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Whoami
| Saturday, January 10, 2004 - 6:13 pm
Howdy all! I thought I'd start a thread for those who want to discuss the current skating events. I was going to title this thread US Figure Skating Championships..but, since Canadian Nationals are going on now too. And I figured if this thread isn't archived by the time 4 Continents or Worlds comes along, we could discuss then too. Anyway, as for US Nationals. I just missed Johnny Weir this afternoon. But it looks like he had a great time. I hope they do a replay on tonight's broadcast. I'm pulling for Michelle Kwan tonight. I like Sasha Cohen enough, but IMHO she really needs to get over herself a bit more before I can fully invest in her. She's young, so maybe she can still mature a bit. I can remember I didn't like Kat Witt or Roz Sumners much during their amatuer days either. ...edited to add...can you believe its been 10 years since "The Wack heard around the world?"
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Marysafan
| Saturday, January 10, 2004 - 6:39 pm
Wow, Whoami! Ten years! You are really making me feel old! (Oh wait...I AM old!!)
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Fanny
| Saturday, January 10, 2004 - 7:58 pm
Great idea, Who! I'm about to catch up right now. Johnny Weir was fantastic earlier today. I don't care for Weiss. Interesting that Goebel pulled out of the competition after his horrid short program. Sasha is awesome..if she is on like she was the other night she'll beat Michelle. But I'm with you, as long as Michelle is out there I'm pulling for her. Sasha is the future. xxooxoxoxoxox
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Whoami
| Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 12:28 am
Well, good for Michelle! Sasha, IMO, just wants it too much. She is so focused on the goal of winning, she just can't calm down enough to skate with joy. Its that joy that keeps Michelle going, and keeps her winning.
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Colordeagua
| Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 9:07 am
It's Sunday morning. We all know the outcome. Sasha -- you just never know. Michelle does have her very occasional flubs and falls, but she was perfect to my eyes last night. Seems she was to most of the judges too -- at least in presentation. I think she will be back for the 2006 Olympics. You can see how much she simply enjoys skating and she said she likes competition too. But after coming so close to the Gold in two (or is it three?) Olympics, the pressure will be horrible in '06. And yet, I can imagine her finding "a calm place" in her mind. What was with that 6.0 that Sasha got for presentation of a program in which she fell? Yes, it presentation not technical -- but she fell. It doesn't make the program perfectly presented. 5.9, not 6.0. Am I right or wrong? I wish Michael Weiss would simply give it up. He's 27, not a young up-and-comer whom you can allow the falls. (Younger skaters are surpassing him.) I don't think he's going to get any better or more consistent. I enjoy his current long program, but generally just don't enjoy watching him. He should leave the amateur ranks and skate pro or coach.
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Llkoolaid
| Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 9:32 am
I missed all the skating this weekend, but in Canada our Jennifer Robinson( would you please hang up your skates) came in 3rd, yet the young girl who won is not going to Senior Worlds, she is going to Junior Worlds, we are blessed to have Jennifer Robinson represent us yet again. Only in Canada, what a pity. Oh, and then the men, we have Sandu winning and representing us, well what excuse will he have for us this year when he falls under pressure. Grrrrr, I am tired of the same old same old skaters we keep sending, please someone tell them that the young upcoming skaters need the experience not these 2 losers.
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Kimmo
| Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 9:44 am
Color, I agree about Michael Weiss. I get depressed every time I see him skate. DH and I have gone to Champions on Ice a couple times and were just, "Ugh. He's too old for this." He acts like he is 22 years old. He skated in skintight silver lurex and a peekaboo shirt to a Backstreet Boys song. And fell both times... I thought when he first "came on the scene" (skating to "Frankenstein" et al) that he had something new to share, but then he went the traditional route, apparently trying to fill Todd Eldredge's skates and I got bored. Plus the constant falling is cringe-inducing. Who, I didn't get to watch the championships last night, but I do like Sasha Cohen's programs, even though she always flubs because she does, as you said, put anxiety over winning over enjoyment of skating. It seems like Sasha always has something new in each program, whereas for the past 3-4 years I have been feeling that Michelle always does the same program. This is what made me disgusted with Nancy Kerrigan-- Same everything, but rearranged to slightly different music. But maybe Michelle did something different last night-- I just wish we could see her challenge herself more and do different things.
