US Team: 4CCs and Worlds (updated) | Page 17 | Golden Skate

US Team: 4CCs and Worlds (updated)

I think despite Chris' assertion that the audience isn't there for sport, but performance, I think that most people -- at a very human level- appreciate and get excited when the envelope of sport is pushed. That's why people go crazy when they see running records broken. I mean there isn't anything artsy about Usain Bolt running a 100m in 10 seconds or less, but yet the performance is dazzling!

Honestly, I do think the quads does help Nathan shine a lot more. He's not a natural performer, IMO, but I think honestly, the quads are his way to get the audience's attention. Had he done the same program with just triple jumps, it likely would have not been as impressive.

In contrast, while Jason usually doesn't have the most difficult jump content, the program and his performance of it commands people's attention.

I think there's room to appreciate both types of performance: The performance of sport and the performance that shines through sport.

If you need an example of the later, just look at the NBC Olympics post of the Shibs SD. Not a single jump, yet the video has been shared 35k times and been viewed millions of times. And FWIW, I've had friends (who are not skating fans) share both the Shibs video and Nathan's FS video.

Well said...its almost like you write for a living! ;) I am reminded of the D/W Bollywood vids on youtube...now THATS entertainment!
 
ITA.
Did someone call Jason's jumps ugly? Probably didnt happen. But if it did, That wasnt very nice.
Lets see...the commentators at the event dont think Jason's jumps are ugly....I was there and I saw his 3 A right in front of me in warmup and I dont think his jumps are ugly...the crowd likes his jumps....
I would say for a guy with a bad back and stress fractured leg, his jumps are pretty darned good.
Or, in the words of my friend Albert Einstein, "Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition ........."
Some of You may not agree that Jason is a great spirit. You may not enjoy his jumps...and that is fine. And you have a right to say that.
Lets play nice. It is fine for someone to say they do not prefer Jason's jumps....to call someone's jumps "ugly" is mean and bullying.
How would you feel if someone called your kid "Ugly"?
Jason fan

Misunderstanding. Someone had compared Jason to New York Knicks player Joakim Noah, namely cause he's a nice guy. And begin questioned the comparison because Noah also is a terrible free throw shooter (the joke: Is Jason's jumps as terrible as his jump shot)

People took that as that begin was saying Jason's jumps were ugly. I did not because I saw this In skating terms this would be the equivalent of Jason doing a single flip. Like it was WAY off. Chris, with all your dislike of the ball, you could probably do better.

The comparison was just badly timed cause seriously that free throw is like EVERYWHERE on the internet.

Arrrrgggguuuuhhhhh. Games of the ball Analogies. Jason is Fred Astaire. Nathan is Gene Kelly.

Pretty apt analogies.
 
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Misunderstanding. Someone had compared Jason to New York Knicks player Joakim Noah, namely cause he's a nice guy. And begin questioned the comparison because Noah also is a terrible free throw shooter (the joke: Is Jason's jumps as terrible as his jump shot)

People took that as that begin was saying Jason's jumps were ugly. I did not because I saw this In skating terms this would be the equivalent of Jason doing a single flip. Like it was WAY off. Chris, with all your dislike of the ball, you could probably do better.

The comparison was just badly timed cause seriously that free throw is like EVERYWHERE on the internet.



Pretty apt analogies.

Me do better??? The blankety blank whole house vaccumm fell on my head today....I probably wont be normal for a week....not that I ever was....:laugh: (If I start spelling correctly, call an ambulance!)
Now Thomas Jefferson....HE hated games of the ball....quote from 1785....
In 1785 Thomas Jefferson wrote to his fifteen-year-old nephew, Peter Carr, regarding what he considered the best form of exercise: "...I advise the gun. While this gives a moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprize, and independance to the mind. Games played with the ball and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be the constant companion of your walks."1


I really dont loath games of the ball....they just pail in comparison to figure skating...
 
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As has been said, it was a different situation. Tanith was training in Detroit at the time, and she wasn't a citizen in time for the 2002 Olympics even though they'd been partners since 1998. She got a special act of Congress to get her citizenship in 2005 for the Olympics, but they were medal contenders who'd been together a lot longer and she'd actually lived in the US for about seven years at that point.

I think it had to do with some strange changes in the citizenship laws. Because of these, Tanith wasn't eligible for citizenship yet after years of lying in the US, while other people who had lived in the US for less time, under similar circumstances, were already eligible.

Even with the special law, it took her (nearly?) two Olympic cycles to get her US citizenship.
 
The US has a strong team. I am not so sure I agree though about sending SK/K. I do like them but they haven't competed all year and it seems unfair that the others have competed all year olong and now this team, unproven this year, gets to go and the didn't even place in the top 8 last year.
 
I agree! After watching the European pairs I think Marissa and Mervin are the only ones with the potential to come anywhere near to the Europeans! I know the SBS jumps are a problem. But the twists, throws and lifts are getting-to-be magnificent but they need some competitive miles. I can understand 4CCs since everyone is so gah-gah about seeing the Olympic venue but Denny and Frazier and Castelli and Tran are the only 2 pairs that can maintain 2 spots and should be going to Worlds. I'm afraid that the US is doomed to one spot after Worlds.

