Saturday, October 5, 2013

Antwerk EFs Day 1 by @CattyComments - WAG VT UB, MAG FX, PH & SR

Kittens, it's me, Catty. It's 5:30am leftist coast. The national parks may be shut down but I Antwerq for you. However, there is the matter of only one comment yesterday. Your comments today will determine whether this is a live blog tomorrow or a blissful tape delay blog.

Live video: http://usagymworlds.com/live/
Start list: http://usagym.org/PDFs/Results/mw_13worlds_startevents1.pdf
Live scoring: http://antwerp2013.fig-gymnastics.com/ (currently down)

Let's party this get started. Need coffee.

Friday, October 4, 2013

Womens AA Final from Antwerk by @CattyComments

Kittens, it's time for three days of live blogging! I've missed you! Your starting link for live video (US only):

http://usagymworlds.com/live/

Start list: http://usagym.org/PDFs/Results/w_13worlds_startaa.pdf
Scores: http://figlive.sportcentric.com/vsite/vtrial/page/home/0,11065,5261-206663-223886-49508-news-list,00.html


Unfortunately we already see a sea of pink with a shimmering Swarovski display. Vegas kittens! Let's get this Belgian waffle partay started!


Saturday, September 28, 2013

Maroney for AA, Gymnastics Jesus for AJ - by @CattyComments

Kittens, it's me, Catty Comments!

A stunning, and yes, quite catty move for Team USA this morning. After Brenna Dowell participated in Subdivision 1 podium training (with Kyla Ross), where she only trained vault & bars, USA Gymnastics issued a press release saying that Dowell was now an alternate and that meme-sation OGM McKayla Maroney was competing AA.

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Secret Classic: A Live Blog by AJ and Catty Comments



It's a been a while. I know I shouldn't have kept you waiting. But I'm here now...

If McKayla Maroney is going to compete, Catty and I are going to be live blogging. It just has to happen. We are tentatively excited for this evening. Though we have seen promising videos from podium training, we are still haunted by memories of the Beijing Olympians phoning it in during the 2009 edition of whatever USAG is calling the meet.

2013 Shhhhhh Secret Classic Live Blog - da Juniors - by @CattyComments

Kittens it's me, Catty! I was going to save my snark for the seniors, and then I blew up after that unholy slow national anthem when I saw Sam Peszek inexplicably wear that country club green tent shirt with boobalicious latticework. WHAT? Let's get this started!

Linkaliciousness:

Live Video on the YouTubes

Live Scores

Start List for da Juniors

Sunday, April 21, 2013

2013 NCAA Champs EFs Live Blog by @CattyComments

Kittens it's me! Catty Comments! It's the most... longest time... of the year! NCAA event finals with 24 billion vaulters! Let's get started!

All of the lineups, scores & vid links are at the same link they've been at the past two days! Clickety on these words!

Saturday, April 20, 2013

2013 NCAA Champs Supah Six!!! Live Blog with @CattyComments

Kittens, it's Catty Comments! It's the most... wonderful time... of the year! SUPAH SIX team finals!

First of all, here's your handy dapper dandy link for live scores & video & rotations!

Also give your love to Oklahomayhey gym twitter feed for the awesome meet lineups!

March out is starting!!! We all have official NCAA gay rainbow sticks!!!


Friday, April 19, 2013

2013 NCAA Champs Prelim 2 Live Blog with @CattyComments

All of your live vid link/scores/rotation needs are in this one single handy-dandy page by UCLA.

Kittens it's me, Catty Comments! Prelimino Numero Uno was fabu (except for the sad Stanford Trees - knee gods heal the Ivana!), but just saw that there were not many blogging kittens, probably because of the feed issues.

