U.S. Women [#4]: How Dare You

[TanithandBenFan]

Always needing to be the contrarian, I don't love Starr's short program. The music's fine (and fun) but choices like clasping her hands on her head to emphasize words like "unicorn" in the lyrics had me and not in appreciative way. A "Drag 101" derivative isn't exactly compelling choreography to me. (Sorry, @AngieNikodinovLove).

Also a quick note to because I see Ting Cui had to withdraw from her comp this weekend because she got Covid AGAIN. This poor girl has the worst luck.

I’ll join you in the contrarian side as I thought the choreography was too similar to other programs that Adam has done for himself and others.

 

[Maximillian]

I’ll join you in the contrarian side as I thought the choreography was too similar to other programs that Adam has done for himself and others.

Wait, did Adam chroegraph this? I must have got confused on the thread because I thought I read that Derrick did. I mean it literally looks like every program Adam skated himself, late career, but I didn't think he choreographed it. Still, I don't hate it as much as the emo ballads that have become all the rage, but I would (ironically) call this program far from unique. In fact I shudder to think that the only program options for U.S. females these days seem to be emo "conquering my demons, but really not because I still fall all the time" ballads or...well...this...but I'm an old, so...

 

[Wyliefan]

It brings out her fun and confident side and she looks like she's having a blast. In bigger arenas, if she skates it this well, it's going to bring the house down.

 

[bladesofgorey]

Yeah, the program might be very "Adam" but she makes it her own.

 

[Willin]

I'd much rather see a Beyonce program with Adam choreo than POTO/Bolero/Carmen/Swan Lake/Moulin Rouge/Scheherazade number 1000.

Is the choreography slightly repetitive? Maybe. But at least the music, concept, and costume aren't something we've seen a million times before.

 

[skatingguy]

I'd much rather see a Beyonce program with Adam choreo than POTO/Bolero/Carmen/Swan Lake/Moulin Rouge/Scheherazade number 1000..

Who's doing the program with all those music pieces? I kind of want to see that train wreck.

 

[Willin]

@skatingguy Apparently an adult skater did a Top 10 warhorses program at adult Nationals one year as a joke.

But someone doing it seriously? Probably a Russian skater. They love warhorses.

 

[kwanfan1818]

I remember where I first started watching figure skating on Wide World of Sports. Many of those programs were like a classical music station on shuffle.

 

[Maximillian]

I remember where I first started watching figure skating on Wide World of Sports. Many of those programs were like a classical music station on shuffle.

I'm not cool (I'm posting on a FS message board for starters), so I'm totally okay with liking programs to "warhorses" as if somehow music's ability to stand the test of time is a bad thing. Because as it turns out after 20 years of programs with vocals allowed, classical music shuffle is okay in my book.

 

[mtnskater]

I love a well done classical music program…with the emphasis on well done, when the music is right for the skater and they can effectively express it. We see many poorly done classical programs where the music is all wrong for the skater.

I also think Starr’s program is very innovative for her. She has not done anything like this before. And the lyrics are what really got my attention and caused me to say it was gutsy for her. The best program I’ve seen from Adam in this genre. And Starr can do it justice. The club number he did for Mariah really didn’t work IMHO. But Adam and Starr appear to be a great collaboration.

 

[On My Own]

The best program I’ve seen from Adam in this genre.

Agree!

 

[Frau Muller]

Looking forward to seeing Starr in Sr GP competition - wins at SkCanada and Espoo! This should be her Big-Wins year.

 

[Private Citizen]

Maybe Starr's motivations for competing aren't winning medals or getting on the world team, but it's hard to see how she's going to be competitive with only toe, sal, loop, and a still-inconsistent flip. She had two misses on the flip and no lutz attempt in the free at King's Cup, where she lost to Hannah Herrera in the free and Audrey Shin in the free and overall. Her flutz was so bad (nearly Caroline Zhang levels) that I'm not surprised that they pulled it out of the program, presumably to rework it, but it has been MIA for several seasons now, no?

 

[tony]

. Her flutz was so bad (nearly Caroline Zhang levels) that I'm not surprised that they pulled it out of the program, presumably to rework it, but it has been MIA for several seasons now, no?

She hasn’t tried a Lutz since 2019, I’m pretty sure.

 

[Frau Muller]

Maybe Starr's motivations for competing aren't winning medals or getting on the world team, but it's hard to see how she's going to be competitive with only toe, sal, loop, and a still-inconsistent flip. She had two misses on the flip and no lutz attempt in the free at King's Cup, where she lost to Hannah Herrera in the free and Audrey Shin in the free and overall. Her flutz was so bad (nearly Caroline Zhang levels) that I'm not surprised that they pulled it out of the program, presumably to rework it, but it has been MIA for several seasons now, no?

So…Starr has to aim to be “Spokesperson of Interest”? Why bother? I like to aim high for my faves. Maybe PCS could make up for the lutz?

 

[Sylvia]

@Frau Muller you replied to me in September 2022 (when I asked you why you liked Starr's skating) by saying she "is gutsy, charming, musical!" Maybe you should continue to enjoy her talents in that area rather than fixate on her results? That's what I do.

 

[Frau Muller]

@Frau Muller you replied to me in September 2022 (when I asked you why you liked Starr's skating) by saying she "is gutsy, charming, musical!" Maybe you should keep enjoying her talents in that area rather than fixate on her results?

Results are kinda important to NBC, media, average US public…not Spokesperson of the Year.

