US Nationals - What are your thoughts?

[chuckm]

I also hate when people say the season is early when it comes to the GP events and that says that is what the bad skate was about. And they tend to peek at nationals. Oh Pleeeeaassee. You know your going to an international event and you go knowing your not ready. And they get money to win to boot. Or they have spent the off season doing shows.

Some skaters peak later in the season, while others do well early in the season but then fade later one. Last season, Mao Asada won two medals in the GP and the GPF, but lost Nationals to Suguri and Junior Worlds to Yu-Na Kim. OTOH, Shizuka Arakawa struggled in the GP but won the big one: the OGM. And Kimmie Meissner didn't win any medals in the GP, but gradually improved her programs as the year went on and she won the World Championship.

I will say that Kimmie and Emily will medal due to the fact that the USFSA promotes the heck out of them and they need the pay off. It never fails that who they promote won't win.

Really? Kimmie got 'promoted' last season and she won the World Championship.

They need to start promoting the up and comers. I'd really like to see some new faces on the podium.

Kimmie is all of 16 years old, and you think her face isn't new? She's been around just 3 years, and Emily 3 as well. What makes you think any of the 'up and comers' will do any better on the World scene than Kimmie did last year?

One last thing. I know more of the Japanese skaters names then I do the US skaters. Why is that? I'm a huge skating fan, and I do know most of the Sr skaters and have heard of some of the Jr. But when it comes down to Novice, I have no clue. Talk about a big void.

You could get a membership to Ice Network and then you could see all the Junior and Novice skaters, and even the Intermediates and Juveniles. People who really want to know who the 'up and comers' are will take the time and trouble and even a few dollars to find out, instead of complaining about Kimmie and Emily.

 

[Mysticchic]

Some skaters peak later in the season, while others do well early in the season but then fade later one. Last season, Mao Asada won two medals in the GP and the GPF, but lost Nationals to Suguri and Junior Worlds to Yu-Na Kim. OTOH, Shizuka Arakawa struggled in the GP but won the big one: the OGM. And Kimmie Meissner didn't win any medals in the GP, but gradually improved her programs as the year went on and she won the World Championship.

Come on, Kimmie did a 3axel and that alone brought her a ton of attention.



Really? Kimmie got 'promoted' last season and she won the World Championship.

Promoted as in fluff and tv apperances. ESPN took her to Worlds that first year.



Kimmie is all of 16 years old, and you think her face isn't new? She's been around just 3 years, and Emily 3 as well. What makes you think any of the 'up and comers' will do any better on the World scene than Kimmie did last year?

she is 17 and she has been on the nationals seen for now 3 years



You could get a membership to Ice Network and then you could see all the Junior and Novice skaters, and even the Intermediates and Juveniles. People who really want to know who the 'up and comers' are will take the time and trouble and even a few dollars to find out, instead of complaining about Kimmie and Emily.

I watch the regonals and things like that, but I refused to sign up since they were of poor quality on my computer. It skipped and had to rebuff a lot.

 

[SeaniBu]

Mysticchic, thank you for correcting the age ( for some reason I see a lot of people saying she is still 16 - she is 17 and a HALF '89 middle of the year - I think near Joesitz B-Day too), that stood out in the quote but the "code" is in a weird place so it appears as being part of someone else's comment.

If you don't know how to fix - you might I am trying to be helper boy
Take the first [quote by blaa blaa] and copy and paste it at the beginning of each start to the others quote. You'll see it is different then the last one.

 

[Tonichelle]

^^^Isn't that what people said about last year's coverage though too? They showed a TON of skaters in the allotted times for St. Louis and it went over very well IIRC so I won't be surprised if they cram in a lot of skaters again.

And all I want for US Nats at this point is for Braden Overett and Amanda & Mark to get on TV so I can see their wonderful programs. I got my wish for Stephanie Rosenthal to be on TV last year so PLEASE let both of them make it to my TV this year!!!

ooo while we're making a tv coverage wishlist....

I hope they show some ODs so we can get an idea of why the teams were placed the way they were (when the time comes)... because I want to see me some ODs!

