Plushy's Return | Page 3 | Golden Skate

Plushy's Return

But ITA with Dee re: his Olympic FP - it was a sorry followup to Alexei's MITIM in 2002.

His silver medal performance in 2002 had more excitement than his gold in 2006. Kinda like Petrenko's bronze in 88 was more exciting than his gold in 92 (especially since he'd kept that same program for THREE years!)

But back to the original topic--if Plushenko wants to compete, why not? He hasn't broken any rule (competing in pro competition--well probably cos there aren't any pro competitions! LOL), and if it helps skating in any way, let him come back. I hope it doesn't take him away from his son for too long, though. That would be a shame.
 
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I'm not sympathetic to the point of view that says the old guard should make way for the new guard. The best skaters out there should win, whatever their age. Let Plush come back and see if he still has the drive and power. If it's Joubert's, Lysacek's or Takahashi's time, it will happen. Welcome back to Stephane, too!
I think the idea of the last few posts were more about the Russian Federation holding on to the old guard and ignoring their new talented skaters and wondering what to do with them.

You have to realize the old guard all grew with the old Soviet system which no longer exists. Piseev, in my opinion, should be working on revising the system.

Having said that, I agree, I think skaters should stay eligible as long as they want.
It should be their decision.

Joe
 
Jennylovskt, after his 06 Olympic skate, I really resented him for what he did, or didn't do. He had the gold in the bag and to go there and NOT do a program was uncalled for. All evening I waited for a wonderful skate from him and I felt robbed!!! It doesn't make sense to me why he did that---it was almost arrogant. Here was his time to shine. As you said that was the program he used for the purpose of winning his desperately wanted Olympic title. Why was he so desperate??

Dee, I understand what you have been through. All I wanted prior to the 2006 Olympics was for him to win this time. I didn't care how he was going to win. I just wanted him to win. He won the gold. I was happy.

Like everybody, I don't like his Olympics' LP. Unlike many, I don't blame him. I think what he did at that time was not arrogant at all. To me, it totally showed his fear and his lack of confidence. One could imagine the pressure from all the directions besides the pressure he gave to himself. He had won every title he should win except this one. He was 23. It was not very young age for a skater. He will be 27 in next Olympics. Beside his aging, very likely there will be new stars emerging four years later. He had an Olympic silver medal in 2002. This might be the last chance for him. He had to win this time or maybe never. That was how desperate he was. Under those overwhelming expectations, how could he ensure his win? He sacrificed everything, including the choreography of his program, and calculated the points to the decimal. Loaded with point earning movements and jumps. (This would never happen under the 6.0 system.) He did it. He won. We wanted him to win. Now he won. Why couldn't we be happy for him? He has the talent and he should have the title to match it. I wanted him to get the title at all cost. That's how I feel.

Jenny
 
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Navka/Kostomarov will definitely not be back, but Totmianina/Marinin are on the fence---they might still come back.

Actually, Totmianina/Marinin have officially retired at this point, I believe. Roman Kostomarov has said in a recent interview that he isn't sure whether or not he and Navka are entirely finished with competition; so it's a possibility we might one or both of them back.

And with regards to Plushenko hurting others chances: I feel if he is truly skating better than the others, he deserves to win. In my opinion, not trying to step on toes, I feel it's a little detrimental to the other skaters to say they can never beat him. Joubert has beaten him before, after all; even Sandhu, though it was a technicality, has had the honor to defeat him. It's a matter of having the right program at the right time.

Plushenko's return will probably have a good effect too; the other skaters are going to want to do even better with him returning.
 
This is starting to sound like the old Michelle K's fans. I still think that if people want to win, all they have to do is skate better (according to the judges).
 
Big Deal,

No you aren't the only one who finds Plushenko irritating. I, too, appreciate his technical abilities but I'm not a fan.

Dizzy

It's the bad haircut I can't get past.

Seriously, while I admire his consistency, I've never been a fan and wish he'd stay "retired." I feel totally "been there, done that" where he is concerned.
 
I actually look forward to having him back. He is going to make it even more interesting in the men's field - and I don't think that he is going to be on the top again without a fight. This year some skaters really improved (Verner, Takahashi) or got their old fire back (Joubert) or just developped further (Lambiel).

Verner got a real motivation boost and I think he will be even stronger next year, with Plushenko back into the mix Lambiel will be on the top of his game again - all motivation problems erased and Joubert is not going to give up his titles just because the King is back - and a Joubert at Cup of Russia would have been a real challenge for every Plushenko.

I even like Plushenko's style, he is no Yagudin, but he has his own style. His jumps are of course amazing, but I also like his over-the-top dramatic skating; he always reminds me of a classical ballet dancer, someone who is brilliant with the technics and has this pure strict charisma.

He lost a bit of his courage and fire after Yagudin retired, didn't risk much and so on - but he won't be able to win a competition next season if he pulls a Torino06, just playing it safe, not risking a thing and showing neither courage nor emotions.

No, I definitely want him back - and if he really comes back as the best with the cleanest programs, with fire, courage and drama, then I will be very happy to see him win every title again. [can it be next season, please?]
 
I even like Plushenko's style, he is no Yagudin, but he has his own style. His jumps are of course amazing, but I also like his over-the-top dramatic skating; he always reminds me of a classical ballet dancer, someone who is brilliant with the technics and has this pure strict charisma.

