2021-2022 US Women's Figure Skating

[drivingmissdaisy]

However, on an average day, Alysa is beating the other US ladies handily.

I agree. I think what's changed is that, before the GP season, I thought she'd be untouchable at Nationals. I no longer think that's the case, although she's the clear favorite to win.

 

[mrrice]

I agree. I think what's changed is that, before the GP season, I thought she'd be untouchable at Nationals. I no longer think that's the case, although she's the clear favorite to win.

I still think Alysa is untouchable if we're talking about the current crop of senior ladies. A clean Bradie was the only credible threat and though I love Karen, she doesn't have the technical firepower to threaten Alysa. With Bradie's health still a question mark, the only skater who could snag the Gold from Alysa at Nationals is Lindsay.

 

[Amei]

I still think Alysa is untouchable if we're talking about the current crop of senior ladies. A clean Bradie was the only credible threat and though I love Karen, she doesn't have the technical firepower to threaten Alysa. With Bradie's health still a question mark, the only skater who could snag the Gold from Alysa at Nationals is Lindsay.

Isn't Isabeua Levito eligible? I know she's too young for the Olympics but she could still win Nationals

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

I still think Alysa is untouchable if we're talking about the current crop of senior ladies. A clean Bradie was the only credible threat and though I love Karen, she doesn't have the technical firepower to threaten Alysa. With Bradie's health still a question mark, the only skater who could snag the Gold from Alysa at Nationals is Lindsay.

For the most part, I agree. The reason I thought she was untouchable was because I assumed that, whether or not she lands the 3A, all the other jumps would be completed successfully and with positive GOE as was the case at Lombardia. If that just happened to be one good event and the three other competitions where she scored ~206 reflects her usual form, I think that is a score that Bradie and a few other could top. Having said that, Alysa hasn't had a bad event like most of the other contenders, which is why she is still the favorite IMO.

 

[mrrice]

Isn't Isabeua Levito eligible? I know she's too young for the Olympics but she could still win Nationals

Yes, as we saw with Alysa. She won Nationals even though she was ineligible to go to Senior Worlds. It will be great to see Isabeau and Lindsay at Nationals. Along with Alysa, they are the future of US ladies figure skating.

 

[halulupu]

Amber failed to deliver once again. Will she ever? It is time for us fed to introduce lindsey to the senior scene with a nice politicking push

 

[moonvine]

Amber failed to deliver once again. Will she ever? It is time for us fed to introduce lindsey to the senior scene with a nice politicking push

Wow. I thought she did a lovely job apart from the 3A.

 

[b-man]

I was very disappointed with Amber, having watched her and been somewhat of a fan the last few years. It wasn't just the 3A, the rest of her program she was not sharp and wasn't skating aggressively. She looked good at S/A, getting 67 in short. Both tech and PCS were lower here.

 

[b-man]

there are 5 shows for soi USA. Here is the site https://www.starsonice.com/articles...ld-and-national-champions-this-holiday-season . I know Ashley is confirmed since she has had a substitute listed for her skate and sculpt class for a month now. The schedule has been out since October. I wish they had more locations since I went in 2018 and loved it, but it's not worth flying for.

I think Amber should play it safe and not do the 3a. Maybe once she makes the team she can try to perfect it, but I think her main goal should be getting that third spot. I think Alysa needs a 3a if her goal is a podium at any non US comps

There is time to add additional dates and skaters post Olympics, and I expect it. I fully expect Liu to be added, she could sell a few tickets with Olympic exposure.

 

[bubblecherry]

I still think Alysa is untouchable if we're talking about the current crop of senior ladies. A clean Bradie was the only credible threat and though I love Karen, she doesn't have the technical firepower to threaten Alysa. With Bradie's health still a question mark, the only skater who could snag the Gold from Alysa at Nationals is Lindsay.

I know people want to count out Karen. But if Karen shows up to nationals and lands her jumps, she will be a threat to win. She typically hits her levels and there will be a (deserved) PCS and GOE advantage compared to skaters like Alysa and Lindsay (and Amber, who doesn’t seem to hit her levels and has lower BV) She can convincingly rotate her solo jumps with good GOE and if she can make those combos happen without disruptive errors (even with Qs or an UR) she is a threat, because she’s Karen Chen, and she will be the most highly rewarded for the elements she completes well.

I’m only saying this because people are willing to count Karen out, knowing that she doesn’t need a strong season to be rewarded at nationals, though of course that would help her. So there’s no reason to count her out, really.

