U.S. Women [#5]: Remain on the Dance Floor

[Karen-W]

(With hospitals in Beijing overwhelmed by respiratory illness impacting children, who knows what kinds of protocols they may put in place for foreigners to enter and to compete in China.)

Masking and social distancing measures are allegedly back in effect in China.

 

[skatingguy]

(With hospitals in Beijing overwhelmed by respiratory illness impacting children, who knows what kinds of protocols they may put in place for foreigners to enter and to compete in China.)

European Nation Reports Epidemic Caused By Bacteria Linked to Chinese Outbreak

Danish officials have declared outbreak caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, the same bacteria health officials in China have blamed for cases

themessenger.com

 

[Allskate]

She needs to finish.

Masking and social distancing measures are allegedly back in effect in China.

Good. I think COVID or some other illness or injury are the biggest risks to Isabeau not finishing the GP Final.

 

[coppertop1]

Good. I think COVID or some other illness or injury are the biggest risks to Isabeau not finishing the GP Final.

Like whatever it was that happened last year at 4CC

 

[Jonas]

I would be shocked if the USFSA DOESN'T outright name Amber, Lindsay, and Ava-Marie to Four Continents. I'd say name an alternate (Elyse Lin-Gracey??) in the likely event one of those three is named to the World team and opts not to travel.

I will say though that if I were Lindsay and Ava, I would compete at Four Continents even if I was named to the World Team. It's halfway through this Olympic cycle and these ladies have to think longer term. It'll give them experience at an ISU Championship. The scheduling is tough, but I can't imagine that they're not aware of it and not have prepped accordingly.

Your thoughts...

 

[Wyliefan]

Elyce has a good chance for alternate, I'd say, after the consistency she's been showing.

 

[kre56]

I would say Elyce Lin-Gracry would have an out right spot with her body of work.

 

[Karen-W]

I would say Elyce Lin-Gracry would have an out right spot with her body of work.

A JGP silver medal compared to GP gold, silver and bronze medals? Okay, then...

 

[VGThuy]

I would say Elyce Lin-Gracry would have an out right spot with her body of work.

How so?

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Amber started off really strong in the free program at golden spin, but then she skate Americaed herself.

Another ratified triple axel and then she got the triple triple combo off and the next triple combo off but then had doubles and singles in the second half

I think she’s done all of her triple axels successfully this season, correct? She’s 3 for 3 on triple axels. And I don’t think she’s had a single carrot or double carrot at all yet this season.

She just needs to keep her mind together!

 

[SkateFanBerlin]

Not a great Amber fan but three 3A´s are a major accomplishment. I think Mirai got off one. Now her team needs to shake out what`s going on in her head during the 2nd part of the FS. She has time until nationals. Amber not melting down she`s put in place what she will need to rise to the next level.

 

[Karen-W]

I love how ANL is trying to put a positive spin on a GP Espoo-esque SP and a SkAm-esque FS for Amber. She's getting progressively lower total scores as the season progresses. Right now, she's probably the #3 US woman behind Levito & Thorngren, but Ziegler is nipping at her heels.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

I love how ANL is trying to put a positive spin on a GP Espoo-esque SP and a SkAm-esque FS for Amber. She's getting progressively lower total scores as the season progresses. Right now, she's probably the #3 US woman behind Levito & Thorngren, but Ziegler is nipping at her heels.

positive spin? I just said she’s skate Americaed herself.

lol I guess completely unlike you I try to end it on something positive so if she were to come to the boards and see any of this, she wouldn’t be down

I didn’t even mention anything about Espoo, what are you taking or drinking up north?

 

[Karen-W]

positive spin? I just said she’s skate Americaed herself.

lol I guess completely unlike you I try to end it on something positive so if she were to come to the boards and see any of this, she wouldn’t be down

I didn’t even mention anything about Espoo, what are you taking or drinking up north?

Hey - I acknowledged that she's still US #3 right now - go check out my latest post in the USFS 4CCs/Jr Worlds/Worlds selection thread. Her average total score over the season is about 5.5 points higher than Ava Marie's. In fact, the margin she has over AMZ is larger than the one Isabeau has over Lindsay (approx 4.75 points).

I will say, she's going to have to skate lights out at Nats to beat Lindsay, who has demonstrated some remarkable consistency this fall despite her injuries. I do think Amber can probably beat AMZ since I'm not entirely sold on the latter's consistency and she's going to be feeling some pressure to replicate her NHK score whereas the pressure might be off Amber a bit due to her struggles late this fall.

 

[A.H.Black]

I just said she’s skate Americaed herself.

I think that's pretty descriptive. It gave me the information I was curious about

 

[mtnskater]

Back to Isabeau and the Grand Prix Final. First sooooo happy to see the internet(s) dress feedback was heard and a beautiful new lovely flattering black dress appeared for her White Crow program. Also very relieved the more consistent Isabeau returned in the free with the third highest score. Love her style the most of all the competitors there. She still seems a bit shakier and less confident this year but it was a good redemption performance.

