U.S. Ladies [#21]: Wrapped Up with a Neat Little BOW

[UGG]

Article about the G-word.

I remember this because a lot of people on FSU said that they didn't know this word was considered problematic. I'm assuming that was also true about Wagner, but at this point I really don't care either way. That being said, if one of my students used that word they would get a stern talking-to.

I have never used that particular word in my life but until Ashley used it and the reaction here, I was unaware of where it came from. It was a teachable moment and I’m sure it was for Ashley as well. I don’t think that situation compares to Mirai’s interview. They are completely different scenarios. Ashley used a word without realizing it was offensive. Mirai is taking most of the credit for the team bronze, bringing her fellow competitor down with her so she doesn’t look as bad, and insulted all the athletes sitting at home who would have taken the individual event more seriously and not as an audition for DWTS.

 

[Aerobicidal]

I have never used that particular word in my life but until Ashley used it and the reaction here, I was unaware of where it came from. It was a teachable moment and I’m sure it was for Ashley as well. I don’t think that situation compares to Mirai’s interview. They are completely different scenarios. Ashley used a word without realizing it was offensive. Mirai is taking most of the credit for the team bronze, bringing her fellow competitor down with her so she doesn’t look as bad, and insulted all the athletes sitting at home who would have taken the individual event more seriously and not as an audition for DWTS.

Not saying you're attributing any particular stance on these issues to me, but I want to clarify that I don't have one aside from "American skaters say shit that comes across as stupid to me more frequently than I wish they did."

I've never been a fan of Ashley or Mirai as skaters. The last U.S. lady I liked was Gracie Gold and I don't feel strongly about the stuff she's said in interviews or on twitter aside from being surprised at how snarky her tweets are.

 

[Maximillian]

Go US ladies!

 

[mag]

Canada has had a total of 4 ladies world championship medals in the last 30 years. That is hardly dominating.

Wow, now if your statement isn’t a classic case of reframing an argument so you can win, I don’t know what is

No one has ever suggested that Canada has dominated ladies Skating for the past 30 years. I believe we are talking about the very recent past and I think it is fair to say that Canada has been ONE OF the nations dominating ladies skating over the past two seasons (along with Japan and Russia.) Again, no one is suggesting that Canada has the depth of skill that the Russians and Japanese have, but we have done quite well for ourselves. Two world medals, Olympic team gold (where the ladies played a pivotal part and were not just along for the ride) and an individual bronze are certainly nothing to sneeze at.

 

[UGG]

Not saying you're attributing any particular stance on these issues to me, but I want to clarify that I don't have one aside from "American skaters say shit that comes across as stupid to me more frequently than I wish they did."

I've never been a fan of Ashley or Mirai as skaters. The last U.S. lady I liked was Gracie Gold and I don't feel strongly about the stuff she's said in interviews or on twitter aside from being surprised at how snarky her tweets are.

Oh no not at all- I was just replying because you had posted the link.

 

[Yazmeen]

Are we really using the "other people have said stupid stuff" defense for Mirai? She made a dumb comment or two. It doesn't make her a bad person. But it doesn't mean the comment about Gabby was okay and that we should be making excuses for her.

Yes, the comment was tasteless; however, Nick McCarvel has pointed out on his Twitter feed that Mirai was actually the one who went up to Daleman during the competition, hugged her and reminded her that she had a gold medal to try and make her feel better (with photo of them together). I have a feeling Mirai made that comment because the press was pushing at her for having a less than great skate and not hitting the 3Axel. That doesn't excuse her comment, it was a stupid thing to say, but I can see how it happened in the heat of the moment.

That said, it's about damn time the media stops putting athlete's on pedestals and then salivates when they can tear them down. There was actually an article this year that if Tonya Harding should get redemption for her actions, then Nancy Kerrigan should finally also get some for a few ill-timed remarks. I read a lot of the articles on Tonya that came out with the movie, and I still can't believe how many comments there were from people calling Nancy a snotty beeyotch and much worse. It's been 24 EFFING YEARS!!! Thankfully Mirai is not as much in the public consciousness as Nancy was, she's walked back the remarks, and I think this will be a tempest in a teacup.

 

[Frida80]

The USFS won’t be pleased with these games, but none of this could come as a surprise. I feel bad for all of them, handling large expectations all of a sudden. It wasn’t fair to any of them.

They need to put these ladies in bubble for the next few weeks to let them get mentally prepared for worlds.

