Gracie Gold set to return

[bardtoob]

Go, Gracie!
https://youtu.be/EBbsihrK2U8

 

[Rob]

I am looking forward to this so much. I hope she skates with joy and gets everything she wants out of it.

 

[Firedancer]

I’m really excited to see Gracie compete again. I hope she is able to enjoy herself and be satisfied with the programs she is able to put out when she is finished.

 

[Tinami Amori]

Sighting of Gracie in Russia's media: US GP team (video is made in USA).
https://radikal.ru/video/dpW7q6wcVlj

 

[skatesindreams]

Wishing Gracie the very best, in her return to competition.

 

[Vash01]

I think Gracie will do well, not necessarily medal (I am not ruling out that possibility). She is not carrying the weight of expectations on her back anymore, and I think the time away from competing will benefit her. She still has her natural talent.

Can she enter the US nationals without going through the regionals, etc.?

 

[Cleo1782]

I think Gracie will do well, not necessarily medal (I am not ruling out that possibility). She is not carrying the weight of expectations on her back anymore, and I think the time away from competing will benefit her. She still has her natural talent.

Can she enter the US nationals without going through the regionals, etc.?

Yes she gets an automatic bye due to this assignment because of the timing of sectionals.

 

[PrincessAlica]

I think Gracie will do well, not necessarily medal (I am not ruling out that possibility). She is not carrying the weight of expectations on her back anymore, and I think the time away from competing will benefit her. She still has her natural talent.

Can she enter the US nationals without going through the regionals, etc.?

Yes, she has a bye to Nationals because of this competition.

 

[nimi]

Nick Zaccardi wrote an article for NBC Sports: Gracie Gold wants to be new skater in comeback event

No quotes from Gracie (who is not doing interviews until after she skates), but Jeremy tells us how he ended up choreographing Gracie's new programs, etc.

“She was like, ‘I always was viewed as a jumper and not a skater. I always wanted to be an artist, but everyone told me stick to what you’re best at,'” Abbott said. “Working with her, she is an artist. She is sensitive. She understands the music. She gets it.”

Sounds promising!

“This isn’t like a big massive coming-out party for her,” he said. “This is really just the first step to get her feet back under her, get her going again because the plan isn’t about this competition. The plan isn’t about this season. The plan is really about building for her future and the next four years.”

Go Gracie!

 

[Doggygirl]

Good luck Gracie! I hope you enjoy your Rostelcom Cup experience!!!!

 

[Wyliefan]

I'm really glad she's not doing interviews right now. She doesn't need that messing with her focus and her head. Smart girl.

 

[myhoneyhoney]

Go Gracie! I’m so excited and happy just to watch her skate again.

 

[Lacey]

Go for happiness, Gracie!

 

[mjb52]

Good luck!

 

[peibeck]

Jeremy's quotes sound like she is mentally ready to go out under the spotlight, regardless of results. I think after such a long break, I think that is a sagacious way to approach this competition. This competition isn't about medals, it is about "getting her feet wet," so to speak.

Afterwards, she'll have two more months to prepare for nationals and take this comeback journey farther. As long as she is happy and feels good about her progress, it is a win, no matter the result. Go Gracie!

 

[aml78]

Gracie is there! Tim Koleto posted a pic this morning. I got so excited to see her in an athlete credential! I know it’s one picture but she looks so happy! So present! Yay!!!

https://twitter.com/timkoleto/status/1063027071084126209?s=21

 

[happycamper2554]

Gracie and everyone else's planned program content. It seems like shes really going for it

http://cloud.isu.org/index.php/s/36oc2aR1dFS9ZzU#pdfviewer

 

[Firedancer]

Gracie has 3 2T planned in her FS. I hope it is just a mistake.

 

[Erin]

Gracie has 3 2T planned in her FS. I hope it is just a mistake.

Well, the good news is that under the current rules, it’s just the extra double toe that doesn’t count and not the whole jumping pass. But yeah, that’s a bit of a whoops.

Interesting that the one jump she isn’t trying is the triple loop, which I would have considered a really good jump for her before.

