All About Alissa

[orchid]

One thing to keep in mind is that Alissa is 18, while Kimmie just turned 16 last month. Alissa has been steadily developing her skills under the radar for some time. Until this year no one (except Orchid, LOL) really predicted that Alissa would reach the top, precisely because she was not a little jumping bean at 14 or 15.

I do, however, expect Kimmie to handle the pressure just fine. She has long been heralded as "one to watch" and has acheived a lot of success and attention as a junior.

MM

Thanks MM.

Someone else was predicted to be " the one to watch" for so many y e a r s and never skated up to the expectations. Kimmie, a Junior has yet to compete as a Senior and in a Senior event. Coming soon is her Gp event, we'll see.

All be mindful, Sarah perfected her clumsly competitive routines in a few short months prior the the olympics. Alissa could do the same, hope so.

I suspect Michelle is fine tuning, appropriately, on pace with recent event results.

 

[RealtorGal]

I do, however, expect Kimmie to handle the pressure just fine. She has long been heralded as "one to watch" and has acheived a lot of success and attention as a junior.

Yeah, but so did Jennifer Kirk, but that never really worked out on the Senior level as expected...

 

[kyla2]

An opinion

Kimmie has a strong competitve instinct. She is one tough cookie. She will do what it takes to stay competitive with Alissa. Kimmie has a much stronger jump technique than Jenny ever did. You can't compare the two. It will be interesting to see how things stack up if Kimmie nails her triple axels in competition, and Alissa maintains her current form. They both have a ways to go in the presentation department but I think Kimmie has a slight edge there. I don't think they are real competition for Michelle, Irina and Sasha if they skate their best. I watched Skate Canada tonite and although we know who won, I preferred Rochette's presentation to Alissa's, which was a shock because I don't usually love Joannie's style. Alissa seems to go from jump to trick to jump and that wears thin when there isn't much choreography in the program. But she is a force to be reckoned with when the pressure is off. You can see what has happened to Carolina now that the pressure is on. It's not so easy anymore.

 

[jesslily]

I mostly agree with Kyla2. As for comparing Alissa and Kimmie's skating, both of them are great competitiors, but Alissa is more delightful and joyful, especially her spins. Kimmie's skating is dry, and seems just memorizing what Lori told her. Alissa moved up to senior when she was 14. She did not get that much spotlight as Kimmie did, but we notice her and her twin sister for years. Obviously she is the more talented one.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Ladies - rerun your tape. Alissa has connecting steps between tricks and all of it is with FLOOOOOW. Few skaters have that, imo. I know Alissa is a threat to everyone's favorite so she is fair game for nitpicking negatively but in the last analysis she seems to be in the mix for 'the last six to skate' in interntional competitions.

One favorable nitpick - she out-Bielman's Bielman, and we know what that acrobatic trick has done for Slutskaya. Scores go airborne!

BTW, I am a big fan of Joannie since Dortmund. However, she doesn't have the body to do Bielmans but she can have solid jumps over Alissa. They won't be meeting again until the Final so let's see. I like both of them.

Joe

 

[soogar]

of Joannie since Dortmund. However, she doesn't have the body to do Bielmans but she can have solid jumps over Alissa. They won't be meeting again until the Final so let's see. I like both of them.

Joe

I'll start with the good thing about Joannie and that it's nice to see a skater with an athletic/powerful body. Unfortunately that's the only nice thing I can say about her.

Well I can say two nice things and say that I really liked her LP from David Wilson this year.

However I just don't see Joannie on top of the podium. It doesn't surprise me that the judges are stingy with the scores for her when she is competing against top skaters because Joannie just doesn't have a look on the ice. She looks like a football player when she skates and doesn't have the energy of Irina to counteract that "heaviness". I think Joannie moves with more grace than Irina (which isn't saying much because Irina has no grace), but she lacks that oomph that would make her an exciting skater.

AS for Czisny, two competitions isn't making a believer out of me. She has technique issues on her jumps even when she lands them. It would be nice for her to build on that momentum and do well at Nats. However I'm still on the Emily bandwagon for getting that 3rd spot. Emily has better jump technique, better spins and better skating skills than Czisny.

