Polina Edmunds has withdrawn from 2016 Worlds, replaced by Mirai Nagasu

[Lacey]

WOW.

Although I love Polina's elegant skating, I am thrilled to see Mirai's smiley face.

 

[IceAlisa]

Course not... why would an alternate do that...

An alternate would but also, if she had knowledge that the possibility of going is high, that would light the fire under her bum even more.

 

[Messalina]

I am sorry for Polina−but I can't deny that I'm thrilled I'll get to see Mirai skate in person! Woot!

 

[Sylvia]

USFSA does test skates before Worlds?

I think it's the first year they've done it.

AFAIK, the skaters going to Worlds usually are monitored in their respective home or local area rinks by USFS officials beforehand, so this is not exactly a brand new thing.

 

[viennese]

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!

Sad for Polina Edmunds, as she made a remarkably strong showing at US nationals and was a real contender for the title. She is a singular presence on the ice. I hope she takes time to recover and regroup. She is young and will be back.

Happiness for Mirai. The USA has a deep ladies field, senior and junior, but no one could be more beloved by audiences than Mirai. Her free skate choreography, her expressiveness, her connection with the audience: wonderful. It'll be great to see her in Boston.

 

[centerpt1]

Very sorry for Polina- miserable to have an injury right before Worlds. i do love her skating.

Happy for Mirai.

I had a knee bone bruise- It was painful, and it was a year before I was back to 100% for sports.

 

[shuilee]

I'm 99% sure Mirai will be top American lady after the SP. She's the only American that's not a headcase in the SP. With a clean program, Mirai should have no problem getting 70 in SP now that she's back in the same form as she was in 2010 (where she WON the SP with 70 pts at 2010 worlds).

 

[CantALoop]

Poor Polina , but at least she can say she gave two solid performances for her last competition of this season, even if she did barely miss the US Nats title by a few points.

Still, I'm thrilled that we get to see Mirai's Great Gatsby one more time I never thought I'd say that, because when I first saw it, I thought it was cringeworthy with its Tonya-esque jarring music transitions but now it's kind of grown on me to become sort of a guilty pleasure

 

[oleada]

Sad for Polina but just THRILLED for Mirai!

 

[Jarrett]

Poor Polina , but at least she can say she gave two solid performances for her last competition of this season, even if she did barely miss the US Nats title by a few points.

Still, I'm thrilled that we get to see Mirai's Great Gatsby one more time I never thought I'd say that, because when I first saw it, I thought it was cringeworthy with its Tonya-esque jarring music transitions but now it's kind of grown on me to become sort of a guilty pleasure

Well Wild Thing is a skating classic.

 

[quartz]

MIRAI!!!

 

[Lovemyvike]

Oh, I'm SO happy for Mirai!!! Sad for Polina, bone bruises are extremely painful and sometimes hard to find since they generally don't show up in an x-Ray. I had one in my hand and it turned into an even more painful stress fracture.

 

[Oreo]

Mirai, I'm going to be ecstatic when you take the ice for your short program in Boston.
Polina, get well I can hardly wait to see what gorgeous programs you'll unveil for next year. You're a class act.

 

[Vagabond]

I'm 99% sure Mirai will be top American lady after the SP. She's the only American that's not a headcase in the SP. With a clean program, Mirai should have no problem getting 70 in SP now that she's back in the same form as she was in 2010 (where she WON the SP with 70 pts at 2010 worlds).

Gold does have the third highest Season's Best in the Short Program, 73.32. I wonder what would have happened if conditions had allowed the Ladies' Free at TEB to go forward.

 

[shine]

Poor Polina Hope it's not too seriously of an injury and she recovers fully.

 

[AxelAnnie]

O --- M ---- G

I went to IN before I came here and saw the news! I had a premonition just yesterday that Nagasu was going to be called today for an injured Wagner. Turns out it is Edmunds... I had a feeling since January that Nagasu would be going to Worlds.... Cant believe it. Excited as HECK, but sad for Edmunds....

Does anyone think this had anything to do with the 4CC withdrawal??? She had cited new boots but you never really know. If not she should have done it for points, points, points.

