U.S. Men in 2017 - articles & latest news

[VGThuy]

And look at it this way, when we sent Adam, Max, and Grant to 2016 Worlds, all three of them managed to place in the top ten, so IMO, there is depth in the U.S. men right now. Add Nathan, Jason, and even a hot/cold Vincent, we have a strong team. Then we can look at the junior international field and things don't look dire for U.S. men.

 

[Mrs. P]

U.S. Ladies would certainty kill to have someone even be in Jason's position at this point. Five U.S. men in top 12 SB vs. 1 lady in top 12... at No. 12.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

https://mobile.twitter.com/rockerskating/status/936574519170486272

I think this is a wise decision by Jin as being ready for the Olympics is a lot more important than appearing in the GPF. I wish Jin (and all the injured skaters) a complete and quick recovery.

That being said, three US men at the junior and senior levels at the GPF! The depth of the US men has been so impressive this year. This is a great opportunity for Jason to show his performances at NHK we’re just one bad competition. Two more strong performances here could really strengthen Jason’s bid for the Olympic team ahead of nationals.

i know... 3 USA men and 3 USA dance... its pairs and somewhat ladies where theres crickets.

But that being said USA is very competitive as a whole! Collectively USA holds 25% of the entries for GPF!

 

[skatfan]

i know... 3 USA men and 3 USA dance... its pairs and somewhat ladies where theres crickets.

But that being said USA is very competitive as a whole! Collectively USA holds 25% of the entries for GPF!

Russia has the same with Med's withdrawal, right? 2 Ladies, 2 men, 2 pairs, for 6 entries.
Japan has 2 ladies, 1 man, 3 entries,
For me, the big shock is that Canada has so few: 1 lady, 1 pair and 1 dance.

 

[skatingguy]

For me, the big shock is that Canada has so few: 1 lady, 1 pair and 1 dance.

That's only one less than last year. I think if you go back, 3 or 4 entries at the GPF is about as good as we do.

 

[misskarne]

I'm so pleased for Jason that he gets to go to the GPF and skate in front of his favourite crowd again! I hope he really kicks all of the ass there!






...it's over, isn't it? Max is never going to be an Olympian.

 

[VGThuy]

I'm so pleased for Jason that he gets to go to the GPF and skate in front of his favourite crowd again! I hope he really kicks all of the ass there!






...it's over, isn't it? Max is never going to be an Olympian.

Never say never! We don't know how awesome Max will skate at Nationals and how the competition will come down.

 

[misskarne]

Never say never! We don't know how awesome Max will skate at Nationals and how the competition will come down.

I know he can skate awesome at Nationals. But I don't trust the Nationals judging as far as I could throw it, and then there's the tech panel issue. And now the USFS has all the justification they need to overrule him anyway.

Dear Max, please just have the skate of your life at Nationals, and then I can at least have that pleasure of seeing that one last time.

 

[insideedgeua]

Look, I know you’re Max’s biggest fan. I also would prefer to see him on the Olympic Team over Jason, but if it doesn’t happen, it’s not the end of the world. It might seem like it for a while, but it’s not.

Thousands upon thousands of children take up skating as a sport and only the smallest fraction of those will ever compete internationally, let alone at the level Max has.

People in these forums and incredibly hard on skaters, expecting each and every one of their favorites to be on the top of the podium every time. To not be on the podium with multiple quads is a failure in their eyes. This just isn’t true.

IF Max doesn’t get to the Olympics, and I do mean IF, and if he decides he’s had enough of competing, then he is still going out as a success.

He’s taken a sport that he loved, turned it into passion and determination and gone all over the world. He’s worked hard, faced challenges head on, made friends and fans all over the world, he’s a huge success.

This goes for Max and many others in a similar spot, perhaps Grant, Ross and Sean too. Not just them, any skaters that reach their level. People are hard on them here, but what they’ve done in their sport, well, I only see success. Hopefully they will come to look back on their journey that way too. They gave it their all and if they go out without having been to the Olympics, they’re still incredibly successful athletes and people.

 

[olympic]

I'm so pleased for Jason that he gets to go to the GPF and skate in front of his favourite crowd again! I hope he really kicks all of the ass there!






...it's over, isn't it? Max is never going to be an Olympian.

Never say never. I still believe that Max with (1) a PB of 261 at USIC, (2) a GP medal that contained a PB for him in the LP, and (3) 1st place in the LP at CoC, can get to the Olympics IF he skates convincingly and beats Adam or Jason. That is possible if he nails the quads and skates w/ passion. ETA - I will admit that he has no room for mistakes. He needs to convince the USFSA.

