Sasha not going to 2007 Nats

[R.D.]

Let's see Nats and Worlds first...Hughes may be improving and we don't know about it :think:

 

[Eeyora]

I am honestly not surprised (yawn). When will Caroline Zhang move up to seniors?

Actually i think the real question is Will Kimmie, Emily and another be able to give the US team three spots in 2008?

 

[Jhar55]

Not going to Nationals this year but if you only go to see only a couple of skaters then yes it's a waste of money and time if there not there IMO. You go to enjoy ALL the skating and see who the new up and comer because you never know who's going to blow the crowd away. The next few years are going to be great there is not really one skater who's really "IT" they are all very young and anything can happen.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Very nice post, Jhar. If fans' whole figure skating experience is wrapped up in two female skaters who are apparently leaving the eligible scene, then it appears to me that their interest in figure skating is very limited. What exactly would keep them interested in figure skating? Do they want clones of the two who are leaving?
They do not see any competition in Mens? Pairs? Dance?

If their interest in figure skating is soley on the Ladies, and the two divas have gone, what are they planning to do? Talk ad infinitum about how one loved them and hope they somehow continue skate? Unable to see potential in new skaters? improvements in those who remain?

Maybe a switch to Ladies Gymnastics would be a good move. There is musical tumbling there.

Joe

 

[Mathman]

Sadly, that might happen. (The part about fans' interest falling off, not the part about gymnastics, LOL.)

Time will tell. I hope the figure skating audience does not dwindle down to those precious few enthusiasts who follow the sport for it's own sake and not because they have special favorites that they like to see.

 

[flying camel]

I am honestly not surprised (yawn). When will Caroline Zhang move up to seniors?

Actually i think the real question is Will Kimmie, Emily and another be able to give the US team three spots in 2008?

Yea, that is what I am scared of. The group of girls we have skating now are barely landing one triple per compeition.

 

[chuckm]

Let's see Nats and Worlds first...Hughes may be improving and we don't know about it :think:

Seems to me Emily got gradually worse from Campbell's to Skate America to Cup of China. She won a medal at Cup of China by virtue of (A) her good SP and (B) the poor skating of the other ladies in the FS. Popping and underrotating jumps is deadly under CoP.

 

[attyfan]

Sadly, that might happen. (The part about fans' interest falling off, not the part about gymnastics, LOL.)

Time will tell. I hope the figure skating audience does not dwindle down to those precious few enthusiasts who follow the sport for it's own sake and not because they have special favorites that they like to see.

I wonder if any "falling off" would really be due to the retirement of a few special favorites, as opposed to the changes in skating itself. For example. someone who liked in skating the simple elegance that MK would personify might stop watching skating -- not just because MK is no longer skating, but also because the simplicity is much less desireable under the CoP than it used to be.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I wonder if any "falling off" would really be due to the retirement of a few special favorites, as opposed to the changes in skating itself. For example. someone who liked in skating the simple elegance that MK would personify might stop watching skating -- not just because MK is no longer skating, but also because the simplicity is much less desireable under the CoP than it used to be.

There is some falling off for several reasons, among them, due to scandals which wont go away.

But in this case, the continuous display of enthusiasm for two skaters, which, imo, will not skate eligible any more is just plain unwillingness by some to look at who else is out there. Need I go into the current top skaters' names? but whatever it was that the two in question had, some of their fans won't let go. Eventually, those fans may leave figure skating. IMO, they had just a cursory interest in figure skating and could only center in on their favorites.

With new skaters on the scene, there will be new fans.

Joe

 

[Spun Silver]

But in this case, the continuous display of enthusiasm for two skaters, which, imo, will not skate eligible any more is just plain unwillingness by some to look at who else is out there.

I don't see it that way. None of the current ladies has star power. Kimmie has something else, though - an appealing girl next door quality and Worlds gold. If she keeps winning she'll obviously become beloved and famous.

Otherwise though, I don't think Kimmie is exciting enough to make skating popular again. IMO we'll have to wait for Zhang with her already evident star power and consistent ability to win. I predict she will be the next US queen.

But since this is a Sasha thread - for the record, I am with those who take her at her word and look forward to her return when she's ready. The rumors of her skating death are highly exaggerated. IMO it is foolish to write off that "glorious" (Uncle Dick) talent. Brilliant as skating fans are, not a one of us can read the future.

 

[R.D.]

She's not coming back...plain and simple. She seems to have moved on mentally. Like I said before...mind wishes to do one thing, but the body wants to do another.

In my view the future is already here...it's time to finally get some fresh faces in here. Don't mean this to sound harsh but in a way the old talent is being pushed out (by whatever) and the new talent is taking its place. Skating will survive without MK/SC, heck, it may even prosper to a new level.

I wonder if people had this same dim outlook when previous stars quit skating. And look how many other skaters came to take their place.