I am all for going to 4 cc. If Wagner did she would be in the final flight at Worlds. And now Edmunds is going to go without any ISU 4 CC or Worlds points.

However, Mirai will get her points and no worries at all now for her getting 2 GP assignments!!!

I hope SO much that Edmunds keeps that Gorg SP for next season and seriously gets a new LP thats as elegant as the SP!

USFSA has way too many injures skaters this year. Brown, Farris, Chen, Edmunds, Denny

Perhaps the boots contributed to the injury

 

[Sylvia]

This San Jose Mercury News article by Elliott Almond chronicles Edmunds' boot challenges throughout the season: http://www.mercurynews.com/sports/ci_29677180/u-s-skater-polina-edmunds-withdraws-from-world
Relevant excerpt:

Edmunds problems this season began with a new pair of skates from Bay Area bootmaker Harlick. The skater had to revert to an old pair for the national championships in January when the new ones were too stiff.
She didn't return to her old skates until the week of the national championships. Such a move could deflate a skater's confidence. Instead, Edmunds soared, highlighting her determination while winning the silver medal for the second time in three years.
The teen had been using the old skates for two years. "They were extremely soft," she said.
After the national championships, Edmunds and her coaches switched to the new skates in preparation for the Four Continents meet in South Korea. They figured they could use the old boots if it didn't work out.
Instead, Edmunds had to withdraw from the February event because the new ones still caused problems and the old skates were too worn out.
"They feel like slippers," Edmunds said.

 

[kittyjake5]

Wow I stay away for a few hours from FSU and I come back and
see this thread! Doing my Happy Dance for Mirai.

Wishing Polina a speedy recovery.

 

[SamuraiK]

Im torn. Polina is the future and I'd rather see her breaking the drought instead of Gracie or Ashley anytime but I cant help being super happy for Mirai. Back at worlds after 6 years... Yay for her.

 

[nicecardshark]

Mirai's one and only trip to Worlds was in 2010, where she LED after the short but botched the free and ended 7th.

This will certainly provide her an opportunity to exorcise her Worlds demons

 

[Erin]

This San Jose Mercury News article by Elliott Almond chronicles Edmunds' boot challenges throughout the season: http://www.mercurynews.com/sports/ci_29677180/u-s-skater-polina-edmunds-withdraws-from-world
Relevant excerpt:

Thanks for sharing. I know some people were writing off Polina's 4CC withdrawal as frivolous, but obviously it's been a chronic issue that came to a head at that point.

 

[OwenEvans]

Mirai will be the American to medal at Worlds

It's a tough break for Polina, but regarding above: from your keyboard to the SkateGod's screen!

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

It's fantastic, and I think Aerobical's current avatar is a bit special, too.

 

[my little pony]

will TD arena let me hold up a lighter when mirai skates?

 

[pinky166]

Sad for Polina but happy for Mirai!!

I could see her being the top American lady at Worlds if I'm being honest...

 

[Firedancer]

So excited for Mirai!! Can't wait to see her programs one more time!

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

What if it isn't Mirai, but Liam Firus with a change of mind and a very good disguise!

 

[skatfan]

I hope Phil Hersh is still going to be at Worlds, since he said in his interview with The Skating Lesson that he was doing reporting on Polina for the San Jose Mercury News at worlds.

 

[Spun Silver]

I'm sure a healthy Polina would have done well at Worlds but I am beyond thrilled that Mirai was first in line, trained, ready and eager. How much she wanted to get back to Worlds came through very clearly in her TSL interview. Wishing her all the luck in the world, and I will be sending some prayers too. Polina did the right thing in a classy way. Wishing her a full and speedy recovery.

 

[VGThuy]

After eating my words at 4CC and falling in love with Mirai after her TSL interview, my future wish Worlds team would include both Polina and Mirai.

 

[Karpenko]

Genuinely bummed for Polina, but I've been hoping for this for 5 or 6 years with Mirai. This will do so much for her career and confidence, it's just effing awesome. That boot tear changed everything for the better.

Mirai will be at a home Worlds!!!