US Olympic Figure Skating Ices 3rd Place Medalist

[RockaFowler]

http://gawker.com/theres-some-drama-with-the-us-olympic-figure-skating-t-1499990477?rev=1389592486&utm_campaign=socialflow_gawker_facebook&utm_source=gawker_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

The top three finishers at the national figure skating championships have always been, barring injury, the skaters named to the US Olympic team. But not this year.

Mirai Nagasu, a 20-year-old skater who finished fourth at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, took third place at the nationals competition this weekend. The only top finisher with Olympic experience, she was also the only figure skater not to fall or make a major error.


Mirai was robbed. And I have a feeling it has to do with the promos that NBC has produced.

[joeybee12]

1. It's really going to come back to haunt them if Ashley Wagner messes

up in Sochi, which she just might.

[RockaFowler]

2. NOt sure I understand why she was placed on the team

She messed up big time Saturday Night and then pouted the whole time the other 3 girls were skating. And if she messed up there who's to say she isn't going to mess up at the Olympics!!!

[joeybee12]

3. She blew it in 2010 and missed Vancouver...

She won nationals last year, so maybe they figure she's fotten past that, although I doubt it...they need to just go on the placements and stop changing things UNLESS there is a real reason for it...such as Nancy Kerrgan getting whacked and being unable to compete.

[frylock]

5. hate to say this, but that's what i'm hoping will happen

[joeybee12]

6. They did it bepore for Nancy Kerrigan and Michelle Kwan, both because neither

competed due to injuries...I think this is the first time the "sucking" option has been used.

[TBF]

4. Ya think this might have something to do with marketing?

Ashley Wagner:

Mirai Nagasu:

[rocktivity]

7. The answer is literally right under your nose

...(T)he rules allow the US Figure Skating Association to judge the skater's "body of work" over the past year, which can carry an unspecified weight in the final team selection.

Nagasu, skating without a coach, was coming back from an inconsistent year on the competition circuit. And although Wagner fell multiple times and had a less difficult program, her brand has been a major part of the Olympics marketing plan.

Does Nagasu's "body of work over the past year" include multiple falls and major errors? If not, she's caught in a perfect storm of powerlessness (it would reflect badly on coaching if she were to medal without one) and the marketing of All-American perky cheerleader types (racism). I remember a competition that I knew Tara Lapinsky would win -- Michelle Kwan was too ethnic, Oksana Baiul carried too many bad memories, and Nicole Bobeck was too sensuous.


rocktivity

P.S. The Eleventh Annual "You Call This NEWS?" Awards are posted.