It's MoscaRific.

Polina has some growing up to do, artistically, but all of my hopes for the future of US ladies rest upon her having a consistent 3A and some Jeff Buttle choreo in 2018.

Okay, some of those hopes rest upon Bradie Tennell, too. It’s a travesty that Tennell didn’t go to Junior Worlds this year, because if she had, we would have 3 slots for next year. Her technical gifts are insane - she puts down 3-3 combos like she took a wrong turn at the men’s warmup - and she’s developing some pretty lines as she matures.

I know I’m not supposed to let Ashley Wagner’s technique bother me, but  I don’t think she’ll ever snag a World medal unless she cleans up those URs and adds some transitions. She skates like it’s 2002.

Gracie Gold needs a sports psychologist and possibly a year as a redhead. 

I keep forgetting that Mirai is only 21 and therefore has at least 3 more years to continue breaking my heart. Tom Z does seem to have fixed her technique.

I’m worried that Karen Chen has peaked, that Vivian Le will never hit the next level, and that Mariah Bell won’t work out a 3-3 before the younger girls lap her. Please let me be wrong about all three.

Yay, two of my favorite current ladies! Someone’s been browsing my tags.

Mirai:

What I like about him/her/them: When she is good, she is very, very good. She’s a flexible, fast, dramatic spinner. Her smile is adorable, and so are her expressions of disgust and resignation. At her peak, she said the damnedest things to the media, and you could hear USFSA cringing and rounding up the media consultants. While she’s declined technically as she’s aged, I admire her for relearning technique to adjust to her adult body, working hard to stay in the sport, and combating nasty comments about her size and shape.

What I dislike about him/her/them: She has chronic underrotation problems, to the point where I was actually hopeful when she went to Tom Z, because if anyone could have fixed her jump technique, it was him. And not so much. I’ve heard she’s a difficult athlete to coach. She uses spunk and charisma to cover up a lack of artistry and weak fundamentals. She probably should have retired after the 2010 Olympics.

Favorite costume: Her 2010-11 “Memoirs of a Geisha” dress, blue with the pink cherry blossoms. This year’s black and silver free skate dress is a close second.

Favorite competitive program: She struggled in 2008-9, but her “City Lights” SP was super charming and suited her personality perfectly.

Favorite exhibition/show program: “Fireflies” was an inspired music choice that she seemed really into, and she wisely kept it for a couple of seasons.

Favorite element/skill: Haircutter to Biellmann spin.

Liza:

What I like about him/her/them: She has the most serious-business ladies’ triple axel since Midori Ito. When lesser divas might have thrown in the towel, she used the Russian Federation’s indifference to remake herself into a mature skater with a unique style. Puberty made her better. Although she’s more of a muscular athlete than a delicate ballerina, she has exquisite fundamentals: secure edges, great flexibility, and cleanly rotated jumps. Say what you want about the caftans, but she puts thought into her costumes and makes a statement. A lot of my La Tuk love comes from having seen her compete live a couple of times; the camera takes away a lot of her charisma and speed. In person, she’s a force of nature.

What I dislike about him/her/them: She’s having an unfortunate Joubert-esque peak the year after the Olympics, and she’s unlikely to be this great in 2018. Say what you want about innovation, but it’s still a fucking purple caftan.

Favorite costume: The weird black jumpsuit from 2012-13 has grown on me.

Favorite competitive program: Her free skate from this year.

Favorite exhibition/show program: Her Michael Jackson program from 2011 is one of the fiercest things ever accomplished by a 14-year-old, and it’s a great tribute to Oksana Baiul.

Favorite element/skill: Can you say triple axel? I knew you could.