 

[pinky166]

If Max is 2nd or 3rd at Nationals I still think he’ll make the team. He has 2 fairly consistent quads and no UR issues going for him compared to Adam and Jason. At this point I don’t see the body of work thing bumping people off teams in men’s or ladies.

 

[jlai]

This is a fairly weak gp season with quite a few of the Olympic medal contenders not in the final. Given that I don't know how much weight just making the final is. It is still a big deal but perhaps not as big deal as it should have been

 

[olympic]

If Max is 2nd or 3rd at Nationals I still think he’ll make the team. He has 2 fairly consistent quads and no UR issues going for him compared to Adam and Jason. At this point I don’t see the body of work thing bumping people off teams in men’s or ladies.

I think Max controls his own destiny in that respect - Top 3 at Nationals will mean a trip to Pyeongchang (unless Nathan is off the podium for some bizarre reason). OTOH, Vincent controls nothing due to his GP season. IMO, the men that control their own destiny w/ a top 3 finish are Jason, Adam and Max, or top 2 finishes if Nathan has an insanely bad competition: The best 2 out of 3 for Jason, Adam and Max. Odd man out loses. Nathan is beyond having to secure a spot w/ his Nationals performances. He could finish off the podium at Nationals (which is highly unlikely) and still be sent to the Olympics barring a significant injury.

Grant, Ross, Tim, Vincent, Alexei and Alex are probably looking at a fight for 4CC spots w/ Vincent at least a clear favorite in that group. As I mentioned in an earlier post, Grant seems to get better by the 3rd phase of the season (Nationals, 4CCs, Olympics/Worlds) and I can see him getting a trip to 4CCs which likely will be his farewell performance. Alexei looks strong to me and I can also see a trip to 4CCs (unless he goes to Jr. Worlds and the USFSA spreads the wealth??). Tim is on a plateau. His performances at Sectionals were ... OK. Nothing spectacular. JW was correct in his assessment last season that Tim has plateaued. The USFSA may be interested in furthering the careers of other US men showing more spunk at this point. IMO, the biggest under-performer is Ross. He has the skills that Jason and Adam have, is no more / no less capable of a quad than those two and has speed, choreography and big jumps from the 3A down, but he is well behind and even struggling to keep up w/ the 2nd tier at this moment. He may not make it past Nationals TBH. He may be contemplating retirement, too. Finally, Alex J. can be really good or really bad. IDK what to expect from him at all - Anything from a 4CC assignment to a disastrous Nationals. He is the biggest mystery for me.

More clarification after the GPF next weekend (can't wait!) and Golden Spin (for Alex J.)

ETA - Man, would I love to have seen a healthy Josh Farris in this mix. That would guarantee the US would have the best men's Nationals competition of any country this season. FTR, I think we already have that title IMO

 

[StitchMonkey]

You know if Adam makes it to this Olympics, it should be seen as a sign that by taking care of your body, 2022 is still realistic for Skaters in the early to mid 20s age range. I don't think 2022 is that unrealistic for Max if he wants to continue. This should not be viewed as the end for him.

And who knows what will happen between now and US Nationals... Max still has a chance, I think his chance is stronger than Vincent's, but sadly yes, three guys in the GPF makes it hard for him, especially if they do well. I am sad for him. Really at this point I just want all our guys healthy at Nationals.

 

[Tahuu]

If Max or Vincent place top 3 at nationals, they can still make the Olympic team.

Things going for Max: 1) he is 3rd US men on SB ranking; 2) he earned a medal on GP this season; 3) he has added a 4T this season and if he lands 2 quads short and 3 quads long, he can beat quadless Adam and Jason.

Things going for Vincent: 1) he has multiple quads; 2) he is the future. If he again places 2nd at nationals, he’ll be on the team.

 

[SkateFanBerlin]

I don't think 2022 is that unrealistic for Max if he wants to continue. This should not be viewed as the end for him.

If Max would skate clean he would have a chance; he's not done it often. He's talked in interviews about "making memories" this season. His family has been at his competitions. I read that he plans this to be his last season. He has improved a lot. His quads are there but not consistent in competition. How much more could he develop ? Adam, even though quad-less, loves to perform and likes the artistic side of things. Plus he's become a stark competitor. This has lengthened his career - despite Phil Hersch.

 

[olympic]

^Sad to hear this would be Max's last season . I know Grant also announced his intention to retire, and I think Ross, Alex J., Adam and even Tim may retire by the end of the season. Does anyone know what the retirement scenario is post-Olympics?

