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

[jenaj]

Gracie is going to be at Worlds. You can bet the house on it. She and Ashley are well-able to keep three spots on their own.

 

[mrrice]

Right now, the US Ladies have another problem when it comes to keeping our 3 spots. It comes from our friendly neighbors to the North, Canada. At this point, barring a disaster, Kaetlyn Osmond will be in the final flight. Leaving Tuk out, ( Which I hate to do ) You have Med, Pogo, and Rad. If you add Kaetlyn, Ashley and Satoko Miyahara. That's it for the final flight. I could certainly see our #2 and #3 making the top 10 so, I think our 3 spots are still a possibility.

 

[skylark]

Right now, the US Ladies have another problem when it comes to keeping our 3 spots. It comes from our friendly neighbors to North, Canada. At this point, barring a disaster, Kaetlyn Osmond will be in the final flight. Leaving Tuk out, ( Which I hate to do ) You have Med, Pogo, and Rad. If you add Kaetlyn, Ashley and Satoko Miyahara. That's it for the final flight. I could certainly see our #2 and #3 making the top 10 so, I think our 3 spots are still a possibility.

They're a good possibility. The third one doesn't have to be even in the top 10. Ashley and Gracie first earned 3 spots in 2013 by finishing 5th and 6th, with no other US lady present.

 

[mrrice]

They're a good possibility. The third one doesn't have to be even in the top 10. Ashley and Gracie first earned 3 spots in 2013 by finishing 5th and 6th, with no other US lady present.

This is a good point. What's the number, is it 13? There's a good possibility that all 3 Russian Ladies will make the final flight. If Katelyn, Ashley and Sotoko round out the top 6. There's Mariah Bell, Gabby/Alaine, Mao, and Rika Hondo, and Mirai. All of whom were in the top 10 last season. There's also the big wild card of Polina.

 

[TwinnerA]

This is a good point. What's the number, is it 13? There's a good possibility that all 3 Russian Ladies will make the final flight. If Katelyn, Ashley and Sotoko round out the top 6. There's Mariah Bell, Gabby/Alaine, Mao, and Rika Hondo, and Mirai. All of whom were in the top 10 last season.

Mariah Bell wasn't at Worlds last season. How could you forget Gracie?!?. She placed 6th, 5th, 4th and 4th at Worlds and I am betting she is in the mix this time as well.

 

[topaz emerald]

I don't think the American ladies are too worried about losing the third spot with whoever the issue is will Gracie develop to her full potential. We have seen that the international judges love her and when she skates clean probably no one can beat her deserved or not. I think for Mariah or Courtney to be the strong third American skater and for that matter Nagusu or Chen is we need to see some Polina. I think sadly that third spot and now maybe second with Gracie seemingly in a funk is a dog fight. Someone needs to own it and want it and then perform it. Just like the bloom and hope in Zhang is lost it is probably a matter of time for Nagasu if she doesn't start getting results and maybe even Gracie. Remember some good skaters who fizzled out - maybe not as good as Gracie but think Phaneuf, Czisny, Chouinard, Bobek- all potentially really great skaters who sort of plateaued and fizzled and faded. But all 4 had huge potential. I realize these are humans and I hate to think about how they seem so "disposable" but it is a sport. I also know all of them are trying; it isn't easy these aren't controllable robots. Still Ashley seems safe to go to worlds but right now I am not so sure who will get the two other spots though I think the hope is still with Gracie.

This! I am obviously biased for mariah bell, but I think Nationals will be a huge test for her, mentally. Considering she was 11th, 6th, and 13th at prior nationals, I'm hoping she can ride this wave of confidence she has at 2017 nationals. Just needs a little more international competitions in 2017 under her belt, continue to refine her technique with Raphael by adding another triple triple, let rohene ward continue to work his magic, and she will grab a spot at the olympics in 18'....but consistency is key. I hope no setbacks for this girl.

 

[skylark]

^^ yes. The top two final placements must total 13 or less.