 

[flying camel]

Doesn't it depend on how you skate in practice in regards to getting shown on TV? I remember a lot of people commenting on Rosenthal's routine, and sure enough they showed her.

 

[chuckm]

Kimmie did the 3A in her first Senior Nationals, back in 2005. She did not do a 3A in her FS last season.

And it seems the USFS was right on, promoting Kimmie in 2005, because she did win the World Championship in 2006, and two medals on the GP this season. Kimmie and Emily were the ONLY US ladies to win GP medals. All of the other ladies bombed ferociously in the GP.

All we need is for one of the bombers to be made US Champion, go to Worlds and finish in the upper teens. I am begining to think Mysticchic is hoping for that to happen, because he/she is a Mao Asada or Miki Ando fan. Therefore his/her opinion should be taken with a grain of salt.

 

[Sylvia]

Kimmie and Emily were the ONLY US ladies to win GP medals. All of the other ladies bombed ferociously in the GP.

Well, Alissa Czisny did skate respectably well at Skate Canada to place 4th (3rd in the FS) -- her highest scoring event of the season so far.

Doesn't it depend on how you skate in practice in regards to getting shown on TV? I remember a lot of people commenting on Rosenthal's routine, and sure enough they showed her.

Yes, it is one of the factors considered by the TV folks.

 

[flying camel]

That's why I have said I would be scared if Alissa and BeBe were on a team together. I can see them finishing 18 and 22 at Worlds. We will only have two skaters for the next season.

 

[Tonichelle]

Doesn't it depend on how you skate in practice in regards to getting shown on TV? I remember a lot of people commenting on Rosenthal's routine, and sure enough they showed her.

unless you're a big name (this year think Kimmie, Emily, probably Katy...) then yes it depends mainly on practices and how well you did earlier in teh season...

 

[R.D.]

All we need is for one of the bombers to be made US Champion, go to Worlds and finish in the upper teens. I am begining to think Mysticchic is hoping for that to happen, because he/she is a Mao Asada or Miki Ando fan. Therefore his/her opinion should be taken with a grain of salt.

here we go again, throwing around "fan" labels. I thought that only happened when we were discussing Kwan/Cohen/Lipinski/Slutskaya.

The US champion will finish in the top 10...I'm 99% confident of that.

Well, Alissa Czisny did skate respectably well at Skate Canada to place 4th (3rd in the FS) -- her highest scoring event of the season so far.

Well, it's the COR performance that she finished with and she needs to build back that confidence if she hopes to be on the nats podium. Granted it'll be easier without Kwan and Cohen there, but disaster rarely places high.

 

[Mysticchic]

I'm all for the US ladies..trust me, I root for them so hard. I do however enjoy watching Mao, Miki and Yuna. I also enjoy watching Kimmie (always waiting for the triple axel) which I might add sets her apart from the pack. But it seems to me all anyone focuses on are Kimmie, Alyssa, and Emily. The ones you tend to see all the time on TV. I think Kimmie is adorable in interviews. Emily always has a smile on her face and Alyssa has wonderful artistry. I've seen them all skate first hand.
Thanks for the info on the quote thingy. But let's take a look at some of the other skaters to.

 

[Tonichelle]

Mystic - welcome to the board! and I agree it shouldn't just be about Uncle Dick's 'favorites'...

 

[gkelly]

Doesn't it depend on how you skate in practice in regards to getting shown on TV? I remember a lot of people commenting on Rosenthal's routine, and sure enough they showed her.

It will also depend on how much time the network has allocated for showing the event.

For the short program, skate order may play a part (e.g., sometimes they like to show the very first skater just to start things off before introducing the commentators and previewing the contenders, especially if one of those contenders is in the first group) and also how well the skater actually performs in competition (yes they have sometimes shown disastrous SPs from a name skater or one who was attracting attention in practice -- but if they have to choose between two skaters who were equally impressive in practice, they're a lot more likely to show the one who placed 6th than 16th in the short).

For the long program, how well the skater did in the short . . . especially when they broadcast the final group live and none of the earlier groups. If they show part of the penultimate group, then skate order in that group may determine who does or doesn't get shown.

