Alysa Liu announces Comeback

[TallyT]

This is really exciting for US skating. Women's skating is where he money has been made (sorry Nathan).

To be fair, I know very little about him but I doubt that Nathan Chen ever expected or promised to be the one to Make US Skating Great Or Popular Again. That was officialdom. Why it is that Japan and Korea (and China by proxy) can properly celebrate their top men and NA can't is... well, sad, yes.

How exciting. Defending world silver medallist and teen sensation Isabeau. Comeback much hyped now a women Alyssa. Another comeback from constant injury in Bradie Tennell. Triple Axel Queen Amber. and the complete skater Ziegler.

Let's be just a little kinder this time around and hold off on the great expectations, shall we? That's what did Alysa the first time. I'm just glad there are the two of them to share the hype (along with Malinin) and to maybe, just maybe, create a decent rivalry narrative and star quality. And hope that Alysa achieves what she wants this time and doesn't regret leaving when she did or returning now.

Canada sadly has nothing, absolutely nothing in ladies).

Canada is less dismissive of their men, remember - alas, they don't have any of them in the top tier either, but at least being open to all gives more opportunities for stars to be made.

If Liu skates to a similar level as before, I think she will surely be number one in the US. In fact, quite easily.

That shiny silver medal (one up on Alysa in 2022?) around Isabeau's neck may actually bring her more reputational points than you might assume.

 

[DancingCactus]

As long as she refrains from using weepy ballads, since that is what makes you "mature" apparently, I'm happy.

 

[Skater Boy]

I am sure Liu has a plan with her team and she is a young woman now so she probably has some idea what direction she wants. It may be strategically a weep ballad or warhorse who knows. It is going to be a great season. Ava, Alissa, Isabeau and Amber are all in particular going to be fighting hard for the US team.

 

[icewhite]

well the show program that was shown lets me fear the worst

I would hope for her to stand out against the misery...
but if she's into weepy ballads, what could one say?
I just hope she's not choosing them for tactical reasons.
If I was a judge I'd deduct 5 points for another awful sad cover anyway.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

I am so excited for her upcoming season.

Here is a video from the beginning of June. Planets were performed by various skaters at this show with live orchestra.

Here is Liu skating to "Venus"

 

[macy]

I am so excited for her upcoming season.

Here is a video from the beginning of June. Planets were performed by various skaters at this show with live orchestra.

Here is Liu skating to "Venus"

i still can't believe what kind of shape she's in after not even touching the ice for two years and only being a few months into her comeback. it's kind of insane. i can't wait to see her by the time fall rolls around. her and Bradie's comebacks are by far going to be my highlights for the coming season, i wish both of them successful, healthy comebacks.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

i still can't believe what kind of shape she's in after not even touching the ice for two years and only being a few months into her comeback. it's kind of insane. i can't wait to see her by the time fall rolls around. her and Bradie's comebacks are making me very excited for the new season, i wish both of them successful, healthy comebacks.

Me too, I'm most excited to see both of those ladies have a wonderful season!

 

[Skater Boy]

Alysa does look good already for the lack of training - real good. I have to admit whiel I am excited for Bradie's return I am worried that her turn and time may have passed.

 

[Mathman]

^ You never know. Look at Amber Glenn.

 

[noskates]

Alysa looks like a mature young woman. Looking forward to seeing her compete.

 

[Mathman]

To be fair, I know very little about him but I doubt that Nathan Chen ever expected or promised to be the one to Make US Skating Great Or Popular Again. That was officialdom. Why it is that Japan and Korea (and China by proxy) can properly celebrate their top men and NA can't is... well, sad, yes

In the United States figure skating has always been regarded as a women's sport. From 1948 to 1959 U.S. men won 11 straight world championships and 4 straight Olympic gold medals, but no one in America has ever heard of Hayes Alan Jenkins or David Jenkins and the only reason they have heard of Dick Button is that he was a long time analyst on TV, commentating on the performances of skaters that the American public did care about, such as Peggy Fleming, Janet Lynn, Dorothy Hamill, Linda Fratianne, and Rosaynin Sumners.

Scott Hamilton was successful as a professional entertainer and impresario/entrepreneur with Stars on Ice, which he launched after he could not get a permanent gig with Ice Capades (who wants to watch a man skating?) I would say that Brian Boitano was the first male champion who was actually respected as an Olympic athlete.