 

[mrrice]

Mariah Bell wasn't at Worlds last season. How could you forget Gracie?!?. She placed 6th, 5th, 4th and 4th at Worlds and I am betting she is in the mix this time as well.

My placements were under the assumption that Gracie is not part of the team. If Gracie and Ashley skate the way they did at the most recent events......Neither of them will make the team. Especially if Polina comes back healthy. I would imagine that with Polina's limited training time, she will repeat her very successful SP from last year. Hopefully, she has learned the choreography for her long program, off ice and will be ready when healthy. She's a giant??? at this time.

 

[lyndichee]

I understand why people are so hyped for Mariah Bell and the possibility of her gaining a Worlds spot but I would have to say that Polina is a much easier bet than Courtney or Mariah. I don't like her skating and sometimes her attitude but I think her grit is undeniable. Her first senior event was 2014 Olympics and she has consistently performed well at Nationals and Worlds, I think I could count on her to do reasonably well compared to other skaters.

 

[skylark]

My placements were under the assumption that Gracie is not part of the team. If Gracie and Ashley skate the way they did at the most recent events......Neither of them will make the team. Especially if Polina comes back healthy. I would imagine that with Polina's limited training time, she will repeat her very successful SP from last year. Hopefully, she has learned the choreography for her long program, off ice and will be ready when healthy. She's a giant??? at this time.

Oh, Mr Rice, that's not in the least bit likely! I think they'll both be training hard and come back strong in two months. Have a little faith! Gracie has everything she needs to rise again, as does Ashley. And Ashley's middle name is Grit, didn't you know?

 

[topaz emerald]

My placements were under the assumption that Gracie is not part of the team. If Gracie and Ashley skate the way they did at the most recent events......Neither of them will make the team. Especially if Polina comes back healthy. I would imagine that with Polina's limited training time, she will repeat her very successful SP from last year. Hopefully, she has learned the choreography for her long program, off ice and will be ready when healthy. She's a giant??? at this time.

but we have not seen Polina....and well, what can I say, I don't think the international judges love her. She has been more consistent than ashley or gracie, yet still lowballed/ignored. what else can this girl do to get noticed? It is too bad about her foot injury as we could have seen what she's got at the grand prix events this year. what do you mean she is a giant?

 

[mrrice]

I understand why people are so hyped for Mariah Bell and the possibility of her gaining a Worlds spot but I would have to say that Polina is a much easier bet than Courtney or Mariah. I don't like her skating and sometimes her attitude but I think her grit is undeniable. Her first senior event was 2014 Olympics and she has consistently performed well at Nationals and Worlds, I think I could count on her to do reasonably well compared to other skaters.

I would normally agree with this comment but, without knowing the current state of Polina's training, I can't put my money on her. The fact that I know more about her College life than her training is very telling. I certainly understand her excitement for this new experience but, I can't imagine she doesn't want bring down the house (Just like Rudy in 1996) in her hometown.

 

[mrrice]

but we have not seen Polina....and well, what can I say, I don't think the international judges love her. She has been more consistent than ashley or gracie, yet still lowballed/ignored. what else can this girl do to get noticed? It is too bad about her foot injury as we could have seen what she's got at the grand prix events this year. what do you mean she is a giant?

Well, to get to Worlds, Polina only has to impress the US Judges. Remember, Polina did win the 4CC so SOME international judges do love her. Plus, the girl doesn't FALL! That's a big deal to any judge, anywhere.

 

[andromache]

Surprised (well, not really) to see all the doom and gloom predictions for Ashley and Gracie at Nationals. Ashley had a bad outing at NHK last season, bad SP and good LP at the GPF, mediocre Nationals, and won silver at Worlds.

Gracie had a very bad GPF last season and won Nationals.

Of the "third-spot" crowd, how likely is it that two of them will skate well enough to unseat both Gracie and Ashley? Last Nationals, Polina and Mirai were POTENTIALLY good enough to beat both Gracie and Ashley if both had been utter disasters. But Karen Chen, Mariah Bell and Courtney Hicks were all bad as well.

