Ryan Bradley on Kaetlyn Osmond

[lyndichee]

While I appreciate that you have stressed that you are only looking at the pre-GPF history and essentially acknowledged the limitations of this data, you're still ultimately promoting this as her somehow not being an inconsistent performer / applause-worthy from a winnings perspective. However, when you look at her results on the backend: Nationals, Worlds, 4CC, Olympics, etc., she is indeed an inconsistent performer and has yet to breakthrough at the major competitions. She's having a very good season thus far, but time will tell if she will follow her pattern to date of doing relatively well on the GP circuit as you have pointed out and then poorly at the major international events. She has all the tools to make an impact at that level of competition, but has yet to deliver.

I think this is a good and fair assessment. I think she has all the tools but just hasn't achieved her full potential. She is on an upward trajectory; she skated 2 personal bests at GPF with mistakes so I definitely can see her eventually hitting 215 (75+ SP and 140+ FP) one day. As her first time in GPF and big competition since the Olympics, I think she's done quite well and we should be watching her and Gabby as they could get 3 spots for Canadian ladies for the first time in a number of years.

 

[mrrice]

Chuckm. Let's keep this short : how can a 4 minute programme really go into character analysis and portray it on ice? An opera takes 2/3 hours to do so. That's why skaters choose music they like to often have a global theme but not necessarily following the plot. With all the time you've followed this sport I'm wondering why you're picking on Kaetlyn.

This comment is 100% Correct! That's why choreographer's often use "The Overture" to Musical's as they offer a wider range of Tempo and Mood. I just went to see "The Nutcracker" which has a great overture and I've actually used the "Overture To Candide" a couple of times.

Candide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=422-yb8TXj8

 

[Selene]

Her SP is brilliant, but her LP is boring and doesn't suit her.

I'm happy to see her succeed this season. She has it all - speed, huge jumps, good spins, performance ability. She may be the best skater in the world when she goes clean. She's been so good in her SP; now, I hope to see her do a clean LP soon.

 

[matcha]

Canadian ladies have a better chance of getting three spots than American ladies do of keeping theirs. :shame:

(Thrilled for Kaetlyn and Gabby and Alaine of course - I'm really just being overdramatic.)

What would need to happen for US, Canada, Russia and Japan to get 3 spots? Is that even possible? (I genuinely have no idea).

Oop maybe I should finish the thread before asking already answered questions

russian sweep or not, it has no incidence on Canada or other countries getting 3 spots... as long as the magic number is 13 or below...
Gabby and Kaetlyn could finish 6-7 or 5-8 and the job would be done...

Here's a scenario were everyone gets 3 spots

1 russia
2 russia
3 russia
4 japan
5 usa
6 canada
7 canada
8 usa
9 japan

 

[TGee]

Just to toss Kaetlyn's sense of the GPF into the mix, here's her last instagram post from Marseille:"What a fantastic competition!"

https://www.instagram.com/p/BN4tBMFDAzT/

And down to earth Kaetlyn shows a group selfie with her mum and dad taking in the tourist venues.....and there is another of them sightseeing in Paris before flying home.

She sounds like she has no major regrets, and is enjoying the remainder of the trip before moving in to her next objective: nationals.

 

[andromache]

What would need to happen for US, Canada, Russia and Japan to get 3 spots? Is that even possible? (I genuinely have no idea).

I have no idea. Let's try some experimenting?

1. Evgenia
2. Anna
3. Kaetlyn
4. Ashley
5. Satoko
6. Maria
7. Wakaba
8. Gracie
9. Mao
10. Gabby

Here's a hypothetical top ten in which everyone gets three spots. All the top 2 skaters from each country have totals that add up to 13 or less. Clusters of all skaters from one country near the top = bad for three spots for others. Japanese ladies are likely to be spread out, with Satoko near the top and Wakaba and Mao (or Rika Hongo?) a little lower down, which is good for the Canadians and Americans. It's likely that all the Russian ladies will be in the top 6 - the higher the #3 Russian (here, Maria) the worse for the Canadians and Americans. For the purposes of this experiment, I have assumed that it is likely that Canada will have one lady in top 6 and one in 6-12; same for the US (though perhaps two skaters in 6-12 and 1 in top 6). Those skaters need to place high enough in their likely "brackets" to to add up to 13.

The more skaters from OTHER countries who place in the top 10, the more difficult it becomes for Canada and the US. Carolina, Li Zijun, So Youn, Elisabet could all make it much more difficult by placing ahead of the Canadian/American #2 skaters (they are less likely to place ahead of Canadian/American #1 skaters, but it could still happen. Ashley in particular is vulnerable).

It would also be beneficial if Japan sends a technically weak Mao (assuming she hasn't improved since earlier in the season) over Mai Mihara, who would probably place higher, for their #3.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

It would also be beneficial if Japan sends a technically weak Mao (assuming she hasn't improved since earlier in the season) over Mai Mihara, who would probably place higher, for their #3.

