Hersh responds to Wilkes article

bronxgirl · Dec 15, 2004

Phil Hersh responds to Wilkes article

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune...43dec15,1,4649608.column?coll=cs-home-utility

Basically, he says what many of us thought, that Wilkes is acting as Speedy's mouthpiece which is inappropriate

Piel · Dec 15, 2004

I have this scary picture of of Wilkes and Speedy doing the Gere-Zellweger "We Both Reached for the Gun" scene from Chicago :eek:

Joesitz (RIP) · Dec 15, 2004

I think what he did say was that Wilkes did not give the whole picture of why the top 3 were not skating GPs. It was one-sided.

However, I liked this comment:

If Kwan and Cohen go to worlds and are not marked fairly, the ISU will have carried out its threat of sanctions in a perverse but not unexpected way for an organization that has tolerated biased judging for decades

I think many of us are expecting this.

Joe

Kuchana · Dec 15, 2004

Joesitz said:
If Kwan and Cohen go to worlds and are not marked fairly, the ISU will have carried out its threat of sanctions in a perverse but not unexpected way for an organization that has tolerated biased judging for decades

I think many of us are expecting this.

Joe

I really am hoping that won't happen but I'm dreading it.

I like this quote from Michelle:

"Told about Wilkes' comments, Kwan said: "After 2002, if I wanted to stay in and compete, I wanted to do it on my terms. The toughest thing is to balance my life with skating because I have been in it so long. Ahead of time, they already knew I was in that kind of position where I said, `I'm not going to commit to it right now.' From what I've heard, other people pulling out and saying they have an injury--I wasn't injured, I didn't say I was going to do it for sure, and they know that for the last two years. My word is very good."

Yeah stand up to the friggin ISU! Her word is her word. The ISU's on the other hand..... :sheesh:

ladybug · Dec 16, 2004

Sasha and Michelle fans better keep their fingers crossed that Wilkes is never a caller at any important competition.

I feel certain she will be able to justify anything she wants to do. Maybe it is time Michelle and Sasha both go pro and see how well the ISU can sell air time here in the U.S. We have a lot of potential young skaters but that is really all they are right now. Sasha and Michelle are the drawing cards here in the U.S. Maybe they can bring a renewed interest into the pro world. Neither one needs and Olympic Gold. They already have a large enough fan base.

Ladybug

R.D. · Dec 18, 2004

Hersh article on ISU threat, Wilkes article

(requires registration)

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune...,1,7463019.column?coll=cs-international-print

Wilkes, who holds what the ISU calls "one of the key positions in the new judging system," wrote this in her Dec. 7 commentary for the Web site of Canada's The Sports Network:

"Unless the rest of you know something I don't, like some legitimate reason to selfishly `dis' the ISU by not participating in the GP, I think both Kwan and Cohen, providing they qualify through U.S. Nationals, should have their world invitations revoked immediately.

"Competing in the GP series should be mandatory for the world top 10. No GP? No Worlds."

Sounds like ISU President Ottavio Cinquanta did a little digital ventriloquism, with Wilkes, an ISU technical specialist, acting as the puppet. Pardon the mixed metaphor, but she was parroting the ISU stand.

Mathman · Dec 18, 2004

Red Dog, I combined the two threads we had going on this topic.

Ladybug, that would really give skating a shot in the arm if Michelle and Sasha would get mad and stomp out on the ISU. LOL. I think there are lots of possibilities to renew interest in professional competitions. Shake up things a little.

But neither Michelle nor Sasha has much of a rebellious streak, as far as I can tell. And like you say, the only skaters who could do it are those that are beyond the need to skate in the Olympics again.

BTW, on the Marshall's telecast today Peter Carruthers asked Evgeni Plushenko about his withdrawal from his early Grand Prix events. Plushenko came right out and said that it wasn't really an injury, just that he did not feel ready to compete.

Mathman

Kuchana · Dec 18, 2004

Red Dog said:
(requires registration)

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune...,1,7463019.column?coll=cs-international-print

What I don't get is why Wilkes doesn't think she has a conflict of interest. I mean seriously?

ladybug said:
Sasha and Michelle fans better keep their fingers crossed that Wilkes is never a caller at any important competition.

I feel certain she will be able to justify anything she wants to do. Maybe it is time Michelle and Sasha both go pro and see how well the ISU can sell air time here in the U.S. We have a lot of potential young skaters but that is really all they are right now. Sasha and Michelle are the drawing cards here in the U.S. Maybe they can bring a renewed interest into the pro world. Neither one needs and Olympic Gold. They already have a large enough fan base.

