US Adult Nationals in Cleveland April 2024

[purple skates]

I completely agree. I watched a lot of the livestreams and was so impressed with every event. I almost felt a little sad that the USFS press release focused on the medalists in the higher-level events, because it seems like such an inclusive event that isn't just about winning.

It absolutely is an inclusive event - we call it our annual family reunion. I get why USFS does what it does, but if you are on Facebook, follow the Adult Committee for more variety in reporting.

 

[overedge]

@purple skates Thanks for the tip, I'll do that.

It just seems like USFS (and other feds with similar events) are contradicting themselves. On one hand they talk about diversity, inclusion, the joy of participating in sport and all the benefits it brings - all of which are genuine. But then on the other hand their own reporting on events is almost exclusively "here's who won medals". It's something I don't think the federations have seriously considered.

 

[tony]

@purple skates Thanks for the tip, I'll do that.

It just seems like USFS (and other feds with similar events) are contradicting themselves. On one hand they talk about diversity, inclusion, the joy of participating in sport and all the benefits it brings - all of which are genuine. But then on the other hand their own reporting on events is almost exclusively "here's who won medals". It's something I don't think the federations have seriously considered.

The USFS does features on adult skaters and diverse skaters constantly throughout the year.

Of course event recaps are going to focus more-so on the top skaters.

 

[Sylvia]

Not in USFS' recap article but Michael Solonoski has since confirmed to me that he sang/recorded his own cover of "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life" (according to wiki - "lyrics written by Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman and original music written by Michel Legrand for the 1969 film The Happy Ending. The song was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song...):

Adult Skaters Shine in Cleveland | U.S. Figure Skating

www.usfigureskating.org

ETA link to Michael’s post+pics (#5 is a clip of his lovely 3S): https://www.instagram.com/p/C5jGLXPLeUE/

Today Michael shared video of his FS performance: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5oVKD_rMks/

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[backspin]

I was there as a coach & loved seeing all the skating at all levels! Something that hadn't really registered with me before -- since most adults are doing single jumps (not worth a ton of points), those events are won on the PCS scores. So even the lower levels had some really beautiful skating! I love seeing how people are taking simple movements but making them expressive and beautiful, which is one of the things I try to drive home to my students -- people will love to watch you if you skate with your heart, even if all you're doing is crossovers.

Also in case you missed it -- next year AN is in Minneapolis! April 1st to 5th, 2025.

 

[Theoreticalgirl]

I was there as a coach & loved seeing all the skating at all levels! Something that hadn't really registered with me before -- since most adults are doing single jumps (not worth a ton of points), those events are won on the PCS scores. So even the lower levels had some really beautiful skating! I love seeing how people are taking simple movements but making them expressive and beautiful, which is one of the things I try to drive home to my students -- people will love to watch you if you skate with your heart, even if all you're doing is crossovers.

Also in case you missed it -- next year AN is in Minneapolis! April 1st to 5th, 2025.

I was gonna say: the changes in the PCS categories and factoring have definitely helped out. Was looking at scores from 2019-now and they have increased noticeably.

I compete Silver, and pre-pandemic it wasn't uncommon for judges to be a bit a tad harsh with the marks. Most skaters would be firmly in the 2-3 range; since the change the judges seem more willing to score in the 3-4s.

Anyway, this is just to say that it's nice to see good skating rewarded accordingly, even in the lower levels.

 

[purple skates]

I was the tossie volunteer for bronze ladies 5, and I was wondering how the heck they’d handle that event under IJS, not having seen bronze under IJS before.

I haven’t looked at the protocols, but from a “I’ve been in this sport for a hundred years lens”, the results looked right to me.

 

[Sylvia]

Congrats to this year's Championship Masters Junior-Senior Women medalists!
GOLD Kristina Struthwolf-Leato, Centennial Park FSC 80.85

Kristina’s POTO FS:

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She also shared her performance to Lady Gaga’s “Always Remember Us This Way” from her club’s show this past weekend: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5zUhXfrP2J/

 

[Theoreticalgirl]

The way she matches the movement to the phrasing of the lyrics and melody is outstanding. Watching this live was a highlight.

 

[Sylvia]

I had no idea that Sierra Boggess was an adult skater If there's any skater that should be skating to their own vocals, it's her! (But props to her for choosing another piece of music instead.)

For those who may not know who she is :

Sierra Boggess

Sierra Boggess is an Olivier nominated actress, best known for originating Ariel in Disney's "The Little Mermaid" on Broadway and re-inventing Christine Daae in Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber’s "The Phantom of the Opera" in the Broadway, West End, and the televised 25th Anniversary pro

sierraboggess.com

Sierra Boggess’ photos from her first Adult Nationals, posted 1 week ago: https://www.instagram.com/p/C5o64ijpjgK/

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Bronze in Adult Silver Women II FS: https://ijs.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/results/2024/30919/CAT007SEG007.html

April 4, 2024: https://www.instagram.com/p/C5WDzBzuwy4/

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(CC: @Kruss @peibeck)

ETA - posted in Nov. 2012 by @floskate:

Why on earth didn't they ask someone like Sierra Boggess who is also a name in the UK due to the POTO 25th anniversary concert where she was so brilliant opposite Ramin Karimloo.

 

[peibeck]

For those who may not know who she is :

Sierra Boggess

Sierra Boggess is an Olivier nominated actress, best known for originating Ariel in Disney's "The Little Mermaid" on Broadway and re-inventing Christine Daae in Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber’s "The Phantom of the Opera" in the Broadway, West End, and the televised 25th Anniversary pro

sierraboggess.com

Sierra Boggess’ photos from her first Adult Nationals, posted 1 week ago: https://www.instagram.com/p/C5o64ijpjgK/

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

Bronze in Adult Silver Women II FS: https://ijs.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/results/2024/30919/CAT007SEG007.html

A Broadway and West End star getting a 3.5 in presentation...

 

[Theoreticalgirl]

A Broadway and West End star getting a 3.5 in presentation...

For Silver, PCS above 3 is considered very good! I almost keeled over when I saw a judge award me a 5 in the components a few years back.

 

[Sylvia]

From USFS' recap:

Championship Adult Silver Women
Orca Sauer clinched the top position on the podium, earning a score of 30.35 and positive grades of execution on each of her eight elements. Skating to “A Million Dreams” by P!nk, she started strong out of the gate, landing a strong single Axel-single Axel sequence. Her program later concluded with its strongest element, a Level 2 change of foot combination spin.

Rochester, Minnesota local news story about Sauer (April 19):

Rochester woman pursues figure skating dream

www.kttc.com