Michelle

[SkateFan4Life]

Michelle Kwan has been a private person for a long time - a real contrast to Sasha Cohen, who makes sure that her every move/thought/decision is made public, either on her website and/or the media.

We did hear that Michelle's skate before the judges last month was not perfect. She fell on one of her jumps in the short program, and she missed two of her triples in her long program. If she competes at that level in Torino, she won't win a medal, not unless everybody else makes multiple mistakes.

I respect Michelle's tenacity and longevity in this sport. Tara Lipinski and Sarah Hughes are long gone from the eligible ranks, while Michelle keeps going on. However, I must say that I hope she intends to compete for the gold medal, to skate the two performances of her life (or at least do her best to achieve this). This is her third time at the Olympics as a competitor (I'm not counting 1994, in which she was the alternate), and the time has long past for her to go the Olympics just to soak up the atmosphere.

 

[millie]

I think team cohen also said they were keeping that under wraps. Also, Irina isn't saying anything. So this situation is not unique. Only the Japanese ladies are "broadcasting" their plans for Turin. I think they mean to make a statement.[/QUOTE

Hey Red Dog, Team Cohen is not keeping anything under warps, just go to the thread on Sasha and you will find all the details, nothing secret. S h e ' s R e a d y. Let the games begin.

 

[Ladskater]

Kurt Browning's best advice to Olympic athletes:

"Stay away from the press." Skaters need to focus on what they are there for. They do not need a lot of fan fare to distract them. All the skaters are wise to keep low profiles.

 

[SkateFan4Life]

Kurt Browning wasn't the only skater to adhere to that advice. Brian Boitano basically pretty much kept a very low profile during the fall of 1987 as he trained for Calgary. He just hunkered down and trained, trained, trained, and it paid off with a gold medal in Calgary.

 

[demarinis5]

" I must say that I hope she intends to compete for the gold medal, to skate the two performances of her life (or at least do her best to achieve this). This is her third time at the Olympics as a competitor (I'm not counting 1994, in which she was the alternate), and the time has long past for her to go the Olympics just to soak up the atmosphere.

Michelle is not going to the Olympics to soak up the atmosphere, she
been there done that. She is going for a shot at the Gold. At her press conference after her test skate she said "I have a shot, I don't know
what percentage but I have a shot".

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

On another subject, why is it always Kwan's non-fans who are most desperate to know her business?

They need something to chew on. Some of them only worry about Kwan and not the other competitors. They get tired of turning around the same quotes and, of course, their savior, Emily.

 

[heyang]

If I recall correctly, MK handled both 98 and 02 Oly's differently. In 1998, she was urged to just treat it as just another competition. I don't recall much footage of her attending other events. In 02, she chose to appreciate the full experience and was shown at many different venus in the stands - she even sported an Ono soul patch.

I agree with everyone else who has said that all other camps have been quiet. Everyone has their own style of preparing. In 1994, we weren't examining every twitch of Nancy's after her assault. I don't remember hearing about hwo well Nancy's test skate went - only that she was happy about it and was on the team. We didn't care about Tonya's late arrival at Oly's until it could be used as an excuse for her SP performance.

All the skaters should be concentrating on their training, not keeping their fans appeased.

 

[kyla2]

nymkfan51

I am not getting my hopes up yet. Ijust want her to be able to skate two programs she can be proud of. I would be thrilled to see her get a medal of any kind. It would be another Olympic record, but I am not sure people realize that.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Why don't we hear more about Johnny Depp? He has legions of fans (more than any figure skater). He prefers to be out of the limelight unless he is forced by the producers of one of his films to make the rounds.

Sasha enjoys the limelight. Michelle doesn't. Why carry on about this?
If you must know the gossip, the skater would need to have papparzzi around all year.

kyla - I apologize for being so blatant about this. You are right to want to know more. I overreacted because I can wait for the Olys. Sorry.

Joe

 

[jesslily]

Michelle certainly has the right to keep her traveling schedule secret...Is Michelle well trained and fully prepared for the game? Probably not....with too injuries in a row, her stratigy is to try as best as she can, and try as hard as she can...she also might have to depend on her luck during the game.

 

[Lucy25]

I don't think spying on Michelle is the most important thing on the other skaters mind. By spying what will they hope to learn;that she is was really injured or that she got her 3-3 down pat. And rumors that she was injured, that she had her test skate, that she is going to the Olympics. That's all the Kwan's fans get is rumors. You talk about running a tight ship as if they were running the White House and protecting the president. What difference should it make to them if a bit of news gets out about Michelle. It's not going to make one bit of difference if they know what she is doing now or later at the Olympics. It's not going to make one bit of difference, eventually she is going to have to go out on the ice like the rest of the skaters and skate. Who will protect her then from the judges. Just my opinion.

What did you get from the original post that it is other skaters spying? I never would have thought that until reading your post. I assumed it was the media poking around to see how she's doing.

And Sasha *is* pretty much keeping everything under wraps. She has said in her journal and in the past few articles that she is refusing all media requests until the official Turin press conferences. All she has said is that she is ready for the Olympics and that she is training hard. You don't get much information from that! We have no idea how practices are going (other than her saying they are going well) or what she has added or changed to her programs.

