Any Sasha updates?

[James R]

Yeah, poor Rachael, Caroline, Mirai, Ashley, Alissa, etc... because they might have to compete against someone better.

And poor *every girl from '95 - '05* because they had to compete against Michelle Kwan who just wouldn't go away, right? Oh no, can't accept THAT one. Some of you even wish Michelle was back right now, trying to get into this Nationals, regardless of the fact that she's been gone for 4 years. Wow, how pathetic.

 

[silverlake22]

Yeah, poor Rachael, Caroline, Mirai, Ashley, Alissa, etc... because they might have to compete against someone better.

And poor *every girl from '95 - '05* because they had to compete against Michelle Kwan who just wouldn't go away, right? Oh no, can't accept THAT one. Some of you even wish Michelle was back right now, trying to get into this Nationals, regardless of the fact that she's been gone for 4 years. Wow, how pathetic.

If Sasha had been competing these past 4 years it would be completely different and completely fine. However, she hasn't, and that's what I have the problem with.

 

[demarinis5]

snip

Yeah Some of you even wish Michelle was back right now, trying to get into this Nationals, regardless of the fact that she's been gone for 4 years. Wow, how pathetic.

Why would anyone think that. Last I heard Michelle is in graduate school in Boston.

 

[Tinymavy15]

I don't remember if anyone posted this yet

http://www.cleveland.com/dman/index.ssf/2010/01/post_5.html

I like her attitude here, but it worries me how much went wrong for her...and I wonder what kind of shape she can be in. Her "usual training day" leading up to nationals has fewer hours on the ice than I would imagine. Maybe that is why her jumps are not as consistent as they could be? Skaters like Mao Asada practice for like 4 hours a day on the ice. I don't know if that is just this year because of injury or that was her usual schedule when she was competing.

 

[Mrs. P]

Yeah, poor Rachael, Caroline, Mirai, Ashley, Alissa, etc... because they might have to compete against someone better.

And poor *every girl from '95 - '05* because they had to compete against Michelle Kwan who just wouldn't go away, right? Oh no, can't accept THAT one. Some of you even wish Michelle was back right now, trying to get into this Nationals, regardless of the fact that she's been gone for 4 years. Wow, how pathetic.

I will note (as many people have mentioned before) that Sasha was VERY VOCAL against Michelle "waltzing" in 2006 and taking one of the spots from younger skaters such as herself (and that's when there were three spots!) And, as others noted, Michelle competed up to the 2005 worlds.

This comment is not designed to be anti-Sasha. It's just a mere observation. We'll see next week who gets on the team.

Finally posting for the first time after getting dinged by the anti-spam filter. (This is what I get for trying to post links!)

 

[Sasha'sSpins]

Kwan won silver in '98 and bronze in '02.

Woops-so she did! Thanks for the correction. I guess I wished Kwan closer to that top podium subconsciously in '02.

 

[Sasha'sSpins]

It seems that you have a "BEE in your bonnet" where Sasha is concerned. With regards to the possibility of this being Sasha's third time at the Olympics, did you feel the same way when Michelle made the third attempt at the Olympics? It is Sasha's right to waltz or as you put it SPLAT her way into this after four years---she earned that right because she won silver at the last Olympics---no one gave it to her she earned it. Why is Sasha bratty and childish because she is trying to live her dream and try for the Olympics again? I think that if she has the guts and the will power to try this again, more power to her. Why do you think the other skaters that you mentioned deserve this anymore than Sasha? She hasn't been knitting this past four years, she was skating, not competitively, but skating!!! We will have to wait for the Nationals and may the best girl win.

It's so strange-there are very few Olympians who have gone back to try again-and even fewer for three, four, or even five times (a very few like discus legend Al Oerter of the U.S. won gold at each of the 4 Olympics he competed in).

