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

[natsulian]

Six ladies can get 2 Junior Grand Prix slots this upcoming season due to an event being held in the US. My guesses for the Top 4 would be:

• Alysa Liu
• Hanna Harrell
• Pooja Kalyan
• Gabriella Izzo

The last two spots would probably go to the two ladies with the best results from their first Junior Grand Prix event. However, if the Fed wants more girls to participate, they’ll probably only give two slots to the Top 4 I mentioned above and 1 slot to the rest of the girls.

 

[aftershocks]

Alysa reminds me a bit of Caroline Zhang. Caroline was a WOW! skater when she showed up: beautiful presentation, unbelievable flexibility, solid albeit wonky jumps.

For me personally, I don't see any resemblance between Zhang and Liu. Zhang had gorgeous expressiveness and out-of-this-world spins, but always tech drawbacks on some of her jumps, especially her wonky take-off on the lutz. Zhang's tech issues allowed multi-talented Mirai Nagasu to edge her out at 2007 junior Nats for gold.

So, aside from their youthful talent being over-exposed and a bit over-hyped, there otherwise aren't physical or talent similarities between Zhang and Liu that I can see.

 

[oleada]

Liu for sure. Hannah depends on the Russians she's assigned with. As far as Izzo I've never seen the hype about her. Don't understand it.

I agree with you. Liu controls her own destiny. I think Hanna can make it if she skates clean, which I hope she does because I like her, but she's been really, really inconsistent in the past. Kanysheva + Usacheva isn't easy but it's not the hardest draw.

I'm not particularly impressed with Izzo, either, and I don't think she has that much of a shot to make the JGPF. IIRC, she doesn't have a reliable 3+3 and I don't think she has a 3T at all. Her PB last year was 159 and I don't even think it was that much higher at US Nationals. That's not going to cut it, based on what we've seen in the last few years. Valieva, Kanysheva, Kawabata, Usacheva, Lee, Tarusina, Tarakanova, Sinitsina all have more of a shot and that's without going into the second tier Russians like Vasilieva or Kromykh, and the new Japanese and Koreans that I'm not familiar with.

 

[RoseRed]

Six ladies can get 2 Junior Grand Prix slots this upcoming season due to an event being held in the US. My guesses for the Top 4 would be:

• Alysa Liu
• Hanna Harrell
• Pooja Kalyan
• Gabriella Izzo

The last two spots would probably go to the two ladies with the best results from their first Junior Grand Prix event. However, if the Fed wants more girls to participate, they’ll probably only give two slots to the Top 4 I mentioned above and 1 slot to the rest of the girls.

7 ladies can. The US has 15 spots this season, so they can do 7 with 2 and 1 with 1. But I think it's more likely that they do something like 9-10 ladies total (5-6 with two spots).

 

[Dobre]

That's not going to cut it, based on what we've seen in the last few years. Valieva, Kanysheva, Kawabata, Usacheva, Lee, Tarusina, Tarakanova, Sinitsina all have more of a shot

And Gubanova, please.

That's a nice list, though I've never seen Usacheva or Valieva, & Kawabata didn't get through a clean free skate all last season. Very competitive in the SP, but it was fairly misleading. (Feel like Izzo's record is likewise more competitive in the SP and then the free is not as competitive).

Her PB last year was 159 and I don't even think it was that much higher at US Nationals.

Izzo scored 182.42 at Egna Spring Trophy in the senior ladies event and 172.42 at U.S. Junior Nationals. She did have a stronger late season than early one on the JGP. But I don't think she has a clean triple triple either (and you have to have one). Plus, per the discussion on GS, she can't try the combo she's been shooting for in the SP because the loop is the required single jump. (I'm not finding the info with the junior requirements on it online so let me know if that's incorrect and the required jump is something else this season).

Hanna could finish pretty much anywhere in her events depending on the day. Quite high up or quite far down. I'm thinking that making the podium would be nice.

 

[oleada]

And Gubanova, please.

That's a nice list, though I've never seen Usacheva or Valieva, & Kawabata didn't get through a clean free skate all last season. Very competitive in the SP, but it was fairly misleading. (Feel like Izzo's record is likewise more competitive in the SP and then the free is not as competitive).



