US Nationals - What are your thoughts?

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I'm wishing the judges will Nicholas LaRoche the scores he deserves and he would have a chance if he's still healthy.

He did a beautiful SP in Pacific Sectionals, but the LP was not good and dropped to 4th. Anyway he made the cut.

Joe

Let's hope she brings it all to Nationals. She will need it.

What if she doesn't bring it all to Nationals, and nobody else doesn't either?

I am not at all sure about that. American's like their Princesses. That's where the big money has always been. Historically, I can ee.

And should they not?

Can someone pls predict who's going to win in men's - Johnny or Evan?

Do you really think this thread is about figure skating? It's debating the favorite Lady to splat, and no one else.

 

[Hsuhs]

To respect your request - I am probably not the one you are looking for this from But I like "The Stick" for this one and most. I am a fan of Johnny's, but in light of the recent injury and his comments about not training enough.... I see Evan (I am a slightly lager fan of) winning this if the two both turn in "clean" programs. I have a feeling Johnny will pop at least one. JMO.

Oh well, it's a prediction. And I too think Evan will win this time, unless some miracle happens. Of course, I wish Johnny won. On a positive note, maybe it will motivate Johnny to do his best at Worlds.

 

[Hsuhs]

Do you really think this thread is about figure skating? It's debating the favorite Lady to splat, and no one else.

I realize that. It's just that I can't imagine myself watching Kimmi's skating. I mean, watching and enjoying it.

But I understand it's a very important issue for FS fans from the USA.

 

[Mathman]

I used to wonder what folks would do when they didn't have Michelle and Sasha to kick around any more.

But about "dominance," Susan Beth has a point. Michelle Kwan won 8 U.S. championships in a row. That's dominance of U.S. figure skating.

On the other hand, I really don't expect that USFS will tell the judges, hey guys, Meissner might not beat Asada and Kim at worlds, so give the U.S. championship to Christine Zukowski, OK?

I believe that Gregory and Petukov have a genuine shot at unseating Belbin and Agosto this time. Tanith and Ben got off to a late start after a long touring season, they threw their free dance together at the last minute, and then Ben came up injured. Melissa and Denis are steadily improving internationally.

For bronze it will be equally exciting between Matthews and Zavosin and Davis and White.

I think dance will be the most interesting discipline this year.

To answer the questions about the Flatt video, the sign says, "Watch out for flying pucks." A flying puck has done some damage to the p in puck. Mr. Ski took that vid, and it has definitely developed a life of its own.

I didn't know that! A stroke of cinematic genious on the part of Mr. Ski. Without that sign, it would just be another skating video.

And for someone for the Stephanie Rosenthal award of 2007, catch Taylor Firth's SP.

Thanks for the head's up. That's two votes now for Taylor Firth (Seanibu's fave!)

 

[boggartlaura]

And for someone for the Stephanie Rosenthal award of 2007, catch Taylor Firth's SP. Taylor has, to use Uncle Dick's phrase, a lot of pizazz on the ice.

Taylor rocks. Her SP is probably my favorite of the season. I really hope ESPN shows her.

 

[hockeyfan228]

My predictions are:

Ladies:

Meissner
Hughes
Flatt
Czissny
Liang
Kahle

Men:

Lysacek
Weir
Abbott
Bradley
Pennington
Overett

Pairs:

Inoue/Balwin
Nari Nam/Leftheris
Vise/Trent
Castile/Okolski
Evora/Ladwig
Moyle/Seitz

Dance:

Belbin/Agosto
Gregory/Petukhov
Davis/White
Matthews/Zavozin
Navarro/Bommentre
Miosi/Ponomarev

I think Hughes will grit her teeth and pull it off, regardless of how she's skated so far this year. I'm predicting Lysacek over Weir, but that's without knowing the extent of Lysacek's injury, although he also guts out his performances when ill and hurting.