Ladybug

Huh? Are you serious? I think that would be a bad move for the USFA if either or both Michelle and Sasha turned pro anytime soon. It is fairly obvious the other U.S. ladies are not up to the challenge. Having Michelle and Sasha there would help to motivate them to excel I would think. The obvious problem here is obviously the ISU and biased comments like Wilkes.

childfreegirl · Dec 18, 2004

Kuchana said:
Huh? Are you serious? I think that would be a bad move for the USFA if either or both Michelle and Sasha turned pro anytime soon. It is fairly obvious the other U.S. ladies are not up to the challenge. Having Michelle and Sasha there would help to motivate them to excel I would think.

OTOH, maybe the others would step up to the plate. Not that I'm wanting Michelle or Sasha to retire before the Olympics.

thisthingcalledlove · Dec 18, 2004

I'm sorry to say this...as it may offend some Canadian fans, but if Sasha and Michelle had been in the GP, I really don't think Joannie or Cynthia would have been in the final. In a way, Debbie Wilkes have Michelle and Sasha to thank for pulling out of the GP. I mean, even if they managed to outskate those two, unfortunately, the judges still have ways of manipulating the scores.

Mathman · Dec 19, 2004

Kuchana said:
Huh? Are you serious? I think that would be a bad move for the USFA if either or both Michelle and Sasha turned pro anytime soon.

I think what Ladybug meant was that it might be a good thing for Michelle and Sasha, not that it would be good for the rulers of the USFS and the ISU. If Debbie Wilkes' opinion really does reflect an official position of the ISU that Michelle and Sasha are in the ISU doghouse, and if the ISU intends to penalize them at Worlds (as Wilkes proposes), they could say bye bye and go do their own thing.

Ladybug is suggesting that this might lead to a resurgence of interest in pro skating in the U.S., in competition with the lackluster offerings of the official amateur events.

Mathman

Jhar55 · Dec 19, 2004

Well maybe that would be the only way for Canada's ladies to have any chance at Worlds would be for Michelle and Sasha not to be there. Wilkes is only looking into her own backyard, and could care less about anyone else. The US does have some up and coming skaters but not any that have a chance of medaling at worlds at this time.

thisthingcalledlove · Dec 19, 2004

Jhar55 said:
Well maybe that would be the only way for Canada's ladies to have any chance at Worlds would be for Michelle and Sasha not to be there. Wilkes is only looking into her own backyard, and could care less about anyone else. The US does have some up and coming skaters but not any that have a chance of medaling at worlds at this time.

ITA, Jhar55. However, that won't take care of the other skaters, like Irina, Shizuka, Fumie, and the other Japanese girls that are just waiting in the wings...

The ISU didn't make Michelle Kwan and Sasha Cohen stars of figure skating; their hard work made them stars. They're not "dissing" anyone, unless they have this covert deal with the ISU to get high marks so they can win, in turn giving the ISU some sort of revenue... :rofl:

but I highly doubt that.

I think Miss Wilkes knows deep down that had the two Americans skated, neither Cynthia nor Joannie might be in the GPF.

Kuchana · Dec 19, 2004

Mathman said:
I think what Ladybug meant was that it might be a good thing for Michelle and Sasha, not that it would be good for the rulers of the USFS and the ISU. If Debbie Wilkes' opinion really does reflect an official position of the ISU that Michelle and Sasha are in the ISU doghouse, and if the ISU intends to penalize them at Worlds (as Wilkes proposes), they could say bye bye and go do their own thing.

Ladybug is suggesting that this might lead to a resurgence of interest in pro skating in the U.S., in competition with the lackluster offerings of the official amateur events.

Mathman

Oh ok. Thanks for the clarification

thisthingcalledlove said:
ITA, Jhar55. However, that won't take care of the other skaters, like Irina, Shizuka, Fumie, and the other Japanese girls that are just waiting in the wings...

I think Miss Wilkes knows deep down that had the two Americans skated, neither Cynthia nor Joannie might be in the GPF.

Frankly, it wouldn't surprise me if people like Wilkes would try to further their agenda by slighting skaters other than Kwan and Cohen in order to advance their skaters. People have done it before so why would it be any different now?

I agree with your assessment as well. Plus the fact that she's calling out for Kwan and Cohen to be banned from Worlds this year clearly implies a desire in getting one or both of the Canadian skaters on the podium. Not putting the blame on the skaters by any means but Wilkes for her biased sentiment.

Hersh responds to Wilkes article

bronxgirl

Piel

On Edge

Joesitz (RIP)

Kuchana

ladybug

R.D.

Mathman

Kuchana

childfreegirl

thisthingcalledlove

Mathman

Jhar55

thisthingcalledlove

Kuchana

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