Oh please, we're not that bad that we're actually going to lose two spots. Do you know how hard it is to lose two spots? It would take some truly, spectacularly bad skating.
 
I think it had to do with some strange changes in the citizenship laws. Because of these, Tanith wasn't eligible for citizenship yet after years of lying in the US, while other people who had lived in the US for less time, under similar circumstances, were already eligible.

Even with the special law, it took her (nearly?) two Olympic cycles to get her US citizenship.

I means, also, Belbin and Agosto had the potential to medal at that Olys. I'm sure this wasn't a non factor in her citizenship ultimately being expedited (which it was, at the time, regardless of how many years it had been). Castelli and Tran can't even win an extremely poorly attended Senior B.
 
Hopefully Tran is on the green card fast track for American citizenship. Or maybe he and Castellini entered the relationship knowing he would not go to the Olympics or at pre-Olympic World's

Both paired up knowing they wouldn't be eligible for 2018 (credit to their TSL interview). If they continue training in Canada or Castelli doesn't change allegiances, they won't be making in to 2022 either. I think @andromache said something I agreed with about them doing terribly because they don't have a greater goal in mind. Unfortunately in this Olympic-centric sport, it doesn't mean much if you're winning National/World championships (not that it's happening for them) and not going to the Olympics. Where's the motivation for someone who is an Olympic medalist and another who is a World medalist?
 
Oh please, we're not that bad that we're actually going to lose two spots. Do you know how hard it is to lose two spots? It would take some truly, spectacularly bad skating.

Scimeca and Knierim are such unknowns. I am very sorry for her illness this year but are they ready to skate top 15 or so in the Worlds. After watching Europeans and knowing what the Chinese bring in pairs, I'm thinking it will be difficult for the Americans to place high. I hope I'm wrong.
 
Scimeca and Knierim are such unknowns. I am very sorry for her illness this year but are they ready to skate top 15 or so in the Worlds. After watching Europeans and knowing what the Chinese bring in pairs, I'm thinking it will be difficult for the Americans to place high. I hope I'm wrong.

Their status will be apparent at 4CCs. If they don't skate well, USFSA is perfectly able to replace them at Worlds. Same with Denney/Frazier; her knee still looked quite iffy at Nationals. I think a strong showing by Cain/LeDuc at 4CCs will put them on the Worlds team.
 
Scimeca and Knierim are such unknowns. I am very sorry for her illness this year but are they ready to skate top 15 or so in the Worlds. After watching Europeans and knowing what the Chinese bring in pairs, I'm thinking it will be difficult for the Americans to place high. I hope I'm wrong.

Yes, Alexa and Chris are unknowns right now. However:

- They're going to be at 4CC so we'll get to see how they're skating in advance of Worlds.

and

- Petition-earned spots usually have some contingency that the team is monitored after earning the spot and must prove readiness by a certain date before the competition. If they're not ready, USFS can pull them.
 
Misunderstanding. Someone had compared Jason to New York Knicks player Joakim Noah, namely cause he's a nice guy. And begin questioned the comparison because Noah also is a terrible free throw shooter (the joke: Is Jason's jumps as terrible as his jump shot)

People took that as that begin was saying Jason's jumps were ugly. I did not because I saw this In skating terms this would be the equivalent of Jason doing a single flip. Like it was WAY off. Chris, with all your dislike of the ball, you could probably do better.

The comparison was just badly timed cause seriously that free throw is like EVERYWHERE on the internet.



Pretty apt analogies.

Ha, that's the problem with "other sport" analogies. I know nothing about b-ball right now (maybe I could pick King LeBron out of a lineup, maybe not), did not click and know nothing about any free throw.

I do know Joakim is Yannick Noah's son. Anything else?:noshake:

And Sixers fans are lifting cats for some unknown reason. Where are the Sixers in the standings?:noshake:

I probably know more about hoops than about gymnastics, however:laugh:
 
Ha, that's the problem with "other sport" analogies. I know nothing about b-ball right now (maybe I could pick King LeBron out of a lineup, maybe not), did not click and know nothing about any free throw.

I do know Joakim is Yannick Noah's son. Anything else?:noshake:

And Sixers fans are lifting cats for some unknown reason. Where are the Sixers in the standings?:noshake:

I probably know more about hoops than about gymnastics, however:laugh:

THe Sixers were my childhood team (having grown up in Philadelphia area), so it saddens me they're doing terribly. They are 17-28, 12th in an already weak Eastern Conference. Noah's New York Knicks is one spot up, with 21-27 record.
 
Ha, that's the problem with "other sport" analogies. I know nothing about b-ball right now (maybe I could pick King LeBron out of a lineup, maybe not), did not click and know nothing about any free throw.

I do know Joakim is Yannick Noah's son. Anything else?:noshake:

And Sixers fans are lifting cats for some unknown reason. Where are the Sixers in the standings?:noshake:

I probably know more about hoops than about gymnastics, however:laugh:

RAISE THE CAT!

Here's why. Stemmed from one of the players posting pics of him with his own cats.

(I'm still laughing at getting one of the Flyers beat writers to raise his cat on live televion.)
 
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