2021-2022 US Women's Figure Skating

[bubblecherry]

Omg. Isabeau’s new SP is gorgeous.

Here’s a link: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CRIB6XtJSrD/?utm_medium=copy_link

 

[beepboop]

Wow I'm so impressed by the junior ladies! The top 6 could definitely give our seniors a run for their money. Standouts to me today were Lindsay, Isabeau, and Josephine.

Lindsay is technically SO solid. And I actually think she does a good job emoting through her movements. She does need to work on her facial expression and musicality, but hopefully that should be a relatively easy fix.

Isabeau's SP is absolutely perfect for her and really showcases her lovely, balletic style (that extension is *chef's kiss*). Her jumps do worry me a little but I'm hoping she proves me wrong.

And omg, Josephine Lee! What a surprise (at least to me)! Very excited to see more of her this season.

And shoutout to Clare too--I love her and I think she is the full package, but I just don't love her SP

 

[natsulian]

Based on the results of the Junior Cup, I would hand out two assignments to Isabeau Levito, Lindsay Thorngren, Clare Seo, Mia Kalin, Josephine Lee, and Kanon Smith. I would hand out one assignment each to Elsa Cheng and Adele Zheng.

I think that the federation should continue to hold a Junior Cup to determine Junior Grand Prix slots during the middle of summer. Not only was the event one of the most exciting summer competitions, it gave us a glimpse of potential future talent.

The junior women’s event was thoroughly pleasantly surprising. What a talented group of young women!

 

[natsulian]

Links to watch the junior women’s free skates:

1. Isabeau Levito- https://youtu.be/2iExuAbTox0
2. Mia Kalin - https://youtu.be/pA0lAe3ofho
3. Clare Seo - https://youtu.be/uZDF0RQV5Yc
4. Lindsay Thorngren - https://youtu.be/DpEIvvWZPZA
5. Josephine Lee - https://youtu.be/HKhvp7GgA1Y
6. Kanon Smith - https://youtu.be/u1dS6M5NIgk

The rest of the field including Maryn Pierce, Elsa Cheng, Ava Ziegler, Adele Zheng, and Violeta Ushakova is also on the same channel. The channel also has videos of Gabriella Izzo and Ting Cui’s performances.

 

[RatedPG]

Isabeau - nice attempt on the 4T. I don’t like her free skate as much as the short program.
Mia - Amazing height on the 4T. I thought one of them was under rotated. The rest of her jumps are tiny compared to her quad. She went from 40s to 50s in PCS, in one week. I guess that is the power of landing quads. I don’t like her artistry or her skating.
Clare - of course the junior I like the most, is the one who is not attempting any ultra element. Story of my life. Her PCS and skating skills stand out amongst the rest of the American Junior girls. She could focus on improving her spins though. But, she is my favourite American junior
Lindsay - I thought she did much better on the 3A and lutz loop combo than the marks she received. I love her jump layout and even though she skates through her music, I find her jumps to be quite high and impressive. She is now my second favourite junior girl from USA.

I would send these four plus Kanon for two spots to the Junior Circuit. I’m curious to see what the international judges will do to these talented Americans. Who will the international panel appreciate the most? Also, does Audrey Shin get a spot if she recovers from her injury?

 

[halulupu]

levito is very slow and her technique horrid, but somehow she lands those jumps with 0 goe. The rest about her is pleasent. Mia seems to be the only one who can potentially give the russians a run for the podium.

 

[Apple1078]

Based on the results of the Junior Cup, I would hand out two assignments to Isabeau Levito, Lindsay Thorngren, Clare Seo, Mia Kalin, Josephine Lee, and Kanon Smith. I would hand out one assignment each to Elsa Cheng and Adele Zheng.

I think that the federation should continue to hold a Junior Cup to determine Junior Grand Prix slots during the middle of summer. Not only was the event one of the most exciting summer competitions, it gave us a glimpse of potential future talent.

The junior women’s event was thoroughly pleasantly surprising. What a talented group of young women!

I agree. It almost felt like a U.S. version of the Russian junior test skates. Such an enjoyable event to watch!

 

[Lzbee]

Don't know if this has been posted already but I'm loving Bradie's new SP choice. She looks so confident already.

 

[RatedPG]

Wow! Bradie

She is one smart cookie. Love her music choice.

 

[TontoK]

Wow! Bradie

She is one smart cookie. Love her music choice.

Agree. I am very intrigued.

You've come a long way, Cinderella.

