2021 US Nationals: Ladies' Short - Thoughts and Observations

[gsk8]

Bradie Tennell breaks Ladies' Short Program score at U.S. Nationals

Bradie Tennell broke the record for the U.S. National Ladies' Short Program score that she set last year, taking first place at the 2021 Toyota U.S.

www.goldenskate.com

“I’m really happy with the way I skated tonight, and I think I really went out there and attacked it,” said the 2020 Four Continents bronze medalist. “I’m just really happy with everything that’s been going on this year that I was able to put out a performance that I’m really proud of.”

What are your thoughts on the Ladies' SP?

 

[brakes]

Lenient judging in Nats is expected, but you gotta call that blatant ur on Braide's 3-3.

My expectations/outcome:
- Bradie +
- Alysa ++
- Mariah -
- Karen =

 

[saturdaysun]

I think the ranking should have been:

Bradie
Alysa
Amber
Karen
Mariah

Surprisingly, Alysa's program was the one I rushed to rewatch.

 

[moonvine]

I think the ranking should have been:

Bradie
Alysa
Amber
Karen
Mariah

Surprisingly, Alysa's program was the one I rushed to rewatch.

It’s so funny how opinions differ. Her program annoyed me.

 

[*~RussianBleux~*]

I might’ve had Amber in second. She absolutely killed the performance and spins. Her triples other than the Axel were fully rotated unlike so many others. Bradie’s 3T has been mentioned but what about Mariah’s borderline << on her 3Lz, Karen’s 3Lo, Lindsey Thorngrens combination, Gabriella Izzo’s 3Lo. There were so many uncalled < in this event. But of course Amber’s 3A was <<. I thought Amber and Bradie were the best performances of the night and their second mark should have demonstrated it over others.

 

[moonvine]

If only Moonvine feels WERE worth points Gracie would be first.

I would not have gone for the 3a in the short unless I were sure I could land it. But I am not an elite level figure skater so what do I know?

It is close. Tomorrow should be exciting!

Poor Starr. My goodness.

 

[alexocfp]

Say what you want, but Alysa sold her program the best. Because if you don’t believe what you are doing, nobody else will.

Bradie is the rightful leader, She went out there and just grabbed the bull by the horns. Just had the look and feel of the leader.

A byproduct of that is that you get the benefit of the doubt on an UR.

Another thing that needs to be mentioned is the funny way Mariah went from riches to rags. Went from the alleged judges‘ chosen one to an also ran.

And definitely a mention for Gracie. Still competing and still giving it a go.

 

[Fourleaf Clover]

I enjoyed Alysa's program the most. There's something about her that's very likeable. On the other hand, the blatant lack of backbone of the tech panel will only hurt their skaters in the long run. Skaters should not be coddled on their tech or they wouldn't know what to improve before they go and compete internationally. Although with the way judging are going on these days.. I seriously have low expectations (sigh..).

 

[alexocfp]

It’s also amazing how much you can stick to the timetable when you don’t have crowds, or more accurately, when you don’t have people throwing gifts on the ice that need to be cleaned up.

I mean, the skaters hit the ice at exactly the times they were scheduled. And that timetable was accurate to the minute even after the resurfacing.

 

[Greengemmonster]

Wheeeeeeee

My favorites are one and two so I'm feeling very happy and chilled.

Alysa looks great! Fighting fit! She's definitely faster than she was before. If she's clean, she will medal.

I love Bradie's SP. It suits her perfectly and I think we're seeing a bit more of Bradie every season. She's very intelligent in terms of the programs she's picked over the years. She went from super bland (I say this as a fan) to someone who has quite a style and personality on ice.

I'm a bit baffled by Mariah's judging. I mean I don't think she should have been higher but I was totally expecting them to randomly cane Bradie and Alysa so I'm...... perplexed

Mariah was their annointed darling. What's going on?

 

[nussnacker]

I'm a bit baffled by Mariah's judging. I mean I don't think she should have been higher but I was totally expecting them to randomly cane Bradie and Alysa so I'm...... perplexed

Same, I thought she made a much bigger mistake to be that lower than the other two, went to watch it, and was surprised that everything actually was fine.

 

[Supernovaimplosion]

Alysa's jumps actually looked better to me than last season? She had more height. Maybe I'm just more partial now she doesn't wear over the boot tights Her program was fun and she committed.
North American ladies really like pop songs.

 

[draqq]

I think Shin Amano would have gone carrot farming with this field.

 

[zounger]

Alysa Liu changed a lot. It's nice to see that girls in US are actually changing at 15 and not at 18-19. I think it's evident that she currently is in the phase of reworking her technic. Overall the program and skate was good but compared to international top level it was weak in details, transitions, difficulty of combinations. Artistically though was very good. Nice to see her skate. If she pass this stage successfully she defiantly has the charisma to be a great skater.