My preferences: I would love to see Liang on the podium. My favorite dance teams are Matthews/Zavozin and Davis/White, but there's no way they'll beat B/A or G/P, if for no other reason that B/A could fall off the Worlds podium this year, and the second US team will need to place 9th or above to earn three spots for 2008. I do think D/W will pass M/Z this year, because Matthews has looked weaker this year, and they're not coached by a master politiker who has incentive to want three of his teams (B/A, D/W, V/M) to be in the mix for Vancouver. (Out with the imposters!) While G/P have been passed by K/N, they're still solidly competitive for a 9th place finish. I always want Weir to win when he skates well, and I would love to see Braden Overett on the podium. I dislike the way Trent/Vise skate, and I don't think they have an ounce of "one-ness," but I think they'll score well, especially if they land one of the big tricks. I love Castile/Okolski, but to me they look like they're heading off to the guillotine when they skate, and that doesn't exude confidence. I also like Evora/Ladwig.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Interesting take, Hockeyfan. I just about agree with you, however..... I would:

squeeze in Taylor Firth on your list of Ladies, and I expect major statements to be made by Becky Hughes, Megan Oster, Erin Reed and Megan Williams-Stewart.

Instead of Bradley (whom I enjoy but don't see him as a competitor) I would put Stephen Carrier (a bit wooden but definitely with the tech). Maybe Steenberg if he gets it together. This should be an eye opener for the two top Men to shape up.

Maybe last years' Junior Champs, Vlassov/Meekins may squeek in on the Pairs podium.

I concur with your Dance phrophesy. Matthews skates in another world; and Zavosin is too heavy concentrating on technique, and just about nothing with rapport. They just don't gel for me. Both may do well with other partners.

It's really nice to see some of these competitors on youtube or icenet because we would never see them on ABC.

Joe

 

[Spun Silver]

I just had a dream in which Kimmie delivered a sensational LP to become America's new ice princess! Headline-quality skating. We'll see how much of a soothsayer I am...

 

[Sylvia]

... and I expect major statements to be made by Becky Hughes, Megan Oster, Erin Reed and Megan Williams-Stewart.

I can understand your picking Oster (JGPF bronze medalist and second-year senior), but am curious why you mention the other "lesser knowns"? Is it based on watching their skating on icenetwork.com this season or for other reasons?

Maybe last years' Junior Champs, Vlassov/Meekins may squeek in on the Pairs podium.

They're the reigning World Junior champs, but placed behind 2006 National Junior champs Kendra Moyle/Andy Seitz and Bridget Namiotka/John Coughlin. Namiotka/Coughlin have had to deal with injuries this season, but I'm hoping that they and the other rookie senior pairs have good showings in Spokane.

ETA:

The fact is that Kimmie does not have a history of falling, popping or doubling jumps at major championships.

Meissner did learn this lesson the hard way at 2005 Junior Worlds (4th place) where a few popped jumps most likely cost her a medal there. The other junior competition I witnessed in which I recall her making a significant mistake was in the short program at 2004 Nationals, when she fell on her planned triple lutz. But she bounced back to skate a strong FS to win the junior national title.

She is an excellent competitor and comes into the big events thoroughly trained and ready.

I agree, based on having followed Meissner's career since the Intermediate level. After she failed to qualify for her second trip to Intermediate Nationals in the fall of 2001, she really turned it on going into her 2002-03 Novice season and has been on an impressive upward swing ever since.

 

[R.D.]

I just had a dream in which Kimmie delivered a sensational LP to become America's new ice princess! Headline-quality skating. We'll see how much of a soothsayer I am...

Jinx

(j/k)

 

[Jhar55]

WOW! not sure which was most interesting to read about who's going to win Nationals or who's hot Actually none of them are "hot" IMO. But back to the question whos going to win Nationals
My pick for the mens is my favorite Evan
The ladies is like most have said wide open, anyone of the ladies is beatable.
Not real impressed with any of the ladies Yet.
Dance wil most likely be B&A , G&P and D&W
Pairs probably be I&B , NNN&TL
Nationals only what 2 weeks wish I was going but maybe next year.
Everyone who's lucky to go have a GREAT TIME.
You know someone could make a sign telling the rest of us HELLO
I am sure that will make TV coverage.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I can understand your picking Oster (JGPF bronze medalist and second-year senior), but am curious why you mention the other "lesser knowns"? Is it based on watching their skating on icenetwork.com this season or for other reasons?

It is for Becky and Erin. MSW I watched at US Nats last year, and liked her too.
None of these are a pick for the podium, but just hopes for a nice skate.

They're the reigning World Junior champs, but placed behind 2006 National Junior champs Kendra Moyle/Andy Seitz and Bridget Namiotka/John Coughlin. Namiotka/Coughlin have had to deal with injuries this season, but I'm hoping that they and the other rookie senior pairs have good showings in Spokane.

