Btw, she doesn't have to leave skating forever... I mean... she can keep coming to all kinds of pro-ams and cheesefests. I don't think she ever said that she is closing the book on skating altogether. That's more Michelle's story. It's Kwan who cherishes the competitive aspect of skating so much that she doesn't want to do show skating.
Sasha: A Case of Mao fear?
- Thread starter krenseby
- Start date
Btw, she doesn't have to leave skating forever... I mean... she can keep coming to all kinds of pro-ams and cheesefests. I don't think she ever said that she is closing the book on skating altogether. That's more Michelle's story. It's Kwan who cherishes the competitive aspect of skating so much that she doesn't want to do show skating.
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2006
First of all Kimmie is not a big level down from Asada, Kim, and Ando like some make her out to be. Kimmie has a World title, where are the World titles of Asada and Kim? Right they dont have one, and Kimmie does. Kimmie's PB in the free skate is much better then Kim's, and a bit better then Ando's still. So while she is arguably behind those 3 she is not a huge distance behind like others make her out to be. She is only slightly behind, very dangerous to all three of them, and has bettered them in some ways.
Also Cohen with a clean free skate would have easily won Worlds in 2006. The free skate between her and Meissner probably would have been very close since Meissner almost scored a 130, but Sasha was almost 6 points ahead going in. Although in Sasha's case she does very few clean free skates, so I can acknowledge she would have needed a performance that was not something she does most of the time to win. However losing to Fumie was only because she had one of her worst performances, with the performance she does 8 times out of 10 atleast she would have beaten Fumie for the silver. Her Worlds performance was her worst performance in over 2 years, and she still barely lost to Fumie for the silver.
So she lost to a skater who is right up there with Asada, Ando, and Kim, in Meissner, and a skater like Fumie she only very barely lost to since it was her worst skate in over 2 years.
U.S will probably keep having 3 spots so even if she cant beat Meissner in her return she could still make it. It is hard to say wheter or not Caroline or Mirai will be top level skaters. Rachael is a beautiful skater except for lacking in jumps. Sasha's skating though is so excellent aside from her jump issues, she only loses to girls who can clearly outjump her and Rachael also is lacking in jumps reliability and production.
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2003
I wouldn't say that Rachael Flatt is lacking in jumps. At U.S. Nationals she landed 3Lz+3T in both the long and short programs (IMHO the downgrade in the short was an error on the part of the technical specialist -- it was better than Kimmie's, which got full credit). She also has a 3F/3T, but she did not put it in her programs last season.
She was injured in the summer and couldn't compete in the junior Grand Prix, but in two fairly important competitions over the summer she skated one good and one outstanding performance. (She also won in juniors in the International Cup Challenge at the Hague, but against weaker competition. It was her consolation prize for not being selected for junior worlds.)
She's 14. With another year of maturity I don't see any reason why she shouldn't be in the mix next year.
She was injured in the summer and couldn't compete in the junior Grand Prix, but in two fairly important competitions over the summer she skated one good and one outstanding performance. (She also won in juniors in the International Cup Challenge at the Hague, but against weaker competition. It was her consolation prize for not being selected for junior worlds.)
She's 14. With another year of maturity I don't see any reason why she shouldn't be in the mix next year.
There won't be any more cheesefests, and pro-ams are few and far between. All that's left for Sasha is COI and SOI. Not much of a career there, unless Sasha is willing to join tours and shows in Europe and Asia.
Close friends of Sasha have told me she truly wants to compete - that she misses it, talks about it frequently, and is talking about coming back so that she really can make a run for Vancouver. Of course, she has to balance that with a budding film career that she hopes will be long term. If she abandons that now in favor of skating, she might miss 'her chance'. If she doesn't get back on the ice this coming season, or the one following, she'll most likely miss her shot at Vancouver. It is a tough place to be in. As far as eligible-grade skaters go right now, she is getting the most commercial offers. Sometimes 'an embarrassment of riches' can be a curse, as you don't know what choices to make. But she does NOT appear to be playing a game with the public - it seems that she really does want to return. But she also knows what kind of work that will take - especially to stave off the competition - and it means that her other new-found life will end up on the cutting room floor, so to speak, at least for 2-3 years.