She needs a bit work on speed and on the speed she enters her jumps.

 

[zounger]

Bradie was great. Defiantly an improved entry and 3F. Amazing spins, she has very good changing food sit spin. Also composition wise she looks to take advantage the so called 3D space. Nice footwork too. The minus is the combination. If she can bring a stable 3Lz-3t or 3Lo and add that in the second half, she can be a strong SP contender at top competitions.

 

[RatedPG]

I think Shin Amano would have gone carrot farming with this field.

Shin Amano is the best!

 

[readernick]

Mariah was their annointed darling. What's going on?

I don't think she really is... They are willing to accept anyone who looks reasonably competitive internationally. Bradie and Alysa were looking weaker earlier this season, so they pushed Mariah a bit. Now, Bradie and Alysa are doing better. Karen and Amber ( a personal favorite of mine) also look better than in previous seasons ( although Karen's UR issues are still present) so Mariah will have to fight for her place.

My two favorite programs were Bradie's and Amber's. I am really impressed by how much this SP has improved since SA for Bradie and I love Amber's emotional honest and speed in her programs.

 

[figureskatingandrainbows]

Some of the blatant UR's got called, which is good, but other's weren't. They nailed 16-year-old Audrey Shin with UR's and were less than generous with PCS, but some other girl comes up and is pretty egregious and doesn't get called at all. And, of course, Bradie was clearly UR and not a peep from the judges. If they're not going to call any under-rotations, that's their choice, but it needs to be consistent across the board.

 

[Fluture]

That was a rather.. underwhelming event. Not a lot of things stood out to me. But nevertheless:

1. Bradie. Well, there’s the thing with her. She‘s good, she‘s consistent, she‘s reliable. And she‘s doing her very best to improve on the artistic aspects. But she‘s just... so stiff. She doesn‘t use her knees at all and makes the whole performance look forced. That 3Lz+3T wasn‘t clean either. I thought it should have been 3Lzq!+3T< (maybe even <<). I expected 75-76 considering it‘s Nationals inflation but when they came out with almost 80, I could only shake my head.

She’s a great spinner, though, probably one of the best in the world. Overall deserved first place, just would have reduced the score by about 10 points lol. I think she‘ll win this.

I was pleasantly surprised by Alysa because I expected way less after her struggles this season. But she looked relaxed and happy which was great to see. Much better on skating skills and speed, though she still slows down before entering her jumps. The 3T looked a bit short to me, maybe q. But overall, she really exceeded my expectations. After all she‘s been through and some of the disgusting comments online it‘s really a testament to her strength and character that she‘s out there enjoying herself and being so confident. Hope it never changes!

The program‘s.. bad, though. She‘s a great performer, and so charming, but the choreography is just tacky. She doesn’t have to do a dramatic, intense program, actually, it’s nice to see a fun skate once in a while. But it should have some quality to it. Hoping she gets a better program for the Olympic season!

Mariah.. sigh. I used to love her skating but her programs this season are just not good. It all looks very outdated. No transitions, no speed.. what happened? The lutz looked !, too, but good on her for saving that landing. I have no idea how she did it! I‘ve heard all season how she‘s the darling of the fed, so I expected her to be closer o Alysa/Bradie but it didn‘t happen. Still overscored but not by as much as I thought it‘d be.

Karen is a beautiful, beautiful skater but I always have problems enjoying her skates because I just know the technical panel will be butchering her afterwards. If she ever fixes her UR problems, she‘ll be a top skater. But at this point, sadly, I doubt it will happen. Which is a shame as I much prefer her to Bradie (and Mariah this season, too)

Amber tried the 3A, good for her! It didn‘t fully work out but at least she‘s got it out of the way now. I really like her jumps, they‘re high and powerful. I hope she can hold it together in the FS. I don‘t think she‘ll be among the top 3, but she does have a chance at the pewter medal.

Not much to say about the rest. Sad for Audrey, Gracie and Starr.

 

[macy]

i think USFS is just ready to reward whoever brings it, tonight it was Bradie. i think if Mariah had gone squeaky clean, she likely would have been showered.

Bradie looks much better than she did earlier this season although that was a *blatant* UR that wasn't called on her combo. they really must be pushing her for another title.

Mariah's programs just aren't growing on me, i think both of them are really a miss. i don't get into them, even this short that is more her style than the free.

Alysa was a nice surprise, she has really improved leaps and bounds in PCS and i'm glad her jumps are fine. they even look a bit bigger. next year they need to get away from the cutesy packaging are start making her look like a senior lady going into the olympics.

Gracie showed fight. she is still visibly very concentrated on the technical elements which is why we don't see her performing/interpreting the way she used to, but i'm so happy she's not giving up just because she isn't getting the results she used to, at least not yet. i think if she can start putting together mostly clean skates she will be rewarded.