Five Ring Circus

Really, really ridiculously early US figure skating picks for Sochi

waflan — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:41:00 -0400

So, wow… no big skating competitions until October… SO WHY NOT MAKE SH*T UP?!

We’ve got 3 spots each for the ladies and dance, and two each for pairs and men. So lets break it down in that order.

LADIES:

After a very good showing at worlds, I think that both Ashley Wagner and Gracie Gold are well on their way to making their first Olympic teams. Additionally, if Gold continues to advance artistically, I think they both have a shot at a top-5 placing in Sochi.

The third spot, IMHO, is where the competition really heats up. The way I see it, you’ve got three key players - Christina Gao, Mirai Nagasu, and Agnes Zawadski - along with a couple up-and-comers with an outside chance (Courtney Hicks and Yasmin Siraj come to mind) and two skaters looking to return from time off (Alissa Czisny and Rachel Flatt). Ultimately, I think it will come down to Gao and Zawadski, and I think Gao will come out on top.

Prediction: Wagner, Gold, Gao

DANCE:

Really, there isn’t much competition here. Davis and White are the class of the world, Chock and Bates were extremely well-received by the international community at Worlds, and the Shibutanis are a solid and world-class team.

Prediction: Davis/White, Chock/Bates, Shibutani/Shibutani

PAIRS:

With Denny and Coughlin returning from his hip surgery, I think they’ll reassert themselves at the top of the US pairs ladder. I think the real battle will be for the second spot, probably between Scimeca/Knierim and Castelli/Shnapir, and I think that Scimeca/Knierim will come out on top. They’re a pair with a whole lot of upside and not much downside, and their top-10 placement at Worlds was a stellar debut.

Prediction: Denny/Coughlin, Scimeca/Knierim (bronze: Castelli/Shnapir)

MEN:

I saved this for last because its frankly pretty wide open. In alphabetical order, I think Aaron, Abbott, Dornbush, Farris, Johnson, Miner, and Rippon have a shot at making the team, and throw possible returners Lysacheck and Weir into the pot and you’ve got yourself one hell of a competition for two Olympic berths.

I can’t help but think that Abbott, who is returning to his sublime Exogenesis freeskate and who is working with the equally-sublime Robin Cousins on his short has an excellent shot at making the team. Exogenesis is such an excellent program that it has a 10-point components advantage over all of the other skaters in the field (not counting Lysachek- we havent seen anything from him in 4 years, lord knows what he’s capable of), and I’d wager he’ll spend a whole lot of his long off-season perfecting his quad toe. If Abbott can get his 4T consistent, I think he’s one of a very small number of skaters capable of stopping Patrick Chan’s seemingly predestined run at Olympic gold, due in large part to his component scores.

Max Aaron had quite the breakout year, and I’d guess that he’s the co-front-runner with Abbott for the Sochi team. Clearly, he has the jumps to be world class, and his artistic growth between nationals and worlds was significant. Hopefully Coach Tom finds a way to let him score some higher components while maintaining his technical edge.

I think Joshua Farris represents the future of the US men’s team, and it frankly wouldn’t surprise me if he got one of the two spots - he’s a complete skater - quad, triples, spins, choreography - plus that X factor that skaters crave- he seems to float above the ice, as opposed to laboring on it.

Of course, those picks don’t take into account the unknowns of Evan and Johnny, although I think Weir’s best competitions are behind him. As for Evan? Lord knows.

Prediction: Abbott, Aaron (bronze: Lysachek)

Well kids, there you have it. How confident am I in my predictions? 99.9% confident in dance, 75% confident in pairs, 60% confident in ladies, and maybe 45% confident in men’s. Only time will tell, but if I run the board at Nationals, I expect a fabulous shoutout from Jackie Wong on twitter :-)

Figure Skating Worlds Predictions

waflan — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 12:41:00 -0500

Its Bobby again kiddos, and the time has come… the big show!

THE 2013 WORLD FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS!!!!!

I’m literally trembling with excitement. So, without further ado, I give you the 5RC Worlds predictions (NOW WITH CHARTS!)

Ta-DAAAA! Bask in its majesty!

A few notables:

I think 5RC-unofficial-sweetheart Javier Fernandez is going to win the men’s even, boldly putting Spain on the figure skating map!
Ashley Wagner will win her first world medal, and the US’s first ladies world medal since 2006, when Kimmie Meisner and Sasha Cohen went 1 & 3 (sweet jesus that was 7 years ago… lord i’m old.)
The Canadians will end up on the pairs podium. Their program has been on the rise for years, and they totally deserve it.
Meryl and Charlie will best Tessa and Scott. This will happen, or else there is no justice in the world, because D&W’s programs are out-of-this-world amazing.

