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

[chuckm]

Please, do not EVER mention Joanne McLeod as a coaching possibility for Gracie.
She has ruined the axel technique of so many skaters, including Mira Leung, Jeremy Ten and Kevin Reynolds. She was the first coach of Nam Nguyen, until people told his father to get him AWAY from her quick, before Nam was ruined, too---and his dad took heed!!

 

[musicfan80]

If/if/if Gracie wants to make a switch (and we do not know whether she does), I wonder whether she by any chance would consider MZ and Oleg as a coaching option???

I am not a fan of MZ by any stretch, but Canton seems to be the new flavor of the month for singles ... and in Gracie's case, she has worked with MZ and Oleg before. So perhaps it could be a best-of-both-worlds change to something old that is new again???

Canton could be not only supportive, but also inspiring on another level. Two-time world medalist Maia is a Gracie bestie as well. World/Olympic champions Charlie and Meryl always have been supportive of Gracie, so to whatever extent that they are around, they could have a positive influence. World champion Patrick was very helpful to Max when they trained together in Colorado Springs.

Doesn't Yuka Sato/Jason Dungjen coach there as well? Or are they in Detroit - and that is still pretty close?

 

[mrrice]

Doesn't Yuka Sato/Jason Dungjen coach there as well? Or are they in Detroit - and that is still pretty close?

I thought Jason and Yuka broke up. Is that not the case? Didn't they help Alissa Czisny? Maybe they'd be good for Gracie.

 

[stella luna]

I was disappointed when she stopped skating so soon after winning OGM.

Thats why I love her <3 (see avatar)

 

[andromache]

I thought Jason and Yuka broke up. Is that not the case? Didn't they help Alissa Czisny? Maybe they'd be good for Gracie.

IIRC, Yuka coached known headcases Alissa Czisny and Jeremy Abbott. I wouldn't send her another headcase.

 

[moriel]

Imho Gracie needs a different choreographer because classical and balletic just doesnt work for hwe and a more COP savvy coach. All that stuff of training to stick a 3T after any jump and so on.

 

[ice coverage]

Doesn't Yuka Sato/Jason Dungjen coach there as well? Or are they in Detroit - and that is still pretty close?

Yuka/Jason are at DSC -- which is not terribly far away geographically -- but I was thinking in terms of Gracie potentially training alongside Maia/Alex and Patrick on a daily basis in Canton. So close, but no cigar, for what I was envisioning. And I am guessing(??) that Charlie and Meryl pass through Arctic Edge once in while for ice time between shows.

In any case, all just my musing.
I don't want to forget your important reminder that we are not privy to most of Gracie and Frank's interaction. I agree that it's unclear whether a new coach is even what she wants or needs.

 

[skateluvr]

I agree and noticed that she seemed more committed to her facial expressions at a few parts in the program. It is unfortunate that the jumps were so problematic. I wonder if she will just train the next 2 months for Nationals or if perhaps she needs a December Senior B competition to test her readiness?

Gracie Gold was so stunning. Truly she is golden. I do love her music and program and I actually gasped which I never do because she looked the epitome of a graceful lady. So it's not about her skating but she did really smile in her LP.

It has all been said and I don't do Facebook anymore and don't do Twitter. And won't. So I hope you younger social media types give her support. And please if anyone has wished her luck please tell her people are so rooting for her for the most part from Golden Skate forum. I hope that is true. I have not read much of this very very long thread.

I suggest op break this up with mod help into maybe three parts with time frames. Just a suggestion RD. Anyway it's all been said and suggested in many Gracie Gold posts. I don't know how to help her except that we should not kick her or any other hardworking skater when they are down. I wish her luck but I too am concerned for Nationals and what out world team looks like this year. Certainly going to be interesting.

 

[noskates]

I just watched the freeskate from France and could have cried for Gracie. I don't know what's wrong. I don't know if she knows what's wrong. But it broke my heart to see her so devastated.

I will say she had on one of the more beautiful dresses than I've ever seen. I only wish her skating could have lived up to it.

 

[FlattFan]

She needs to fire Frank, get a real coach who can strategize better. The 3F in the SP is one of the most idiotic decisions in skating in recent memory. Do a triple loop, triple sal or whatever.
Frank failed as a coach and a strategist. She should never even touch those boring cookie cutter programs. He should put his foot down and reject Lori's half assed efforts.
What a night mare for that whole team. He's too senile to deal with someone like Gracie.
Start giving her correct PCS in the 6 and 7s for her effort. Do not squander another chance on her. She needs to earn her place again. There are a few more girls who need to get out in front of international judges. Her name should have been Gracie Aluminum or Gracie Iron if you are still generous. Frankly it's scrap metal at this point.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

He's too senile to deal with someone like Gracie.

This is absolutely uncalled for. We can express our opinions without insulting someone's age.

 

[Sydney Rose]

I'm very sympathetic to Gracie's anxiety issues. But it appears she is blaming her horrific GP performances on getting a late start training this year and I'm not at all sympathetic about that.

