- Joined
- Sep 8, 2016
Do we have any info on how Alysa, Starr and Lindsay are preparing for junior worlds? I think in exactly 2 weeks the ladies short program will begin.
This is a little incomplete and misleading. First, no doubt Wagner is the most successful US skater post Kwan/ Cohen. Further, Wagner, with Gold, dominated US skating from 2012 through 2016. That is five years of an 11 year career, a career which exactly overlaps Nagasu's career.
But the first 4 years, Wagner was far from dominant, generally finishing behind not only Nagasu in Nationals, Olympics, worlds, 4CC, etc, but behind Flatt and Czisny as well. In 2018 she had regressed, being behind Tennell, Nagasu, and Chen. So 5 years Wagner was dominant, and 5 years mostly behind Nagasu and others.
Since the discussion was about sponsorship, and sponsorship generally revolves around Olympics, we must look there. Nagasu edged Wagner at 2010 Nationals, went to Vancouver and finished a strong 4th behind Yuna, Mao, and a Canadian skater in Canada. Nagasu and Flatt got negligible sponsorships. In Boston Nationals, Nagasu finished ahead of Wagner again, but was replaced by a committee vote. Many believed Wagner should have replaced 1st yr senior Edmunds. Wagner and Gold each got sponsorships estimated at $500k+. At the 2018 San Jose Nationals, a resurgent Nagasu finished 2nd, Wagner 4th. Although the team was announced around Jan 7th, a full month before the team competition in Korea, all of Wagners sponsors, Bridgestone, Nike, Dick's, P&G, Samsung and Toyota all apparently stuck with a skater who wasn't even in the Olympics, to the tune of 6 figures plus. Nagasu, Tennell and Chen got negligible sponsorships. Since Nathan didn't get his anticipated medal, and one of our dance teams faltered, Nagasu's 8 triple program was certainly a highlite for the US, and it was replayed many times by NBC. It wasn't featured by sponsors, as they put all their eggs in the basket of a skater they knew would not be on the ice. So Wagner, who only qualified once by a committee decision, hit the jackpot twice. Nagasu got nothing in three Olympics, Flatt, Tennell and K. Chen also got negligible sponsors. Sponsors can, of course, spend their money as they see fit..
Nagasu's 8-triple FS was at the TEAM event, not the individual event, where she singled the 3a, completed just 6 triples and placed 12th in the FS.
It was one of most googled moments in 2018. She was one of the few Team USA members highlighted during the closing ceremonies. Don’t count it out because it was the team event. It was still the Olympics. Still viewed by 10 times more people that viewed Boston World 2016. She made history that night and deserves to have that moment recognized.
I find it interesting that Alysa has not been doing “rippon” jumps.
This is a little incomplete and misleading. First, no doubt Wagner is the most successful US skater post Kwan/ Cohen. Further, Wagner, with Gold, dominated US skating from 2012 through 2016. That is five years of an 11 year career, a career which exactly overlaps Nagasu's career.
But the first 4 years, Wagner was far from dominant, generally finishing behind not only Nagasu in Nationals, Olympics, worlds, 4CC, etc, but behind Flatt and Czisny as well. In 2018 she had regressed, being behind Tennell, Nagasu, and Chen. So 5 years Wagner was dominant, and 5 years mostly behind Nagasu and others.
Since the discussion was about sponsorship, and sponsorship generally revolves around Olympics, we must look there. Nagasu edged Wagner at 2010 Nationals, went to Vancouver and finished a strong 4th behind Yuna, Mao, and a Canadian skater in Canada. Nagasu and Flatt got negligible sponsorships. In Boston Nationals, Nagasu finished ahead of Wagner again, but was replaced by a committee vote. Many believed Wagner should have replaced 1st yr senior Edmunds. Wagner and Gold each got sponsorships estimated at $500k+. At the 2018 San Jose Nationals, a resurgent Nagasu finished 2nd, Wagner 4th. Although the team was announced around Jan 7th, a full month before the team competition in Korea, all of Wagners sponsors, Bridgestone, Nike, Dick's, P&G, Samsung and Toyota all apparently stuck with a skater who wasn't even in the Olympics, to the tune of 6 figures plus. Nagasu, Tennell and Chen got negligible sponsorships. Since Nathan didn't get his anticipated medal, and one of our dance teams faltered, Nagasu's 8 triple program was certainly a highlite for the US, and it was replayed many times by NBC. It wasn't featured by sponsors, as they put all their eggs in the basket of a skater they knew would not be on the ice. So Wagner, who only qualified once by a committee decision, hit the jackpot twice. Nagasu got nothing in three Olympics, Flatt, Tennell and K. Chen also got negligible sponsors. Sponsors can, of course, spend their money as they see fit..
I don't think Joannie Rochette's bronze medal had anything to do with it be in Canada. The quality of her skating was significantly better. Some may argue she was underscored comparatively to Yuna and Mao. People say "she took advantage of the fact her mom died during the competition" - that is sick. But remember JOannie was a real quality skater.
Sierra Vanetta is in 3rd after the short at Challenge Cup. Glad to see her doing well at her international debut.
I am of course biased, but I thought Mirai was underscored in PCS in Vancouver. Her PCS in Torino worlds only a month later was much higher than in Vancouver. The talk before the ladies comp in Vancouver was it didn't matter how Mirai skated, the bronze belonged to Joannie.
I have been to two Skate Canadas plus London Worlds. In contests where I had no preference who won, my impression was in a close contest, the Canadian skater will get the nod. But that bias happens at Skate America in favor of Americans as well.
The only talk was that about Joannie getting bronze is that if she skated the way she was capable of she would get bronze in reference to the high quality of her skating. Joannie was aked more about being undermarked for her skating.. It has been some Mirai fans trying to suggest because teh oympics ere in Canada or because Joannie's mom died people felt sorry for her. Sadly the real truth is did she deserve to win gold or silver. For some odd reason the Canadian threat in the last 30 or so years have managed to blend and be underrated skating - Manley, Chouinard, Rochette and Osmond were all extremely powerful, high amplitude and quality jumpers and spinners when on. They had power, speed, amplitude and grace and musicality - not ballerina like usually but none the less uscality and style. all the olympic medallist-Manley rochette andOsmond if anything seemed underappreciated and could or should have been a spothigher. Miraiin 2010was wonderful but Joannie had done more than enough quality and style wise to handily beat Mirai. Let's give her fair and due credit.
Ting missing all of this season really hurt her chances of making the Olympic team. I think she has greater potential then either Bradie or Mariah and is much younger but since simply making the podium at Nationals doesn't guarantee a trip to Worlds or the Olympics anymore she needed to start making a case for herself next season.
I don’t think missing this season will hurt her- but if she misses it has a bad season next year then that would hurt her.
Next season is the do or die for her. If she has a stronger season next year than other US skaters then I don’t think missing this season will matter.
Now instead of being considered almost equal to Bradie and Mariah and nipping at their heals (and with her talent she easily could have made it happen) she's stuck being the "a potential future threat but not quite there yet due to inconsistency and inexperience" as she was the beginning of last.