I think that coach and choreographer change could be beneficial for Rachael. She is musical and has potential, someone just has to 'uncover' her personality. I would love to see her with Yuka Sato!
Btw, just wanted to add that I'm not particularly a fan of Rachel's skating - just as I am not a fan of Sarah Hughes.
Regardless, I was happy for Sarah when she won the Olympic Gold Medal because she was the best of that night - before that she was also just a solid consistent skater and had a great layback, but no particular gushing was coming from the commentators over her star quality.
Everyone has their favorites and/or doesn't 'get' what someone else sees in a skater. However, they all deserve some respect for their efforts in reaching the top of their sport - even without finishing 1st, it's quite an acheivement to get to Nationals. I, too , have wondered why certain skaters continue to compete after they are very apparently out of medal contention for several years (i.e. Amber Corwin), but it's not as though they didn't earn their spot at Nationals. Same for all the people who thought Kwan should've retired to give others a chance - everyone has a chance, they just had to beat her.
As Olympia mentioned - Paul Wylie was one of those "almosts" until "finally making it" in Albertville... when so many went so far as to say he didn't belong on the team at all.
Rudy Galindo was also one of those skaters that should have just "hung it up" before he "made it" in 1996.
I wonder if Rachael ever read this what she would think!! I am sure she continues to compete because she wants to. No she is not a "phenom" in the skating world by any means, but she is a hard worker and it has paid. Hard work is what figure skating is all about and many skaters have made it to the top through their diligence - including skaters such as Rachael Flatt and Joannie Rochette.
Yuka Sato = the miracle worker
or so it seems
I wonder if Rachael ever read this what she would think!! I am sure she continues to compete because she wants to. No she is not a "phenom" in the skating world by any means, but she is a hard worker and it has paid. Hard work is what figure skating is all about and many skaters have made it to the top through their diligence - including skaters such as Rachael Flatt and Joannie Rochette.
We also have highly successful skaters who weren't as talented, but worked harder. Kristi Yamaguchi, as per her coach Kristy Ness, was not a natural jumper. Her work ethic is what made her a successful jumper.
I just watched Rachael do a high-spirited number on the NBC program spotlighting skaters and gymnasts. (Alas, I missed most of the rest of the broadcast.) She was very appealing to watch, and I was reminded of Nadine's warm reaction on seeing Rachael skate live. Rachael seems very fluid, which I like, and she has a fine spread eagle (both inside and outside) and a rather nice Ina Bauer. (A better backbend than Michelle, certainly! And you know that Michelle is at the top of my "life list.") There's no reason to give up on her, and certainly no reason for her to give up on her career.
you know, in dog mushing, the only reason fans want a musher to retire is because they're the dominant musher and are too cocky... puts things into perspective for me...
OT, but if you are a champion musher, does that mean that you are really good at it, or does it mean that you have the best dogs?