U.S. Ladies [#20]: In a Week, Maybe Two, They'll Make You a Star

[kwanfan1818]

Since all WS points up to the OWG count, Nagasu is not guaranteed a place in the last SP group: Zagitova, Higuchi, and Kostner will earn incremental GPF points for showing up to GPF, Zagitova's and Kostner's Euros points will be counted in full, Tursynbaeva could earn enough incremental points at Euros, however the longshot, Japan could send at least part of its Olympic team to a 4C's in Taipei and Hongo, Mihara, and/or Higuchi could pass her easily with 4C's or incremental 4C's points, etc.

On the other hand, since it's highly unlikely at this point that the Russian Ladies Team will be Medvedeva, Sotskova, and Pogorilaya, all three of their WS won't be part of the equation.

 

[Frida80]

Since all WS points up to the OWG count, Nagasu is not guaranteed a place in the last SP group: Zagitova, Higuchi, and Kostner will earn incremental GPF points for showing up to GPF, Zagitova's and Kostner's Euros points will be counted in full, Tursynbaeva could earn enough incremental points at Euros, however the longshot, Japan could send at least part of its Olympic team to a 4C's in Taipei and Hongo, Mihara, and/or Higuchi could pass her easily with 4C's or incremental 4C's points, etc.

On the other hand, it's highly unlikely at this point that the Russian Ladies Team will be Medvedeva, Sotskova, and Pogorilaya, their WS won't be part of the equation.

Tursynbaeva is not representing a European country. She would compete at 4CC.

 

[kwanfan1818]

Tursynbaeva is not representing a European country. She would compete at 4CC.

Of course

Which would give her a better chance at points than at Euros, where she'd face three Russian ladies and Kostner, whereas the only US and Canadian Ladies with a higher SB than Tursynbaeva are favorites for their Olympic teams and won't be there if they do make them: Osmond and (post SA favorite) Tennell.

The current SB list is pretty dire: There are only three Ladies in the Top 30 SB list so far who aren't from RUS, USA, CAN, or JPN: Kostner (5), Tursynbaeva (13), and not-age-eligible Lim (30). After that, it's Choi (41) and Yoo (42) from KOR, X. Li (43) from CHN, and then Schott (46) and Meite (47) as the next European Ladies after a slew of Russian Ladies and Kostner.

 

[Sylvia]

Here's Bradie Tennell's post-Skate America message of thanks on Instagram that she tweeted (her Twitter handle is bradie_tennell) yesterday: https://www.instagram.com/p/BcD_faJDb7k/?hl=en&taken-by=bradietennell

Young Bradie with her younger brothers (2004 photo when she was 6): https://www.instagram.com/p/Bac9eU2jf9d/

 

[Jessica]

Young Bradie with her younger brothers (2004 photo when she was 6): https://www.instagram.com/p/Bac9eU2jf9d/

OMG! This is just too cute.

 

[Sylvia]

Both Bradie & Karen have elected not to compete at Golden Spin.

USFS was able to add Emmy Ma and Hannah Miller to replace them: http://www.isuresults.com/events/cat03108255.htm

Both need ISU senior minimums (first senior international for Emmy & Hannah hasn't competed internationally in 2 years) so this is a great opportunity for both of them.

 

[wickedwitch]

Super excited for both Emmy and Hannah!

But I'm a tad surprised that Tessa Hong wasn't given the slot. I guess it's because she has her 4CC minimums already.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

OK, well glad they are sending replacements..

OK, so I am curious to see the recent hype regarding Hannah.. can someone just paste in the link to her most recent competition? Thanks y'all

 

[Sylvia]

OK, so I am curious to see the recent hype regarding Hannah.. can someone just paste in the link to her most recent competition?

I'm not aware of any "hype" -- some fans were pleased to see her skate well to win Midwestern Sectionals (videos are on IceNetwork for season pass subscribers) last month. It's been a long road back from injury for Hannah, and the fact that she was able to skate a clean SP (2A, 3F, 3T+2T) and was credited with with landing 5 of her 6 triples in her FS (final 3S was called <) was a good result/solid showing for her at Sectionals.

ETA:

Posted in the previous U.S. Ladies thread on Nov. 19:

Of what I've watched, Hannah's LP was the highlight of sectionals for me. I would like to see USFS give her Golden Spin, but I doubt they will.

 

[Eeyora1]

According to Ashley’s instagram, Big Changes are ahead! Will we see LaLa Land at Nats?

 

[skatfan]

Both Bradie & Karen have elected not to compete at Golden Spin.

USFS was able to add Emmy Ma and Hannah Miller to replace them: http://www.isuresults.com/events/cat03108255.htm

Both need ISU senior minimums (first senior international for Emmy & Hannah hasn't competed internationally in 2 years) so this is a great opportunity for both of them.

