U.S. Ladies [#18]: These Boots Are Made for Skating

[ZilphaK]

I have faith in Emmy. Her triple Lz, L and F looked just fine to me. Her double jumps were always a bit "loose" and low looking, but in all the years watching her, she's always had such great body awareness and control in an out of jumps. It did take her longer to get 2a (which she's talked about), but I think that's proven she has a fighter in her and she just truly looks like she loves skating, down to her bones. Even if she does what she's doing for the next few years, it's going to be a real pleasure to watch her. #EmmyFreakingMa For a real treat, sleuth a little on YouTube. There are videos of her there from pre-preliminary. She was a treat to watch even back then.

 

[Sylvia]

I'm going to embarrass Jozet by re-posting what she wrote about Emmy Ma in the 2017 Nationals forum in Kiss in Cry this past January :

I couldn't be more thrilled for her if she were my own kid. I remember first seeing a video of her as a pre-pre when he was only 7 and then this video from preliminary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELhMWUIpbUQ and --speaking of high hopes for young skaters -- I just enjoyed her poise and performance so much, I always had a hope that she'd carry through and do well. And yes, with the time it took to get 2a (she had a few years where it looked like growth spurts were also at odds with progress, a bit) and then injuries, it just makes me all the more happy to see her persevere and do well here. She is just a joy to watch, so musical and elegant, and looking truly like there's no place she'd rather be than on the ice. Even as a Junior, it may be too soon to "uber" her, but I guess I've been an uber all along.

I can still remember a lovely FS program (Intermediate level) performed by Emmy to The Last Emperor soundtrack by Ryuichi Sakamoto at the 2012(?) Liberty club comp. when she didn't yet have a 2A but her musicality shone through her skating.

ETA: https://twitter.com/MJMSkating/status/906525625585893376

 

[clairecloutier]

I have faith in Emmy. For a real treat, sleuth a little on YouTube. There are videos of her there from pre-preliminary. She was a treat to watch even back then.

She really was. If you look at videos of 6-year-old or 8-year-old Emmy, you can see that her musicality was there from the beginning, it's just totally natural to her. Although of course, it's grown more & more with maturity. I am so glad she was able to come through the difficult years in Novice, to where she is now.

 

[Tavi]

One of the things I love about watching her is the clear joy with which she skates.

 

[AxelAnnie]

Emmy is lovely. She has that IT that draws you in. And, no dropped knee whilst getting into the doughnut spin (that should be worth 10 extra points).

Her arms are quite nice.........but I hope there is less frenetic movement in the future.

 

[aftershocks]

It's not the exact same dress. Similar color of the dress and appliques, different neckline and back and such.

Emmy's FS vs Christina's 2012 dress

For me the question is whether it's actually the same dress specially reworked? Do skaters sometimes pass down outfits? Or is it just that Emmy and Christina have the same coaches who gave input on the design of both dresses? Or, is it just that the same designer created both dresses? Inquiring minds want to know.

The similarities hint at it being the same dress reworked, or else a new dress inspired by and created in the same style as the previous one.

Congrats to Emmy Ma!

 

[vesperholly]

For me the question is whether it's actually the same dress specially reworked? Do skaters sometimes pass down outfits? Or is it just that Emmy and Christina have the same coaches who gave input on the design of both dresses? Or, is it just that the same designer created both dresses? Inquiring minds want to know.

The similarities hint at it being the same dress reworked, or else a new dress inspired by and created in the same style as the previous one.

Skaters do pass down dresses (Sasha Cohen wore a few of Jenni Meno's dresses, and Courtney Hicks wore Sasha's purple/yellow dress).

But this is entirely new, and not Christina's dress. The beading on Gao's dress is all the way across the front of the bodice, and Ma's dress is along the sides. That beading gets glued on - no dressmaker in their right mind would remove all that beading just to redo it in a very similar manner. Not to mention the neckline is completely different and so is the skirt material. So you remove all the beading, the sleeves and the skirt ... what's the point? It would be easier just to make a new dress.

I think Ma's dress is just very similar looking. Since they both train(ed) in Boston, it could certainly be the same dressmaker.

 

[clairecloutier]

I think Ma's dress is just very similar looking. Since they both train(ed) in Boston, it could certainly be the same dressmaker.

I'm pretty sure that Yumi Barnett-Nakamura designed both dresses. Yumi is based in Boston and works with a lot of the ladies' skaters here. She also designs Marissa Castelli's costumes.

 

[Willin]

Former US Ladies Junior competitor Yasmin Siraj is now a Haydenette! It's great to see that she's still skating (apparently also while attending Harvard)

 

[AxelAnnie]

Former US Ladies Junior competitor Yasmin Siraj is now a Haydenette! It's great to see that she's still skating (apparently also while attending Harvard)

I loved her!

 

[Bellanca]

WTG, Yasmin! Have fun!

 

[aftershocks]

Thanks for the info @vesperholly. Both dresses are so gorgeous, and flatter each skater perfectly. I always loved Christina Gao's outfits.