So I, The Catty, shall blog Preliminario Numero DOS!. One of my advantages is that I'm in the arena, with a lovely view, and hopefully not a target of CRAZY PUMP UP THE ARENA guy. He's like John Macready except without the dances or knowledge of gymnastics or the gymnastics trivia questions he himself is asking. Or a t-shirt gun, or funny moves or the ability to be funny. THE MEET IS OVER, PEOPLE HAVE CLEARED OUT. ALL TEN OF YOU STILL HERE, LET'S DO THE WAVE!

The live feed will commence at 9pm EDT / 6pm PDT, but I'll be back in the arena 75ish minutes before that and will start posting updates. Lmk if you have questions in the comments. I'll also try to capture the routine highlights that are not picked up on the feed, and we can comment on the feed.


Saturday, April 6, 2013

2013 NCAA Regionals Live Blog with @CattyComments until the Bittah End

Kittens, it's me, Catty Comments! We've got a whole lotta look and a whole lotta gymnastics in the next few hours.

All times left coast because, we have more bounce in California!

Monday, April 1, 2013

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Elaine Zayak: Life on Top of the Podium



As the top skaters in the world compete at the World Champions this week, Elaine takes us back to what it was like becoming the 1982 World Champion.

Monday, March 11, 2013

TSL- Elaine Zayak: Comeback 1994



Elaine Zayak on coming back in 1994, competing in one of the most infamous skating competitions ever held and being better than before.

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Favorite Things: Sunday Night Edition



Toe point + Landings + Gorgeous = Mmmmm.


TSL: Elaine Zayak on the Other Side of Gold: The Zayak Rules, Distractions and Rivalries



Elaine Zayak on the Other Side of Gold: the Zayak Rule, Distractions and Rivalries.

Note, we have gotten feedback on the interviews being too long so we are going to release this interview in segments as an experiment. The entire audio will be up on itunes and the videos will eventually be put in a playlist.

We’ve Gone Too Far: Diary of a Tortured Yogi




Yesterday, my friend La and I decided to take a hot yoga class on the Upper East Side together and then have dinner at a lovely vegan restaurant. We’re not actually vegan, but we’ve considered it. Granted, while our people were out consuming an abundance of liquid calories, we struggled to make difficult decisions: Curried Unchicken Salad or Pine Nut Crusted Seitan. La had already done spinning at Fly Wheel earlier in the day and I had already skated, but working out again seemed like the appropriate life decision. As we walked around in Lululemon debating the merits of $180 yoga pants and taking yoga teacher training, it came to my attention that we’ve become those people: We’ve gone too far.

Millions of people around the world do yoga every day, but they simply aren’t on our level. While yogis all around the world are intense, OCD and bonding over ‘good energy’ with fellow anxious, body-dysmorphic -over-achievers, the ones who gravitate to hot yoga are simply on another level. Paying extra to do yoga in 105 degrees and 40 percent humidity is a life choice and there is no going back.

Yoga is addictive and a lifestyle, but hot yoga is simply a cult. You can fight it or you can embrace it, but you will be sucked in. I regularly pay too much money to do yoga all over NJ. I continually debate whether I should do yoga near work or at home and regularly purchase packages at a number of studios. I naturally feel guilty for not going every day to all of them, because the fit, Zen teachers always appreciate my energy and my downward dog---or at least that’s what they tell me.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

TSL: 2013 World Championships Ladies' Preview with Pj Kwong



Our preview of the ladies' event at the 2013 World Championships with Pj Kwong.

FYI: I know Kostner was at Worlds prior to 2005. I am pointing out that she was really introduced as a gold medal threat at that event when she reached the podium.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

TSL: 2013 World Championships Men's Preview with PJ Kwong



Our preview of the men's event at the 2013 World Championships with PJ Kwong. With so many contenders, who are your predictions to make the podium? How important should a clean program be? And is booing acceptable in skating or in sports?

Monday, March 4, 2013

TSL: 2013 World Championships Ice Dance Preview with PJ Kwong



Our preview of the ice dance event at the 2013 World Championships with Canadian journalist PJ Kwong. We gave our opinions and predictions and hope that you'll give yours as well.

