Nationals excitement?

[sk8addict]

I'm not seeing the usual excitement over the upcoming Nationals. Is it because we got ripped of by St Paul and USFSA?
This will be the first Nationals that I actually sleep in. I've always been up at dawn getting to the 7:30 practices. I'll really miss that.
I wonder how all-event sales are going for Cleveland following the total disreguard of the die hard skating fans by St Paul? I will not trust USFSA again. This "friend of figure skating" will not be turning the other cheek.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I think its the 2009 Worlds that is keeping American fans at bay. This 2008 Nationals will select the 3 Ladies for the 2008 Worlds who must garner 3 qualifiers for 2009 Worlds. If they do not, we send less to the 2009 Worlds.

No real problems for the men. One has to expect at least 13 points in 2008 Worlds.

It's conceivable that the US Pairs will fall short of 3 qualifiers for 2009 Worlds if those teams do not measure up to 13 points at 2008 Worlds. The 2008 Nats is important to get the correct teams in the mix.

No real problems for the Ice Dancers. Even if one team is off the podium the combination of the one team plus the other will be adequate for 2009 Worlds.

So it's just Ladies and Pairs that will be nail biters at US Nationals.

Joe

 

[feraina]

I think part of the lack of excitement is due to the fact that so many of our exciting young ladies (Caroline, Mirai, Rachael) aren't age-eligible to compete at Worlds. And there's all this talk about how judges wouldn't place them deservingly high because of their ineligibility. So it's not even like they have a legitimate chance to do well at National's. What's the fun in watching a National's like that?

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I think part of the lack of excitement is due to the fact that so many of our exciting young ladies (Caroline, Mirai, Rachael) aren't age-eligible to compete at Worlds. And there's all this talk about how judges wouldn't place them deservingly high because of their ineligibility. So it's not even like they have a legitimate chance to do well at National's. What's the fun in watching a National's like that?

If Kimmie is less than 5th at Worlds, you will not see Caroline, Mirai, and Rachael at the Worlds 2009, Maybe one but not all three. If Kimmie is at least 5th and Emilie or Ashley can get an 8th then you may be able to see your dream team in 2009 Worlds.
This US Nationals is very important for US Ladies. Surprised you haven't seen that.

Joe

 

[Mathman]

If Kimmie is less than 5th at Worlds, you will not see Caroline, Mirai, and Rachael at the Worlds 2009, Maybe one but not all three. If Kimmie is at least 5th and Emilie or Ashley can get an 8th then you may be able to see your dream team in 2009 Worlds.

This US Nationals is very important for US Ladies. Surprised you haven't seen that.

Do you mean that this years Worlds is very important for U.S. ladies?

Kimmie and either Emily or Ashley will almost certainly go to Worlds no matter who wins U.S. Nationals. It's their performances at Worlds that are the important thing for 2009.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Do you mean that this years Worlds is very important for U.S. ladies?

No, I mean Nationals which is the stepping stone for Worlds.

Kimmie and either Emily or Ashley will almost certainly go to Worlds no matter who wins U.S. Nationals. It's their performances at Worlds that are the important thing for 2009.

Almost certainly is the modifier, and indeed, we all believe that is the best bet for getting 3 gals into the 2008 Worlds to ensure the future. This, of course, presents two questions: What if one or two do not make the Nats podium (slipery sport rule)? and Alyssa or Bebe or both get on the podium. Will the team now be able to garner 13 points with such a Team at 2009 Worlds?

I still say this is a big US Nationals for the Ladies. Reults are not written in stone. Not a Nationals just to pooh pooh. It's a wait and see who will represent the US at the 2009 Worlds. Those fans looking for pseudo ballet-like performances will have to wait another year, and only if 3 gals are eligible.