 

[kwanfan1818]

Can you do that? Plushenko was told he had to change compete in both

He announced ahead of time that he planned to do the TE only, which was against the rules -- IIRC, actually a rule, not a guideline -- and then the ISU released another document to warn against it even more strongly. You need a valid excuse to withdraw from the IE after competing in the TE, so an emergency, illness, injury, or "injury" or the wrath of the ISU will be upon you. Even though Plushenko had valid reasons not to skate the IE, had he withdrawn before the IE, they would have been on his case.

It's not that hard for athletes to be called injured, but I don't know if you can stay in the Olympic village if you've withdrawn.

 

[ssminnow]

Wow, now if your statement isn’t a classic case of reframing an argument so you can win, I don’t know what is

No one has ever suggested that Canada has dominated ladies Skating for the past 30 years. I believe we are talking about the very recent past and I think it is fair to say that Canada has been ONE OF the nations dominating ladies skating over the past two seasons (along with Japan and Russia.) Again, no one is suggesting that Canada has the depth of skill that the Russians and Japanese have, but we have done quite well for ourselves. Two world medals, Olympic team gold (where the ladies played a pivotal part and were not just along for the ride) and an individual bronze are certainly nothing to sneeze at.

2 world medals in the last 5 years is still not dominating. 1 serious medal contender and 1 darkhorse medal contender is not dominating. There is a difference between "dominating" and "nothing to sneeze at".

 

[ChiquitaBanana]

2 world medals in the last 5 years is still not dominating. 1 serious medal contender and 1 darkhorse medal contender is not dominating. There is a difference between "dominating" and "nothing to sneeze at".

Gosh! The context : Canada is not known for its killer instinct “do or die” but still has managed good results minus the fear of being sent to Siberia if you failed. I had some anxious thoughts about Kolyada after the SP team event...

 

[Vagabond]

You mean, like Canada?

Eys. Blame Canada! They steal our Men, they steal our Pairs skaters, they steal our ice dancers, and they don't accept failure.

 

[RoseRed]

Should we declare Mirai a terrible person because of her comments? No of course not, but criticism is completely fair. She said some stuff that is not okay. And you can say she's mentally exhausted, it was the heat of the moment, etc. But so are all the skaters. Ultimately, she's an adult. She's not 16. She's 24 years old, she's been here before, and she is responsible for the things she says. I don't know how one could possibly expect not to see critical articles after comments like that. She did bring it on herself.

The comment about Gabby is definitely the worst. It's pretty classless, and also very immature. And people point out that Mirai was comforting her earlier, as if that makes it not as bad. But I disagree. As nice as it was for Mirai to be hugging for and reminding her that she still has gold medal, for me at least, that actually makes it worse. Other people might feel differently, but I would be more hurt hearing that from someone who was being a friend, telling me it wasn't so bad, than from a random competitor I wasn't close with. Throwing someone else under the bus, someone who you full well know is devastated, that's really bad. I have to agree with the comment from the SI writer on that:

I’m sure Daleman will enjoy reading that, once she is finished crying and blaming herself for letting down her family.

The general flippancy and excuse making is not a good look, but the only other comments that actually bother me are about the team event. Saying she saved the team is a pretty self-centred thing to say, and also not true.

But again, I'd be fairly willing to forgive everything except the comment about Gabby.

 

[aftershocks]

Other than Gracie .. who was the last American lady with truly great technique anyway?

FYI, Bradie Tennell has excellent jump technique, so take a seat. Obviously, Michelle Kwan had superb technique as learned from Frank Carroll who learned from Maribel Vinson Owen. Why is it necessary to speak in superlatives and generalities and vast sweeping statements? Your trollish query is not apropos to very much, since the current OGM and OSM from Russia also have some jump technique issues that aren't being examined under a microscope because they are fast, determined rotators with political clout and favored buzz behind them. Zagitova is the better and more precise jumper than Medvedeva, but neither of them can jump high with huge ice coverage.

Osmond, the current OBM has speed, huge jumps with great ice coverage and decent technique, aside from her flutz and some inconsistencies with nerves which have often led to inconsistencies on jumping passes. Fortunately for Osmond, she's been coddled with mistakes, and she is seen as a well-rounded skater worthy of being championed. So all credit to her going for broke when it counted and for skating clean in the sp and nearly clean in the fp with speed, attack and confidence. Her slight step-out and flutz on that one jump in the fp did not faze her nor trip her up from skating cleanly and with spark throughout.

