2018-19 U.S. Ladies' figure skating

el henry said:

More about Gracie:

She appeared at a fundraiser for the Ice Theatre of New York last night to receive an award and gave a speech in accepting the award. She evidently said she will compete when she and her team think she’s ready.

Not that I know for sure, but it is, way, way, more likely that in his IG Vincent was touched by her speech at the fundraiser. Instead the poor guy gets accused of vaguebooking

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I think he didn't realize the significance of having the away sign in the background. Next time it needs to be in the home box. ;D

el henry said:

I saw Coach Vincent’s IG and I didn’t think it implied Gracie was leaving at all, quite the opposite: that she said something to him that warmed his heart.

Gracie trained with Frank Carroll. If she wanted a big name coach, she’d be with a big name coach. From what little I know and can tell, she’s happy flying under the radar with Vincent.

And although he’s not Frank Carroll, Vincent has worked as the one of the primary coaches of Ting Cui and an adjunct coach to Jason Brown, so it’s not as though he’s never seen an international skater

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Vincent was also himself an elite skater. Silver at junior worlds and among the ten best at senior worlds. I remember him very well as an ’all about jumps’ guy. His bio says he was the first French man to land a quad internationally(4toe). If he’s a good jump teacher as well as a good mental coach for Gracie I can’t see why she would leave him. I’m sure she trains skating skills, spins, steps etc with other specialists at her rink or nearby. Exciting to see her music choices and who will do her choreo for next season

All the best to Gracie!

Vincent’s quad at 2000 worlds


And this is something to remember French skaters

I was thrilled watching the videos Polina posted and seeing the progress she’s made. The bone bruise to her right foot is apparently fully healed and she has been working hard.

During her last comeback, she was limited in the training she could do. It had become evident early on that the foot was not healed, but since this was the Olympic season, she’d have to try anyways, if she wanted to participate, and hope that it would gradually become stronger. The 2018 nationals would also be held in her hometown of San Jose, which was probably another incentive to continue.

By the time of the nationals, she was in good shape and had regained her skating skills, but the toe jumps remained problematic. If she didn’t execute them perfectly, there was severe pain in her right foot. Unfortunately, she couldn’t practice the jumps often enough to be assured of perfect execution.

This was a pity, because the programs choreographed for her by Rudy Galindo were superb and would have placed her among the favorites, had the technical difficulty been there. Even so, she was magnificent in the short program. With a bedazzled purple unitard, her hair in a sleek coif and face like a Benda mask, she was beautiful and imposing. Every beat of the music found its counterpoint on ice, with lines long and flowing. After her struggles during the summer and fall, this was one of three cleanly skated performances that evening.

Her freeskate would have complemented it beautifully, an achingly romantic dance on ice to Francesco Sartori and Lucio Quarantoto's "Con te Partiro" ("Time to Say Goodbye"), as sung by Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli, and with a beautiful, shimmering skating dress by Jef Billings, one of his last.

As it was, however, the short program had put her only into sixth place, with the podium even then out of reach. Being the very first skater couldn’t have helped her score, but the content simply wasn’t there. On the morning of the free skate, she experienced shooting pains in her right foot, meaning that the two toe jumps she’d planned couldn’t be performed. With a program that wasn’t competitive and the possibility of a career-ending injury, if she persisted, she withdrew and at last gave herself the time she needed to heal.

The wisdom of her choice is being realized now.

snowflake said:

Vincent was also himself an elite skater. Silver at junior worlds and among the ten best at senior worlds. I remember him very well as an ’all about jumps’ guy. His bio says he was the first French man to land a quad internationally(4toe). If he’s a good jump teacher as well as a good mental coach for Gracie I can’t see why she would leave him. I’m sure she trains skating skills, spins, steps etc with other specialists at her rink or nearby. Exciting to see her music choices and who will do her choreo for next season

All the best to Gracie!

Vincent’s quad at 2000 worlds


And this is something to remember French skaters

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I heard from her NYT interview that she will keep her FS, but i don’t know about the SP. For me, her SP didn’t suit her well.

Updates:
- Alysa was at the Cricket Club and trained with Geoff Dionisio on her QUADS. She took a photo with Yuzuru Hanyu. She also went to go see the Canada Stars On Ice.
- Ting Cui confirmed that she’s still with Tom and her Free has already been choreographed by Katherine Hill. Music to be announced soon. She’s going to probably add the 4T to her Free.
- Karen’s Short will be Lauren Daigle’s, “You Say” and her Free will be “Illumination” Secret Gardens.
- Bradie says she’s still searching for music.
- Upcoming Juniors from Bradie’s coach are training the 4T.

natsulian said:

Updates:
- Alysa was at the Cricket Club and trained with Geoff Dionisio on her QUADS. She took a photo with Yuzuru Hanyu. She also went to go see the Canada Stars On Ice.
- Ting Cui confirmed that she’s still with Tom and her Free has already been choreographed by Katherine Hill. Music to be announced soon. She’s going to probably add the 4T to her Free.
- Karen’s Short will be Lauren Daigle’s, “You Say” and her Free will be “Illumination” Secret Gardens.
- Bradie says she’s still searching for music.
- Upcoming Juniors from Bradie’s coach are training the 4T.