Yeah, Bradie is probably now super focused on US Nationals, where she has a pretty chance of getting a Oly spot. Karen Chen is better off not having a bad competition and simply training her jumps and programs. Glad for the other two ladies!

 

[Jammers]

I want to sit our US ladies down and make them watch this on a loop for motivation: https://youtu.be/LinqPGZPqUw

The U.S. didn't have a prayer against the GDR machine, but anything is possible with passion, anger and a determination to never let go. I hope our ladies continue to develop that mindset

The video is a bit long but one of the most amazing sports events IMO

One of the greatest moments in Olympic history our girls beating roided up East German girls who were almost as big as some of the men. Even the Russians were rooting for the US girls and being in Canada the US ladies had a lot of people cheering for them that weren't american.

 

[GreatLakesGal]

I was encouraged by Karen's FS performance in Lake Placid and I think she could benefit from one more competition before Nationals (she competed at Golden Spin last year and placed 7th). I don't think Bradie needs another competition before Nationals. Starr Andrews is also going to Golden Spin (her ISU Challenger debut).

I also don't think Bradie needs another competition before Nationals. Not only were her jumps at Skate America impressive but so were all those difficult transitions (I think she should have placed ahead of Gabby in the SP). The Brits commentating on her seemed genuinely gobsmacked that an American woman is technically on par with the Russian ladies.

 

[mattiecat13]

According to Ashley’s instagram, Big Changes are ahead! Will we see LaLa Land at Nats?

I'm thinking coaching change.

 

[Wyliefan]

According to Ashley’s instagram, Big Changes are ahead! Will we see LaLa Land at Nats?

At this point, I'm hoping not. Goodness knows I wanted that program, but I don't want her pulling a Karen, not at this stage of the game.

 

[Xela M]

According to Ashley’s instagram, Big Changes are ahead! Will we see LaLa Land at Nats?

She'll skate two clean programs at the same competition?

 

[MRani]

She'll skate two clean programs at the same competition?

That’s the only big change I’m interested in seeing from her right now

 

[floridaice]

It's Ashley -- probably just a new hair color

 

[AxelAnnie]

According to Ashley’s instagram, Big Changes are ahead! Will we see LaLa Land at Nats?

OH! Heaven help us all.

 

[FSfan107]

I'm happy Emmy and Hannah are getting the chance to compete at Golden Spin. I don't think it was necessary for Bradie to compete but I was hoping Karen got another competition in before Nationals. She probably hasn't had time to train as much as she would have liked this week with the book promotion.

I'm interested to see what Ashley's big changes are!

 

[petro]

It's Ashley -- probably just a new hair color

Haha I had exactly the same thought.

 

[Willin]

@petro @floridaice I was thinking a new competition dress.

Seriously though how does she afford all those dresses? I wonder if Lisa McKinnon does Ashley's for free promotion or something? Those can't be cheap.

 

[Eeyora1]

I'm thinking coaching change.

I was thinking that as well but it seemed so happy and enthusiastic. I’m wondering if she’s going back to Nicks part time.

 

[Eeyora1]

Haha I had exactly the same thought.

Yeah the roots ain’t working

 

[AxelAnnie]

@petro @floridaice I was thinking a new competition dress.

Seriously though how does she afford all those dresses? I wonder if Lisa McKinnon does Ashley's for free promotion or something? Those can't be cheap.

Vera Wang did for Michelle

 

[skatfan]

I'm thinking coaching change.

Really? I would highly doubt that at this point. I guess we'll know soon!

 

[kwanatic]

New dress or hair color aren't big changes...those are minor tweaks.

I'm kinda hoping she does go with La La Land. I never saw the movie and I don't know any of the music either, but I do think Ashley needs to come out looking like a brand new skater at nationals if she wants to keep herself in the mix. A new program could definitely help that.

It would be risky to debut something new at such a pressure filled event but it's been done before. Ashley needs to come up big at nationals. The only way to prove she's still that "it" girl she worked so hard to be is to come out on fire and leave no doubt in anyone's mind that she deserves to be on that podium at nationals.

It'd be pretty heartbreaking to see her left off of the team but I don't think the USFSA would bump someone for her...not again...especially if that someone outskates her.

This is Ashley's last hoorah so I say she betta BRANG IT!!

 

[Vagabond]

According to Ashley’s instagram, Big Changes are ahead!

Fully rotated jumps and a true outside edge?

 

[jiejie]

My first thought was Ashley is about to announce a pregnancy.
But quickly correcting my wandering brain, I think one of the reasons already mentioned above is more likely (except the true outside edge).

 

[Wyliefan]

I was thinking that as well but it seemed so happy and enthusiastic. I’m wondering if she’s going back to Nicks part time.

Is Nicks still coaching?