 

[Fossi]

I dont' think Kimmie stands a chance. There are too many hating on her already and the girl didn't do anything excpet win World Gold. Caroline Zhang will be the new sweetheart, but not if it's true she has a diva attitude. I do think it has been hard for many to move on when their favorites retire. Adapting to change is never easy but people grow up and move on. I have missed Sarah for years now and i still find the good in figure skating. I know there will never, eve,r ever, ever, ever be another one like the fierce compeitor Sarah Hughes though.

 

[R.D.]

Before I write any current skater off I'll look to see how they do in the upcoming worlds. You just can't count anyone in the game out at this point.

 

[demarinis5]

Very nice post, Jhar. If fans' whole figure skating experience is wrapped up in two female skaters who are apparently leaving the eligible scene, then it appears to me that their interest in figure skating is very limited. What exactly would keep them interested in figure skating? Do they want clones of the two who are leaving?
They do not see any competition in Mens? Pairs? Dance?

If their interest in figure skating is soley on the Ladies, and the two divas have gone, what are they planning to do? Talk ad infinitum about how one loved them and hope they somehow continue skate? Unable to see potential in new skaters? improvements in those who remain?

Maybe a switch to Ladies Gymnastics would be a good move. There is musical tumbling there.

Joe

I have to disagree with this post. Are you saying that if you have favorites ( we are talking Kwan and Cohen here) and since the general consensus is that they probably both are retiring that we are fair-weather skating fans because that is all we talk about. That we are somewhat less of a skating fan because we have favorites. That is a very presumptuous statement for you to make. I find you entire post offensive.

 

[Fossi]

I dont find the post offensive because if you read the fancentered boards people are upset and saying US figure skating has no hope and is zzzzzzzzzzzz. A majority of folks might not feel this way, but the huge uber fans do. Maybe that is what was meant by this? The fans are very charged emotionally and it's probably not an easy time for them with the holidays and all. maybe Sasha should've waited until after the holidays to make her announcement.

 

[R.D.]

It's not Cohen's responsibility to look out for the fans.

They should just suck it up and deal with it, IMO

I'm sure she'll continue to skate in shows here and there, so she's not completely gone.

 

[Mathman]

I have missed Sarah for years now and i still find the good in figure skating. I know there will never, ever ever, ever, ever be another one like the fierce compeitor Sarah Hughes though.

But at least you have Emily!

 

[Mathman]

I wonder if any "falling off" would really be due to the retirement of a few special favorites, as opposed to the changes in skating itself. For example. someone who liked in skating the simple elegance that MK would personify might stop watching skating -- not just because MK is no longer skating, but also because the simplicity is much less desireable under the CoP than it used to be.

That's a good point. (All the more timely and poignant to me because I just watched an old Dorothy Hamill special last night, LOL.)

For me, the progression went this way. I was first captivated by the ethereal elegance and full heart of Michelle's skating. Then, having become a fan, I started looking forward to the sporting aspect of skating competitions. Root, root, root for the home team, that adrenaline rush, the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat, and all that sort of thing.

Finally, I started to learn enough about the sport actually to understand and appreciate the technical mastery that at first seemed disguised by the effortless beauty of her performances.

So now I'm feeling like I have to start all over.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I have to disagree with this post. Are you saying that if you have favorites ( we are talking Kwan and Cohen here) and since the general consensus is that they probably both are retiring that we are fair-weather skating fans because that is all we talk about. That we are somewhat less of a skating fan because we have favorites. That is a very presumptuous statement for you to make. I find you entire post offensive.

Not exactly as you put it. It is about Sasha and Michelle, though, but not about ALL their fans. I believe this sub-topic was about the loss of interest in figure skating and I suggested aside from scandals that some of the fans of Sasha and Michelle will fade away. Their posts (and I use to read everything) have always been about the two American skaters. That seemed to me to be their big concern about competitive skating and show skating but only when the subject two were appearing in them.

Some did post a comment or two from time to time, in threads of other disciplines.but their love of figure skating has diminished, in my view, with the timely (my word) exit of their favorites. I think that is obvious because of so much hope that they return has been expressed in recent posts. Nothing wrong with that. It is just my observation, and so I foreshadowed, in addition to scandals, that further interest in figure skating will lessen.

However, there is hope and so we'll see.

Joe

 

[R.D.]

But isn't that understandable? I know when I used to watch the NBA a LOT in the 90s when the Rockets were one of the top teams. When they were no longer good I still kept watching basketball but nowhere as closely as I once did. Now I feel almost no attachment to the NBA/Rockets at all. I watch it now when I'm bored. However, commercialization has a lot more to do with it than anything else.

I think the fans will be disappointed; some will leave skating, but those who stay may find another favorite. As Joesitz would say, "that's the way it is in skateland."