Fans in other sports rejoice when the old war horses come back for one last race. Skating is taking a real hit in ratings, etc. More power to those who can generate ANY kind of publicity-and Cohen seems to be one of them. Instead of snarking, and hating on her, the detrators should be glad when the media, and sponsors-anyone other than fans-take notice of a figure skater-at least in the U.S. Sasha didn't make the rules that are allowing her to try again and some people seem not to get that. It's not her fault either if she's good enough to beat this one or that one. And if she should 'SPLAT' as some unkindly seem to be hoping-so be it. At least she had the GUTS to try which is more than many of us could say in a lifetime. jmo

Don't even try to reason with haters. Don't bother asking them questions, unless they are rhetorical. You and I both know the answer to the questions above -- because they hate Sasha. End of story. They come in and crap all over Sasha's thread, then pretend they're something other than trolls.

Sad part of that story -- goldenskate is almost good in this respect compared to many other boards out there.

Well put.

The way I deal with trolls who flame threads, and spew their hatred for a person they don't even know is just to click Ignore. Bliss. As a good friend told me long ago - "Don't feed the trolls".

My problem with Sasha making the Olympic team is for two reasons. One is she hasn't competed in the last four years and this means she has not competed against the current top players. The second is even when she was competing, she was not that dependable at big events. Her situation is a little different than Michelle's four years ago, because Michelle was still competing during most of the years prior to her injury and Michelle had a shot against those competitors at that Olympics. Whereas for Sasha, we can only base our hopes on her performance at one competition. Pretty risy bet don't you think?

Sasha placed no lower than fourth at the Worlds and Olympics she competed in through her entire Senior career. Her placements, along with Michelles often assured the U.S. three spots the following year. If that's not dependable I don't know what is-unless you consider only gold medallists worthy of any merit. And if so-well she did win the GPF and Nationals. It's not her fault if her competitors THEN were under par or simply did not show. When Sasha showed, she did the best she could with her abilities-and more times than not she medalled for the U.S. I have a REAL problem with Sasha not competing this past year-especially since she has not been seen by an international judging panel. She really could have used their feedback. And as to risk frankly I don't think there is really much to risk this year-
Imo Rachael is likely the only U.S. skater that will get near the podium at the Games and she probably won't finish ON it.
Jmo of course.

 

[James R]

It's so strange-there are very few Olympians who have gone back to try again-and even fewer for three, four, or even five times (a very few like discus legend Al Oerter of the U.S. won gold at each of the 4 Olympics he competed in).

Perhaps the Kwan-ubers are nervous that Sasha might manage to pull off what Michelle couldn't due to injury -- competing in the Olympics 3 times. That alone would be an achievement. Just out of curiosity, what other ladies skaters in history have done that?

Skating is taking a real hit in ratings, etc. More power to those who can generate ANY kind of publicity-and Cohen seems to be one of them. Instead of snarking, and hating on her, the detrators should be glad when the media, and sponsors-anyone other than fans-take notice of a figure skater

Yeah, I can see that happening!

You know, given the aggravating scoring system, lack of TV coverage, loss of franchising, rumors of the death of SA, poor fan treatment by the ISU, and other questionable decisions (breaking Nationals into 2 weekends, thanks guys!) one of skating fans' last refuges or sources of comfort is internet message boards. But what do you get on those boards? Skater hate. People like Sasha Cohen attempt a legendary comeback, and you have 100 pages laced with Kwan-flood and Sasha hate. So keep it up guys, keep stabbing whatever is left of skating until it's finally dead. Great job, kudos, etc.

The way I deal with trolls who flame threads, and spew their hatred for a person they don't even know is just to click Ignore. Bliss. As a good friend told me long ago - "Don't feed the trolls".

Sounds like a good plan. And a good time to start as well. Whether Sasha succeeds or fails, it's the moment the fans have wanted to see for 4 years. We should be concentrating on that, not on the people tearing her down.

 

[janetfan]

Perhaps the Kwan-ubers are nervous that Sasha might manage to pull off what Michelle couldn't due to injury -- competing in the Olympics 3 times. That alone would be an achievement.

.

The Kween has so much class - and most of her fans do too. Most have shown a fair amount of support about Sasha's return. Some are interested to see what her programs will look like and others are maybe curious to see if Sasha can pull it off at Natls.

Most of the Kween's fans also understand the rules and know that Sasha has as much right as any of the others to compete for a spot on the Olympic team.

