I posted this over on the Michelle Kwan Forum, but thought a lot of posters here might enjoy this also. I was as having kind of a down day on Tuesday 5/24 when I remembered that Miki was supposed to train with Carol Heiss Jenkins at Winterhurst. I called the facility and they told me yes, Miki was on the ice. I hurried down and got to Winterhurst at about 10:45. For about 15 minutes Miki was skating alone. Carol was on the side and 3 or 4 friends or Japanese federation people were in the stands watching Miki. Only a few seconds of her music played (I have NO idea what it is ) and Miki would set up for her first jump combo. Since it was a 3 jump combo I thought this was probably for her FS. She was practicing 3z/3l/2t. She crashed about 4 times on the first jump and then a time or two she got the lutz and fell on the loop. After about 6 tries she stood up on the 3z/heavily cheated 3l/no toe. Next time around, she got 3z/3l (looked ok)/fall on toe. I think toe loop must be a problem jump for her because Carol had her practicing 2t, 2t for a little while then moving on to a 2t/2t combo. Never saw a 3t/2t but maybe that is what is planned.
I saw her straight line footwork a couple of times. I saw what I think are twizzles, towards the middle it slowed down and then picked up speed (think COP here). The footwork was kind of slow but this is a new program and she just started practicing so I'm not surprised - no bash intended.
She did a couple COE spirals. I could see kind of a jerk/hitch as she changed edges. The second part of the COE seemed shallow - it was almost straight rather than curving. A funny thing happened on one spiral. She was skating backwards doing sort of a fan spiral but holding the free leg and kind of lost her balance and started to tip over. She got balance back but she was laughing as she finished as was Carol.
She practiced upright spins. I saw lots of change of edges and different position. The transitions seemed kind of sloppy and the spins traveled a lot. I think this is one area that probably needs a lot of work.
For COP she did a back spiral into some kind of jump which I missed. A couple of lower level skaters had come in about 11 and one blocked my view just as Miki went up for the jump. Also she did some footwork that curved around into a 3s. I'm thinking this is for harder jump entrances under COP.
Miki seemed very nice she was smiling and laughing. Carol had one of the lower level skaters (2 jumps only) demonstrate something and Miki seemed ok with that.
For all the CHJ fans - she is just as charming and pleasant as always. Her blonde hair was pulled back. I could hear her encouraging Miki - good jump, yest that was good - so it was really fun to watch. Carol asked her once if she was ok after Miki fell. As they finished what I think was a 3 hour (yikes) session, Carol gave Miki a hug.
Carol must have some type of leg/foot injury. She was using a cane on the sidelines and didn't have her skates on. She was helped across the ice to the exit by one of the other coaches.
I know there are rumors that Tim Goebel may be back with Carol, but I did not see him on Tuesday. He could be here and training at a different time or training with Glyn Watts at Iceland in Strongsville. I'll keep an eye out for him.
I know this is terribly long, but it was so much fun that I just had to share it. I'm hoping to get back early next week so you may get another long-winded post from me!
Maureen
I saw her straight line footwork a couple of times. I saw what I think are twizzles, towards the middle it slowed down and then picked up speed (think COP here). The footwork was kind of slow but this is a new program and she just started practicing so I'm not surprised - no bash intended.
She did a couple COE spirals. I could see kind of a jerk/hitch as she changed edges. The second part of the COE seemed shallow - it was almost straight rather than curving. A funny thing happened on one spiral. She was skating backwards doing sort of a fan spiral but holding the free leg and kind of lost her balance and started to tip over. She got balance back but she was laughing as she finished as was Carol.
She practiced upright spins. I saw lots of change of edges and different position. The transitions seemed kind of sloppy and the spins traveled a lot. I think this is one area that probably needs a lot of work.
For COP she did a back spiral into some kind of jump which I missed. A couple of lower level skaters had come in about 11 and one blocked my view just as Miki went up for the jump. Also she did some footwork that curved around into a 3s. I'm thinking this is for harder jump entrances under COP.
Miki seemed very nice she was smiling and laughing. Carol had one of the lower level skaters (2 jumps only) demonstrate something and Miki seemed ok with that.
For all the CHJ fans - she is just as charming and pleasant as always. Her blonde hair was pulled back. I could hear her encouraging Miki - good jump, yest that was good - so it was really fun to watch. Carol asked her once if she was ok after Miki fell. As they finished what I think was a 3 hour (yikes) session, Carol gave Miki a hug.
Carol must have some type of leg/foot injury. She was using a cane on the sidelines and didn't have her skates on. She was helped across the ice to the exit by one of the other coaches.
I know there are rumors that Tim Goebel may be back with Carol, but I did not see him on Tuesday. He could be here and training at a different time or training with Glyn Watts at Iceland in Strongsville. I'll keep an eye out for him.
I know this is terribly long, but it was so much fun that I just had to share it. I'm hoping to get back early next week so you may get another long-winded post from me!
Maureen