U.S. Men in 2017 - articles & latest news

[Tavi]

Don't feel like doing the math and work, but... somebody should make a body of work profile for the top 5 men where the tier 1 scores are averaged at 100% of their worth, their scores at tier 2 competitions are averaged at 66% of their value, and the scores at tier 3 are averaged at 33% of the value. Would be a good way of looking at who has the advantages.

Im curious - do you know for a fact that that’s how their process works, or did you just suggest it for comparative purposes?

Even without calculating, I’m guessing that using your model, Jason and Nathan would be pretty far ahead right now, since they’re the only ones who’ve done 2 Tier 1 events (GPF and Worlds 2017). They also both have 4CCs and 2GPs (Tier 2) and 2017 Nats and 1 Challenger (Tier 3). Adam has one Tier 1 event so far (GPF), but due to his injury last year, his only other points would come from Tiers 2 (GP) and 3 (Challenger). That probably puts him ahead of Vincent and Max, though.

I think the criteria also take into account scoring trends - this is where Adam’s recent consistency versus the others could play a role in selection, I think. I’m also wondering if they consider placement and medals.

 

[Sylvia]

Updated compilation of the top 5 contenders' detailed scores, from most recent competition this season going back to all the "body of work" (Tier 1-3) competitions from last season:

2017-18 ISU Season Best scores are bolded below; * = current ISU personal best score

Nathan Chen (ISU WS #5 [3720 pts] at end of 2017)
GP Final 286.51 Total, 1st (Tier 1)
103.32 58.14 45.18 9.00 8.79 9.11 9.07 9.21 0.00 #6 (SP 1st)
183.19 95.75 88.44 8.96 8.61 8.86 8.93 8.86 1.00 #4 (FS 2nd)

GP America 275.88 Total, 1st (Tier 2)
104.12* 59.56 44.56 8.89 8.64 9.07 9.00 8.96 0.00 #11 (SP 1st)
171.76 86.68 87.08 8.82 8.50 8.57 8.86 8.79 2.00 #12 (FS 2nd)

GP Russia 293.79 Total, 1st (Tier 2)
100.54 57.57 42.97 8.61 8.39 8.61 8.57 8.79 0.00 #10 (SP 1st)
193.25 104.85 88.40 8.96 8.57 8.89 8.89 8.89 0.00 #12 (FS 2nd)
275.88 Total, 1st

CS Salt Lake 275.04 Total, 1st (Tier 3)
91.80 47.40 44.40 8.85 8.80 8.85 8.95 8.95 0.00 #7 (SP 1st)
183.24 95.24 88.00 8.75 8.45 8.80 9.05 8.95 0.00 #13 (FS 1st)

2016-17 season:
World Championships 290.72 Total, 6th (Tier 1)
97.33 55.22 43.11 8.64 8.43 8.61 8.68 8.75 1.00 #28 (SP 6th)
193.39 110.61 84.78 8.54 8.39 8.32 8.64 8.50 2.00 #20 (FS 4th)

4CC 307.46* Total, 1st (Tier 2)
103.12 59.58 43.54 8.68 8.50 8.93 8.75 8.68 0.00 #19 (SP 1st)
204.34* 115.48 88.86 9.00 8.75 8.89 8.93 8.86 0.00 #24 (FS 2nd)

Nationals 318.47 Total, 1st (Tier 3)
106.39 62.07 44.32 8.93 8.57 9.00 8.86 8.96 0.00 #18 (SP 1st)
212.08 121.08 91.00 9.21 8.79 9.43 9.07 9.00 0.00 #20 (FS 1st)

Chen's ISU Personal Best Scores:
307.46 19.02.2017 ISU Four Continents Championships 2017
104.12 (SP) 24.11.2017 ISU GP Skate America 2017
204.34 (FS) 19.02.2017 ISU Four Continents Championships 2017

---

Adam Rippon (ISU WS #10 [3041 pts] at end of 2017)

GP Final 254.33 Total, 5th (Tier 1)
86.19 42.59 43.60 8.68 8.46 8.82 8.75 8.89 0.00 #2 (SP 6th)
168.14 81.78 87.36 8.71 8.43 8.79 8.86 8.89 1.00 #1 (FS 5th)