 

[jesslily]

Emily does have better jumping technique. But she can not land them in programs. At Campbell she mostly did the doubles, probably only one triple toe. At SA, she did not land more than three different kinds of thiples. Plus she let audiance see clearly she was preparing taking off and her eyes and head just facing the ice. She does have many good things, but acturally Bebe is more maturer on ice. Bebe does not let people feel that she just learned the triples.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

JMO - No one but Alissa has Level 4 spins in Senior Ladies. Only Sasha is comparable to Level 4 arabesques. Kwan is the best jumper but she has no significant 3x3s. Connecting steps I will give to Sasha and Alissa. Alissa is surprisingly mature despite her lack of international presence. I'm not at all sure Kimmie has that. Emile has the problem of consistency more than Alissa, but Emilie's style is like Joannies. Bebe is the fastest skater in figure skating but she has to learn to carefully prepare for the big tricks. She skates with such abandon one can't help but sit on edge and watch and pray.

Anyway, Alissa is in the Final. I think she will be the only American, unless Sasha's probable 12 points qualifies.

It's the hottest US Nationals in years.

Joe

 

[georgia]

JMO - No one but Alissa has Level 4 spins in Senior Ladies. Only Sasha is comparable to Level 4 arabesques. Kwan is the best jumper but she has no significant 3x3s. Connecting steps I will give to Sasha and Alissa. Alissa is surprisingly mature despite her lack of international presence. I'm not at all sure Kimmie has that. Emile has the problem of consistency more than Alissa, but Emilie's style is like Joannies. Bebe is the fastest skater in figure skating but she has to learn to carefully prepare for the big tricks. She skates with such abandon one can't help but sit on edge and watch and pray.

Anyway, Alissa is in the Final. I think she will be the only American, unless Sasha's probable 12 points qualifies.

It's the hottest US Nationals in years.

Good points. Alissa has plenty of experience, because she competes internationally since the age of 14. She did junior grand prix and junior worlds, and also she comes with experience competing as a senior lady at Nationals.
She skates as a senior for almost as long as Bebe, and Bebe was always her competition.
I am a fan of Sasha's skating and I will always be. To me her skating is superior.
On the other hand, I have been Alissa's cheerleader, for the past 7 years.
I was there, to see her failing to reach her goal. Time after time we had to hug her and kiss her and tell her how much we believe in her talent and there is always next year. Some times you loose faith in a person. After her sixth place finish last year, I thought this is it. She should quit. She can't control her nerves.
I have not talk to them since last years Nationals. Can you imagine my surprise this year? She looks like a different skater. Her skating improve very much in one year. Maybe is the maturity in her skating, the one that comes with age. I don't know if I am correct or not, because I have not talk to her coach either, but maybe Sasha's remark in the kiss and cry area, that she will like her spins to be as fast as Alissa's, made the difference in Alissa's confidence.
But this Alissa I enjoy very much and as always, I will support. I hope we will see a lot more of her.
Her coaches are fantastic and so is her family.
Break a leg Sasha, break a leg Alissa.
I can't wait for Nationals.

 

[equestrianguy]

After watching Alissa C at the last two GP events I am so amazed by her skating. Her spins and spirals are definatly the best in the business right now in ladies FS. I'm not so sure about the technical side of her jumps, but who cares. I'm glad that international judges are rewarding this new, refreshing skater. She is definatly what ladies FS needs right now. She has such lovely flow on the ice and very mature for her age. I am sure the top three spots on the Oly podiem will be the seasoned ladies, but wouldn't it be nice if some fresh face could sneak in there... If not this year maybe next years Worlds?!?

 

[kyla2]

Dear Joe

Dear Joe:

You are an absolute hoot! I loved you saying "ladies rerun your tapes." I will and I will look for what you have pointed out. There is much truth in what you have said, but I still think Kimmie makes more of an attempt to integrate upper body choreography (as I call it) into her program than Alissa does. Yes, Alissa is a real threat to my favorites, Michelle and Sasha, but I do like her and I am impressed with what she has done recently. She seems like a nice kid. I wish her well (but just not this year at the Olympics). I want either Michelle, Sasha or Irina to win it. They deserve it from my point of view. They have paid their dues. I think another Sarah-like situation is not good for the skaters or the sport. I think Sarah wishes her competitive career had gone on longer.