Well, times change. Sort of. A little bit. Nathan Chen received as much attention and favorable publicity as was available. He was indentified as a remarrkable talent as a child and the USFSA did everything they could to advertise and advance his career. He did OK in terms of public esteem -- but not Michelle Kwan or Sasha Cohen OK.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

In the United States figure skating has always been regarded as a women's sport. From 1948 to 1959 U.S. men won 11 straight world championships and 4 straight Olympic gold medals, but no one in America has ever heard of Hayes Alan Jenkins or David Jenkins and the only reason they have heard of Dick Button is that he was a long time analyst on TV, commentating on the performances of skaters that the American public did care about, such as Peggy Fleming, Janet Lynn, Dorothy Hamill, Linda Fratianne, and Rosaynin Sumners. Rosalynn Sumners.

Scott Hamilton was successful as a professional entertainer and impresario/entrepreneur with Stars on Ice, which he launched after he could not get a permanent gig with Ice Capades (who wants to watch a man skating?) I would say that Brian Boitano was the first male champion who was actually respected as an Olympic athlete.

Well, times change. Sort of. A little bit. Nathan Chen received as much attention and favorable publicity as was available. He was indentified as a remarrkable talent as a child and the USFSA did everything they could to advertise and advance his career. He did OK in terms of public esteem -- but not Michelle Kwan or Sasha Cohen OK.

You have to take into consideration though, that MK and Sasha were living in different skating times than Nathan. The ladies mentioned skated during the huge popularity in the 90s, Chen did not.

 

[Jontor]

When Alysa last skated, things were very different internationally. Young 15 year olds (mainly from Russia) came each year and put pressure on established skaters.
Now we have new age rules for seniors and there is no Russians.
Alysa might go straight back to the Worlds podium.
Imo, she is/was a much better technician than Levito.

 

[Violet Sky]

I'm so happy and excited about this!

 

[noskates]

I think it's hard to compare popularity from one decade to another. Let's face it - there are so many people in the US that never see figure skating unless they happen upon it on TV. When Scott and Michelle, et.al, skated there were 2 traveling ice shows that didn't cost an arm and a leg and they were well attended. They both featured current champions and past champions and even a smattering of international skaters. The average non-skating fan was able to see the skaters in person presenting fun and wonderful show programs and it peaked their interest. I personally know quite a few people that saw SOI and became fans of figure skating. I don't think that was unusual. I think that led to creating a fanbase that doesn't exist today. Whether you consider it a man's sport or a woman's is really inconsequential. Figure skating needs exposure! This post may be off topic but I was kind of responding to Mathman!

 

[Rebecca Moose]

I'll say it: level 1 spins and double jumps will not cut it on the Grand Prix of Figure Skating. She has some time, but not much. Best wishes to Alyssa.

 

[macy]

I'll say it: level 1 spins and double jumps will not cut it on the Grand Prix of Figure Skating. She has some time, but not much. Best wishes to Alyssa.

this was her first competition back in 2.5 years, and after not even skating at all for 2 years. i don't think it's realistic to expect her to be at a similar level this season. the road back after that long of a break is truly tedious and difficult. she will get there, but probably not this season, and if she does, probably not until the latter half. i think the progress she has shown thus far has been impressive.

 

[FlossieH]

this was her first competition back in 2.5 years, and after not even skating at all for 2 years. i don't think it's realistic to expect her to be at a similar level this season. the road back after that long of a break is truly tedious and difficult. she will get there, but probably not this season, and if she does, probably not until the latter half. i think the progress she has shown thus far has been impressive.

I completely agree with what you are saying. The problem is that many US fans (particularly the large number who seem to dislike Levito) seem to be expecting her to go straight back to being their top female singles skater and are viewing her as some sort of saviour for US figure skating. There is a danger of people setting her up to fail through all their hype (and I don't think Rebecca Moose was doing so - she is usually more realistic).

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

2024 Skate St. Moritz

Event Results for 2024 Skate St. Moritz

ijs.usfigureskating.org

Results from Skate St Moritz in Oakland - of final results of Senior Women - Alysa Liu

They had 6 judges, a referee, and a tech panel of three to judge one program?

 

[gkelly]

They had 6 judges, a referee, and a tech panel of three to judge one program?

That's how IJS works.

How nonqualifying competitions work is that there are many events at all levels.

2024 Skate St. Moritz

Event Results for 2024 Skate St. Moritz

ijs.usfigureskating.org

Skate St. Moritz used IJS for all levels down to Pre-Preliminary, standard track and Excel. Some of the events had multiple skaters, others had only one entry. There was plenty of work for multiple panels of IJS officials to keep busy all weekend.

One advantage of IJS is that the skaters get meaningful scores regardless of whether there are any other competitors in their events.

If you scroll down and look at the scores for the Aspire-level events, etc., you'll see that only ordinals are posted. That doesn't tell the skaters much about what the judges thought of their skating, other than how each judge ranked them compared to the other skaters in the event. If there were only one skater in the event, 6.0 scores would mean nothing.