U.S. Ladies [#29]: Skating with Adjusted Vision

[Vagabond]

It's time to set our sight toward 2021 and put the last thread title out of its misery.

((((2020))))

Will there even be any competitions open to any U.S. Ladies this year? Or this season, for that matter?

Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[Sylvia]

Copying over relevant posts from the earlier thread to this one...

There are currently 29 ladies listed in USFS' ISP (Nationals/Sectionals placements/team envelope skaters are noted):

The International Selection Pool (ISP) includes junior- and senior-level athletes and teams who meet criteria approved by the U.S. Figure Skating International Committee. These athletes and teams are eligible to be considered for assignment to international competitions.

Alysa Liu S1 (Team A)
Mariah Bell S2 (Team B)
Bradie Tennell S3 (Team A)
Karen Chen S4 (Team B)
Amber Glenn S5 (Team B)
Starr Andrews S6 (Team B)
Sierra Venetta S7 (Team C)
Courtney Hicks S8 (Team C)
Gabriella Izzo S9 (Team C)
Rena Ikenishi S10
Maxine Marie Bautista S11
Gracie Gold S12
Emily Zhang S13
Paige Rydberg S14
Sarah Jung S15
Caitlin Ha S17
Ting Cui S-wd (Team C)
Hanna Harrell S-wd (Team C)
Julia Biechler E-S5
Audrey Shin E-S6
Lindsay Thorngren J1 (Team C)
Isabeau Levito E-N1/J2 (Team C)
Calista Choi J3 (Team C)
Isabelle Inthisone J4 (Team D)
Kate Wang J5 (Team D)
Tamnhi Huynh M-N2/J6 (Team D)
Elsa Cheng M-N1/J7 (Team D)
Hannah Herrera J15 (Team D)
Alena Budko (scored 159.66 in winning NWP Regional Junior Ladies)

Team D envelope (not in ISP but likely in the Athlete High Performance Development Pool):
Hazel Collier E-N2/J16
Michelle Lee P-N1/J18

There are published criteria re. qualifying for team envelope funding - link is posted in this thread: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...opes-international-selection-pool-isp.107349/

 

[Sylvia]

Before the rinks shut down in March, Amber Glenn worked with Misha Ge on a new FS - short clip of them skating together in Dallas: https://www.instagram.com/p/B9pWYcmppW0/
"Rain in Your Black Eyes" (Music custom remake of Ezio Bosso's original with opera vocals and orchestra by Misha Ge): https://www.instagram.com/p/B9sU2PsplFg/
Amber is keeping her "Scars" SP, IIRC.

Starr Andrews announced her SP music/theme in May: https://www.instagram.com/p/CAhDaXFJkUH/

... I will be portraying the role of not one, but two independent women superheroes for my short program this year: Black Canary and Harley Quinn. I’m skating to “It’s a Man’s Man’s World” and “Joke’s on You” from the movie, Birds of Prey.

@Wyliefan posted in March (based on her IG stories) that "Hanna Harrell is keeping both programs next season."
SP: Carmen's Story performed by Edith Piaf / Tanguera
FS: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini by Sergei Rachmaninov
Choreographer: Misha Ge

Natalia Linichuk's Instagram post last month ("Continue to prepare for the season with amazingly talented, creative hard worker Ting Cui."): https://www.instagram.com/p/CB3sSoNBAjF/

Natalia posted, on Instagram, training videos of Ting Cui jumping and spinning.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCbo7x5plbY/?igshid=1tgodvms9lxqn

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCZDdXjp3sq/?igshid=oj6fvmqmzhf9

Natalia Linichuk shared a short clip last week of Emily Zhang skating to The Cinematic Orchestra's "To Build A Home": https://www.instagram.com/p/CCS5QFcpNHx/

 

[Sylvia]

Karen Chen, Starr Andrews & Pooja Kalyan are 3 U.S. ladies who have appeared in USFS' promo videos for the 2020 virtual edition of the Peggy Fleming Trophy artistic competition: https://www.instagram.com/p/CCUTPE2AJ6O/ & https://www.instagram.com/p/CCb_NXYAy-l/

The comp. will be streamed via USFS' Fan Zone platform on Friday, July 17‬, starting at 7 pm Eastern time.

ETA:

Will there even be any competitions open to any U.S. Ladies this year?

USFS is supposed to give an update on the status of their qualifying competition season by July 15th.