If Mao hasn't beefed up her base value substantially since the GP, she won't make the world team. Whatever happens, I hope she is able to get enough rest that she can make the Olympic team and bring her best form to South Korea.

 

[andromache]

If Mao hasn't beefed up her base value substantially since the GP, she won't make the world team. Whatever happens, I hope she is able to get enough rest that she can make the Olympic team and bring her best form to South Korea.

Didn't Japan send Daisuke Takahashi to Sochi instead of someone else despite not doing well at Nationals and struggling with injury?

I kind of assume that if a beloved superstar like Mao wants to go to Worlds, Japan will send her over Wakaba or Mai and trust in Satoko plus Wakaba/Mai to keep the spots. But Mao might not feel strongly about Worlds this year anyway and indeed have her sights set on the Olympics instead.

 

[chuckm]

Do you really want to fault Kaetlyn for this? Or do you want to fault another Canadian like Jeffrey Buttle? Does her music take away from her skating skills? Does this arrangement of music suddenly make her SS slower and her jumps smaller? Or does this over-analysis that you don't apply to other skaters make you feel better about yourself and make you feel "smarter" than Canadians?

Not faulting Kaetlyn for it, but yes, perhaps her choreographer. Right from the beginning, I thought she'd be much better off just sticking with the Musetta character and primarily use the Waltz music, because this is far more suitable to Kaetlyn's personality. There wouldn't be any need to stick the doom-and-gloom ending on the program, but keep it light to let Kaetlyn be herself and just concentrate on skating.

I suspect that had the program be done this way, Johnny Weir's comments would have been all positive. He may have felt a similar reaction to mine about the abrupt character change.

 

[4everchan]

Not faulting Kaetlyn for it, but yes, perhaps her choreographer. Right from the beginning, I thought she'd be much better off just sticking with the Musetta character and primarily use the Waltz music, because this is far more suitable to Kaetlyn's personality. There wouldn't be any need to stick the doom-and-gloom ending on the program, but keep it light to let Kaetlyn be herself and just concentrate on skating.

I suspect that had the program be done this way, Johnny Weir's comments would have been all positive. He may have felt a similar reaction to mine about the abrupt character change.

all of your knowledge about Kaetlyn's personality is what you have seen on media.. i doubt you really know deep down, how she feels... doom and gloom is something she's probably lived when she had a career threatening injury...

in any case, let's move on... two people don't like the music cuts... Johnny and chuckm.... unfortunately, not the two people I tend to listen to when I forge my own opinion.

case closed as far as I am concerned.

 

[mrrice]

I suspect that had the program be done this way, Johnny Weir's comments would have been all positive. He may have felt a similar reaction to mine about the abrupt character change.

Chuckm, I almost spit coffee all over my computer screen when I read that comment. Mr, Weir needs to Zip It when it comes to music and costume choices of other skaters, Unless he begins his comment with......"We've all made BAD choices" Have a look at his 2006 LP.......He won Nationals with it but, it took bad performances from other skaters to make it happen. The program was so bad that he dumped it and went back to his 2005 Otonal LP for the games.

 

[lyndichee]

Not faulting Kaetlyn for it, but yes, perhaps her choreographer. Right from the beginning, I thought she'd be much better off just sticking with the Musetta character and primarily use the Waltz music, because this is far more suitable to Kaetlyn's personality. There wouldn't be any need to stick the doom-and-gloom ending on the program, but keep it light to let Kaetlyn be herself and just concentrate on skating.

I suspect that had the program be done this way, Johnny Weir's comments would have been all positive. He may have felt a similar reaction to mine about the abrupt character change.

You seriously need to give it a rest. Do you know how many members are tired of your biased criticism? As if she is the exception that has supposedly bad choreography and music choices. Do you really think you are suddenly some voice of reason because you could put a story in order?

I like how you avoid the beginning of my post. Her music choice doesn't make her any less talented. But if you want to pick on her music, maybe you need to find other hobbies or open your heart to more of what figure skating has to offer. Using your account here to disparage Canadians (I have not forgotten your racial biases that have since been deleted multiple times) and only offer mostly negative feedback to skaters means that you are using figure skating as an negative outlet. Maybe it's time you changed your attitude or moved on from this sport.

 

[Osmond4gold]

So, if I remember correctly, "the mob", use to criticized Kaetlyn, saying she could only skate to one style, you know...showtunes, Bob Fosse and all, and needed to work on her musicality and expand her skating style and repertoire. In the past 2 seasons she has used the haunting emotion that is Edith Piaf, portrayed a Diva in a Tango mix, and this year, chose a classic in LaBoheme. Not good enough says "they", she is using the wrong mix of a 4 hour opera in a 4 minute play...reallAy?

Here's my 2 cents for what it's worth,...when certain people have a dislike for no apparent reason, I guess there is no pleasing. I suggest we all ignore and have a great holiday season. While a troll may taunt us, even Mimi would have loved our 'free spirited-ness', and cohesion

I feel swell...in fact, I think I feel a song coming on... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znLx0zds0dQ

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

But Mao might not feel strongly about Worlds this year anyway and indeed have her sights set on the Olympics instead.

