Sasha: A Case of Mao fear?

[krenseby]

Does anyone else other than me think that the reason Sasha might have hesitated to skate this season was motivated by her fear of Asada?

Of course she could have feared Kim as well... Taking into consideration the awesome skating skills of these ladies (triple axel, triple-triples), she may have simply decided that she wouldn't be able to do better than bronze at Worlds. That realization may have made her say to herself: "If the best I could get is bronze, I am out of here!"

 

[Mathman]

I don't think "fear" is the right word. Each generation has it's day, then it's time to move on.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Sasha has a definitive style which is enjoyed by a multitude of fans. If she wants to skate in the same competitions which new World champions ate entered, I think that should be left up to her.

She now has a number of actors as well as her zillion fans who would like to see her skate whether she wins or not. Who knows, she may win or at least medal.

Joe

 

[kittycat26]

I don't think "fear" is the right word. Each generation has it's day, then it's time to move on.

Except Sasha Cohen could be regarded as being from a generation in between the generation led by Kwan and Slutskaya, and the current generation. Seeing as she did not commence her competitive career as a seniors skater until 2000, I would not exactly call her an exact contempary of Mrs. Kwan or Mrs. Slutskaya. However she is neither an exact contempary of skaters like Asada or Kim. She is a tweener of those two eras in a sense.

With that in mind, unlike Kwan, Stutskaya, Arakawa, and Suguri, she is young enough to envision with realism competiting for anoter quadrennial with continued pursuit of her highest ambitions and goals, as long as the competition level does not rise to a point beyond reach for her. The latter appears to be what happened more then age, or the generation she fits under, as she age and mileage wise, still has another several years in her, unlike the aforementioned, thus I can only conclude she feels she is unable to tackle the current field.

 

[Mathman]

OT -- Agree or not, I like your writing style, Kittycat! :agree:

 

[R.D.]

I don't think "fear" is the right word. Each generation has it's day, then it's time to move on.

WELL SAID

May I add as well that no REAL competitor fears anybody. Was Kimmie intimidated by the Asians at Worlds? Hell no! She's gonna work her butt off to catch up to them! She's MOTIVATED by them to be better.

What a bunch of rubbish...

 

[JonnyCoop]

Quite honestly, I don't think it factored into her decision at all. Sasha's got a lot going on these days other than skating, and has made it clear that she would like to devote more time to those things, and it just so happens that for her, the time to do that is now, regardless of who she would or would not have to compete against. Sasha may be back next season, or the season after, or maybe not, but I don't think it's going to be a case of "Oh, there's no way I can beat her" or "Oh, come on, I can take her no problem". Both Mao and Kim have shown a certain vulnerability that Michelle, Sasha's biggest rival, certainly never did; if Kwan didn't bother her (and may have actually brought out the best in her), I can't see her being intimidated much by Mao or Kim at this point.

Also, I think Sasha didn't mind, at the very least, of taking time off from hearing all this "she couldn't skate a clean long program if her life depended on it" talk that is so prevelant in the skating community.

 

[kittycat26]

OT -- Agree or not, I like your writing style, Kittycat! :agree:

I appreciate your compliment.

 

[flying camel]

Sasha was just burnt out after two Olympics and I can't remember how many Worlds. She just wanted to pursue other interest while the going was good.:agree:

 

[nymkfan51]

No, I doubt she fears Mao, or anyone else for that matter. Sasha has always been her own worst enemy. And I really don't believe she enjoys competing all that much ... I think she likes the spotlight that competing allows her. Right now she seems totally in her element ... this is what she excels at.

 

[Tinymavy15]

no, I don't think so. Sasha was tired and needed a break after her difficult olympic season. Maybe she would have looked at coming back with a more favoriatble eye if she knew that she had no husge challanges, and if she was the clear favorite, but Sasha knew that she would have to train very hard to have a chance of holding her owon against the asians. She didn't want that. She needs her break and explore all that life can offer her. i doubt that she will return, I loved seeing her at marshalls though.... you can tell that she really loves performing and skating when the pressure is off. I hope that she will at least continue doings shows so the world will not lose such an amazing talented girl. Yes, Flexibilty is becoming commonplace now with all the maos and the carolines, but Sasha still has "it" that is amazing to watch.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Sasha has a commendable record of figure skating medals. I think had she put less interest in getting the gold, she would have gotten gold.

Joe

 

[Kwanford Wife]

WELL SAID

May I add as well that no REAL competitor fears anybody. Was Kimmie intimidated by the Asians at Worlds? Hell no! She's gonna work her butt off to catch up to them! She's MOTIVATED by them to be better.

What a bunch of rubbish...

What he said...

 

[pista04]

Sasha

Referring to her "generation," I see her as one of the Baby Ballerinas (Kirk, Donovan, etc.) and the only one who had a huge amount of success. As for her being "scared," I seriously doubt it, seeing as how she'll have to go head to head with them at 2010 Olympics, which her goal is. I think she was just tired.

 

[Fossi]

I don't see why Sasha gets to use the excuse of being "tired." Look what Irina did with her Olympic season. Competed in 3 GP events plus Olympics. Sasha competed in one, plus Olympics and then Worlds, and COI tour just like any other skater in the Olympic season. Other skaters are criticized for taking time off, or the easy route (Plushy, Kwan, even Sarah Hughes) yet Sasha is "tired" and deserves the break? I don't see her coming back. I don't think Mao has anything to do with it though. Mao can, and has, beaten Sasha. I have no doubt she'd continue beating her, but I doubt that would stop Sasha from coming back. It's the Olympics that would matter, not the competitions inbetween, and the "favorite" rarely wins the Olympics.

 

[R.D.]

 

[krenseby]

Who Cares? Everyone who posts a reply to the discussion, including those whose reply is "Who Cares?" The ones who don't care ignore the thread ;-)

 

[R.D.]

actually it was just an excuse to use that particular emoticon

But seriously, why are we talking about something which, again, is "the past"?

(oh yeah, I forgot...it's that time of year. :indiff: :yes: )

 

[krenseby]

Re:

actually it was just an excuse to use that particular emoticon

But seriously, why are we talking about something which, again, is "the past"?

(oh yeah, I forgot...it's that time of year. :indiff: :yes: )

Well, like you said, it is that time of the year when there are no competitions to comment on, so the boards get filled with chatter and gossip ;-)

This "Journey Into the Mind of Sasha Cohen" was brought to you by krenseby. Next Week on GoldenSkate's Gossip Hour: "Does Nikolai Morozov have a Japanese obession? He has recently coached two Japanese singles skaters to victories. Does this mean he will soon find himself a Japanese sweetheart and father her child?"

(Uhhm.. no I won't actually bring that topic up.. I promise. ;-)

 

[JonnyCoop]

I don't see why Sasha gets to use the excuse of being "tired." Look what Irina did with her Olympic season. Competed in 3 GP events plus Olympics. Sasha competed in one, plus Olympics and then Worlds, and COI tour just like any other skater in the Olympic season. Other skaters are criticized for taking time off, or the easy route (Plushy, Kwan, even Sarah Hughes) yet Sasha is "tired" and deserves the break? I don't see her coming back.

SHE'S the one in the body; if she feels tired and feels it's time for a break, then let her take the break. Who are any of us to determine how tired she should be? And how tired one should be before they take a break. Or retire. Or somewhere in between. Or whatever.