U.S. Women [#1]: The Contenders Unmask Themselves

[Brenda_Bottems]

The construction of Mariah Bell's short program is appalling. Contrary to popular belief,I can enjoy a mild romp every now and then at the discotheque. Unfortunately, Miss Bell's music is not suitable for dancing,much less figure skating.

I place the blame squarely with her choreographer. Good choreographers craft a piece for the skater in front of them. They create a vehicle that best showcases the individual skater. This program would not look good on anyone,much less one of America's most feminine skaters.

The long program is uninspired but inoffensive and seems destined for a pewter medal.

-BB

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

Not a huge fan of Alyssa's free program music. I was hoping for some more Jennifer Thomas.

But the quality of her skating has really improved, and she looks like a sophisticated young woman out there now, and not an eight year old prodigy any more.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Not a huge fan of Alyssa's free program music. I was hoping for some more Jennifer Thomas.

But the quality of her skating has really improved, and she looks like a young woman out there now, and not an eight year old prodigy any more.

I however am a huge fan of her music this season and last season. You can sign me out though for her music choices her first two years. I love the direction she has gone into!! ?

 

[Lanie]

I love Mariah but yikes I hate these programs so much. The long especially does absolutely nothing for her. It's such a snoozefest.

I still can't really get into Alysa but she's improving by leaps and bounds with everything she's been suggested to work on.

 

[Frau Muller]

Two (2) classical music programs from Alysa Liu, both related to Imperial Russia (Minkus and Tchaikovsky). It doesn’t get any better for me. ? ? ? ? ? ?

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

I love Mariah but yikes I hate these programs so much. The long especially does absolutely nothing for her. It's such a snoozefest.

That long program still resonates so much with Piper and Paul I don’t like it when a skater takes it immediately after someone did big-time magic with it. So if she’s not gonna do something even better with it, just stay away from it. I would like it if she went out and found her own unique piece of music

 

[alchemy void]

Mariah's SP is atrocious, has been universally panned, and I'd be shocked if we actually see it any international event this season.

As for the LP, it's definitely underwhelming. I'm listening to TSL this morning at work, and Dave Lease said something like Mariah's LP program has the same energy of Roz Sumners, year 15 of Stars on Ice. ? So true. Even if Mariah's jumps are a struggle this season, she really deserves to skate and express programs that are worthy of her abilities.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Mariah's SP is atrocious, has been universally panned, and I'd be shocked if we actually see it any international event this season.

I wouldn’t mind it as much if the last minute of the program did not sound like the last 20 minutes of a night club closing on a Sunday morning in Madrid

Why the need for all those edits?

 

[SidelineSkater]

I love how finicky skating fans can be about music choices. No more warhorses. Too modern. Not skater X’s style. When they give us something different, we complain. When they stick to their wheelhouse, we complain.

For Mariah, I loved her sets of programs the first two seasons. Celine/Experience, Britney/Hallelujah. Three of those really showcased how much she loves skating. The other was just fun and a departure from her usual choices. I wouldn’t be mad if she went back to any of those. I’m Ok with BsN, but think it’s too recent from P/P.

Alyssa has a great set of programs. And her stlying is giving her a more mature look.

I’m hopeful Amber and Bradie recover soon and everyone skates lights out when it counts!

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

I love how finicky skating fans can be about music choices. No more warhorses. Too modern. Not skater X’s style. When they give us something different, we complain. When they stick to their wheelhouse, we complain.

I feel like rarely do skaters give us something different. They’re too afraid to go outside of the box of Moulin Rouge and whatever the trend is for the last three years that everyone’s skates to. That’s why I miss Michelle Kwan so much. She introduced me to music.

I am the type of person that if I was a skater I would use a unique piece of music every time, otherwise I would not be interested in skating to Carmen or Scheherazade.

But I understand your post

 

[Willin]

I love how finicky skating fans can be about music choices. No more warhorses. Too modern. Not skater X’s style. When they give us something different, we complain. When they stick to their wheelhouse, we complain.

For Mariah, I loved her sets of programs the first two seasons. Celine/Experience, Britney/Hallelujah. Three of those really showcased how much she loves skating. The other was just fun and a departure from her usual choices. I wouldn’t be mad if she went back to any of those. I’m Ok with BsN, but think it’s too recent from P/P.

I think there's a balance between going outside the box and knowing what works. Britney is outside of Mariah's wheelhouse but worked. Lady Gaga doesn't. I think skaters should try new things and new music, but they should also throw away ideas that just aren't it.