Here's more on Yumi:
http://www.bostonherald.com/enterta..._outfits_by_wellesley_s_yumi_barnett_nakamura

https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifesty...ure-skaters/ZfSFpCEEKGGPrwzAcvnGRN/story.html

And for worst fs costumes:
http://skatingfugly.tumblr.com Oh no! Not sure how I missed some of these eyesores. I actually liked P/C's costumes featured on this site. However, the picture of Gaby P's top, described as 'a broken condom' by the reviewer, actually seems to make her look pregnant. The tie-dye like colors are nice, but that description and picture of the top Gaby is wearing

Exactly, re the description of Tar/Mor's ill-conceived Frankenstein costumes.

 

[Sylvia]

I'd tentatively plan on Nguyen keeping the spot at JGP #5 and wait and see how this week's JGP goes before deciding whether Andrews should get a second. If neither Lin nor Ma surpasses Andrews' score, I'd put Andrews in JGP #6 and tentatively hold JGP #7 for Hong.

[Kaitlyn] Nguyen is up on the U.S. Figure Skating site for Croatia.
http://www.usfigureskating.org/story?id=84032&menu=TeamUSA

Emmy Ma most likely will get #6 now and I assume #7 won't be decided until after Tessa Hong has competed in Minsk next week.

Last time I saw the Nepela list, I read that it was still unofficial on the US front. That was a while ago. Is that still the case? If not, either Gracie really is going to show up, or if she isn't, then I hope the chosen reserve has been informed ahead of time if we're sending anyone to replace her.

No one is replacing Gold at Nepela; Caroline Zhang is the only one listed on USFS' Assignment page as of today.

There are four CS left.

USFS has 3 more Challengers listed on their Assignments page -- Warsaw Cup (0 ladies were sent last year), Tallinn Trophy (2 were sent last year) and Golden Spin of Zagreb (3 were sent last year).

 

[winston]

* * *

No one is replacing Gold at Nepela; Caroline Zhang is the only one listed on USFS' Assignment page as of today.

* * * .

Shoot. I was hoping Hannah Miller might get that one, now that she's back and had a pretty decent season opener at Mid-Atlantics.

 

[Sylvia]

I was hoping Vivian Le would be considered for Nepela since she is the only one of the 3 listed subs without an assignment. The other 2 are Paige Rydberg (SLC this week) and Angela Wang (Finlandia). Le scored 168+ at Glacier Falls in late July but her most recent competition at Golden West did not go well, unfortunately.

Hannah Miller is listed (so far) as a Challenger sub. only for U.S. International Classic. Re-posting from the Middle Atlantics club competition thread in Kiss & Cry... Senior Ladies final (top 4) podium photo: https://twitter.com/LynnRutherford/status/906732660751511553
Top 4:
1 Hannah Miller 156.46 (101.94 FS)
2 Olivia Serafini 142.75
3 Mariko Kihara (JPN) 140.14
4 Jordan Bauth 50.23 134.16
Final results/standings photo: https://twitter.com/LynnRutherford/status/906725789059702784
Photo of Hannah with her aunt who coached her in NYC: https://www.instagram.com/p/BY2KYvdlbK0/
Hannah's FS music is a medley from The Hunger Games soundtracks, including "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Lorde, and the program was choreographed by Tom Dickson.

Hannah shared a short clip from Mid Atlantics (the beginning of her FS up to 3Lz): https://www.instagram.com/p/BY6CFS5A739/?taken-by=hannah_mill1

 

[jlai]

Shoot. I was hoping Hannah Miller might get that one, now that she's back and had a pretty decent season opener at Mid-Atlantics.

I'm not sure 150s would be a competitive score for senior internationals. Having said that, some of the girls who are sent have even lower summer scores.
I would think that skaters wanting an assignment should have some minimum they have to meet to go. Not sure if USFS is implementing something like that or not.
For instance, I think 140 at a major summer comp is probably an indicator of competitiveness at a jgp, but not for a senior assignment.

 

[winston]

@Sylvia ~ Vivian Le would have been a great option, for sure. Maybe she'll get one of the later ones.
@jlai ~ excellent point about scoring. I think I just like to see people assigned.

 

[Debbie S]

I would think that skaters wanting an assignment should have some minimum they have to meet to go. Not sure if USFS is implementing something like that or not.

USFS does have score minimums for skaters to be considered for int'ls for each discipline. They don't publish them but the skaters and coaches are told what they are. I believe the requirement for Junior Men is 170 (but could be wrong) but don't know about the others.

 

[Interludes]

Here's a video of Polina from Skate St. Moritz that was held this weekend: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0uVCaCYitE&feature=youtu.be

Not perfect but definitely a step up from the last competition she did.

 

[petro]

Here's a video of Polina from Skate St. Moritz that was held this weekend: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0uVCaCYitE&feature=youtu.be

Not perfect but definitely a step up from the last competition she did.

She's definitely making progress, and I really enjoy this program. Polina has that great competitive mindset on her side, and I have no doubt she'll be ready come Nationals. Good for her taking her time to come back, and not rushing anything. I'll definitely be interested how much further she improves between now and her next competition (Finlandia?).

