U.S. Women [#6]: The More the Merrier!

[mtnskater]

Isabeau Levito’s short program is absolutely gorgeous! A night at the ballet…I’m here for it!!

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Omgggggg

I just clicked on the free program results and I’m so happy but not surprised at all Sarah Everhardt won the free program and won the competition. So this means she’ll be at skate America? She has been my one to watch for the last year and a half. I also think she’s been under scored in the USA last year.

 

[Karen-W]

Omgggggg

I just clicked on the free program results and I’m so happy but not surprised at all Sarah Everhardt won the free program and won the competition. So this means she’ll be at skate America? She has been my one to watch for the last year and a half. I also think she’s been under scored in the USA last year.

The USFS is gonna do whatever they want to do. Theoretically, since she was the top finisher of the 4 women vying for the spot, it should be hers.

I kind of think that it will be, mostly because Elyce is so high up on the Alternates list already that she's pretty sure to get at least 1 if not 2 GPs by the time everything is said and done.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

The USFS is gonna do whatever they want to do. Theoretically, since she was the top finisher of the 4 women vying for the spot, it should be hers.

I kind of think that it will be, mostly because Elyce is so high up on the Alternates list already that she's pretty sure to get at least 1 if not 2 GPs by the time everything is said and done.

I hope Tammy politics is shut down

 

[tony]

As long as USFS has a team that is up to date on rule changes --- which they aren't always, see 2022 Olympic qualifying -- then Everhardt should get the Skate America assignment. Not only because she was the best of the group here, but Elyce Lin-Gracey is next in line for her spots and with the Korean women still sitting with their second events, it's probably an all but done deal. Even if they keep their second events, she's still next in line and we know how much GP assignments shift.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Dang and Sarah got that score without any triple triple in the free program, imagine if she does.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

I’ll join the kiss and cry in the next day or so, can someone just tell me Isabeau got zero credit for yet another spin? Really?

Maybe she would have won had she got that credit?

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

So, if Elice was to get a spot it would have to be Finland? Because USA is already maxed out at NHK.

And then, if Lindsay were to withdraw that opens up more spots

 

[Private Citizen]

I’ll join the kiss and cry in the next day or so, can someone just tell me Isabeau got zero credit for yet another spin? Really?

Maybe she would have won had she got that credit?

It looks from the protocols like she did two CCoSp elements, meaning the second one didn't count. The spin also received a V, meaning it didn't meet one of the criteria of a combination spin.

Last year, she did one CCoSp, one FCCoSp, and one FCSp. I'm not sure what happened here, but can think of two possibilities:
1) she and her coach don't know the rules and tried out a new CCoSp, not realizing it wouldn't count
2) she was trying for a CCSp and added an extra position somewhere by accident

Assuming good GOE, she left 4.5 points on the table (excluding the time deduction), which would have been just enough to edge out Everhardt in the free and overall.

 

[Karen-W]

So, if Elice was to get a spot it would have to be Finland? Because USA is already maxed out at NHK.

And then, if Lindsay were to withdraw that opens up more spots

Yes, unless another US woman drops out of NHK then Elyce would only get the Finlandia spot presuming KOR does WD both Lee and You from their second events.

As long as USFS has a team that is up to date on rule changes --- which they aren't always, see 2022 Olympic qualifying -- then Everhardt should get the Skate America assignment. Not only because she was the best of the group here, but Elyce Lin-Gracey is next in line for her spots and with the Korean women still sitting with their second events, it's probably an all but done deal. Even if they keep their second events, she's still next in line and we know how much GP assignments shift.

Hopefully someone has pointed this out to the International Committee. You'd think they'd be aware since they're one of the GP host feds and this is a pretty clear change from past years replacement procedure. I almost suspect the USFS may have been behind it the new way would have benefitted US skaters more than any other fed had this been the method last season.

