Her first year with Raf she placed second (?) in Skate America. Everyone applauded the turn around. She was working on her jumps then, and in fact, I believe attributing her greater success to them. Did Raf say anything *at that time* that she wa only doing “minor” retooling?
Last year, that consistency was gone. One skate good, the next skate, well, less than good. I think that’s when Raf gave his interview about being too old to get married in Armenia
And I’m sorry, I don’t know why only this year they’re working on concentration and stamina? To me, that makes no sense. Retooling jumps may be hard and take time, but working on concentration and stamina should be constant and start at day one.
I wish Mariah the best, she’s a charmer, but every year is going to be her breakout year. And maybe it will be this year, I don’t know....
I’m so excited to see Gracie skate again and secretly hoping she’ll slay, while also realistically knowing it’s a tough road back and just hoping she is happy with herself.
Mariah Bell is the most beautiful US skater since Alissa Czisny.
I don't know that Mariah is prettier than Gracie. (Although I feel its a little weird to be arguing this) I think Mariah reminds me feature wise of Sasha Cohen. If someone told me that they were related, I wouldn't question it.
I don't know that Mariah is prettier than Gracie. (Although I feel its a little weird to be arguing this) I think Mariah reminds me feature wise of Sasha Cohen. If someone told me that they were related, I wouldn't question it.
OK, that would make more sense. I was really impressed by Mariah's spins this time. I don't remember them being as good as they were.I assumed (and hoped) that ssminnow was referring to beautiful skating rather than beautiful in physical appearance.
The Skating Lesson interview with Benoit Richaud - talking about Bradie:
https://youtu.be/-PXgGprlBCY?t=35m21s
‘So first of all, I love this girl ... because first, she’s a hard worker. I like people who work, and I like humble people ... I like simple person ... and that’s one quality that Bradie has, she is a simple girl. She’s the same as last year, completely the same - and she works hard.’
‘Many people judge what they see, but they don’t know the reality ... for Bradie, she had a tough summer. She had a lot of pain in her back again’
‘She don’t have this talent of skating skills or musicality or dance movement ... so it’s really challenging.’
On the Cinderella program:
‘No, no, no - I don’t pick that music.’
I'm not going to get too ahead of myself gassing up Mariah but i'm really glad she did well this last weekend. As cheesy as celine dion is, it suits her well and i am OBSESSED with her LP. fits her like a glove. wasn't that music used in a commercial here in the US recently? it reminds me of the music in the P&G "thank you mom" commercial we see around the olympics but i don't think that's it. Maybe a toyota commercial?
i'm hoping she can carry her momentum on, but i'm not holding my breath due to her track record. but i'm really excited to see that free program in person at nationals!
Working on a 3Lz-3Lo while dealing with recurring back pain? Respect.
Honestly I feel a little bad for Bradie that her own choreographer acknowledges that she lacks any innate artistic talent, no matter how true it is.
I haven't gotten around to watching the interview yet. Thanks for sharing this little snippet into his insights about Bradie.
I don't think it's meant to be insulting; I think it's meant to be positive. She may be the American analogue to Evgenia, as Eteri has said that Evgenia doesn't have the natural talent, finesse, or abilities that other Russian prodigies have, but Evgenia works hard and has a tough mind and that's what's kept her competitive. I think it's undeniable Bradie just don't have the musicality or performance capability of Karen Chen or Ashley Wagner, so her improvements are a testament to her hard work rather than a sudden unearthing of talent.
I don't think it's meant to be insulting; I think it's meant to be positive. She may be the American analogue to Evgenia, as Eteri has said that Evgenia doesn't have the natural talent, finesse, or abilities that other Russian prodigies have, but Evgenia works hard and has a tough mind and that's what's kept her competitive. I think it's undeniable Bradie just don't have the musicality or performance capability of Karen Chen or Ashley Wagner, so her improvements are a testament to her hard work rather than a sudden unearthing of talent.
I agree with your interpretation of the statement and think Benoit was being positive yet honest about Bradie's abilities. Unfortunately, I think it's often easier to overcome a lack of athletic ability (Evgenia is an extremely decorated and beloved skater who was leading the field technically for 2-3 years) than to overcome a lack of artistic ability/charisma.
I’m also obsessed with this program (actually it’s her SP, not her LP); never would have thought a Celine song would look “fresh” and not cheesy. I think what is so appealing is that it presents her simply, as a young woman who is joyously in love. There is no “story” that needs to be explained before viewers will “get” what she is portraying. IIRC, Adam did the choreo, and it suits her so well.
We should check in with Jason Brown on that.
I’m cautiously optimistic. Raf mentioned in an interview they only made minor changes the first year since it was so near comps. Last year they were retooling her jumps, so I can understand the extreme inconsistency. This year it seems to be all about concentration and stamina, which she’s working on.
Her first year with Raf she placed second (?) in Skate America. Everyone applauded the turn around. She was working on her jumps then, and in fact, I believe attributing her greater success to them. Did Raf say anything *at that time* that she wa only doing “minor” retooling? ...