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Colordeagua
| Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 10:14 am
Kimmo, true about Sasha and Michelle. Sasha's programs do seem to offer something new and different. Her flexibility is amazing. (I wish I could bend like she does -- not on skates.) Her spiral position (?) is a thing of beauty. But ultimately, you can almost tell her mind is going, going, going. It's her downfall. In the past few years, there doesn't seem to be much new and exciting in Michelle's programs. But you often can see the joy in her face when she skates. And especially when she does skate perfectly which she did last night, it is beautiful. As long as she skates, I think I'll be routing for Michelle. I liked the design of Michelle's "costume" last night, but orange is not my favorite color -- on anyone. I didn't care for the choice of music in the earlier part of her program either. Something more lyrical, please.
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Kimmo
| Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 10:51 am
Oh, if Michelle was wearing orange, then I haven't seen that program and wish I'd caught it! She obviously loves skating, she looks euphoric when she's out there-- But I'm rooting for Sasha to get over herself and give Michelle a reason to change it up a little. I mean, they're totally different-- Sasha's skating is more balletic, I don't expect Michelle to become a ballerina all of a sudden, but just do something different. For instance, at "Champions on Ice" (and in other exhibitions), I loved when Michelle skated to "The World Is Not Enough" (even though, for the most part, she was doing the same moves as usual), just because it was a different type of music and it prompted her to use her body a little differently than usual. But I know Michelle skates for the love of skating. I remember being very excited when she skated to "Salome" (a really long time ago), because I love programs that are thematic or "tell a story" as opposed to just demonstrating the beauty of skating. But it wasn't a winner for her and after that it seems she determined to pick her own music, not have choreographers pick it for her. So maybe for her there is no reason to change, this is just what she loves doing-- Not the creative challenge of telling/showing something new with skating, but just enjoying the skating itself.
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Lumbele
| Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 11:03 am
Michelle's programme was fantastic. She nailed every move. Those 6.0's were well deserved. Sasha's nerves let her down a bit. Experience will take care of that. LL, Sandhu fought his nerves. He didn't let them win this time. Perhaps the lad has turned the corner - finally. He wouldn't be the first Canuck skater to have nerves. Remember Browning and the battle of the Brians? As for Robinson, well she *does* have nerve - to borrow from Tess: ACKKKKK!!!! Enough already!!!Never could stand her, still can't. Leave her at home and listen to LL. The younger crowd needs to start collecting experience NOW! Jennifer had her chance. ed. to add: Ferrera will be going to world's, too. So if Sandhu flunks, he'll pick up the slack - we hope!LOL
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Colordeagua
| Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 12:17 pm
Kimmo, the orange costume was for her U.S. Nationals long program last evening. Didn't you see it? Am I wrong in calling the color orange (a deep, bright orange)?
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Tess
| Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 12:19 pm
It looked orange to me.
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Amchess
| Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 12:40 pm
Isn't it Sasha that allegedly used to try to intimidate the other skaters during warm-ups by skating too close to them on purpose, etc.
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Skootz
| Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 12:41 pm
Llkoolaid you couldn't of said it better.... although it does look like we have some up and comers in the womens department in Canadian figureskating. I am in someway glad that Jen Robinson was beat out..it was the first year that she had any competition to go against her. she has to realize you cannot win competitions with two foot landings etc. some of the up and coming men are great. Did you get a glimpse of the Junior dance gold team..they are from my kids skating club. I am looking forward next years Canadian nationals as it is coming within 1/2 hour from my house...yipee
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Teachmichigan
| Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 1:23 pm
I was sooooo thrilled that Michelle won! After the short, Sasha seemed to be the favorite, but while I enjoy her skating, I will always be a true-blue Michelle supporter. (Maybe I haven't gotten over the feeling that she should have beaten Tara in the Olympics...JMHO of course ) Michelle's long program was just breath-taking! While I can see where people think she is "repetitive"...I think of it as her "Style." Scottie Hamilton is a bouncy, funny skater. Brian Boitano is a classical skater. Kurt Browning is just hot. And Michelle is beautiful, graceful and can jump like nobody's business! She earned every one of those 6.0s and I'm so glad the judges acknowledged her perfection! I also agree ...HOW THE HECK does falling on your butt equal a 6 for presentation???? Do the judges want the skate blades "presented" to them up in the air???? LOL All in all, one of the best competitions I've seen in a long time! Both men and women seem to "stand up" more than they fell!!