 

[Coco]

Perhaps there's a physical component to Amber's issues after she lands the 3a. I wonder how frequently she lands it in a practice run through and then has troubles on subsequent jumping passes.

 

[Marco]

Back to Isabeau and the Grand Prix Final. First sooooo happy to see the internet(s) dress feedback was heard and a beautiful new lovely flattering black dress appeared for her White Crow program. Also very relieved the more consistent Isabeau returned in the free with the third highest score. Love her style the most of all the competitors there. She still seems a bit shakier and less confident this year but it was a good redemption performance.

The jumps are getting more visibly labourous for her. Reminds me of Kimmie Meissner.

 

[Marco]

And I am once agained puzzled by Amber. Did she finally get herself together after shaking off the new 3axel jitters or not. Here she was clean in neither program.

 

[Maximillian]

A 114ish FS score with a 3A is not a promising score...

 

[Rukia]

A 114ish FS score with a 3A is not a promising score...

Meltdown in the second half again. But I'm sure this weak back part to the first half of the season means she'll slay at nationals and give everyone fits again.

 

[sk9tingfan]

And I am once agained puzzled by Amber. Did she finally get herself together after shaking off the new 3axel jitters or not. Here she was clean in neither program.

Doesn't she have ADHD? That may explain some of her ability to focus, especially after successfully landing what is arguably the most important element of her LP? Perhaps her brain short-circuits; maybe her brain chemistry changes after landing a 3A? Just a hypothesis.

 

[ice coverage]

2024 ISU Awards ballot for "Most Entertaining Program" includes Amber Glenn (for her SP).

Meaning the ballot with the "long list" of "candidates." The three candidates with the most votes then will be announced as "nominees."

https://cdn2.isu.org/images/files/Media-News-Events/ISU-News/2023/ISU%20Skating%20Awards%202024%20-%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf

Once the voting closes on Jan 7, 2024, the ISU Skating Awards Selection Commission will take into account the online voting results of the two voting groups (Public / Media) with the following weight: Public 2/3 and Media 1/3. ...
After the voting concludes and the nominees are unveiled, a panel of distinguished Juries featuring six former Figure Skating Champions will deliberate and cast their votes to determine the winners. The grand reveal and presentation of the Awards will take place on Feb 11, 2024.

ISU Skating Awards 2024: Vote now for your favorite candidates - International Skating Union

The International Skating Union (ISU) is thrilled to present the much-anticipated roster of candidates contending for a prestigious 2024 ISU Skating Awards trophy. The announcement of the winners recipients will take place on February 11, 2024, in Zurich (SUI) during an exclusive live ceremony...

isu.org

 

[Wyliefan]

Is that Zak Lagha carrying Isabeau's plushies for her? We don't get a good closeup, but I think it is.

Isabeau Levito on Instagram: "GPF 2023! 🌟 This was a great learning experience for me and I am so thankful to my team for helping me get here 🫶 also thank you to life coach for carrying my plushies 😌"

11K likes, 85 comments - isabeau.levito on December 15, 2023: "GPF 2023! 🌟 This was a great learning experience for me and I am so thankful to my team for helping me get here 🫶 also thank you to...".

www.instagram.com

 

[RoseRed]

Is that Zak Lagha carrying Isabeau's plushies for her? We don't get a good closeup, but I think it is.

Isabeau Levito on Instagram: "GPF 2023! 🌟 This was a great learning experience for me and I am so thankful to my team for helping me get here 🫶 also thank you to life coach for carrying my plushies 😌"

11K likes, 85 comments - isabeau.levito on December 15, 2023: "GPF 2023! 🌟 This was a great learning experience for me and I am so thankful to my team for helping me get here 🫶 also thank you to...".

www.instagram.com

That's definitely Zak

 

[Wyliefan]

Well, that was very gallant of him, considering there were about 5 million of them!

 

[kwanfan1818]

It must be in the job description of "life coach."

 

[Firedancer]

Gracie had surgery to fix an injury (she doesn’t specifically identify):

Gracie Gold on Instagram: "After 18 months of pain I finally got a treatable diagnosis & surgery 🎉 Huge thank you to Dr. Roach and the entire surgical team at UF Health and The Steadman Clinic Can’t wait to start rehab and get back on the ice ✨ #come

4,481 likes, 109 comments - graciegold95 on December 18, 2023: "After 18 months of pain I finally got a treatable diagnosis & surgery 🎉 Huge thank you to Dr. ..."

www.instagram.com

 

[Firedancer]

Ava Marie Ziegler has withdrawn from nationals and has been replaced by Brooke Gewalt

https://x.com/anythinggoe/status/1748028178210152651?s=46&t=t-qfJxDjad9-j4B-GsMqGg

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Ava Marie Ziegler has withdrawn from Nationals

2024 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships Lineup Announced - U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

More than 180 athletes have qualified for the 2024 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships, which will take place Jan. 22-28 in Columbus, Ohio.

usfigureskatingfanzone.com