Ross Miner Out Of Olympic Team (OFFICIAL)

[caseyedwards]

The rule, which has been well published and established, is that selection is based not on how you do at just one competition, but on average at multiple events weighted by importance. In my opinion, putting it all one one competition would be foolish, considering how results can vary so wildly from one to another based on so many factors. I'm happy the decision isn't made solely on nationals.

Gymnastics has been doing it this way for quite some time, and has gotten great results. A panel decides based on team strength. If someone has a freak fall at nationals but was otherwise strong all year, that one moment is not the be all and end all.

But the issue is the gymnasts have a nationals and then a second nationals really with the training camp! They are tested twice!

 

[quartz]

I do like skating! You like to call people douches on forums

Actually, in all my 15 years here, I think it’s the first time I’ve called anyone a douche. Congratulations.

 

[Bellanca]

My theory is that the technical panel knew Vincent skated extremely well, but didn't want to get themselves into a predicament with crazy results ( ) so all of his jumps were put under the microscope. Remember, his technical score dropped something like 20 points from the end of the program to all the < and << calls and reduced GOE's. I think they did this so that the road to the Olympics would be easier for both Adam and Jason. But that really backfired.

ITA.

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

This is all so corrupt.

I wonder how many potential memberships and future skaters the USFSA will lose over this?

Anyway, I hope to God Adam and Karen don't tank in PyeongChang.

 

[smarts1]

In other news, I am also shocked that they gave the nod to Max over Grant.

 

[caseyedwards]

One can only hope that poster does indeed boycott.

Not happening!

 

[debo]

Well, at least there won’t be any controversy with the dance selections later today. Right? RIGHT??????

 

[vesperholly]

It's very difficult to compare scores even from different competitions. Different judges, technical specialists, ect, make it impossible to compare. As it was stated on FSU in another thread, Tennell's scores at 2018 nationals would have given her the silver medal over Yuna Kim at 2014 Olympics.

OMG

 

[caseyedwards]

Actually, in all my 15 years here, I think it’s the first time I’ve called anyone a douche. Congratulations.

Whatever!

 

[crzesk8dad]

Grant got screwed.

 

[vesperholly]

My theory is that the technical panel knew Vincent skated extremely well, but didn't want to get themselves into a predicament with crazy results ( ) so all of his jumps were put under the microscope. Remember, his technical score dropped something like 20 points from the end of the program to all the < and << calls and reduced GOE's. I think they did this so that the road to the Olympics would be easier for both Adam and Jason. But that really backfired.

Maybe, but those jumps really were UR.

 

[avivadawn]

Waiting to hear about Junior Worlds.
Hope they send Hiwatashi and Torgashev.

 

[Skittl1321]

The selection committee must have met in “the room where it happens...”!

Seriously...
"But we’ll never really know what got discussed;
Click-boom then it happened"

 

[debo]

Ross Miner for President!!

 

[Lanie]

My fave Grant got screwed too. Ugh. Do you think it’s because he’s planning on retiring and wouldn’t go anyway?

 

[Skittl1321]

WOW- I'm wuzrobbing Grant here! (and I LOVE Max...)

 

[casken]

Aaron getting pushed up to alternate and going to 4CCs is even more nuts than the Miner decision. Gah.

 

[chapis]

yes, I could not believe last night how many men pass over Max, is he injured?

 

[CassAgain]

The selection of Jason for first Olympic alternate and Max for 4CCs is at least a consistent nod to BOW. I can almost hear the discussion--if we're going to do this, let's do this.

 

[babayaga]

Well, this decision has put a bit of a damper on Adam's upcoming Olympic experience because now he has the unenviable task of justifying and defending the committee's decision which can become wearisome pretty quickly. The press will be asking him questions about it @ every interview he does from here on out.

No, it was also Adam himself who put a damper on his Olympic experience by not skating well at Nationals. The committee's decision made sure he has any kind of Olympic experience at all.

 

[Yazmeen]

I feel bad for Ross, but I think the right decision was made, including with Worlds.

Regarding the 1st alternates (and who goes to 4CC); I dnderstand why they did what they did. Jason has a much better BOW over the past several years than Ross even if this year was uneven. And if you're griping about Jason, then you should complain about Max being named 3rd alternate over Grant (and everyone else who place in front of him). Let's face it, Max essentially bombed Nationals, which he also did last year. BUT - he also has a far better overall BOW than Grant over the past 4 years. I adore Grant, but making Max the 3rd alternate was probably the right decision.

