The Russian girl that eventually won was something else. And I'm glad the italian got bronze.
I must ask - the american that wasn't Gracie Gold.. what happened to her in the american qualifiers? There was a few references in the UK commentary about her having a meltdown there and how she had proved herself worthy of the olympics with her performance at the olympics.
Well, it's a bit of an explanation.
There were spots for three women to go to the Olympics in Sochi. There were two favorites for the three spots, Ashley Wagner, who won the US title in 2012 and 2013, and Gracie Gold, who finished second in 2013 behind Ashley Wagner. Also competing was Mirai Nagasu, she won the US title in 2007 & 2008, and placed second in 2010. She was at the Olympics in Vancouver, and finished 4th in the ladies competition.
The night of the ladies long program arrived, and Ashley Wagner was the first to skate. She let her nerves get to her, and she fell on two jumps. Her competition (up to that point) hadn't done much better, so she was placed first. Next came new-comer Paulina Edmunds. She surprised everyone with her grace and jumps, and was placed ahead of Wagner. Next was Gracie Gold. She skated wonderfully, and was placed first, pushing Paulina down to second, and Ashley Wagner to third, which meant Ashley still had a shot to go to the Olympics.
Mirai Nagasu took the ice last. She had not performed well during the last year, and many were not expecting her to medal. Her program was a clean one, not as artistic as Ashley Wagner's, but she had no falls, while Ashley had two. Mirai was placed third, pushing Wagner off the podium.
Normally, it is the top three finishers that go on to the Olympics and World championships. However, many were surprised when the USFSA (United States Figure Skating Association) cited a seldom used rule that they can consider a skater's "body of work" for the prior year. It is usually used when a skater is sick/injured and can't compete. It was last used in 1994, when Nancy Kerrigan was placed on the Olympic team, despite the attack on her. The USFSA decided that Ashley's prior year was better than Mirai's, and in the end Mirai was pushed from the Olympic team, replaced with Ashley Wagner. It was a shock because it was the first time that this rule was used for a skater who was not sick or injured.
It later came to light that two of the sponsors who sponsored the Olympics, also personally sponsored Ashley Wagner. Mirai Nagasu was gracious about it, but many fans were upset.
Topic: Cellar Scribblings (Read 8993057 times)