 

[lala]

Go, Gracie, go! Good luck!

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

Official Practice at Rostelecom Cup. Looks like Gracie is blocking her free skate.

 

[VGThuy]

I was thinking, if Gracie does well here, like really well, I hope people still give her space and leave her alone for the most part leading up to Nationals because I'd hate for her to face a new flurry of unexpected risen expectations and hype.

 

[Rock2]

I hope Gracie is in a position to just embrace the challenge and be satisfied with her journey and efforts and less about the results at this point. Two things stuck out in all the prior notes in this thread:

1. The comments from Jeremy that others have forced her to be tech based when there was this inner artist that wanted to come out. I think we all sort of sensed something like this with a clear focus on her packaging and less on her style with standard-stock Nichol/Carroll programs. I'm hoping she can almost forget the tech and be able to just sink herself into the programs and music that she believes in...and that this becomes a great path to her competing well.

2. Looking at the elements I was surprised to see the 3F in the short and not the 3L, as the flip has been a real mental hurdle. I thought she might just want to tackle it in the long where there's less focus. But then I went on to see no 3L planned for the LP either. A bit surprising to me to see that she's indicating the flip is more solid than the loop right now. Let's see how this goes.

 

[LilJen]

I am looking forward to this so much. I hope she skates with joy and gets everything she wants out of it.

Me too. I hope she simply enjoys the process and the experience.

 

[Frau Muller]

This is major! So beyond the competition itself.

 

[HSCluv]

Finally...music SHE wants to skate to! Can't wait!

 

[Firedancer]

Ashley Cain posted a picture of Team USA in Russia. So excited to see Gracie skate tomorrow!

https://mobile.twitter.com/icegirlash/status/1063149480294469633?ref_src=twsrc^twitterkit

 

[3Lz+3Lo]

Good luck Gracie! Looking forward to seeing her skate! Hope she enjoys it! Her FS music is beautiful.

 

[jenny12]

Wishing Gracie good luck! Her FS music is gorgeous!

 

[Tinami Amori]

Foto of Gracie: arriving the sport-centre/rink in Moscow
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DsET7oJU4AA_eCr.jpg

An interview with Gracie just popped up in the Russian newspaper. will translate in a minute.
https://sport.business-gazeta.ru/news/230239

Gracie Gold “I was watching Zagitova during the Olympics and felt myself too old”.

A 23-year old American figure skater, Bronze medal winner (team event) at the Sochi Olympics, Gracie Gold has commented on her condition before her first official start after a 2-year break.

- I am back, finally. Thank you for all who believe in men and waited for me. I am very nervous, but I received a great welcome, so thank you for all the audience and fans. I feel their support. Specially from the Japanese, there is always more of them. I need to get the feel for the ice, and am sure the next competition will be easier for me.

Q: What results do you expect (counting on) in Moscow?
G: I don’t know, I just want to skate clean and do all that I am capable of. I am glad to be back, I missed the ice, the competition. Results are not the most important thing for me now, I plan to regain a better form. Perhaps I will be ready 100% for the US Nationals. There are many strong ladies (skaters) in America, and it will not be easy for me, the competition increased.

Q: You talked about the psychological problems. Are they in the past?
G: I hope so. Yes, the last two years were hard for me to handle. I am trying not to think about it.

Q: During last two years ladies figure skating became younger and technically more difficult. Do you feel it?
G: Yes, and how! While watching the Olympics in Korea, and seeing Alina Zagitova and other ladies, I thought of myself as old. I felt myself old. Yet I don’t think it is bad. A sport must develop, and if the young and daring girls come and perform difficult jumps, for the figure skating it is good.

Editorial: Gold is a 2-time US National champion in ladies singles, Silver medalist at Junior Worlds, 2-time Champion and 1-time Silver medalist in World Team Event, and a Bronze medalist in the Team Event in Sochi.

In Summer of 2017, after poor results at the US Nationals, she suspended her career, and later announced she is suffering from panic attacks and depression. After a rehabilitation treatment with help of psychologist, she changed her training team and is now managed by a French trainer/specialist Vincent Restencourt.