Kimmie: Do you ?Really? think she can...

[soogar]

So can the US send only two ladies if they wanted to? or do they HAVE to send three?

They don't have to send 3(or even 1), but why would they not want to use that spot? Also these athletes spend thousands of dollars to train and compete. It would be very unfair if the USFS decided not to use their 3rd spot.


But they will use their 3rd spot. You want as many chances for medals as possible. Plus they want to develop talent for the future Olympics.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I'm always complaining about questionable judging, and that includes the Americans. It was quite simple up till now. Michelle, Sasha and one more.

Now, with Jenny out of the way, it would be Kimmie, who was becoming the new wunderkind and with a wunderbarish 3A. It looked at the time that she would win over Bebe and Emilie. It didn't matter that Emilie and Bebe had groundbreaking skates at Portland Nationals, the Association was happy with the 3A gal (something to play up)

However, the gal they used to step in for Kwan at Skate America (Alissa) was not only on the podium but actually won the LP and continued in Skate Canada with wins in the SP and LP. She emerged with 'made in Switzerland' spins - the best of the American skaters. We now have 4 gals for one Oly spot -Kimmie, Bebe, Emilie and Alissa.

We presume all the skaters will be at US Nationals. And here is my conspiracy theory (I love those theories because I'm a born muckraker.) I give it to the reader of this post as to whether the USFSA will intervene albeit quietly in having the judges score their choice for the bronze.? I'm sure the American judges are upholding to the Association and a little cheat here and there is much easier in CoP than it was in 6.0. It may be necessary if they all skate their best to have the USFSA choice for the bronze.

Now, if La Kwan decides to step on the ice and take a bow of retirement (we will have to wait at least 30 minutes before the crying stops), in which case there will one more place to decide who goes to the Olys. My selection of the team based on what I think the USFSA wants:

Plan A (with Kwan skating) Kwan, Cohen; Meissner

Plan B (without Kwan skating) Cohen; Meissner, Czisney (but only if she does well in the GPF otherwise it will be Hughes) Bebe comletely disregarded even with a 3A.

Agree?

Joe

 

[attyfan]

... And here is my conspiracy theory (I love those theories because I'm a born muckraker.) ... Now, if La Kwan decides to step on the ice and take a bow of retirement (we will have to wait at least 30 minutes before the crying stops), in which case there will one more place to decide who goes to the Olys. My selection of the team based on what I think the USFSA wants:

Plan A (with Kwan skating) Kwan, Cohen; Meissner

Plan B (without Kwan skating) Cohen; Meissner, Czisney (but only if she does well in the GPF otherwise it will be Hughes) Bebe comletely disregarded even with a 3A.

Agree?

Joe

You want a conspiracy theory -- try this:

Kwan retires, and, Cohen -- with the Nat title ready to drop into her lap -- has a Joubert free skate (remember what happened to him in his Worlds FS after Plushy dropped out?).

 

[Mathman]

You want a conspiracy theory -- try this:

Kwan retires, and, Cohen -- with the Nat title ready to drop into her lap -- has a Joubert free skate (remember what happened to him in his Worlds FS after Plushy dropped out?).

And it's Meissner, Czisny and Hughes at Turino, with Hughes pulling a Hughes!

 

[LBC]

You want a conspiracy theory -- try this:

Kwan retires, and, Cohen -- with the Nat title ready to drop into her lap -- has a Joubert free skate (remember what happened to him in his Worlds FS after Plushy dropped out?).

Sasha will go the olympics regardless of what happens at Nats. 1 bad skate wouldn't change the fact that she is still better than the rest of them minus Michelle. You send your best.

 

[Mathman]

But all seriousness aside, IMHO the USFSA has nothing to gain by rigging the results of Nationals. If Katy Taylor gives the skate of a lifetime and sweeps the field, they could still send Taylor, Kwan (withdrawn) and Cohen (6th) based on past world championship performances, etc., if they want to.

Furthermore, as far as judges holding up competitors like Michelle and Sasha, they really don't have to. Even with bad skates, their overall skill level is so high compared to the rest of the field that high PCSs and GOEs would not necessarily be inappropriate or evidence of skullduggery on the part of the judges.

JMO. Or am I just naive?

MM

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Sasha will go the olympics regardless of what happens at Nats. 1 bad skate wouldn't change the fact that she is still better than the rest of them minus Michelle. You send your best.