 

[Sylvia]

Feature story on Pooja Kalyan via the Untold Stories Foundation ("Uncover Your Narrative to Amplify Your Voice"):

An Arctic Skate

www.untoldstoriesfoundation.com

Excerpt:

Most competitive figure skaters move to online or homeschooling at an early age, however, Pooja took an unorthodox route and didn’t switch to online school until her junior year of high school. Her academic aspirations have always been rooted in her dad’s ideology that “figure skating is temporary, but your education will be with you forever…” While most Asian households discourage the pursuit of the arts, Pooja’s parents have always encouraged her to pursue her passion, contingent on continuing her academics. She’s found difficulty in balancing skating and school but has realized compartmentalizing during practice and competition is the only way to balance both areas in her life. Pooja hopes to explore the fields of medicine going forward but has also piqued an interest in entrepreneurship after an innovation competition in 8th grade. While most skaters find it difficult to pursue excellence in both areas, Pooja has been able to find time to contribute to the academic and athletic sides of her life equally and will be applying to universities this fall.

Accompanying IGTV video (2 mins.): https://www.instagram.com/tv/CCmc5PxhVoS/

ETA:

I've posted the starting order for the Peggy Fleming Trophy virtual competition this Friday here: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...21-skating-season.107193/page-21#post-5834077

 

[Sylvia]

Sarah Jung (15th in her senior debut at 2020 Nationals & 2019 Junior pewter medalist) apparently is based in Colorado Springs now - she is in this group photo on World Arena ice, presumably taken for Karen Chen's new "We Wear Masks" campaign: https://www.instagram.com/p/CCpJZadJkLm/
L to R: Camden, Karen, Audrey Shin, Young You (KOR), Yi Christy Leung (HKG), Sarah, Andrew, Vincent, Tomoki.

 

[Sylvia]

Amber shared this 3A practice clip today! https://twitter.com/AmberGlenn_/status/1283451397183344640
(in response to why she had withdrawn from PFT)

Also shared by Amber on her IG (filmed from the boards and includes her reaction afterwards): https://www.instagram.com/p/CCq7qPxAbJm/
"07/10/2020 [July 10]
My first time ever Landing a clean triple axel on one foot. Quarantine really gave me time to think and evaluate my goals for my skating career. ..."

 

[Wyliefan]

Nicely done!

 

[natsulian]

Amber’s coaches recently posted her 3A+2T on their Instagram story. Check it out!

Login • Instagram

Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.

instagram.com

Congratulations to Amber for landing a clean 3A in practice! For many athletes quarantine has given them time to rewind, take a deep breath, and really think about what they want and it seems Amber has found new maturity and resolve to be the very best that SHE can be. That is an amazing discovery that not many find at such a young age or even during their lifetime so kudos to Amber. Here’s to a spectacular and groundbreaking season where she puts it together time and time again.

 

[Sylvia]

Today's episode of (former figure skater) Emily Elizabeth Duong's "What Fulfills You?" Podcast features Polina Edmunds: https://www.instagram.com/p/CCq4YF6pcNB/
Listen here (Polina is introduced starting at the 6 min. mark):

Polina Edmunds - The Best of Both Worlds as an Olympian, Team USA Athlete, and College Student

Episode · What Fulfills You? · "Never look at anyone else. You focus on just yourself. That's going to be the most important thing for success." Polina Edmunds is a Team USA Figure Skater and was the youngest member of the team at the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia (at the age of 15) and...

open.spotify.com

"Never look at anyone else. You focus on just yourself. That's going to be the most important thing for success."
Polina Edmunds is a Team USA Figure Skater and was the youngest member of the team at the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia (at the age of 15) and had a top 10 finish, also at the 2014 World Championships. She is also a 2x U.S. National Silver Medalist ('14 and '16).
She went on to pursue college at Santa Clara University and graduated in May 2020 with a B.A. in Communications and minor in Business, where she hopes to pursue a career in Sports Broadcast Media.

ETA:

Polina comes across as very mature, confident, and well-spoken. [Starting around 43:00 re. her future plans, summarizing] Right now, she is interested in trying sportscasting, marketing, PR. She will continue skating and would like to do shows and maybe conduct seminars. If the p*ndemic had not happened, she says she likely would have been in full competitive training mode right now, and so it feels strange to her that she's leaving that part of herself behind. She's very happy and satisfied with what she was able to accomplish in her skating career and, knowing that, she feels very content to move forward with her life.

ETA a direct quote from Polina:
"There are doors that are opening and I want to take them, and I don't want to keep waiting because of training anymore... and me coming to terms with the fact that I am satisfied, is a big relief as well... knowing that I can move forward and not feel guilty or sad about it, really... so I'm feeling good!" (she laughs)

Also available via Apple Podcasts: https://twitter.com/PolinaEdmunds/status/1283879470823174145

 

[Orm Irian]

Amber shared this 3A practice clip today! https://twitter.com/AmberGlenn_/status/1283451397183344640
(in response to why she had withdrawn from PFT)

Also shared by Amber on her IG (filmed from the boards and includes her reaction afterwards): https://www.instagram.com/p/CCq7qPxAbJm/
"07/10/2020 [July 10]
My first time ever Landing a clean triple axel on one foot. Quarantine really gave me time to think and evaluate my goals for my skating career. ..."

