2025 U S.Nationals Senior Women's Free Skate

[CoyoteChris]

I'm not sure what to say about Amber's scores. They are much more generous to her than other skaters.

A 9.5 and five 9.0's given for skating skills to someone who skates on two feet? It's not a criticism, it's simply an observation. It's mainly two footed skating. When Isabeau comes back she'll be getting 10.0 for skating skills if they are giving 9+ to Glenn.

A 5 and a couple of 4's for a telegraphed 3A with no running edge?

The 3Lo at this point is a 2Lo given she's almost 270 degrees before even leaving the ice.

On the 3-3 combo, the 3T was at least a q. The 3T had 225 degrees prerotation too.

Liu started well in the free skate, got away with no call on the 2A in the sequence (clearly underrotated don't know how they miss this), but just ran out of energy and there wasn't much power left for the combo in the second half, the step sequence, big mistake on the spin. It feels a little like a hastily put together exhibition program as well with the moving the arms and bopping to the music. It seems like maybe she doesn't have much of a dance background, so maybe they need something that plays to her strengths like with the SP.

It's hard to say whether Liu or Glenn deserved it more, but I'd have to give it to Liu. Glenn defintiely got looked after by the judges more.

Sarah probably should feel a little aggrieved she had two solid performances relative to the top two they really hold her back on PCS the huge 7 point difference between Amber and Sarah is not justified. The 71 PCS Amber receives is what Isabeau was getting (probably a touch overscored as well but justifiable for a beautiful skater like Isabeau), whereas a two footed skater doesn't deserve that kind of PCS.

You can see the temptation USFS has giving such a scoring boost to Isabeau every time, because apart from her jumps she's a class above any of these skaters, but those jumps are already not rotated on most jump elements and the jumps will only become much harder now.

The big PCS they give Glenn at these domestic meets feels like the USFS trying to gaslight ISU judges, and in a way it has worked because she started to get a big PCS push internationally as well because she was always a low 60's PCS skater until recently, and I don't think anything has really changed with her skating. Maybe 1 point, maybe 2 points at most higher than before .

ITA. For the record, I love them all. I have selfies with Amber going back to where she is so young I am not allowed to post them here. I do understand bad calls using this antiquated replay system from the last century...but it is my hope that prejudice isnt in play. In olympic judge Jon Jackson's epic book, "On Edge" he talks about being a USFS nats judge and was told no hanky panky was going on in favor of Todd when Rudy won his nats. The USFS wanted Eldridge to win, but didnt "force" the issue as no one there thought Rudy could put two clean programs together. I hope no politics was at play here also. But politics are everywhere.

 

[museksk8r]

Here is what the policy is from here on age 3:

I would assume these test skates would have to occur by the first week in March to ensure Sarah is given enough time and notice to plan her trip to Boston should Isabeau’s bid get rejected.

 

[CoyoteChris]

Poor Sarah

With the way they overscored the top two and with Isabeau being an automatic selection, the rest of the field never stood a chance.

*Pending Return to Play Protocol...wonder what that exactly means.......?

 

[museksk8r]

ITA. For the record, I love them all. I have selfies with Amber going back to where she is so young I am not allowed to post them here. I do understand bad calls using this antiquated replay system from the last century...but it is my hope that prejudice isnt in play. In olympic judge Jon Jackson's epic book, "On Edge" he talks about being a USFS nats judge and was told no hanky panky was going on in favor of Todd when Rudy won his nats. The USFS wanted Eldridge to win, but didnt "force" the issue as no one there thought Rudy could put two clean programs together. I hope no politics was at play here also. But politics are everywhere.

I love Alysa, but she by no means had the “lights out” skates that Rudy put together in San Jose back in 1996, so you can’t really compare the two.

 

[saine]

I would assume these test skates would have to occur by the first week in March to ensure Sarah is given enough time and notice to plan her trip to Boston should Isabeau’s bid get rejected.

Section 3.1.8 on page 5 goes into further detail on the Return To Play protocol that Isabeau is under. I'm sure that Sarah understands full well that she has a good chance of being called up as first alternate and will need to train with that in mind and USFS has communicated that with her with Olympic spots on the line.

 

[Mathman]

*Pending Return to Play Protocol...wonder what that exactly means.......?

Saine's posts#499 and 505 give the official answer. We may not get any more details until the test skate actually happens.

Michelle Kwan had to go though this procedure in 2006 to be named to the Olympic team. Somehow she "passed." although by she had been so crippled up that she could hardly walk much less skate.

 

[museksk8r]

Saine's posts#499 and 505 give the official answer. We may not get any more details until the test skate actually happens.

Michelle Kwan had to go though this procedure in 2006 to be named to the Olympic team. Somehow she "passed." although by she had been so crippled up that she could hardly walk much less skate.

Exactly! Then Emily Hughes got the call and had to be flown to Torino before the start of the women’s event. Such a time lapse doesn’t happen at Worlds, so if Isabeau passes the test, but then shows up to Worlds reinjured and has to WD, then there is no time to fill a replacement, which would be a cruel gut punch for Sarah Everhardt.

 

[Joekaz]

Don't get me wrong. I'm as paranoid as the next guy. There are lots of people who are out to get us.

But figure skaters, skating judges and the USFSA? Naw, not so much.

Being paranoid and being nieve are at two different ends of the spectrum. Im afraid you are much closer to the latter than I am to the former. I take the realist position here.

 

[13children]

Would someone please explain the commentator remark that Sherry Zhang trains with her coach via Zoom? Do they live in different areas?