GP America 266.45 Total, 2nd (Tier 2)
89.04* 45.04 44.00 8.64 8.50 9.00 8.82 9.04 0.00 #10 (SP 2nd)
177.41 88.91 88.50 8.82 8.50 8.89 8.93 9.11 0.00 #11 (FS 1st)

GP Japan 261.99 Total, 2nd (Tier 2)
84.95 43.16 41.79 8.32 8.11 8.43 8.36 8.57 0.00 #9 (SP 4th)
177.04 91.46 85.58 8.54 8.29 8.75 8.46 8.75 0.00 #6 (FS 2nd)

CS Finland 249.88 Total, 3rd (Tier 3)
83.69 41.94 41.75 8.29 8.04 8.54 8.42 8.46 0.00 #6 (SP 3rd)
166.19 81.85 85.34 8.50 8.21 8.63 8.58 8.75 1.00 #16 (FS 2nd)

[Orange County Open 256.21 [89.33 SP, 166.88 FS] 1st in August]

2016-17 season:
[Qualified for Dec. 2016 GP Final but missed 2017 Nationals due to injury]

Rippon's ISU Personal Best Scores:
267.53 (Total) 12.11.2016 ISU GP Trophee de France 2016 (3rd)
89.04 (SP) 24.11.2017 ISU GP Skate America 2017
182.28 (FS) 12.11.2016 ISU GP Trophee de France 2016

---


Jason Brown (ISU WS #9 [3107 pts] at end of 2017)

GP Final 253.81 Total, 6th (Tier 1) - qualified as 1st alternate when Jin WD
89.02 44.30 44.72 8.93 8.82 8.93 8.93 9.11 0.00 #1 (SP 4th)
164.79 75.71 90.08 9.00 8.93 8.89 9.11 9.11 1.00 #3 (FS 6th)

GP Japan 245.95 Total, 4th (Tier 2)
85.36 40.58 44.78 8.82 8.82 8.93 9.07 9.14 0.00 #11 (SP 3rd)
160.59 72.73 89.86 8.89 8.93 8.79 9.11 9.21 2.00 #11 (FS 4th)

GP Canada 261.14 Total, 2nd (Tier 2)
90.71 45.64 45.07 8.79 8.96 9.11 9.00 9.21 0.00 #10 (SP 3rd)
170.43 80.77 90.66 8.86 9.04 9.04 9.07 9.32 1.00 #12 (FS 2nd)

CS Italy 259.88 Total, 2nd (Tier 3)
83.01 39.26 44.75 8.80 8.80 8.90 9.10 9.15 1.00 #18 (SP 2nd)
176.87 85.07 91.80 9.10 8.90 9.20 9.25 9.45 0.00 #21 (FS 2nd)

[Skate Milwaukee 210.00 in July / Glacier Falls 234.01 [86.39 SP, 147.62 FS] 2nd in late July]

2016-17 season:
World Championships 269.57 Total, 7th (Tier 1)
93.10 48.00 45.10 8.96 8.96 9.07 9.00 9.11 0.00 #36 (SP 8th)
176.47 88.27 89.20 8.89 8.71 9.07 8.86 9.07 1.00 #17 (FS 7th)

4CC 245.85 Total, 6th (Tier 2)
80.77 38.77 43.00 8.50 8.50 8.57 8.64 8.79 1.00 #21 (SP 9th)
165.08 79.36 85.72 8.43 8.43 8.64 8.61 8.75 0.00 #16 (FS 6th)

Nationals 254.23 Total, 3rd (Tier 3)
79.23 35.80 44.43 8.82 8.79 8.86 8.96 9.00 1.00 #21 (SP 4th)
175.00 82.52 92.48 9.07 9.00 9.39 9.32 9.46 0.00 #17 (FS 3rd)

Brown's ISU Personal Best Scores:
273.67 (Total) 20.04.2017 ISU World Team Trophy 2017
94.32 (SP) 20.04.2017 ISU World Team Trophy 2017 (SP 5th)
182.63 (FS) 23.10.2016 ISU Skate America 2016 (2nd overall)

