Mathman said:About orchestras that go EEK, doesn't Sarah H. play the violin? (OK, that was mean. Sorry, Sarah.)Mathman
nymkfan51 said:I think one of the reasons Sasha gets picked on a bit more than others
Well, I think there are two points. First, skaters such as Sasha, Michelle, Tara and Michael Weiss are not only criticized for their skating, but also seem to attract more than their share of mean-spirited Internet trolls who attack their personal character. I have never read any such attacks on, say, Irina Slutskaya or Evgenny Plushenko, even by people who are not necessarily enthralled by their skating."OK, I want names!" -- Berthesghost
Ogre Mage said:I'm not sure that Sasha has drawn an undue amount of criticism. Rather, I would say she has drawn an enormous amount of attention -- both positive AND negative. There is prolific and well-publicized gushing over her as well as blatant bashing. This is evident on GS, other boards and in the media.
There are a few reasons why she has drawn such attention.
1. She has a very flashy, showstopping style of skating, a la Nicole Bobek. She is also a lovely young woman.
2. Early in her career, she was known for her feisty competitiveness. Some found it refreshing, while others saw it as poor sportsmanship and arrogance. From 2003- her "loudmouth" style has smoothed over, but people still remember the first impression.
3. She is seen as Michelle's biggest rival, which polarizes her with the rabid pro and anti Kwan camps.
4. Skating insiders feel that most of Cohen's skating is extraordinary, but her consistency is only average (for an elite skater). If she was consistent on top of everything else she could be one of the greats ... but instead she falls. What gives? With Bobek, also super talented but inconsistent, it was easy to blame her problems on laziness. But you couldn't say that about Sasha. The reason for her problems remains a topic of debate.
Mathman said:PurpleCat, exception granted. But the REAL Laker team was Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West!
Mathman
chuckm said:I agree with BG. It was only this season that Sasha had clean SPs at Nationals and Worlds. In the 2002-2003 season, although Sasha won gold medals at her first two GP events, she had falls and bobbles in the SPs. Only at Cup of Russia did she skate two relatively clean programs, and she lost there to Volchkova. At 2003 Nationals, Sasha messed up in both SP and FS, and at Worlds 2003, she fell in both SP and FS.
This past season, she had a minor problem with her 3Z2T in the Skate America SP, had clean SPs at Skate Canada and Lalique, but fell on her combo at the GPF. But her SPs were far cleaner this season than last. Maybe this season her major event FSs will start to clean up, too.
sarahmistral said:Joe:
To me that holding back is actually reminiscent of many a tennis player, once they've reached a Grand Slam final or something, feeling they're just sooo close and playing defensively, not to lose, rather than sticking to their more aggressive A game and going for broke, playing to win it rather than to defend it. Psychologically it's pretty much to be expected when an athlete is just beginning to break into the upper echelon of contenders for gold at big events, but I agree that it is unfortunate. This year at Worlds was Sasha's first experience in the top two or three at the biggest event of the season, and though it frustrates those who know what she's capable of when she's playing her A game, so to speak, I can understand the sudden reverting into a more passive, defensive mode; hey, I'd be scared, too--the ice is pretty slippery, not to mention cold, hard, and unforgiving, particularly to those at the top, for whom the difference between gold and silver means a whole lot!
ITA with you on the Let's see and pretty much on your whole post.
Cheers,
Sarah
MM
(Trash talking and consequence ) that is fine as long they don't take themselves too seriously
Sasha is the best... Shizuka has no art
I guess I'm the only person on the Internet who likes Christine Brennan , but other than that, I think this is a very good point. I hope that Sasha feels the same way and is rightfully proud of her accomplishments.Registered said:"Personally, I find assertions, that only World (or Nationals) title count for something, to be very "Christine Brennan-ish," and simply dishonest. There are numerous beloved skaters, that haven't won 1/2 of what SC have managed to win thus far, and they're considered an accomplished athletes. Should Sasha win couples of "biggies,"- that should be an icing on the cake, but even without it, she's currently #1 skating lady on the international arena.
"Shizuka has no art" isn't a bash, just an opinion (just like statement "Cohen has no art")
Now, I know a lot of people will say, hey, why isn't Michelle the number one lady? I'll catch a lot of flack for this, but to tell the truth, I think Michelle has, in her mind, already "gone pro."
Mathman said:I'll catch a lot of flack for this, but to tell the truth,
Mathman
a self proclaimed adult Cohen fan
"Cohen has no art"
is just an opinion
I think the reason she didn't is that she really does like to rack up those National Championships and World medals, even while coasting in terms of doing a full competitive season.Red Dog said:If she really wanted to take a break, IMO she might as well just have taken the year(s) off.
I think the reason she didn't is that she really does like to rack up those National Championships and World medals, even while coasting in terms of doing a full competitive season.
But I might be wrong. Now that I think of it, Michelle has noticably increased her strength, and the speed of both her spins and her footwork, and the height of her jumps over the last two years.