 

[Private Citizen]

It looks from the protocols like she did two CCoSp elements, meaning the second one didn't count. [...] I can think of two possibilities:
1) she and her coach don't know the rules and tried out a new CCoSp, not realizing it wouldn't count

Now that I've seen the video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_S2RDXsP6w), it was this one - she replaced the flying camel entry to the closing spin she did last year with running three turns into a back camel spin. But that's still a CCoSp, which made it the second one in the program and invalid. Someone should have spotted this prior to competition, but better here than on a GP! She can fix it by going back to the flying camel entry.

 

[mtnskater]

Having watched the free skates from Isabeau and Sarah without benefit of realizing Isabeau did not get credit for one spin, I was confused about why Sarah won. Sarah really has solid powerful jumps that are very impressive. Her artistry is improved. She was performing more than I’ve seen her. But she doesn’t come close to matching Isabeau’s flow, skating quality and presentation and spins (when she does them to her capability). Sarah has a pretty weak camel spin. I love Isabeau’s short program. The free was nice but a bit too much one tempo. Needs more energy somewhere. Firebird is a great choice for Sarah….but compare her Firebird to Gracie’s. That said great to see her performance improvements!

I have only found Elyce’s short. She is looking very good. A bit overpowered by the vocals. Hope she does get a GP, but I’d prefer Sarah for Skate America too.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Now that I've seen the video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_S2RDXsP6w), it was this one - she replaced the flying camel entry to the closing spin she did last year with running three turns into a back camel spin. But that's still a CCoSp, which made it the second one in the program and invalid. Someone should have spotted this prior to competition, but better here than on a GP! She can fix it by going back to the flying camel entry.

Having watched both of their programs just now I’m not really a fan of either of their music choices in the free but I would pick Sarah because of the powerful music.

Isabeau all I see is Natalia and Artur… I barely noticed her and maybe someone of a different generation won’t notice that, but this is a warhorse of yesteryear so it’s hard for me to get into that as well. As the program went on all I kept saying is, this is where Natalia would do the spiral and Artur hold onto her and this is where they did the lift. Also, seems like she’s back to that style of dress with all the fabric in the skirt?

It really is obvious the high powerful jumps of Sarah.

 

[her grace]

Surely a score of 180 and change is going to give Emilia an advantage over Keira! Why wouldn't it?

I think the junior women’s assignments are a bit complicated because there’s fewer head-to-head competitions where everyone competed.

Junior Cup had all the main players except Zhang (injury). But while Cranberry was a re-match for the junior men, top-five finishers at Junior Cup Cleo Park and Keira Hilbelink weren’t there.

So Hilbelink has beaten Nemirovsky at both nationals and Junior Cup, did that advantage disappear because of Nemirovsky’s great score at Cranberry?

For Park v. Hilbelink, they scored almost the same thing at Junior Cup. The advantage at that point might have gone to Hilbelink on the basis of her nationals success, but then Park put up a better score at Glacier Falls than she did . They didn’t compete in the same division, however.

All 3 of these girls could get an assignment, but Higase-Chen should get one first and then they’re running out of assignments. You gotta expect they’re leaving room for Zhang and for at least one girl to earn a second assignment.

 

[haribobo]

For fun, I added the top 2 scores for the top juniors from this season's comps. I believe one of Josephine Lee's scores was a senior comp as she didn't have 2 junior comps. Worth noting is that Mia Kalin scored much higher on her senior event vs. the 2 junior events she did, but I am counting her junior scores here.

2024-25 Combined Top 2 Scores- JUNIOR WOMEN

Logan Higase-Chen 370
Cleo Park 355
Annika Chao 352
Josephine Lee 348
Emilia Nemirovsky 347
Keira Hilbelink 332
Alayna Coats 329
Mia Barghout 327
Sofia Bezkorovainaya 324
Jessica Jurka 322
Mia Kalin 319
Sophie Joline Von Felten 314

 

[Sonata]

Isabeau all I see is Natalia and Artur… I barely noticed her and maybe someone of a different generation won’t notice that, but this is a warhorse of yesteryear so it’s hard for me to get into that as well. As the program went on all I kept saying is, this is where Natalia would do the spiral and Artur hold onto her and this is where they did the lift. Also, seems like she’s back to that style of dress with all the fabric in the skirt?