Joe

 

[Tonichelle]

I'm excited, just not *here* as my best friend was here for Christmas (She flies out today) and my grandfather (whom I'm named after) is in his last days... so excitement just isn't the word for me right now

I am excited, I got my tickets from my mom last Sunday and I have the winter carnival button for the events happening near the excel (free stuff and coupons came with the button! woot!) and I'll be packing in a few days so that I don't have to worry about that and taking care of the house while my aunt is away taking care of my grampy.

 

[Mathman]

Personally, I think it would be great if the U.S. podium is Alissa, Kimmie, and someone else.

The only thing I hope USFS does not do is either (a) manipulate the judging at Nationals to ensure that one skater or another does or does not make the world team. Or (b) ignore the results of nationals in their deliberations and send the skater that they like best for Worlds rather than the one that skated best.

To me, it is better in the long run for USFS to maintain its integrity than to get three places at 2009 Worlds.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

You raise good points, MM. I don't think any American would like to see the USFS to manipulate the outcome of th 2008 US Nationals. It certainly better to send lesser skaters if they go by their own regulations than go for something which seems better. I hope American fans can be good losers if the worst happens.

But even if Alyssa (for you) and Bebe (for me) do skate exceptionally well, and beat out lack lusters (Emiley and/or Ashley) will the USFS block either or both of them? I think if that were to happen, Emilie would be chosen to replace someone.

The US is hosting the 2009 Pre Olympic Worlds. It really is important to them to show their best.

Joe

 

[Eddie Lee]

Joe. This will be my 4th Nationals (2003 in Dallas, then St. Louis and Spokane). I am more excited about this one than any except 2003. I can hardly wait to see how the classy junior ladies will fare against the more staid seniors. For my money, it would not surprise me if Caroline were to skate her best, and capture the gold! I believe USFS and the public are impatient to crown a truly radiant star. I'm crazy for Emily and Alyssa, but Caroline already has true star quality. She has a ways to go to vie for a World's gold, but she has another year to prepare for that event. Apart from that, it will be interesting to see how the other rising juniors will weave themselves into the senior placements. All of them are special! Can't wait.

And the Evan/Johnny rivalry will be exciting as well. I'm interested in seeing whether Cariere or another worthy junior will end up with a medal, or if they will go to the likes of Abbot, Pennington, Ward, or another older senior who has wonderful skills but faces the battle of nerves.

Dance is pretty predictable, but then there are pairs which remain a mystery with all their injuries. And here, we also have a junior team that is podium worthy if they skate to potential, albeit they are age-ineligible for Worlds this year.

And for any fans that are new to Nationals, don't miss the Junior Competitions!

 

[PaulE]

This will only be my 2nd trip to Nationals after going to Spokane in 2007. While there I went to all the novice and junior practices and competitions that I could (mainly the ladies and pairs). I was so impressed by the junior ladies that I went to Junior Worlds in Oberstdorf. It was great to see more than 50 junior ladies from around the world. My impression of the 3 US ladies was that Caroline and Mirai are beautiful skaters and Ashley is an incredible competitor. It was a privilege to be able to see their performances at Oberstdorf.

Junior Worlds made me even more interested in the junior ladies so I ended up going to the JGP at Lake Placid, then, since I was in England, I went to the JGP in Sheffield. The JGPs were so interesting, I ended up in Gdansk for the JGP Final. I got to see other junior ladies that will be competing as seniors (like Rachael) and juniors that will be staying in juniors for the US Nationals (like Angela Maxwell and Kristine Musademba). I also remember Carolyn Ann Alba and Ellie Kawamura from Spokane that will be in the junior ranks at Nationals.

I am really excited to see how all these girls (and the others that will be there too) perform in their competions. Only disappointed that I won't be able to watch them practice as much as I would like. I totally agree with Eddie Lee.

 

[merrybari]

St. Paul is my very first Nationals and only 2nd live competition - SA was my first - so as you might imagine, I'm VERY excited! Have the Championship weekend package as the core and have added Jr Pairs and Men's FS, Men's SP and the EX to fill it out.