And a few comments on how this leads into the Sochi Olympic year:

Japan retains 3 entries in the men’s event. This is pretty much a lock. Canada just barely keeps its 3rd spot, and the USA keeps its two with a strong first showing by Max Aaron.
Again, Japan retains 3 spots. If you look closely at the ladies event, and do some quick math… yup. I’ve predicted that both the USA and Italy will gain a third spot in the ladies competition for the Olympic year.
3 Pair teams each for Russia, Canada, and China. USA keeps 2.
3 Dance spots again for USA, Canada, and Russia.

That leaves the USA with 3 ladies, 2 men, 2 pairs, and 3 dance spots for Sochi… not bad!

And here are the medal counts!

Not too shabby - a good international distribution - 4 in Asia, 4 in North America, and 4 in Europe.

So what do you think? Agree? Disagree?

2burgers2fries2dietcokes: 15 years ago today, Tara Lipinski...

waflan — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 13:28:19 -0500

2burgers2fries2dietcokes:

15 years ago today, Tara Lipinski defeated Michelle Kwan to win Olympic Gold in Nagano. My mom interrupted my 9th grade French class to tell me the news. My life was never the same after that moment!

nationalpostsports: Oscar Pistorius weeps in court as he is...

waflan — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 10:41:56 -0500

nationalpostsports:

Oscar Pistorius weeps in court as he is charged with Reeva Steenkamp murder
Oscar Pistorius held his head in his hands and wept openly in court Friday as prosecutors said they would pursue a charge of premeditated murder against the Olympian.

Pistorius was formally charged at Pretoria Magistrate’s Court with one count of murder after his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, a model and budding reality TV show participant, was shot and killed at Pistorius’ upmarket home in the predawn hours of Thursday.

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel said Friday in court it was premeditated murder, indicating the prosecution would file that more serious charge, upgraded from murder.

A statement from the family of Pistorius and his management followed, however, saying they dispute the claim that he murdered his girlfriend “in the strongest terms.” (AP Photo/Antione de Ras - Independent Newspapers Ltd South Africa; Waldo Swiegers/AFP/Getty Images)

South African track star Oscar Pistorious reportedly shot and killed his girlfriend after mistaking her for an intruder.

waflan — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 02:35:59 -0500

South African track star Oscar Pistorious reportedly shot and killed his girlfriend after mistaking her for an intruder.:

We at 5RC are shocked and saddened by this tragic turn of events.

TRAGIC!!

waflan — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 15:22:05 -0500

The IOC has voted to remove wrestling from the list of Olympic core sports, effective as of the 2020 games.

Wrestling is one of the original modern Olympic sports, and was in fact among the sports in the ancient Greek Olympics.

More info can be found here.

Really, we here at 5RC are going to miss wrestling for many reasons… maaaaaany reasons…

2-time National Champ Alissa Czisny dislocates left hip; withdraws from US Nationals

waflan — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 10:22:19 -0500

2-time National Champ Alissa Czisny dislocates left hip; withdraws from US Nationals:

We here at 5RC (especially Bobby, who think’s she’s amazing) wish Alissa a speedy recovery.

UPDATED PREDICTIONS! The 2013 US Figure Skating World Team!

waflan — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 16:59:17 -0500

Bobby here!

We’re just two weeks away from US Nationals in Omaha, NE, so I figured it was time to update my prognostiskating (see what I did there again?) about who will make the world team this year. Remember, we’ve got 3 dance teams, and two each of men, ladies, and pair teams. To see my original predictions, click here!

I’ve again broken the fields down to four respective categories: Locks (guaranteed to make it); Contenders (a good shot to make it); Dark Horses (outside shots to make it); and Wild Cards (you know what that means i assume).

AND LOOK I MADE ANOTHER GRAPH!

My predictions to make the team are highlighted in red.

You’ll notice that Johnny Weir and Evan Lysachek have both withdrawn, hence the strikethrough. Also withdrawn are defending pairs champs Denney and Coughlin, but you’ll note that I also colored them red.

Realistically, Denney and Coughlin are a class above the other US pairs teams - the kind of class that places you in the top 8 at worlds. If John Coughlin is able to come back from his hip surgery, i would not be surprised if they are added to the world team, making the two pairs Denney/Coughlin and Castelli/Shnapir.

You’ll note that I also updated my second picks in the mens and ladies events, promoting Ross Miner and Christina Gao (who goes to Harvard), and demoting Max Aaron and Gracie Gold, although I do think that both still have a very good chance to make the world team. I’ve also switched out my third dance team, bumping up Hubbell and Donohue and allowing Chock and Bates to sink to 4th place, based on their respective Grand Prix performances.

In the next two weeks I’ll be posting my predictions by event with a top 5… keep an eye out!

