2021-2022 US Women's Figure Skating

[katymay]

Gracie never had slow rotations when she was in her prime she was quick in the air unlike Karen and very rarely underrotated.

Gracie had huge jumping power. She never had tight fast rotation. If you have to chose which to have, it would be the former, because tight fast rotation slows as you grow and age, but leg power is something you are born with, it is a natural thing.

 

[Skater Boy]

Exactly my thoughts about the GP series for Alysa. She barely cracks top 5 at the events with cleanish skates. That cannot be a good sign for her team based on all the hard work she has been doing to improve. She is not even competitive with the Japanese skaters let alone the Russians.

Give Alysa a break. Look at her pcs - the judges like her. Didn't she use to bea Maia, Kamila,, Daria and all. Give her a chance She is the best the US has - though a perfect Chen who knows. BUt rarely is she perfect.

 

[moonvine]

I see many people saying karen should go because "she's the reason we have 2 spots", and while this is partly true, I personally don't think this is a good enough reason. Helping earn 3 spots doesn't give u a spot; it only increases your likelihood of earning a spot, because well, now there are 3 spots instead of 2.
Karen is lovely, and I'm so glad she's now doing the 3lutz-eu-3sal, but do we want to have an embarrassing outing again at the Olympics with our women's team? Falls and pops and the general US audience who only watch this sport every 4 years questioning why they're not so good?

What on earth? I can’t even. I will never be “embarrassed” by our ladies as long as they perform their best. These are athletes that labor long hours in cold ice rinks. There are no US ladies that will medal so to that point it doesn’t matter who USFS sends.

I predicted this mess, though I hoped to be wrong, when Alysa first won Nationals at 13 and the hype started. And it has continued until now she’s had an off season (though still the best of the US ladies) and now people are going to declare Lindsay the next great hope of US women’s skating.

It’s gotten to where I almost hate the Olympics. I would never, ever send an athlete to the Olympics (or Worlds for that matter) who has skated in one minor Senior International competition in their career. Anyone can melt down under the pressure of an Olympics to include Nathan Chen. It’s crazy.

Yes yes I know they sent Polina Edmunds. And I don’t think they should have done that either.

 

[Skater Boy]

Gracie had huge jumping power. She never had tight fast rotation. If you have to chose which to have, it would be the former, because tight fast rotation slows as you grow and age, but leg power is something you are born with, it is a natural thing.

It was good seeing Gracie at least not fall all over the ice. I still think she seems a bit labored and her jumps iffy. I don't agree she has some of the best jumps in the US right now.

 

[moonvine]

Gracie had huge jumping power. She never had tight fast rotation. If you have to chose which to have, it would be the former, because tight fast rotation slows as you grow and age, but leg power is something you are born with, it is a natural thing.

She still has huge jumping power.

 

[moonvine]

It was good seeing Gracie at least not fall all over the ice. I still think she seems a bit labored and her jumps iffy. I don't agree she has some of the best jumps in the US right now.

Well that’s what Johnny thinks. Or did last year anyway. Do you watch the practices?

 

[moonvine]

Yesterday, I was certainly shocked by the Alysa Liu rumors, but today; I'm not so surprised and I do believe them to be true. It is not a coincidence that she just posted her new bangs on Instagram and her close friend Audrey Lu commented "bangs based on impulse" and she responded "YUPP". Also, I feel that whatever decision made was not made by Arthur Liu alone. On Tiktok, Alysa also just posted a tiktok with Arthur (along with others in the past) where they seem to have a very good relationship. If Arthur was the sole, overbearing head of the operation we all seem to think he is, I don't think Alysa would've filmed and posted a Tiktok with him the same day the news broke, especially considering how well Alysa got along with Jeremy and Massimo.

As others have mentioned, Jeremy is doing the Holiday Stars on Ice tour this December and Alysa needs someone working on her jumping technique every single day. Arthur, Alysa, and USFS all understand this. Alysa was also probably quick to agree seeing how close she became to Young You, who trains in Colorado Springs. Yes, I do not believe that Colorado Springs has the best coaches or resources for Alysa to succeed, but they have their backs up against a wall and Alysa needs a place to train until the Olympics. And yes, Jeremy and Massimo have helped her so much, but I think Jeremy has done all he can and after all, this coaching arrangement was always meant to be temporary. I think having You push her in the rink every single day will do wonders for her. Also, seeing how much she improved last year in the months between October-January makes me believe that this was probably the best decision.

