State of U.S. Ladies' skating 2016-17 | Page 131 | Golden Skate

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

OK, imagine that you're picking the U.S. Olympic spots & are placing high importance on the team event.
Why would you ever bypass Ashley?

What other U.S. woman can be counted on to deliver a solid score,
without the meltdowns we've seen from Karen, Gracie, Mirai and Mariah? Even in her "down year," she
beat those four in the GP standings, beat all but Karen at Nationals, beat Mariah at Worlds and just beat
Karen at WTT by 25 points overall.
 
I guess that's one way to provide perspective...

Wagner is no rock - but you know, it is becoming increasingly tough to look at any other US lady and make a convincing case that they are truly a viable alternative. That's more a reflection on the state of US skating than it is on Wagner, though. ETA: NB - I say this with full awareness/expectation that the landscape can and may be completely different by Decision 2018...skating careers are fleeting like that.

US women really are up, down, left and right these days. Step it up folks!! :cool:
 
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yuzushenko said:
oh yeah agreed, mariah's packaging is a lot more mature than polina's and it never even had to be Deep Solemn Mature Adult type of thing

even though polina is in college, if you check her social media, she's practically doing the exact same things she did before (partying, hanging out with friends, hanging out with her younger siblings) and you would never even think she went off to college or anything everything seems exactly the same in terms of personality and social media presence (and of course im obviously judging solely off of that)

the thing about her is i feel she is so independent (great thing) that i can't really see her doing traditional figure skating mature programs. everyone wants to just put these skaters into the traditional figure skater mold but polina seems different to me, she isn't a follower. it's probably cuz she never had that typical skater packaging but it's hard to imagine her in it. that makes it exciting though and i really look forward to seeing her return.

there is something to be said for somebody who despite constant barrage, never lets outsiders influence her actions. which in a way is probably the most mature thing any skater can do. perhaps why mariah seems more juvenile in a sense is that she lets herself be packaged into this nancy kerrigan esque person, and never lets her true self out. she is a lovely skater but there is more maturity in somebody knowing what they want and pursuing it despite people telling them otherwise (polina) vs someone letting themselves be packaged to somebody else's desires (mariah).


(anyways it's kinda silly to compare skaters this way but idk polina eludes me and i can't wait to see her return). the above also kind of applies to gracie and ashley. gracie lets her mom package her into the princess vision, while ashley even though she has the easiest programs transition-wise is determined to make it sexy and showy and will stick to it despite people suggesting otherwise.
Click to expand...

Agree with your comments especially about Polina... I too hope we will see her this season. Her chosen music last season was

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Mqmbz8W1-tA
Karl Jenkins "Palladio" SP

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zxotsTtwKDQ
Sarah Brightman "Time to Say Goodbye"

Which we never got to see but I am curious if she will use the same music should she compete this year; both pieces seem suitable for a 19 year old and her SP dress was absolutely stunning in 2015-16 so here's hoping she goes in this direction ...
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=umb7PQuVDsY
 
Can we start a new thread for the US ladies, please? We're almost to page 200 !

Is Tessa old enough to be on the Grand Prix circuit next season? And about polina: will she be given a spot? She's never medaled at a Grand Prix event. Will they kick off Courtney and add polina? And what about bradie? She isn't on everyone's radar but will the federation want her to have a chance on Grand Prix? And for the love of john Wilson blades, what'll happen this time with Angela wang???
 
Bluediamonds09 said:
Can we start a new thread for the US ladies, please? We're almost to page 200 !

Is Tessa old enough to be on the Grand Prix circuit next season? And about polina: will she be given a spot? She's never medaled at a Grand Prix event. Will they kick off Courtney and add polina? And what about bradie? She isn't on everyone's radar but will the federation want her to have a chance on Grand Prix? And for the love of john Wilson blades, what'll happen this time with Angela wang???
Click to expand...

Junior Grand Prix assignments are given to a country and the federation determines who to send.

Senior Grand Prix assignments are determined by the host country and they are given to an individual.
 
Bluediamonds09 said:
Can we start a new thread for the US ladies, please? We're almost to page 200 !
Click to expand...
Bluediamonds09 said:
Is Tessa old enough to be on the Grand Prix circuit next season? And about polina: will she be given a spot? She's never medaled at a Grand Prix event. Will they kick off Courtney and add polina? And what about bradie? She isn't on everyone's radar but will the federation want her to have a chance on Grand Prix? And for the love of john Wilson blades, what'll happen this time with Angela wang???
Click to expand...