As far as U.S. ladies, just as with most skaters, there are things you can pick apart with everyone. Amber Glenn is a very good jumper and a well-rounded skater who struggles with managing competitive nerves. Karen jumps high but she has technique miscues and she struggles with managing her nerves as well as the height she gets on her jumps. We know about Mirai's trajectory -- she suffered from URs more because of nerves rather than a lack of good technique. But she overcame a lot working with Tom Z and she should be proud of making it back to the Olympics, landing a 3-axel and winning a bronze in the team event. Mariah Bell is a work in progress re improving her technique miscues, but she has wonderful potential, if she pulls everything together under Raf. What Mariah needs most of all is a killer instinct. Bradie has the Olympics experience under her belt, and we shall see how she's able to put things together at Worlds. Hopefully, she won't be skating last in the last group at Worlds!

Ever since figures were dropped in 1990, there are plenty of ladies from every country who have problems with clean edges and poor jump technique. As Patrick Chan has demonstrated, diligent practice with figures improves blade control, helps with speed, ice coverage and ideally with jump technique. Coach Dough Haw recently revealed on TSL, that Patrick's problems with 3-axels are mostly a result of his having difficulty learning 2-axels and getting the technique for the axel jump fully under his belt before having to move on to 3-axels. And then Patrick had too many coaches telling him different ways to fix the 3-axel which never worked out for him, e.g., in the way that Adam Rippon eventually mastered the 3-axel under Raf.

Therefore, as with most things in figure skating, everyone generally has room for improvement in some area. Right now it appears that fast rotations, nerves of steel and buzzworthy consistency are calling cards for the podium. And you are fortunate if you can get away with some jump issues that aren't looked at too closely e.g, Zag, Med, Satoko. Even Carolina, despite technical miscues, has been held up all season long on her ubiquitously overpraised 'artistic' brilliance.

 

[mag]

Even Carolina, despite technical miscues, has been held up all season long on her ubiquitously overpraised 'artistic' brilliance.

I know this is the US Ladies thread, but this quote, you have made my day! As much as I can appreciate Carolina’s longevity in the sport, I can appreciate that she has nice skating skills, IMHO you are so right. Her “ibiquitously overpraised artistic brilliance.”

 

[MacMadame]

International judges wouldn't assign her PCS that low they way USA judges did to keep her off.

They would if she skated like she did at Nationals.

 

[aftershocks]

Is this real? This has to be a parody or something...

Bobbie Mae?!!! Okay, well I can understand that much. I named one of my former cars (that's right an automobile), and I name my stuffed animals. Obviously, many athletes need to be taken aside and allowed to decompress and compose themselves before having cameras, lights and microphones trained on them in the heated aftermath of any major competition, especially the Olympics! Mirai dear, I wouldn't state that too boldly about DWTS, until you know your agent has it in the bag.

I feel sorry for all of these athletes, and I do mean all of them in some way or another. Only Adam Rippon and Ashley Wagner have the maturity, self-understanding and wit to deal with the media storm. AdaRipp quick, grab Mirai and take her to the roof for some veggie burgers and a palate-cleansing sit-down talking to.

 

[IceAlisa]

They would if she skated like she did at Nationals.

But they have been giving her higher PCS the whole season even when she skated with technical mistakes. USFSA really had miscalculated here. At least Ashley would have shown up fit (not saying Karen isn't but she was bigger than at Nationals) and Ashley is always perfectly fit and conditioned. And the ISU judges generally like her PCS-wise.

 

[aftershocks]

I know this is the US Ladies thread, but this quote, you have made my day! As much as I can appreciate Carolina’s longevity in the sport, I can appreciate that she has nice skating skills, IMHO you are so right. Her “ibiquitously overpraised artistic brilliance.”

I enjoy Carolina, but her nerves did not allow her to skate clean programs. She and Satoko are obviously the only two real artists on ice among the ladies, but we wouldn't know it from who got the highest PCS scores. Carolina is quite beautiful in the air and she has good technique, speed and decent skating skills (her overall skating improved after she spent a brief period of time training in the U.S. with Frank Carroll; shortly thereafter she won Worlds). What Carolina obviously majorly lacks right now is sufficient technical difficulty to bop the teenyboppers.

I enjoy Carolina's artistry, but I am fairly tired by now of being told how artistically brilliant she is. I'm glad she reached her major goals of coming back for herself and skating in contention at one more Olympics. Making the podium again was possible, but realistically a long shot with big guns going mostly clean.

