U.S. Ladies [#26]: Bell, Boots, and Camel

[aftershocks]

Starr Andrews was a guest coach at Parker Pennington's "Skate Dance Dream" camp last week in Shaker Heights, Ohio and shared this set of photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/ByiucGXpxfL/

Thanks for sharing!

 

[aftershocks]

It's a joke, that not only 14-15 year olds are slender straws..

Everyone, whether an athlete or not, and no matter what age, have variant body builds. Athletes and those who diligently work out are obviously in better shape physically.

 

[Tinami Amori]

Bradie and Sofia https://i1.imageban.ru/out/2019/06/12/d04c59b76915d8ff4bd1471bc6b2f899.jpg

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Bradie and Sofia https://i1.imageban.ru/out/2019/06/12/d04c59b76915d8ff4bd1471bc6b2f899.jpg

Interesting photo for me because Sophia edged out Bradie for the bronze at SkAm and it took me until mid-December to come to terms.

 

[AxelAnnie]

Interesting photo for me because Sophia edged out Bradie for the bronze at SkAm and it took me until mid-December to come to terms.

I am with you!

 

[UGG]

It's a joke, that not only 14-15 year olds are slender straws..

Oh I guess I didn’t get. She doesn’t look like a 14 year old to me at all though. She just isn’t as muscular as other skaters her age.

 

[Wyliefan]

A couple more pics of Bradie and Sofia, this time in color: https://www.instagram.com/p/Byo6jdQlg9E/?igshid=jnnam3wf5iby

 

[Sylvia]

Coach Michelle Hong, who was a Pacific Coast Sectional singles competitor through the Senior level and led the UC-Berkeley collegiate (Cal) figure skating team until her graduation, uploaded her IGTV video conversation in late April titled "Mariah Bell On Self-Confidence": https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw0vTtOF0b0/

Michelle coaches in Oakland, CA where Alysa Liu trains: https://www.instagram.com/p/BtIC78JH2uM/

CC: @aftershocks

Does anyone know Michelle Hong's background. Is she a former singles skater?

Michelle's story on her website: http://www.coachmichellehong.com/new-page

 

[aftershocks]

Bradie and Sofia https://i1.imageban.ru/out/2019/06/12/d04c59b76915d8ff4bd1471bc6b2f899.jpg

Interesting photo for me because Sophia edged out Bradie for the bronze at SkAm and it took me until mid-December to come to terms.

ITA ANL. Athletes though I suppose put themselves in each other's places and understand what it feels like to work hard, and to sometimes win unexpectedly. I think Bradie was over not being on the podium at SA immediately after it happened, especially in terms of not 'what if-ing' about it.

Plus, Bradie likely never felt any mean-spiritedness toward Sofia. I like Sofia, but I just feel she was over-rewarded for her nice accomplishment at SA. She's a very consistent skater, but she's slow and IMO she needs further experience as well as further development of her skills to truly shine. Meanwhile, she's pretty, competitive, and accomplished. But it certainly helped in the scoring at SA that Mishin is her coach and she was 'skating while Russian.'

Also, Bradie did not slam dunk, and she knows it. Bradie's mistakes last season are what took her out of the medal hunt on a few occasions, so it does her no good to have hard feelings toward a competitor. I'm sure Bradie knows that too.

 

[natsulian]

Alysa Liu will be headlining the Sun Valley on Ice show alongside Ryan Bradley on July 4th.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bytt0hun5_T/?igshid=145gakykrx1xv

 

[Sylvia]

Update from Hannah Miller today: https://twitter.com/Hannah_Miller1/status/1139996602318426112
Direct link to read her message on IG: https://www.instagram.com/p/ByvoS0bDH0W/

For those of you wondering what’s been going on in my life since Championships... A lot of big decisions and changes have been made. I decided in April to take some time away from skating. Many factors played a role in this decision but overall my goal is to focus on school and figure out who I am outside of the sport. I still skate weekly because my love for the sport will never fade. Now that I have a lot of extra time on my hands I began coaching figure skating more often. Additionally, I have choreographed five programs. I have found choreography to be one of my passions and an area that I would like to continue to pursue.
When I’m not at the rink I’m studying. I have a year left of my undergraduate education at Michigan State University. I live walking distance from campus and love being a “normal college student.” I am studying psychology and will graduate spring 2020.
I am unsure whether or not I will begin training again or compete. It is not completely out of question but for right now, taking a break is the right decision. I miss training and competing but pursuing my education and career has taken priority. Thanks for always rooting for me, I’m excited to see what comes next.

ETA that there's a bit more info in her blog post here: http://figureskatersonline.com/hannahmiller/main/the-next-chapter/

 

[Tinami Amori]

Plus, Bradie likely never felt any mean-spiritedness toward Sofia. I like Sofia, but I just feel she was over-rewarded for her nice accomplishment at SA.

and she still does not.. and probably will stay for 2nd session, or will return next year... since training is so much fun.

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But it certainly helped (Samodurova) in the scoring at SA that Mishin is her coach and she was 'skating while Russian.

yeah...... "skating while Russian" at "Skate America" is a slam-dunk guarantee for the podium..

 

[aftershocks]

... yeah...... "skating while Russian" at "Skate America" is a slam-dunk guarantee for the podium..

Not always a slam dunk! But def helpful. And other factors like consistency and fun programs are helpful too, even despite lacking maturity, speed, experience, etc. I thought Sofia was a bit over-rewarded for a newbie to seniors. But Bradie knew she had made mistakes, particularly off-the-bat in the sp, that she couldn't afford to make.