---

Max Aaron (ISU WS #14 [2526 pts] at end of 2017)

GP France 237.20 Total, 7th (Tier 2)
78.64 41.54 38.10 7.93 7.32 7.50 7.71 7.64 1.00 #7 (SP 8th)
158.56 82.70 75.86 7.86 7.32 7.54 7.64 7.57 0.00 #4 (FS 6th)

GP China 259.69 Total, 3rd (Tier 2)
83.11 44.50 38.61 7.89 7.50 7.79 7.75 7.68 0.00 #9 (SP 5th)
176.58* 96.60 79.98 8.21 7.71 8.18 8.00 7.89 0.00 #8 (FS 1st)

CS Salt Lake 261.56* Total, 2nd (Tier 3)
86.06 48.41 37.65 7.75 7.00 7.55 7.75 7.60 0.00 #2 (SP 2nd)
175.50 94.90 80.60 8.20 7.60 8.15 8.15 8.20 0.00 #12 (FS 2nd)

[Philadelphia Summer International 209.37 3rd in early August]

2016-17 season:
Nationals 227.80 Total, 9th (Tier 3)
72.54 36.62 37.92 7.96 7.36 7.46 7.68 7.46 2.00 #11 (SP 12th)
155.26 79.88 76.38 8.11 7.32 7.54 7.68 1.00 7.54 1.00 #6 (FS 6th)

Aaron's ISU Personal Best Scores:
261.56 (Total) 15.09.2017 ISU CS US Internat. FS Classic 2017
87.03 (SP) 18.11.2015 ISU CS Tallinn Trophy 2015 (1st overall)
176.58 (FS) 03.11.2017 ISU Cup of China 2017

---

Vincent Zhou (ISU WS #22 [2148 pts] at end of 2017)

GP France 222.21 Total, 9th (Tier 2)
66.12 32.12 36.00 7.46 7.04 7.00 7.29 7.21 2.00 #5 (SP 10th)
156.09 88.57 69.52 7.18 6.68 6.86 7.11 6.93 2.00 #1 (FS 7th)

GP China 256.66 Total, 4th (Tier 2)
80.23 45.66 36.57 7.43 7.21 7.04 7.57 7.32 2.00 #6 (SP 8th)
176.43 102.35 75.08 7.64 7.29 7.50 7.61 7.50 1.00 #5 (FS 2nd)

CS Finland 250.01 Total, 2nd (Tier 3)
76.10 40.64 35.46 7.21 7.04 6.79 7.25 7.17 0.00 #2 (SP 6th)
173.91 97.97 75.94 7.71 7.25 7.71 7.63 7.67 0.00 #13 (FS 1st)

[Skate Detroit 275.33 Total, 1st [97.68 SP & 177.65 FS] in July]

2016-17 season:
World Junior Championships 258.11* Total, 1st (Tier 3)
78.87 42.97 35.90 7.21 7.04 7.29 7.18 7.18 0.00 #35 (SP 5th)
179.24* 104.66 74.58 7.43 7.04 7.71 7.50 7.61 0.00 #19 (FS 1st)

Nationals 263.03 Total, 2nd (Tier 3)
87.85 48.53 39.32 7.82 7.64 8.11 7.89 7.86 0.00 #15 (SP 3rd)
175.18 93.24 81.94 8.36 7.96 8.29 8.25 8.11 0.00 #21 (FS 2nd)

Zhou's ISU Personal Best Scores:
258.11 (Total) 16.03.2017 ISU World Junior Championships 2017
80.53 (SP) 09.09.2016 ISU JGP Yokohama 2016 (2nd overall)
179.24 (FS) 16.03.2017 ISU World Junior Championships 2017

 

[barbk]

Nathan's the no-brainer; short of an injury withdrawal, he's going. Everyone else's results are mixed enough that whoever does better at Nationals will likely make the team.

