Ashley bowed out for the 5th year in a row, was it because of her last performance in Asia, where she was bested by 4 of the women competing here?
No. Ashley doesn't shy away from competition.
She's said in interviews that as she grew older, she found that losing training time for worlds and battling extra fatigue, jet lag, travel time all took more of a toll. That's why she has opted out of 4CC.
And I still think American fans should be riveted to see how their up and coming women line up when they are all together at a major ISU event, where there seems to be a different sense of placement than at US nationals. Karen, Mirai, Mariah: can one not say there is a battle and a story in that........?
I hear you skylark...but this is her 5th year in a row, doing so. Who ever thought being 20 (her first 4CC miss), would be considered as old? Especially for a late bloomer like Ashley, who did not hit her stride until her 20's.
wait.. i think it's andrew's i like which one went to ACI?
Seriously.....???
While I will grant that Korea does not have a star in this event, and Sakoto's absence may impact the Japanese media market, I find it boggling to think that this is a 'weak' ladies line-up.
Yes, this is the one event in which the absence of the Russians makes a huge difference given that Medvedeva and Pogorilaya are always podium prospects. But the chance to see how the women sort out minus the Russians is one of the real interest points of the event.
In any event, I'm counting my blessings that I'm in Canada and will be able to catch the CBC livestream [and replays].
Here's the CBC schedule for those not geo-blocked http://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/winter/figureskating/broadcast
I hear you skylark...but this is her 5th year in a row, doing so. Who ever thought being 20 (her first 4CC miss), would be considered as old? Especially for a late bloomer like Ashley, who did not hit her stride until her 20's.
I'm baffled by how most GS posters seem to dismiss Karen, Mariah and Mirai in their discussions. And I'm perplexed by how most around here, in general, go more by calculation and how the current results and placements will be manipulated to a particular conclusion.
I think there's plenty of room for skaters to have the skate of their life moment. It takes only one or two of those to scramble the predicted and predictable results. Actually, I'm betting that Karen will continue her momentum and come in here with confidence blazing. She said in IN article she worked with sports psychologists on the confidence issue. I think Mariah could show a momentum/happiness surge too.
As for Mirai, she historically does well at 4CC. It may be a good time in the season for her, but I also think the positive atmosphere and encouragement from Japanese fans is a great benefit to her. That's true of all skaters: Jason and many other skaters have mentioned it; but with that being Mirai's heritage culture, it's like the strength and support she's gotten from her parents all her life. So I'm excited about what the US ladies will show here.
:hap57:
I agree! I have seen Karen in particular placed really low in predictions for this event. I find that hard to swallow when she now has the backing of the USFSA as a national champion. She is a lovey skater with great tech and great performance ability. With confidence and momentum she could at least get silver here if not possibly win the event.
Also Miriah is riding a wave of excitement, she could have the event of her career so far here. And I never count Mirai out.
It's judt baffling for me to see Karen so low on predictions.
Karen needs competitive consistency which is why, she did not make my list. One competition does not a skater make. Plus, did you watched the practice sessions...?
I placed Mirai, who has been skating well in practices, in front of both US ladies.
From the practices I have seen, Kaetlyn seems to be the most relaxed and confident. From the rink, I saw a lot of UR from Karen, Mirai, Li, Chartrand. Gabby was struggling with her 3lz yesterday but seemed to sort it out. From the practices I would say Kaetlyn, Gabby, and Mirai.