RE: Juniors
Saw Caroline as SA! She has such beautiful presence on the ice I think she's a real podium contender - maybe even the top.

Saw Carriere there too - we have some amazingly skilled competitors coming up the ranks.

Really looking forward to the dance competition. Most recently saw Belbin/Agosto at their benefit along with Davis/White. Always a joy to see. Am really enjoying B/A's softer side this year. Really expanding their skills all the way around and building.

The men's competition is the real draw for me though. Promises to be the highlight once again and this time I'll be there in the seats to see it.

Hope all competitors stay healthy and skate their best. What a show that will be!

19 days and counting - for me!!

 

[NJSk8Fan]

I guess I am kind of a contributor to the decline in skating interest...I don't have much excitement for Nationals. Except for the men, I just can't find any wow-factor or desire to cheer anyone on. None of the skaters are exciting me or making me want to watch.
And the men, I can't decide WHO I want to cheer on to first place...I like different things about both Johnny and Evan, that makes them equal in my eyes.

 

[flying camel]

I'm excited. I can't wait to see it on TV. I hope we get good coverage. I also hope they show a lot of behind the scene stuff. I love that.

 

[merrybari]

I'm excited. I can't wait to see it on TV. I hope we get good coverage. I also hope they show a lot of behind the scene stuff. I love that.

Even tho' I'll be there, I'm really hoping for great coverage to review when I get home. Especially the BTS!

Am equally hopeful IceNetwork will give us cover to cover the way they promise. They did mixed zones, press conferences, pre-event press conferences last year. Hope that wasn't just a teaser but that they mean to do the same this time around, too.

 

[skatergirl45]

I am very excited. Mostly because we have no idea what is about to happen. At least two if not 3+ people have a chance of winning in every event except for dance. That is very exciting for me.

There has not been much pre-nationals press mostly because USFS is mostly focusing on 09 Worlds.................

 

[pista04]

One thing that excites me alot is the amount of ladies contenders. Last year, we all pretty much knew Hughes/Meissner would get podium, and watched Katy Taylor, Alissa Czisny and Bebe for the third spot. This year we have Zhang, Nagasu, Meissner, Wagner, Hughes, Liang, Flatt and Czisny all competing for the podium (and for some, world spots)

 

[jennylovskt]

I love every US Nationals, and I'm sure this one will be exciting too. The men's event is my favorite. It will be more intense than last year because Johnny and Evan are so close on every category. Who could pull out the best performance of the night will decide who is going to win the gold.

Didn't have time to pay more attention on ladies, partly because that my favorite ladies are not there, such as Sasha Cohen. And I haven't found others to replace them yet. I am sure the Nationals will help me greatly on catching up the knowledge for other disciplines.

 

[Tinymavy15]

i am excited. I have not been this excited about the ladies or the pairs in a long time.

 

[R.D.]

I'm excited. I can't wait to see it on TV. I hope we get good coverage. I also hope they show a lot of behind the scene stuff. I love that.

I agree with this. ESPN did a great job last year with their coverage (aside from joining the live ladies broadcast IN THE MIDDLE OF A SKATER'S PERFORMANCE :sheesh: ).

I have to say this. I'm looking forward to US Nats, although less so than in past years (2003 comes to mind). I think this will be the Nats where many of the medalists (potentially even the champion) may not even be able to go to the world championships. No one is a shoo-in for the ladies' competition and this could be the most wide-open ladies event in YEARS.

However, I CANNOT say the same for the World championships. I caught a little of the GPF/TEB repeat (switching to that whenever there were football commercials) and this confirmed my belief. No one to cheer on, no excitement, all programs look the same. No skater out there ignites any kind of passion (positive or negative) and without passion, you can't have excitement. Hopefully that will change once the up-and-coming Americans are old enough to go to Worlds- but for now, we are in a lull and I will watch Nats with my eye on the young ones but other than that, I don't care what happens.