^ wow, that's the first time I've heard something like that. I know that she frequently mentions it in interviews but I truly thought that she was simply using it as a way to keep her name out there while she attempts to strike fame in acting. I never bought her "comeback story" for one second. Still, I'll only believe it 100% when I see her confirmed for a GP event or Nationals. Talk is cheap, you know.
P.S. OT- I like your photos of Shiz on the boat
P.S. OT- I like your photos of Shiz on the boat
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I think Sasha truly wants to win the OGM, but I doubt very much that she loves to compete. Sure, she wants another shot at that OGM, but taking two years off is not the way to reach that goal. She has made it pretty clear that if she returns, it will be in the 2008-2009 season, when Worlds will be held in LA. The problem for her is that's when Flatt, Zhang and Nagasu will all be age-eligible for Worlds.
It will be a tough mountain to climb for Sasha to go from occasional time on the rink to heavy-duty practice, trying to get back jumps she hasn't tried over the past two years. And it isn't as if Sasha had those jumps under control at her last competition (Worlds 2006).
Then there is Sasha's delicate back. The last time Sasha pushed herself to the limit to get ready for a new season, she wound up hurting her back and she had to sit out the GP that year.
It will be a tough mountain to climb for Sasha to go from occasional time on the rink to heavy-duty practice, trying to get back jumps she hasn't tried over the past two years. And it isn't as if Sasha had those jumps under control at her last competition (Worlds 2006).
Then there is Sasha's delicate back. The last time Sasha pushed herself to the limit to get ready for a new season, she wound up hurting her back and she had to sit out the GP that year.
Two things:
1. She should be looking at Kwan's 1998-2002 journey and Slute's 2002-2006 journey. But this is someone without even a world championship. If anything she should want that as well as an OGM.
2. Both MK and IS got bronze on their second try for Gold after winning silver the previous Games. If you want it TOO bad, you're probably not going to succeed even if you have multiple opportunities. I think SC will find she has the same problem that MK and IS had at their Olympics. But the difference is that the two of them combined hold 7 World titles and >10 National championships.
It's that crossroads where we develop interest in two or three things and don't know which one will lead us down the right path. But if she wants to skate better do that now while she still can. Acting is something you can do into your 60s and 70s.
Anything can happen on a given night. With Emily now going to college, this might be the season for her to start attempting that comeback since at Nats Kimmie would be her only serious competition. Even skip the GP if you must, but to get back into contention she needs to start now.
1. She should be looking at Kwan's 1998-2002 journey and Slute's 2002-2006 journey. But this is someone without even a world championship. If anything she should want that as well as an OGM.
2. Both MK and IS got bronze on their second try for Gold after winning silver the previous Games. If you want it TOO bad, you're probably not going to succeed even if you have multiple opportunities. I think SC will find she has the same problem that MK and IS had at their Olympics. But the difference is that the two of them combined hold 7 World titles and >10 National championships.
It's that crossroads where we develop interest in two or three things and don't know which one will lead us down the right path. But if she wants to skate better do that now while she still can. Acting is something you can do into your 60s and 70s.
Anything can happen on a given night. With Emily now going to college, this might be the season for her to start attempting that comeback since at Nats Kimmie would be her only serious competition. Even skip the GP if you must, but to get back into contention she needs to start now.
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2005
Thanks for the insiders perspective. That does sound like a tough dilemna since you put it that way. I dont envy her dilemna.
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2005
If she were to be skating at a level to be a serious contender for a World or Olympic title, she should definitely be able to make the team even with Flatt, Zhang, Nagasu, and Meissner as comeptition for 3 spots however. So in a way that is good, if she cant make it out of a field of World class competitors like that she certainly isnt much of a threat for the World or Olympic Gold, which would probably be her goals if she returned. As good as that group it is, it is arguably likely they will all be underdogs to Kim and Asada imparticular.
I think she loves to win and be admired, but does not love to compete, and even less to train. A strange contradiction, but that is how I always sensed she was.
