U.S. Women [#8]: Meet Me in St. Louis

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Well cinema Paradiso does seem suited for Isabeau I had the same feelings watching it just now when Bradie did it which seems like yesterday. The music doesn’t go anywhere especially for an Olympic year. I expect something major and less warworse. It was good but I think Sofia from Kazakhstan nailed her free skate.

I think the two programs Isabeau had last season are perfect for the Olympics.

Looking forward to the season

 

[ChillSkate]

I agree that Isabeau looks well prepared for so early in the season.

However, I actually enjoyed her performance with the muzak more than her performance to her actual music! It would be nice to see her do something more upbeat / modern though I do understand the desire to skate to something familiar in an Olympic year.

 

[olympic]

Well cinema Paradiso does seem suited for Isabeau I had the same feelings watching it just now when Bradie did it which seems like yesterday. The music doesn’t go anywhere especially for an Olympic year. I expect something major and less warworse. It was good but I think Sofia from Kazakhstan nailed her free skate.

I think the two programs Isabeau had last season are perfect for the Olympics.

Looking forward to the season

Cinema Paradiso will showcase her Italian roots ... in Milan for the Olympic games. Probably a strategy there

 

[layman]

I think Isabeau's toe jumps looked much better today. She still lurches forward but she isn't slowing down as much going into them so it's less noticeable and they have better flow and less jerkiness.

They (the toe jumps) did not look any better to me. She still has that same "crank" technique (in the toe jumps), where she comes to a halt, raises her free-leg, slams it into the ice and then has to drop her back in the landing (which again kills the speed and flow coming out of the jump). She wisely chose to do only one (f)lutz (because the judges are calling her edge change; though they did not call it here; I understand the strategy). Her edge jumps look really strong though. She does not slow down as much going into her edge jumps and lands them with a lot more flow and speed than her toe jumps.

Her basic stroking and crossovers seem improved, so there is more speed in between the tricks.

 

[layman]

Speaking of edge jumps, Sophie Joline von Felten's axel, loop and salchow are amazing! I am deeply impressed that she can change the number of revolutions in her axel jump with ease. She attemped 4 axels in her long program (two triples and two doubles) and landed 3 of the 4 axels cleanly. Plus, her 4-salchow looked so easy, that I thought it was a triple. I would like to see Sophie get the same kind of spring in her toe jumps as she gets in her edge jumps.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Cinema Paradiso will showcase her Italian roots ... in Milan for the Olympic games. Probably a strategy there

That’s where my Bestie said @SidelineSkater

But there are so many things you can do to showcase that then this blah piece. I feel like cinema Paradiso starts at nowhere and drops you off at nowhere.

When I was picking my music from my Olympic season this year, I picked a Latin piece, Rabiosa with Shakira and Pitbull version for my short program and then I was googling lesser known Italian composers for a free skate. For me this is so much more interesting.

If someone is going to pick something Italian for an Olympics in Italy cinema Paradiso is expected and a bit generic. I just don’t know why people don’t push themselves further in their creativity. That’s why I was relieved when I saw the choice for Lara.

 

[olympic]

That’s where my Bestie said @SidelineSkater

But there are so many things you can do to showcase that then this blah piece. I feel like cinema Paradiso starts at nowhere and drops you off at nowhere.

When I was picking my music from my Olympic season this year, I picked a Latin piece, Rabiosa with Shakira and Pitbull version for my short program and then I was googling lesser known Italian composers for a free skate. For me this is so much more interesting.

If someone is going to pick something Italian for an Olympics in Italy cinema Paradiso is expected and a bit generic. I just don’t know why people don’t push themselves further in their creativity. That’s why I was relieved when I saw the choice for Lara.

I didn't hear her music but the movie itself is beautiful. Very touching.

Maybe there are different cuts of music than the cuts you are thinking of?

 

[Karen-W]

Another weekend, another couple of NQS competitions in the books!

FYI - per the USFS' Bye Announcement, Cranberry Cup for junior & advanced novice does not count as an assigned international competition; same for non-USFS funded internationals (not sure which, if any, of the competitions listed are non-funded).

Senior - Easterns
New England -
1) Cara Wong - 132.80
2) Katie Turcotte - 112.84

North Atlantic -
1) Jasmine Clarke - 148.19
2) Maryn Pierce - 136.06
3) Clare Seo - 121.08
3) Lindsey Byer - 120.69

South Atlantic -
1) Juliana Barshay - 139.85
2) Erica Machida - 133.84
3) McKenzie Edwards - 124.82
4) Anastasia Russ - 103.11

6 Next Best -
1) Jessica Choy - 114.73
2) Paige Greenstein - 98.61

Senior - Midwesterns
Eastern Great Lakes -
1) Emilia Nemirovsky - 195.87
2) Kendall Erne - 145.24

