I’ve been blogging about figure skating since 2008, and yet
it’s hard to know what to write in a new post now.
Except this: At this spectator-free U.S. Nationals, I hope they find a way to adjust the “crowd noise” to match the performances we see. I mentioned on Twitter during Skate America (SkAm) that they should have at least three options, including blow-the-roof-off-the-joint, not-perfect-but-highly-respectable, and Thank-God-that’s-over.
We shall see.
Anyway, the last time I posted here about skating was early last February… just after U.S. Nationals excitement had died down, and when we all still expected the rest of the 2019-20 season would unfold as usual. Since then, I’ve been doing what a lot of YOU have likely been doing (aside from all the pandemic prevention measures), which is keep an eye on figure skating’s timeline since last March. I watched many off-ice training clips, I cheered when I saw the first video of someone back on the ice after rinks re-opened (it was Keegan Messing), took note of who changed partners, who changed coaches, who retired.
I thought about picking up again with Junior Grand Prix events—until those got cancelled altogether. Then I thought about covering the Senior Grand Prix events—the events that actually took place, I mean—but it just felt so odd, like trying to sign my name with my left hand. Or dancing with only one shoe.
Now, with the senior events of a spectator-free 2021 U.S. Nationals teed up to start (TODAY) January 14th, I’m following along with mixed emotions. Japanese Nationals took place—with an audience—but as I understand it, they were cautioned against vocal cheering as it could increase the risk for contagion, even with masks on. Russian Nationals happened too, also with an audience. But with five COVID-related withdrawals amongst the four disciplines… a much more “relaxed” (to put it mildly) approach to safety measures… and at least one athlete (I think it was eventual champion Anna Sherbakova) competing with a persistent fever, it really sounds like it should have been canceled.
Canada, a nation with considerably better COVID numbers that the U.S., canceled their own national championships earlier this week. Ours, at least, was moved—a while ago—from San Jose to the same Las Vegas “bubble” situation that was used for 2020 Skate America last fall. But with infection rates so much higher, and the event itself being so much larger than SkAm (even with the junior-level events happening next week), with more people involved from more parts of the country… again, I’m left with a very “iffy” feeling from the whole thing.
BUT, the show goes on. In fact, it’ll start with Senior Pairs SP, same as always. I know Peacock (NBC’s new streaming service) is the place to go for the most complete coverage, but since I’ve got NBC SN at my disposal, I’ll likely just stay with that and “big” NBC. (Unless there are a few days left on my Peacock free trial from SkAm… I should probably check.)
Here's a schedule (via NBC Sports) if you need one.
I know I usually make predictions for Nats, but with a whole lot less to look at and work from this season—attendees of SkAm notwithstanding—I don’t feel equipped to do what I usually do. (Which is make mostly mediocre predictions, I know… you’ll just have to get by without them this time.) The beloved Jackie Wong, on the other hand, has done a better job of keeping up over at Rocker Skating and you can find HIS predictions here…
Also, here’s an article by Lynn Rutherford on the Las Vegas skating bubble itself—a worthwhile read from Rutherford, as always.
As for me, I’ll offer up what I can on each discipline. Let’s compare notes, shall we?
PAIRS
+
The big U.S. success story this year may be a
surprise in that it’s about the dissolution of two top teams and the rise of
their remains. In other words, The Knierims are no more in terms of a skating
team—they’re still married, but Chris has retired. Meanwhile, the team of
Denney/Frazier broke up last spring too. Knierim/Frazier is the result, and if
their SkAm debut was any indication, they’re already in quite good shape to
medal at Nats. Maybe win it, too.
+
On the other hand, past champs Kayne/O’Shea
broke things off just about a month ago—so we’ll have to wait and see if/when either
one emerges with a new partner.
+
Other teams that were scheduled to compete this
weekend but aren’t include Burden/Rounis, Deardorff/Johnson, and McIsaac/Sadusky.
+
That leaves eight teams to compete with
Knierim/Frazier this weekend, including former champs Cain-Gribble/LeDuc, last
year’s breakout stars Calalang/Johnson, and Lu/Mitrofanov, who edged C-G/L for
bronze at SkAm.
LADIES
+ I’ll
be honest, and say outright that I want Mariah Bell to win this thing. Karen
Chen has one win, Bradie Tennell has one win, Alysa Liu has TWO wins, but at
age 15(!) she’s having to make the adjustments many young skaters make when they
add a few inches here and there, and consequently she’s currently competing
without her triple axel and quad jump superpowers. So… maybe not a three-peat
for her. Maybe.