 

[aftershocks]

I guess it's kind of sad but maybe advantageous for Nathan's rival Hanyu (as well as a necessity for Hanyu) to miss NHK, GPF, and Japan Natls in order to rest his weary body & the ankle injury to be hopefully at full strength for the Olympics. Although, will Hanyu go to a tune-up event before the Olympics if he's in good health (maybe 4CCs)? Javi too can afford to skip his Natls and also Europeans if he chooses, in order to be ready for the Olympics. Europeans is held in Moscow Jan 15-21 (I guess it was already awarded to that locale before recent drug controversies and ISU felt the event should go ahead there, which is curious amdist the current supposed sanctions against Russia). The Winter Olympics is Feb 9 - Feb 25 (Team event Men's singles is on the 9th, and Men's singles individual event sp is on Feb 16). So maybe Javi will attend Europeans. Spain is not part of the Team event at the Olympics, so he would have some time to rest up after Euros prior to Feb 16 Olympic sp date.

It will be interesting to see how Nathan will fare, and how he's able to pace himself with U.S. Nationals coming up. Senior men's sp is scheduled for January 4, and the fp will take place on January 6. After Nat'ls, Nathan will have less than a month to ratchet down from Natls and prepare for the Olympics, since he will have to be ready to travel to Korea at least a few days in advance of the Opening ceremonies. I wonder how Nathan is doing re his blades, boots, and any nagging minor injuries/aches & pains? Hopefully, he and coach Raf have figured things out re layout of the fp for Nathan's best advantage. He is hoping to meld artistry with technique, but he's clearly had some issues in the fp with layout and which quad jumps to feature and putting it altogether presentation-wise. It's a challenging program artistically, so I'm looking forward to seeing how Nathan and Raf are able to figure things out in successfully tackling strategy, especially in terms of the fp's physical and mental demands.

 

[Cleo1782]

I guess it's kind of sad but maybe advantageous for Nathan's rival Hanyu (as well as a necessity for Hanyu) to miss NHK, GPF, and Japan Natls in order to rest his weary body & the ankle injury to be hopefully at full strength for the Olympics. Although, will Hanyu go to a tune-up event before the Olympics if he's in good health (maybe 4CCs)? Javi too can afford to skip his Natls and also Europeans if he chooses, in order to be ready for the Olympics. Europeans is held in Moscow Jan 15-21 (I guess it was already awarded to that locale before recent drug controversies and ISU felt the event should go ahead there, which is curious amdist the current supposed sanctions against Russia). The Winter Olympics is Feb 9 - Feb 25 (Team event Men's singles is on the 9th, and Men's singles individual event sp is on Feb 16). So maybe Javi will attend Europeans. Spain is not part of the Team event at the Olympics, so he would have some time to rest up after Euros prior to Feb 16 Olympic sp date.

It will be interesting to see how Nathan will fare, and how he's able to pace himself with U.S. Nationals coming up. Senior men's sp is scheduled for January 4, and the fp will take place on January 6. After Nat'ls, Nathan will have less than a month to ratchet down from Natls and prepare for the Olympics, since he will have to be ready to travel to Korea at least a few days in advance of the Opening ceremonies. I wonder how Nathan is doing re his blades, boots, and any nagging minor injuries/aches & pains? Hopefully, he and coach Raf have figured things out re layout of the fp for Nathan's best advantage. He is hoping to meld artistry with technique, but he's clearly had some issues in the fp with layout and which quad jumps to feature and putting it altogether presentation-wise. It's a challenging program artistically, so I'm looking forward to seeing how Nathan and Raf are able to figure things out in successfully tackling strategy, especially in terms of the fp's physical and mental demands.

Good points...but Javi competed and won his Nationals this weekend, so he didn't skip it.
I wasn't worried about Nathan early in the season, but the GPF had me a little concerned. Of course, he will be fine at Nationals. I hope he focuses more on a clean program than all those quads. I think Nathan could seriously contend with 3 or 4 quads and a clean program. No need for 6. There are injuries and skaters who will most likely also be making mistakes.

 

[Marco]

IMO listing the criteria is not that meaningful. No one knows how they are weighted against each other. When it comes down to it, [using the ladies as a random example] is a 4th at 2017 Worlds and 4th at 2018 Nationals worth more than a bronze at 2017 4CCs and 3rd at 2018 Nationals?!