There was no reason for her not to begin training earlier in the season. She wasn't injured or dealing with a family crisis; she was, per that IceNetwork podcast, having a blast in Japan and Europe.

If she didn't want to do the work, then she should have just withdrawn from the GP and let someone who cared take her place. I doubt Frank would have minded.

 

[Icey]

I think Christy Krall would be perfect for Gracie. Isn't she Joshua's former coach? With Joshua's early and unexpected retirement, I think his former team could do wonders for Gracie. However, It's up to Gracie to make a move and if she truly wants to continue, I think Christi would be great for her.

If not permanently, I agree going to Krall to work on her jumps would be a good thing.

 

[tulosai]

I'm very sympathetic to Gracie's anxiety issues. But it appears she is blaming her horrific GP performances on getting a late start training this year and I'm not at all sympathetic about that.

There was no reason for her not to begin training earlier in the season. She wasn't injured or dealing with a family crisis; she was, per that IceNetwork podcast, having a blast in Japan and Europe.

If she didn't want to do the work, then she should have just withdrawn from the GP and let someone who cared take her place. I doubt Frank would have minded.

On the other hand she earned her GP spots fair and square by finishing in the top 12 at Worlds. Why should she give up something she herself earned even if not as prepared as she wished she was? There are other reasons for competing even if you are not as prepared as you want to be and probably won't medal, like getting used to your programs, layouts, competitive experience, and so on.

It also isn't like anyone who would reasonably have been selected to take her place was likely to score better. I anticipate someone will mention Mariah here but as has already been discussed ad nauseum there was no way she was ever getting any empty slot anyway so Gracie withdrawing wouldn't have helped her.

 

[andromache]

I'm very sympathetic to Gracie's anxiety issues. But it appears she is blaming her horrific GP performances on getting a late start training this year and I'm not at all sympathetic about that.

There was no reason for her not to begin training earlier in the season. She wasn't injured or dealing with a family crisis; she was, per that IceNetwork podcast, having a blast in Japan and Europe.

If she didn't want to do the work, then she should have just withdrawn from the GP and let someone who cared take her place. I doubt Frank would have minded.

God forbid a skater take a bit of a break after what is probably the biggest stress/anxiety they've had in their life.

Skaters get late starts all the time. It doesn't mean they don't care or don't want to do the work. In addition, I'm sure the traveling she did for sponsors is necessary to financing her skating.

(Plus, I wouldn't be surprised if Gracie is just publicly blaming the late start and it's actually all anxiety-related.)

 

[Heleng]

This is absolutely uncalled for. We can express our opinions without insulting someone's age.

Completely agree.

 

[lyndichee]

Yuka/Jason are at DSC -- which is not terribly far away geographically -- but I was thinking in terms of Gracie potentially training alongside Maia/Alex and Patrick on a daily basis in Canton. So close, but no cigar, for what I was envisioning. And I am guessing(??) that Charlie and Meryl pass through Arctic Edge once in while for ice time between shows.

In any case, all just my musing.
I don't want to forget your important reminder that we are not privy to most of Gracie and Frank's interaction. I agree that it's unclear whether a new coach is even what she wants or needs.

I think she needs a change. She was very icey with Frank in the KnC at TDF. I liked what I saw from Gracie with Gershwin's Three Preludes even though the music hurt my ears. I think Marina can be nurturing and help build up her confidence again. I don't think she is willing to move but I think it could be a good fit. Plus I would love to see Gracie try something different. Maybe she needs some broadway.

 

[Skater Boy]

I just watched the freeskate from France and could have cried for Gracie. I don't know what's wrong. I don't know if she knows what's wrong. But it broke my heart to see her so devastated.

I will say she had on one of the more beautiful dresses than I've ever seen. I only wish her skating could have lived up to it.

I don't think it was that bad at all personally. The judges will reward her if she skates the program she can skate regardless of music it seems. She just needs to sell it. She is in a bit f af unk but she can still do it it. As for coaching I am not blaming Carroll but maybe she just needs a change - any kind of change it may not be Franknecessarily but I think maybe the chemistry isn't perhaps the best right now. This is not the time or plae for people to jump ship on Gracie. Believe, hope and nutrure the nature in Gracie.

 

[Skater Boy]

If not permanently, I agree going to Krall to work on her jumps would be a good thing.

And take Chan with her too!

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

I so miss the "rants/feelings" thread.

I just hope Gracie can right the ship. Whether it's a new coach, choreographer, changing her practice routine, better training, buying a puppy, etc ... I hope she can find what is that she needs. It's just so tough to watch someone underperform and then become overwhelmed with negative energy. This sport is full of people who will not only whisper but often shout some of the most personal things. I just hope she isn't affected too much by it.

On a positive note I think Mariah Bell not getting another GP spot can work to her advantage if she slays at Nationals. She usually only skates one good program there so hopefully she gets the job done and bucks the trend. I want to see her in Korea because she is by far the most enjoyable American skater for me.