 

[skatesindreams]

There seem to be increasingly fewer performance opportunities available; unless you are fortunate enough to be invited overseas.
The "Post-Olympic tours" are certainly not as lucrative, or long as they once were.

 

[Sylvia]

Does anyone know what the retirement scenario is post-Olympics?

AFAIK, only Grant has stated publicly that this is his final season.

 

[Cleo1782]

I believe Ross stated in an IN? article this was he last season as well...

 

[Spun Silver]

I know I heard on the Olympic channel that SA was his last GP.

 

[centerpt1]

Let's face it-Jason is the favored one when it comes to US Nationals. Despite all his hard work and athleticism, I'm afraid Max is out unless he's gold at Nationals.

I'd love to see Max on the Olympic team, but Jason heading to the GPF (albeit as an alternate) seems to seal the deal.

I'd much rather watch Max. Just a personal preference.

 

[jlai]

Perhaps we should wait till gpf is over before saying so and so is doomed?

 

[Xela M]

Perhaps we should wait till gpf is over before saying so and so is doomed?

Exactly. What if Jason bombs at the GPF? Or if he bombs at Nationals?

Why all the doom and gloom from crazy Max fans?

 

[Willin]

I just don't get all this stuff from Max fans about USFS having some grand conspiracy against him. USFS loves Max and they do him a lot of favors scoring wise. He practices at the rink/facility closest to their HQ. His coach is one of the most politically connected USFS coaches (as opposed to Kori, who does not appear to be as politically connected). Max and Jason are virtually tied in scoring and resume at this point (we'll see what happens with Jason's scores at the GPF), and Nationals probably determines a spot on the team for both. Not to mention, whichever of the two isn't chosen will almost certainly be the alternate.

As for those saying Vincent still has a chance because he has quads, I have no idea what they're thinking. I think he has a slim chance if everyone else at Nationals bombs, but I'm sure USFS is well aware of his messy Grand Prix/Senior B skates this fall and the fact that he doesn't really have consistent and clean quads, just UR'd ones without the PCS/quality on the other elements to make up for it like Adam and Jason have.

 

[skatfan]

As for those saying Vincent still has a chance because he has quads, I have no idea what they're thinking. I think he has a slim chance if everyone else at Nationals bombs, but I'm sure USFS is well aware of his messy Grand Prix/Senior B skates this fall and the fact that he doesn't really have consistent and clean quads, just UR'd ones without the PCS/quality on the other elements to make up for it like Adam and Jason have.

Vincent has had a rocky entry into Seniors (unlike Nathan), and finished behind Max in two competitions, and otherwise not distinguished himself. I see him a possibility for 4CCs, but honestly, I don't see why he should go to Korea over other skaters who've outplaced and out skated him this fall.

 

[Lizziebeth]

Let's face it-Jason is the favored one when it comes to US Nationals. Despite all his hard work and athleticism, I'm afraid Max is out unless he's gold at Nationals.

I'd love to see Max on the Olympic team, but Jason heading to the GPF (albeit as an alternate) seems to seal the deal.

I'd much rather watch Max. Just a personal preference.

I enjoy both Max and Jason. They are such different skaters - there is room for both.
I also think Vincent is not ready for the Olympics - but I bet he is ready next time. I think Adam, Max and Jason will battle it out for the two spots not being used by Nathan!

 

[Dobre]

Vincent defeated Adam head-to-head in competition this season. And Fernandez.

In the world I live in, that means you're in the game. We are going to have to wait & see how the season plays out. Pretending people aren't in the game at this stage is folly. And pretending that early season results are more significant than end-of-season results is likewise folly. If Vincent/Max/Jason/Adam are not ready for the pressure-packed scenario of the Olympic Games, then it will very likely show up in their Nationals performances. I'm optimistic, actually. Think we've seen some pretty great skates from all of these guys at some point this season.

 

[jlai]

Before you count out Zhou, remember he also had a good first jgp, mediocre second jgp, mediocre senior B where he pulled out midway if memory serves, then came back roaring at nationals and then repeated his success in jr world. I don't know if USFS will send him, but I don't discount the possibility of him rocking as in really rocking, at nationals.

 

[Impromptu]

Before you count out Zhou, remember he also had a good first jgp, mediocre second jgp, mediocre senior B where he pulled out midway if memory serves, then came back roaring at nationals and then repeated his success in jr world. I don't know if USFS will send him, but I don't discount the possibility of him rocking as in really rocking, at nationals.

If you are talking about last season, he was 2nd and 3rd at his JGP events - that's not mediocre (especially in fields that had over 20 competitors).