It is still going to be up to the Fed to nominate whom they want if the top three at Nationals isn't clearly the top 3 US men in the world - which already is the case aside from Nathan.

 

[olympic]

If Chen, Rippon and Brown go 1-2-3, it will be a no-brainer for the USFSA. They will have to do major analysis if Zhou and Aaron get 2nd and 3rd in any order. I don't see any other competitor in the mix.

 

[Marco]

If Chen, Rippon and Brown go 1-2-3, it will be a no-brainer for the USFSA. They will have to do major analysis if Zhou and Aaron get 2nd and 3rd in any order. I don't see any other competitor in the mix.

Vincent making top 3 isn't that unexpected, he is the reigning silver medalist and matches Nathan jump for jump. If he lands the 4lutz3toe in both programs he is already going to make up a lot of those PCS deficit. He is my better bet for the Tom Z student to make the team.

When both skate somewhat cleanly and the judges have to award PCS at Nationals, I think it matters a little that Adam has been skating and placing just a little bit better than Jason all season long.

I really hope to see Alexei Kraznozhon in the top 6.

 

[Sylvia]

I just came across this Bay area news feature on Vincent Zhou (via this tweet: https://twitter.com/nbcbayarea/status/945361368194142208 ) in which Brian Boitano was interviewed along with Vincent (taped when they both were performing in Kristi Yamaguchi's "A Golden Moment" back in early September): https://www.nbcbayarea.com/on-air/a...Features-Vincent-Zhou_Bay-Area-444079853.html
The reporter will be covering the Olympics for this NBC station (eta: I've also posted a similar video on Karen Chen in the U.S. Ladies' thread).

 

[Sylvia]

Article by Elliott Almond today: https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/12/26/scary-moment-for-palo-alto-skater-with-olympic-aspirations/

Olympic skating contender Vincent Zhou had a minor scare last week when dislocating a shoulder on a fall while attempting a quadruple jump.
“He’s back to full-speed training today,” mother Fei Ge said Tuesday. “He couldn’t do quads for several days.”
...
Zhou, 17, trains in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with Christy Krall and Tom Zakrajsek but also works with long-time coach Tammy Gambill of Riverside.
“He’s training very well,” Zakrajsek said Tuesday. “He is a warrior.”

 

[BittyBug]

It's crazy how many shoulder dislocations were are suddenly seeing. I'm glad that Zhou has reportedly bounced back quickly.

 

[olympic]

Whew. Glad he is training normally and the quads are back

 

[LilJen]

Yeah, what is up with shoulders these days?? Hoping he will be OK for nationals.

 

[haribobo]

Daniel Samohin's shoulder dislocation was on a quad fall. Adam's was on a quad fall. Vincent's was on a quad fall...

Sensing a pattern....

 

[Sylvia]

IIRC, Adam's original shoulder dislocation months ago (early September?) wasn't on a quad fall.

Here's a 40-second clip of Adam practicing the footwork sequence from his FS on private ice last week: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc8XCqxFSST/?hl=en&taken-by=adaripp

ETA a few quotes from his media teleconference call today (Wednesday afternoon Pacific time):

FigureSkatersOnline.com (@FSOnline):

Fun call with @Adaripp: "I'm skating better than I ever have, I'm working really hard, and I'm feeling good. I honestly have a lot of fun with my training. And I'm ready to go to the Olympic Games."
@Adaripp: "I think my experience is a vital part of who I am as a skater. I've learned to be really serious about my training ... but I don't take myself too seriously."
... on qualifying for Olympics: "Four years ago, I showed up to Nationals hoping for a miracle. I'm 4 years stronger, I'm 4 years wiser. It's all within my control. It's very doable. And so I'm just going to do it."

Lynn Rutherford (@LynnRutherford):

On #USChamps18 call, @Adaripp said his consistency over last 2 seasons means he will be on the Oly team “unless other skaters’ mothers are on the selection committee." He added, "I don't want to sound cocky, I'm just sure of myself."
Regarding quad toe, @Adaripp said he did one a few weeks ago & his foot, injured last season, came up sore: "I left it alone, and my ankle was fine. The tolerance is not built up in my foot yet (to train it)." Sticking with quad lutz in San Jose.

