Jeremy Abbott Uber Thread

[centerpt1]

I thought he showed a lot of fight and determination throughout. Love this FP. He's come so far over the last year.

It's a shame he wasn't "on" for Worlds. He's such a fine skater. Too fine to go out without a World medal.

[~tapdancer~]

I agree that he fought for that program. I love this LP and I agree with Peter C that he should keep it and perfect it. It is such a masterpiece of music and choreography and to ever see it skated flawlessly would be a skating fan's dream (well, it sure would be mine!). Jeremy, like Chan, is such a master of the blade and his flow and movement are just divine. And he's definitely too fine to go out without a World medal, I agree.

[lmarie086]

I didn't get to watch the men's LP but I was sad to find out that Jeremy didn't have the performance he was looking for. His LP is a gem, and I certainly wouldn't complain if Jeremy and his team decided to keep it for another year; such a fine program should have a lights out final performance. The injury of course did him no favors, which is unfortunate because I thought he was building quite well throughout the season, with his best hopefully to come at Worlds.

In fact, I wouldn't mind if he kept both programs. It's not often that a skater has two phenomenal competitive programs in the one season, and this year Jeremy had two of my favorite programs of the last five years, I'd have to say.

[jlai]

I agree that he fought for that program. I love this LP and I agree with Peter C that he should keep it and perfect it. It is such a masterpiece of music and choreography and to ever see it skated flawlessly would be a skating fan's dream (well, it sure would be mine!). Jeremy, like Chan, is such a master of the blade and his flow and movement are just divine. And he's definitely too fine to go out without a World medal, I agree.

I love Jeremy, but I'm not sure if he'll win a world medal.

I've been a fan for some time, and to me Jeremy skates well when everything lines up right: the skates have no issues, practices go great, no major injuries, good skating order (meaning not skating after someone who skates lights out like after Dai and Brezina in Nice), no last minutes changes to jump layout, the US team not having a negative vibe, etc. etc.

A top level competitor normally can work through 2-3 of the above. Jeremy needs to learn how to deal with some of them. And when things don't go well, to notice the warning signs and fix them before they are big issues.

For me as a fan, this is a self discovery journey for Jeremy. Always has been. I love him, but have no problem letting him take a little heat because he does need to handle some of these issues if he's to be a world medalist or champion.

So yeah, I'm a tough-love fan.

[centerpt1]

I'm at the point where I think a World Medal is just not going to be for him. He has everything he needs , but something beyond his grasp is stopping him from achieving.

I wish we still had pro skating in the US, because he has so much to offer.

Then again, the rumored new pro competitions will require a World medal.....

Really a shame because I would rather watch Jeremy skate than most of the big names competing, save Takahashi and Kozuka.

I think he has tried numerous ways to handle the issues - but just can't. There's no shame in trying your best and just being unable. Sometimes you just hit the insurmountable.

[dinakt]

I think he has tried numerous ways to handle the issues - but just can't. There's no shame in trying your best and just being unable. Sometimes you just hit the insurmountable.

I agree. I think Jeremy has tried very hard, and so far it just was not meant to be, whatever reason. Lapses of concentration, bad luck, or perhaps tremendous pressure coming out of Nationas puts on the psyche- that it is hard for somebody with less than nerves of steel to rev up again after it. He had real chances in 2009, 2010 and 2012 to be on the Worlds podium. He had close-to-perfect performances those 3 years at big competitions, just not at Worlds.
I really hope he keeps skating as long as possible, because he is a unique artistic skater, who has already made his mark in skating, and can do more. I intend to just enjoy it.

[skatesindreams]

I haven't - and won't - "give up" on Jeremy!

One of the challenges for US skaters is that our Nationals is so competitive that often, a skater needs to "peak" just to make the World team, as Jeremy did.
Then, they must do it again; for recognition, medals, and position for the following season.

That's a lot to ask.

[shine]

Maybe Jeremy needs a talk with Carolina Kostner. Both are incredibly talented and artistic/sensitive, and appear to have shared a very similar growth path as athletes with many set backs and occasional flahses of brilliance from time to time that keeps fans hopeful. only Carolina seems to have defeated her inner demon and found peace from within in the last two seasons. I know the men's field is much more demanding, but I so hope Jeremy will have his own Kostner year sometime in the future. Watching Carolina makes me think that perhaps eternal headcases don't always have to be so.

