U.S. Women [#2]: The Unbearable Lightness of Beijing

[Sylvia]

And kudos to the USFS for getting as many of our women who could qualify for the Olympic team our on the fall international circuit!

I count a total of 10 different women assigned to 7 Challengers (including Bell, Harrell & Tennell assigned to Golden Spin) - Liu (2 golds), Shin (bronze, 4th), Chen (4th & 6th), Andrews (2 5ths), Glenn (10th), and Izzo & Thorngren coming up this week at Warsaw Cup.

 

[peibeck]

But it's @peibeck's absolute favorite version!

I actually like the score of "Sunset Boulevard," and I saw all the star "Norma Desmonds" in its Broadway run, and by far the worst singer of them all was Glenn Close. Having the glam and gloss of multimillion dollar costumes, sets, and lighting helped mitigate the ear strain, but we sure aren't getting those in an ice rink.

There are other full and partial cast recordings of the show I wish skaters would chose. Any skater reading this who is considering this score and wants suggestions, just send me a PM. I'm begging. Please... no more Glenn Close "singing."

 

[Vagabond]

Glenn Close's singing voice certainly helps explain why Norma Desmond's career tanked with the advent of the talkies.

 

[VGThuy]

Glenn Close says in response: “My voice is big! It's your hearing that got small.”

@VALuvsMKwan, Close haterzzz are taking over!

 

[VALuvsMKwan]

Lupone-yus, no doubt.

 

[olympic]

Since 2019 JGP Courchevel in August 2019! Her solid showing (171.51) in the Henderson, NV qualifying last month likelt led to this assignment.

U.S. women (3) assigned to Golden Spin:

Mariah BELL
Hanna HARRELL
Bradie TENNELL
Subs: Amber GLENN, Gabriella IZZO

Wait. Bradie is going? So, she is OK?

 

[Karen-W]

Wait. Bradie is going? So, she is OK?

She's been entered by the USFS. Who knows if she'll actually go. At this point, I'd say that there is a strong chance she'll be withdrawn and replaced by one of the alternates.

 

[Frau Muller]

Thorngren & Izzo 8th & 11th, respectively, after the SP in Warsaw. I thought that Thorngren, in particular, was harshly marked…but so were other favorites. Still close to podium.

CS Warsaw Cup 2021 - Women - Short Program

 

[happycamper2554]

Gracie Gold skated a clean short program in GA. Clean 3Lz3T, 2A and 3LO. Protocols below

2022 Championship Series - Alpharetta

Event Results for 2022 Championship Series - Alpharetta

ijs.usfigureskating.org

 

[Frau Muller]

Gracie Gold’s SP score of 67+ at the USFS qualifier would’ve had her in a solid 3rd place in Warsaw Cup. Different judging panels of course but still fun to ponder.

 

[olympic]

^THIS made up for the disappointments at Warsaw today!

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Gracie Gold skated a clean short program in GA. Clean 3Lz3T, 2A and 3LO. Protocols below

2022 Championship Series - Alpharetta

Event Results for 2022 Championship Series - Alpharetta

ijs.usfigureskating.org

That’s amazing and the fact that she’s so far ahead in first place. I hope this gives her the confidence I know she’s been looking for.

 

[Rukia]

Finally got the 3/3! She always did that so well in practice then lost it in actual competition. So happy for her.

 

[kwanfan1818]

I have to admit I find Alysa's SP 'juniorish'. I get what she and her team are going for but I found that the choreography is a bit rushed and thus some of her positions are ill-defined. This, along with the constant smiles, gave the impression of a rather 'immature' skater.

It got Samodourova two GP medals, a GPF berth, a European championship, and top 10 at her only Worlds, all in the same season, for Burlesque, about which I would say the same, so...

 

[Maximillian]

It got Samodourova two GP medals, a GPF berth, a European championship, and top 10 at her only Worlds, all in the same season, for Burlesque, about which I would say the same, so...

I never said Liu couldn't make top ten at worlds and win medals on the GP (which she did not), so...I said her medalling at Worlds and Olympics this year is dependent on the field, not her own efforts. Which it is. The three Russians, and at LEAST two Japanese ladies (Kihira if healthy and Sakamoto), if they skate clean will defeat her even if she skates clean.

After watching her at NHK, I must say I was impressed with her skating skills, particularly her mastery over the blade, that entrance into the 3A and the footwork sequence in the LP were swoon-worthy. With that said, there's still some questions about full rotations, she rushes her choreography and her upper body movements lack clarity. She doesn't have the jump consistency of the Russians or the PCS of the Japanese (and some of the South Koreans).

 

[kwanfan1818]

I was responding to your comment that her skating looks juniorish/immature. All I'm saying is that juniorish didn't stop at least one other skater from getting all of the points. Not that I expect Liu to.

 

[Maximillian]

I was responding to your comment that her skating looks juniorish/immature. All I'm saying is that juniorish didn't stop at least one other skater from getting all of the points. Not that I expect Liu to.

Okay (shrugs)

 

[Jammers]

Gracie Gold’s SP score of 67+ at the USFS qualifier would’ve had her in a solid 3rd place in Warsaw Cup. Different judging panels of course but still fun to ponder.

Really when you think about it a prime Gracie could crawl on the ice and make the US team as it is right now that's how talented she was though she was almost as inconsistent as some of the US girls now.

 

[Coco]

Let's see GG's free skate before we go talking crazy talk.

 

[layman]

Why did Starr withdraw from Grand Prix France? I hope she is ok.

 

[Karen-W]

Why did Starr withdraw from Grand Prix France? I hope she is ok.

Looked like some sort of knee injury. She was really hesitant going into her 3lo and popped it and then just stopped.

 

[layman]

Looked like some sort of knee injury. She was really hesitant going into her 3lo and popped it and then just stopped.

Too many injuries this season. I wish her a speedy recovery.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

After watching IDF I’m gonna say Gracie gold has a 50/50 chance of making the United States Olympic team

 

[layman]

After watching IDF I’m gonna say Gracie gold has a 50/50 chance of making the United States Olympic team

I want to see her land at least four clean triples in her long before I make that prediction.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

As far as the USA Olympic team I have no idea… I guess Alysa, and then any mix of Karen, Amber, Bradie and Gracie.... lolz why not

I was considering Lindsey… I’ll have to check Warsaw free program still

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

I want to see her land at least four clean triples in her long before I make that prediction.

I said it more off of the cuff after knowing her short program score from yesterday and then watching the three US ladies at IDF just now

 

[Coco]

She had a decent short at her last event, but then two elegant pops and very few clean jumping passes in her FS.

I will say, though, her FS is FULL of transitions and actual skating. She is giving this all she's got.

 

[Tahuu]

None of the US senior ladies could do all clean triples so far this season. Could a healthy Tennell change that?

 

[Coco]

Wait a minute...does Gracie have international minimums for 4cc, Worlds or Olympics?

 

[Karen-W]

Wait a minute...does Gracie have international minimums for 4cc, Worlds or Olympics?

No. She has the FS min (40) for 4CCs/Olympics but she doesn't have the SP min (23). https://results.isu.org/isujsstat/tes3/stswjustsen3.htm