Phil Hersh (@olyphil):

@Adaripp agrees his success rate on the quad lutz has been low but, “I love a good gamble. We’ll see how it goes.”

 

[Sylvia]

My Focus: Why Figure Skater Max Aaron Hopes Mental Toughness Will Earn His Spot On The Olympic Team
BY KAREN PRICE | DEC. 27, 2017, 10:51 A.M. (ET)
https://www.teamusa.org/News/2017/D...ghness-Will-Earn-His-Spot-On-The-Olympic-Team (includes video)

 

[misskarne]

So what if the other skaters kick your ass at Nationals, Rippon? The arrogance and disrespect, oy.

 

[Jayar]

Nevermind

 

[misskarne]

Nevermind

Go on then. Tell me I'm just being a crazed uber and that there was nothing arrogant or disrespectful in that comment. Tell me how it would be perfectly okay if Jason had said something like that and how it doesn't just get called "sassy" and "cute" because it's Adam.

Because it is 100% disrespectful. He's setting up a narrative for if he doesn't make the team even if he doesn't skate well at Nationals. He is literally inciting a "USFS screwed Adam!" reaction if he doesn't make the team.

 

[ChelleC]

If Adam skates like he has for the last two years, he is going to make the team. And he will deserve it.

 

[Sylvia]

Michelle Kennedy (@CenteredSpin):

Vincent Zhou said during his teleconference that he had issues with his shin heading into his Grand Prix in France and had "0 confidence." He is now healed up and "feels like a completely different skater" since that event due to his training. #USChamps18

Lynn Rutherford:

On #USChamps18 call @govincentzhou says, "I've been training very well, and I hope everyone will recognize I've made large improvements since the Grand Prix season." 1/2
.@govincentzhou said on #USChamps18 call he plans 5 quads and 2 triple axels in free skate in San Jose: "My potential technical content is on par with @nathanwchen but I have a long way to go and catch up on artistry (with Nathan) & others....I'm working on it." 2/2

FigureSkatersOnline:

Vincent Zhou when asked if Nathan Chen is unbeatable: "I know that my potential technical content would be on par with his. As for the presentation side, I know I have a long way to go. I'll rely on myself doing well to succeed rather than others making mistakes."
Vincent Zhou planning five quads and two triple axels in his free skate for #USChamps18. After a 9th place finish at his Grand Prix in France, Zhou and his coaching team reassessed his training and now he's skating clean short and long programs in practice.
..."I think France was an anomaly. We realized we were pushing too hard. We’ve made the training much smarter, we're managing the schedule much better, & I think those are vital changes that have had a very positive impact."

Elliott Almond updated his original Zhou article: https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/12/26/scary-moment-for-palo-alto-skater-with-olympic-aspirations/

Zhou, who grew up in Palo Alto, said Wednesday that he tripped on the quadruple jump.
“I put my left hand down and immediately felt cracks and pain,” the skater said.
He added that he and his coaches are being cautious about not overdoing quadruple jumps ahead of next week’s U.S. Figure Skating Championships, the final qualifying event for the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea. The championships begin Friday at Solar4America Ice in San Jose with juvenile and intermediate events and run through Jan. 7.
Zhou still cannot complete one of his spin moves but expects to be fine during the men’s competition Jan. 4 and Jan. 6 at SAP Center.
“I’m so young my body heals fast,” the skater said.

I believe Christy Krall (mentioned in the article) is a recent addition to his coaching team.

ETA:

Beverley Smith was on Vincent's media teleconference call and wrote this article: https://bevsmithwrites.wordpress.com/2017/12/28/vincent-zhou-and-his-steep-learning-curve/

“My incident was almost exactly the same [as Daniel Samohin's]” Zhou said. “I flipped out of a quad Salchow, and I put my left hand down to support my body weight and I immediately felt the crack and the pain.
“I think it popped back in right away. It wasn’t a full dislocation.”
He visited a physical therapist right away to ensure everything was stable and that indeed the shoulder had popped back in all the way. He took the next day off and didn’t skate.

 

[MAXSwagg]

So what if the other skaters kick your ass at Nationals, Rippon? The arrogance and disrespect, oy.