Well said, ITA. He IS over-the-top, but like you, I like it too! A good point about ballet. There are times when I watch Plushy that I think, wow, what he could have done as a dancer. If he was on the stage, I think it would be hard to notice anyone else, lol!
 
I don't think he is pushed into anything. None of the other Olympic champions are coming back after all. I think he is just genuinely bored without competition, without the rush, the thrill, and the adrenoline that comes with it.

Uhhm, let's not underestimate the Russian federation's penchant for pressuring its successful athletes to return past their glory days.

I was watching the new year's skating special on the skating area at the Red Square and the commentators kept saying that the 2006 Olympic medalist(s) should continue competing everytime any of them came on the ice.

Remember, without Plushenko, the Russian federation is facing an almost complete shutout in every category of skating for the foreseable future. Of course, Plushenko's probably gotten more than a dozen phone calls begging him to compete again!
 
Plushenko CAN come back.
But the judging what he got (over 8,5 doesn't matter how he skated) CAN NOT !!!
 
Remember, without Plushenko, the Russian federation is facing an almost complete shutout in every category of skating for the foreseable future. Of course, Plushenko's probably gotten more than a dozen phone calls begging him to compete again!

If I'm correct, didn't the RF also disallow a number of their National Champions to compete at the international events due to placement issues in Euros? I saw the World team change for Russia a number of times.

Skaters such as Andrei Lutai are new in the Senior Level, so it's hard to tell how they'll do in the next few years. Kawaguchi and Smirnov, though many disapprove of their skating, have a chance at improvement if Ms. Kawaguchi stays with Russia. Domnina/Shabalin are also a sizable force in Dance, so there's a possibility of medalling with them (especially with a few rumored retirements possibly occuring).

I wouldn't say it is an apparent shut out for the immediate future, but I will agree this year was not so good for Russia. Maybe soon, these skaters will assume their potential.

I also feel Plushenko is coming back out of a love of competitive skating. It seems like him to feel antsy not being competitive and able; although I'm sure he has had a few "nudges" to return sooner than later. (And indeed, bring on Plushenko! Skaters like him will give the others the kick in the pants they need to win.)

Plus, I'd love to see how Joubert, Lambiel, and co. handle the renewal of their "rivalry" with Plushenko.
 
Uhhm, let's not underestimate the Russian federation's penchant for pressuring its successful athletes to return past their glory days.

I was watching the new year's skating special on the skating area at the Red Square and the commentators kept saying that the 2006 Olympic medalist(s) should continue competing everytime any of them came on the ice.

Remember, without Plushenko, the Russian federation is facing an almost complete shutout in every category of skating for the foreseable future. Of course, Plushenko's probably gotten more than a dozen phone calls begging him to compete again!

There may be a lot of pressure on Plushenko, but I don't think that he can be pressured into returning without him wanting to return. He has enough money, I don't think that they could offer him that much more... What are they going to do, send him out off the country, threaten him in any way? He doesn't depend on them, he is not a talented poor skater - he is a rockstar (on the ice, of course)! So if he returns next season, he will return because he wants to...

And the judges, well, he is a great skater, but even if he is overscored - it's not his fault. But perhaps one year without Plushenko made the Judges more impartial.
 
I have always felt that Zhenya just loves to skate. I can see it in his eyes, in his smile when he is on the ice. Even when he was injured, there was a fire in him that couldn't be extinguished. It seems the ice is his home. Sure he loves doing other things, what person doesn't? To be a truly well-rounded person, you have to enjoy life to its fullest and beware of spreading yourself too thin. But it just always seemed to me that he was happiest on the ice in competitions. Like he said himself, he loves the fight for gold. Maybe that has changed, maybe it's stayed the same. He's the only one who can really say.

To me, he seems like such a strong-willed, independent, confident person, the type of man who knows what he wants, won't settle for less and works extra hard to obtain it, Furthermore he doesn't like to rely on "help," or "charity" for that. I think his poor background and the fact that he has had to work hard to earn his current status is key to that quality remaining in his life. I believe that any desire to him is brought on by his own will, and also the deep love he has for his country and the desire to make his people proud of him, and the desire to make people proud of Russia, also play vital roles in this decision.

My words probably sound silly. But what can I say. The manner in which he conducts himself is truly admirable to me. Like I said, I think he's so independent and confident in himself, I admire those qualities because I long to be like that. I want to be that independent... That's the first time I said thta to anyone.
 
I'm ok for Plushenko coming back. But I just dont want the judges have his scores inflated everytime he competes so the other competitiors have a shot.
 
Plushenko Gold in Goteburg
Domnina-Shabalin Gold/Silver/Bronze in Goteburg
Slutskaya ? Probably another Gold
So there's only work to do in the other event.
Russia will be back to dominate come next year as usual don't worry.

And they will once Again sweep Gold or very nearly sweep in Vancouver
 
I'm ok for Plushenko coming back. But I just dont want the judges have his scores inflated everytime he competes so the other competitiors have a shot.

Ditto! I really want to know who'll be the first to beat him (if there's any) in A FAIR GAME next season: Joubert, Lambiel, Takahashi or somebody else? Really hope it'll be Verner, the wonder boy! Unpredictable results always make competitions more exiting to watch.
 
I think Pluschenko and Irina should come back as a dance team =P
 
I think Pluschenko and Irina should come back as a dance team =P


If Ira won't, maybe Sasha could be his partner (I've always thought she should have gone into ice dancing instead of singles, and it would really help her edges/stroking...)
 
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