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- Nov 16, 2005
What number do the girls need to get at Worlds for us to get 3 spots for the Olympics?
Which two for World Team
- Thread starter flying camel
- Start date
No more than 13. I think.
Honestly, I want to see the top 2 at nationals go. Yeah, that may result in two surprise medalists, but I think its just the principal of the thing. Yeah, I loved sending Meissner last year, cause her fall from the top just broke my wee little heart, but I hated the fact that they had to break from top 3 eligible girls to do that.
It just makes it seem okay when it comes to a big competition, potentially Vancouver, and they get to select the 2nd/3rd girls to send, like Japan looking over Nakano for Ando (who busted apart at the seems, mind you) for Turn 2006 (for some reason, i looked at Turin 2006 and thought it looked so weird...like...do people usually say Torino? or just 2006 games? whatever haha).
However, who do I want to see make the top 2 and earn the spots? First one is Flatt. Girl has her jumps, unlike so many of the other top contenders, and even if I dont see her as the most graceful, or if she is my personal favorite, we need someone who can place well, so we grab those 3 spots for Vancouver.
As for the second spot, its a hard choice between Wagner and Zhang. When Zhang's on shes on, and I just love her skating. I do have some doubt, though, that she can get the 13 with Rachael. Wagner, I love Wagner, and she is usually pretty consistent and when shes on, like her NHK SP, shes divine. But can she string two great performances together? Shes the one girl I'd be comfortable with aiming for 13.
It just makes it seem okay when it comes to a big competition, potentially Vancouver, and they get to select the 2nd/3rd girls to send, like Japan looking over Nakano for Ando (who busted apart at the seems, mind you) for Turn 2006 (for some reason, i looked at Turin 2006 and thought it looked so weird...like...do people usually say Torino? or just 2006 games? whatever haha).
However, who do I want to see make the top 2 and earn the spots? First one is Flatt. Girl has her jumps, unlike so many of the other top contenders, and even if I dont see her as the most graceful, or if she is my personal favorite, we need someone who can place well, so we grab those 3 spots for Vancouver.
As for the second spot, its a hard choice between Wagner and Zhang. When Zhang's on shes on, and I just love her skating. I do have some doubt, though, that she can get the 13 with Rachael. Wagner, I love Wagner, and she is usually pretty consistent and when shes on, like her NHK SP, shes divine. But can she string two great performances together? Shes the one girl I'd be comfortable with aiming for 13.
Yet Meissner was the highest scored american, what help did she have from Bebe & Wagner, who had a meltdown after skating after Miki Ando??? Bebe at least ended up in the top 10, but Ashley was out of it!!! In order to still have our 3 spots, Meissner should've had to be at the top 3 and that's asking A LOT!!! even now, Yuna & Mao are formidable. 4CC was proof enough Meissner was needed even she didnt deserve it.
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Yes, she was needed, theres no doubt about that. BUT my point is the fact that they had to pass up Hacker makes me kinda sad. When the decision was being made, I was very indifferent as to whether Hacker or Meissner went, because it was the second event since her 4th at Worlds and her win at Skate America, and everyone expected her to be in the top 5. If she woulda done even that, I guess I woulda been happier.
Simply put, I grew up with them solely choosing the team based on results at Nationals, and I like it that way. If USFS wants to choose based on skills, take a page from gymnastics; skills camp? Something different than just Nationals....
Simply put, I grew up with them solely choosing the team based on results at Nationals, and I like it that way. If USFS wants to choose based on skills, take a page from gymnastics; skills camp? Something different than just Nationals....
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- Mar 12, 2007
Normally I prefer the hard and fast rules, too, but in this case I was ok with the decision. Hacker beat Meissner by less than one point, and Hacker just didn't have the international experience and exposure of Meissner.
Also, I'd seen who was it, Bobek? or Kerrigan? whoever-it-was get sent over a very young Kwan back in the day and then Kwan 3 Olys later getting sent but then ceding her spot to E. Hughes. So I've seen it done before. But I know what you mean.
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- Nov 10, 2007
Same here:agree:
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- Jun 27, 2003
ITA
It was Kerrigan/Harding both that kept Michelle out, IIRC. both petitioned to be on the team.
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- Mar 12, 2007
Thanks for the clarification!
L
LKR722
Guest
None of the U.S. ladies have been overly impressive thus far scoring wise. Even clean programs (such as Flatt's COR long) aren't scoring well enough to realistically be a medal threat at this point. Basically, no matter who we send to Worlds, we'll have to hold our breath about getting 3 spots. It's going to be close.
All of the US ladies have jumping issues, and most of them have underrotation and consistency problems. I don't think the top 2 can necessarily be predicted right now. Zhang and Meissner were our top performers on the GP last year, and they didn't do very well at Nationals.
Nah, gymnastics is hurting by having that extra camp in there to select World teams. Too many gymnasts burn out/get injured. I think that it's great that skating goes by National results, for the most part. But I was completely fine with Hacker not going last year because she didn't have all the jumps and pretty much got lucky to finish 6th anyway (only a point away from 7th?).