Sunday, March 3, 2013

TSL: Duhamel and Radford Interview



We were thrilled to speak with Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford as they aim for the podium at the upcoming 2013 World Figure Skating Championships.

Sunday, February 24, 2013

TSL: 2013 Challenge Cup Recap



Our take on the 2013 Challenge Cup.

*Note, I have not been feeling well and apologize for how off I look in today's video.

Friday, February 22, 2013

Favorite Things Friday: Aquanet Edition!



There was a time when men were kind, when their voices were soft and the Aquanet was flowing.



The Queen.



The beauty of Shannon Miller's beam work and Peggy Liddick's wrist choreography.


Tuesday, February 19, 2013

From Russia, With Love: My Newest Adopted Daughter



I live for this program.


I love her for not wearing gloves or tacky outfits. I love her lack of Russian-lady limb flailing.

Federations, Change and the International Judging System: An Interview with Chuck Foster Part 2



The sport of figure skating is always evolving and changing, but perhaps the greatest change took place during Chuck Foster's tenure as President of the USFSA. For better or worse, changes in television contracts and the implementation of the International Judging System have changed the sport forever.

Monday, February 18, 2013

On the Other Side of the Boards: An Interview with Chuck Foster



Judging a subjective sports opens itself to rampant debate, scandal and intrigue. Chuck Foster served as a World and Olympic judge for 58 years. In part one of our interview with Chuck Foster, we tackle a myriad of issues including politics, the USOC's position on the participation of Tonya Harding at the 1994 Olympic Games, and serving on the panel during one of the sport's most debated evenings at the 1980 Olympic Games.

Sunday, February 17, 2013

TSL Teaser: Interview with Chuck Foster



A preview of our interview with former President of the USFS and World and Olympic judge, Chuck Foster, about his career, judging at the highest level, changes in skating, the International Judging System and the current state of the sport.

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Live Blog: Florida @ Georgia



I apologize for being late, as I just had to deal with worthless employees at Best Buy. It is bad enough when one has to go in and asked some stoned, thugged-out employee whether they have the latest Smash CD. It is even worse when they have it in stock and the store is too disorganized to locate it. Listen you worthless man, I have five minutes to buy a gift to cheer someone up before covering gymnastics. Please go sit and spin.  Thank you.

I'm rather excited for this meet. Florida is out for blood this season and everything Jay Clark tried to accomplish over the last few years is suddenly coming together.

God bless the anthem during online broadcasts. Texting break.

Happy Saturday!





Simply the best!

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

TSL: Four Continents Men's Recap



Our views on the men's event at the 2013 Four Continents Championships.

*Note, I mistakenly said that Jeremy Abbott was going to rest for Worlds. I meant to say that he is going to rest and recover for next season.

Monday, February 11, 2013

Sunday, February 10, 2013

TSL: Four Continents Dance and Pairs Recap



Our thoughts of the dance and pairs events at the 2013 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships. We shared our views with you and hope you will do the same with us.

Friday, February 8, 2013

Live Blog: Alabama at Florida




The event hasn't started yet. There isn't a blizzard in Florida. No one had to leave their job early today. Get the show on the road. These commentators make me question whether I have a brain left in my head.

I for one am worried that the Gators went 197.575 with a few of the POS gymnasts in the lineup, as they have had issues peaking in February far too many times in the past.

Behind the Scenes at TSL



A behind the scenes look at the last six weeks at TSL.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