Do I like all of this? Not totally. But they made the BOW criteria available prior to the competition. And at least the USFS Prez was more clear about why Ross was bumped - cruel as it was, I can understand why he did that after the controversy in 2014 with Ashley.

Ross had a amazing competition this year. But in the last 4 years, his best results were medals at 3 Challenger events and 1 GP (latest 2 years ago) and placements of 5th through 12th in all his events over the past two years. I adore him as a skater because he's so charismatic and good when he's on. But do I absolutely trust him to have a solid result or even make it into the long program in the Olympics or Worlds? Honestly, no. And I feel the same way about Grant who I also have a real soft spot for. Two guys who came in with no heavy pressure because they were not considered favorites for the Olympic team. That lack of pressure can really free up a skater - note the difference in Grant between the short and long. In the short he was amazing; in the free, he was tight and it showed right from the start because the pressure was now on.

I understand the angst here and the complaints, but USFS appears to finally have decided to not just use Nationals as a coronation for an Olympic and World team and (especially after Tonya Harding...) I can understand and accept that. I'm not sure I completely like it, but I certainly understand it. And I think we should can the charges of "corruption" and "committee links to certain coaches," etc. No matter what the committee did, some fans were not going to be happy. I also think the general public who watches figure skating every 4 year won't give a rat's patoot about this situation like 4 years ago (bluntly, because it didn't happen to the ladies, the event most of them care about). Nor do I think this is necessarily going to keep people from signing their kid up for skating. Let's see how it plays out and not insist that skating is doomed.

 

[rfisher]

I understand the Adam over Ross choice (don't like it but I understand it). And the alternate slot is usually pointless.

But, to pick Aaron over Grant for 4CC is flat out wrong. What's the point of coming to US nationals and skating your best when the message is "Thanks for coming boys, but we don't really give a $hit how you skate. Have a good day"

 

[OnyxRose81]

Hochstein also getting passed by for Aaron even though he was some 30 points better in this competition and fairly close to REALLY complicating things for Adam Rippon's selection.

I don't ever want to hear about Max being disrespected again.

 

[oleada]

Waiting to hear about Junior Worlds.
Hope they send Hiwatashi and Torgashev.

Saw on twitter that it’s Kranozhon, Hiwatashi and Pulkinen. Love Torgashev but it’s a fair call

 

[Anita18]

and that the has moved from Ross vs Adam to Ross vs Jason to Max vs Grant. USFSA really stoked a lot of fires here.

 

[becca]

But the issue is the gymnasts have a nationals and then a second nationals really with the training camp! They are tested twice!

They have tons of camps. I don't think anytime recently the results have been really questionable in terms of team. There is also three up three count so specialities play a role.

I think recently the teams have been more than fair.

 

[aftershocks]

I am sure Ross came into Nationals not even really thinking he had a shot, which makes it all the more sad.

Ross knew this was his final season and he gave the moment everything he had. One of the saddest things is that Ross is the only top men's competitor to skate two clean performances at 2018 U.S. Nationals, and in an Olympic season. In other sports, there's not all these subjective selection rules. It's probably better to compete in a sport where if you cross the finish line first or win the final point, you win and there's nothing judges can do about it.

 

[Spun Silver]

Ross Miner for President!!

Of USFS!

Apparently he and Adam exchanged warm texts this morning. Which shows he is an incredibly classy guy.

 

[Skittl1321]

Who is on this selection committee? Do we have a list of their names? Just wondering if there is any special ties to certain coaches.

IIRC, Phil Hersh was incredulous that USFS wouldn't release that when asked.

 

[tony]

The selection of Jason for first Olympic alternate and Max for 4CCs is at least a consistent nod to BOW. I can almost hear the discussion--if we're going to do this, let's do this.

Eh. Max 9th at Nationals the last two seasons, Grant 4th & 5th. Max has a good skate and medal from the Grand Prix this season and that's about it. I know Grant had bad showings on the Grand Prix, but Max's 30 point loss here to Hochstein should've tipped the scales in Grant's favor IMO.