Madrid, Tokyo, and Istanbul are 3 finalists for 2020 games; submit Bid Books

waflan — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 15:52:02 -0500

Madrid, Tokyo, and Istanbul are 3 finalists for 2020 games; submit Bid Books

We here at 5RC would like to wish 2012 Olympic-alternate gymnast...

waflan — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 16:00:32 -0500

We here at 5RC would like to wish 2012 Olympic-alternate gymnast (and total hunkadoodle) Chris Brooks a very happy birthday!

nationalpostsports: Eighty-six-year-old Johanna Quaas, the...

waflan — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 16:21:28 -0500

nationalpostsports:

Eighty-six-year-old Johanna Quaas, the oldest active gymnast in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records attends the annual review show ‘Menschen 2012’ (People of 2012) aired on the public television broadcasting station ZDF in Munich, on Dec. 2. Below, Quaas at a recent training session. (Photo:MARC MUELLER/AFP/Getty Images)

Julia Lipnitskaia has withdrawn from the Grand Prix Final due to concussion sustained in fall in practice

waflan — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 10:39:00 -0500

She will be replaced by first alternate American Christina Gao. We here at 5RC wish Julia a speedy recovery!

More info here.

PREDICTIONS! The 2013 US Figure Skating World Team!

waflan — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 17:46:01 -0500

Bobby here!

We’re a little more than halfway through the Grand Prix series, so I figured it was time to do a little prognostiskating (see what I did there?) about who will make the world team this year. Remember, we’ve got 3 dance teams, and two each of men, ladies, and pair teams.

I’ve broken the fields down to four respective categories: Locks (guaranteed to make it); Contenders (a good shot to make it); Dark Horses (outside shots to make it); and Wild Cards (you know what that means i assume).

I EVEN MADE A GRAPH!

The folks highlighted in red are the ones that I am currently predicting will make the team.

You’ll notice a lack of a “Lock” in the men’s competition… If Jeremy Abbott can come back from his injury and skate his programs the way we all know he can, no US man can beat him, and he’ll be a lock.

You’ll also notice a lack of a “Wild Card” dance team. Unless Tanith and Ben decide to come back and compete at Nationals, its going to stay that way.

What do YOU think?

nationalpostsports: Here is star hurdler Lolo Jones in her...

waflan — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 13:16:48 -0500

nationalpostsports:

Here is star hurdler Lolo Jones in her first World Cup bobsled competition.

Reigning world champion Kaillie Humphries of Calgary won the gold medal in the bobsled season-opener, beating the United States team of Jones and Jazmine Fenlator.

Humphries and brakewoman Chelsea Valois of Zenon Park, Sask., finished the two runs at Lake Placid in one minute 54.86 seconds 0.47 seconds ahead of Fenlator and Jones, a two-time Olympian in hurdles.

Lolo Jones and Tianna Madison, both 2012 summer Olympians,...

waflan — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 12:42:12 -0500

Lolo Jones and Tianna Madison, both 2012 summer Olympians, scored some more hardware this weekend: on the ice of the Lake Placid bobsled track.

In both of their debuts as bobsled push/brake athletes in the 2-man event for Team USA, Jones won a silver medal and Madison won bronze. Congrats!

Athletes from a number of different sports, all of whom train at...

waflan — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 10:34:41 -0400

Athletes from a number of different sports, all of whom train at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, put together this Gagnam Style video. Good stuff, now get back to training!

Olympic gold medalist and world GS champion Ted Ligety got off...

waflan — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 17:41:14 -0400

Olympic gold medalist and world GS champion Ted Ligety got off to a pretty amazing start this weekend at the first event of the 2012-13 FIS Alpine World Cup season, winning the Giant Slalom by a mind-blowing 2.75 seconds. Ligety’s win is the largest GS margin in over 30 years.

Hurdler Lolo Jones, sprinter Tianna Madison named to US Bobsled Team

waflan — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 11:33:12 -0400

Hurdler Lolo Jones, sprinter Tianna Madison named to US Bobsled Team:

In recent years, the bobsled team has recruited track athletes for the push positions on the sleds - the ones that provide the power at the start.

Jones and Madison, both new to the sport, will also provide a bit of star power to the women’s bobsled team, who have been less successful on the international circuit in recent years than the men’s team.

Some excellent analysis of the ladies event from Skate America

waflan — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 10:32:58 -0400

Some excellent analysis of the ladies event from Skate America:

Thanks to the always awesome Jackie Wong… Follow him on twitter at @examinerskating!

SKATE AMERICA STARTS IN 10 MINUTES!!

waflan — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 21:53:07 -0400

We’ve got the pairs and mens’ short programs tonight!

Streaming online via icenetwork here!

Live results here!

AND DON’T FORGET THE DRINKING GAME AND 5RC’S SKATE AMERICA PREDICTIONS!