Pick the ladies you hope make top three at nationals....

[icesk8erdude4e]

for sure a first time US Champion will be crowned for the ladies!

I think that Kimmie Meissner being the World Champion will definately win her first National Title.

I have to go with Beatrisa Liang and Alissa Czisny for two others that will definately challenge for the podium and also spots on the world team. Michelle Kwan will not be there, she's taking a year off and Sasha Cohen has officially withdrawn.

 

[icesk8erdude4e]

oh one thing that I have to add, Amber Corwin announced retirement last year so she won't be there for sure.

 

[R.D.]

oh one thing that I have to add, Amber Corwin announced retirement last year so she won't be there for sure.

a little OT- I saw her on that NBC skating show Gymnastics and Skating Spectacular (or whatever it was called)

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Can you imagine it took 9 years to dethrone MK for a win by SC. So this year without them, I can't help but think it will be an interesting trio of new ladies on the scene. Pick your three:

Kimmie, Emily, Rachael

Emily, Kimmie, Bebe

Rachael, Kimmie, Bebe

and why not think of Alyssa Czisny; Danielle Kahle; Megan Oster; Taylor Firth. Then there's Christine Zukowski; Megan William Stewart; and Katy Taylor.

What three will it be? - A whole new ball game.

Joe

 

[R.D.]

The common thing is that Kimmie is on every list. She virtually cannot lose the Worlds spot unless she sits on the ice for the whole 6 minutes.

But Kwan/Cohen- that's where the real competition was in the past. Everyone else was just filler, buying time for the big showdown. All of a sudden it's up to some of these girls to step it up and put on a show...prove that the US isn't losing its depth. Meissner has somewhat done this already but not anyone else yet.

I think this one will be decided on who falls the least/makes the least mistakes, unfortunately.

 

[R.D.]

Also, the hype machine is at it again for this Rachel Flat...what if she tanks? What would you do then? Whatever happened to Katy Taylor BTW, the next big one?

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Yeah, every newspaper and TV show is clamoring for Rachael.

 

[JonnyCoop]

I'd have to go with Kimmie, Emily, and Bebe. Emily has just improved so much this year; I really enjoy watching her skate now since her programs actually have some life (and more important, choreography) in them! I don't think Bebe ever gets enough respect from the National judges, which is rather odd considering she made her debut in 6th place at 12? 13? But the last few years I've gotten the impression that she might be the next Amber Corwin -- in contention, but unless everyone else falls down 7 times, they're not going to put her on a World team. I hope I'm wrong. I like Alyssa, but her jumps make me nervous. And it'd be great to see Stephanie Rosenthal go, but unless she's added a few things to her technical arsenal, I just don't see it.

 

[Mathman]

Yeah, every newspaper and TV show is clamoring for Rachael.

 

[Nigel]

Yeah, every newspaper and TV show is clamoring for Rachael.

You really don't need to be snide. It is only on these boards that we have seen the hype for the younger skaters...Zhang, Flatt and a few others. Just let them skate. If they are "for real", the media will evenutally catch up with the youngsters in due time.

Speaking of media, did anyone watch the Marathon of Skating on ESPN-classic yesterday? The last segment showed Worlds from Calgary this past season, and the interesting juxtaposition of the press backstage during the ladies event when dealing with the young/up and coming skaters vs the established skaters? Total coverage of the youngsters and practically ignoring the older skaters? So much disrespect towards the latter, IMO.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

You really don't need to be snide. It is only on these boards that we have seen the hype for the younger skaters...Zhang, Flatt and a few others. Just let them skate. If they are "for real", the media will evenutally catch up with the youngsters in due time.

Nigel - That's exactly how I feel. Let the media take care of the hype, but I do not initiate that term. Check out post 26. BTW. I don't go to other boards so I am not aware that we are the only board that uses the term 'hype'.

Joe

 

[R.D.]

OK, so "hype" means different things to different people. We all won't agree on this issue. Let's just leave it at that.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I agree to leave it alone :agree: but let's not misuse it unless it goes for ALL skaters and not just the ones that get the hypertension up. Like praising little girls of 13. I see no merit in the use of what appears to be derrogatory terms expecially on little girls. Praise, protoge are better words or NONE.

Joe

 

[Lonewolf]

I'd have to go with Kimmie and Emily as the first and second place finishers respectably. However the third place finisher could go to several individuals. It all depends on who skates the best. For example: If Alyssa can land all her jumps, then she could possibly place third or better, which I hope can happen....

 

[R.D.]

Keep that hope up for Alyssa.

 

[cloudkicker09]

What about Stephanie Rosenthal? Please tell me she qualified for Nationals this year, she was top ten last year, and to be honest she was the best thing at nationals.

 

[R.D.]

I've heard she's not going to be at Nats this year.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

What about Stephanie Rosenthal? Please tell me she qualified for Nationals this year, she was top ten last year, and to be honest she was the best thing at nationals.

Believe she is a full time student at university.

 

[Tonichelle]

according to IFS she's taking this season off from Nationals before she makes a final decision.

 

[Lonewolf]

The following link will take you to the 2007 State Farm U.S. Championships
Competitors page:

http://www.usfigureskating.org/shell.asp?sid=37061

According to this list, Stephanie Rosenthal will not be skating.