. As far as that 3d spot though, I think it less likely this year than it was last year.

 

[katymay]

Geez, Alysa didn't even try triples here. I'm not sure it was a good idea for her team to let her compete if she's not fit or healthy enough to jump better. We saw her do most of her triples not too long ago so I'm not sure what happened.

Even the doubles were none to impressive. (Yes, it is an exhibition but still....). I think Alysa changed coaches because she wanted to skate in a more elite environment-a rink where there were a number of top level skaters. Can't blame her for that. But, thanks to the virus that didn't come to pass. Nor are things likely to change in the foreseeable future. What she ought to do is make amends and go back to her old coach-like Zhenya pretty much had to do.

 

[macy]

i don't know about anyone else but Alysa's skate screamed injury to me. she had landing problems on doubles...that makes me very very worried. was it planned to not do any triples? if so, why? her triples have always been easy for her. she has clearly gone through some body changes this year, but this is very uncharacteristic of her.

 

[kwanatic]

Last year I think Mariah and Bradie both looked far stronger-(and maybe they will again by March). I figured they would finish below the Russians, and below 2 of the 3 Japanese girls and Young You. Optimistically 6th and 7th. This year I think they both might be edged out by Leona and Haein Lee (finally eligible I think), pushing them down to 8th and 9th. But by Worlds both might look as strong as they did last year, and stuff happens to other skaters. As far as that 3d spot though, I think it less likely this year than it was last year.

I'd agree with this. The loss of momentum really sucks for the US women, in particular Mariah and Bradie who aren't as young as some of the Japanese and Russians. Losing momentum and training time may hurt them (and other older skaters) more than the younger ones who can bounce back a little quicker. I definitely felt as though they would have managed that 3rd spot last year.

Loena definitely has the technical firepower but she's still trailing in the PCS. Same for Haein. If Mariah and Bradie can put up strong TES they can getby on PCS; but if they struggle, they could definitely lose ground.

I feel like Mariah's programs aren't as strong this year. Her SP is nice but I'm still not feeling her FS. I'd prefer to see her go back to her FS from last year or year before last even. The jumps have to be stronger as well. Mariah is so good in every other category but the jumps can be scary at times. Her decision to scale back her content may work domestically but she'll get buried internationally.

Bradie's programs aren't standing out this year either. I see what they're going for in the SP but I don't think it's landing the way it needs to. I do see the potential in the FS though but it still needs more performance-wise.

It's a much tougher road to 3 spots this year but it's still possible...

 

[natsulian]

Give Alysa time. If she's going through changes in her body alongside injuries, that is hard enough.

 

[Skatefan15]

i don't know about anyone else but Alysa's skate screamed injury to me. she had landing problems on doubles...that makes me very very worried. was it planned to not do any triples? if so, why? her triples have always been easy for her. she has clearly gone through some body changes this year, but this is very uncharacteristic of her.

Yeah, I think she just might be injured right now. Because in the ISP challenge, she was landing triples and they looked pretty good (given everything going on). I hope (if she’s injured) that she’s feeling better now.

 

[Skatefan15]

Last year I think Mariah and Bradie both looked far stronger-(and maybe they will again by March). I figured they would finish below the Russians, and below 2 of the 3 Japanese girls and Young You. Optimistically 6th and 7th. This year I think they both might be edged out by Leona and Haein Lee (finally eligible I think), pushing them down to 8th and 9th. But by Worlds both might look as strong as they did last year, and stuff happens to other skaters. As far as that 3d spot though, I think it less likely this year than it was last year.

I agree, the US ladies got hit really hard when worlds was cancelled. This year, I’m not really sure if they can earn the 3rd spot, if there is a worlds. And I know it’s still early but the Russians, Japanese, and Loena are all looking a lot more prepared (at this moment anyway). Also, Bradie and Mariah’s programs were a lot better last year imo and it’ll be interesting to see how an international panel views their programs this year.

 

[bubblecherry]

I agree, the US ladies got hit really hard when worlds was cancelled. This year, I’m not really sure if they can earn the 3rd spot, if there is a worlds. And I know it’s still early but the Russians, Japanese, and Loena are all looking a lot more prepared (at this moment anyway). Also, Bradie and Mariah’s programs were a lot better last year imo and it’ll be interesting to see how an international panel views their programs this year.

