Finally...US Figure Skating Preview!!!!

[joeybee12]

Four years after they represented the U.S. at the Vancouver Games, Rachael Flatt and Mirai Nagasu return to the U.S. Championships this week in Boston for another shot at the Olympics, but they aren’t the headliners in the chase for the team’s three spots in Sochi.

Instead, such distinction belongs to reigning and two-time national champion Ashley Wagner, who just missed out on the Vancouver team by placing third in 2010, and teenager Gracie Gold, who vaulted to a second-place finish at Nationals a year ago in her senior debut.

The ladies skate Thursday and Saturday nights at TD Garden with the Olympic selections being announced Sunday at a noon press conference.

“I’ve been training really hard going into Nationals, which is obviously such an important event this year,” said Wagner, who at age 22 is the favorite for a third straight U.S. title. “I want to do everything that I can do make sure I’m ready.”

http://olympictalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/08/preview-ashley-wagner-gracie-gold-headline-ladies-field-at-u-s-figure-skating-championships/related/

[Manifestor_of_Light]

1. But can they do backflips?

I remember when Surya Bonaly did a backflip at the Olympics and the judges didn't like it because it was too athletic. She was penalized for being extremely athletic. Sexist assholes.


Apparently women are supposed to be ladylike rather than athletic, and those are diametrically opposed.

Scott Hamilton is the only other figure skater I've seen that does that. It flabbergasts me.

It amazes me that you have to get up enough speed that you can hurl yourself into the air, spin, and come back down without landing on your tokus and breaking a lot of bones.

[joeybee12]

4. Scott probably did his in exhibitions...the back flip was a no-no...

Wasn't considered a proper or legal move for men or women...she always did it though, the crowd loved it, the judges didn't.

[rocktivity]

2. With Lindsey Vonn out, there's that much more pressure on them

to be the female face of the American Olympic team.

But unlike Vonn or snowboarder Shaun White, if they were medal material, we would have heard of them by now.


rocktivity

[joeybee12]

3. American Figure Skating is in a decline...

Wonder if it will ever recover.

[DinahMoeHum]

5. Anything can happen after Nationals and during the Olympics.

ie. Whoever heard of Sarah Hughes before 2002 and Nationals??

She shocked everybody by winning the ladies singles competition in the Olympics 2002 at Salt Lake City.

You never know, some new star will come bolting out of the blue. . .

[joeybee12]

6. I'd heard of her...but as an also-ran...

I can't imagine that happening again with the new scoring, though.

[joeybee12]

7. Update - Gracie Gold in 1st after short program...

http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/10272544/espnw-surprising-short-results-set-dramatic-finale-us-figure-skating-championships

[madinmaryland]

8. Nice post, forkboy!!

[joeybee12]

9. You have too much time on your hands, so I'm giving you a project...

Make a list of all sports forumites who are no longer with us, for whatever reason...it must be complete...spelling and grammar count.

[madinmaryland]

10. Let's see....

joeybee12
trumad
forkboy

and your sockpuppet..

cboy4

[joeybee12]

11. Why I oughta!

Spiralhawk
Mookie Wilson (but he changed his name!)
Boss Hogg

Just to name a few you missed!!!!!

[madinmaryland]

12. Apparently you have a bit too much time on your hands, also!

Wasn't Spiralhawk a dedicated Patriot's fan? Or was he actually Belicheat's sockpuppet???