I wasn't expecting a miracle, but Caro was also a crappy spinner and she found a way to at least always get level 4 spins. I feel Tony's pain and agree that it's the least she could do.
From the Golden Skate interview, it appears returning to MR was not her decision but Raf's, so I don't know whether it was her trying to return to comfort zone - but if this would allow her more time to focus on the elements instead, I am all for it.
Where is the evidence that it has given her time to focus on the elements, though? She is skating reduced content, flutzing still, and missing levels on spins.
@Tony Wheeler Yes, Ashley's pervasive weaknesses are frustrating because they seem, compared to learning two 3-3s in one season, to be minor in nature. I think it's unfortunate that so many interpret that as complacency or worse, though. If you compare a Protocol sheet from 2013 to 2015/2016, you can't tell me that this wasn't a skater who worked her butt off. You just do not see that type of technical growth in the jumps at that age in Ladies skating. We have to remember that skaters have limitations that are not obvious; for many, putting energy into two 3-3s AND counting/holding spin revolutions is just too much. I think that's the case with Ashley and it extends to learning choreography as well it seems. At some point, you have to sacrifice certain improvements in order to master the others. It's not a reasonable ask for Ashley to learn a 3-3, 3-3 sequence, true 3Z, AND work on skating skills for the 1-2 points to be gained in L4 footwork.
I will say I can't quite defend the skater we are seeing this season, though. It's easy to blame burnout; but, despite her result at Worlds, she actually had a pretty decent season last year. She won yet another GP event, did well at Nationals, and then was unlucky to miss the final group after a great SP at Worlds. Had she held onto 6th there, I think she would have been much closer to Daleman overall. And, her WTT skates are proof that she has it in her still.
What was missing last year, IMO, were the inspired programs and performances. But, I foolishly believed that she was buying time so that she could put 110% into creating the perfect Olympic season programs to end her career. Everything about her this year is perplexing and makes me sad because she should be en route to a 4th National title, 2nd Olympic team medal, and top 6 at the Olympics -- all can still happen, but I just see this going the way of 2014 and 2017 with a minor medal at Nationals and bottom-half top 10 in South Korea. The judges were really setting the stage to elevate her to Kostner-like PCS dominance and she has tossed that out the window as I can't believe any judge will not subconsciously consider the age of Moulin Rouge when marking it. I make a lot of excuses for her, but I draw the line with her 1. backing down prior to an Olympic season, 2. falsely proclaiming for the 2nd time that Moulin Rouge has been choreographically modified, and 3. not at least correcting the CONSTANT issue of missing L4 on her final spin because of time constraints.