With that being said, I’m going to keep manifesting Karen changes her FS combos to 2A3T and 3Lzeu3s.

 

[b-man]

Alysa's the top US lady not because of her clean jumps but because of her competition nerves. Alysa never lets falls affect her performance, it's super impressive. The other US ladies are incredibly inconsistent, very prone to pops and downgrades, and one mistake in the program, especially early on, can derail the whole performance.

Alysa pretty much never pops either. Discounting her performance at that strange Vegas team competition last season when she was clearly adjusting to pubery, she has popped exactly three jumps in her career. A 3Lo to a 2Lo on the JGP, a 3F to a 2F at US Nationals last year, and a 3A to a 1A at Nebelhorn earlier this season. She doesn't fall on her easier triples, and pretty much never underrotates her solo jumps either. She gets qs and <s on her combos in the second half, but the other US ladies aren't exactly known for fully rotating.

The situation where Alysa loses to another US lady would be if something like Mariah's 2020 US Nationals performance happened. Alysa still has a BV advantage on the other US ladies, but it's much smaller than it was when she was a junior, so if another US lady skates lights out, they can absolutely beat her. However, on an average day, Alysa is beating the other US ladies handily.

Well, I half agree with this. I remember 3 yrs ago, at Detroit nationals, Alysa was sold as the new US chosen one, She was sold like Gracie in 2013. She had 3A and quads, and could compete with the Russians. I agree she has great nerves, but so does Bradie. And on any given night, any one of Karen, Amber or Mariah might also have a clean skate with 3-3's and score well. Alysa no longer has a one fall+ Margin without a 3A or quad. I still expect her to win, especially without Bradie, but her margin is gone.

 

[b-man]

We may be different ages. When I say "used to be a big thing" I'm talking about when the tours were selling out all over the country and a skater could make a good living just off ice shows and it was a reason to turn pro and then you couldn't skate as an amateur. So remaining Olympic eligible was a huge sacrifice because you were leaving significant amounts of money on the table. When Tai and Randy were headlining in Vegas. Not when a skater might be able to pick up some extra money touring a little in a post Olympic tour.

No, I am older than dirt, and remember Peggy at Grenoble. I was but a casual fan prior to 2010, and knew little of the ice shows 1995-2005. You see older posters on here denegrating what they call "cheesefests" from that period.

 

[mrrice]

I know people want to count out Karen. But if Karen shows up to nationals and lands her jumps, she will be a threat to win. She typically hits her levels and there will be a (deserved) PCS and GOE advantage compared to skaters like Alysa and Lindsay (and Amber, who doesn’t seem to hit her levels and has lower BV) She can convincingly rotate her solo jumps with good GOE and if she can make those combos happen without disruptive errors (even with Qs or an UR) she is a threat, because she’s Karen Chen, and she will be the most highly rewarded for the elements she completes well.

I’m only saying this because people are willing to count Karen out, knowing that she doesn’t need a strong season to be rewarded at nationals, though of course that would help her. So there’s no reason to count her out, really.

With that being said, I’m going to keep manifesting Karen changes her FS combos to 2A3T and 3Lzeu3s.

If this were last season, I'd agree with you. However, Karen did herself no favors by finishing 10th at Skate Canada. Again, I base my feeling on when the skaters deliver strong programs. At this point. Alysa on her A game is the strongest US Lady we have. Because of Bradie's health, I would put Lindsay in the #2 position and the 3rd is up for grabs. If Bradie was healthy and out there delivering, I'd put her on the team. A clean Amber defeated Karen last year but, she hasn't been spectacular this season. There are too many variables at this time for me to make a solid choice for the 3rd spot. Who knows, Mariah could make a move and take that 3rd spot.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

If this were last season, I'd agree with you. However, Karen did herself no favors by finishing 10th at Skate Canada. Again, I base my feeling on when the skaters deliver strong programs. At this point. Alysa on her A game is the strongest US Lady we have. Because of Bradie's health, I would put Lindsay in the #2 position and the 3rd is up for grabs. If Bradie was healthy and out there delivering, I'd put her on the team. A clean Amber defeated Karen last year but, she hasn't been spectacular this season. There are too many variables at this time for me to make a solid choice for the 3rd spot. Who knows, Mariah could make a move and take that 3rd spot.

