MKFSfan said:I do think skate order played a factor in both Michelle's 1996 and Tara's 1998 win, as well as emotions-Michelle in 1996 was so emotional and new-the whole"breath of fresh air", while I did love Lu Chen and thought she was amazing that night. Tara in 1998 was more energetic and exhuberant, with Michelle being a little more reserved (well, compared to 1998 Nats. and Tara that night) but both competitions were close, and could have easily gone the other way.
I don´t think the skate order played the factor in Kwan vs. Lipinski at Nagano Olympics. Also Ilia Kulik was the first to skate in final group, and he won. What mattered was how Kwan skated. I have no doubts that Kwan would have won, if she had skated the way she did at 1998 US Nationals. Lipinski benefitted from the skate order in that sense that she skated directly after Bonaly (refering to Brennan´s book, LOL).