+ Tennell
and Chen are both solid possibilities too, if SkAm was any indication. But,
again, without a lot of competitive opportunities this year it’s a toss-up for
me. But if Bell isn’t able to show off her SP (P!nk’s “Glitter in the Air”) and
FS (ABBA medley) anywhere else this year—and with 2021 Worlds facing a strong possibility
of cancellation, that may be the case—I’d love for this to be her year.
+ The
big news at SkAm for ladies was the strong impression made by Audrey Shin, a 16
year-old who was supposed to compete the JGP, but was given a SkAm spot after
the JGP was canceled… and finished with a bronze! So consider her a part of
this medals mix…
+ … as well as Amber Glenn (armed with a 3Ax this year, though she hasn’t yet landed it in competition), Starr Andrews (who I’m hoping has a more difficult 3/3 back in her arsenal), and Gabriella Izzo (9th at Nats last year). Paige Rydberg, who was among those competing at SkAm, was forced to withdraw last week with a positive COVID test. And Gracie Gold is among the competitors again; unfortunately, she did poorly at SkAm (12th) so if she’s able to make Top 10 at Nats I think that would count as a “win.” There are 17 skaters total in this discipline.
MEN
+ With
Nathan Chen widely expected to win his fifth National title in a row this year,
the discussion goes to Can anyone else squeeze Jason Brown and Vincent Zhou
off that podium with Nathan? And If not, who might at least position
himself well for a sneak attack next year?
+ Because
of all the programs at Nats, Jason Brown’s SP and FS are the two I’m still most
excited to see. I’ve seen “Sinnerman” (the SP, a Nina Simone piece previously
used by Canadian skater Nam Nguyen) in practice, and I think I’ve seen his FS
too (to “Slaughter on 10th Avenue,” a sentimental fave of mine) but
it’s been a while. Vincent Zhou will likely be as formidable as ever—always with
his own mostly-successful set of quads, yet always in Chen’s shadow—but Brown’s
the one I’ve (still) got my eye on at all times.
+ Though
no man has so far scratched from Nats due to COVID, one—Andrew Torgashev, who
finished 5th last year—WD due to injury. So the main guys to look
for outside of the Three Most Likely to Podium include Tomoki Hiwatashi (4th
last year) Alexei Krasnozhon (6th last year, now with a quad loop),
Maxim Naumov (last year’s Junior Men Champ), and Camden Pulkinen (7th
last year). Like the ladies, there are 17 men competing in all.
DANCE
+ The
battle remains the same this year as last year: Hubbell/Donohue vs. Chock/Bates
for the top spot, with Hawayek/Baker expected to hold down bronze (especially with
last year’s pewter medalists, Carriera/Ponomarenko, staying home due to COVID
exposure).
+ C/B
have apparently kept their “Snakecharmer” FD and “Too Darn Hot” RD from last
year; they won with these, bringing their U.S. titles to two in all. H/D have
also won 2 U.S. titles to date; however, they’re using new RD and FD material
this year. They won SkAm with it; C/B, on the other hand, have yet to compete
this season.
+ Haw/Bak
split the difference, keeping their RD (the Saturday Night Fever medley
I ADORE, changing just one portion of it to make it even more fab with the
addition of “Boogie Shoes”)… but going to a new FD that melds Blondie’s “Heart
of Glass” with Phillip Glass. Not gonna lie; I generally cringe when I know Phillip
Glass’ music is nearby. But this Glass Fusion, as I will call it for the
duration of this season, I’ll continue to give the benefit of the doubt since I
just enjoy Haw/Bak so much. And I’m watching Tanith White share her
appreciation for it (at SkAm) as I write this—she’s applauding the
mood/tone/organic nature of the program as a whole—so I trust her judgment more
than most!
+ Others
to look for: Green/Parsons (5th last year), Lorraine McNamara and
new partner Anton Spiridonov, Eva Pate/Logan Bye (7th last year),
and Molly Cesanek/Yehor Yehorov (competed at SkAm 2021). There are 11 dance
teams competing in all.
That’s about all I’ve got to say—how about you? Leave a
comment if you like, and maybe I’ll see you on Twitter this weekend as things
unfold. Follow me @KLBSt8ofSk8, and follow Nationals with the hashtag
#ToyotaUSChamps21.
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