As a big fan of their pairs program, to the point of watching it over and over again and attempting to learn the piece (unsuccessfully) on the piano, I also associate this music with them. But it was also over 30 years ago (although let’s not say that too loudly). I’m okay with hearing Liebestraum, which is arguably no longer a warhorse, given that half the women choose Enaudi or similar music now.

 

[Frau Muller]

Now that I've seen the video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_S2RDXsP6w), it was this one - …

Just as I love my Isabeau programs - soft and artistic. Ravishing green flowing dress too. It meets my high Korean bar. Loved the Swan SP too.

I already mentioned how much I enjoy Sarah’s two routines. This will be a fun-filled season.

 

[her grace]

As expected, Higase-Chen received the JGP #3 assignment. So far, it’s athletes 1-3 from Jr Cup who have been assigned.

 

[On My Own]

Levito's basic skating has improved IMO, but those jumps are like Anna Shcherbakova level. And not even as difficult to make up for their utter lack of quality.

I am not a fan of that Liebestraume, not that it will matter even one bit, now that she's the reigning world silver medalist.

 

[layman]

Levito's basic skating has improved IMO, but those jumps are like Anna Shcherbakova level. And not even as difficult to make up for their utter lack of quality.

I am not a fan of that Liebestraume, not that it will matter even one bit, now that she's the reigning world silver medalist.

I did not see any improvement. Her crossovers were so slow and labored looking. The jumps still have that strange technique (where she jumps with her upper body). She is taller now, so she really, really has to muscle them to get them around. Unless she improves her jump technique, it's clear to me that she will be on the struggle bus from here on out.

Comparing Isabeau's jumps to Sarah Everhardt's and Elyce Lin-Gracie's jumps and the difference could not be more stark. Isabeau's jumps are tiny and muscled. Sarah Everhardt's jumps are not only high and effortless but they cover a great distance across the ice. Her jumps are huge! She got all positive grades of execution on her jumps (and no carrots). Elyce Lin-Gracie's jumps are much the same. They are big and airy and cover a lot of ice. She also got really high grades of execution on her jumps.

I hate to be the one to point it out but we may see a change at the top of the US women this season (with such strong young skaters coming up and several veterans returning). Actually we already saw that change at Nationals last season. I think it's going to be more change to come.

 

[On My Own]

I mean I think her basics were worse last season. Maybe I just don't remember.

Anyway not a fan. We will see how she does at Boston, as with the rest of the American ladies.

 

[Rukia]

Say what you want about Isabeau's jumps, but her glide and push is really good. I didn't notice any difference in that on these vids, but I'll be there at skam to get a really good idea.

 

[On My Own]

Also why is DL still here? I thought he didn't want to do commentary anymore?

 

[On My Own]

Say what you want about Isabeau's jumps, but her glide and push is really good. I didn't notice any difference in that on these vids, but I'll be there at skam to get a really good idea.

Eh... they're not bad in that video, wouldn't say "really good". I disagree with layman on "slow and laboured crossovers", but I genuinely realised I don't remember what she did last season to really comment anymore.

There's a strange quality to that skate that I certainly don't like, and it's not just the jumps to me.

 

[Karen-W]

Isabeau's costume for Liebestraum is another "what were they thinking?" choice. I don't mind the music - though I do think it's a mistake to choose two extremely famous Romantic era pieces of music for both programs this season. Even if her team feels like the lyrical music style is the best fit for her there are plenty of options that don't include going to the well of both Tchaikovsky and Liszt in the same season. I'd recommend she keep Liebestraum - with a better costume, though (more thoughts on that below) - and go in a different direction for the SP. And when I say different direction, I really mean just a different musical era. I just had this wild thought and I wish someone could get this suggestion to her team - The Notebook - take some of the instrumental pieces composed for the movie - there are some soft, lyrical sections that would fit Isabeau but also evocative of the era the film was set in and, additionally, have the necessary rise and fall that great soundtracks can provide for skating programs.