I think the biggest complainers are the fans of our current group of girls.
I like most of our current skaters but have serious doubts if they will ever come close to matching Sasha's accomplishments.

Next week is their chance and I wish all of them good luck.

 

[antmanb]

You make some valid assertions but I just don't agree with the principle of the thing. If Alissa, Rachael, Mirai, Caroline and Ashley all quit after this season then showed up four years later to try and go to the Olympics, wouldn't that be kind of beat? If Sasha shows at nationals and is named to the Olympic team, I wouldn't be surprised if we saw more of this quit for multiple years then come back right before the Olympics shenanigans.

For crying out loud I'm not even a fan of Sasha's skating but this really is a ridiculous point to make. Do you really think that Alissa, Rachael, Mirai, Caroline and Ashley would quit after this Olympics with nary a senior international championship medal between them only to try to come back in four years time to try again?

Everyone knows that only a "somebody" would try a "comeback" for the Olympics, in other words someone that was close to it but just missed it, i.e. was on the podium at the previous olympics.

The point is, a skater's performance at one competition shouldn't be enough to earn you a spot on the Olympic team. And if we are going to go with past acheivements consider that among the other contenders we have:
-2 world junior champions
-2 US champions
-1 US junior champion
-1 two-time US silver medalist
-1 two-time junior world bronze medalist
-1 world junior silver medalist and bronze medalist
-3 participants at the GPF in the past 4 years
-2 JGPF champions

You've done this before and I really have to ask - do you think writing a resume of what five skaters have achieved in four years and trying to pit it against what one skater achieved in her career actually achieves anything?

Don't you think any of those skaters indivdually would give up all of those international achievements for even one of Sasha's silver medals?

I've said it before and I'll say it again - if you want to be the best you have to beat everyone in the field. No competitive athlete in their right mind wants anyone to "step aside" or say that "they've had their turn". They want to win. End of story.

And please save all your whining about the fairness of nationals until the following things happen:

a) Sasha actually steps on competitive ice in Spokane;
b) The skaters all skate their programmes and the marks come in.

Until then feel free to join the Yuna bots who are crying fowl about downgrades of 3/3s at the Olympics, before they've even taken place.

[/rant]

Ant

(who on earth knew i'd have a rant in me about Sasha Cohen....KW i think i have finally entered the final phase of Kwan withdrawal )

 

[AmEagle3313]

Perhaps the Kwan-ubers are nervous that Sasha might manage to pull off what Michelle couldn't due to injury -- competing in the Olympics 3 times. That alone would be an achievement. Just out of curiosity, what other ladies skaters in history have done that?

As far as I can recall, Sonja Henie went to 4 (winning 3 of them), Laetitia Hubert ald Elena Liashenko also went to 4, Katarina Witt went to 3 (winning 2 of them), Surya Bonaly, Lu Chen, Julia Sebestyen, and Irina Slutskaya also went to 3, and then Michelle Kwan and Kristina Czako went to two and actually qualified for a 3rd but had to WD (and, of course, Michelle was the alternate for a 4th. ). Those are the only ones I can remember, but I'm sure it's not all of them.

 

[janetfan]

As far as I can recall, Sonja Henie went to 4 (winning 3 of them), Laetitia Hubert ald Elena Liashenko also went to 4, Katarina Witt went to 3 (winning 2 of them), Surya Bonaly, Lu Chen, Julia Sebestyen, and Irina Slutskaya also went to 3, and then Michelle Kwan and Kristina Czako went to two and actually qualified for a 3rd but had to WD (and, of course, Michelle was the alternate for a 4th. ). Those are the only ones I can remember, but I'm sure it's not all of them.

9- time US champion Maribel Vincent skated at the Olympics in 1928, '32 and '36 finishing 4th, 3rd and 5th. In 1936 she also competed in Pairs and finished 5th.

There are probably others who have made multiple Olympic appearances.

Plushy is heading towards his 3rd Olympics - and if the Russians had not lost a spot back in '98 on a technicality - Plushy, then 15 probably would have skated in Nagano.