Even if he does make it, he will be brought back down to earth fast and hard at the Olys, and then we will have to hear whining about how his components are too low because he’s an artiste.

 

[Sylvia]

^^^ You mean arteeste.

NBC Olympics fluff - "A day in the life with...":

Max Aaron

Jason Brown

Nathan Chen

Adam Rippon

Vincent Zhou

 

[toddlj]

Adam's comment made me laugh. People handle pressure differently. Adam makes jokes. A little self-mocking arrogance is not on my list of cardinal sins. YMMV.

 

[missing]

Adam's comment made me laugh. People handle pressure differently. Adam makes jokes. A little self-mocking arrogance is not on my list of cardinal sins. YMMV.

My problem with Adam's comment is it didn't feel like "self-mocking" to me.

 

[Carolla5501]

IMO listing the criteria is not that meaningful. No one knows how they are weighted against each other. When it comes down to it, [using the ladies as a random example] is a 4th at 2017 Worlds and 4th at 2018 Nationals worth more than a bronze at 2017 4CCs and 3rd at 2018 Nationals?!

It is still going to be up to the Fed to nominate whom they want if the top three at Nationals isn't clearly the top 3 US men in the world - which already is the case aside from Nathan.

And the truth is it leaves out the most "meaningful" criteria....
"who do we like better"? Sadly , it's partially a popularity contest!

 

[VGThuy]

The way Lynn Rutherford worded that tweet was odd. This tweet: "@Adaripp said his consistency over last 2 seasons means he will be on the Oly team “unless other skaters’ mothers are on the selection committee." He added, "I don't want to sound cocky, I'm just sure of myself." makes it sound like he was already told he made the Olympic team based on his prior success, but I think she just meant that Adam feels that his consistency over the last two years gives him confidence that he can skate well at Nationals and make the team and that it's a very different feeling leading up to this Nationals than he was feeling leading up to 2014.

 

[Vagabond]

Go on then. Tell me I'm just being a crazed uber and that there was nothing arrogant or disrespectful in that comment

You're just being a crazed uber, and there was nothing arrogant or disrespectful in that comment.

Tell me how it would be perfectly okay if Jason had said something like that and how it doesn't just get called "sassy" and "cute" because it's Adam.

It would be perfectly okay if Jason had said something like that (if it were justified, which, this season, it wouldn't be). It doesn't just get called "sassy" or "cute" because it's Adam.

Because it is 100% disrespectful. He's setting up a narrative for if he doesn't make the team even if he doesn't skate well at Nationals. He is literally inciting a "USFS screwed Adam!" reaction if he doesn't make the team.

He is being confident, as most top-level athletes are. If he doesn't skate well at Nationals, then the narrative will not be that USFS screwed Adam but rather that Adam screwed himself.

 

[RoseRed]

Adam's comment made me laugh. People handle pressure differently. Adam makes jokes. A little self-mocking arrogance is not on my list of cardinal sins. YMMV.

Agreed. And also, I know a couple of guys who would say something like that, and they're not arrogant jerks or whatever.

The way Lynn Rutherford worded that tweet was odd. This tweet: "@Adaripp said his consistency over last 2 seasons means he will be on the Oly team “unless other skaters’ mothers are on the selection committee." He added, "I don't want to sound cocky, I'm just sure of myself." makes it sound like he was already told he made the Olympic team based on his prior success, but I think she just meant that Adam feels that his consistency over the last two years gives him confidence that he can skate well at Nationals and make the team and that it's a very different feeling leading up to this Nationals than he was feeling leading up to 2014.

That was how I interpreted it as well. I don't think he thinks he'll make the team if he bombs, just that he believes he'll deliver and that it will be enough.

 

[Carolla5501]

If Adam skates like he has for the last two years, he is going to make the team. And he will deserve it.

Yeah because preening and posing are world class!

Honestly if his short was half as good as his long I would agree. But that short should be scored in such a way to put him pretty far down going into the free.... It won't because USFSA has decided that it's "his turn" so preening and posing will get rewarded. And the sad part is he can do so much more as is shown in his long.

IMHO that short has been so overmarked it's sad!