That would be a conspiracy but not likley. Sasha is going - win or by bye

It's the other two in quesstion. Will the Association choose discretely? or with a little suggestion to the judges? or the ethical way? Scenario: Bebe places second at Nats with honest judging.

Joe

 

[R.D.]

Let's wait and see how Czisny does at the GPF first. According to practice reports from the event, she's been struggling with her jumps. She might (still) have some boot problems, too.

 

[R.D.]

They don't have to send 3(or even 1), but why would they not want to use that spot? Also these athletes spend thousands of dollars to train and compete. It would be very unfair if the USFS decided not to use their 3rd spot.


But they will use their 3rd spot. You want as many chances for medals as possible. Plus they want to develop talent for the future Olympics.

Thanks for clarifying, although from reading your post I got the idea that you said that the USFS should send ONLY Kwan and Cohen and forfeit that third spot.

 

[SkateFan4Life]

IMHO, Michelle, Sasha, Kimmie, and Alissa will fight for the medals at Nationals.
And, I think Alissa will surprise a lot of people and win one of those medals and qualify for the Olympic team. This young woman won silver at skate America (with very short notice) and won gold at Skate Canada. She has strong jumps, lovely carriage, excellent spins, and she looks great on the ice. Mark my words, she will surprise a lot of people at Nationals.

Michelle is the big question mark, as far as I'm concerned. Although the US judges LOVE her and would dearly LOVE to award her the marks she needs to win her 10th national title, they simply can't play snooker with the marks and give her great marks if she skates poorly. This will be a live telecast, folks, and the fans will erupt with catcalls, boos, and throw stuff on the ice if a judging farce takes place.

My picks:
Gold - Sasha
Silver - Alissa
Bronze - Kimmie
Pewter - Michelle

Now the question is -- do the judges try to bump Alissa or Kimmie off the team to make room for Michelle? I say they can't play snooker, even for one of the biggest icons of the sport.

What do you guys think?

 

[LBC]

My picks:
Gold - Sasha
Silver - Alissa
Bronze - Kimmie
Pewter - Michelle

Now the question is -- do the judges try to bump Alissa or Kimmie off the team to make room for Michelle? I say they can't play snooker, even for one of the biggest icons of the sport.

What do you guys think?

If it happens like that 4CC's determines the olympic team. Sasha goes at Nat. champion. Alissa has got a GPF appearance and a 2nd so she goes. Between Kimmie and Michelle at 4CC's and whoever wins goes. Wouldn't have any controversy that way.

 

[rob43]

In that scenario- I think they would name Kwan provisionally and ask for a test skate Jan 30th to make the decision.

If Michelle places anywhereclose to that podium I think she'll go. And the truth be told if she has her basics back it looks like they plus her footwork, spiral and improved spins may give her a 2 jump advantage on the other ladies. (which means 4-5 celan triples and an 'on' night earns her a podium spot.) It's an interesting game to watch team Kwan plan strategy.

 

[soogar]

Thanks for clarifying, although from reading your post I got the idea that you said that the USFS should send ONLY Kwan and Cohen and forfeit that third spot.

To further clarify, what I meant was that the third spot will most likely be decided on the skates that happen at Nationals. Sasha will go to the Olympics and if Michelle decides she wants to go, I highly doubt the USFS will not consider putting her on the team. Personally, from what I've seen at Marshall's, Michelle should not have any trouble healing in time to do well at Nationals. She already is almost there (at least rotating a 3 lutz and skating decent programs). However I would hope that if she is not fit enough to make the team that she won't hog a spot from someone else who is just to go to the Olympics. She's already been to two Olympics and if she can't do it at Nationals or even do well at a test skate, she shouldn't go to the Olympics just because she can. Everyone else is working hard and just because they haven't been competing well for 10 years doesn't mean their efforts should be discounted. Michelle has been declining in the standings the past two years and I don't think a bronze medal in worlds from 2 years ago (with no GP events and only 2 Nationals) should automatically put her on the team over other skaters who have been competing the past two years and outskate her at Nationals. I don't think that the USFS should kowtow to sentimentalism and put an unhealthy skater on the team over a healthy skater. Esp since Michelle is unlikely to medal at the Olympics.

 

[R.D.]

I'm no Kwan fan but I sense her being counted out again. I know she has a LOT to deal with right now, but I think she'll pull out the stops. She may or may not be good enough to win, but it'll happen, given she recovers fully. I fully expect her in the top three.