In 1924 a 12 year old Sonja finished dead last at her first Olympics.

I think if Sasha skates well enough to make her third Olympic team it will have as much to do with the weakness of our current Ladies as much as anything else.

 

[Kwanford Wife]

Going out of your way to post that you don't like Sasha in a Sasha thread = trolling.

Going out of your way to do nothing but whine and grouse = sucky whiny baby

What a waste of time.

Hey let's actually talk about Sasha? No of course not.

Actually, why don't YOU talk about Sasha? As a fan, what are YOUR hopes and dreams for her glorious comeback? Any thoughts on her possible jump layouts, secret sightings or music choices? Any speculation on wheater her dress will have one ruffle or two? Of course not.

Don't even try to reason with haters. Don't bother asking them questions, unless they are rhetorical. You and I both know the answer to the questions above -- because they hate Sasha. End of story. They come in and crap all over Sasha's thread, then pretend they're something other than trolls.

Sad part of that story -- goldenskate is almost good in this respect compared to many other boards out there.

Did you catch the news about Haiti? Now THAT's a sad story...

Yeah, poor Rachael, Caroline, Mirai, Ashley, Alissa, etc... because they might have to compete against someone better.

And poor *every girl from '95 - '05* because they had to compete against Michelle Kwan who just wouldn't go away, right? Oh no, can't accept THAT one. Some of you even wish Michelle was back right now, trying to get into this Nationals, regardless of the fact that she's been gone for 4 years. Wow, how pathetic.

I do wish Michelle were back competing - because I love to watch her skate. I am a fan. An UBER FAN. I eat chicken and junior mints whenever she skates. And now that she's done skating, I stay up to date on her many off-ice accomplishments. Because I love and admire her. And will always do so. She moves me - sometimes to tears. She was and is an amazing athlete, competitor and ambassador for this country and this sport. Even when she lost, she still won. However, I understand that she's moved on. But I still love her and suffer Kwan-Withdrawal each season. I am proud to be a citizen of Kwan Nation. That's not pathetic. That's real.

How do you feel about Sasha? Does she move you? Why? Talk about that.

Perhaps the Kwan-ubers are nervous that Sasha might manage to pull off what Michelle couldn't due to injury -- competing in the Olympics 3 times. That alone would be an achievement. Just out of curiosity, what other ladies skaters in history have done that?

Yeah, I can see that happening!

You know, given the aggravating scoring system, lack of TV coverage, loss of franchising, rumors of the death of SA, poor fan treatment by the ISU, and other questionable decisions (breaking Nationals into 2 weekends, thanks guys!) one of skating fans' last refuges or sources of comfort is internet message boards. But what do you get on those boards? Skater hate. People like Sasha Cohen attempt a legendary comeback, and you have 100 pages laced with Kwan-flood and Sasha hate. So keep it up guys, keep stabbing whatever is left of skating until it's finally dead. Great job, kudos, etc.

Sounds like a good plan. And a good time to start as well. Whether Sasha succeeds or fails, it's the moment the fans have wanted to see for 4 years. We should be concentrating on that, not on the people tearing her down.

Out of all your vicious, nasty and simply foolish posts here on this board, the above is quite frankly the most ridiculous. If someone isn't screaming from the rafters that "The Diva is Coming! The Diva is Coming!" its a death knoll to figure skating? If a skating fan doesn't feel, as Sasha felt in 2006, that its fair for someone to waltz onto a team then they are bad for the sport? Get over yourself. Skating is a diverse sport with fans who root for who they like - not who YOU like. I suggest you take your venom else where because you simply don't get the idea of a SKATING board...maybe you will feel more at home at Sashafans.com where its all about Sasha, all the time. Or you might also enjoy the MKforum where we are able to worship in peace. Because from where I sit - you say nothing, add nothing and attempt nothing but drama and nonsense.

For crying out loud I'm not even a fan of Sasha's skating but this really is a ridiculous point to make. Do you really think that Alissa, Rachael, Mirai, Caroline and Ashley would quit after this Olympics with nary a senior international championship medal between them only to try to come back in four years time to try again?