TSL: Interview With Caitlin Yankowskas


            Caitlin Yankowskas is one of the brightest talents in United States pairs skating. During the 2011 competitive season she won a National pair title and captured a sixth place finish at the World Championships with partner John Coughlin.  Despite the team's promise and success, following the 2011 World Championships Yankowskas suffered a devasting career setback when Coughlin chose to end the partnership.  At a time when even the most seasoned athletes could have crumbled, Yankowskas managed to take the setback in stride and used it to strengthen her personal resolve and dedication to the sport. 
            Balletic and expressive, Yankowskas is regarded as a fan favorite by many. The 2011 National Champion faced great difficulty finding a suitable partner at the zenith of her competitive career, despite obvious talent and a history of accomplishments. She spent a year training without a partner before teaming up with Joshua Reagan in Spring 2012. Yankowskas says the wait was worth it, and she and Reagan then began the arduous process of creating a successful partnership with the Sochi Olympics just under two years away. With the skating world holding its breath for their competitive debut, Yankowskas and Reagan were forced to withdraw from Sectionals and Nationals this year after suffering various setbacks and injuries.
            Yankowskas is currently healthy and eager to compete.  During our interview, she spoke about her unique look on the ice, her past successes and heartbreaks, her promising new partnership and how she's learned how to put the ups and downs of life into perspective.

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Teaser: Caitlin Yankowskas Confronts The Rumors



In this week's teaser, Caitlin Yankowskas confronts the rumors regarding her split with partner John Coughlin in 2011 and his subsequent pairing with Caydee Denney. We hope you enjoy this week's episode as much as we enjoyed chatting with Caitlin.

Unintentional Hilarity



There is just too much here to even touch upon.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

The Skating Lesson: Interview with Debi Thomas



Our interview with Debi Thomas about sports psychology, the 1988 Olympic Games and life after skating.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Live Blog: The Ladies Short



The pairs were merely a warm up. Let the competition begin. The opening ceremonies start at 8:00, so I will be live blogging starting at 8:30. Until then, I will be conditioning like a good figure skater. I do not understand the opening ceremonies, as I can see little girls fall on the ice for $13 an hour any day of the week.

Now the mayor is speaking...

I'm bored of the short program just listening to the elements being described. Imagine if they had to describe the figures!

The Pairs Showdown





Which team will win Worlds? Can Aliona land the triple salchow? Do they need it? Since when do these Ukrainian girls make mistakes?!

This and That



Practice videos. Note Wagner still missed the double axel she fell on at the Grand Prix Final, is not upgrading to Nationals and fell on her footwork sequence.



Mirai Nagasu

Leah Keiser withdrew from Nationals due to injury.

Evgeny Plushenko bombed the short at Europeans and withdrew from the long due to injury. While it would be easy to choke this up due to #bootproblems excuses, his body has clearly been through a lot and few can remember the last time he bombed a short in competition.

Elizabeth Price is out of the American Cup due to a hip injury. Larisa Iordache will also not be competing. Currently on the roster: Kyla Ross, Victoria Moors, Koko Tsurumi, Asuka Teramoto, Vanessa Ferrari and Elisabeth Seitz.

Sadly, it looks like it will be another American Cup where the Americans are the only athletes fully prepared for a meet this early in the season and the others are simply competing for a little prize money. The Europeans will be gearing up for the European Championships, so there is hope we may see some decent exercises. We can only hope that a Mustafina future does not await them after the meet. Nothing good ever comes for international gymnastics who attend this meet. Produnova did the entire qualifying series in 2000 and was left with a broken foot by the Olympics.

A replacement for Iordache will be named soon. The replacement for Price will be named at the February camp. It is a major disappointment for fans, as Price stood a very good chance at upsetting Kyla Ross. It looks like she may have a predictable victory now. We can only hope that Lexie Priessman will be named and that Amelia Hundley will be this year's 'exhibitionist' (in the words of the UF commentators), so that MLT is all over our TV screens once again. Many of us long for the days when they gave her a microphone during the meets. Gymnastike could then return to CGA for their unintentionally hilarious and captivating documentary (accidentally brilliant), which if you haven't seen, is better than watching Liz and Dick.

The Teen Choice Tour was canceled. While it is sad that the gymnasts won't be given even more commercial opportunities to celebrate their Olympic win, it could be good for the sport that Wieber, Douglas and Raisman now have more of an incentive to get back in the gym. Somewhere, McKayla Maroney is still attempting to launch the first instagram-posing career.



