U.S. Ladies Prediction & Speculation Thread
- Thread starter R.D.
- Start date
I think it's more important for Gao to have a strong technical base at this point in her career (which she does). The attention to detail and line will continue to improve as she gets older (I mean, look how far she's come in the past 6 months!). She's also very consistent, which is an important quality to have. It was only in January 2009 that she fell three times in her junior FS at Nationals, and now she's routinely delivering 6-7 triple programs (2009 Junior Grand Prix Final, Junior Worlds, Skate Detroit, Thornhill, JGP Austria). I'm very impressed with how much she has improved in only her second season of international competition. 
- Joined
- May 15, 2009
Perhaps a "Russian Ladies Prediction & Speculation Thread" could be started for all the talk about Sotnikova and the other Russian wonderbabies?
There are so many "Polinas" we could have a good thread just trying to keep them straight.
Well, I was thinking this but didn't want to say. But since you brought it up.... Tarasova's choreo is a bit musty. You are right that her style fits Adelina but I hope she can mix it up a bit for that girl, I dunno, something a bit more ... surprising. Still, Adelina is so young. It's normal and fitting for her to be skating to old war horses until she really gets her style together.
I agree with Janetfan that we have to wait. And anything can happen. And I do hope she fixes her flutz that someone else pointed out. Still, I'm so excited about this girl. Too bad Dick Button doesn't commentate anymore. He used to say "reminiscent of Janet Lynn!" when he would watch Michelle Kwan's perfect landings on her jumps. Maybe with Adelina someone will say "reminiscent of Sasha Cohen!" when they watch Adelina's spins and spirals
I think with Christina, the "hype" is really all about how she will do at senior nationals, given that - as has been the case for years now - there is no runaway favorite. So, there is a lot of room for Gao and some of the other youngsters to come in and play spoiler for the older girls - before these older girls ever even really make their mark on the international stage! I think Mirai and Rachael are the leaders, and personally, I am hoping for Ashley and Alissa to have a great year. But they have to watch out!
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- Joined
- May 15, 2009
Well, I was thinking this but didn't want to say. But since you brought it up.... Tarasova's choreo is a bit musty. You are right that her style fits Adelina but I hope she can mix it up a bit for that girl, I dunno, something a bit more ... surprising. Still, Adelina is so young. It's normal and fitting for her to be skating to old war horses until she really gets her style together.
I agree with Janetfan that we have to wait. And anything can happen. And I do hope she fixes her flutz that someone else pointed out. Still, I'm so excited about this girl. Too bad Dick Button doesn't commentate anymore. He used to say "reminiscent of Janet Lynn!" when he would watch Michelle Kwan's perfect landings on her jumps. Maybe with Adelina someone will say "reminiscent of Sasha Cohen!" when they watch Adelina's spins and spirals
I think with Christina, the "hype" is really all about how she will do at senior nationals, given that - as has been the case for years now - there is no runaway favorite. So, there is a lot of room for Gao and some of the other youngsters to come in and play spoiler for the older girls - before these older girls ever even really make their mark on the international stage! I think Mirai and Rachael are the leaders, and personally, I am hoping for Ashley and Alissa to have a great year. But they have to watch out!
Watching Mao's new exhibition program by Tat and the way Mao skates it left me spellbound. It is some of the most beautiful skating/choreo I have ever seen.
Some of the dresses we have seen - for lack of a better word might seem "musty"
But I agree some of Mao's choreo has seemed a little hit or miss.
As chipso pointed out this is only Christina's second year competing at Intl events.
I think many US fans will be happy seeing our senior Ladies medaling at their GP events and making the final the way Christina did last season. Her 5th place finish at her first Natls was nice to see as well.
The way I see it we can all have favorites. I am excited about Christina and think she is showing an abilty to compete and to get better. That is enough for me although I would add I think she has a lovely presence on the ice which will only get better with more experience.
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Perhaps a "Russian Ladies Prediction & Speculation Thread" could be started for all the talk about Sotnikova and the other Russian wonderbabies?
You've got your wish
http://www.goldenskate.com/forum/sh...Ladies-Speculation-Thread&p=517819#post517819
Please, let's keep this thread about the Americans
- Joined
- May 15, 2009
Here is Caroline's SP from Skate Canada. Some think she gets a raw deal in the US but comments from Kurt Browning might show the view north of the border is not much different than here in the USA.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urqicJpb1QM
They call her "such a contradiction, moments of brilliance followed by................."
Hope Caroline bounces back this season and makes all of us eat our words (excluding Bob)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urqicJpb1QM
They call her "such a contradiction, moments of brilliance followed by................."
Hope Caroline bounces back this season and makes all of us eat our words (excluding Bob
)
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Here is Caroline's SP from Skate Canada. Some think she gets a raw deal in the US but comments from Kurt Browning might show the view north of the border is not much different than here in the USA.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urqicJpb1QM
They call her "such a contradiction, moments of brilliance followed by................."
Hope Caroline bounces back this season and makes all of us eat our words (excluding Bob
That commentary right about nails it. It's very strange to watch Caroline because she has the maybe the best lines and positions among senior ladies right now, and absolutely stunning spins when she manages to get some speed into them.
Yet her skating looks very labored because of her lack of speed. And the other strange thing is that her jumping technique is so awful it even makes me cringe (and normally have a hard time noticing wonky technique among senior skaters). She muscles into every jump and it always looks hard - but then she goes and lands them!
I know she already was aware of this problem last season and wasn't able to fix it so it makes me wonder if she has it in her. But can you imagine if she could fix these issues? She would be sensational.
Yeah, Layfan. This is why so many of us continue to hope for and to root for Caroline. The elements in which she excels are delightful to watch. She's not an ordinary, so-what skater. So it's worth continuing to pay attention to her on the chance that she solves her problems, because as you say, if she could fix those issues, she'd be sensational.
New vlog from Wagner-
http://twitter.com/#!/AshWagner2010/status/24989592944
http://www.universalsports.com/vide...1243208.html#vlog+part+another+setback+ashley
Says she's been sick lately, so she also has some catching up to do. She also explains why she pulled out of the Germany event.
http://twitter.com/#!/AshWagner2010/status/24989592944
http://www.universalsports.com/vide...1243208.html#vlog+part+another+setback+ashley
Says she's been sick lately, so she also has some catching up to do. She also explains why she pulled out of the Germany event.
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Ice is slippery.
I have to concur.
I had hopes that Wagner would really set herself apart in the coming months, but sounds like she has to play catch-up now (as does Nagasu). Oh well, we still have another couple of months before things start getting serious. I can't really see any American lady making the GPF thus far.
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2007
Ashley was sick, Mirai was injured, Rachael not skating well.
It's starting to look pretty grim. Somebody is going to have to step up soon.
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2009
Christina and Agnes already have. And Rachael skated a good 6 triple LP this weekend.
- Joined
- May 15, 2009
Yes, it is nice that we have wonderful Dance Teams
And there is also Jeremy and Adam and few decent Pairs teams as well.
As RD said, let's wait for the senior Ladies to begin their more serious competitions before we write 'em off.
Bring on the WTT