Upper Great Lakes -
1) Chloe Levine - 152.99
2) Lianna O'Grady - 121.05
3) Emma Nigrelli - 108.71
4) Jayna Hosman - 108.42

Southwest -
1) Katie Holling - 143.62
2) Amber Barth - 132.76
3) Elizabeth Rubinsky - 106.75
4) Alyssa Rich - 105.71

6 Next Best -
1) Sydney Struss - 107.05
2) Hannah Mitchell - 102.47

Senior - Pacific Coasts
Northwest Pacific -
1) Grace Clifford - 101.91

Central Pacific -
1) Ariana Lee - 123.94
2) Joanna Lee - 113.39

Southwest Pacific -
1) Anabel Wallace - 154.31
2) Lindsey Wang - 151.46
3) Ellie Clopp - 93.42

Junior - Easterns
New England -
1) Alysa Zhang - 142.73
2) Sofia Jarmoc - 127.71
3) Mia Lucas - 111.28
4) Elles Zwikker - 104.18

North Atlantic -
1) Skylar Lautowa-Peguero - 170.06
2) Melania Blecic - 146.86
3) Leah Sharpe - 142.89
4) Mia Iwase - 137.07

South Atlantic -
1) Kaya Tiernan - 147.98
2) Courali Clay - 140.12
3) Madison Chong - 131.57
4) Olivia Donayre - 128.19

6 Next Best -
1) Paige Parlapiano - 113.57
2) McKayla Chung - 108.19
3) Julianne Wong - 106.19
4) Pina Yee - 101.45
5) Emily Conant - 90.95
6) Francesca Giumenta - 87.74

Junior - Midwesterns
Eastern Great Lakes -
1) Erika Gerstenslager - 125.03
2) Isabel Cooper - 111.45
3) Lillianna Fish - 97.67

Upper Great Lakes -
1) Jiaying Ellyse Johnson - 183.28
2) Madeline Benson - 115.22
3) Addyson McDanold - 114.25
4) Lejla Begicevic - 112.45

Southwest -
1) Jessica Jurka - 181.19
2) Landice Mullins - 97.00
3) Catherine Rhodes - 95.62
4) Sophia Dalley - 70.71

6 Next Best -
1) Isabella Delcourt - 108.27
2) Madeline Kendig - 107.25
3) Vayda Forgette - 103.95
4) Tamaki Shinohara - 103.51
5) Jillian Duke - 85.54
6) Valentine Abramov - 74.86

Junior - Pacific Coasts
Northwest Pacific -
1) Katerina Murphy - 89.19
2) Chloe Peterson - 61.57

Central Pacific -
1) Ella Kim - 113.89
2) Angela You - 104.47
3) Ashley Kao - 100.68
4) Zoe Huynh - 94.95

Southwest Pacific -
1) Hannah Kim - 172.38
2) Cleo Park - 160.16
3) Teryn Kim - 153.88
4) Hannah Gahan - 130.05

6 Next Best -
1) Kelsey Lee - 124.03
2) Joanne Liu - 116.10
3) Aya Zeleznikar - 114.61
4) Anastasiya Rodriguez - 105.49
5) Violet Ee - 101.82
6) Annika Sinning - 97.50

 

[natsulian]

Congratulations to Isabeau and Sophie on their Cranberry Cup victories. For reference, Isabeau's August score is roughly two points below her Boston showing (209.84). I also want to take the opportunity to highlight some of the up and coming novice skaters who demonstrated grit and quality.

Skylar Lautowa-Peguero ranked first in the short despite a singled Axel and came second in the free to nab the silver medal behind Lia Cho from Canada. She earned a total score of 144.47, landing a 3Lz3T and four other triples. If not for a few level issues on her spins and the singled Axel, Skylar would have likely taken gold. Skylar and Lia will be exciting to watch in the coming years, and I wish them both nothing but the best. As we have seen in the past, ice is slippery and prodigies come and go like waves crashing onto shore. Nevertheless, it would be unwise to also not hope for healthy careers marked by longevity and contentedness. Tera Gropp won bronze, landing six triples including a 3Lz2A2A sequence worth 14.62 points. Tera has markedly improved year after year and will probably incorporate a 3T3T or 3Lz3T soon. Mia Iwase came in third, landing six triples including a 3T3T and a 3Lz2A2A. Deborah Liu came back from a disappointing short to place fifth, landing five triples out of her six attempts including a 3T3T. Finally, Lizbeth Tu came in sixth and landed four clean triples. I've linked videos of the performances I could find on social media.

Also, Sophie became the 16th woman to land a clean quad. I am excited to see her on the Junior Grand Prix this season and with this victory, she all but sealed her second assignment. I'm excited to see where Emilia will be assigned after her monstrous score at her last competition. I also think Kaya Tiernan deserves an assignment, especially after her bronze medal finish following two clean skates. There are eight spots left and if we assume that Sophie will receive a second assignment, that leaves seven. If Sherry does well, then that leaves six. If Emilia and Kaya are assigned, that leaves four. If nobody else does well enough to receive a second assignment, then the last four should be given to Jiaying, Jessica, Hannah, and Rachel.