 

[orchid]

I wish her well (but just not this year at the Olympics). I want either Michelle, Sasha or Irina to win it. They deserve it from my point of view. They have paid their dues. I think another Sarah-like situation is not good for the skaters or the sport. I think Sarah wishes her competitive career had gone on longer.

Whadda mean, "they deserve it"...paid their dues? Each and every one of these skaters works as hard as each other. That comment is quite outdated and unfair and why the COP has come into play.

Any skater has a "fair chance" to skate and be judged for that event not their compilation of history and/or personality.

Do I like that Sarah had one great skate and at the Olympics? NO, but she did, and she worked for it and skated to earn it. Any skater can do the same, at least try. Is Sarah a great skater? Nope, not to me and she like Tara backed out of competitive skating strategically.

Let's get through the US Nationals before we place skaters on the Olympic podium.

I think Sasha is now more focused on fending off Alissa than winning the National tiitle and that will cause her trouble on the ice.

My picks/forecast: Michelle, Alissa, allllllright Sasha, Kimmie as alternate.

 

[Sylvia]

FYI, TWO new journal entries dated Nov. 2nd & 3rd (as if she hasn't been busy enough, LOL!) have been added to Alissa's official site at:
http://www.figureskatersonline.com/alissaczisny/

 

[Kuchana]

I see Alissa making a ripple at Nationals. Maybe even a shocker :yes:

I don't think Sasha should be concerned about Alissa (not saying Alissa doesn't have a chance) but I think she would be more focused on Nationals.

If Alissa can pull a Sarah, more power to her.

 

[georgia]

I love Alissa to death, but I don't expect a shocker from her. I want to see how she is going to skate with Irina, Michelle and Sasha in the picture, before I decide.
You have to remember that a perfect Alissa, scored less points than a not so perfect Sasha and also Irina. I am talking about this years results.
Now from all the American ladies, the only one, that can land triple- triple combination and has a very nice triple lutz, is Kimmie. So, as far as jumps, she has the edge.
Michelle lands her jumps, but last year she did not have a triple loop.
Sasha is not the most reliable skater, when it comes to jumping.
The same goes for Alissa.
So the top American ladies are tough and they all have a chance. It all depends what the judges are looking for.
I also expect Sasha to improve her spins, since her last competition.

 

[kyla2]

Geesh

Orchid, I meant exactly what I said. I don't think Sarah deserved the OGM but because of what happened with the pairs situation (the judges were afraid of the general public screaming that it wouldn't be the right outcome- because they were uniformed about how figure skating was judged), she jumped ahead of both Irina and Michelle. She should have beem second or third because she was too far behind after the SP. There is no way on this planet that Alissa, Kimmie or Carolina should win the OGM. Their presentation skills are light years behind the top three skaters (Michelle, Sasha and Irina). That still counts. It is a reflection of their age and lack of competitive experience. From that standpoint alone, they shouldn't win the OGM. If the second coming of Michelle Kwan and Sasha Cohen, wrapped into one, shows up in figure skating at the age of 16, I will reconsider your point.

 

[*~RussianBleux~*]

Orchid, I meant exactly what I said. I don't think Sarah deserved the OGM but because of what happened with the pairs situation (the judges were afraid of the general public screaming that it wouldn't be the right outcome- because they were uniformed about how figure skating was judged), she jumped ahead of both Irina and Michelle. She should have beem second or third because she was too far behind after the SP. There is no way on this planet that Alissa, Kimmie or Carolina should win the OGM. Their presentation skills are light years behind the top three skaters (Michelle, Sasha and Irina). That still counts. It is a reflection of their age and lack of competitive experience. From that standpoint alone, they shouldn't win the OGM. If the second coming of Michelle Kwan and Sasha Cohen, wrapped into one, shows up in figure skating at the age of 16, I will reconsider your point.