In recognition of Ms Glenn's achievement and her unique rationale for withdrawing from the Peggy Fleming Trophy, I hereby propose that the time-honoured event-dodger's excuse of 'I have to wash my hair' be replaced with 'I have to work on my triple axel' throughout the figure skating community.

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

In recognition of Ms Glenn's achievement and her unique rationale for withdrawing from the Peggy Fleming Trophy, I hereby propose that the time-honoured event-dodger's excuse of 'I have to wash my hair' be replaced with 'I have to work on my triple axel' throughout the figure skating community.

Sponsored by Pantene. It won't happen over night, but it will happen.

 

[Sylvia]

Karen Chen revealed her Peggy Fleming Trophy program -- "an expanded version of a short program to Katy Perry’s version of “Rise” that Drew Meekins had choreographed for her to use this season" -- in Hersh's article today, linked here: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...21-skating-season.107193/page-21#post-5834807

ETA:

Starr Andrews posted on her Insta that Mickey Guyton "singing this beautiful and heartfelt song (Black Like Me)... inspired me so much, that I decided to skate to it at the Peggy Fleming Trophy" (includes a clip of Starr singing the song): https://www.instagram.com/p/CCt18GRJdgb/

 

[Maximillian]

Sponsored by Pantene. It won't happen over night, but it will happen.

Don't hate me because I'm beautiful.

 

[Sylvia]

Figure Skaters Online's interview with Mariah Bell as her official website is launched: https://figureskatersonline.com/new...so-much-more-i-want-to-do-beyond-this-season/

 

[Sylvia]

Ting Cui just shared this clip: https://www.instagram.com/p/CC9iU2EJijr/

a little peek of my new SP

Choreo: @colinjamesmcmanus
: “This Bitter Earth” by Dinah Washington & Max Richter

 

[aml78]

Does anyone know if Gracie is back to training? I feel like the loss of momentum and competitive opportunities could really impact her comeback.

 

[Sylvia]

Nick McCarvel tweeted a few days ago that he spoke to Gracie and Mariah for separate, upcoming Olympic Channel stories: https://twitter.com/NickMcCarvel/status/1285730872663080962

 

[Sylvia]

Jordan Cowan's 4K video of Starr Andrews' performance to "Black Like Me" by Mickey Guyton is embedded in this article:

Renowned Figure Skater Starr Andrews Brings Mickey Guyton's ‘Black Like Me’ To Life

Mickey Guyton's "Black Like Me" is brought to life through a moving sequence, performed by American figure skater Starr Andrews.

www.soundslikenashville.com

 

[Sylvia]

Audrey Shin performed her new Senior SP in a Vail, Colorado exhibition to "The Giving" by Michael W. Smith, choreographed by Drew Meekins (she also skated to a longer version of this music for the Peggy Fleming Trophy virtual comp.):
Part 1 (3Lz+3T, 2A): https://twitter.com/AudreyShin4/status/1290029145464819713
Part 2 (3Lo): https://twitter.com/AudreyShin4/status/1290034614132596736

Dobson Arena hosted Vail Skating Festival’s Summer Training Experience this pat weekend with Christy Krall, Tammy Gambill, Damon Allen, Eddie Shipstad and Drew Meekins coaching and I've seen Instagram photos of Courtney Hicks, Sierra Venetta, Sarah Jung, Sonja Hilmer, Angelina Huang (plus HKG's Yi Christy Leung and HUN's Nikolett Albrechtovics), along with other U.S. ladies (will cross-post in U.S. Men's thread, too).

 

[Bellanca]

Does anyone know if Gracie is back to training? I feel like the loss of momentum and competitive opportunities could really impact her comeback.

At this time, everyone is behind the eight ball. If the season is disrupted or canceled altogether, then everyone will be impacted and find themselves on the comeback trail.

 

[Lacey]

Does anyone know if Gracie is back to training? I feel like the loss of momentum and competitive opportunities could really impact her comeback.

At this time, everyone is behind the eight ball. If the season is disrupted or canceled altogether, then everyone will be impacted and find themselves on the comeback trail.

I agree with the original poster, I wonder if there was a loss of momentum, didn't Gracie change coaching or training area right before Covid hit?

Not sure I understand the original answer, maybe someone has more specific information we would find interesting.

 

[Sylvia]

Does anyone know if Gracie is back to training?