Unfortunately, I don't really see who else in the US could help Alysa other than Raf, who probably turned her down already in the past and who would completely break apart and rework every aspect of Alysa's jumping technique, something she certainly does not need at this time. In the end, Alysa is talented. I do have my doubts about whether she will have noticeably improved by nationals, but I don't believe that she will regress in any way.

I think it is foolhardy to switch coaches right now. I can’t think of a time ever when switching coaches 6 weeks before Nationals has helped a skater in any way.

 

[Sasha'sSpins]

I don't follow the ins and outs of his team but I don't necessarily view him not going to this competition necessarily as an indicator of his relationship with Mariah. Part of it may be that she is scheduled this weekend with GP France and next week with GP Russia, it wouldn't surprise me (actually it would surprise me if she did the opposite) if she and Adam stay in Europe this week between France and Russia vs. flying back to the States for a few days only to have to turn around and go back to Europe for another long flight with jet lag/time change, etc. having an assistant coach be gone for a couple weeks is probably less taxing on the rest of the students vs. the main coach being gone.

Before I post this I'm going to say - I'm in no way condoning it, if it is the case

If Raf truly has an issue with not being invested in Mariah any longer, that might not be the case with Alysa, Alsya has a far more promising future competitively on the international scene than Mariah had when she moved to Raf or has now. Alysa has done the big elements in the past.



I do like her programs, but just because she isn't coached by him doesn't mean she can't keep the programs or have him choreograph for her in the future (as long as the split was amicable).

Per her USFS bio, both of Alysa's programs this Olympic season were choreographed by Massimo Scali, not Jeremy Abbott. I do hope that she keeps both until the season ends! It's much too late imo to come up with 2 new programs before Nationals and the Olympics. That being said, Alysa has ventured far from home this past year to train in Italy. Perhaps now that she's a little older she can handle the change to Colorado. I just hope that she's happy, gets a great jump coach and skates lights out at both Nationals and the Olympics. ❤❤

 

[Sasha'sSpins]

Either you have powerful jumping legs, or you do not. Gracie and Karen, for example, have powerful jumping legs, but slow rotation, that can be fixed by a coach, off ice training etc. Alysa has lightening speed rotation, but lacks leg power, I don't really think any coach can fix a lack of leg strength. Her jumps are very small, and they will stay small. Alysa has done the most with the skill set she was born with, and her present team should be congratulated for bringing her this far.

Alysa needs to improve her skating skills and speed. Imo, her legs are powerful enough, but she slows down before launching herself into her jumps. That lack of speed imo kills her momentum, costing her height and time to rotate in the air.

 

[yelyoh]

I think it is foolhardy to switch coaches right now. I can’t think of a time ever when switching coaches 6 weeks before Nationals has helped a skater in any way.

ITA and honestly the move makes me uncomfortable and skeptical and I hope I am wrong. In general there is the tendency to hype anyone who comes along and impresses. I am not on anyone's bandwagon though it is always tempting to jump aboard as it can be fun until the wheels come off (sorry I am into hackneyed metaphors). I started to do that with The Quad God and had to have a reality check. Having said all that, I cannot wait for Nationals in six weeks.

 

[SaDa]

Unfortunately, I don't really see who else in the US could help Alysa other than Raf, who probably turned her down already in the past and who would completely break apart and rework every aspect of Alysa's jumping technique, something she certainly does not need at this time.

I don't really post in this part of the forums but I just wanted to say that it's a shame Raf won't take her, and that we're so close to the US Nationals in an Olympic season. Alysa has always said that she takes motivation from watching Nathan and I think that having her spend some time with someone as textbook as him and Raf wouldn't be a bad idea, even if just for a while. Being successful is a combination of several things, and while it's never just about the coach, I think Alysa has enough talent and drive in her to learn...and if you combine that with a proper coach and a thriving setting, anything is possible. She's also still so young and has plenty of time to make improvements. I know how invested Raf is in Nathan, but Nathan is planning to step away from skating after this season, at least for a while, so that would leave Raf with a lot more time to work with someone else who's talented enough to possibly be a future sensation. I do agree that Raf would probably rework her jumping technique and, unfortunately, we're just not in a good place to be doing something like that at the moment. Well, whatever ends up happening, I wish Alysa luck.