I had the same thought as @tony on this one: the music cuts are straight out of a cheerleading competition. If Mariah wanted to do Lady Gaga, good on her, but I would rather see her do something like Million Reasons, one of her lovely acoustic versions, or even The Edge of Glory. Even just better cuts of the music she has without all the remixing and sound effects. Even just Chromatica I&II all the way. Something less crazy over-the-top.

 

[giselle23]

Not a huge fan of Alyssa's free program music. I was hoping for some more Jennifer Thomas.

But the quality of her skating has really improved, and she looks like a sophisticated young woman out there now, and not an eight year old prodigy any more.

So Tchaikovsky can't compare with Jennifer Thomas?

 

[VGThuy]

I think when skating fans say they want to see something different, what they really mean is they wanted to skaters tackle on music the fan personally likes and is familiar with but hasn't been used at all or much in skating. Or for the more flexible fan, one that is different but also fits that skater's style well and doesn't want to make a fan put on ear plugs.

 

[LeafOnTheWind]

Or make the fans fall asleep, especially when competitions are in different time zones.....

 

[greenapple]

That being said, the short program really, really does not work for me again. I had such high hopes because Chromatica is awesome, but the tons of edit and sound effects send it straight into cheesy cheerleading competition music, and the choreography could've been something amazing-- but it's not.

In a season as important as this one, I don't understand why skaters are not turning to the professionals like Hugo Chouinard to cut their music.

 

[Coco]

My personal trainer is now seeing his clients at the CrossFit gym where he works. So from my brief time there, I have learned that taking 18 songs and mashing them into a mix where two play at a time for 30 seconds seems to be a thing these days. It's like an AI disc jockey had a baby with game theory or something. If you listen long enough, there will be a snippet you like almost enough to make you forget the overall effect.

 

[VGThuy]

My personal trainer is now seeing his clients at the CrossFit gym where he works. So from my brief time there, I have learned that taking 18 songs and mashing them into a mix where two play at a time for 30 seconds seems to be a thing these days. It's like an AI disc jockey had a baby with game theory or something. If you listen long enough, there will be a snippet you like almost enough to make you forget the overall effect.

Reminds me of one of those popular radio megamixes that supposed to summarize all of the hits of a particular year that were so popular back in the day.

 

[Willin]

I think when skating fans say they want to see something different, what they really mean is they wanted to skaters tackle on music the fan personally likes and is familiar with but hasn't been used at all or much in skating. Or for the more flexible fan, one that is different but also fits that skater's style well and doesn't want to make a fan put on ear plugs.

At least in my case, that's not what I mean at all. I just want someone to do something that works for them. If it's something I've never heard or something I'd never peg for that skater - if it works it works. Nathan Chen is the number one example of this for me. I had never heard of Benjamin Clementine and probably would've hated the idea of Nathan skating to him if I had. But he did and it worked and it's one of my all time favorite programs. I'd heard of Rocketman, but I was skeptical with that music for Nathan. But it worked. Even for Mariah I was skeptical of Britney, but it worked.

I'm more the later. After Britney, I was excited for Chromatica, but after seeing it it's clear it can't work. I don't care what the new is or what the risk is, I just don't want said risk to make the program painful to both watch and listen to.

 

[AxelAnnie]

I think when skating fans say they want to see something different, what they really mean is they wanted to skaters tackle on music the fan personally likes and is familiar with but hasn't been used at all or much in skating. Or for the more flexible fan, one that is different but also fits that skater's style well and doesn't want to make a fan put on ear plugs.

You may be correct, but that is not how I look at it. Now, I will be the first to admit that if I don't like the music, I am probably fast forward.
I love it when skaters do the unexpected. Bradie's program with the red dress was a departure for her, but it was great.

 

[AxelAnnie]

Two (2) classical music programs from Alysa Liu, both related to Imperial Russia (Minkus and Tchaikovsky). It doesn’t get any better for me. ? ? ? ? ? ?

I love both pieces of music, the choreography and Alysa's skating. She is so fast on those spins........has she been meeting with Alissa Czisny?

Is there a particular significance to the color layout in Alysa's dress? The skirt is really different. I love the way it twirls out when she jumps.

 

[Sylvia]

Copying over these posts and replying in this thread:

Hopefully Sonja Hilmer will be added to USFS' ISP after her very good showing in the Cranberry Open club competition!

Sonja's been added to the ISP.

Who is Sonja?

A very creative skater with a few fans in this forum.