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Thanks for the updates . I see the Instagram post where Ting announces her choreographer and comments that she is still with Tom, but where does she say she’ll probably add the 4t? I wonder if she’s landed one, that would be awesome!!

Happy Skates said:

Thanks for the updates . I see the Instagram post where Ting announces her choreographer and comments that she is still with Tom, but where does she say she’ll probably add the 4t? I wonder if she’s landed one, that would be awesome!!

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Ting said in a recent article that her goal is to finally add the 4T to her repertoire next season. According to Ting, the 4T has been in the works for a while, but was never a serious consideration until this season. There's a video of her landing one with a harness, but I'm sure it'll become even more stable as months go by and that she'll land one without a harness.

Ting's inconsistency this season was probably due to not having a coach for a majority of the off-season, nerves, and of course the new combos. This season's Short and Free were her most technically ambitious programs ever. Best of luck to a budding star.

Liu Greeted by Governing Council Delegates with Standing Ovation


No surprise, but also this note:

ice coverage said:

Liu Greeted by Governing Council Delegates with Standing Ovation

U.S. champion Alysa Liu helped to kick off the 2019 U.S. Figure Skating Governing Council (GC) on May 3 with a surprise visit to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she fielded questions from four U.S. ladies champions and Olympic medalists.

Liu … received a standing ovation from more than 300 delegates and officials as she made her way to the front of the Antlers Hotel meeting room.

Carol Heiss, Michelle Kwan, Kristi Yamaguchi and Tara Lipinski each congratulated Liu via a video that played on a big screen, and asked the guest of honor a question. The last video question was from 9-year-old Broadmoor Skating Club member Jocelyn Nutt, who sees the young Liu as a skating role model.

The iconic photo of Liu being helped up to the top of the podium at the 2019 U.S. Championships in Detroit served as the catalyst to raise $2,500 for the Memorial Fund at GC. ...

https://www.usfigureskating.org/story?id=92399&type=media​

No surprise, but also this note:

Raith talked about the heavy schedule of events to be hosted in the U.S. next season, including a Junior Grand Prix Series event in Lake Placid, New York, where Liu will make her international debut; ...​

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I said several months ago, Alysa would be going to JGP Lake Placid. It’s where you send your best. I’m super happy I decided to go, even if that means freezing to death and dodging dead bugs from the ceiling. I’ll wear a hat.


I don’t like that Alysa is still getting so much attention. I’m glad she’s in Canad for a little while so she can focus more on next season. With any luck, she can keep her same level of consistency as last year.

I have said time and time again, and will continue to reiterate, that the 2018-2019 season was a season of change and will serve as a catalyst for greater things to come out of US figure skating, not just the ladies field. No matter what happens, Alysa's achievement as the youngest US ladies champion will never be taken away from her and regardless of whether she falters or breaks through the sky high expectations, she's begun the movement for the US ladies to catch up with the rest of the world. We have up and coming junior and novice ladies who have talked about adding more challenging elements and training the 3A and quads simply because they were inspired by Alysa. Now we have other ladies such as Hanna and Ting who will also, hopefully, serve as even more inspiration for our upcoming talents.

Furthermore, if Alysa doesn't land all her jumps or becomes the next World Junior Champion, it will not be the end of the world. However, I am aligned with many of you in being cautious about how the media will handle any loss Alysa endures. Not only does Alysa have the pressure of being the next big thing from US figure skating, she also bears the weight of being US National Champion in the ladies field. Even the biggest phenoms of phenoms have competitions where they fall apart, but the biggest telling tale will be how Alysa gets up and pushes through.

natsulian said:

I have said time and time again, and will continue to reiterate, that the 2018-2019 season was a season of change and will serve as a catalyst for greater things to come out of US figure skating, not just the ladies field. No matter what happens, Alysa's achievement as the youngest US ladies champion will never be taken away from her and regardless of whether she falters or breaks through the sky high expectations, she's begun the movement for the US ladies to catch up with the rest of the world. We have up and coming junior and novice ladies who have talked about adding more challenging elements and training the 3A and quads simply because they were inspired by Alysa. Now we have other ladies such as Hanna and Ting who will also, hopefully, serve as even more inspiration for our upcoming talents.

Furthermore, if Alysa doesn't land all her jumps or becomes the next World Junior Champion, it will not be the end of the world. However, I am aligned with many of you in being cautious about how the media will handle any loss Alysa endures. Not only does Alysa have the pressure of being the next big thing from US figure skating, she also bears the weight of being US National Champion in the ladies field. Even the biggest phenoms of phenoms have competitions where they fall apart, but the biggest telling tale will be how Alysa gets up and pushes through.