 

[moonvine]

I don't really post in this part of the forums but I just wanted to say that it's a shame Raf won't take her, and that we're so close to the US Nationals in an Olympic season. Alysa has always said that she takes motivation from watching Nathan and I think that having her spend some time with someone as textbook as him and Raf wouldn't be a bad idea, even if just for a while. Being successful is a combination of several things, and while it's never just about the coach, I think Alysa has enough talent and drive in her to learn...and if you combine that with a proper coach and a thriving setting, anything is possible. She's also still so young and has plenty of time to make improvements. I know how invested Raf is in Nathan, but Nathan is planning to step away from skating after this season, at least for a while, so that would leave Raf with a lot more time to work with someone else who's talented enough to possibly be a future sensation. I do agree that Raf would probably rework her jumping technique and, unfortunately, we're just not in a good place to be doing something like that at the moment. Well, whatever ends up happening, I wish Alysa luck.

It’s my understanding Raf is retiring.

 

[elliana]

It’s my understanding Raf is retiring.

Good for him! He'll be 65 next year. That's enough traveling in coach. No pun intended.

 

[SaDa]

It’s my understanding Raf is retiring.

I'm not sure that he's retiring. I thought he said he just wasn't planning to travel coach anymore? I follow news on him and Nathan quite a bit so I imagine I would have heard something if that's the case. Well, whether he officially retires or not, I guess this wouldn't be a possible scenario anyway...which is really too bad.

Alysa needs to improve her skating skills and speed. Imo, her legs are powerful enough, but she slows down before launching herself into her jumps. That lack of speed imo kills her momentum, costing her height and time to rotate in the air.

I'm pretty sure skating skills and speed have something to do with it, especially in the set up and take off of the jumps. If you're more sluggish, I imagine jumps would be more difficult. Marina Zoueva says that Nathan has the talent to do the jumps that he does because of his speed and the agility of his feet. According to her, he skates "fast and sharp". Unfortunately....she also says it's something very difficult to teach and that skaters either have it in them or they don't.

 

[centerpt1]

Staying in one location for six weeks should help Alysa, no matter who is coaching her. She looked exhausted at NHK. On a positive note, Scali and Abbott are now available to help our about to be Sr ladies improve their skating skills.

 

[mrrice]

I think it is foolhardy to switch coaches right now. I can’t think of a time ever when switching coaches 6 weeks before Nationals has helped a skater in any way.

Didn't Michelle Kwan fire Frank Carroll late in the Olympic Season? I remember being completely shocked when that happened. She had her Father coaching her in Salt Lake City. That didn't work out very well for her. I hope this works,

 

[Minz]

Is this whole Alysa switching coaches thing definitely confirmed, or is it still just a rumor?

 

[Moxiejan]

I don't really post in this part of the forums but I just wanted to say that it's a shame Raf won't take her, and that we're so close to the US Nationals in an Olympic season. Alysa has always said that she takes motivation from watching Nathan and I think that having her spend some time with someone as textbook as him and Raf wouldn't be a bad idea, even if just for a while. Being successful is a combination of several things, and while it's never just about the coach, I think Alysa has enough talent and drive in her to learn...and if you combine that with a proper coach and a thriving setting, anything is possible. She's also still so young and has plenty of time to make improvements. I know how invested Raf is in Nathan, but Nathan is planning to step away from skating after this season, at least for a while, so that would leave Raf with a lot more time to work with someone else who's talented enough to possibly be a future sensation. I do agree that Raf would probably rework her jumping technique and, unfortunately, we're just not in a good place to be doing something like that at the moment. Well, whatever ends up happening, I wish Alysa luck.

It is not known whether Raf turned her down or if her team turned him down or even if there ever were serious discussions.

 

[SaDa]

It is not known whether Raf turned her down or if her team turned him down or even if there ever were serious discussions.

I see. Thanks for clarifying that.

 

[Amei]

Apparently TSL (I'm seeing this info secondhand - I don't watch them) is saying Bradie is out at Golden Spin.