It seems as though all the top ladies are keeping it pretty quiet, with the exception of Shizuka who has announced a change of music and the attempt of a 3/3/3.

 

[mzheng]

I don't think spying on Michelle is the most important thing on the other skaters mind.

But may be for some it does. Ever heard 'Strategy'? Some might need to know what Kawn is doing to strategized their plan?

And you won't believe what done behind the scene. At this point Kwan can't afford be distracted too much, she has to use every minute and second trainning time wisely.

 

[kyla2]

Joe

Thanks Joe!!

 

[R.D.]

Hey Red Dog, Team Cohen is not keeping anything under warps, just go to the thread on Sasha and you will find all the details, nothing secret. S h e ' s R e a d y. Let the games begin.

Oh, they are. She has no problem in discussing her setbacks up to this point, but as for practice reports, fugettaboudit. Not that I really care much, anyway.

Do we have a right to know how she is doing? I don't think we have a "right" per se, but I would definitely like to know. I agree MZHeng they guard all information in the Kwan camp like nuclear secrets. I understand that when things are not going well, but I would love to have someone say anything, like "she is doing better," " landing jumps," "looks good." I tend to think that if things are going well, we will hear about it. The complete news blackout does worry me a little.
Jimmy Hoffa, you are as clueless as it gets calling me a non-fan of Michelle's. Get your facts straight before making generalizations. To others, don't get defensive everyone, I am not the enemy. I don't want details of her practices, just a general update, which I think we would all love. As for Irina, we know she is doing well now, which I am happy about for her sake. We also know Sasha is not injured, so why would we want to know how her practices are going? Enough said.

Well said. However, I don't think the news blackout is anything to worry about. Kwan isn't obligated to tell anyone about what she's doing, and that's her perogative. Doesn't necessarily mean anything bad. I think we are just all hungry for any bit of news we can get.

 

[rob43]

I have a feeling Team Kwan won't know her content til the week before the competition. Not to say they don't know what they want but that they won't have a real sense of what she is/is not capable of til that point given two injuries in one season. Also I would imagine they'll pull in a USFSA tech specialist again to make sure she's maximizing her abilities.

I think Cohen's making more noise- but not giving away her hand.

I think somne skater's are making waves because they have too. Irina and Sasha do not- and Michelle gets press regardless. I really wonder what Carolina is up to and pulling off.

 

[CantSpin]

We did hear that Michelle's skate before the judges last month was not perfect. She fell on one of her jumps in the short program, and she missed two of her triples in her long program. If she competes at that level in Torino, she won't win a medal, not unless everybody else makes multiple mistakes.

Of course, she did skate both programs within 12 minutes. She skated her long first, then a few minutes later, started her short, which is when she fell on the 2-axel. Not bad considering how short a time she had been jumping again, and not bad as far as her stamina is concerned. She also did two perfect double axels right after she'd finished the short.

 

[Rgirl]

They need something to chew on. Some of them only worry about Kwan and not the other competitors. They get tired of turning around the same quotes and, of course, their savior, Emily.

I agree with everything you said except the reason for dragging Emily Hughes into it. Emily has done nothing wrong. If the "Kwan haters" (in quotes not because I doubt they exist, I know they do, but because I don't think they all agree or have a "savior"--JMO).

Of course you're entitled to post your opinion--says the Never-Opinionated Rgirl I just disagree with the etiquette of posting it--says Rgirl, the Miss Manners of GS posting.

Back on topic: My comment is that I still predict, as I have since I can't even remember when, that Michelle will win the OGM in '06. It has always been just a gut feeling. We can all be happy that for once I have no explanation to write 10,000 words about.

Rgirl

 

[nymkfan51]

Back on topic: My comment is that I still predict, as I have since I can't even remember when, that Michelle will win the OGM in '06. It has always been just a gut feeling. We can all be happy that for once I have no explanation to write 10,000 words about.
Rgirl

Rgirl, no need to explain ... I love your prediction just as it is! :agree:

 

[Rgirl]

Rgirl, no need to explain ... I love your prediction just as it is! :agree:

Aw thanks, NYMKFAN. But you know me. I never need a reason to explain, I just will.

Kwan, OGM, '06 :agree:

Rgirl

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I agree with everything you said except the reason for dragging Emily Hughes into it. Emily has done nothing wrong. If the "Kwan haters" (in quotes not because I doubt they exist, I know they do, but because I don't think they all agree or have a "savior"--JMO).

I think you read everything but do not post much. If not, there was much ado about Kwan usurping Emily's bid for the Olys. The nonKwans had a field day with that. The word savior (bad choice of word) was to explain that the nonKwans had something say about Kwan despite the closed shop in the Kwan camp.

Back on topic: My comment is that I still predict, as I have since I can't even remember when, that Michelle will win the OGM in '06. It has always been just a gut feeling. We can all be happy that for once I have no explanation to write 10,000 words about.Rgirl

He he, no long essays from rgirl!! You could think about having all of them published.:thumbsup:

Irina is so far ahead of everyone except Sasha whom I think can win this with a faulty skate by Irina and a clean skate by Sasha. Gut feeling.

Of course, Michelle will be the best skater out there but I think her competitive days are over.

Joe