Nothing wrong with Hockeyfan's selection of 6. I just thought, if I had a list of 6, I would have similar selections but add Vlassov/Meekins and taken off Evora/Ludwig. I haven't seen E/L or N/C this season so my list of 6 is very speculative. If I had a list of 10......

btw. US Pairs is not like the Russian Pairs or maybe the Russian Pairs have changed. The Americans have two quite capable male skaters with int'l experience in Pairs just floating around, and as far as I know, no one in the USFS tries to fit them to a female partner. I'm thinking of Hunt and also Lucash.

Joe

Nationals only what 2 weeks wish I was going but maybe next year.
Everyone who's lucky to go have a GREAT TIME.
You know someone could make a sign telling the rest of us HELLO
I am sure that will make TV coverage.

I'll try to tell you some skaters and teams that should have made the telecast in the GS Forum. About that HELLO sign? hmmm?

Joe

 

[SeaniBu]

I'm thinking of Hunt and also Lucash.

Joe

I think some might be a little afraid of Garret after seeing him chuck Katy just a bit to far in their last. It seemed like the hight wasn't there either. Anyhoo, I would imagine that the Ladies who ponder him as a partner are going to wonder, "is he going to over throw me too?"

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I think some might be a little afraid of Garret after seeing him chuck Katy just a bit to far in their last. It seemed like the hight wasn't there either. Anyhoo, I would imagine that the Ladies who ponder him as a partner are going to wonder, "is he going to over throw me too?"

If they are worried about Garret throwing them too far, they should not go with him but with Hunt (just can't think of his first name)

Now a Lady who can manage Garret's throws, may be just what would make his team good.

But where oh where are the Ladies?

My point here is asking the question of why the USFS does not take an active part in pairing couples up. Piseev would.

 

[Tonichelle]

Is Garrett even looking anymore?I thought he moved on? (Though Katie is paired up again from what I understand...)

 

[gkelly]

If they are worried about Garret throwing them too far, they should not go with him but with Hunt (just can't think of his first name)

Jonathon.

I don't even know if either of them are looking for new partners.

If they are, a skater who jumps clockwise would be better off with Lucash and one who jumps counterclockwise would be better off with Hunt.

 

[SeaniBu]

(Though Katie is paired up again from what I understand...)

Wow, what happened to becoming a chef / cooking school?

 

[SusanBeth]

What if she doesn't bring it all to Nationals, and nobody else doesn't either?

Then you have to pick the best of the lot. What I have been trying to say is that this is going to be a competition, not a coronation. Kimmie's position is not so strong that it can be assumed that she just has to show up to win. She could lose very easily. She has the jumps, but better skaters have missed jumps before. She's the one with the best shot at it. That's it.

And should they not?

That's in reference to American's liking Ice Princesses.

People are free to like whomever they choose. I just have to wonder if Kimmie is going to be a good fit. She is a sweet and pretty child, but she's an athlete. Her presentation is improving and I could see her becoming an elegant skater. (I am thinking of someone like Kerrigan. She was not really an artist or deeply musical, but had good lines and was nice to watch.) It's very possible. Maybe that will be enough. We will have to see who comes along. There are several years, before the next Olys. Kimmie can build her power base with good international results or someone else still has plenty of time.

 

[chuckm]

I don't see Kimmie losing "very easily" because none of the other ladies is such a strong skater that they can skate rings around her if Kimmie has one missed jump. Kimmie would have to have a major meltdown and/or one of the other skaters would have to have the skate of a lifetime.

I see that as scenario as a possibility but very far from a probability, and therefore the word "easily" is inappropriate.

I don't consider Kimmie a "child". She is 17 and a high school senior who is already planning her college education. No one calls Emily Hughes a child, and Emily is just 7 months older than Kimmie.

If Kimmie is a child, what does that make Yu-Na and Mao? They are a full year younger than she is.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Jonathon.

I don't even know if either of them are looking for new partners.

If they are, a skater who jumps clockwise would be better off with Lucash and one who jumps counterclockwise would be better off with Hunt.

I talked to Johnathan (thank you for the name) at MidAtlantics in August and I asked him if he was going to skate Pairsagain. He replied he is still looking fora patnel and so was Garret as far as he knew. I mentioned Katy Taylor and he said she is not ready for Pairs (yet). He then said he was appearing in the Radio City Christmas Show.

Obviously, they will not be in Pairs this year and maybe they both are moving on. I don't know. I just think it is a waste of seasoned talent.

Joe