 

[coppertop1]

So, the main question is: What are Russia, Japan and Canada doing that the USA isn't? And what needs to change?

 

[mag]

So, the main question is: What are Russia, Japan and Canada doing that the USA isn't? And what needs to change?

That is a huge question for which I can make one very small suggestion. Part 1: Stop rewarding cheated jumps. Jumps with a < should never, ever get a bonus. You would be better off to give a bonus to fully rotated jumps with or without a fall. Part 2: Actually have the tech panels at all competitions call under rotations and spin problems. And I mean call them and be fierce. The early kids, parents, and coaches learn that they will be called every time there jump is a hair over 1/4 cheated, the more likely it is that the jumps will be corrected. Same goes for edges and spin levels. Most importantly do it consistently for everyone. If that means a favourite is off the podium, so be it.

 

[Vagabond]

So, the main question is: What are Russia, Japan and Canada doing that the USA isn't? And what needs to change?

That is a huge question for which I can make one very small suggestion. Part 1: Stop rewarding cheated jumps. Jumps with a < should never, ever get a bonus. You would be better off to give a bonus to fully rotated jumps with or without a fall. Part 2: Actually have the tech panels at all competitions call under rotations and spin problems. And I mean call them and be fierce. The early kids, parents, and coaches learn that they will be called every time there jump is a hair over 1/4 cheated, the more likely it is that the jumps will be corrected. Same goes for edges and spin levels. Most importantly do it consistently for everyone. If that means a favourite is off the podium, so be it.

Hire Shin Amano at the Technical Specialist for every level of Ladies' skating at U.S. Nationals every year until the problem is corrected.

 

[coppertop1]

That is a huge question for which I can make one very small suggestion. Part 1: Stop rewarding cheated jumps. Jumps with a < should never, ever get a bonus. You would be better off to give a bonus to fully rotated jumps with or without a fall. Part 2: Actually have the tech panels at all competitions call under rotations and spin problems. And I mean call them and be fierce. The early kids, parents, and coaches learn that they will be called every time there jump is a hair over 1/4 cheated, the more likely it is that the jumps will be corrected. Same goes for edges and spin levels. Most importantly do it consistently for everyone. If that means a favourite is off the podium, so be it.

Is it more of an issue with American skaters?

Hire Shin Amano at the Technical Specialist for the every level of Ladies' skating at U.S. Nationals every year until the problem is corrected.

Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't a former coach of Patrick Chan?

 

[GreatLakesGal]

So, the main question is: What are Russia, Japan and Canada doing that the USA isn't? And what needs to change?

It's a numbers game. To succeed as a singles skater with the current scoring system, you need 1) to have been genetically blessed with the right body type and 2) to have an innate talent for figure skating. With so little interest in FS in the US, the likelihood of identifying more than a few of those individuals is very low. That's why the USFSA goes crazy when a Gracie Gold or a Nathan Chen comes along.

The best coaching in the world isn't enough if a skater lacks those two attributes.

 

[aftershocks]

I have a different theory regarding US ladies: The US hasn’t gotten noticeably worse. Rather the rest of the World has caught up and in several cases, has passed by the US.

Going way back, we have had stars like Hamill, Yamaguchi and Kwan, but if you look at US ladies who were not huge stars but were the US no. 1 in their respective olympic cycles, they were just as wobbly as the current batch - Rosalynn Summers, Elaine Zayak, Tiffany Chin, Debi Thomas, Jill Trenary, Tonya Harding, Nancy Kerrigan, Nicole Bobek, Sasha Cohen, Kimmie Meissner and then everyone after 2008. They were skittish competitors, but the competition was a lot less fierce. Then Mao and Yu Na arrived on the Senior scene after Torino in 2006 (two big stars), so it's revealing how US ladies still achieved podium finishes until 2007, despite a shaky performance here and there, because the US only had to contend with one foreign star who had the talent to win outright (only very occasionally two) at any given time before Mao and Yu Na in 2007 (Ex - Witt, Ito, Baiul - that last one is questionable ). Now, Japan’s current elite ladies have adequately made up for the loss of Mao and Miki, Korea is coming up, and the Russian Tsunami is already swamping the world

I also don’t think the USFSA ever fully and completely recovered from the elimination of 6.0 and emphasizes safe programs to an extent. It can work rarely (Lysacek - 2010) but that doesn’t really win under IJS anymore. Our most high profile coach Frank Carroll was big on not allowing his students to place a jump in a program unless it had a 90 percent success rate. Trapped in 6.0 mentality

Parental interference is discussed. That could be a factor too: They pay big money and want a say even if their opinion is not grounded in reality. *Cough* Nathan Chen *Cough*

Some obvious points, but in general you are throwing in everything but the kitchen sink to try and explain away what really doesn't need any explaining away. At the end of the day, it is what it is. Going into the Olympics, this is about what was expected (with maybe at least one of the ladies landing in 5th or 6th place - the podium would have required some miracles and tanking by too many other ladies, capiche?!)

