Negative Article Re: Kwan in Houston Paper
- Thread starter Piel
- Start date
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2004
I must admit that I don't get the "Kwantroversy." I could understand the furor if there was one Olympic ladies' spot and Kwan was granted it over Cohen. But-that is not the case. I don't think she is stealing a spot from anyone else on the current American ladies' scene. Watching Nationals confirmed that for me. I think Alissa, Emily, etc will have more chances for growth and placement.
Also, I must confess that I don't want to have another super-young, little seasoned Olympic champion. This is what we have seen in the last few years and I don't think it is particularly good for the sport or the winner (exhibits: Baiul and Lipinski, in particular). This is why I would not be sorry if Slutskaya wins-though I have always liked her personality more than her skating. But-if Michelle can pull it together-more power to her. I do feel that this injury may be too severe for her to make these Olympics. But-seriously-she has a heck of a record whatever happens. I don't see any reason to bash her for making the attempt.
BTW, I think newspaper articles like these are obvious attempts to polarize opinions and create that buzz. It is much more eye-catching to present an emphatic, colorful article than a balanced, factual survey of the situation. My guess is he will receive feedback from general figure skating fans who dislike the errors and ardent Michelle fans who dislike the tone. His next article will bear the title: : "Biased Michelle Fans won't hear a word against her."
Also, I must confess that I don't want to have another super-young, little seasoned Olympic champion. This is what we have seen in the last few years and I don't think it is particularly good for the sport or the winner (exhibits: Baiul and Lipinski, in particular). This is why I would not be sorry if Slutskaya wins-though I have always liked her personality more than her skating. But-if Michelle can pull it together-more power to her. I do feel that this injury may be too severe for her to make these Olympics. But-seriously-she has a heck of a record whatever happens. I don't see any reason to bash her for making the attempt.
BTW, I think newspaper articles like these are obvious attempts to polarize opinions and create that buzz. It is much more eye-catching to present an emphatic, colorful article than a balanced, factual survey of the situation. My guess is he will receive feedback from general figure skating fans who dislike the errors and ardent Michelle fans who dislike the tone. His next article will bear the title: : "Biased Michelle Fans won't hear a word against her."
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Lynn51 said:
That's what I thought as well! (At least 3 votes against!)
Let's just recall that Emily won 3rd at Junior World's, and that's no small feat! Meissner won 4th at the same event. About falling at recent Nats., all of the top 6 except Sasha fell. That makes Emily one of 5 of the top ladies who fell. She fell once, Beatrissa fell twice, Alissa fell 3 times! Katy fell once.
A word about Alissa: I reviewed her Skate Canada SP & LP & it was first class! Can she compose herself in the tense situations? If she can, she's the USFS's next big hope! Alissa is noticeably taller, 2 or more inches, than the other ladies, except for Emily. It is quite apparent in the warm-ups, live. With that height she really makes a statement. But it is also more difficult for tall skaters to have consistent jumps.
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- Joined
- Jul 27, 2003
Nay...you guys get points for being the land of LBJ for his social programs but then ya lose some because of his record with Viet Nam and his dislike of Bobby Kennedy. OTOH the entire country elected the Bush's president not once but three times so we're all to blame for those, LOL. Heck my little state went for Bush the past two elections...not for lack of trying on my part. What can I say, vote Democratic, stay out of war, and GO KWAN! Do you think she could defeat Arnold? Can you imagine Nationals (soon to be know as The Michelle Kwan National Championships) being an actual State Holiday in California.? Something to think about if her injuries are too bad for her to continue skating.Justafan said:
Piel said:Nay...you guys get points for being the land of LBJ for his social programs but then ya lose some because of his record with Viet Nam and his dislike of Bobby Kennedy. OTOH the entire country elected the Bush's president not once but three times so we're all to blame for those, LOL. Heck my little state went for Bush the past two elections...not for lack of trying on my part. What can I say, vote Democratic, stay out of war, and GO KWAN! Do you think she could defeat Arnold? Can you imagine Nationals (soon to be know as The Michelle Kwan National Championships) being an actual State Holiday in California.? Something to think about if her injuries are too bad for her to continue skating.