In any case, I'm just glad she's ditched the bouncy curls and is utilizing her gorgeous lines!

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Congrats to Bradie, 5th at Lombardia after the SP. All + GOE!!

Do y'all think she will get the TBD for SkAm?

Hope my girl Glenn can pull up more!

 

[olympic]

Not bad at all considering there are some heavyweights here - Higuchi, Zagitova (the next great one), Kostner and Tuk. Amber popped the axel, otherwise she would be in the final group along w/ Bradie

 

[Frida80]

Congrats to Bradie, 5th at Lombardia after the SP. All + GOE!!

Do y'all think she will get the TBD for SkAm?

Hope my girl Glenn can pull up more!

Most like she's already gotten it. She was invited to Champs Camp and has the second highest score of any US lady this summer. Plus she already won Philly international. If she skates well here again, it would just cement the decision.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

I feel like Amber's jumps are the most glorious of any USA senior lady including Gracie when she is at her best. Im just mesmerized by Amber's jumping...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0Nl3_60j48

For me she is like a Nicole Bobek. I can't take me eyes off her. She is the most exciting of all the ones just under the radar.

 

[DimaToe]

So I think the biggest question mark for me going into this season is Wagner, the fact that she went back to Moulin Rouge again makes me think that she's really trying to milk what she's best at to make up for less than perfect jumps and what not, of
Course this is all just speculation but she's starting to reach Joubert/The Matrix territory if she does indeed keep the same LP for 3 of 4 seasons in an Olympic cycle.

 

[meggonzo]

Congrats to Bradie, 5th at Lombardia after the SP. All + GOE!!

Do y'all think she will get the TBD for SkAm?

Hope my girl Glenn can pull up more!

According to Lynn Rutherford/Ice Network, Bradie has the TBD SKAM spot:
http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2017/09/11/245716926/who-will-be-the-ladies-breakout-stars-in-2017-18
Lynn Rutherford

U.S.

I'm cheating a bit here, as I chose Bradie Tennell for my breakout pick for the 2015-16 season. Now 19, the American -- who competed four times over the summer -- broke the 190-point mark at the Broadmoor Open, won gold at the Philadelphia Summer International and earned the host pick at Skate America. Her triple lutz-triple toe is strong, and I think she will significantly improve upon her ninth-place finish at the 2017 U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

 

[Tinami Amori]

Here's a video of Polina from Skate St. Moritz that was held this weekend: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0uVCaCYitE&feature=youtu.be
Not perfect but definitely a step up from the last competition she did.

She is getting better, but besides clean jumps she needs to do something to stand out. It's too generic and she promised "modern" this year. I've yet to see "modern". She would look much better doing "modern" than "ballet/lyrical".

 

[AxelAnnie]

She is getting better, but besides clean jumps she needs to do something to stand out. It's too generic and she promised "modern" this year. I've yet to see "modern". She would look much better doing "modern" than "ballet/lyrical".

Totally agree. I think she could be quite beautiful with the ballet/lyrical. She certainly has the body for it. I did not see much real interpretation of the gorgeous music..........looked more like she was concentrating on getting through the elements.

I have a question, that I am sure is really dumb. Where do the jumps go when someone looses them? With Polina her edge jumps (excepting that one loop(?) all looked great. I don't remember her spinning so tightly in the air. I know her foot was injured.........but she has been cleared to skate. Is she having problems with the toe jumps because she is worried? Is it still hurting? These skaters are athletes. Their bodies are programmed to do those jumps. I don't see this kind of thing in other sports, where it takes months and months to get your abilities back. I am really curious.

 

[VGThuy]

Totally agree. I think she could be quite beautiful with the ballet/lyrical. She certainly has the body for it. I did not see much real interpretation of the gorgeous music..........looked more like she was concentrating on getting through the elements.

I have a question, that I am sure is really dumb. Where do the jumps go when someone looses them? With Polina her edge jumps (excepting that one loop(?) all looked great. I don't remember her spinning so tightly in the air. I know her foot was injured.........but she has been cleared to skate. Is she having problems with the toe jumps because she is worried? Is it still hurting? These skaters are athletes. Their bodies are programmed to do those jumps. I don't see this kind of thing in other sports, where it takes months and months to get your abilities back. I am really curious.

I think it takes a while for gymnasts to get a lot of their big skills back after injury. Of course, since the whole body gets a work out across all the apparatuses, men and women may need more time to get certain specific skills back depending on where their major injury has occurred.

 

[Tinami Amori]

I have a question, that I am sure is really dumb. Where do the jumps go when someone looses them?

In my experience, few things happen: often your height and weight changes from 15 to 18 approx., and jumps require various adjustments, and at the same time you become more aware of your body and more careful/cautious, more aware of the fact that a fall can lead to serious injury... when you're younger you don't think of consequence as much and just jump like a flea, but as you get older you think "no, I can't break this leg again, i have to go to work or to school in the morning".... and this fear also hold you back.....