Polina Edmunds has withdrawn from 2016 Worlds, replaced by Mirai Nagasu

[Sylvia]

"U.S. Figure Skating announces that Polina Edmunds has withdrawn from worlds and will be replaced by Mirai Nagasu" - tweeted by IceNetwork just now.

ETA link to USFS' press release: http://www.usfsa.org/story?id=89503&type=media

(3/23/16) – 2016 U.S. silver medalist Polina Edmunds has withdrawn from the 2016 ISU World Figure Skating Championships due to a bone bruise in her right foot. Alternate Mirai Nagasu will represent Team USA at the World Championships, set for March 28-April 3, at TD Garden in Boston.

Edmunds’ bone bruise has limited her ability to tap with her right foot and perform Lutz and flip jumps. She is expected to make a full recovery with an appropriate period of rest.

“While the decision to withdraw is disappointing, I don’t want to compete at the World Championships without performing my hardest technical elements,” Edmunds said. “I go to competition with the goal of representing Team USA to the best of my ability and performing my strongest programs. I will take time to recover and am looking forward to preparing for next season. I wish Team USA and all competitors at Worlds the best of luck.”

I feel badly for Polina - it's always disappointing to have to miss such a big competition due to injury.

Best wishes to Mirai - what a great opportunity for her! Her only previous trip to Worlds was back in 2010 (1st in SP, finished 7th overall & less than 4 points from the bronze).

 

[Xela M]

Mirai will be the American to medal at Worlds

 

[Wyliefan]

Wow! Mirai must be over the moon. Best of luck to her.

 

[rhapsody]

MIRAI!!!!!!!!!

 

[ballettmaus]

How do you bruise a bone?

 

[Wyliefan]

How do you bruise a bone?

I don't know, but it doesn't sound pleasant.

 

[skatingfan5]

How do you bruise a bone?

In Polina's case, most likely from impact, but it could have been caused in other ways. It's a less severe injury than a fracture. Here's probably more than you would ever want/need to know about bone bruises (bone contusions).

 

[Finnice]

Sorry for poor Polina. Happy for Mirai!

 

[StitchMonkey]

Mirai will be the American to medal at Worlds

I actually could totally see this happening... I mean what a fairy tale for a home worlds?

 

[ginsengtea]

Yay Mirai!!

 

[Xela M]

I actually could totally see this happening... I mean what at fairy tale for a home worlds?

The revenge of Mirai

I actually seriously think she may be the most consistent US girl at the moment with the biggest momentum and the least pressure

 

[Jarrett]

Well I'm glad Polina and her team were responsible and withdrew if not at her best due to an injury. And OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMG I'm going to hopefully see Mirai in a few days at the Worlds. I just scared the crap out of my neighbors I am sure.

 

[Xela M]

Well I'm glad Polina and her team was responsible and withdrew if not at her best due to an injury. And OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMG I'm going to hopefully see Mirai in a few days at the Worlds. I'm just scared the crap out of my neighbors I am sure.

You have to win the prize for the best avatar on FSU

 

[mag]

How do you bruise a bone?

I my limited experience it is actually a fairly common figure skating injury. It is a good call not to keep skating through the pain. A bruise will heal much faster than a stress fracture. Pain can also cause skaters to change their technique to try to minimize the pain. That usually leads no where good!

Best wishes for a speedy recovery Polina! Good luck Mirai!

 

[alexikeguchi]

Polina's statement was very gracious, and it is commendable that she withdrew rather than trying to compete injured. I think Mirai will rise to the occasion, and I am very excited that I will be able to see her skate live for the first time!

 

[Erin]

Repeating myself from the thread in the Worlds forum, what a shocker...I feel bad for Polina, but I am beyond thrilled for Mirai! This has been such a long road for her to get back to Worlds after 6 years. I hate that it had to happen as a result of an injury to another skater, but I'm happy she is finally getting the opportunity. I hope she shows up in the same form as 4CC!

I'm totally going to be tearing up when Mirai takes the ice in Boston. And if she skates well, I'll be crying buckets.

 

[Jarrett]

You have to win the prize for the best avatar on FSU

Haha thank you. I had to make it after Nationals. lol

 

[Jarrett]

Repeating myself from the thread in the Worlds form, what a shocker...I feel bad for Polina, but I am beyond thrilled for Mirai! This has been such a long road for her to get back to Worlds after 6 years. I hate that it had to happen as a result of an injury to another skater, but I'm happy she is finally getting the opportunity. I hope she shows up in the same form as 4CC!

I'm totally going to be tearing up when Mirai takes the ice in Boston. And if she skates well, I'll be crying buckets.

I'll bringing a beach towel for my buckets of tears.

 

[Nomad]

Well I'm glad Polina and her team was responsible and withdrew if not at her best due to an injury...

This. A repeat of the Rachael Flatt Tibiagate would have benefitted no one.

 

[DimaToe]

I actually can see Nagasu beating at least one of Gold or Wagner, she really goes in with nothing to loose and looking at her performances she has delivered when it has really really mattered (2010 nationals and olympics, 2014 nationals) I don't know if she can actually medal because the PCS gap between her and the top Russians and Japanese might be too big. I think top 5 could happen though

 

[IceAlisa]

I hope Mirai has been training.

 

[rfisher]

Sorry for Polina, but thrilled for Mirai. I really hope she takes advantage of the opportunity.

 

[Jarrett]

I hope Mirai has been training.

According to her TSL interview she has been training regularly just in case she is needed for Worlds.

 

[mag]

I hope Mirai has been training.

I hope so too. There was a report a couple of weeks ago that Ashley had a minor injury. Surely if Mirai wasn't training like she might end up going, she would start again after hearing that.

 

[skatingfan5]

I hope Mirai has been training.

I'm sure that as first alternate she has kept up her training.

ETA: I see that Jarrett has confirmed this per comments from Mirai to TSL.

 

[topaz]

Mirai will be the American to medal at Worlds

That would be the surprise of the year.

 

[bardtoob]

Polina

Mirai

 

[sweetsparky]

Really sorry for Edmunds but I can´t deny I am also happy for Nagasu.

 

[StitchMonkey]

The revenge of Mirai

I actually seriously think she may be the most consistent US girl at the moment with the biggest momentum and the least pressure

This is pretty much my thought. She has the best/most momentum, she has not had the stress/pressure leading up to worlds and the expectations are less on her as she had little warning and realistically Gracie and Ashley can keep 3 spots. She seems to have her head in the game now and found what works for her. I think she could really have a moment in Boston.

 

[SmallFairy]

Mirai will be the American to medal at Worlds

YES!

I feel sorry for Polina, but Mirai @Erin I will be crying buckets with you!!!