[centerpt1]

It will be interesting to hear what comes out of the Sato/Dungjen camp once they've had time to debrief Worlds with their skaters. The only one that did as well as expected was Marchei.

[jlai]

Sato camp really could use a strategist that could help athletes figure out which competitoins are important, which are okay to not do well, which to skip, when to stop interacting with fans, how to minimize distractions, etc. etc. I wish Jeremy has (or ever had) a coach with extensive world experience. Granted, I wouldn't want someone who police every aspect of an athlete's life, but at least someone who would make sure nothing would be a distraction.

I also wish Jeremy had had a few years skating under Weir or Lysacek's shadow as US #2 or #3 (that means not being national champion). He would have had some chance to do well at world without that added pressure.

[Jammers]

Sadly Jeremy just like Alissa and Mirai has the talent to be on the podium at Worlds but like them he's not the best competitor. All you have to do is see the look on their faces to know how they are going to do. They don't hide their nervousness well. Some call it puke face or Kerrigan face.

[jl22aries]

Who choreographed Jeremy's LP? It's just so sublime.

[DimaToe]

Who choreographed Jeremy's LP? It's just so sublime.

Jeremy and Yuka.

[aftershocks]

I agree. I think Jeremy has tried very hard, and so far it just was not meant to be, whatever reason. Lapses of concentration, bad luck, or perhaps tremendous pressure coming out of Nationas puts on the psyche- that it is hard for somebody with less than nerves of steel to rev up again after it. He had real chances in 2009, 2010 and 2012 to be on the Worlds podium. He had close-to-perfect performances those 3 years at big competitions, just not at Worlds.
I really hope he keeps skating as long as possible, because he is a unique artistic skater, who has already made his mark in skating, and can do more. I intend to just enjoy it.

ITA

centerpt: You mentioned rumors of new pro competitions. Do you know more? I think they are vastly limiting the talent pool (and opportunities for former eligible skaters) if they only plan to hire World medalists.

[Marco]

Who choreographed Jeremy's LP? It's just so sublime.

Truly the best program of the season along with Kostner's LP.

[spikydurian]

I love his SP. Very entertaining and a joy to watch and he befits the character so well. Footwork is very good too.

[dinakt]

As Jeremy stated that he might keep one of his programs next year ( in icenetwork article), I'm all curiosity- will it be SP or LP? Both are amazing programs; probably the best Jeremy has had up to date ( though I love most of his programs). My vote would be to keep the LP, as he has skated SP beautifully to its full potential, and LP- not quite, even at Nationals; and the LP is quite astounding. Still, a hard choice. Normally I do not like skaters repeating programs, but i wonder if in Jeremy's case it might be a good idea. He never repeats, and perhaps it is a good strategy to try. Ceratinly both of his programs are worth seeing again.

[aftershocks]

^^ Could you link to the icenetwork article where Jeremy is quoted saying that he might keep one of this season's programs for next year?

Does anyone have music suggestion ideas for Jeremy? He's very musical and generally picks interesting music. If he keeps one of his programs, it is likely to be his fp. I would love to see him work again with dance choreographers too.

[Bournekraatzfan]

Jeremy's LP was my favourite of all the men this year...I was honestly choked up by the end of the program the first time I saw it...what he is able to do out there on that ice surface is just...I can't even find words. His attention to detail, his acute awareness of his body at every moment of the program, and the symbiotic relationship between his body and the music...stunning. I love the reaction he gets from the audience at the moment in his footwork when he stops...he really makes that part of the music--almost the interstices of the music--mean more complexly. This LP is a work of art and I hope he keeps it for another season.

I also hope he feels all the love and support from his fans.

[centerpt1]

^^ Could you link to the icenetwork article where Jeremy is quoted saying that he might keep one of this season's programs for next year?

http://web.icenetwork.com/news/artic...&vkey=ice_news

scroll down for part on Jeremy's thoughts on Worlds, his mental training, and keeping a program

His lack of success at the World level isn't for lack of trying....I think he just has more to overcome than most. It's as if the real competition isn't against other skaters-it's against himself.