I'll be surprised to see either of them out of the top 3 at Nationals, let alone both.

 

[topaz emerald]

Well, to get to Worlds, Polina only has to impress the US Judges. Remember, Polina did win the 4CC so SOME international judges love her. Plus, the girl doesn't FALL! That's a big deal to any judge, anywhere.

true, but they keep calling her on under-rotations. They even didn't give her credit for a spin. She was perfect but 7th after the short program at olympics, almost perfect in the long (only fell on the flip), but somehow fell to 9th overall, right? if memory serves correct. Judges are harsh with her. She has to work so hard, imo., to impress them.

 

[topaz emerald]

Surprised (well, not really) to see all the doom and gloom predictions for Ashley and Gracie at Nationals. Ashley had a bad outing at NHK last season, bad SP and good LP at the GPF, mediocre Nationals, and won silver at Worlds.

Gracie had a very bad GPF last season and won Nationals.

Of the "third-spot" crowd, how likely is it that two of them will skate well enough to unseat both Gracie and Ashley? Last Nationals, Polina and Mirai were POTENTIALLY good enough to beat both Gracie and Ashley if both had been utter disasters. But Karen Chen, Mariah Bell and Courtney Hicks were all bad as well.

I'll be surprised to see either of them out of the top 3 at Nationals, let alone both.

I think last years Nationals could have gone to Polina. She lost that competition with her weak Rudy galindo choreographed Gone with the Wind progam....had it been choreographed like Alain Chartrand of Canada, no way Gracie would have beat Polina that day, just my opinion.

and I actually would not be surprised if both of them didn't make the podium at nationals....I think whoever can deliver solid heartfelt performances to a roaring audience applause that day at Nationals will have the momentum going into olympic season. My bet is on mariah, polina, and another new face girl.

 

[Gullygirl84]

Even when Polina won 4CC, she only did so with a 184 score. Plus the field is a lot different than it was in 2015 when she was 8th at Worlds(where, food for thought on how much a difference 2 years make, Kanako came in 7th and beat her).
I have hope for some of the "third spot" girls, but I'm also hoping that Gracie and Ashley can get it together enough on time. Their components should still be high enough for 3 spots if they are able to pull out respectable TES... I'm lighting my candles.

 

[topaz emerald]

Even when Polina won 4CC, she only did so with a 184 score. Plus the field is a lot different than it was in 2015 when she was 8th at Worlds(where, food for thought on how much a difference 2 years make, Kanako came in 7th and beat her).
I have hope for some of the "third spot" girls, but I'm also hoping that Gracie and Ashley can get it together enough on time. Their components should still be high enough for 3 spots if they are able to pull out respectable TES... I'm lighting my candles.

I haven't given up on Gracie/Ashley, but if both girls can't deliver the technical goods at Nationals, judges shouldn't prop them up on PCS, give other girls a chance.

 

[mrrice]

I haven't given up on Gracie/Ashley, but if both girls can't deliver the technical goods at Nationals, judges shouldn't prop them up on PCS, give other girls a chance.

I agree. Plus, it doesn't matter what Polina's score was that year since it was enough to win the event with Gracie in attendance.

 

[topaz emerald]

Something else that Non-Californian's should not underestimate. Polina is VERY popular in Ca. More important, Northern Ca. She will have a wave of fans anywhere she goes. Especially if she's with Rudy, who is a BIG star in San Jose. The year that Polina won 4CC and last year after Nationals. She was on the Jumbo Tron at California's Great America which is located very close to the Arena and I imagine that as Nationals approaches, Polina will be the face of the Ads from Central to Northern, Ca

yes, I'm originally from the bay area, east bay, CA. She will be very popular there. But she still needs to bring the goods! Hoping the best for that girl, who's been so incredibly lowballed! She has a lot to prove come Nationals. I'd love to see her and mariah at the 1, 2 position at the podium