^^A new thread actually sounds like a good idea. However, I have absolutely no idea what is going on with Angela Wang.....I have been following her since 2012/2013 when I saw her at the Junior GPF and then she followed it up with this great LP at Nationals. She has been on my radar for years and I'm truly shocked that she hasn't had a better career as a senior. Though it seems like she's been around forever, she's still quite young and with the motivation of the Olympics, maybe she'll have a breakthrough season next year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb99CZIL4lQ
 
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mrrice said:


^^A new thread actually sounds like a good idea. However, I have absolutely no idea what is going on with Angela Wang.....I have been following her since 2012/2013 when I saw her at the Junior GPF and then she followed it up with this great LP at Nationals. She has been on my radar for years and I'm truly shocked that she hasn't had a better career as a senior. Though it seems like she's been around forever, she's still quite young and with the motivation of the Olympics, maybe she'll have a breakthrough season next year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb99CZIL4lQ
Click to expand...


Angela attended USFSA Components Camp in Ohio last weekend. I saw her on Sean Rabbitt's IG feed as part of a group of "mid-level" US skaters who attended. Components camp is supposed to help skaters get their PCS marks up, so I hope that helps her succeed next season.

She always seems on the verge of breaking through and then she gets injured or has a headcase moment. She's turning 21 this summer so we'll see.
 
mrrice said:


^^A new thread actually sounds like a good idea. However, I have absolutely no idea what is going on with Angela Wang.....I have been following her since 2012/2013 when I saw her at the Junior GPF and then she followed it up with this great LP at Nationals. She has been on my radar for years and I'm truly shocked that she hasn't had a better career as a senior. Though it seems like she's been around forever, she's still quite young and with the motivation of the Olympics, maybe she'll have a breakthrough season next year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb99CZIL4lQ
Click to expand...


Just in terms of pure talent, I'd pick her every time. And when she skates well, casual fans I've watched with will pick her out too. But she's lacking competitive mettle. She's really made me think, there's probably so many great skaters in the world we rarely if ever glimpse, because competition doesn't bring out their best. I haven't followed her injury situation, but that has to factor in as well. I don't have any expectations, but I'd be happy to see her succeed.
 
apgold said:
Angela attended USFSA Components Camp in Ohio last weekend. I saw her on Sean Rabbitt's IG feed as part of a group of "mid-level" US skaters who attended. Components camp is supposed to help skaters get their PCS marks up, so I hope that helps her succeed next season....
Click to expand...

Angela was among the members of Team USA who served in a mentoring/leadership capacity at the camp -- in other words, she was there as a resource.
(I mentioned Angela, Caroline, and other mentor/leaders in my post above re components camp.)

I hope Angela herself got something out of the camp, but AFAIK, her designated role was a recognition by USFS that she had something to offer to less advanced skaters who attended the camp.
 
Did the skaters who went to components camp and post pictures GET advice on their components? Or GIVE advice to lower levels/juvenile skaters?
 
Celine said:
Did the skaters who went to components camp and post pictures GET advice on their components? Or GIVE advice to lower levels/juvenile skaters?
Click to expand...

This is an interesting question. I'm my experience, I think encouragement is as far as it ever gets. Coaches are very particular in the way their students train. Even if my students had been given advice on training from another dancer or coach, my methods would always remain the same. I would think that at a camp like this, the information is given directly to the coaches while the skater is out on the ice. At least that's how they do it at dance clinics. The team performs and the coaches sit in the stands with the experts and they have their dialog at that time.
 
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ice coverage said:
Angela was among the members of Team USA who served in a mentoring/leadership capacity at the camp -- in other words, she was there as a resource.
(I mentioned Angela, Caroline, and other mentor/leaders in my post above re components camp.)

I hope Angela herself got something out of the camp, but AFAIK, her designated role was a recognition by USFS that she had something to offer to less advanced skaters who attended the camp.
Click to expand...

Thanks for clearing that up. I'd not heard of components camp before but my impression from Sean was it was a lot of work and long days for him and the other Team USA folks, so I assumed they were training hard, not teaching. Not to imply coaching isn't hard either.
 
