Ashley Wagner USA
2012 Trophee Eric Bompard free skate
It was no fluke. After being the late-season surprise earlier this year, Ashley Wagner started off this season with three consecutive wins – Japan Open, Skate America, and Trophee Eric Bompard – before mistakes cost her a shot at the Grand Prix Final title.
For Wagner, the key to all that success was confidence through repetition. Repetition in practice led to repetition of great performances, which led to repetition of medals and titles. The international accolades have translated into respect from the international judges.
Nowhere was the convergence of those aspects of Wagner’s success more apparent than in the free skate at Trophee Eric Bompard. Ill during the competition, she relied on her training to deliver one of the best free skates of her career. The judges rewarded her handsomely with, at that point, the highest free skate score of the season on the ladies’ side. And the result? An easy win for her second Grand Prix title of the season.
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