- Joined
- Feb 9, 2009
I don't think we are seeing a dumping of Ashley to be honest. I we saw her marked appropriately for the first time in a long time. I enjoy Ashley's presence on the ice, her expression. This season went wrong for her for a couple of reasons. I think she should have done a new short. Hip Hip 2.0 didn't really have it this season. The program content, jumps removed wasn't really there. Ashley skates from the waist up not the skate up. It's 2 foot skating with upper body movement. Bradie was asked to ditch Cinderella at champs camp but didn't. This is where I think Ashley should have followed suit. Ashley does have a wonderful ability to grow a program (MR 16). I think the PCS could have been different here had she kept it. I think the jumps could have been smoother because it would have been more trained and comfortable. Another element that held her down was spins. Mirai, Karen, and Bradie all capitalized from +GOE and spin levels. With her small mistake in the short, the single Sal and UR lutz in the long, she couldn't afford to leave spin levels on the table, especially against Mirai and Karen who are have beautiful spins. Do I think it's under training- a little bit, but mostly I think age plays a factor as well. Figure skating is hard on the body at any age. It's probably harder at 26.
The death nail imo, was Skate America, her presser after withdraw, and the sudden switch back to La La Land. Had Ashley gritted out that long, I feel like she could have been fourth and it more than likely would have cemented her spot.
The death nail imo, was Skate America, her presser after withdraw, and the sudden switch back to La La Land. Had Ashley gritted out that long, I feel like she could have been fourth and it more than likely would have cemented her spot.