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Stephan was a cautionary tale. I think his season on average was great, but really below what his potential was. I wonder how he could’ve don’t without that hype and the pressure.

I worry the same for Alysa. Nationals was her first big test, however she’s never skated ISU level. They’re bound to ding her on things she never considered. Her under rotations, edges, Skating skills, etc. Suddenly, she’ll be a fish in a big pond. How will she cope with such high expectations? I worry for her. But I do think that’s shes unexpected consistent and has a good head on her shoulder. Regardless of the results, I’m eager to see her grow over the next few years.

I can’t help feeling smug. I’ve been feeling smug months. I said over a year that US ladies were going throw a rough path, but there was talent coming in the future. Before nationals, people had basically dismissed Hanna. After she recovered from her injuries, she showed what she was capable of. Everyone thought Ting wouldn’t make a dent in JW. Even I doubted her after 4CC. She proved everyone wrong and showed the level of talent she has. And there s even more. With 15 slots we have even more opportunity to develop that talent and grow our ladies field even deeper in the future. I’m really excited to see what happens next.

I am very excited for Ting Cui’s GP debut. I just hope she gets rid of her consistency issues and pulls off more skates like her Nationals FS.

ice coverage said:

Liu Greeted by Governing Council Delegates with Standing Ovation

U.S. champion Alysa Liu helped to kick off the 2019 U.S. Figure Skating Governing Council (GC) on May 3 with a surprise visit to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she fielded questions from four U.S. ladies champions and Olympic medalists.

Liu … received a standing ovation from more than 300 delegates and officials as she made her way to the front of the Antlers Hotel meeting room.

Carol Heiss, Michelle Kwan, Kristi Yamaguchi and Tara Lipinski each congratulated Liu via a video that played on a big screen, and asked the guest of honor a question. The last video question was from 9-year-old Broadmoor Skating Club member Jocelyn Nutt, who sees the young Liu as a skating role model.

The iconic photo of Liu being helped up to the top of the podium at the 2019 U.S. Championships in Detroit served as the catalyst to raise $2,500 for the Memorial Fund at GC. ...

https://www.usfigureskating.org/story?id=92399&type=media​

No surprise, but also this note:

Raith talked about the heavy schedule of events to be hosted in the U.S. next season, including a Junior Grand Prix Series event in Lake Placid, New York, where Liu will make her international debut; ...​

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I think all of this hooplah over Alysa, while certainly not undeserved, is completely inappropriate. They are setting her up to crash and burn the first instance she doesn't meet their expectations.

It's one thing to do some fluff pieces for various outlets, but getting THIS MUCH attention/celebration from the USFS governing council is ridiculous. They are pinning so much hope on her. She's a CHILD who hasn't even competed on the JGP yet. But they act like she's an OGM.

Why are they recruiting Michelle, Carol, and Tara to ask her questions? It's all a big public spectacle. I don't like it one bit. I am very worried about Alysa's future and the impact all of this will have on her. It's so much pressure.

Hanna Harrell announced that her new programs are choreographed by Misha Ge.

With Hanna, Ting, and Alysa, we just need Pooja. I hope she improves and really goes for it because it’s been so amazing to witness them all grow up with each other. Ting, Hanna, and Pooja have been competing against each other since like Intermediate and Novice.

natsulian said:

Hanna Harrell announced that her new programs are choreographed by Misha Ge.

With Hanna, Ting, and Alysa, we just need Pooja. I hope she improves and really goes for it because it’s been so amazing to witness them all grow up with each other. Ting, Hanna, and Pooja have been competing against each other since like Intermediate and Novice.

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Pooja! :luv17:

Has she recovered fully from her Nationals injury? Does anyone know?

Here's hoping she has programs that are wayyyyy better than last season's.

Pooja had a spinal stress fracture, but she's been out and about so hopefully she's healed.

Hanna Harrell's new Short Program will be choreographed by Misha and she will be skating to "Tanguera" by Edith Piaf.

natsulian said:

Pooja had a spinal stress fracture, but she's been out and about so hopefully she's healed.

Hanna Harrell's new Short Program will be choreographed by Mishin and she will be skating to "Tanguera" by Edith Piaf.

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You mean, Misha Ge not Mishin.

natsulian said:

Pooja had a spinal stress fracture, but she's been out and about so hopefully she's healed.

Hanna Harrell's new Short Program will be choreographed by Misha and she will be skating to "Tanguera" by Edith Piaf.

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I don't think that's quite right for Hanna's SP music. The clip Misha posted is "Carmen's Story" performed by Edith Piaf (same music S/B used in the RD this past season), and I can't find a Tanguera done by Edith. I think Misha actually meant that she's skating to some music by Piaf + Tanguera.

Fancam of Karen's new SP at a local show this past weekend.
https://twitter.com/nagasus/status/1124765513484316679

Hanna’s Free Program to “Rhapsody on a Theme if Paganini” will be choreographed by Misha Ge.

Her Instagram announcement: https://www.instagram.com/p/BxQii0kFq1R/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link