Everyone knows that only a "somebody" would try a "comeback" for the Olympics, in other words someone that was close to it but just missed it, i.e. was on the podium at the previous olympics.



You've done this before and I really have to ask - do you think writing a resume of what five skaters have achieved in four years and trying to pit it against what one skater achieved in her career actually achieves anything?

Don't you think any of those skaters indivdually would give up all of those international achievements for even one of Sasha's silver medals?

I've said it before and I'll say it again - if you want to be the best you have to beat everyone in the field. No competitive athlete in their right mind wants anyone to "step aside" or say that "they've had their turn". They want to win. End of story.

And please save all your whining about the fairness of nationals until the following things happen:

a) Sasha actually steps on competitive ice in Spokane;
b) The skaters all skate their programmes and the marks come in.

Until then feel free to join the Yuna bots who are crying fowl about downgrades of 3/3s at the Olympics, before they've even taken place.

[/rant]

Ant

(who on earth knew i'd have a rant in me about Sasha Cohen....KW i think i have finally entered the final phase of Kwan withdrawal )

Ant... these people are nuts. I've gone from a Sasha's comeback supporter whose rooting for her and good influence and back again. All we can do is wait for the season to end...

 

[gkelly]

9- time US champion Maribel Vincent skated at the Olympics in 1928, '32 and '36 finishing 4th, 3rd and 5th. In 1936 she also competed in Pairs and finished 5th.

There are probably others who have made multiple Olympic appearances.

How about Rena Inoue? Pairs for Japan in 1992, singles for Japan in 1994, pairs for US in 2006 (and within the realm of possibility again in 2010 -- we'll know in a couple of days)

We could do more research to find others who have been to 3 Olympics just in singles. Not sure if there are any not yet mentioned who have been to 4.

More common for men and for ice dancers because their careers tend to be longer. And pairs usually have less competition in their own country.



Plushy is heading towards his 3rd Olympics - and if the Russians had not lost a spot back in '98 on a technicality - Plushy, then 15 probably would have skated in Nagano.

In 1924 a 12 year old Sonja finished dead last at her first Olympics.

I think if Sasha skates well enough to make her third Olympic team it will have as much to do with the weakness of our current Ladies as much as anything else.[/QUOTE]

 

[R.D.]

oh man. I just got the email from Ice Network that says to watch nationals, it starts tomorrow...or at least for the ladies, in a week. Personally, I'll just kick back and wait to see what happens. In retrospect, a bit pointless to get worked up over someone who we aren't even sure will compete, let alone make the team. All I hope is for fair judging. THAT'S IT. I was quite excited a couple weeks ago but it seems as it gets closer I just want it to be here so the arguing can stop (or at least change subjects )

 

[MKFSfan]

Being an Kween Uber Fan and a Sasha Hater is not mutually exclusive. There are plenty voicing opinions that are not so rosey about Sasha who aren't all Kween friendly. I am a HUGE Kween fan, and while I don't rank high on the Sasha fan list, I certainly am not a hater or jealous of her comeback. It's hard to be sympathetic with her setbacks and pray for her success after the many jabs she took about MK...wishing she'd retire so others (including her) had a chance to win...speaking out against the bye in 2006 even after she was guaranteed a spot (did she REALLY care about Emily missing the Games???)....and then at the Games, she could not muster up a nice, even PC comment about the ailing MK (come on, how hard is it to plaster on a fake grin say,"Injuries are prevalent in the sport, I hope she feels better soon." I get it was HER time, but Irina, Fumie, Emily, Evan and even Jeffery Buttle had a nice comment to make during the Games.)

Even with that all said...I am eager to see what Sasha can bring to the ice, if she is near the 2006 version, I have no doubt she will be a contender in Vancouver. Aside from Sasha, I think a final flight spot would be a HUGE accomplishment for whichever US Lady is at the Games, and I would be very pleasantly surprised if any make the podium. I don't think anyone aside from YuNa can run away with this competition, and even she can be a question mark, she is not immune to the slippery ice. If she was, she'd be 3 time World Champion and 4 time GPF Champion. As it is, injuries held her back at the WC 2007, nerves got to her in the SP at WC 2008 and LP at GPF last year (this year too, but she still won). I will admit I am rooting for a Yu-Na, Mao top two finish in either order, bad me not being patriotic.