Jordan Cowan recently uploaded to his OIP YT channel Sonja's "self-choreographed staff fighting show routine to #BlackPanther. Sonja is coached by Eddie Shipstad and Tammy Gambill. Filmed at The Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs, CO."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2IiIVPfXX4

 

[Sylvia]

Listed on the ISU website for Lombardia Trophy (Sept. 10-12 in Bergamo, Italy), the 1st Challenger Series event of the season (eta that USFS' International Assignments page is updated now & confirms these assignments):
Alysa LIU
Audrey SHIN

Lindsay Thorngren and Clare Seo compete in the SP tomorrow (Thursday) at the first JGP in Courchevel, France. They drew #1 and #2 to skate, respectively (what are the chances?! ETA: event start time is 9 am Eastern).

 

[SidelineSkater]

Listed on the ISU website for Lombardia Trophy (Sept. 10-12 in Bergamo, Italy), the 1st Challenger Series dance event of the season (USFS' International Assignments page is not yet updated):
Alysa LIU
Audrey SHIN

Lindsay Thorngren and Clare Seo compete in the SP tomorrow (Thursday) at the first JGP in Courchevel, France. They drew #1 and #2 to skate, respectively (what are the chances?! ).

Do we think Alysa will stay in Europe for a few weeks if she also gets assigned to Nebelhorn?

 

[dancing_on_ice]

Do we think Alysa will stay in Europe for a few weeks if she also gets assigned to Nebelhorn?

Seems likely. There's only a two week gap between Lombardia and Nebelhorn, and she's trained in Italy in the past. One of her coaches, Massimo Scali, is from Italy. Also, Alysa has worked with Carolina Kostner in Italy in the past, so it's actually a great chance to work with her some more between the competitions.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

I wonder why she would get both of them though…

 

[Karen-W]

I wonder why she would get both of them though…

Getting her out there in a Challenger before Nebelhorn is a smart move. This is a decent field apart from Alysa - I'm not sure she's competed against Paganini, Kiibus, Peltonen and Van Zundert, and I think she only competed against Kurakova once or twice 2 seasons ago. Cranberry Cup was a good senior debut but it was at home and a smaller field, mostly filled with US ladies who don't have a ton of international rep or experience under their belts (especially after Amber withdrew).

Plus, if the USFS wants her to have at least 2 Challengers to help build up her WS points, she is better off competing at one prior to Nebelhorn. Calendar-wise, having her go to Lombardia, stay in Europe for 2 weeks to compete at Nebelhorn, then come back and prepare for SkCan and NHK 2 weeks after that makes far more sense. There isn't really time to squeeze a Challenger in between Nebelhorn & SkCan and there are only 2 Challengers after NHK - one is the weekend immediately after NHK and the other is the same weekend as the GPF.

 

[alchemy void]

Reminds me of one of those popular radio megamixes that supposed to summarize all of the hits of a particular year that were so popular back in the day.

The Jock Jam (Megamix) - ESPN Presents The Jock Jam

FOR ENTERTAINMENT USE ONLYThis is a video of The Jock Jam (Megamix) that I co-produced in 1997 with Chicago's DJ Bobby D. The single peaked at #31 on the Bi...

youtu.be

New SP music for Mariah Bell, please.

 

[tony]

The Jock Jam (Megamix) - ESPN Presents The Jock Jam

FOR ENTERTAINMENT USE ONLYThis is a video of The Jock Jam (Megamix) that I co-produced in 1997 with Chicago's DJ Bobby D. The single peaked at #31 on the Bi...

youtu.be

New SP music for Mariah Bell, please.

I think this is more what she had in mind (and it's for sure better than Mariah's edit)

Top 25 Pop 2009 Remix

Dj Earworm mashup with the top 25 most popular hit songs of 2009 //// Una remezcla con 25 éxitos del 2009 hecha por DJ EarwormMore on ► http://www.yonkis.com...

www.youtube.com

 

[alchemy void]

I guess I kind of showed my age by immediately going with Jock Jams. ?

Anyways, good luck to Thorngren and Seo tomorrow!

 

[AxelAnnie]

Seems likely. There's only a two week gap between Lombardia and Nebelhorn, and she's trained in Italy in the past. One of her coaches, Massimo Scali, is from Italy. Also, Alysa has worked with Carolina Kostner in Italy in the past, so it's actually a great chance to work with her some more between the competitions.

Oh - Carolina and Alysa. Match made in heaven. I just happened to watch a video of Carolina skating. She was sublime. So much better than watching jumping beans. Don't get me wrong, the jumping is fun.......but that is not what I love about skating.