 

[Mathman]

P.S. About the selection process for Words, the USFSA is following their published and well-circulated rules. Isabeau has the right to petition, She is ranked higher on the selection list than either Alysa or Sarah because of recent body of work, especially 2024 world silver.

This is a funny sport. In 2019 Alysa Liu did a triple Axel and won, beating defending champion Bradie Tunnell (Amber Glenn 7th). In 2020 Alysa did a triple Axel and attempted (but unsuccessfully) a quad Lutz and held offf Bradie (Amber 5th).

In 2025 Amber is the one with a triple Axel, which was enough to nip Alysa and outpoint Bradie.

I have only one word of advice for Amber: Sell it, sell it, sell it! (OK, six words). If you skate well but not perfectly, come off the ice like you just hit a home run. Don't look like you want to shoot yourself. No crying in figure skating!

Rudy Galindo's championship performance in 1996 has been mentioned. Rudy came off the ice with a look on his face like "I just had a dream where I was magically transported to paradise and gave the skating performance of my or anyone else's life!"

 

[sjchilly]

The senior spots are as expected. The junior spots are a bit of a surprisI

 

[sjchilly]

P.S. About the selection process for Words, the USFSA is following their published and well-circulated rules. Isabeau has the right to petition, She is ranked higher on the selection list than either Alysa or Sarah because of recent body of work, especially 2024 world silver.

This is a funny sport. In 2019 Alysa Liu did a triple Axel and won, beating defending champion Bradie Tunnell (Amber Glenn 7th). In 2020 Alysa did a triple Axel and attempted (but unsuccessfully) a quad Lutz and held offf Bradie (Amber 5th).

In 2025 Amber is the one with a triple Axel, which was enough to nip Alysa and outpoint Bradie.

I have only one word of advice for Amber: Sell ut, sell it, sell it! (OK, six words). If you skate well but not perfectly, come off the ice like you just hit a home run. Don't look like you want to shoot yourself. No crying in figure skating!

Rudy Galindo's championship performance in 1996 has been mentioned. Rudy came off the ice with a look on his face like "I just had a dream where I was magically transported to paradise and gave the skating performance of my or anyone else's life!"

Isabeau has the right to petition, but I hope USFSA looks at more than the 2024 Worlds silver medal. Levito had 4 under rotated jumps and 2 edge calls at Skate America, her only competition this year.

 

[R.D.]

Alternate 1: Sarah Everhardt
Alternate 2: Bradie Tennell
Alternate 3: Starr Andrews

Interesting... based on past history I would have figured Tennell to be the top alternate.

 

[RatedPG]

I can understand why Isabeau is on the team. She is the reigning Worlds Silver medalist. She is the only other competitor besides Amber to get a GP medal, this season. Also, I think she has scored consistently 190+ at all her events this season.

But, the deciding factor comes down to the fact Alysa is better than Sarah, while, Isabeau can be better than Alysa and even Amber

If Amber skates great at Worlds, say wins bronze:

Amber - 3rd
Alysa - 7th
Sarah - 9th

They secure three spots.

However, if Amber has a meltdown, and finishes tenth:

Alysa - 6th
Sarah - 8th
Amber - 10th

They only secure two spots.

What these scenarios show is that Sarah is irrelevant to either scenario. She is destined to place below Alysa. So, why not take their chance and put Isabeau, to hit the fence swinging?

 

[Mathman]

Interesting... based on past history I would have figured Tennell to be the top alternate.

I think that the selection criteria has tightened up on the "body of work" thing and now takes into account only the previous 12 months. Bradie did not compete at all in 2023-24. This year on the Grand Prix circuit she got 5th and 5th in her two events, compared to Alysa 4th and 6th and Sarah Everhardt 4th and 5th. Pretty much even.

Alysa gets some small credit for participating in the most recent Olympics (2022) but Bradie does not get any credit for 2018. Isabeau gets credit for a world medal last year, but Bradie does not get any credit for achievements from years past.

 

[yuumagical]

Personally I'm a little surprised that Amber was named to Four Continents in addition to Worlds, given how busy she has been lately and how that appeared to contribute to her not being at her best. I suspect she may want to turn down the assignment and take a break before Worlds.

 

[Weathergal]

Would someone please explain the commentator remark that Sherry Zhang trains with her coach via Zoom? Do they live in different areas?

I'm curious now, too. I hope someone can answer your question.

Welcome to Golden Skate @13children ! As we say here, "post early and post often"!

 

[Mathman]

Personally I'm a little surprised that Amber was named to Four Continents in addition to Worlds, given how busy she has been lately and how that appeared to contribute to her not being at her best. I suspect she may want to turn down the assignment and take a break before Worlds.

I would suppose that the USFSA asked Amber if she wanted four continents? There are plenty of skaters that would benefit from the opportunity if Amber declines. Amber may feel that the more she runs through her programs under competition conditions, the better for her confidence and nerves.

 

[Jammers]

Wow!! The federation truly loves Elyce

Poor Bradie

Tammy Gambill strikes again the USFS really loves her underachieving skaters don't they?

 

[yuumagical]

I would suppose that the USFSA asked Amber if she wanted four continents? There are plenty of skaters that would benefit from the opportunity if Amber declines. Amber may feel that the more she runs through her programs under competition conditions, the better for her confidence and nerves.

It's possible that she may want more runthroughs. It's also possible that Amber may want to try and win a medal there. But she withdrew last year after initially being selected in order to prepare for the World Championships. It very well could happen again.