I also agree that U.S. ladies really need to just focus on executing the full arsenal of jumps cleanly and skating w/ freedom that will come from secure elements, which would boost PCS. Their marks will go up just by achieving those 2 items on the bucket list. The 3A could be a distraction. Look at Karen: More often than not, she messes up a program w/ a botched easier jump. It seems Team Karen has more to focus on before even considering a 3A!
I agree 100% that both Mirai and Karen need, first and foremost, to concentrate and focus on clean, solid skates w/ PCS friendly appeal, etc. Their teams certainly aren’t going to abandon any of that in favor of technical muscle. However, the thinking is when you are trying to make an Olympic team and indeed if you make that team, then you start to plan for and envision cracking into the top tier, which, for now, is Med’s world ... a tall order. Not to mention, Osmond and Daleman, the rest of the current World podium. So how do you do this? You will need to up the ante, and one of the quickest ways to do this is to look at a skater’s jumps or jumping content. For example, Osmond and Daleman, both ladies will have incredible scores and the advantage if they skate a clean SP. Daleman can easily blow the roof off w/ her technical advantage if she skates clean. Osmond, too, will reap enormous benefits of a solid, clean SP and enjoy considerable PCS, TES, SS scores, etc. So, if you are the rest of the field, you adjust. I am using the current World podium as an example, keeping in mind that other skaters, not mentioned, are considered top tier and should factor into this post.
As already suggested, clean, consistent skating is a good, basic start that both Mirai and Karen have struggled with, and again, should solely focus on, IMHO.
If Mirai and Karen can fully rotate their jumps as they currently stand, skate clean, remain free of any nagging boot problems, etc., they’re three-quarters of the way there, and they too will soon enjoy good scores. This is a no-brainer. It takes discipline to stick with it and resist the temptation to put the cart before the horse. However, a lot of skaters are constantly looking to move ahead, even if some shouldn’t.
The challenge then becomes trying to keep up with other competitors who may do the same thing, and probably are. So, skaters and their teams look for an opportunity to advance their skating agenda to get ahead of the field or at least keep up with it. For some skaters, that means upping the TES ante, especially if you feel this to be the quickest and surest way to additional points added to your final score.
Skating skills, etc. that is all good and well, very important, of course, especially with the IJS/CoP. However, if you have a skater who can train and successfully bring to any competition a difficult jump, jumping pass or jump combo, they’re going to go for it, even if they should just concentrate on, and clean up their basic skating. There is also the desire to let the rest of the skating world know that you are training something challenging and that you
might bring it to competition and to keep people guessing. Never underestimate the psychology and mind games that go into this sport.
Will either Mirai or Karen break out the 3A consistently enough, in competition, to make a difference? Who knows. In Karen’s case, we may never see it, or maybe she drops it in there someday, soon. If Karen or Mirai decide to add in the 3A this season, they had better land that sucker! Unless you have solid, superior, basic skating skills and great, consistent jumps above and beyond this risky point accumulating 3A, i.e. Mao Asada, (or Tuk, when she was on her game) then I, personally, do not think it is a very good idea. To miss any jump, but particularly the 3A is to dig a big hole especially if done in a SP, which usually translates to game over.
The judges, the tech panel, they love clean and consistent skating with a healthy appreciation for an impressive set of jumping passes. Guess who has both? Janny. Everyone is trying to play catch-up to the front-runner, but also pass some teammates along the way.
It is the Olympic year, people want to participate, so the stakes are high.
I still don't agree that she should've gone Senior - she has a very good chance to be the future of USFS, but she certainly isn't their present. (Unless she's trying for a shot a Jr worlds by competing at Senior nationals like some skaters do?)