I hope this is the plan. I didn't enjoy seeing Mao having to perform so far off her best level and clearly being hampered by injury. It was only about 14 months ago at the Japan Open where she showed the form that could win another Olympic medal, so hopefully she can somehow regain that in time for the games.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

So, if I remember correctly, "the mob", use to criticized Kaetlyn, saying she could only skate to one style, you know, showtunes, Bob Fosse and all, and needed to work on her musicality and expand her skating style and repertoire. In the past 2 seasons she has used the haunting emotion that is Edith Piaf, portrayed a Diva in a Tango mix, and this year chose a classic in LaBoheme. Not good enough says "they", she is using the wrong mix of a 4 hour opera in a 4 minute program. Really... ?

Kaetlyn's programs are very good, IMO. With the program requirements for top competitors, we simply aren't going to see amazing programs like we did under 6.0. If she puts together two clean programs, she will be on the world podium.

 

[Tutto]

Kaetlyn's programs are very good, IMO. With the program requirements for top competitors, we simply aren't going to see amazing programs like we did under 6.0. If she puts together two clean programs, she will be on the world podium.

IMHO Kaetlyn's programs are better than Evgenia's this season but I realise it is a matter of personal preference. So many top skaters went for what I call an 'abstract' music this season that it makes a nice change seeing someone skate a traditional, well constructed, pleasing to the audience program. I have a feeling that judges kinda agree with me...

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

Didn't Japan send Daisuke Takahashi to Sochi instead of someone else despite not doing well at Nationals and struggling with injury?

I kind of assume that if a beloved superstar like Mao wants to go to Worlds, Japan will send her over Wakaba or Mai and trust in Satoko plus Wakaba/Mai to keep the spots. But Mao might not feel strongly about Worlds this year anyway and indeed have her sights set on the Olympics instead.

Takahashi was sent to Sochi, yes, in lieu of Oda and Kozuka, who both placed higher than him at Nationals. Dai's NHK win (over Oda, no less) was what probably saved his Olympic spot, because his Nationals was a nightmare. I felt bad for Oda though because he was in much better form than Dai -- maybe even could have challenged for a medal in Sochi (given how sloppy the competition was).

Mao will probably get a similar "beloved skater bonus" on her Nationals PCS and get more consideration to the World team, likely at the expense of Mai/Wakaba/Rika. My hope is that the Japanese federation is fair and sends the 3 deserving skaters to Worlds. It's not like Mao has been lighting it up this season and somebody like Mai or Wakaba (or even Rika) have a much better shot at maintaining 3 spots for Korea which should be Mao's focus, unless Mao gets it together for Nationals (which I'm hoping she will).

Getting back to Kaetlyn - she can definitely podium and get 3 spots with a strong performance from Daleman - who is certainly top 7/top 8 material, especially with Gold and Mao having rough seasons. It would be great to see, because I'd love to see Alaine get on the Olympic team as well.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

Getting back to Kaetlyn - she can definitely podium and get 3 spots with a strong performance from Daleman - who is certainly top 7/top 8 material, especially with Gold and Mao having rough seasons. It would be great to see, because I'd love to see Alaine get on the Olympic team as well.

Assuming the team is Gabby/Kaetlyn, I think it is most important for them to go clean in the SP. They can both end up in the top 6, which will inflate their scores a bit in the LP because they will be in the final group. I would expect their placements to drop a bit in the LP because they aren't consistently able to deliver 6-7 triple LPs like some of the other skaters, but if they are high enough after the SP it can probably get Canada the 3 Olympic spots (barring a meltdown from one of the two).

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

Assuming the team is Gabby/Kaetlyn, I think it is most important for them to go clean in the SP. They can both end up in the top 6, which will inflate their scores a bit in the LP because they will be in the final group. I would expect their placements to drop a bit in the LP because they aren't consistently able to deliver 6-7 triple LPs like some of the other skaters, but if they are high enough after the SP it can probably get Canada the 3 Olympic spots (barring a meltdown from one of the two).

Yes. It will be critical that Gabby especially has a strong SP. Both can score over 70 points, and are two of the least likely to get hit by URs/edge calls, and can get huge GOE on their combos, which sets them apart from the other girls, and sets them up nicely for potentially both being in the final flight. That would be quite something, if 2 Canadians make the final flight in lieu of 2 Japanese/Americans (most definitely 2 or more Russians will make the final flight).

 

[Osmond4gold]

From the vault...does anyone remember where they were when a young Kaetlyn Osmond at 16, BURST into the Canadian skating scene, in Moncton in 2012? While the jumps were HUGE, the program shows a young skater, with sooo much potential! She went on to Junior Worlds and finished 10th in a class that included; Yulia, Gracie, Adelina, Satoko, Christina Gao and Joshi.

I have always loved this moment for her and thought, perhaps one day she should pull a Liz Manley and skate to previous used music like Monsoon Wedding, that was so fun to watch. Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6He7VoOye8