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Components camp is for early IJS level competitors that skated at their qualifying Regionals the previous year. The intent is to educate skaters (and their coaches) on what judges are looking for when evaluating the PCS. The hope is that skaters /coaches can use this information to revise their chereography (as necessary) to capitalize on these insights.

It is recommended that skaters bring their coach but it is not required.

I think this is about the 5th year a PCS camp has been held.
 
Mirai Nagasu and Angela Wang will be among the skaters in a benefit show for skater/coach Lucy Galleher, who recently was diagnosed with leukemia.

Lucy is the wife of Jeremy Barrett and is pregnant with their first child.

The show is on July 11 in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Also performing will be Ryan Bradley; Max; Jason; Madi Hubbell and Zach Donohue; Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres; and Danny Samohin.

More information about the benefit show is in Max's thread.

Photo of young Lucy skating in Showtime on Ice:

Ashley is mentioned right at the top :cool: of Variety's article today about the NBC Olympics pre-2018 promotional shoot.

NBCUniversal Marketing Machine Starts Its Engine for 2018 Olympics

Welcome to "WeHo," the conglomerate's hush-hush weeklong event that brought together 96 top athletes--10 months before the 2018 Winter Games

It’s only 287 days until the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics, but nearly 100 of the U.S. team’s top athletes have come together this week, from gold-medalist skier Lindsey Vonn to ice-skating phenom Ashley Wagner to snowboarding legend Shaun White. ....

http://variety.com/2017/digital/news/winter-games-2018-olympics-marketing-weho-1202400351/​

As evident from assorted social media (NBC, USOC, and more):

Ashley, Mirai, Karen, Mariah, and Gracie are the U.S. ladies invited to the shoot.

Also taking part: Nathan, Vincent, Adam, Jason; the Knierims; the Shibs and Chock/Bates. Haven't seen any sign of Madi and Zach yet, although I hope they are there too.​
 
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ice coverage said:
As evident from assorted social media (NBC, USOC, and more):

Ashley, Mirai, Karen, Mariah, and Gracie are the U.S. ladies invited to the shoot.

Also taking part: Nathan, Vincent, Adam, Jason​
Click to expand...


Aside from Max, I think they got all the men and women with a realistic shot at an Olympic spot.​
 
drivingmissdaisy said:
Aside from Max, I think they got all the men and women with a realistic shot at an Olympic spot.
Click to expand...

AHEM, you're forgetting Josh Farris as well. ;) If he returns, he has at least as good of a chance of making the team as Max does.

Knierims seem like the only pair there, and that's how it should be.

I think it's entirely possible (though not probable) that NBC will regret not inviting dark horse Tessa Hong to the shoot as well.
 
ice coverage said:
Mirai Nagasu and Angela Wang will be among the skaters in a benefit show for skater/coach Lucy Galleher, who recently was diagnosed with leukemia.

Lucy is the wife of Jeremy Barrett and is pregnant with their first child.

The show is on July 11 in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Also performing will be Ryan Bradley; Max; Jason; Madi Hubbell and Zach Donohue; Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres; and Danny Samohin.

More information about the benefit show is in Max's thread.

Photo of young Lucy skating in Showtime on Ice:

Ashley is mentioned right at the top :cool: of Variety's article today about the NBC Olympics pre-2018 promotional shoot.

NBCUniversal Marketing Machine Starts Its Engine for 2018 Olympics

Welcome to "WeHo," the conglomerate's hush-hush weeklong event that brought together 96 top athletes--10 months before the 2018 Winter Games

It’s only 287 days until the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics, but nearly 100 of the U.S. team’s top athletes have come together this week, from gold-medalist skier Lindsey Vonn to ice-skating phenom Ashley Wagner to snowboarding legend Shaun White. ....

http://variety.com/2017/digital/news/winter-games-2018-olympics-marketing-weho-1202400351/​

As evident from assorted social media (NBC, USOC, and more):

Ashley, Mirai, Karen, Mariah, and Gracie are the U.S. ladies invited to the shoot.

Also taking part: Nathan, Vincent, Adam, Jason; the Knierims; the Shibs and Chock/Bates. Haven't seen any sign of Madi and Zach yet, although I hope they are there too.​
Click to expand...


That is terribly sad news about Lucy Galleher! :( Sending prayers and healing energies her way.