 

[el henry]

Agree. I am very intrigued.

You've come a long way, Cinderella.

I have always appreciated Bradie‘s interesting and different music choices; I remember her SP to some sort of percussion heavy music four years ago, very strong and forceful.

And emo accordion definitely fits that bill too

 

[skylark]

Agree. I am very intrigued.

You've come a long way, Cinderella.

Hey! I loved Bradie's Cinderella! The program actually had thought complexity and lovely metaphors for figure skating competition ... but I also loved how Bradie loved and enjoyed it. Still, I suppose many people didn't go beyond making a face at a Disney theme. Oh ... but not you, Keemosabe.

 

[TontoK]

Hey! I loved Bradie's Cinderella! The program actually had thought complexity and lovely metaphors for figure skating competition ... but I also loved how Bradie loved and enjoyed it. Still, I suppose many people didn't go beyond making a face at a Disney theme. Oh ... but not you, Keemosabe.

LOL, you're correct. I liked Bradie's Cinderella.

But her recent SP selections are definitely more out of the box... more interesting.

 

[macy]

Isabeau showed a lot of grace and fluidity in that short program. she is very balletic and seems on the right path with interpretation. however, her jumps need a looot of work. she loses quite a bit of speed due to the bent over takeoff and she telegraphs quite badly. this unfortunately is really going to hold her back internationally.

 

[macy]

sorry for the double post, but oh my goodness- CLARE SEO. she FLIES. i don't think i've been this impressed by a skater since i first saw Kostornaya in 2018. give her a little more time to refine her skating, and watch out. she will be a senior national medalist. she absolutely was lowballed in PCS and should have had at least the highest SS of the group.

 

[bostonskaterguy86]

But her recent SP selections are definitely more out of the box... more interesting.

I've so enjoyed watching Bradie explore artistically the last few seasons! She takes so naturally to Benoit Richaud's more modern, angular choreography. Would love to see that reflected better in her PCS internationally.

 

[Jammers]

sorry for the double post, but oh my goodness- CLARE SEO. she FLIES. i don't think i've been this impressed by a skater since i first saw Kostornaya in 2018. give her a little more time to refine her skating, and watch out. she will be a senior national medalist. she absolutely was lowballed in PCS and should have had at least the highest SS of the group.

Clare sticks out with her speed like Gracie did back in her days in Juniors. Even unrefined Gracie seemed to be at a different level in 2012 among her Junior competitors and was already a Senior in all but name and experience.

 

[katymay]

Based on the results of the Junior Cup, I would hand out two assignments to Isabeau Levito, Lindsay Thorngren, Clare Seo, Mia Kalin, Josephine Lee, and Kanon Smith. I would hand out one assignment each to Elsa Cheng and Adele Zheng.

I think that the federation should continue to hold a Junior Cup to determine Junior Grand Prix slots during the middle of summer. Not only was the event one of the most exciting summer competitions, it gave us a glimpse of potential future talent.

The junior women’s event was thoroughly pleasantly surprising. What a talented group of young women!

The first JGP is about 6 weeks away, so it helps to see the degree an athlete is ready to go. I think TSL said Lindsay is already in France working with Benoit (I was listening on a walk, and sometimes I can't quite catch what they are saying). So, it wouldn't surprise me if she is assigned to the first two JPG's-both in France. I think you want to put your best three in the first three JGP's that are Japan free. Increases the chances that the US skaters can place 3'd-5th after the Russians.
I wonder if Tamnhi, Kate Wang, or Haley Scott will be considered for at least one spot?

 

[natsulian]

For the junior women, I think each has strengths in an area the other lacks. For example, Lindsay excels technically (except for the Flip edge) while she may not be as artistically proficient—something Isabeau excels at. Likewise, Isabeau struggles in the technique department. I think the US junior women will benefit from being sent to specialized coaches that can teach them what they lack. For example, Isabeau should go to someone who can correct her technique and turn her into a faster skater while Clare can go to a technician that can increase her technical content. I think making the junior women more well-rounded by providing resources outside of their main coaching team is something that is a worthwhile investment. This is needed even more considering the depth of the junior women’s field currently. If we can keep this depth and continue to expound upon it while allowing for smooth transitions into the senior ranks, I think some great things are in bound for the future of US women’s figure skating.

 

[spicymacaron]

I think US juniors could actually fight for the podium easily. Sure, the 2 Sofias will probably place above, but I think they could beat anyone else on a good day.