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Colordeagua
| Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 1:47 pm
Amchess, I seem to remember a skating announcer say something like that about Sasha a year or so ago. A little dangerous way of trying to intimidate. I enjoy watching Sasha skate, but see (or imagine?) a look of "I'm no. 1; keep your eyes on me" in her face on and off the ice. She can't back it up consistently. Teach, It was a very good competition yesterday -- a whole five hours of skating! I don't have cable so in many of the other competitions I miss the pairs and dance which I also enjoy watching.
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Whoami
| Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 2:15 pm
Yeah, I remember that "scandal" about Sasha. I think it was the year before last? She was had a near collision with Michelle, one more than one occasion. She vehemently denied deliberation on the occurrences. There's no denying people like to talk about Sasha's brash attitude. This year, one thread on Sasha chewing gum on the podium took up something like 12 pages on one of the figure skating boards! Now, take a look at some of these pics....."jump faces" can be so scary! (disclaimer, not meant to diss the skaters, just a lighter look at stuff). First of all, Johnny in a jump, next to him "normal." He looks like an old lady in that jump pic! I guess his facial muscles were very relaxed!
And Michael also looked like he had a very relaxed face. Kinda like the Incredible Rubber Man!
And finally, poor Sasha! I hope she got her tongue back in before the landing! That would hurt!
As for Jen Robinson. I read on the figure skating boards that this was her last year? And maybe sending her to Worlds is sort of a reward for basically being the only lady to represent Canada for a while? And that the young lady who won (sorry, her name escapes me at this moment) was so young they didn't want to overwhelm her at her first Worlds? And Sasha'a six for a program with a fall.... *sigh* I'm actually sort of scared the USFSA could sort of "encourage" Michelle to leave the amateur ranks. I felt like they sort of unceremoniously dumped Kyoko Ina, and Todd Elderege like that. If Sasha was able to really hold it together for two programs, I wonder if the USFSA would have any more "use" for Michelle?
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Colordeagua
| Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 2:15 pm
Speaking of pairs -- the other day I caught a clip of Gordeeva & Grinkov. They were truly a beautiful and perfect skating pair. I'd say even for Russians. If only he were...and they were.... I used to love watching Underhill and Martini. Then Brasseur and Eisler were (and still are) big favorites. Don't get to see them much any longer. And of course, now Sale and Peltier. Thank you, Canada, for the beautiful skating.
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Kimmo
| Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 2:23 pm
Color-- No, I didn't watch last night (so why the heck am I here?! ), so that's why I didn't see Michelle skate in the orange.
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Whoami
| Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 2:32 pm
Aw yes. Gordeeva & Grinkov were in a league of their own for sure! Underhill & Martini were probably my favorite Pro pairs team. Their "Unchained Melody" program is still at the top of my list for one of the steamiest programs ever. And the program they skated in tribute to Barbara's deceased daughter gave me chills. I still remember how it was all about Barbara skating the tribute, with Paul being the perfect "supporter" throughout the number. Brasseur and Eisler also a favorite! I still LOL at their number where they switched genders! And lets not forget Bourne and Kraatz. I loved their Riverdance show. FWIW.....I read on the figure skating board last night that Michelle's dress was "apricot." 
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Colordeagua
| Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 2:37 pm
Aaaah yes, apricot. A bright deep apricot? (Maybe the lights and cameras do change the color some. I do like the color "peach".)
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Mags
| Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 2:41 pm
Did anyone tape Nationals? My sister and I thought it was next week. I am so mad. I'd be willing to pay for a tape and shipping to get a copy....unless they show Michelle's long program during the exhibitions.
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Colordeagua
| Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 2:47 pm
I didn't tape it. Otherwise I would have been happy to. Who, hohohohohoho. ROFLMAO! She's gonna lose that tongue.
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Whoami
| Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 2:48 pm
If you don't get a response here Mags, I'll put a word out on the figure skating board if you like. Or, you can just go there, join up and ask yourself? Just let me know. Here's the two I go to.... Skating Forums Figure Skating Universe I'm sure there are others, but those are the ones I know of.
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Mags
| Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 2:51 pm
Thanks Who! I will check it out. My sister and I have tickets to the 2006 Nationals in St. Louis (the whole week...practices and everything). We had to buy them over a year ago.
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