Izzo scored 182.42 at Egna Spring Trophy in the senior ladies event and 172.42 at U.S. Junior Nationals. She did have a stronger late season than early one on the JGP. But I don't think she has a clean triple triple either (and you have to have one). Plus, per the discussion on GS, she can't try the combo she's been shooting for in the SP because the loop is the required single jump.

Hanna could finish pretty much anywhere in her events depending on the day. Quite high up or quite far down. I'm thinking that making the podium would be nice.

I didn't see Gubanova on the alternate list for Russia which is why I didn't list her

Valieva was the top Russian novice last year and she's very good, particularly in the spins. Her, Kromykh and Usacheva are all in Eteri's group and first year juniors this year. I can't remember much about Kromkykh, but Usacheva gets nice air to her jumps but was inconsistent last year.

You're right about Kawabata - she had a rough LP every single time last year. But she has the skills - gorgeous SS and big jumps, all the triples, 3Lz+3T. It's about putting it together for her and I hope she does.

But it isn't about the US ladies but maybe we can move it to another thread

 

[Sylvia]

Izzo scored 182.42 at Egna Spring Trophy in the senior ladies event and 172.42 at U.S. Junior Nationals. She did have a stronger late season than early one on the JGP. But I don't think she has a clean triple triple either (and you have to have one). Plus, per the discussion on GS, she can't try the combo she's been shooting for in the SP because the loop is the required single jump. (I'm not finding the info with the junior requirements on it online so let me know if that's incorrect and the required jump is something else this season).

Correct, double or triple loop is the required solo jump in the Junior SP this season.

Hanna could finish pretty much anywhere in her events depending on the day. Quite high up or quite far down. I'm thinking that making the podium would be nice.

Yes and yes.

But it isn't about the US ladies but maybe we can move it to another thread

Here ya go: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...-discussion-thread.105731/page-2#post-5609990

 

[natsulian]

Kate Wang's 3A attempt (1/4 short and she only started learning a few weeks ago): https://www.instagram.com/p/B0RjB8bnbLz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Gracie Gold's 2A+3T: https://www.instagram.com/p/B0ReWJmHBi1/?igshid=1bf6kco04nfup

Sarah Jung getting ready for Philly with a 3Lz+3T on her Story: https://instagram.com/sarahjung_13?igshid=1onzhaplxzc3a

 

[Sylvia]

OUCH, Kate Wang! She mentioned in one of her IG stories that she will compete at Skate Detroit, July 25-27.

Summer Scores for Frontrunners for Junior Nationals:
...
16. Calista Choi, 138 - On the ISP and Choi's highest international score is around 160.

Calista CHOI won the Junior Ladies gold in her Team USA international debut at 2019 Egna Spring Trophy in late March. Her total score in Italy was 159.68 (52.04 SP 3rd; 107.64 FS 1st). Her "Ladies in Lavender" FS (same music used in winning Novice Nationals) can still be watched via the archived official stream, starting here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KPuG-ruXIY&t=73m6s
Elements in her FS protocol: 2A, 3Lz+2T, 3Lo, 3Lz, CCoSp4 / 3T+1Eu+2F, 3S+2T, 3T<, StSq4, FSSp4, LSp4

Calista is from the Chicago area and many from there usually compete at Skate Detroit.

 

[natsulian]

Pooja seems very excited for the upcoming season

Her 3F+3T: https://www.instagram.com/p/B0SRkhLHCNP/?igshid=1hk1wolafe12s

 

[aftershocks]

Kate Wang's 3A attempt (1/4 short and she only started learning a few weeks ago): https://www.instagram.com/p/B0RjB8bnbLz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

@ her self-styled "R.I.P. Kate Wang 2005-2019" A fall-out on a very good in the air 3-axel attempt is obviously not gonna keep this youngster down. She needs more speed, and a bit more height to fully complete the rotations. Practice and more experience that builds confidence will get her there.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Gracie Gold's 2A+3T: https://www.instagram.com/p/B0ReWJmHBi1/?igshid=1bf6kco04nfup

Cool. Hope she is getting mentally tough too.

Curious to see Amber next week at the Philly. Isnt that wheer Amber had a crazy good score last summer? @Sylvia ? Or was that at a club comp in Houston or somewhere?

Also curious for something from Megan.