I think the real thing to point out here is that if she ever has a dupe of her '06 worlds performance she *will* find herself off the podium. Even with imperfect performances she's always found some way to be on the podium (usually 2nd place 
). It's tougher competition now, with more great skaters (not just one). I think her prime is past, just like Slutskaya's and Kwan's.
). It's tougher competition now, with more great skaters (not just one). I think her prime is past, just like Slutskaya's and Kwan's.I always thought Cohen is a woman Buttle.
They have many common things--inconsistent jumps, elaborated choreography, relatively charming looks, zealous fans, and mysteriously high PCS marks.
This season showed us a season's change. Skaters with weak jumps can't have high PCS anymore. Nice choreographies and performances wont give them medals. Qauds for men and 3/3s (someting more than 3f-3t) for ladies are necessary to compete at the very top levels. Buttle was clealy demoted, and Cohen will face the same fate (if she returns).
They have many common things--inconsistent jumps, elaborated choreography, relatively charming looks, zealous fans, and mysteriously high PCS marks.
This season showed us a season's change. Skaters with weak jumps can't have high PCS anymore. Nice choreographies and performances wont give them medals. Qauds for men and 3/3s (someting more than 3f-3t) for ladies are necessary to compete at the very top levels. Buttle was clealy demoted, and Cohen will face the same fate (if she returns).
Re:
Saratore, I think you have to look at things in context. In today's context, Cohen's jumps would be considered very weak in comparison to the top 4 at Worlds. She was no triple-triple girl and wouldn't do a consistent 7 triple performance anyhow... However, in the context of 2003 and 2004, her mistake-riddled performances were still technically proficient enough to make her one of the best. That was the time when triple-triples were the exception rather than the rule.
Other than that, I don't see why you sound so resentful about people admiring Sasha's choreography.. I mean I think it's great when a skater does a stunning performance of a well choreographed program. Even your favorite Mao seems to hold herself to the same standards. She may not be as exuberant as Cohen, but it's still obvious to anyone who pays attention that she performs her programs with a charm and her choreography makes her look very elegant. It is true that she does not emote much. But then again, that isn't her style.
Saratore, I think you have to look at things in context. In today's context, Cohen's jumps would be considered very weak in comparison to the top 4 at Worlds. She was no triple-triple girl and wouldn't do a consistent 7 triple performance anyhow... However, in the context of 2003 and 2004, her mistake-riddled performances were still technically proficient enough to make her one of the best. That was the time when triple-triples were the exception rather than the rule.
Other than that, I don't see why you sound so resentful about people admiring Sasha's choreography.. I mean I think it's great when a skater does a stunning performance of a well choreographed program. Even your favorite Mao seems to hold herself to the same standards. She may not be as exuberant as Cohen, but it's still obvious to anyone who pays attention that she performs her programs with a charm and her choreography makes her look very elegant. It is true that she does not emote much. But then again, that isn't her style.
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2005
Normally I would pick out such a item in a sentence, but it is pretty clear who you are subtly taking a jab at with that comment. Who is it that does a triple flip-triple toe as her hardest triple-triple, could it be that women you refer to snarkily as "that skater" after she won the short program over your beloved Japanese girls?
Amazing that Worlds ended up with your 2 beloved Japanese 1-2, and "that skater" dropping to a bronze medal, so your rooting interest triumphed, yet the sour grapes still are in evidence anyway. 
I didn't say having 3f-3t is enought to compete at the very top.
Actually "that skater" will be out of competition againt the Japanese, Meissner and Kostner, because she's now out of the IMG's favor.
Anyway, "that skater" can beat Cohen without much difficulty.
Actually "that skater" will be out of competition againt the Japanese, Meissner and Kostner, because she's now out of the IMG's favor.
Anyway, "that skater" can beat Cohen without much difficulty.
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2003
Whose afraid of Virginia Wolf? I was not aware that Sasha "feared" any of her competitors. More likely Sasha has probably reached that crossroads every skater reaches eventually - should one continue competing or pursue other interests and hang up the competitive blades? But then in the crazy new world of competitive figure skating who knows if Sasha may decide to return? As long as she is healthy she could.
