http://chicagosports.chicagotribune...0,1,1691263.story?coll=cs-international-print
For all of us who may wonder how an elite athlete preps for the worlds....
For all of us who may wonder how an elite athlete preps for the worlds....
what a skater (Michelle Kwan) does while waiting for the worlds
- Thread starter bronxgirl
- Start date
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2003
What a great article by Hersh. I expected a gushfest but there is real information in there both skatingwise and feelings.
I was happy to read that Arutunian is cracking the whip. I was sad to read she is lonely in the California hills, and mulls over the competitions.
She comes out human in this article and not a goddess.
Joe
I was happy to read that Arutunian is cracking the whip. I was sad to read she is lonely in the California hills, and mulls over the competitions.
She comes out human in this article and not a goddess.
Joe
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2003
Does anyone know why there is such a big time gap between the various National competitions and Worlds? It does seem hard for the skaters.
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2003
What speed? What footwork? What spins?
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2003
Well, Pixie, those are areas that she says she hopes to improve. We can judge at Worlds whether she was successful or not.
What I thought was neat about the article was that Mr. Hersh evidently caught her on a bad day, when she was kind or down, kind of bored, whatever. Then she called him back the next day, when she was feeling more cheerful about the whole thing, to make sure that he didn't write the article in a down note. Like Joe says, very human. Just like us.
Mathman
What I thought was neat about the article was that Mr. Hersh evidently caught her on a bad day, when she was kind or down, kind of bored, whatever. Then she called him back the next day, when she was feeling more cheerful about the whole thing, to make sure that he didn't write the article in a down note. Like Joe says, very human. Just like us.
Mathman
Im not even sure the article really conveyed the WHOLE scope of the things the author is addressing. Michelle has a wholly structure life for the times of the week where she trains. She must endure strength training, endurance training, dance/yoga/stretching classes, business transactions, etc...
It seems to me that at this point in MK's career, she is going what every major athelete who arrives at the pinnacle of thier sport does...waxing winsome of the price they have to pay to maintain thier level of excellence. That has to be both tedious and stressful at the same time.
How sad that Michelle couldn't just take a week off to go be with Karen and her new baby. At this point she JUST CAN'T and remain at the top of her game for worlds. I would almost be willing to bet that Michelle has very few "regrets" about her life, but she would be less that human if she didn't wish some things didn't HAVE to be the way they are.
It seems to me that at this point in MK's career, she is going what every major athelete who arrives at the pinnacle of thier sport does...waxing winsome of the price they have to pay to maintain thier level of excellence. That has to be both tedious and stressful at the same time.
How sad that Michelle couldn't just take a week off to go be with Karen and her new baby. At this point she JUST CAN'T and remain at the top of her game for worlds. I would almost be willing to bet that Michelle has very few "regrets" about her life, but she would be less that human if she didn't wish some things didn't HAVE to be the way they are.
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2003
skatepixie said:
Bitterness isn't pretty is it? It's interesting how so much bitterness in a person's body is able to cause blindness as well.
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2003
ouridol said:I hope we can see some new stuff from Michelle at worlds..
Interesting point ouridol - I'm not quite sure what "new stuff" would be. Can you give us a few examples and maybe name another skater who brings "new stuff" to the competition. I'm not being sarcastic here, ouridol, I really want to know what is new in figure skating. For me, figure skating is a finite sport, and the only stuff a skater can bring to it is a complete package.
Joe
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2003
Triple triples aren't exactly new. Michelle squeaked one out a few World's ago and Sasha squeaked one out at DC Worlds. Neither of them have been doing them since. Irina has been having her problems with them when last seen. We think Sokolova has got herself together to do her two triple triples. She's really good at that trick when she's on. Miki Ando may come in with 2 triple triples, also and maybe with a quad. And we can't count Arakwawa and Suguri out. they have triple triples.
It seems the only two are Michelle and Sasha, and we know that jumping is the most important trick in figure skating and triple triples in particular. These two Ladies do not have the new stuff. If that's all there is then let's keep on dancing.
Joe
It seems the only two are Michelle and Sasha, and we know that jumping is the most important trick in figure skating and triple triples in particular. These two Ladies do not have the new stuff. If that's all there is then let's keep on dancing.
Joe
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2003
A 3/3 would be wonderful, but if focusing on that takes away from her program....I say leave it out until next season. She's recruited Arutunian mid-season and I honestly don't expect to see any major revisions to "Tosca" or any astounding new moves until next season perhaps. She's got a solid program that will get the job done...as long as she skates with energy and emotion. But, I think that is the whole reason why she turned to Arutunian. She knows she won't be able to count on just getting the job done for the 04-05 & 05-06 seasons. She's been making decisions for herself since late 2001 and there is plenty of evidence to suggest that she's on the right course: 3 National titles, 1 World title, 1 World Silver, 1 Olympic Bronze, etc.....a resume most would die for. She's setting herself up for the 2006 Olympics. And, she's doing it by not rushing things or by radically altering a formula that has proven quite successful thus far. However, I do expect to see some changes next season. What exactly? I'm not completely sure, but if she sticks with Arutunian he certainly seems hell bent on pushing her as far as he can. I can't wait until next season!
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2003
I know figure skating is a sport and a major ingredient in that sport is jumping. Many ladies have triple triples. Among them are Sokolova, Nelidina, Liashenko, Ando, Kostner, Pavuk, Kirk, others that you can think of?
Questions: Can any of the aforementioned replace Cohen or Kwan from first place? Will any three of them kick both Cohen and Kwan off the podium? Are your answers wishful thinking?
Joe
Questions: Can any of the aforementioned replace Cohen or Kwan from first place? Will any three of them kick both Cohen and Kwan off the podium? Are your answers wishful thinking?
Joe
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2003
Thanks for the article. Too bad she didn't ask me to the Academy Awards, I would have been happy to escort her. Olivia Oppegard...nice ring to it.
Olivia Oppegard...nice ring to it.Nice article on Michelle Kwan. I hope to see her skating well at Worlds. There is no denying her impact on the sport artistically and to her doubters, even technically. Other skaters, (Tara, Irina, Sarah (yes, even Sarah) and now Sasha and the Japanese ladies) are trying hard to up their techincal difficulty in order to beat her.
Tara had to do a triple loop/triple loop PLUS a sequence to beat Kwan.
Irina needed a consistent 3/3
Sarah needed two 3/3's
Sasha needed to discuss the quad to the media and attempt it several times and also her 3/3 and sequences of last season
All ladies needed a flawless performance
Kwan isn't my favorite, but I am in awe of her determination and ability to stay focused and consistent. I don't know how any true skating fan can insult and not respect Kwan. Where would skating be without her?
Tara had to do a triple loop/triple loop PLUS a sequence to beat Kwan.
Irina needed a consistent 3/3
Sarah needed two 3/3's
Sasha needed to discuss the quad to the media and attempt it several times and also her 3/3 and sequences of last season
All ladies needed a flawless performance
Kwan isn't my favorite, but I am in awe of her determination and ability to stay focused and consistent. I don't know how any true skating fan can insult and not respect Kwan. Where would skating be without her?
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2003
skatepixie said:
Wow! Bitter much? All of those areas Michelle excels in, and she is just Kwanderful!
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