I do believe Rachael, Ashley, Caroline, Mirai put their "dues" in and would benefit from the Oly experience heading towards the next quad. But I don't think that was to mean Sasha should step aside and not go for it. I would feel the same way about MK (if she qualified for a spot) and obviously I would be much more excited about MK going than I am about Sasha, but there is no hate from me.

All that said...I don't think this thread is as anti-Sasha, hating on Sasha as much as you claim. This is a skating board, not a board devoted to Sasha, so anyone can post their opinion, not just the Sasha supporters, even on a Sasha thread. I would say head over to Sashafans if you want a gush, all supportive forum, but there are posters there that are just as harsh and critical of Sasha as anywhere else, and they claim to be her fans. It was very surprising to read some of the comments, especially after 2006 Worlds and this past fall.

 

[Dee4707]

I will note (as many people have mentioned before) that Sasha was VERY VOCAL against Michelle "waltzing" in 2006 and taking one of the spots from younger skaters such as herself (and that's when there were three spots!) And, as others noted, Michelle competed up to the 2005 worlds.

Do you have any articles or substance for these comments. I like both Michelle & Sasha and have never seen anywhere where Sasha dissed Michelle. Please post the articles!!! The above bolded makes no sense to me whatsoever. :scratch:

This comment is not designed to be anti-Sasha. It's just a mere observation. We'll see next week who gets on the team.

Hmmmmmmmmmmm :scratch:

 

[hrmsk8ngnutt]

We could do more research to find others who have been to 3 Olympics just in singles. Not sure if there are any not yet mentioned who have been to 4.

More common for men and for ice dancers because their careers tend to be longer. And pairs usually have less competition in their own country.

The following ladies have 3 or 4 Olympic appearances in singles:

Laetitia Hubert - 1992 (12th), 1994 (17th), 1998 (20th), and 2002 (15th)
Elena Liashenko - 1994 (19th), 1998 (9th), 2002 (14th), and 2006 (17th)
Lenka Kulovana - 1992 (11th), 1994 (13th), and 1998 (18th)
Irina Slutskaya - 1998 (5th), 2002 (Silver), and 2006 (Bronze)
Kira Ivanova - 1980 (16th), 1984 (Bronze), and 1988 (7th)

 

[herro]

I will note (as many people have mentioned before) that Sasha was VERY VOCAL against Michelle "waltzing" in 2006 and taking one of the spots from younger skaters such as herself (and that's when there were three spots!) And, as others noted, Michelle competed up to the 2005 worlds.

This comment is not designed to be anti-Sasha. It's just a mere observation. We'll see next week who gets on the team.

Finally posting for the first time after getting dinged by the anti-spam filter. (This is what I get for trying to post links!)

Hey Mrs. P! I was wondering if you have any sources where it indicates Sasha disagreeing with Michelle's decision to come back like Dee4707.

Dee4707 - The bolded part would refer to Sasha when she was still considered "young" by skating standards lol. Ohh ridiculous skating world, haha. If what Mrs. P is saying is true, Sasha would be acting like somewhat of a hypocrite.

I don't see Mrs. P's post as anti-Sasha in any way though.

 

[MKFSfan]

Do you have any articles or substance for these comments. I like both Michelle & Sasha and have never seen anywhere where Sasha dissed Michelle. Please post the articles!!! The above bolded makes no sense to me whatsoever.

I remember hearing it in an NBC interview, where she was asked about MK receiving a bye to the Olympics and she said she felt skaters needed to "earn" their spots, meaning via Nationals. I don't think she was worried about her own spot being in jeopardy since the comment was made AFTER the team was named and Sasha was the Nat Champ. She has also admitted later in her career to wishing MK would just retire and let others have their chance, and then she also said that the fact MK being around made her a better skater in the long run. I don't have any articles saved, but the latter comment was repeated in articles more than once.