Meissner Article

[Mathman]

You got me, Red Dog. You're too hip for the room, as they say in show biz.

BTW, how do you like my new avatar?

OK, I predict Ashley will take sixth and Kimmie fifth.

(On the other hand, we have to add Nakano (replacing Lepisto, IMHO) to Joe's list of skaters who are likely to finish ahead of all the American ladies.)

 

[Wrlmy]

Disregarding results from nationals, there are ladies who have posted higher scores at senior international events than Ashley this season. Yu-na Kim, Mao Asada, Joannie Rochette, Sarah Meier, Carolina Kostner, Laura Lepisto, Caroline Zhang, Kimmie Meissner, Yukari Nakano. Caroline isn't eligible. Ashley will be most likely to beat Kimmie Meissner and Laura Lepisto and possibly Sarah Meier (depending on how Ashley fares in pcs). Then, there are five ladies who will probably place ahead and Ashley + Miki Ando who came back strong at Japanese National. If these records are any indication, I think Ashley will place around 7th. I'm assuming at least two of the top 6 ladies will implode so Ashley can take advantage of it. Then, she can place as high as top 5, which will be one of better debuts.

 

[cassieandcheetah]

Disregarding results from nationals, there are ladies who have posted higher scores at senior international events than Ashley this season. Yu-na Kim, Mao Asada, Joannie Rochette, Sarah Meier, Carolina Kostner, Laura Lepisto, Caroline Zhang, Kimmie Meissner, Yukari Nakano. Caroline isn't eligible. Ashley will be most likely to beat Kimmie Meissner and Laura Lepisto and possibly Sarah Meier (depending on how Ashley fares in pcs). Then, there are five ladies who will probably place ahead and Ashley + Miki Ando who came back strong at Japanese National. If these records are any indication, I think Ashley will place around 7th. I'm assuming at least two of the top 6 ladies will implode so Ashley can take advantage of it. Then, she can place as high as top 5, which will be one of better debuts.

I admire Ashley's athleticism, but she doesn't have the gracefulness of a whole-package skater as I envision an Olympic champion should be. She can land her jumps, but much like Emily Hughes her performance can seem quite forced and not so smooth. She just seems to muscle her way through everything. I very much prefer skaters like Rachel Flatt and of course Mirai. I think Mirai has a great future.

 

[GoldMedalist]

Ashley isn't really graceful but I think she has good musicality. It's a less traditional style and I hope she continues down that path. Not everyone needs to be a light little feather out there.

 

[dutchherder]

It's strange that you say that Ashley has a "less traditional style" because from the first time I saw her skate, I thought she had more of an old-fashioned style. I couldn't put my finger on what it was at first, but during Nats, I figured it out. She has more crispness of movement than a lot of the girls today, more like one of the skaters from the 70's and before-- the kind of crispness taught to cheerleaders, twirlers, kids in marching band, and some dancers-- so that every movement is seen by a large crowd. Since the Kwan era, girls have attempted to emulate her fluidity, but unfortunately aren't able to achieve it, and end up with lots of wispy, throw-away moves. Because of that, I find Ashley's skating a breath of fresh air. Ashley's skating style, combined with her modest costumes and hair in a ponytail, give her an earnest, all-American-girl presence that I quite enjoy.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Despite any 'not ready yet' comments, I think Ashley will be the big surprise as Kimmie was in Calgary Worlds. If Kimmie gets back to her normal self, the US will have 3 ladies for 2009 Worlds. If Bebe hits I think she will get scores high enough to be in top 10.

What some armchair posters should look for in 4CC is how cool these skaters are under fire. All skaters get nervous. How well they handle that will factor into the winner. It's their dress rehearsal for Gothenburg, and the European Ladies are waiting for them.

Joe