The Legacy of Michelle Kwan

mskater93 · Jul 7, 2009

Joesitz said:
In analyzing the possibility of a return to figure skating competition she would have to skate and medal at Pacific Coast Sectionals. They have some pretty good Ladies out there to give her some competition.

She would actually have to skate Regionals first. I think she'd be in Central Pacifics. From there, a top 4 finish would send her to Sectionals. I think knowing the quality of skating on the Pac Coast, Kwan would easily make it out of Regionals and Sectionals if she were 80% technically of what she used to be along with understanding IJS requirements. Not knocking anyone, but typically skaters are not at their best at Regionals and Sectionals due to serious nerves. Kwan's been there and done that and her PCS mark would probably be huge in comparison to what you see at the Senior level at Regionals and Sectionals.

Joesitz (RIP) · Jul 7, 2009

What I liked about Kwan was that she had good Figure Skating body-line in the arena. She was not ballet-like; she was not acrobatic-like. Just that rare skater who was Figure Skating-like. A credit to the Sport!!!

Kwanford Wife · Jul 7, 2009

mskater93 said:
She would actually have to skate Regionals first. I think she'd be in Central Pacifics. From there, a top 4 finish would send her to Sectionals. I think knowing the quality of skating on the Pac Coast, Kwan would easily make it out of Regionals and Sectionals if she were 80% technically of what she used to be along with understanding IJS requirements. Not knocking anyone, but typically skaters are not at their best at Regionals and Sectionals due to serious nerves. Kwan's been there and done that and her PCS mark would probably be huge in comparison to what you see at the Senior level at Regionals and Sectionals.

Having lived through several rounds of Kwan "stealing a spot" and "she should give other skaters an opportunity!" I would hope the Powers that Be would figure out a way to allow a win / win for everyone - appointing her to a Skate America spot or something else GPish and allowing the Regionals & Sectionals skaters a chance to compete... I understand that sports, like life, isn't fair - but what a tremendous burden to place on up & coming skaters... you need to place at least 4th to move on and by the way - Michelle Kwan needs your mom to move her mini-van, because she can't get into her vet...

Yes, I'm being naive today... please forgive me...

R.D. · Jul 7, 2009

Kwanford Wife said:
Having lived through several rounds of Kwan "stealing a spot" and "she should give other skaters an opportunity!"

Yet I wonder why Cohen isn't getting similar comments, especially after her return announcement. Everyone in the press seems to think she can "save" US skating. So the overall message seems to be, please step aside, but only when there is a skater "good enough" to take your place... :scratch:

Maybe if Rachel Flatt was able to medal at these worlds there would have been a similar outcry...

museksk8r · Jul 7, 2009

Red Dog said:
Yet I wonder why Cohen isn't getting similar comments, especially after her return announcement. Everyone in the press seems to think she can "save" US skating. So the overall message seems to be, please step aside, but only when there is a skater "good enough" to take your place... :scratch:

I think if Sasha had achieved Michelle's dominance and resume of accolades, we probably would be hearing those comments. Reality is Cohen has 0 World titles and only 1 National title in Kwan's absence. In contrast to Michelle, Sasha has no major international titles to speak of and is not considered a legend in her sport. Kwan achieved so much, which is why so many wanted her to be satisfied and move on. Cohen is still known for all of her unfulfilled potential and what she did not achieve, which may explain why the masses are more lax with their comments on her. Just a guess. *shrug*

Mathman · Jul 7, 2009

Kwanford Wife said:
I would hope the Powers that Be would figure out a way to allow a win / win for everyone - appointing her to a Skate America spot or something else GPish and allowing the Regionals & Sectionals skaters a chance to compete...

I think the powers that be are way ahead of the curve on this one.

Michelle competes in Southern Pacific Regionals. She squeaks out a fourth, sending one poor little girl home in tears.