Understand first and foremost, not much was actually expected DUE TO THE DEPTH OF TALENT that exists now globally and DUE TO THE FACT THAT THERE'S NO HUGE POLITICAL BACKING FOR US LADIES AFTER GRACIE LEFT THE ROOM WHERE IT HAPPENS!!!

Can we think more reflectively and less all over the place like Mirai Nagasu in giggly, star-gazing mode after a rough singles event with all eyes on her at the Olympics??? Mirai Nagasu was the full page photo spread in my local newspaper's Olympics pullout edition after the team event. I'm praying for Mirai's sake that her uncontrolled comments post the singles competition, will not scuttle her opportunities for a bit of DWTS limelight and some livelihood work in the scarce skating shows that exist. It would actually be cool to see both Mirai and AdaRipp competing against each other on DWTS.

 

[mag]

It's a numbers game. To succeed as a singles skater with the current scoring system, you need 1) to have been genetically blessed with the right body type and 2) to have an innate talent for figure skating. With so little interest in FS in the US, the likelihood of identifying more than a few of those individuals is very low. That's why the USFSA goes crazy when a Gracie Gold or a Nathan Chen comes along.

The best coaching in the world isn't enough if a skater lacks those two attributes.

What’s, exactly, is “an innate talent for figure skating”? I am not arguing that there those one in a billion people who seem to have something extra. Tessa Virtue, Aliona S, Alina Zagitova could all fall into that category. Maybe even Hanyu. But I wouldn’t put Scott Moir, Michelle Kwan or Patrick Chan in that group let alone Gracie or Nathen. They earned it all the old fashion way. Hard work, good coaching, enough money, and bit of luck (of course the others had / did those things as well.)

The point is, the search for “talent” is extremely difficult in an early entry sport, because by the time there is any chance of even guessing right more than 50% of the time, it is too late. I suspect the current Russian success is simply a numbers game. Figure skating is a way to a better life for your family. Thousands of girls are thrown in the hopper at one end, and half a dozen come out the other. In North America we aren’t prepared to approach sport that way. That doesn’t mean we won’t have success, it just mean that we are statically less likely to have as much of it.

 

[mag]

Is it more of an issue with American skaters?

More than what? Other countries? I don’t know. As far as I know the US is the only fed who gives a bonus for a < jump. I have no doubt other countries would benefit from the same advice. I think Canadian caller are generally tougher than American on rotations although when a favourite is involved it sometimes gets dicey, especially at the local level. Where Canadian caller fall down, IMHO, is on steps and spins, again, especially with “special” Skaters.

 

[mtnskater]

I happened to catch an interview on the Today Show with Mirai, Bradie and Karen this morning before I headed out to work. Mirai did most of the talking repeating some of the things she said to McCarvel. Also when asked what happed last night to her triple axel she said she “hit a rut on the ice...it happens.” My thought: why don’t the Russian girls ever seem to hit ruts? Then she proceeded to shill for a gig with Dancing With the Stars after saying it was unlikely she would go to the Olympics in 4 years. My thought: doesn’t sound like she has any intentions of going to Worlds so Ashley better get ready. Also why would DWTS want Mirai. I’m thinking Adam or the Shibs. I’m sure you can see the interview if you go to the Today Show website. After watching it I’m sorry to say I felt even more pissed at her. I hope like others are saying here this weird behavior is coming from mental exhaustion. Though Bradie and Karen seemed normal...and I’m sure they are tired too. Not to mention what incredible grace Medvedeva showed last night. Karen said she was disappointed in her performance and both Bradie and Karen hope to be at the Olympics next time. Bradie said she is just getting started.

 

[oleada]

That is a huge question for which I can make one very small suggestion. Part 1: Stop rewarding cheated jumps. Jumps with a < should never, ever get a bonus. You would be better off to give a bonus to fully rotated jumps with or without a fall. Part 2: Actually have the tech panels at all competitions call under rotations and spin problems. And I mean call them and be fierce. The early kids, parents, and coaches learn that they will be called every time there jump is a hair over 1/4 cheated, the more likely it is that the jumps will be corrected. Same goes for edges and spin levels. Most importantly do it consistently for everyone. If that means a favourite is off the podium, so be it.