Lena Degteva gave Gymcastic a great interview this week about life at Round Lake. Note that UCLA is subtly winning the PR war this year, even if their gymnastics cannot get it done on the mats. While Suzanne Yoculan was transparently manipulative, Miss Val may be even a greater master of manipulation, as she continues to get others to do her bidding. In addition to getting some of the more 'bullshit' NCAA combos she championed under the guise of 'varity' (gainer pikes, really?), that help teams or 'parity', it needs to be noted that she or someone in her program is infiltrating Gymcastic to be her personal PR source. (Last week, Sam Peszek even hosted the show.)

This week, one of the commentators who adores UCLA, noted that Shayla Worley (Public enemy #1) spends far too much time down on the floor, yet refrained from noticing that this is Val's M.O. in almost every floor routine where she has girls stretch their arms and limbs out and then turn over on the floor...unless she thinks that have a fitness issue like some girls over the years and has them run to left and right with their hands on their hips during her sexy rock n' roll routines. (Shout out Val, brilliant!) Last week, we heard the same commentator state that choreography is 'classier out west.'





More Nationals practice videos after the jump!

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Monday, January 21, 2013

Live Blog: Stanford @ Georgia



Today's MLK Jr. Day meet features Stanford taking on the Gym Dogs in Athens, GA. The Gym Dogs are coming off of a win on Friday despite some hiccups during the second half of the meet. Coach Danna Durante continues to find her footing in Athens and attempt to bring the team back into contention. The Stanford Cardinal are a team that typically does not defeat the Gym Dogs in dual meets, as they always face off near the beginning of the season and the Cardinal does not typically put out a full lineup until March.

The Skating Lesson: Interview With Dan Hollander (Episode 4)



Due to the excitement of Nationals, we are posting this week's episode a few days early. We hope you enjoy this week's interview with Dan Hollander about coaching issues, sports psychology and positive coaching techniques.

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Favorite Things: Sigh...



Great Song + Amazing Skater + Lovely Choreography = Total Win



Forgotten quality.

The Skating Lesson: Interview with Dan Hollander Teaser



A preview of this week's interview with Dan Hollander about coaching, sports psychology and the unique coach-pupil relationship.

Listen to the podcast:

Saturday, January 19, 2013

The Dress





Stunning.  Her best look yet!

Katelyn Osmond's short program at Canadian Nationals


UCLA vs. Utah

In an announcement that shocked no one, Evan Lysacek withdrew from next week's US Figure Skating
Championships.

Michelle Kwan got married today. I know we are all waiting for photos of that Vera Wang gown.

Denney and Coughlin are petitioning to Worlds. Ice Network posted an article about it, which means there is a good chance the USFS may send them. At this point ones need to wonder if they are coming back too quickly and risking injury and risking being a solid pair at the Olympics.

Pechalat and Bourzat withdrew from Europeans due to a partially torn muscle in Fabian's groin. They are hoping to compete at Worlds.

Mirai Nagasu is happy to be under the radar. Could she be the spoiler this year?

Friday, January 18, 2013

Live Blog: NCAA Gymnastics Night


There are a lot of big meets going on the the SEC and around the country tonight, so let's try to have a manic moment and get to all of them.

The Florida Gators are widely regarded as being the favorites for the NCAA title, yet they really struggled last week against LSU, having to count a fall off of beam. A few of their routines were perhaps flat and a few others underscored. They need to pay attention to landings and handstands, because the newer (somewhat controversial) rules in NCAA gymnastics are allowing judges to reward easier gymnastics with higher scores. A few years ago, ending with a gainer pike off of beam was a composition deduction. Even when it wasn't, judges wouldn't score girls above a 9.900 because they'd always 'find something,' in order to adequately rank routines with easier dismounts. The trends of aerial+back handspring series, series dismounts, gainer pikes and two rudis on floor are bringing back the days when the level of difficulty was regarded as a joke by gymnastics fans, but it is certainly helping out teams lacking star power and depth this season. Stay tuned.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Listen to the Rudy Interview






I got a new server for our podcast and uploaded our interviews.  Please know we are working hard to get this on itunes and should have the kinks worked out. We are also trying to get a youtube version of this as well. Apologies to those who were unable to listen to the podcast due to compatibility issues.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

The Skating Lesson: An Interview with Rudy Galindo (Episode 3)





Episode 3: An Interview with Rudy Galindo.