As a woman of color, I’m tired of THE TOKEN THING! Go for the medals!

 

[Allskate]

I like to aim high for my faves. Maybe PCS could make up for the lutz?

Um, no. One of the weaknesses in that program is that she doesn't seem to move with the speed, quickness, and command that would make the program work better. I hope that will improve over the course of the season, but it's not like she's clearly demonstrating much superior skating skills and presentation and composition with her skates compared to the American women who are likely to have higher technical scores than her (and not just because of the lutz). If she loves skating, loves this program, and skating to a program she loves is a major goal, then it probably makes sense for her to go with it. IMO, one of the best things about this program is that she clearly loves it. To me, part of what makes Starr so appealing is that she really seems to care about the creation of her programs and not just the results. Her experience at Skate Canada last year might have given her more hope for success, but I doubt she thinks that she is likely to make the team for Worlds.

 

[SorrySkater]

Yeah, the program might be very "Adam" but she makes it her own.

Agree. I really liked the Britney Spears short he choreographed for Mariah Bell in the 2019-2020 season (the infamous “Work, B*tch” program) and think Star’s program is somewhat reminiscent of that one. It’s light and fun.

 

[skatfan]

Results are kinda important to NBC, media, average US public…not Spokesperson of the Year.

As a woman of color, I’m tired of THE TOKEN THING! Go for the medals!

Starr is unlikely to get the tech content at this point to compete for World medals. She can get an occasional GP Medal and create a brand that might let her skate professionally. Those are worthy goals.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Talk about another really good USA ladies short program…

Ting CUI USA SP 2023 Kings Cup International

28.79 + 26.93 = 55.72https://www.skatingscores.com/2324/kngcup/sr/women/i/short/usa/ting_cui/

www.youtube.com

 

[Sylvia]

ANL, I also posted the link upthread in response to this:

Also a quick note to because I see Ting Cui had to withdraw from her comp [FS at Kings Cup International] this weekend because she got Covid AGAIN. This poor girl has the worst luck.

On the bright side, Ting skated a good SP - here's a copy made from the livestream: ...

Wishing Ting all the best for a quick & full recovery so she can prepare as best she can for the Eastern Sectional Singles Final.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

ANL, I also posted the link upthread in response to this:

lol between watching Simone and Shilese and Sanne on the beam and 4 figure skating championships this weekend, ANL is exhausted

oh, and the uneven bars individual was on repeat on my TV As well. Lol

 

[Sylvia]

July 20:

... Kate Wang's names were removed from the ISP in late June.

I hope Kate is ok.

She's fine - [Kate] graduated from her public high school in San Francisco in late May ... and will begin her studies in marine biology at UC Santa Cruz this fall.

On another note, I’m going to miss seeing Kate Wang develop as a skater if she is done.

Kate Wang's post + 4-minute retrospective video earlier today: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyLghunLEli/

This video encapsulates my 14 years in figure skating (7 of them competitively). Although I am holding off on competing while I am in college, I will always remember what I’ve learned, gained, and experienced in this sport. I’ve had my best and worst days on the ice, which has also been a place of inspiration and community. Thank you to everyone who has ever been involved in my journey - this is not the end!
Moments featured:
First axel
First ice show
First sectionals
First JGP
YOGs

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

I still can’t believe we haven’t seen anything from Amber. I hope she’s recovered from her concussion and we see her in a week and a half.

calculating the world standings I have her skating first in the second group for the short program

Loena last, Isabeau second to last

 

[Frau Muller]

Starr is unlikely to get the tech content at this point to compete for World medals. She can get an occasional GP Medal and create a brand that might let her skate professionally. Those are worthy goals.

I’m game for medals. I’d like to see Starr & Bradie on our 2024 Worlds team. Amber Glenn too, if it’s three spots (don’t recall).

I can’t get behind “Cobra on a log,” regardless of music! This is the year for the more mature women among US skaters.

 

[Frau Muller]

Is Bradie still “on” to skate at this week’s CS Budapest event? I’m hoping that she solidifies the programs that won her the Shanghai Trophy!

 

[Tosh]

So…Starr has to aim to be “Spokesperson of Interest”? Why bother? I like to aim high for my faves. Maybe PCS could make up for the lutz?

 

[Sylvia]

Is Bradie still “on” to skate at this week’s CS Budapest event?

Yes, as far as we know.

ETA:

Budapest will be Clare Seo’s 2nd CS event in 2 years. She improved her SP TES to 30.12 at Cranberry Cup International this past August; had 55.82 TES in her FS at CS IceChallenge in Graz last year (Worlds TES is 32/53).


I also hope Logan Higase-Chen has a positive Junior B comp. in Budapest this week, along with Cleo Park (Jr.) and Keira Hilbelink (her 2nd Adv. Novice international assignment) at Tayside Trophy in Dundee, Scotland.

 

[Tosh]

Saying Starr wants to be a spokesperson and not aim high is insulting. Skating has mostly cookie cutter skaters with repetitive programs. Once you have someone that brings a different genre to the sport folks want to immediately ostracize. Instead of appreciating the ability to diversify the sport spectators like to throw you under the bus! The lack of evolution is what has killed popularity in this sport in America. Most Olympic champions are never the ones you expect. It’s always the underdog, except for a few! Those ladies that have quads are usually short lived careers and not the ones standing on top of the podium. If they are Russian, they are more than likely doped which is why we are in this banned mess now!