How Do Carriere and Abbott Fit in the US Nats?

[siberia82]

I had very odd feeling (I'm an unusually intuitive person, just so you know) before the start of the GP season that this would be the beginning of the end of for Evan, and that the true rivalry for the US title would be between Johnny and Jeremy. I also expected that we would see the rebirth of Ryan. (Only Stephen escaped my sixth sense---I couldn't get any "readings" from him.)

I may be Canadian, but I'm VERY excited about the current crop of American male figure skaters. I've always loved Johnny and Jeremy, and I'm quite fond of Ryan Rockin' Bradley. (May we Canucks adopt him? We have a few gifted "artistes", but we're missing a funky showman---and no, I'm not sold on Vaughn Chipeur. You guys can adopt Shawn Sexy Sawyer in return! )

 

[Buttercup]

Of course the system still needs adjusting, the PCS scores are often like presentation scores earlier = the skater with a reputation will be held up.

This does happen sometimes - but to me, the bigger issue is that the judges still don't use the PCS correctly. Instead of evaluating each of the program components separately, judges tend to give similar marks for all five, regardless of what happens on the ice. That's not right; the marks shouldn't be so strongly correlated all the time. Sure, some people are excellent across the board, but often we see skaters can with strong skating skills but weak interpretation, or get a skate with fantastic choreo and interpretation but not the best performance/execution. The PCS should reflect that.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I think two good ones in a row tells us something.

Bradley in Paris

Abbott in Russia

Stephen (and Johnny) in Japan.

All four skaters have potential for the Finals. There is no Lambiel, no Daisuke, no Buttle, But there is Tomas, and Lysacek is hanging in there by a thread if the Fab Four mess up.

 

[luvsasha]

What about Patrick Chan or Takahiko Kozuka?

 

[siberia82]

What about Patrick Chan or Takahiko Kozuka?

They're pretty much a lock for the GPF (barring some sort of disaster---though that's certainly not impossible considering the freaky occurences which have been happening with the guys lately!)

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

What about Patrick Chan or Takahiko Kozuka?

And Joubert!! Sorry I neglected these three but I made up for it in the TEB thread in the Events Section. So, if we are talking finals there is something to say about many and not necessarly predicting.
Weir, Stephen, Abbott, Bradley, Lysacek(?), Chan, Kozuka, Werner, Preaubert, all have the potential to make the Finals but only six will prevail (unless they've changed that). All exceptional skaters! Predicting will not work unless you know which of the group will falter.