** Sasha Cohen's Spins **

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sasha_Cohen

The above is a link to a "wiki" write-up on US champion and Olympic silver medalist Sasha Cohen. The bio is interesting, but the most dramatic aspect, IMHO, are the four stunning photos of Sasha in performance - a spiral, two "I" spins, and a Biellman spin.

This young woman has an incredible amount of grace and flexibility. She makes the most acrobatic movements seem easy. Unfortunately, she had the habit of not being able to put together a great short program AND a great long program, and you have to skate well in both in order to win championships.

That being said, she certainly is a charismatic skater! :thumbsup:

She was a wonderful eligible skater. She brought a real distinction to the American team. And for a supposed head case, she has a surprisingly good track record. Several world silvers, an Olympic silver, an Olympic fourth place, a bunch of American medals...not too shabby. Moreover, she did all this during a pretty crowded time for ladies. Including, of course, Michelle, who was at her peak during pretty much Sasha's entire career. It's kind of like trying to get noticed as a bel canto coloratura while Joan Sutherland is in town. If Sasha had peaked just two years later, she'd have been the Next Big Thing. As it is, she held her own with style and originality.

Olympia said:

It's kind of like trying to get noticed as a bel canto coloratura while Joan Sutherland is in town.

Click to expand...

I have no idea what this means but I agree - Sasha basically had to swim upstream her whole career against Michelle. She eeked out one national championship only because Michelle was injured. There were other times though, when the head-case had a chance and blew it.

Joan Sutherland was one of the great opera voices of the century. She wasn't just "top cat" while she was active but one of those singers against whom people will be measured from now on. Sound familiar?

Ironic that there has been such a skating drought after Michelle. If Sasha had been able to hold on for a bit longer, she might not have made it to the top of the heap internationally, but she almost certainly would have had a national gold or two. Remember how thrilled people were to have her even trying out for the Olympics team in 2010? If not for the layoff, she might have made it, too. And during those years, there wasn't even a strong Russian rival to speak of.