We saw a score from Starr already so I have no idea so far for the SkAm TBD. Let the club comps and Bs roll on!!!!

 

[aftershocks]

Calista CHOI won the Junior Ladies gold in her Team USA international debut at 2019 Egna Spring Trophy in late March. Her total score in Italy was 159.68 (52.04 SP 3rd; 107.64 FS 1st). Her "Ladies in Lavender" FS (same music used in winning Novice Nationals) can still be watched via the archived official stream, starting here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KPuG-ruXIY&t=73m6s

Cool. Calista has expressiveness combined with a good feel for the music at a young age, with lovely style. Plus the program is very well choreographed. Another talented up-and-comer who is still developing and shouldn't be rushed nor have a pile of expectations placed upon her.

 

[beckab81]

Cool. Hope she is getting mentally tough too.

Curious to see Amber next week at the Philly. Isnt that wheer Amber had a crazy good score last summer? @Sylvia ? Or was that at a club comp in Houston or somewhere?

I think the good score came from Houston - she had a disastrous FS at Philly last year.

 

[Frida80]

I think the good score came from Houston - she had a disastrous FS at Philly last year.

It's true. Amber had a career high of 193 from Skate Dallas in April. I'm not sure what happened at Philly International when she scored a 68 in her FS.

 

[BittyBug]

... she scored a 68 in her FS.

 

[Jammers]

When Amber bombs she doesn't hold back.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

^^ As much as I DONT want to laugh at that, I kinda couldnt help.

LOVE AMBER!!!!!

 

[natsulian]

Kate Wang scored 105.61 in her Free during the Qualifying round at Skate Detroit and landed her 3Lz+3Lo. Best of luck to her in the Final.

Link: https://instagram.com/rudyvalgalindo?igshid=16ukyuuoykpjg

 

[natsulian]

US Figure Skating’s International Selection Pool has been updated:

• Elsa Cheng
• Ellen Slavicek

This brings the number of juniors ladies to 13 and the number of senior ladies to 8. I am unsure as to whether or not Akari will be a senior or junior internationally.

Link: https://www.usfigureskating.org/story?id=84156&menu=TeamUSA

EDIT 1:
Skate Detroit Update

1. Jessica Lin, 57.46 - 3T+3T, 3Lo, 2A (all clean)
2. Kate Wang, 57.15 - 3Lz+3T, 3Lo, 2A (edge issue on 3Lz)
3. Emilea Zingas, 48.36 - 3Lz+2T, 3Lo, 2A

EDIT 2:
Per Rudy, Kate Wang has qualified for the ISP. I wonder what the criteria is to qualify for the ISP...

Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/B0ZNU71HXN0/?igshid=13p17yh6wsrjr

EDIT 3:
Videos of Skate Detroit taped by Sarah Rasher.

Junior Ladies:

1. Jessica Lin, 57.46 w/ 3Lz+3T, 3Lo, and 2A - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9mt...ature=youtu.be
2. Kate Wang, 57.15 w/ 3T+3T, 2A, and 3Lo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZkg...ature=youtu.be
3. Emilea Zingas, 48.36 w/ 3Lz+2T, 1Lo, and 1A - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4C7...ature=youtu.be

Senior Ladies:
1. Amber Glenn, 65.73 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znrG...ature=youtu.be
2. Akane Eguchi, 49.63 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEkvDTJgsMg

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Now if Amber Glenn Realness can deliver a 120+ free I could see her getting SkAm.

 

[natsulian]

Skate Detroit - Top 4 Junior Ladies:
1. Kate Wang, 164.92 - 3Lz, 3F, 2A, 3Lz+3Lo / 3F+Eu+3S, 3T, and 2A+2T (Part of the Free -https://www.instagram.com/p/B0bqzMPHTDN/?igshid=v0vqe2l6vxuy)
2. Jessica Lin, 154.64 - 3T+2T+2Lo, 3Lo+2T, 3T, 2A / 3F, 2A, and 3Lo
3. Emilea Zingas, 130.32 - Great musicality, but a lot of popped jumps
4. Lily Yu, 116.64 - Huge jumps, but struggles to control them

Sources: https://twitter.com/pas_deChat and https://twitter.com/SylviaUnseen

Skate Detroit - Top 4 Senior Ladies:
1. Amber Glenn, 170.00 - Free Skate to an extended "Gravity" from last year's Short
2. Akane Eguchi, 142.04
3. Alison Neumann, 110.02
4. Eve Agler, 107.47

Source: https://twitter.com/SylviaUnseen/status/1155254764076261376?s=20

 

[AxelAnnie]

Re Amber. Well there was music,. And there was skating and random angst.....i don't think anything went with anything else.