 

[Sylvia]

Bradie's back from France and is in Las Vegas today to help USFS (check out their IG stories) promote Skate America (first stop was City National Arena): https://www.instagram.com/p/By2-fYxH8ew/

https://twitter.com/richardmetzler/status/1140989109969678336

Her second stop was the Orleans Arena with Boys and Girls Club youth to celebrate Olympic Day: https://www.lasvegasnow.com/news/lo...lebrate-olympic-day-at-the-orleans/2084191663

Belatedly, here's Alysa's Father's Day video message: https://www.instagram.com/p/By2-fYxH8ew/

ETA that Bradie and Alysa will be performing at the "Skate It Forward" benefit show in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, June 22nd at 5 pm: https://skateitforward.co/tickets/
Scroll down for info on the Sunday brunch with Alysa: https://skateitforward.co/cast-information/

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Bradie's back from France and is in Las Vegas today to help USFS (check out their IG stories) promote Skate America (first stop was City National Arena): https://www.instagram.com/p/By2-fYxH8ew/

ANL just loves a layback! Get it girl!

 

[Spiralgraph]

ANL just loves a layback! Get it girl!

I do too and this one doesn't include a Bielmann position. Bonus points from me for that.

 

[Coco]

Since there are so many experts here, what does she need to do to change the angle of her lower leg to her knee? Is it physically possible or is it just one of those things you're either born with or not born with?

 

[Sylvia]

Bradie's back from France and is in Las Vegas today to help USFS (check out their IG stories) promote Skate America (first stop was City National Arena): https://www.instagram.com/p/By2-fYxH8ew/

https://twitter.com/richardmetzler/status/1140989109969678336

Her second stop was the Orleans Arena with Boys and Girls Club youth to celebrate Olympic Day: https://www.lasvegasnow.com/news/lo...lebrate-olympic-day-at-the-orleans/2084191663

For who missed or can't view Instagram stories, here's a clip compilation of what USFS posted yesterday re. Bradie trying a variety of Olympic sports at the Orleans arena, mostly with success! https://twitter.com/FSIgstories/status/1141120021462212614

 

[AxelAnnie]

ANL just loves a layback! Get it girl!

Me too.............and that was a beaut! Perfectly centered.

 

[clairecloutier]

Happy to see Karen Chen on the GP assignments list. I've missed her!

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[AxelAnnie]

Hmmmmm.

 

[Sylvia]

U.S ladies have 10 GP slots total in the initial selection round:

Bradie Tennell (Skate America & Skate Canada)
Mariah Bell (France & Russia)
Karen Chen (Skate America & NHK/Japan) as comeback skater
Ting Cui (France & Japan)
Starr Andrews (Japan)
Skate America 3rd spot TBD

 

[Spun Silver]

I'm a little surprised not to see Megan Wessenberg on the roster. I thought she rose out of the ranks pretty successfully last year. Maybe she'll get the SA spot... but then, I want Starr to get a second one so I'm torn.

I'm also surprised not to see Courtney. It's sad that she hasn't been able to fulfill her potential.

 

[SkateFanBerlin]

As a comeback skater Karen Chen could still take 2 spots? Has anyone seen her skate?

 

[Jarrett]

I'm a little surprised not to see Megan Wessenberg on the roster. I thought she rose out of the ranks pretty successfully last year. Maybe she'll get the SA spot... but then, I want Starr to get a second one so I'm torn.

I'm also surprised not to see Courtney. It's sad that she hasn't been able to fulfill her potential.

I would have been shocked if Megan received anything more than a host pick. She skated well to place where she did last year at SA but didn't really do anything special the rest of the season. I'm sure she will be sent for senior Bs if not get the host pick again for SA.

 

[Willin]

As a comeback skater Karen Chen could still take 2 spots? Has anyone seen her skate?

Of course, they give comeback skaters 2 spots all the time.

No one's seen her skate, but come Champs Camp I'm assuming USFS will tell her what they think of her ability to compete. She'll also probably be sent to at least one Senior B or domestic summer competition.

 

[Dobre]

As a comeback skater Karen Chen could still take 2 spots? Has anyone seen her skate?

Yes, comeback skaters have the potential for two invites. (This is kind of the point, I think. That athletes who have a history of being ranked high enough at the international level that they might be competitive for the GPF can jump right into the GP and compete to qualify for it. Hence the "if you have previously placed top 6 in the World" part of the definition. Top 6 as there are 6 qualifiers to the GPF).

 

[Coco]

I wish there was a way for comebacks skaters to be evaluated before they get put in the pool as a comeback skater. Because if her practices don't go as they need to over the summer and in the early fall she will have wasted her one chance to use this come back skater status.

 

[Dobre]

Has anyone seen her skate?

There are multiple clips of her doing triple lutzes & one of her doing a triple triple. That's what we have thus far.

 

[Jarrett]

I wish there was a way for comebacks skaters to be evaluated before they get put in the pool as a comeback skater. Because if her practices don't go as they need to over the summer and in the early fall she will have wasted her one chance to use this come back skater status.

Why wouldn't you want it to be the skaters call if they want to compete on the GP if they earn that right within the rules? Based on what happened last year this could be just a last hurrah before going to school full-time. Much like Gracie last year I have no idea why Karen even showed up for that senior B last season if she was still not up to it.