Well as far as Bush getting governor back when...21% of the voters voted. I would vote Michelle for prez...as Kinky Friedman uses in his platform for governor - "Why the Hell Not?".
PS...this Texan worked on the Kerry campaign...so guess those stereotypes are kind of full of bull.
Bowers said:
Emily landed only 4 triples in her FS. She fell on her 3L (which was downgraded to a 2L) and she stepped out of an underrotated 3S (also downgraded). Emily's fall was far more disruptive and clumsy than Alissa's or Katy's. Katy landed 5 triples and IMO was undermarked, probably because she wasn't in the final group. I think Katy should have been 3rd in the FS and Emily 4th.
I also wonder why Emily refused her 4CC invitation. Was she afraid she wouldn't skate well and that would hurt her chances to go to Torino, or that Katy might outskate her? I tend to think she IS afraid that the ISU judges might mark her the way they did during the GP. She certainly could have used another international competition under her belt before going to Worlds. She'd be better off being undermarked at 4CC than at Worlds.
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2005
NorthernLite said:
Great post, NorthernLite. You said it all.
:thumbsup:
Piel said:
I personally think unless MK proves she's not physically capable of skating, they're going to send her over Hughes. And they probably should, given the circumstances right now. But I'm curious as to why Hughes decided to skip 4CC. Maybe she's playing it safe just in case MK has to pull out and she suddenly finds herself going to Torino? I think that could be why.
chuckm said:
Katy Taylor is a fellow Texas--as is Tara! Both are/were terrific skaters! But to be fair with comparisons, I believe Katy placed below both Emily and Kimmie at last Jr. Worlds, as well as last year's Nationals. Her track record against Emily hasn't stood up in the past couple of years.
I don't believe Emily is afraid of anything, skatingwise. It may be that her "advisors" might have a strategy in mind, however.
Dwinner, my big question for you is "What was the Kwan vote at Nationals?" Were your figures correct, or inflated?
In your analysis of falls as "more disruptive", and just disruptive, you left out an analysis of Beatrissa's and Kimmie's. Were theirs just disruptive or "more disruptive." I will admit Emily's was more disruptive. I heard the splat from the other side of the arena. Some wondered if she'd get up and continue. I believe, however, that her size--height as well as sturdy build--make a fall seem bigger. But one would also have to admit that Beatrissa's and Kimmie's were awfully clumsy looking falls as well. And Kimmie's (and Katy's) occured toward the very end of their programs.
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2005
kyla2 said:
I'm also greatful to have him in office or else I'd be in jail right now just for my political beliefs. The left scares me more than any Islamic terrorist.
I think it was odd that Kwan signed those sponsor contracts although she was an injured skater. Are those used as some kind of leverage to push her to the Olympics without caring much how she might skate at the test-skate?
I have read Kwan mentioning that she will not go to the Olympics if she does not feel 100 % fit. Will she herself be the best judge for that? Just wondering because I also hve read a statement from her that she has a shot for gold medal in Turin. That sounds rather delusional, in my opinion.
I have read Kwan mentioning that she will not go to the Olympics if she does not feel 100 % fit. Will she herself be the best judge for that? Just wondering because I also hve read a statement from her that she has a shot for gold medal in Turin. That sounds rather delusional, in my opinion.
Jaana said:
Do we know when these contracts were signed? Before or after the injury? Not sure what leverage could be used if these contracts were signed before her injury. If the committee feels she is not fit or ready to go after the skate test they have the right not to name her to the team, it's not up to Michelle. Good luck Michelle.
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2003
Coca-Cola already made a statement that regardless of whether or not she goes to Torino, it's her overall marketability that attracted them. Now that could just be spin, but it's the official line at this point.
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2003
Your just wonderings will soon become known as facts.Jaana said:
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