Czisny -- Another Nikodinov?

[R.D.]

And this is how I see it:

Nationally, Rachel should worry about Alyssa.

Internationally, Alyssa will dig her own grave, anyway, so no point.

Frankly, I do think Alyssa got quite lucky in more ways than one. This is not to say she didn't deserve her US championship but the stars had to align a certain way and it seems they did.

[janetfan]

Well, fortunately for Rachael she does not have to compete against Irina. But what about Alissa?

This is how I see it.

If Alissa skates well she can beat Rachael.

If Alissa does not skate well she cannot beat Rachael.

At U.S. Nationals, in the short program Alissa skated well and outscored Rachael by a considerable margin.

In the long program, Alissa did not skate well and she finished behind Rachael in that part of the competition. I think those placements would have been the same under any judging system.

I do not really see anything controversial about any of that.

Very good logic and I agree based on that one competition. I was speaking in a more general manner, based on a year or two's worth of competitons. I also think that you might admit that Alissa, under 6.0 could make her choreo "super 6.0 friendly." I don't think Rachael could at this point.
Anyway, it will never happen - so happy 4th of July and thanks for sharing your views and expertise.

[Mathman]

I also think that you might admit that Alissa, under 6.0 could make her choreo "super 6.0 friendly."

I do admit that gladly. But I think she can make her choreography, interpretation and performance/execution "super CoP friendly" as well.

By the way, if you are up for a good conspiracy theory, here's one.

You mentioned that Irina beat Michelle seven of the last nine times they competed against each other. Three of those seven victories were at the Grand Prix finals in 1999-2000, 2000-2001, and 2001-2002. IIRC, all three results were questionable, especially the last, at which Michelle landed six clean triples to Irina's four.

Michelle won Worlds in 2000, 2001, and she was supposed to win the 2002 Olympics but it didn't work out that way.

So the conspiracy theory is, everything was fixed from the beginning. They would give Kween Michelle the two world championships and the Olympic gold medal, and as a consolation prize they would give the good soldier, Irina, the Grand Prix finals each of those years.

Internationally, Alissa will dig her own grave, anyway, so no point.

I don't think we can count on Alissa messing up. She is too inconsistent.

[janetfan]

I don't think we can count on Alissa messing up. She is too inconsistent.

Good one, and how ironic. I was curious to see if any Alissa supporters might step up - but maybe it is the holiday - or they have lost faith.
Whatever - I would just say that skaters like Alissa are part of the reason I like figure skating so much. And I like Rachael too and realize she is much younger than Alissa.
The Russian Federation would never have agreed to such a raw deal for Irina - unless they were focusing on consolidating their men's chances. In which case we are just as dirty as the Russians for agreeing to such a farce.

[Mathman]

I was curious to see if any Alissa supporters might step up - but maybe it is the holiday - or they have lost faith.

Or they are afraid of investing their emotions and having their heart broken.

I have been privileged to see Alissa skate at various functions in the Detroit area for many years, going back to when she and her sister Amber were in novices. Last month she brought the house down with a technically flawless and artistically exhilarating performance at the Detroit Skating Club show. I hope she skates at Skate Detroit, coming up on July 21.

I also got to see her (live) at her best at Skate America in Atlantic City in 2005. Sustituting for Michelle, she won the long program and finished second overall (to Elena Sokolova) -- then the next week she went off to Skate Canada, substituting for Sasha, and won, over Rochette.

Here is her picture on the Detroit Skating Club site (hit "previous" under the picture until it goes to picture #!.)

http://www.dscclub.com/

Here are some more (first gallery).

http://www.dscclub.com/photos/gallery/

Also, the same page (last gallery) has some pictures of the last time Michelle came by the club (Tara's old club, by the way. )

[janetfan]

Or they are afraid of investing their emotions and having their heart broken.

I have been privileged to see Alissa skate at various functions in the Detroit area for many years, going back to when she and her sister Amber were in novices. Last month she brought the house down with a technically flawless and artistically exhilarating performance at the Detroit Skating Club show. I hope she skates at Skate Detroit, coming up on July 21.

Thanks for the pics. My favorite is the one with her coach hugging her - yea, yea, a bit sentimental, but it was a special moment for both of them.

Hearts broken? I thought that was Michelle and Sasha's job.

[TtonyV7]

Wow,

I was hoping that I wouldn't another can of worms regarding US Nationals again!

Back to Nikodinov and Czisny....

[AliasJohnDoe]

Besides Alissa's spins/spirals/edging/artisrty, she is basically the only US lady who has a "pure" lutz......the hardest jump among the US ladies. Alissa never gets an edge call on her lutz. Caroline gets a lutz edge call about 9 out of 10 times. Rachel about 5 out of 10 times. Alissa's lutz is what makes her stand out among the top US ladies. A "pure" lutz makes me swoon.

[HCOSurfer]

Besides Alissa's spins/spirals/edging/artisrty, she is basically the only US lady who has a "pure" lutz......the hardest jump among the US ladies. Alissa never gets an edge call on her lutz. Caroline gets a lutz edge call about 9 out of 10 times. Rachel about 5 out of 10 times. Alissa's lutz is what makes her stand out among the top US ladies. A "pure" lutz makes me swoon.

Yes, but Alissa doesn't have a "pure" flip.