From in person reports I've read, they were in agreement that Karen outskated Ashley and received higher applause after the skate. Karen has it over Ashley where it counts, in the skating skills. Having better SS means the execution of elements are of higher quality.
All this talk about Ashley getting endorsements and being the face of US figure skating, if Ashley fails to place in the top 3, maybe it's a much better message to everyone else if they leave her home because it'll show that all the endorsements, publicity, and popularity cannot buy you an Olympic berth.
Wow. Ashley is in the last year of her skating career how else she going to make money and a living? She's not going to win an individual medal so there will be no cereal boxes, late night talk show appearances, no sitcom appearances. She has an agent and the agent's job is to get her work so she can support herself. I don't think Ashley was attempting to "buy an olympic berth". The fact is she is the most recognizable face of US figure skating over the last few years.
Also, I don't think that the USFSA really " directed" or "signed off" on placing Ashley as olympian spokes person for Team USA. In fact, Nathan Chen has been the broadcasted Team USA athlete for the past year. NBC hypes athletes to lure the public in. It's nothing person it's strictly business. NBC is hyping the hell out of Bradie Tennell. Most the public has no idea that Bradie is a top 10 skater at best. She's not going to win any medals at the olympics, at worlds. She's 19 years old. Her programs and artistry are behind skaters that skate in juniors in Russia and Japan. She's same age of Satoko and compare the programs of Satoko to Bradie. Compare the programs of Bradie to Marin Honda and Wakaba Higuchi.
But this follows the pattern of US ladies figure skating. They get a jumper, a skater with good technique, good skater skills and think that will be enough be successful on the international scene. I'll be willing to bet that next season Bradie's programs won't be much different from this years. Bradie is not going to change US ladies figure skating overnight.
And I guess some of us have forgotten that Karen who at the age of 17 years old and wrote an autobiography and has made numerous excuses about her boot issues.
Personally, I think the USFSA has never really liked Ashley W. They have tolerated her because NBC liked the rivalry angle with Gracie Gold. The USFSA is a conservative bunch and Ashley is not conservative. She received her lowest pcs marks at this year's nationals since 2014. Figure skating can be a brutal sport. But Ashley's silver medal in Boston will probably be the last medal a US lady wins at worlds, olympics and GPF over the next olympic cycle or more.
It's gonna be a while before US ladies will have two or more spots at worlds. That is something that I believe the USFSA has FINALLY realized.