Next week (August 20-23), the Junior Grand Prix starts with Sherry Zhang and Angela Shao.

 

[SkateFanBerlin]

That’s where my Bestie said @SidelineSkater

But there are so many things you can do to showcase that then this blah piece. I feel like cinema Paradiso starts at nowhere and drops you off at nowhere.

When I was picking my music from my Olympic season this year, I picked a Latin piece, Rabiosa with Shakira and Pitbull version for my short program and then I was googling lesser known Italian composers for a free skate. For me this is so much more interesting.

If someone is going to pick something Italian for an Olympics in Italy cinema Paradiso is expected and a bit generic. I just don’t know why people don’t push themselves further in their creativity. That’s why I was relieved when I saw the choice for Lara.

Agree. Why not Verdi? Just thought of Fernandez`Rossini. PLz - no Vivaldi 4S, Nessum

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Ladies, gentleladies, and squirrel friends

OMG check out this story of Amber before it’s gone, perfect triple Axel to like a prayer and I love her hair!!

Login • Instagram

Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.

www.instagram.com

 

[Wyliefan]

Isabeau posted a story showing Sophia Loren in a Christian Dior gown with the words "short inspo -- coming soon."

Login • Instagram

Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.

www.instagram.com

For those who can't access stories, I found the photo elsewhere on Instagram:

Sophia Loren on Instagram: "Sophia Loren wearing the infamous Christian Dior Caracas dress, in silk Aléoutienne by Staron (Spring-Summer 1957). The dress, originally in black, was recreated years later by costume designer Jenny Beavan for the film “M

1,093 likes, 21 comments - thesophialorenfiles on January 28, 2024: "Sophia Loren wearing the infamous Christian Dior Caracas dress, in silk Aléoutienne by Staron (Spring-Summer 1957). The dress, originally in black, was recreated years later by costume designer Jenny Beavan for the film “Mrs...

www.instagram.com

 

[Karen-W]

Amber shared what looks to be portion of her step sequence from her new SP on IG today. Looks very energetic and fun.

Amber Glenn on Instagram: "Thank you @oniceperspectives for capturing some sneak peak footage of my new SP! Also a fun announcement coming tomorrow night so stay tuned!"

1,824 likes, 58 comments - amberglenniceskater on August 13, 2025: "Thank you @oniceperspectives for capturing some sneak peak footage of my new SP! Also a fun announcement coming tomorrow night so stay tuned!".

www.instagram.com

Also, faxing @AngieNikodinovLove (ANL) about this, lol.

 

[Private Citizen]

Amber shared what looks to be portion of her step sequence from her new SP on IG today. Looks very energetic and fun.

I'm truly excited about this program. This could be the program of the Olympics (or definitely high on the highlights reel) if she delivers it.

it's a shame she's apparently keeping her usual dirge of a free skate.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Amber shared what looks to be portion of her step sequence from her new SP on IG today. Looks very energetic and fun.

Amber Glenn on Instagram: "Thank you @oniceperspectives for capturing some sneak peak footage of my new SP! Also a fun announcement coming tomorrow night so stay tuned!"

1,824 likes, 58 comments - amberglenniceskater on August 13, 2025: "Thank you @oniceperspectives for capturing some sneak peak footage of my new SP! Also a fun announcement coming tomorrow night so stay tuned!".

www.instagram.com

Also, faxing @AngieNikodinovLove (ANL) about this, lol.

Yes, me and my Bestie saw this together about an hour ago, it looks amaze balls.

I still keep picturing her skating to that song, “so am I “ by Ava Max I think those lyrics were meant for her.

But I also think like a prayer is going to be the best short program on the circuit.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

I'm truly excited about this program. This could be the program of the Olympics (or definitely high on the highlights reel) if she delivers it.

it's a shame she's apparently keeping her usual dirge of a free skate.

I’ve been thinking about the free skate. She ended the season with nearly 150 points on it in she has you know that neuro condition where it’s hard for her to focus. Maybe she feels like after one season of that free skate she can do it justice still. At least that’s what I can think of. Maybe she should change the edit, the costume, and some choreography. But I mean she really rocked it in Japan.

 

[SidelineSkater]

In the above IG post, which I've watched like 500 times now, she mentions 'a fun announcement' tomorrow night. I'm guessing FS music reveal isn't 'fun', so it probably is something else. That SP though, has the makings of being EVERYTHING this season. She's smiling, working it, and it just has all the ingredients of creating many magical moments for us to enjoy!