Yeah, I’m almost certain they would’ve gotten 3 spots last year. They would’ve been behind the 3 Russians and probably Rika, if she had delivered. But the other Japanese ladies were not performing as well last year, and Mariah & Bradie certainly had momentum on their side and were delivering consistently. Young You would’ve been a factor but it would depend if she landed her big elements. I say they would’ve went 5 & 6 or 5 & 7 at Worlds. It was a huge loss to not be able to compete. The Japanese ladies are looking much better this season, Russians still unbeatable, and two Koreans. Plus Mariah and Bradie both look weaker technically, in consistency, and their programs are much worse this year.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

Four months is a long time for Bradie and Mariah to get back to their peak. Bradie reintroducing the loop combination is a sign that she's feeling confident enough to start take bigger risks, and Mariah has it in her to skate two strong programs. They're both solidly behind the Russian/Rika tier, but they can beat (or lose to) anyone in that second tier.

 

[Skater Boy]

I have great confidence that Bradie, Alysa, Mariah or Karen will get the Americans three spots.

 

[creaturelover]

Polina Edmands just posted an announcement of her retirement on her Instagram.

 

[Amei]

I have great confidence that Bradie, Alysa, Mariah or Karen will get the Americans three spots.

If it's Alysa that won't be available till after the 2022 season.

 

[eterislouisvuitton]

We have to keep a few things in mind with Alysa.
1. She is 15. She is not done growing. This is only the first wave of growing pains, but not the first signs. You could tell at jr worlds that it was going.
2. We don't know her full situation. In the age of the virus, there are a million things that could be causing her bad performance or sudden change in appearance. Don't attack her please
3. This is her foundation. She was taught to jump like this, probably rushed to jump triples and quads too early, therefore the unsustainable technique. It will be hard for her to fix this problem.
4. The pressure. I cannot tell you how much pressure there is on teenagers today to look a certain way and to go to great extents to do so when they are perfectly healthy. Add skating to that, and Alysa is already facing a lot of pressure on her body. She is a child. Sometimes you wake up, taller, heavier, and then have to adjust before it happens again. Such is puberty. Is it not allowed for athletes to go through puberty and struggle?

I hope that she will gain her form bac. There will likely be no competitions this season. But I am not optimistic that she can make the Olympics, let alone be the savior for the US.

 

[hulksmash1337]

I’ve said it before, Bradie has been propped up a lot in PCS, GOE, uncalled URs and edges. Good for her, but Mariah getting the same treatment because she’s finally started delivering relatively consistently isn’t surprising and it’s not some slight against Bradie. These two are hardly separated in planned BV, and Mariah is obviously stronger artistically and in some GOE. They have different strengths/weaknesses. I don’t like either of their programs this year. Bradie’s programs and Mariah’s FS are especially subpar. Karen Chen was rightfully given the highest PCS at SkAM, and honestly neither Bradie or Mariah should’ve been much higher than Karen or Audrey, if at all.

Bradie Tennell isn't so great? Are you kidding me? When was the last time you saw a skater with such an ability and movement in their jumps? Bradie puts the game on another level, and we will be blessed if we ever see a skater with her skill and passion for the sport again. Alysa Liu breaks records. Nathan Chen breaks records. Bradie Tennell breaks the rules. You can keep your statistics. I prefer the magic. And her haircut.

 

[NAOTMAA]

Teaching correct technique doesn't require a skater to be a certain age. Alysa could have easily learned it the correct way at the age she started. It's from who and how she learned it that is part of her current problems (beyond the normal body changes and pressure) not when she learned it.

If its true, as some people have suggested, that her father is VERY involved and driven (to put it kindly) at making Alysa a champion then chances are the reason for her suspect technique is more due to a rush for quick fast success and pressure on her early coaches to get it done rather then learning too early. Look at Liza, she was practicing all the difficult triples at 12 and competed at her first Russian nationals at 11 but didn't attempt a 3A in competition until she was like 18. Alysa's team could have easily done similar and paced themselves, they didn't have to rush her to senior nationals and hype her up as fast as they did.

But when all is said and done it's definitely not over and it's too early to proclaim her a victim of not coping with growing up. She's still young enough to fix it and make it work. The question is will she get it back fast enough for 2022 as everyone on her team seems to be aiming for. If it doesn't happen then oh well but if they do it right then there is always 2026. It won't be the end of the world