The FS costume - it's too busy/heavy on the shoulders and bust area. And they're doing that stupid extra layers/strips in the skirt thing again that they did last season. The skirt doesn't have as many layers but they're still there and completely unnecessary. To be honest, I'd actually make the top a very simple illusion/nude neckline that gradually adds whickety-whack floral embroidery/appliques beginning around the bust and down the torso onto the skirt, trailing away at the hips, with the skirt being an air-brushed ombre mix of complimentary those same colors from the floral embroidery/appliques. I'm debating between complimentary pastels (peach, baby blue, baby pink, lilac, mint/sage/seafoam green, butter/lemon yellow) or perhaps some bolder colors (maybe bursts of fuchsia, grape, citrus, etc).

 

[On My Own]

The FS costume - it's too busy/heavy on the shoulders and bust area. And they're doing that stupid extra layers/strips in the skirt thing again that they did last season. The skirt doesn't have as many layers but they're still there and completely unnecessary. To be honest, I'd actually make the top a very simple illusion/nude neckline that gradually adds whickety-whack floral embroidery/appliques beginning around the bust and down the torso onto the skirt, trailing away at the hips, with the skirt being an air-brushed ombre mix of complimentary those same colors from the floral embroidery/appliques. I'm debating between complimentary pastels (peach, baby blue, baby pink, lilac, mint/sage/seafoam green, butter/lemon yellow) or perhaps some bolder colors (maybe bursts of fuchsia, grape, citrus, etc).

It's being called "marin honda chic" or something similar on twitter so...

 

[Karen-W]

It's being called "marin honda chic" or something similar on twitter so...

Yes, well, Marin Honda and Isabeau Levito have completely different body types. And besides, I think we have it on pretty good authority that Levito's coach has used the same costume designer that some of Team Eteri's skaters used (maybe Shcherbakova?). Either way, she needs to be stopped and they need to find a better costume designer for Isabeau.

 

[On My Own]

(maybe Shcherbakova?)

I mean... Not the only thing they stole then...

 

[On My Own]

It is difficult to pretend I understand what Levito's SP is supposed to be conveying, but she seems more into that music.

 

[Frau Muller]

Isabeau's costume for Liebestraum is another "what were they thinking?" choice. I don't mind the music - though I do think it's a mistake to choose two extremely famous Romantic era pieces of music for both programs this season. Even if her team feels like the lyrical music style is the best fit for her there are plenty of options that don't include going to the well of both Tchaikovsky and Liszt in the same season. I'd recommend she keep Liebestraum - with a better costume, though (more thoughts on that below) - and go in a different direction for the SP. And when I say different direction, I really mean just a different musical era. I just had this wild thought and I wish someone could get this suggestion to her team - The Notebook - take some of the instrumental pieces composed for the movie - there are some soft, lyrical sections that would fit Isabeau but also evocative of the era the film was set in and, additionally, have the necessary rise and fall that great soundtracks can provide for skating programs.

The FS costume - it's too busy/heavy on the shoulders and bust area. And they're doing that stupid extra layers/strips in the skirt thing again that they did last season. The skirt doesn't have as many layers but they're still there and completely unnecessary. To be honest, I'd actually make the top a very simple illusion/nude neckline that gradually adds whickety-whack floral embroidery/appliques beginning around the bust and down the torso onto the skirt, trailing away at the hips, with the skirt being an air-brushed ombre mix of complimentary those same colors from the floral embroidery/appliques. I'm debating between complimentary pastels (peach, baby blue, baby pink, lilac, mint/sage/seafoam green, butter/lemon yellow) or perhaps some bolder colors (maybe bursts of fuchsia, grape, citrus, etc).

I absolutely adore Isabeau’s FS costume…like a fairy in the dale! She reminds me of the Spring character in Jerome Robbins’ Four Seasons.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com