Apologies in advance, but there is no video this week. We had some 'boot problems,' and were unable to have the video. We hope you will still enjoy our interview with the 1996 United States Men's Champion, 1989 and 1990 United States Pairs Champion and perennial fan favorite on Champions on Ice about overcoming struggles, repairing relationships and self acceptance.

Monday, January 14, 2013

Heartbreak For Alissa Czisny




Alissa Czisny injured herself at a small competition this weekend, with the injury thought to be a dislocated hip. Above is a video of her long program, cut directly prior to the event. Alissa had to be helped off the ice and was ultimate wheeled out of the event. She has undergone surgery and it is on the road to recovery, yet it is thought she may be battling a genetic predisposition to hip issues. After a disastrous end to last season, Alissa looked to be skating well enough to challenge for a top spot at Nationals. One can only speculate whether we will ever see her skate competitively again. Surely, the skating world is rooting for her.

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

The Skating Lesson Podcast: Interview With Tim Goebel




Listen to our interview with the 2001 United States National Champion, 2002 Olympic bronze medalist and two-time World Championship silver medalist, who shares his views on the upcoming United States National Championships and the lessons he's learned from the ups and downs of competing at the top of the sport and experiencing the physical toll of being the Quad King.

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Yu-Na's Clean Long



Yu-Na Kim skates a clean long for the second time (third if you count 2007 Cup of Russia) in her career as an elite figure skater. She easily wins the Korean National title.

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Preview of The Skating Lesson Episode 2: An Interview With Tim Goebel



Coming Wednesday to The Skating Lesson.

NCAA Live Blog: OU at UGA



The showdown is here. Last spring, the University of Georgia fired coach Jay Clark and attempted to hire Oklahoma's head coach, KJ Kindler. They ultimate hired Cal's coach, Danna Durante, who has a lot to prove in her first outing as head coach. As UCLA Val Kondos Field has said in the past, you often have to be twice as good as the other team in order to win on the road.

It looked like this would be Oklahoma's meet until they lost senior Kayla Nowak just before Christmas to a broken back. The Sooners have to step it up and be stars in an often unfriendly arena. The Gym Dogs do get a boost in terms of Brittany Rogers, who is just joining the team this semester. With three years of underachievement that resulted in their coach losing his job, the Gym Dogs have a lot to prove. On paper, this should be one heck of a match up.

Why Yu-Na Kim Should Compete at Four Continents...



It is difficult to shake off the rust after time away. Her ability to do a Triple Flip+Triple Toe after falling and popping earlier in the program is impressive and commendable, but it looks like she has a bit of a way to go to truly be back in her rhythm in terms of competition. One has to be all in at this level and it may take competing like she has never won anything before (Grand Prix, Four Continents) for Yu-Na Kim to truly make it back to the top.

YNK scored a 64.97 for her effort in the short program.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

The Skating Lesson Podcast: Interview With Tai Babilonia



Jennifer Kirk and I have embarked on a labor of love together in the form of The Skating Lesson Podcast, where we interview influential people in figure skating to share the lessons they've learned along the way. Our first episode features an interview with Tai Babilonia, the 1979 World Pairs Champion with her partner Randy Gardner. Tai discusses her illustrious career, the lead up to the 1980 Olympics, personal struggles, and current issues in United States Figure Skating and its current pairs. We believe Tai's lessons have the opportunity to help so many people, skaters and non-skaters alike. Please note that this podcast is split up into several youtube clips in order to meet youtube requirements.