State of U.S. Ladies' skating 2016-17 | Page 127 | Golden Skate

State of U.S. Ladies' skating 2016-17

Manitou said:
I think USFSA morally owes Mirai a lot after Sochi. A lot.
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First, I don't think Mirai is owed anything for missing out on Sochi. She believed that she should have been picked over Polina, not Ashley. Ashley was solidly the top American for three seasons leading up to the 2014 Nationals, whereas Polina had no senior results IIRC. The USFSA chose not to bump the higher-placing Polina for Mirai, who did have senior results but none especially impressive in the seasons leading up to Sochi. The USFSA decided to invest in the future, and the Nationals result made that fair.

Second, even if you think the USFSA "owes" Mirai something, what would that be? What opportunities in particular has she missed out on, since Sochi, that went to less deserving skaters?
 
^ This! (responding to driving miss daisy): Too many folks just assume that the Sochi team selection was between Mirai and Ashley, when it very well could have been between Mirai and Polina. According to the criteria that was posted in summer of 2013, Ashley and Gracie were far ahead of anyone else in the pecking order. Going into Nationals, it would have taken a disaster (probably 5th or lower) for one of them not to make it. What really damaged Mirai's chanches was her weak performance in the fall GP events. Had she done better in those, she very likely would have been chosen over Polina.
 
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And Polina made the JGPF that season. That helped her case quite a bit. Polina was seen as an up and comer, while Mirai was seen as a former superstar on her way down. Mirai has to do well in the GP this coming season and it would help if she could make the GPF or at least make the alternate list. It is not enough to do well at a Challenge event where most of the competitors would never even make it to Worlds.
 
Gracie is at Stars on Ice rehearsals. I was hoping she would go and train, get herself in shape, get good programs and get her elements secure. This does not seem to be the way things are going. Opinions?
 
I'm sure Gracie signed a contract to tour with Stars on Ice and has to honour it, I don't think it's a big deal. Performing in front of audiences can be another form of practice anyway, good for her to get out her jitters and get used to being in front of a crowd again. Gracie has to earn money too, it's not like you're not jumping and spinning and skating while on tour.
 
Willard said:
Gracie is at Stars on Ice rehearsals. I was hoping she would go and train, get herself in shape, get good programs and get her elements secure. This does not seem to be the way things are going. Opinions?
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It might be a little early to get into in-season shape and might not be sustainable if she were to do it now. That said, I am interested in whatever work she's been doing with Marina. Are there programs in the works? What are her jumps looking like? Etc.
 
There was an article on Misha Ge's retirement that mentioned that he was coming back to the US after nationals to work with Karen Chen and Gracie. So I imagine she's already working on programs.
 
SOI's first show is this Thursday in FL, so hopefully we'll get some video of Gracie and her skating.

Most of the cast has been Instagramming about practice this week with Jeff Buttle hard at work on choreo. Ashley seems particularly happy to be reunited with Adam and Madison C.
 
princessalica said:
There was an article on Misha Ge's retirement that mentioned that he was coming back to the US after nationals to work with Karen Chen and Gracie. So I imagine she's already working on programs.
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So Misha is officially retired?

And I hope he finally does a competitive program for Gracie, not just an exhibition. I want to see her skate a program that she really enjoys and has fun with...
 
Nathan13 said:
So Misha is officially retired?

And I hope he finally does a competitive program for Gracie, not just an exhibition. I want to see her skate a program that she really enjoys and has fun with...
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That's a good question. I don't think he said anything "official." He did an interview with IN's Ice Talk last week where he said he most likely will retire but nothing was official.

I know Misha was working with Karen on a program last week.
 
I think at this point I've never been so unsure leading up to an Olympic season. One thing is certain: those three spots are WIDE open for the taking. Whoever buckles down and works the hardest this off season will be the ones that succeed.
 
It really is wide open on who'll make the Olympic team.

Is Gracie gonna make a comeback? What music will she and Marina (or is it still Lori??) choose? Is Firebird coming back?

Can Mirai show some consistency, some Avatar program, and a triple axel?

Is Ashley done for? Will La La Land work?

Polina.......have her programs "grown up"? Will she keep the music chosen for this season when she was injured? What about the underrotations?

Can we trust Mariah to perform consistently? Will her spins, lines, and elegance pull up her PCS?

Karen Chen.......please no more boot problems!! Such a star, and if consistent, can she challenge the world?

Can Tessa Hong get a Grand Prix assignment? Can frank work some magic ?

Will Emily chan make a breakthrough as a first year senior?

Will the coaching change to a big name make a positive difference to Paige rydberg?
 
drivingmissdaisy said:
I think it will be very interesting to see who gets to do the team event, because that is the only realistic chance at a medal for our women.
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Honestly I think Ashley might skip the team event. I mean she skips 4CC each year. She already has a team bronze, she might want to save herself for the individual portion... she might even need to physically pace herself. It might giver her a slight advantage and she might know it and decide to take it.
 
StitchMonkey said:
Honestly I think Ashley might skip the team event. I mean she skips 4CC each year. She already has a team bronze, she might want to save herself for the individual portion... she might even need to physically pace herself. It might giver her a slight advantage and she might know it and decide to take it.
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I think Ashley knows herself best - and it's probable she knows that the team event is her best bet for another Olympic medal.

Seems likely to me that one US pair (duh) will do team event, and one US dance team. Ladies and men will be split.

If Ashley is #1 or #2 woman, she will choose to do the team event. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. She doesn't over-estimate herself.
 
StitchMonkey said:
Honestly I think Ashley might skip the team event. I mean she skips 4CC each year. She already has a team bronze, she might want to save herself for the individual portion... she might even need to physically pace herself. It might giver her a slight advantage and she might know it and decide to take it.
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She's not skipping the Team Event lol. It's her only chance at Olympic gold.
 
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