2026 US Nationals Women's FS "Liu Monsters go Gaga"

[Lizziebeth]

So glad Ashley told us about the 10% bonus. Otherwise, how would we know?!

well she also tells us when someone falls and that is really helpful

 

[MacMadame]

Some nice moves in the field from Erica.

 

[floridaice]

Erica has a beautiful Ina Bauer

 

[my little pony]

split person also chose to mic the ice I bet

 

[Theatregirl1122]

well she also tells us when someone falls and that is really helpful

She also tells us when someone "really needs this to be clean"

 

[peibeck]

Not a bad senior debut for Machida. Ran out of steam after the steps though. But love "Turandot," and that Ina Bauer was world class

 

[Prancer]

Ashley did NOT tell us that it's much harder to do jumps with your arms over your head because it changes your center of gravity. She gets some credit for that.

 

[petro]

Love Machida! Definitely stands out.

 

[Allen]

It's a shame that Erica's long was much less interesting than their short program. I hope they keep on going for the next few years. That Ina Bauer was fab.

 

[Theatregirl1122]

Ashley did NOT tell us that it's much harder to do jumps with your arms over your head because it changes your center of gravity. She gets some credit for that.

She also didn't claim it raises the GOE.

 

[flyingsit]

She also tells us when someone "really needs this to be clean"

Because not everyone wants to skate cleanly…

 

[skateycat]

I do love Machida's Ina Bauer. It was a sweet moment, and a respectable trip to Nationals for them overall.

 

[MacMadame]

She also tells us when someone "really needs this to be clean"

Even when they don't.

 

[once_upon]

I have a great idea for all three stupid comments like; 10% bonus, that was a double; a fall is a deduction, no one wants to fall at a Nationals (whatever competition) etc .

Similar to the green blobs, you have a dumb commentary line blobs and people could print out a document to see what was the unnecessary comment.

 

[Lizziebeth]

Gracie was so much better at this. She identified the elements - what an idea! Where is she?

 

[personwhoishere]

I have a great idea for all three stupid comments like; 10% bonus, that was a double; a fall is a deduction, no one wants to fall at a Nationals (whatever competition) etc .

Similar to the green blobs, you have a dumb commentary line blobs and people could print out a document to see what was the unnecessary comment.

RIP the green blobs. Was always an ego boost when I got rep points starting on this board at like 15 years old

 

[Sarah]

Gracie was so much better at this. She identified the elements - what an idea! Where is she?

I agree. I also like how she talked about the shape/pattern of the elements. She didn’t talk with no purpose.

 

[peibeck]

Shen's speed is incredible. Stunning she wasn't done by the time the music closed. And she really goes for the jumps, doesn't seem fearful. (Not that they really were all rotated. )

 

[Lanie]

Gracie is here! Well I don’t know if she’s here here but I talked to her yesterday.

 

[Theatregirl1122]

Can we get a thread title about technical difficulties this week?

 

[Coco]

She also didn't claim it raises the GOE.

Well, it's no longer a bullet point, iirc.

 

[annie_mg]

For us in Europe, we would appreciate a link to the last group like the one you shared in the SP thread Pleaaaase!

It'll make for a nice ice skating breakfast moment tomorrow morning.

 

[my little pony]

oh no, A Piece of Sky is my fantasy program that I can't skate, she can't either, sigh

 

[Matryeshka]

I'm pretty sure Himler is Ashley's favorite skater because she talks about her a lot on the podcast. And she's very self-deprecating about her own abilities. She's pretty honest about her lack of edges, lutz, etc. People are allowed to grow up, mature, and change. I'm not, btw, defending her broadcast abilities. She's better as a podcaster than commentator. But some of the personal attacks on her are kind of uncalled for.

I also think it's good to remember the commentators are not for us, they're for casual fans. My mom, for example, likes all the commentary. She LOVES Johnny and Tara. That's their audience--the every four years/it's just on and I'll watch for a bit crowd. EVERY commentator, including Ben, says stock phrases like "they need to be clean." In skiing, they say things like "you don't want to see a lot snow/you want a nice clean run." That's not specific to Ashley. Dick Button said it, Hamilton said it, Ben says it, Johnny, Terry, and Tara say it. I also feel like somewhere there's a good section of fans who do like her as a commenter because otherwise, they wouldn't invite her back. As others have pointed out, NBC is about the $$$. If she didn't draw people in, she wouldn't have a job. Though honestly I wish they'd bring in Adam instead. He has a better speaking voice and is more confident in what he says. And his latest video shows he can do every jump still from a correct edge, which is pretty freaking amazing.

 

[susieB129]

Who else is old enough to remember Lisa-Marie Allen?

 

[petro]

Brooke totally could have made the 1993 World team with that skate.

 

[peibeck]

Gewalt is vintage fabulous.

 

[ilovesalchows]

Some snazzy boots on Gewalt's coach.

 

[flyingsit]

Wallace started well but she has no stamina. Even her posture has fallen off.

 

[Matryeshka]

Although Gewalt has much better skating skills, there's something very Amber Corwin about her. Gewalt really deserves a tiara.