I 100% agree with this. The calling at US competitions is really lenient. How many times did we see someone like Wagner get away with cheated jumps and no edge calls? Internationally, I don’t think she has ever done a lutz without at least a ! warning. So many junior skaters got away with cheated jumps - then they go to the JGP and score nowhere close to what they get at home. I think the bonus is a step in the right direction, but it defeats the purpose when you use it to reward cheated jumps.

I also think that the top US skaters at most levels don’t compete against each other enough. How many times have, say, Trusova and Kostornaia competed against each other? I’ve lost track. Top US skaters don’t seem to compete against each other until Nationals, especially since so many skaters get byes. It’s easier to get away with easier programs and unclean skates when you don’t compete against the best. Granted, I don’t know how to fix that given how geographically spread out the US skaters are.

Of course, the lack of popularity and cost are an issue. I don’t have kids, but if I had an athletically inclined daughter (a miracle in itself ), I would encourage her toward a sport that could give her the opportunity to get a college scholarship of some kind.

Maybe this isn’t related to the lack of competitive US ladies, but watching all the nationals this year, I was struck by how same-y all the US senior ladies were. Same princessy programs, same slow music, same pretty dresses. No one stood out (except maybe Wagner and Starr Andrews and she has her technical limitations at the moment). I think this is true across the ladies, but I think it’s particularly pronounced with the US ladies. No one had a distinct personality on the ice. It was all very 1950s ice princess.

 

[aftershocks]

It’s a completely different attitude to her latest Instagram post.

I’m not as familiar with Instagram and it won’t let me copy and paste.

I hope this link will work. https://instagram.com/p/BfiPdK2nget/

Well that's a more well thought out and diplomatic response, but Mirai could have left out the excuse about her blade hitting a rut in the ice. You still have to go for it and overcome such obstacles with no excuses. Mirai did not allow her slight stumbles preparing to set-up her 3-axel in the team event from allowing her to ace the jump in that special moment. Take a cold shower Mirai, do some deep breathing, meditation, tai chi and get a thorough massage from someone with good hands. Then get a good night's sleep, and take in a pow-wow session with AdaRipp before giving anymore interviews about your Olympics experience.

Here's hoping Mirai will be able to overcome/ come back from the bad press. And she should definitely apologize to Gabby Daleman for singling her out by name just after she was hugging and commiserating with her prior to press blitz. Gabby's troubles in the fp were obviously more serious than what happened to U.S. ladies, but of course it's bad to single her out publicly in response to aggressive questions from reporters. Like I said, skaters need time to decompress after emotional roller coaster competitions. And obviously the Olympic media is always OTT and lacks understanding about figure skating. That's a given. We should remember how Debi Thomas was dissected, sliced into pieces, dissed and kicked aside after the Battle of the Carmens did not live up to its ridiculous billing. Most of the U.S. media were goners for sexy Kat Witt in any case. And please no comments about how Debi did it all to herself and she has mental problems. Do we want to imagine how Nathan would now be undergoing extensive taking apart by the media had he not been able to control his nerves and right his jump-worthy ship in the fp?!

Nagasu went on: “We went to the Team USA House on the lunar holiday and it took four hours just to get to the mountain. I also haven’t taken a warm shower. There are a lot of people on Team USA and somehow I keep trying to take a shower when all the hot water is gone. Also I’ve woken up so early.”

What???

Obviously, Mirai was a bit out of her head and she was just babbling. She was front page news one day and then the OTT build-up for the huge tearing down when she didn't land more 3-axels, because the media do not know zip about figure skating. None of the U.S. ladies went into the Olympics with any huge political backing. Judges had to reward Mirai for landing the 3-axel in the sp, which sent a message that she could be in the final group mix in singles if she could deliver perfectly cleanly two more times after waiting around for a week with huge media build-up and her relatives brought in to watch. That was a tall order.

Unlike Mirai, our babbling as disappointed fans on Internet forums is not as publicly scrutinized and raked over the coals.

 

[kwanfan1818]

Also why would DWTS want Mirai.

Her 3A in the TE was all over the news. So even if people don't know her name or think she's Michelle Kwan, she's still the triple axel girl. Not to mention, reality TV runs with emotional and unguarded people.