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- Jul 31, 2014
I think that ship sailed long ago.
State of US Ladies in skating III: 2014-15 Season
- Thread starter R.D.
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I think that ship sailed long ago.
No need, really.
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2012
Yes, sadly, I agree. Every time I see people starting to pile up hype/expectations/pressure on a young skater's shoulders.... I cringe.
Well yet again we missed the podium but this time our ladies finished 4 5 and 8. Oh so close. I also see it as a good sign when the placement of the bottom two also is good enough for three spots.
The US ladies might not be thriving, but at the end of the day it's still a program to envy.
Also good for Gracie. She turned it around in a way I did NOT expect.
The US ladies might not be thriving, but at the end of the day it's still a program to envy.
Also good for Gracie. She turned it around in a way I did NOT expect.
I'm proud of the way Gracie and Ashley fought through their FS and moved up to 4th and 5th place. The fact that they placed 2nd and 3rd respectively in the FS shows what might've been since Elena was sick and not in her best form. One of them could've had silver or bronze had they not faltered in the SP. There was no catching Liza this year, but I bet they are both kicking themselves for the wasted opportunity.
Still, not a terrible outing and US gets three spots. Hope Polina also shows a more mature side of her skating next year and fixes her edge issues and speed.
Still, not a terrible outing and US gets three spots. Hope Polina also shows a more mature side of her skating next year and fixes her edge issues and speed.
Honestly, if you want to be optimistic, the U.S. Ladies are going in the right direction. Remember it was just two years ago we were excited about U.S. Ladies getting its third spot back. Now they've done so for a third year.
2013: Ashley 5th (5,6), Gracie 5th (9,5)
2014: Gracie 5th ( 5,7) , Ashley 7th (7,4), Polina, 8th (12,5)
2015: Gracie 4th (8,2), Ashley 5th (11,3) Polina 8th (7,7)
The SP was a HUGE step back, no doubt, but the U.S. Ladies, in the end, with a strong comeback in the FS, has shown an overall net positive trajectory in the last three years. My hope is they learn some key lessons and continue to grow and develop.
Apologies for sounding all Pollyanna and Kubaya on you all, but I think sometimes you just have to let the process play out.
2013: Ashley 5th (5,6), Gracie 5th (9,5)
2014: Gracie 5th ( 5,7) , Ashley 7th (7,4), Polina, 8th (12,5)
2015: Gracie 4th (8,2), Ashley 5th (11,3) Polina 8th (7,7)
The SP was a HUGE step back, no doubt, but the U.S. Ladies, in the end, with a strong comeback in the FS, has shown an overall net positive trajectory in the last three years. My hope is they learn some key lessons and continue to grow and develop.
Apologies for sounding all Pollyanna and Kubaya on you all, but I think sometimes you just have to let the process play out.
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- Joined
- Dec 22, 2012
No need to apologize Optimism is good, but let's be honest they had help from various skaters to keep the 3 spots. It is quite an accomplishment to move from 11th to 5th don't want to take that away from them. But their becomes harder, there are more Russians and Japanese coming. The problem still stands.
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- Joined
- Jun 6, 2014
Finally, positivity, so glad Ashley and Gracie fought the way they did after so many people were throwing them out after the short!
I get that, but in the end, they did what they could and it was enough for that day. They can't control what others skaters do or how they are scored. Again, for me, I like to think they got something out of it in their respective development than a better shot at going to Boston in 2016.
We say this every year. Sometimes it's best to just call a spade a spade.
This was a golden opportunity to end the drought that was squandered. We know it, they know it. That is all. 3 spots should have been a given in this field.
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- Joined
- Nov 30, 2014
You know, it's unfortunate that both #2 and #3 spots could have easily been taken by Gracie and Ashley if they hadn't lost it in the short. Liza's score was the only one that was completely out of reach.
Particularly in Wagner's case - she's near, if not already at, the end of her career. She could be thinking about what could have been in 2015 for a very long time. I see the competition getting tougher and the likelihood for injury and/or declining ability very high for her. Sometimes you gotta seize the moment when the opportunity presents itself, because you'll only get one shot - or two - and if you can't, perhaps it just wasn't meant to be.
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YMMV. Again, perhaps I can say such things because I don't personally feel that heavily vested in the ladies.
But yes, I'll play: They blew a great opportunity that was right in front of them. They are not the only ones that have done this in skating or ANY profession. Should they just call it a day and not bother to keep going at it? If I gave up because every time I blew up a golden opportunity, then I would have given up on my career a long time ago. And I'm really grateful for people who still believed in me in SPITE of me blowing it at times...
I also think it's presumptuous to assume the opportunity might not come again. Yes, Ashley is in the third act of her career. Perhaps it may never come, but the only person who should feel bad about that is Ashley herself, not us fans who haven't put any investment in her other than to watch her skate.
I get your frustration RD as a fan. But for me, I choose to look at it from a long-term perspective...Again YMMV.
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And that is fine. We all have different viewpoints, that's what makes this forum.
Right. And as I said I respect and sympathize with your frustration.
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- Nov 16, 2005
I'm glad the Americans ladies were able to bounce back from a disaster SP. But the opportunity was there for not just one medal but two. Perhaps even World Champion since neither Russian lady was that great. I can see the improvement, and the fight for the landings for all three US girls, but I still wanted a medal!
:disapp:
:disapp:
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2015
Yeah, Elizaveta Tuktamysheva was so average these Worlds. Totally...
I think Gracie came in 6th in 2013.
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2012
I think Tuk is beatable but it's going to take clean programs. I'm proud of Gracie and Ashley. Here some are scoffing because they didn't medal but they sure came back strong from diastrous SPs and 3 Americans in the top 10 is not shabby. I thought Gracie's dress was absolutely gorgeous and she seemed like the old Gracie on the ice. Makes you wonder what she could have done this year were it not for the stress fracture. Here's what I would like to see next year:
1. Polina get a makeover, stop wearing fairy dresses and skating to fairy music. She's long-limbed and those dresses with stuff flapping around her on her arms, etc. just makes her look gawky IMO.
2. Gracie get a new choreographer! Someone a little more current and not as staid.
3. Ashley............hmmmm, I don't know what I wish for Ashley. Maybe spend a little more time working on her URs and a little less roaring "I Am Woman"
4. Karen Chen - be allowed to develop without all the hype and pressure and skating to something a little more age and gender appropriate than The Godfather!
5. Samantha Cesario develop some speed in her skating.
6. Mirai Negasu..............no words. Can't think of another thing to say about her.
7. Ashley Cain - develop some style to go with all that athleticism.
8. Mariah Bell - here's my pick for a future star! There are Grand Prix and National medals in her immediate future!!!
1. Polina get a makeover, stop wearing fairy dresses and skating to fairy music. She's long-limbed and those dresses with stuff flapping around her on her arms, etc. just makes her look gawky IMO.
2. Gracie get a new choreographer! Someone a little more current and not as staid.
3. Ashley............hmmmm, I don't know what I wish for Ashley. Maybe spend a little more time working on her URs and a little less roaring "I Am Woman"
4. Karen Chen - be allowed to develop without all the hype and pressure and skating to something a little more age and gender appropriate than The Godfather!
5. Samantha Cesario develop some speed in her skating.
6. Mirai Negasu..............no words. Can't think of another thing to say about her.
7. Ashley Cain - develop some style to go with all that athleticism.
8. Mariah Bell - here's my pick for a future star! There are Grand Prix and National medals in her immediate future!!!
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