I don't think that Sarah deserved the OIympic gold medal in general. She isn't a good skater at all and had never won nationals or worlds(at least Tara had proven herself several times before in that aspect). The one time that Sarah got her big break just happened to be at the Olympics, and that frustrated me. However, if you rememb the ladies free skate, Sasha had mistakes, Michelle had mistakes, Irina had mistakes, Sarah was absolutely flawless! So she may not have deserved the Olympic gold medal in general, but yes she did deserve to win it that night based on her own performance as well as the performances of others.

As for her being too far behind after the short program, well Michelle was in first after the short program, while Sarah was in fourth. In order for Sarah to win, she needed someone else to beat Michelle in the free skate, and then she needed to win the free skate, and that's exactly what happened. Irina beat Michelle, but Sarah beat Irina. I don't believe it had anything to do with the judges wanting to give Sarah the medal because of the pairs judging controversy. Sarah's perfect skate earned her first place in the free skate, while Irina outskated Kwan. These events combined gave Sarah the gold medal, not the judges trying to manipulate the outcome based on the fans' reaction. Sarah didn't deserve the OGM in general by any means, but she most certainly did deserve to win the free skate that night. Combined with Michelle's mistakes, Sarah's great performance pushed her to the top and it was very well deserved that night.

 

[orchid]

I don't think that Sarah deserved the OIympic gold medal in general. She isn't a good skater at all and had never won nationals or worlds(at least Tara had proven herself several times before in that aspect). The one time that Sarah got her big break just happened to be at the Olympics, and that frustrated me. However, if you rememb the ladies free skate, Sasha had mistakes, Michelle had mistakes, Irina had mistakes, Sarah was absolutely flawless! So she may not have deserved the Olympic gold medal in general, but yes she did deserve to win it that night based on her own performance as well as the performances of others.

As for her being too far behind after the short program, well Michelle was in first after the short program, while Sarah was in fourth. In order for Sarah to win, she needed someone else to beat Michelle in the free skate, and then she needed to win the free skate, and that's exactly what happened. Irina beat Michelle, b

ut Sarah beat Irina. I don't believe it had anything to do with the judges wanting to give Sarah the medal because of the pairs judging controversy. Sarah's perfect skate earned her first place in the free skate, while Irina outskated Kwan. These events combined gave Sarah the gold medal, not the judges trying to manipulate the outcome based on the fans' reaction. Sarah didn't deserve the OGM in general by any means, but she most certainly did deserve to win the free skate that night. Combined with Michelle's mistakes, Sarah's great performance pushed her to the top and it was very well deserved that night.

Fine retrospective and thanks, but Sarah was 'One great skate". I

 

[soogar]

I don't think that Sarah deserved the OIympic gold medal in general. She isn't a good skater at all and had never won nationals or worlds(at least Tara had proven herself several times before in that aspect). Sarah didn't deserve the OGM in general by any means, but she most certainly did deserve to win the free skate that night. Combined with Michelle's mistakes, Sarah's great performance pushed her to the top and it was very well deserved that night.

How do you decide who *deserves* a gold medal? While I think that Sarah has no pride as a reigning OGM in letting her skills slip, young Sarah did everything she needed to do to *deserve* a gold medal. Sarah was the skater who tried and did 2 3-3s (you can complain about whether they were underrotated, but she took the risk and put them out there unlike Michelle or Irina). Sarah also had complex spins and she was a damn fine skater.

 

[tripleflutz]

Alissa is comming on strong, but Kimmie has jumped well, and shown fearlessness at Nationals for three years in a row. I think the real presure isn't on a 16 year old, with one medal at senior nats, but on Sasha and Michelle to get healthy, and get ready for the challange thats comming in their direction from Kimmie, Alissa, Bebe, Amber, and Emily. Remember Michelle didn't try a 3Loop or land a 3Sal in any program at last years Worlds. Can she continue to win medals without them? There isn't much room on that podium and its going to be hard for an injured or undertrained skater to stay on it, no matter how big the reputation.