Then the the secret identity of Skate America's "TBA" is announced -- lo! it's Michelle. Michelle is excused from Pacific Coast Sectionals and the fifth place girl from Regionals gets to go to Sectionals in her place after all. Win-win.

antmanb · Jul 8, 2009

Red Dog said:
Yet I wonder why Cohen isn't getting similar comments, especially after her return announcement. Everyone in the press seems to think she can "save" US skating. So the overall message seems to be, please step aside, but only when there is a skater "good enough" to take your place... :scratch:

But Cohen isn't skating at regionals or sectionals so she isn't "stealing" anyone else's place at Nationals.

Ant

Buttercup · Jul 8, 2009

antmanb said:
But Cohen is skating at regionals or sectionals so she isn't "stealing" anyone else's place at Nationals.

I thought Sasha goes straight through to Nationals because she was a 2006 Olympic medalist. Am I wrong?

Happy 4000th post! Sneaky of you to add another two almost immediately :biggrin:

.

antmanb · Jul 8, 2009

Buttercup said:
I thought Sasha goes straight through to Nationals because she was a 2006 Olympic medalist. Am I wrong?

Sorry i meant to write isn't - i've edited my post now to clarify!

Buttercup said:
Happy 4000th post! Sneaky of you to add another two almost immediately .

Thank you! I actualyl got really busy at work yesterday and didn't come back on til this morning and as per usual just had too much to say!

Ant

Kwanford Wife · Jul 8, 2009

antmanb said:
But Cohen isn't skating at regionals or sectionals so she isn't "stealing" anyone else's place at Nationals.

Ant

I didn't read it quite the same... What I got out of RD's comments is the idea that with Michelle, there had been a feeling since maybe 2002 that she needed to step aside to allow younger skaters to compete for the National title. This was usually from non-fans or ubers of other skaters... the basic message was always: just how gready is she?!?

Sasha didn't garner this type of reaction because she was such a consistant silver medalist with oodles of potential that after a while even non-fans were dying for her to pull it together and finally win something... this was espcially true in 2006.

So while technically we are talking about the possible comeback of two US skaters who have the potential to bench the entire current crop - Michelle is the one who generates the drama. Sasha on the other hand is being rooted for in terms of "she might FINALLY do it!"

rtureck · Jul 9, 2009

Red Dog said:
Couldn't be bothered to start a new thread but the Kwanfans will be interested in this:

Jenny Kirk discusses a possible MK come-back

http://trueslant.com/jenniferkirk/2009/07/01/a-michelle-kwan-comeback/

Thanks for the link they are 2 of my fav skaters. Someone mentioned that they don't know Kirk and Kwan are close friends. I remember when Jenny Kirk was 13, she listed Tara as her fav skater. A couple years later, she listed Kwan as the skater she admired the most. OTOH, when Cohen was 12, she listed Kwan and Kristi as her fav skaters, then later I believe she said she admired Tara.

Jenny Kirk is very thoughtful in her analysis, way to go, she is interested in journalism right?

The legacy of Kwan, she is the face of figure skating in US for over one decade. She gave us many magic moments. I feel fortunate to be able to capture that in video.

All the best to Michelle and Jenny

Mathman · Jul 9, 2009

Speaking of skaters who looked up to Michelle, here is a promo from Korean TV about the upcoming show:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1Pi5Ij5vzE

According to a translation by MichellianKwanjuez on the Michelle Kwan Forum, Kim says:

I began liking Michelle Kwan since the Nagano Olympics. I watched her skating repeatedly to the point of almost memorizing every move (of her programs).

Michelle, in turn, says (commenting on NBC television from Worlds):

Kim Yu-na was just dominating all week (inL.A.) When she was on the ice you just couldn't keep your eyes off her.

The Legacy of Michelle Kwan

mskater93

Joesitz (RIP)

Kwanford Wife

R.D.

museksk8r

I said what I SAID!

Mathman

antmanb

Buttercup

antmanb

Kwanford Wife

rtureck

Mathman

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