 

[chuckm]

Well, Alissa Czisny did skate respectably well at Skate Canada to place 4th (3rd in the FS) -- her highest scoring event of the season so far.

Yes, and that score gave us hope that Alissa was back in her form from the previous GP season. But then she really bombed big time at Cup of Russia, and had among the lowest ladies' FS scores in the GP.

 

[Tonichelle]

they also have 'repeat broadcasts' and if a skater created a lot of buzz during the competition in the arena they tend to show the skater's program in the repeat.

 

[Mysticchic]

thank you for the nice welcome Toni. And Zuks scores were in the 127 range at the GPs.
I posted this on another forum and maybe this will speak volumes.

Top international scores from Jr and Sr GP events and Sr B events for US ladies for 06.

1. Kimmie Meissner 177.78 (SA)
2. Alissa Czisny 163.69 (SC)
3. Emily Hughes 151.12 (CoC)
4. Bebe Liang 150.76 (Nebelhorn)
5. Megan Oster 135.73 (JGPF)
6. Megan William-Stewart 134.26 (Nepela)
7. Danielle Kahle 130.60 (KS)
8. Katy Taylor 130.22 (Nebelhorn)
9. Christine Zukowski 127.94 (TEB)
10. Melissa Bulanhagui 126. 87 (JGPF)
11. Megan Hyatt 123.51 (JGP FRA)
12. Julianna Cannarozzo 123.28 (JGP NOR)

these were the highest totals. Also remember the ones that were in the Jr GP had less elements and 30 less seconds.

 

[Mathman]

1. Kimmie Meissner 177.78 (SA)
2. Alissa Czisny 163.69 (SC)
3. Emily Hughes 151.12 (CoC)
4. Bebe Liang 150.76 (Nebelhorn)
5. Megan Oster 135.73 (JGPF)
6. Megan William-Stewart 134.26 (Nepela)
7. Danielle Kahle 130.60 (KS)
8. Katy Taylor 130.22 (Nebelhorn)
9. Christine Zukowski 127.94 (TEB)
10. Melissa Bulanhagui 126. 87 (JGPF)
11. Megan Hyatt 123.51 (JGP FRA)
12. Julianna Cannarozzo 123.28 (JGP NOR)

Interesting numbers. So would you say that, realistically, Kimmie can't be beaten and the rest of the podium will be decided among the old standbys Alissa, Emily and Bebe, with the "up and comers" pretty much out of it? (Rachael Flatt does not have a senior competitive score yet this year.)

 

[Sylvia]

(Rachael Flatt does not have a senior competitive score yet this year.)

If we count Regionals and Sectionals, here are the best scores of the senior ladies who competed in U.S. qualifying competition(s) this past fall:
Alissa Czisny 161.34 [EGL-1]
Rachael Flatt 159.27 [MID-1]
Danielle Kahle 150.24 [PAC-1]
Kylie Gleason 148.16 [EAST-1]
Taylor Firth 145.22 [EAST-2]
Michelle Boulos 139.41 [NE-1]
Angie Lien 134.71 [UGL-1]
Megan Hyatt 132.88 [UGL-2]
Becky Hughes 130.57 [SWP-1]
Erin Reed 128.26 [PAC-2]
Christine Zukowski 127.03 [SA-2]
Megan Williams-Stewart 124.63 [EAST-4]
Ambar Kaiser 123.25 [SW-2]
Margaret Wang 120.04 [PAC-4]

 

[R.D.]

Now that you organize the scores that way, it's very interesting. But I expect some point inflation since we're talking Nationals here. Basically what I said before is reflected here, too...Kimmie wins, the other four are in the mix, and to heck with everyone else.

Maybe the only skater that can "sneak in" is Rachel, similar to Katy last year.

 

[Sylvia]

Yes, and that score gave us hope that Alissa was back in her form from the previous GP season. But then she really bombed big time at Cup of Russia, and had among the lowest ladies' FS scores in the GP.

But, unlike last year, Alissa hasn't had to compete (or travel internationally) since late November, and so perhaps she will be better rested and prepared for Nationals this year?