tharrtell said:
However, I'm not sure she believes that.
.......
Why would she consider Torino otherwise? Yes, I know she says she loves to compete, and I believe that; however, elite skating is such a huge committment that I cannot see sticking out two long years if the gold wasn't really important to her. That said, I would be so trilled if she were able to do it.
Tonichelle said:not one to scream conspiracy... but it looks like north American skaters are really getting docked for good skates... I know I may still sound "bitter" from the Pairs SPs... but really I mean... from what I've been reading some of these scores are just weird!
jlk75 said:Let me just start by saying that I have seen the programs, via the wonders of high speed technology. Her program was SOLID, jumps were clean, edges great, speed great, etc. I will say that I could understand if Sasha was placed 1st and Michelle 2nd...don't agree, but the two are fairly comperable to some extent and then it becomes a matter of preferance. But to think that she was marked down to a 5.1 for technical merit (even excluding the .1 for time, then it was a 5.2). Someone needs to tell me how you come up with .8 worth of deductions (two falls worth)??? I mean even if you are giving credit for a 3/2 vs. a 3/3...it just doesn't make sense.
I'll I can say is it is just more fodder for the critics of figure skating. But what would World's be without a skating contreversy. I heard the ISU is majorily lossing money, maybe this is there way of stirring up ratings!
mzheng said:Here is some one posted at FSU:
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I just talked to somone in the inner loop at worlds. I asked them about the Whole Michelle Deal, and they said the RUS judges and JPN Judge are holding Michelle Down in a block Judge.( they don;t want her to medal. They also said that Michelle's Coach talked to the RUS and UKR Judges on the event and they said they took the .2 for michelle being over time, and he asked what about the Cheats on the JPN skaters and they said they did not see them. This all seems very Strange.
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I'll remain my judgement until I see the programs. But from all the report over the web, and even from some non-Kwan fan, and conjunction to this post. It dose looks fish to me. Rus judgers hold up Japanese lady in exchange of JPN judgers hold up Rus. How could you adjust Elena S.'s presetation mark, with a botched combo and a fall at flip, without jump back up, except the charming attitude (I doubt with a fall she can still remain charming) what warrent her 5.7 and 5.8 for presentation? with those choppin stroking non excistant spiral, etc. Not to mention Irina's (I applaud for her brave come back) but judge should be faire to other deserved skaters, they just worked the same hard.
Great post, Doggygirl, as well as those by Gelio, Mathman, Brenlynn, Realtorgal, Bronzeisgolden, and others.Doggygirl said:I enjoyed reading your post. You put into words better than I ever could a concern I've had about MK for awhile now. It used to be that more often than not, she was so far ahead of the pack that so long as she skated clean, medals were usually in the bag. I have always loved her skating and still do, but it just seems she is now part of the pack which sure changes the competitive environment. (I fully realize she did not skate clean in the QR)
I don't think she's rested on her laurels in terms of competitive fire, training, etc. I also understand that years of elite level competition take a toll on the body, and to stay in the game as long as she has you have to be careful not to overtax the knees, hips, etc.
While I'm very sure Michelle and her team keep close tabs always with regard to what other skaters are doing, I suspect that isn't quite the same as being there. Showing your program next to the others and letting the judges give feedback through scores and discussions. I wonder if she will regret her decisions about only minimally competing throughout the year. I just wonder if she fully understood how the pack was catching up.
Oh well. One thing is for sure - I can't wait to actually see the performances and decide for myself.
not having been there, who knows. But I'm surprised that MK was placed below the 2 japanese girls who had serious 3-3 combos, but then sasha was placed ahead of them w/just a 3-2 combo.