I think Sasha's return is good even if her comeback attempt is a big flop.
I don't see how her return takes any pressure off our current ladies - or adds much either. I am sure they are going about their regular routines as if nothing has changed.
Cohen will get press that might otherwise have gone to the other ladies. Publicity is a funny thing. Look what it did to Alyssa. If there were 3 spots for 2009 that pressure would have been spread amongst the two of them plus Zhang. Alyssa then may not have crashed and burned in the short (but then again, it may not have mattered much considering her record).
Yes, business will go on as usual. But once the chips are down, the game will change (if she shows up) whether one likes it or not.
I initially thought Sasha would be either 1 or 2 at Natls and be put on Team USA. The more I think about it the less I see this happening. It's not that I just think her time has passed but I think a couple of our young girls will show enough improvement to send Sasha back to SOI.
You tell 'em!
Rachael, Caroline and Mirai may all finish ahead of Sasha. So could Ashley and Alissa. There is also Kimmie, Emily and others who could have great skates at Nationals. No way am I suggesting they will all beat Sasha - but I believe 3 or four of them could. Caroline has got to be out for blood this year and Mirai has a lot to prove too. We have already seen how determined Rachael is and there is doubt that Ashley wants it too. Sometimes we forget how much these younger skaters can improve in one year.
True. But honestly, until we begin to sample the field in the 2009 GPs, we just don't have much of a basis on which to speculate.
Sasha was never the steadiest jumper and I can't see how she will be better coming back. If anything I suspect her jumps may be more erratic than before. That alone could seal her fate.
This could work both ways (she could be better, or she could be worse). But I agree with you. You either got it or you don't.