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

In the above IG post, which I've watched like 500 times now, she mentions 'a fun announcement' tomorrow night. I'm guessing FS music reveal isn't 'fun', so it probably is something else. That SP though, has the makings of being EVERYTHING this season. She's smiling, working it, and it just has all the ingredients of creating many magical moments for us to enjoy!

You and I and our prayer circles have always been the moral standard of which all things are measured

 

[olympic]

Wow. So Amber is using an authentic version of Like a Prayer. I'm very happy about that!

 

[Jammers]

Has anyone hear any news about Ava Marie Ziegler and if she plans to compete this season? It seems like it's been nearly a year since her surgery and still no news. Lucas Broussard fractured his pelvis in November and seems to have recovered and is scheduled for the GP this season but nothing about Ava. It doesn't sound good if it's taking this long for her to recover.

​

 

[On My Own]

Is Amber Glenn the best female skater currently?? My god, it's probably true.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Is Amber Glenn the best female skater currently?? My god, it's probably true.

You know what? You and I have absolutely and unequivocally always been the moral center of this group.

 

[On My Own]

You know what? You and I have absolutely and unequivocally always been the moral center of this group.

I really do mean it. I don't believe there's a skater who combines decent basic skating, decent jump technique, and mature performance along with a big tech element like 3A, that Amber does.

Alysa clearly has three flawed things (basic skating, jumps, and the low quality big tech that used to come from that technique) from that list, and Kaori neither has a big tech element nor do I think she's an amazing performer.

Not to overstate her greatness because IMO she doesn't hold a candle to the all-time great women, but yeah. Right now, she might be the best possible OGM among the women.

 

[bladesofgorey]

When Amber is relaxed she has great performance qualities and connection to her music. It's unfortunate that when she has a rough outing that gets lost, but it does for most skaters and I think she's become way more consistent than a lot of people give her credit for (and also just as consistent on average as most other top skaters).

 

[On My Own]

When Amber is relaxed she has great performance qualities and connection to her music. It's unfortunate that when she has a rough outing that gets lost, but it does for most skaters and I think she's become way more consistent than a lot of people give her credit for (and also just as consistent on average as most other top skaters).

I think it's only her spins that are weak, but not enough to be glaring, and spins don't have all that much weight to begin.

I don't remember liking her LP from last season so I hope she's not repeating it, but the SP clip linked above was fantastic. If she has good choreography, then she will really 'have it all' for the season.

 

[PRlady]

I think Alysa’s basic skating has improved so much. She’s not Kostner but who is. Kaori’s power and speed are unequaled but there are those who don’t like her carriage and extension. Kaori is also a really good performer, I think both she and Alysa beat Amber in that category.

But if Amber holds it together and IF she’s the only one of the three with a 3A, she’s got a good chance at the gold. No glaring weakness except the mental game (where Alysa is superhuman.)

 

[On My Own]

She’s not Kostner but who is.

I'm perfectly happy with people people not being Kostner, I'd rather people skate like Mao. But I wouldn't say Alysa's on any of their levels - her ice coverage is significantly worse, as is her speed, than many women, at least from the screen. Amber being one of those women. Alysa's edges aren't all that amazing either.

Kaori's problem is that her steps are always done with great deep edges, but not particularly amazing rhythm - so I'd say her problems aren't just carriage, rather the musical deficiencies that come with all that. There's never any quickness, or sharpness, or 'fleet-footedness' when she does her steps, no matter if the music or the choreography demands it. It's always the same, same, same. Her body control is simply sloppy when she does those steps too. I won't be shocked if her speed and glide make her a fantastic viewing and cause her to appear to be a confident performer live, though.

 

[PRlady]

She is very confident and charming in person, much better than in TV. Alysa is such a performer and exudes such joy that I forget to watch her feet!

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

I think Amber has almost always been hosed on PCS, she feels her music, she emotes, she communicates with her facial expressions as well, she was definitely hosed in Japan. Her technical was well over 80 points and I don’t think any other skaters scored over 80 points in technical last season. But she gets hosed in PCS, she skates fast that’s part of PCS, she performs superbly that’s part of PCS and she’s got great choreography that’s part of PCS. High energy, really feels her movement. I feel like she’s always been hosed on PCS. Some people want to give a theory that with consistency comes higher PCS but that’s not how I think it should be awarded in valued.

 

[Coco]

The long lead up to her 3a probably hurts her PCS as much as anything. It's just so...empty. It's one of the first things the judges see and they kind of can't ignore it.

Don't ask me which criteria it would fall under as I haven't tried to comprehend the PCS changes. It's super glaring.

Because everything else ANL said about her is true, fantastic edging and wonderful performance quality.

The telegraphing of the 3a and the rather anemic fly spin are the only two flaws that stick out to me. The fly spin isn't even that bad, it's just that based on everything else she does and how she skates, you expect to see an Orser-esque death drop.