 

[winston]

Re Amber. Well there was music,. And there was skating and random angst.....i don't think anything went with anything else.

But it may be enough for Skate America TBA given how the USFS Senior season is shaping up. And I'm in it for that!

 

[aftershocks]

'Random angst'? I think it's most likely that Amber's music choices hold personal meaning for her, regardless of how well or how poorly she performs, or what observers perceive in her expressions.

 

[Willin]

I would agree that Amber doesn't look great here - not nearly as good as she's looked in SPs at Nationals. But no one skates well at summer club competitions in comparison to Nationals. In fact, since she usually excels at summer club competitions and then starts to look worse as the season goes on, I see this as a potentially positive sign that she's training on a trajectory more like the Seniors we do see at Nationals.

 

[haribobo]

SENIOR LADIES summer scores over 140

Alysa Liu 214 Broadmoor
Hanna Harrell 182 Cannon
Karen Chen 171 Vail
M Amber Glenn, 170 Skate Detroit
E Gabriella Izzo 169 Lake Placid
M Alyssa Rich 151 Broadmoor (SP&QFS)
P Starr Andrews 150 LA Open
E Jill Heiner 149 Wilmington
E Heidi Munger 147 Glacier Falls
P Emilia Murdock 146 Glacier Falls
E Julia Biechler 146 Wilmington
P Caitlin Ha 145 Glacier Falls
E Sarah Jung 143 Broadmoor (SP+QFS)
M Akane Eguchi 142 Skate Detroit
E Megan Wessenberg 142 Glacier Falls
P Brynne McIsaac 141 Broadmoor
P Akari Nakahara 140 LA Open

TBD- Audrey Shin, Ting Cui, Courtney Hicks, Gracie Gold, Mariah Bell, Bradie Tennell

JUNIOR
* = in ISP

Kate Wang 164 P Detroit
*Jessica Lin 164 M Broadmoor
*Ellen Slavicek 163 P Glacier Falls
*Lindsay Thorngren 161 E NQS Milwaukee
*Elsa Cheng 158 M NQS Milwaukee
Isabeau Levito 156 E Broadmoor (SP+QFS)
Finley Hawk 151 M Southport
Emma Coppess 149 P LA Open
Mia Kalin, 147 P CCIA
Noelle Rosa 146 P Broadmoor
*Isabelle Inthisone 144 M Southport
Alena Budko 143 P Glacier Falls
Indi Cha 141 E Colonial
Allison Zheng 139 P NQS Milwaukee
*Calista Choi 138 M NQS Milwaukee
Tiffany Pennella 137 E Broadmoor

TBD- Laura Jacobsen E

 

[AxelAnnie]

I would agree that Amber doesn't look great here - not nearly as good as she's looked in SPs at Nationals. But no one skates well at summer club competitions in comparison to Nationals. In fact, since she usually excels at summer club competitions and then starts to look worse as the season goes on, I see this as a potentially positive sign that she's training on a trajectory more like the Seniors we do see at Nationals.

If your theory is correct and she declines from this performance .....

 

[Tinami Amori]

SENIOR LADIES summer scores over 140

Alysa Liu 214 Broadmoor

Good girl! she;ll be fine by the time comps start.

 

[natsulian]

Skate Detroit Protocols: https://dscclub.com/figure-skating/skate-detroit/

Interesting Notes:

• Novice lady Audrey Meredith earned a TES score of 66.35 (w/ bonus) in her Free and jumps included a 3Lz+3T (during the first round), 2A+3T, and 3Lz+2T+2Lo. Audrey’s Free totaled at 104.83 with PCS of 38.48.
• Kate Wang executed a clean 3Lz+3Lo, 3Lz+3T, and 3F+Eu+3S and earned a TES of 62.28 and PCS of 45.51
• Jessica Lin executed a clean Free and earned a TES of 53.47 and PCS of 44.71