Nick McCarvel tweeted a few days ago that he spoke to Gracie and Mariah for separate, upcoming Olympic Channel stories: https://twitter.com/NickMcCarvel/status/1285730872663080962

Since McCarvel's article focused on Gracie's involvement with The Weight of Gold documentary and not her current skating/training status, I posted the link to his Olympic Channel feature in Gracie's cheer thread: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/gracie-gold-cheer-thread.106404/#post-5839394

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

I don’t think this deserves it’s own thread but here’s a little tidbit of news on Sasha Cohen, some of which we already have known.

The Weight of Gold: What to Know About Sasha Cohen's Life and Career After the Olympics

Olympic figure skater Sasha Cohen now works as a disruptive change analyst for Morgan Stanley. She is engaged and welcomed her first child in January 2020.

www.popsugar.com

 

[concorde]

Does anyone know if Gracie is back to training? I feel like the loss of momentum and competitive opportunities could really impact her comeback.

Yes she is back training.

 

[natsulian]

US Figure Skating announces the Championship Series which will begin on November 10th and last for four weeks. The Championship Series will be replacing the traditional qualifying competitions. Best of luck to all athletes as they train and prepare during these trying times.

The announcement: https://www.usfigureskating.org/news/press-release/us-qualifying-season-update-as-of-august-6

 

[Sylvia]

^^^ There's now a separate thread for the discussion of USFS' Qualifying Season Plans: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/usfs-qualifying-season-plans.107464/

Bradie's big news, announced yesterday, also has its own thread in GSD (link): Tennell announces coaching change to Zakrajsek

 

[Sylvia]

Cross-posting from Mariah Bell's fan thread... New article by Nick McCarvel in which Mariah's program music is revealed (scroll down to read the transcribed interview):

Exclusive! Mariah Bell looks ahead: 'I want to push my boundaries'

American figure skater Mariah Bell, 24, is just getting started

www.olympicchannel.com

Excerpts:

...this season Rippon has choreographed her short to “Glitter in the Air” by pop artist Pink.
And for the free skate? Bell’s other choreographer, Shae-Lynn Bourne, has laid out a fan favourite for her: ABBA.
“I've done some slower (programs) the last few seasons, and it was kind of like… as much as I would love to do something like that again, I need to push myself out of my boundaries a little bit,” she explains. “I'm super excited about it. I've got ‘Dancing Queen’ in there, and then I also have a slower part with ‘The Winner Takes it All.’”
“It's just something different. … I feel like these two programs have the potential, again, to be so special for me.”

OC: This is a strange time right now. What are you trying to focus on in your skating? Maintaining certain things… adding other things?
Bell: There's this awesome opportunity right now (with few) competitions on the horizon, so it's the perfect time to work on new elements. I am working on some new elements and working on new combos, including different spins and trying to use the time well. And obviously triple Axel, which has always been something that I believe that I can do. We spent a little bit of time on that last season, but it was kind of hard because of all the competitions.

I am trying different things; I think the sky is the limit. I believe that I can do so much more. And I think I'm just getting started. You know? I am often asked about my age. Twenty-four? That used to be ancient in skating. (But) I feel so young because I feel like I have so much to learn still. I think that keeps my spirit young… that’s what Rafael tells me. We have so much more that we can do. We’ll see. I'll see what happens.

I think it's actually a really special opportunity for skaters to have this time to work on these other things and maybe when conditions come back (it will be) even more interesting. Maybe everybody will be completely different. It kind of makes it more interesting.

Video montage that includes both audio & video from her interview with McCarvel: https://www.olympicchannel.com/en/s...ter-mariah-bell-i-want-to-push-my-boundaries/

 

[Sylvia]

Before the rinks shut down in March, Amber Glenn worked with Misha Ge on a new FS - short clip of them skating together in Dallas: https://www.instagram.com/p/B9pWYcmppW0/
"Rain in Your Black Eyes" (Music custom remake of Ezio Bosso's original with opera vocals and orchestra by Misha Ge): https://www.instagram.com/p/B9sU2PsplFg/
Amber is keeping her "Scars" SP

4 practice clips shared by Amber Glenn from her SP (3A) and new FS (3F+3T, 3Lz & her trademark deeply arched Ina Bauer): https://www.instagram.com/p/CEMUk8yAkmy/

 

[Sylvia]

Natalia Linichuk shared a short clip last week [July 6] of Emily Zhang skating to The Cinematic Orchestra's "To Build A Home": https://www.instagram.com/p/CCS5QFcpNHx/

Linichuk later confirmed that Mathew Gates choreographed Emily's Senior FS: https://www.instagram.com/p/CDPel5jpMDL/