Aurora Games, Albany, NY, August 24

[Sylvia]

I was super excited to see her too, but unfortunately it looks like she is no longer on the list and has been replaced by Isabelle Olsson.

Sad that Akiko won't be skating but Olsson sure is an interesting replacement choice! (Olsson posted an IG story from the Albany rink a few hours ago so she is there.)

This is the livestream link for folks in the U.S. (think you have to log in via a cable provider? not sure): http://www.espn.com/watch?id=c654a9e8-804b-439d-9f2b-5ba260e5a87a

 

[Debbie S]

Got it on! Looks like Ashley is doing her Sweet Dreams SP.

With "no rules" and celebrity judges, I'm surprised USFS sanctioned this. They probably consider it more of a show than a comp, and also that it was a good idea to let their nat'l champ get out in public as much as possible.

Sound seems muted. I hope the program music will be able to be heard.

 

[Sylvia]

3 judges (will score out of 10) are: Elizabeth Manley, Surya Bonaly & Isabelle Brasseur.

First group warming up for short program:

2 from Team Americas are Ashley Wagner & Isadora Williams and 1 from Team World Stanislava Konstantinova.

Brian Boitano and Nancy Kerrigan are the commentators with a female host whose name I didn't catch.
.

 

[Sylvia]

Wagner landed a 3F (2fted) & 2A to "Sweet Dreams" and really sold her performance.
Elizabeth Manley (8.5), Surya Bonaly (8.5) & Isabelle Brasseur (9).

 

[skatesindreams]

This is the livestream link for folks in the U.S. (think you have to log in via a cable provider? not sure): http://www.espn.com/watch?id=c654a9e8-804b-439d-9f2b-5ba260e5a87a

I had to.

 

[Wyliefan]

My gosh, I actually got a streaming app to work. It's a blooming miracle. Missed Ashley, though. Stasia did pretty well. One slightly wonky 3 lutz, but the other jumps looked good.

 

[Sylvia]

Konstantinova's SP debut to a soft lyrical instrumental piece: 2A, Ripppn 3Lz off balance on landing so no combo, 3F+3T.

Elizabeth Manley (9.5), Surya Bonaly (9) & Isabelle Brasseur (9).

ETA: Ashley & Stasia are shown chatting on the couch afterwards.

 

[floridaice]

I missed Ashley too -- didn't realize it was already after 1!

Stasia is such a beautiful skater

 

[rfisher]

I like Stasia's program, but that pale gray color blends in with the ice. I think she looks better in dark rich colors.

 

[Wyliefan]

I like Stasia's program, but that pale gray color blends in with the ice. I think she looks better in dark rich colors.

Isadora Williams does not have that problem. I would call that dress Big Bird yellow. Skating to "Take Five," doubling and singling everything, unfortunately.

 

[Sylvia]

Isadora Williams to last season's "Take Five" SP in a bright yellow dress: 2Lz (planned triple), 2S (ditto), spread eagle to 1A sigh. Brian said she was "jumping very well" in practice yesterday.

Elizabeth Manley (7.5), Surya Bonaly (7) & Isabelle Brasseur (7).

 

[Wyliefan]

The warmup music is "Single Ladies" and Olsson is really digging it.

 

[rfisher]

MBM's costume is interesting.

 

[floridaice]

MBM's costume is interesting.

Well, she is French!

Love MBM so much.

 

[Sylvia]

Isabelle Olsson's scores:

Elizabeth Manley (7), Surya Bonaly (7) & Isabelle Brasseur (7).

 

[Wyliefan]

Alysa told Nancy she's going for the 4 lutz and two 3 axels today.

 

[Wyliefan]

Nice clean jumps from Mirai, though no 3a.

 

[Sylvia]

Mirai Nagasu (new serious/kinda dark program for her... music?): 3S+3T<?, 3turns ito 3Lo, 2A

ETA: All 10s!!

 

[rfisher]

Mirai looks good. Nice skate. 10s across the board. Good for her. I hope she makes some $$$ from this.

 

[honey]

Nice clean jumps from Mirai, though no 3a.

I don't know about clean (thought the 3T and 3L were visibly under), but it really doesn't seem to be the point of this

Love that dress on her. She looks fab.

 

[floridaice]

several URs there for Mirai -- still loved the program.

 

[Wyliefan]

I don't know about clean, but it really doesn't seem to be the point of this

Clean enough.

 

[Debbie S]

I liked Mirai's program!

Am I the only one who thinks Nancy's comment that she can't wait to see Mirai b/c "she's so cute" is kind of a contradiction of what the Aurora Games stand for, i.e. celebrating women's athletic achievements?

 

[Wyliefan]

"Everyone is nervous" is a big theme tonight. If the eligible girls are nervous for this, they're going to be complete wrecks come GP time.

 

[Wyliefan]

Surya is looking sharp. Love her blue jacket.

 

[Wyliefan]

Some trouble for MBM on the jumps. I wonder if her sleeves distracted her. They were distracting me. She's performing the daylights out of this, though!

 

[Debbie S]

Meite being the voidy Euro. 8, 8, 7.5.

 

[floridaice]

enjoyed that from Andrea

 

[Lara]

Pretty sure Brian could have found Cantu on the US Classic NBC Sports Gold broadcast. Glad she kept the SP!

 

[Wyliefan]

Started with a nice 3 lutz-2 toe, but then the jumps deserted her.