State of U.S. Ladies' skating 2016-17
- Thread starter R.D.
- Start date
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2015
I think she was ignored early on by USFSA because she never had her triple triples yet (and to be competitive with the international ladies, you needed them early on), as I recall she only ever landed a triple-double toe. But looking back at her videos now, she had good technique but perhaps her body wasn't as strong as it is now....she has grown a lot. She always had that nice spring on her first triple jump, and just needed that second one down. It took a while, but I feel like her skating career has finally just begun, and I hope she can maintain it for several more years to come. It's exciting for US figure skating because after Gracie and Ashley, I couldn't think of another senior lady. There are a few junior skaters, but they are still too young, in my opinion. Agree, she definitely has the IT factor.
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2010
Mariah is exciting and one of my favorite US women, but we still have to see if she can maintain any sort of consistency. Her SA LP was magnificent, but she had no pressure on her after the SP. Of the US women, I think only Ashley matches Mariah's liveliness during her performance. Most of the other ladies skate their programs like they'd rather be doing something else.
If she had skated like she'd rather be doing something else in 2012, I wouldn't have gushed about her either.
She is the type who loves to perform. True then, true now. If she hits her routine, it's pure joy to watch. Can't really say that about 90% of the other competitors.
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2010
I'm most hopeful because she is working with Rafael. Ashley and Adam skated about as well as they could have at last season's worlds, and it's clear he knows what he is doing to get his athletes in peak condition when they need to be. It's up to her to deliver in the big events, but at least we can be confident that she will show up as prepared as possible.
Mariah Bell didn't have 3loop jump, was working on 2a-3t(still dont have it) let alone 3LZ-3T a couple of years ago, so she is somewhat under the radar. but her lyrical arms, flow, body shape, muscialty, costumes choice etc. reminds me of my fav skater Yuna, so I paid special attention to her during her earlier years. For me, she is not someone, suddenly come out of nowhere.
one of my fav costume from her
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0L6Os1nBqc
one of the first videos that caught my attention
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=031n_3KiPBE
Now Mariah has some of the most beautiful looking jumps among US ladies and gorgeous spin positions (sometimes lose levels carelessly). her only weakness is need a bit speed and polish in her stsq.
one of my fav costume from her
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0L6Os1nBqc
one of the first videos that caught my attention
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=031n_3KiPBE
Now Mariah has some of the most beautiful looking jumps among US ladies and gorgeous spin positions (sometimes lose levels carelessly). her only weakness is need a bit speed and polish in her stsq.
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2009
What happened to Mirai at Skate Canada? 53.19 and 9th place for the SP?
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2013
& exploded.
meh, jumping is just a harder thing for her :disapp:
meh, jumping is just a harder thing for her :disapp:
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- Joined
- Jul 31, 2014
She fell on her opening combo, then could not take on a jump to the second pass, so no combo.
No one really knows. I think the pressure of being able to get a medal got to her. She probably was fixated on trying to not under rotate her jumps and she fell. He's always been a head case when she's under higher expectations.
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2010
Now how many Frank critics will demand that Mirai switch coaches?[/QUOTE
Lol. Mirai looked so tight when she started to skate which is a pity since her warmup looked great.
I'm sure she'll do better in the fs tomorrow.
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- Joined
- Feb 17, 2010
I hope so, she actually did skate beautifully in the SP. Doing these jumps are hard for everyone and I hate people second-guessing the athletes' decisions to stay in a coaching situation.
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2016
I wish we could turn the "pressure" around to excitement at this possibility. I mean look at Evgenia, she's won so much yet she doesn't seemed pressued on the ice just excited to be there.
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2010
Evgenia is supremely confident at the moment. I think I worry more about her falling than she does. I did enjoy Kaetlyn's performance far more, however. She has the power in her jumps and great performance quality; I'm sure if she keeps skating programs like that her PCS will continue to inch closer to Evgenia's.
With Zhenia, it's because she's been challenged so much that she's used to it. Plus she isn't pressured like our ladies are. It's like we expect every top girl to become world champion over night and restore honor to US Ladies figure to its former glory. You can only wind a string so far before it breaks. All we need is one world champion and the pressure will finally be gone. Then it's just beating that one american rather than the whole world.
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2014
Its a different kind of pressure but its there alright. Unlike the US ladies, the Russians have to be on their A game at every turn just so they can even be eligible to compete in intentional competitions. Its like baseball, 3 strikes (or less) and you're out. Your season will end at Nationals, even if you are a World/Olympic Champion.
Exactly. The Russia field is so deep one mistake and you won't even go to competitions. I'm probably going to get in trouble for saying this but...
They are the "best." In terms of consistency! So naturally that produces skaters that skate well under pressure.
(I wasn't saying anything about jumping technique or skating skills! The best is totally subjective!)
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2016
I honestly believe the Russian ladies don't experience as much bullying from their own people as the American ladies do. During the olympics people were vicious toward Ashley and anytime Gracie scores well I see a ton of insults towards her. I wish we could support our ladies more.