Thanks for all that other info!
 
drivingmissdaisy said:
Aside from Max, I think they got all the men and women with a realistic shot at an Olympic spot.
Click to expand...

andromache said:
AHEM, you're forgetting Josh Farris as well. ;) If he returns, he has at least as good of a chance of making the team as Max does.

Knierims seem like the only pair there, and that's how it should be.

I think it's entirely possible (though not probable) that NBC will regret not inviting dark horse Tessa Hong to the shoot as well.
Click to expand...

As a diehard fan of Max and Josh, I would have dearly loved for them to be included, but at the same time, I cannot find much fault with NBC in this regard -- given that this season Max unfortunately was not his 2015-16 self and given that Josh will be coming back from what he originally believed to be a career-ending injury.

I like Tessa too, but I think NBC's crystal ball and budget go only so far.
For the April 2013 pre-Sochi NBC promotional shoot, Polina, Jason, and Felicia/Nate were not invited -- understandably, IMO. I think leaving no stone unturned is not really a practical goal for NBC with this shoot.

(Please don't get me wrong: If Max and/or Josh makes the Olympic team, my joy will know no bounds :hap93:. I'm getting teary :sad4: right now just daydreaming about my high hopes for them.)

ETA:
Of the 96 athletes (from 13 Olympics sports and 4 Paralympic sports) at this year's NBC shoot, 15 are figure skaters -- which is more than a lion's share.​
 
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apgold said:
Angela attended USFSA Components Camp in Ohio last weekend. I saw her on Sean Rabbitt's IG feed as part of a group of "mid-level" US skaters who attended. Components camp is supposed to help skaters get their PCS marks up, so I hope that helps her succeed next season. ...
Click to expand...

My apologies to apgold:

Falling on my sword :hopelessness: b/c I have realized at this late date that my previous response about Angela and components camp was too one-sided.

I see now that in addition to mentoring less advanced skaters, Angela did happily post on Apr 22 that she did take at least one class, taught by Douglas Webster and Derrick Delmore.​

Last night Polina Edmunds posted an Instagram story with (presumably new) video of herself jumping.

The video has been preserved here:


Article re Karen Chen and Nathan Chen (in advance of their upcoming SOI show in Chicago):

17-year-old skating phenoms headline top-tier ‘Stars on Ice’ tour
Tricia Despres - For the Sun-Times
05/03/2017, 03:00pm
http://chicago.suntimes.com/enterta...noms-headline-top-tier-stars-on-ice-tour/amp/​

One of the good quotes from Karen:
"... Competing is only stressful if you make it stressful, so I’m looking forward to taking the feeling I will have in a non-stressful environment like this and figure out how I can skate with that feeling [I have] when I am competing. You know, just letting your body do its work.”​

Starr Andrews was a delight :luv17: in a local TV interview in Colorado to promote Showtime On Ice.


It was a group interview that focused on Starr as a headliner of the show, but also included some younger girls in the cast.
Starr was very poised as she answered questions about her own skating -- and very sweet in complimenting the younger girls.
 
Looks Polina's body has changed a lot. :(

ice coverage said:
My apologies to apgold:

Falling on my sword :hopelessness: b/c I have realized at this late date that my previous response about Angela and components camp was too one-sided.

I see now that in addition to mentoring less advanced skaters, Angela did happily post on Apr 22 that she did take at least one class, taught by Douglas Webster and Derrick Delmore.​

Last night Polina Edmunds posted an Instagram story with (presumably new) video of herself jumping.

The video has been preserved here:


Article re Karen Chen and Nathan Chen (in advance of their upcoming SOI show in Chicago):

17-year-old skating phenoms headline top-tier ‘Stars on Ice’ tour
Tricia Despres - For the Sun-Times
05/03/2017, 03:00pm
http://chicago.suntimes.com/enterta...noms-headline-top-tier-stars-on-ice-tour/amp/​

One of the good quotes from Karen:
"... Competing is only stressful if you make it stressful, so I’m looking forward to taking the feeling I will have in a non-stressful environment like this and figure out how I can skate with that feeling [I have] when I am competing. You know, just letting your body do its work.”​

Starr Andrews was a delight :luv17: in a local TV interview in Colorado to promote Showtime On Ice.


It was a group interview that focused on Starr as a headliner of the show, but also included some younger girls in the cast.
Starr was very poised as she answered questions about her own skating -- and very sweet in complimenting the younger girls.
Click to expand...
 
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