At this point, I think it's looking like it will be Alysa (assuming a top 5 finish at Nationals, which keeps her in Group 2 for the selection process) and the two highest Nationals finishers among the others. It doesn't seem like anyone else will move out of Group 3, which will include the National medalists regardless of their international results.

 

[dancelion21]

Isn't Isabeua Levito eligible? I know she's too young for the Olympics but she could still win Nationals

Yes Isabeau could definitely win nationals if she rotates her jumps and Alysa doesn't. As of now, I would say that they're fighting for the US title. Lindsey has also been consistent, but she's less polished than Alysa and Isabeau. It's hard to know what type of state Bradie's going to be in after her long injury. Mariah, Karen, and Amber all have serious consistency problems. One of Mariah, Karen, and Amber could win Nationals if they skate lights out like Mariah did at 2020 US Nationals. Since neither Alysa or Isabeau has consistent ultra-Cs, they're beatable with clean performances. Alysa's a better PCS skater than Isabeau and I personally prefer Alysa's jumps, but Isabeau has been rotating her triple-triples, while Alysa has struggled with the triple-triples in the second half.

 

[bubblecherry]

Yes Isabeau could definitely win nationals if she rotates her jumps and Alysa doesn't. As of now, I would say that they're fighting for the US title. Lindsey has also been consistent, but she's less polished than Alysa and Isabeau. It's hard to know what type of state Bradie's going to be in after her long injury. Mariah, Karen, and Amber all have serious consistency problems. One of Mariah, Karen, and Amber could win Nationals if they skate lights out like Mariah did at 2020 US Nationals. Since neither Alysa or Isabeau has consistent ultra-Cs, they're beatable with clean performances. Alysa's a better PCS skater than Isabeau and I personally prefer Alysa's jumps, but Isabeau has been rotating her triple-triples, while Alysa has struggled with the triple-triples in the second half.

Nationals is going to be so fun! So many different storylines. About 6 girls who could score within similar ranges depending on their form.

 

[mrrice]

Yes Isabeau could definitely win nationals if she rotates her jumps and Alysa doesn't. As of now, I would say that they're fighting for the US title. Lindsey has also been consistent, but she's less polished than Alysa and Isabeau. It's hard to know what type of state Bradie's going to be in after her long injury. Mariah, Karen, and Amber all have serious consistency problems. One of Mariah, Karen, and Amber could win Nationals if they skate lights out like Mariah did at 2020 US Nationals. Since neither Alysa or Isabeau has consistent ultra-Cs, they're beatable with clean performances. Alysa's a better PCS skater than Isabeau and I personally prefer Alysa's jumps, but Isabeau has been rotating her triple-triples, while Alysa has struggled with the triple-triples in the second half.

I can definitely see Isabeau winning Nationals just like Alysa did when she was still a Junior. However, even if she wins, she's not eligible for the Olympics until 2026

 

[dancelion21]

I can definitely see Isabeau winning Nationals just like Alysa did when she was still a Junior. However, even if she wins, she's not eligible for the Olympics until 2026

I just hope that even if that happens, the media doesn't run away with it like they did when Alysa won US Nationals for the first time when she was touted as America's great hope against the Russians. It's just way too much pressure for a girl so young when so many things are in flux. Thankfully, Alysa seems to have a good support structure around her, so she's been able to navigate through it without the pressure collapsing in on her (I hope). Even still, it will likely be better for Isabeau since she's not consistently jumping ultra-C jumps like Alysa was when she won US Nationals for the first time.

 

[moonvine]

No, I am older than dirt, and remember Peggy at Grenoble. I was but a casual fan prior to 2010, and knew little of the ice shows 1995-2005. You see older posters on here denegrating what they call "cheesefests" from that period.

I think it was some pricy cheese. The skaters liked the money I am sure.

 

[moonvine]

I just hope that even if that happens, the media doesn't run away with it like they did when Alysa won US Nationals for the first time when she was touted as America's great hope against the Russians. It's just way too much pressure for a girl so young when so many things are in flux. Thankfully, Alysa seems to have a good support structure around her, so she's been able to navigate through it without the pressure collapsing in on her (I hope). Even still, it will likely be better for Isabeau since she's not consistently jumping ultra-C jumps like Alysa was when she won US Nationals for the first time.

The media will do what the media does. It is an Olympic year and the lady who wins Nationals is going to be under a lot of pressure. If that is Isabeau I'm not sure what they will do but they're not known for doing things that are good for athletes.