All of the US ladies have jumping issues, and most of them have underrotation and consistency problems. I don't think the top 2 can necessarily be predicted right now. Zhang and Meissner were our top performers on the GP last year, and they didn't do very well at Nationals.
Nah, gymnastics is hurting by having that extra camp in there to select World teams. Too many gymnasts burn out/get injured. I think that it's great that skating goes by National results, for the most part. But I was completely fine with Hacker not going last year because she didn't have all the jumps and pretty much got lucky to finish 6th anyway (only a point away from 7th?).
That's how it's gonna be in a nutshell. But we must pick the two that makes us hold our breath the LEAST.
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Just wanted to say I loved the video, McWicked!Sorry I am getting off topic.
Thank you!!!
at least someone liked it.
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- Jun 21, 2003
IIRC it was a little more complicated than that. Nancy Kerrigan petitioned (successfully) to be on the Olympic team, citing injury.
Tonya Harding won the U.S. championship, with Michelle Kwan second. The USFSA wanted to take away Tonya's title and kick her off the Olympic team for her part in the conspiracy to assault Kerrigan. Harding's legal team threatened to sue the USFSA if they did. So they let Tonya particpate, and Michelle was out.
Later as part of Tonya's plea barganining it was agreed that the U.S. title would be vacated. So, after the fact, there was no U.S. champion that year (and Michelle ended up with only 9 U.S. titles instead of 10.
)
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- Mar 12, 2007
^ I remember some commentators (general commentators, not skating analysts, EVERYONE was talking about Nancy et al at that time) saying that, after all the brouhaha, neither Kerrigan nor Harding were going to prove to be contenders once at the Olys, but Nancy really came through. And don't even get me started on her dazzling technical performance vs. Oksana's ... LOL at dredging up old "feuds."
And Tonya, oh, Tonya. I remember her broken lace and all her dramatics, large and small, at the Olys and beyond.
And Tonya, oh, Tonya. I remember her broken lace and all her dramatics, large and small, at the Olys and beyond.
Well I've been pondering this for the last couple of days. I was ready to write Alisa off but they judges really seem to like her this year. They are reacting to her the way they did to Angela N that one Worlds where she came in fifth (she messed jumps/seemed to give up on them) but the judges were there with the marks for her. It would make sense to send Alisa if she does well at Nats. However she is very inconsistent. I don't think she will make the podium (though I love her skating). Kimmie is on a two-year jumping plan and I think year two will tell us more. Ashley does better in the SP/can't seem to control her adrenaline sometimes in the LP but has done pretty well and got a 7 for skating skills at NHK so the judges are taking note. Caroline has the talent and seems to have high expectations of herself but is still a work in progress. Bebe well I love her but she's a mess. A skater has to be able to get through ONE program without falling and she rarely manages that. Katrina not yet. Mirai is going through changes. I think next year for her. Rachel, steady, handles the nerves, not my favorite but I think the most secure and consistent. So I think it will be Rachel and either Ashley or Caroline going to World's (edge to Ashley) and all three on the podium at Nats. I think Mirai has the most potential overall for the future. Just my inflated two cents worth. And sorry about the spelling.
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- Aug 17, 2003
The US is in a real pickle. They don't want to, but they need to take a gamble. I suggest one reliable skater and one who could pull an upset of some sort (anything can happen, no need to sit around and pretend everyone's gonna skate well). The plan should be prep for 2, pray for 3.
Reliable, Flatt no doubt. If she manges anywhere close to what she's been doing, she's a top ten skater at worlds for sure. She needs work, but she's seems to know when to peek at the right time. Get her though nationals alright and I'd put her on the team.
The second spot they need to weigh carefully. They could go with Wagner and hope she gets top ten, but what if Zhang could do better. If she skates clean (as clean as she could), I think they might give her the scores. That is a big if, though. Wagner has a huge sp, but she's not a lp skater. Maybe that could change though, especially if she peaks right. I'd watch these two at Nationals and pick the best from them.
If Alissa skates amazing at Nationals and even wins the whole thing, I would not even put her name on card for consideration. I'm sorry, but this is not the time to gamble on someone who has a less than 50/50 shot of skating clean.
Reliable, Flatt no doubt. If she manges anywhere close to what she's been doing, she's a top ten skater at worlds for sure. She needs work, but she's seems to know when to peek at the right time. Get her though nationals alright and I'd put her on the team.
The second spot they need to weigh carefully. They could go with Wagner and hope she gets top ten, but what if Zhang could do better. If she skates clean (as clean as she could), I think they might give her the scores. That is a big if, though. Wagner has a huge sp, but she's not a lp skater. Maybe that could change though, especially if she peaks right. I'd watch these two at Nationals and pick the best from them.
If Alissa skates amazing at Nationals and even wins the whole thing, I would not even put her name on card for consideration. I'm sorry, but this is not the time to gamble on someone who has a less than 50/50 shot of skating clean.
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