Any Sasha updates?

[fairly4]

janetfan--i hope you are right.

 

[Phoenix347]

A new article on Cohen.

Here is yet another article on Cohen:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/19/AR2010011902709.html

Quote:

Nicks said he considers Cohen an even better artist than when she won her Olympic silver medal, noting that her work with fan-friendly figure skating shows had honed her showmanship. But despite assistance with U.S. Figure Skating Association officials who have visited her to bring her up to speed on the changes in the new judging system, Cohen has not matched her previous technical prowess, Nicks said, and would not even attempt a triple-triple jump in combination.

"Four years out is not easy," Nicks said. "I think, as most people do, that she is going to add enormously to the ladies competition, a lot of interest . . . I just hope she skates well; I hope it enables all of the people watching to enjoy her skating. The result will be what it will be."

Hmm... if her coach is hoping that she just skates well... what kind of condition is she in?

 

[Nadine]

Lol, Sasha's arrival has created a huge stir, I hear that she is even being followed to the airport by the media, et al. All of which is GREAT for skating! A win win situation.

That said, though I think Sasha has the very best chance out of all the ladies at the Olympics (if she's back to her old self of 2006), I want them ALL to skate great and may the best woman win!!!!!!!!!!:thumbsup:

Though I have a soft spot for Sasha, by no means do I have a problem with anybody (I honestly don't care who it is) outskating her. So I say:

BRING IT ON!!!!

 

[R.D.]

We have to see her skate first (not to mention she must make the team first) before her chances at Olys can be speculated.

"It could be brutal, and it could be very sad for some of the younger skaters," said Priscilla Hill, coach of West Potomac High graduate Ashley Wagner. "I feel bad both ways. If [Cohen] goes out and holds it together, that's kind of amazing for her, yet for the younger ones . . . I'd hate to see [an Olympic opportunity] taken away from them."

I couldn't agree more with Mrs. Hill...still, with only 2 spots (and even if we had three) SOMEONE is going to be very disappointed no matter what since there are so many contenders.

ETA:

Nicks said he considers Cohen an even better artist than when she won her Olympic silver medal, noting that her work with fan-friendly figure skating shows had honed her showmanship. But despite assistance with U.S. Figure Skating Association officials who have visited her to bring her up to speed on the changes in the new judging system, Cohen has not matched her previous technical prowess, Nicks said, and would not even attempt a triple-triple jump in combination.

Then she's more or less on the same page with everyone else. It's going to be really tough for her- I'd say she'll either bring the house down or lay an egg.

 

[janetfan]

I couldn't agree more with Mrs. Hill...still, with only 2 spots (and even if we had three) SOMEONE is going to be very disappointed no matter what since there are so many contenders.

.

I think any fan with a heart can agree with Priscilla to an extent.
I like Sasha - but I like the others too.

I disagree completely with the thought that Sasha may take away something from one of the younger girls.

They are not owed anything - and let's not forget this is supposed to be a sport.
If it was only a beauty pageant then Sasha would have a better chance. But it is a competition and fans here have to quit wanting it both ways.

No matter which two make it I will feel sad for the others. But no way do I want a girl named to the team because she is "younger." They all have dreams and the two who skate the best will realize their dream. The others would be better off forgetting Priscilla's unfortunate comments.

Rather than feeling like something was taken away from them they would be better off planning to train hard and do better next season.
__________________

 

[R.D.]

The ladies' short is in just two days. That'll put an end to all this for once. :yes:

With or without Cohen this will be the most exciting Nats SP in years.

 

[janetfan]

The ladies' short is in just two days. That'll put an end to all this for once. :yes:

With or without Cohen this will be the most exciting Nats SP in years.

For once we agree - almost

I think Sasha makes the competiton even more exciting. :yes:

I have no idea how she will do but I will be very happy to see her compete again.
I will also be happy to see the others.

I have so many favorites I don't know how I will feel after the dust settles.

And it may not be over after the SP - it could be close for all we know and we may have to wait until the LP is over before we know our Ladies team

 

[R.D.]

And it may not be over after the SP - it could be close for all we know and we may have to wait until the LP over before we know our Ladies team

I hope that's the case. I still remember being on the edge of my seat during the Kwan years...the IJS has taken much of that away by allowing skaters to run away with the competition by building large or insurmountable leads.

 

[MKFSfan]

I understand what Priscilla is saying...I don't think she means Sasha is "taking away" someone's spot unfairly but that it is bittersweet, people will be disappointed no matter what and the one who is 3rd in line may not be around in 4 years to try again. This would be Sasha's third go round, and if she deserves it, then she should go. It was the same deal with the Kween 4 years ago and she was only away from the sport for the fall. The skaters knew there was potentially only 2 spots available, and skated as such, that one would be reserved for the Kween and when she did get the bye, we heard a lot of outcry about poor Emily being denied her only chance. And now look, chances are very slim that Emily makes this team.

If Sasha gets on the team solely because she receives astronomical PCS marks while falling 4 times and not getting any "e" calls (if warranted), etc, while the 3rd person lands 7 triples and receives all level 4's but skates conservatively...Then we will know the fix is in.

Mr. Nicks is such a well-greased PR machine. You can always interpret his statements in so many ways...Sasha could be very under prepared and he is creating so much hype and mysteriousness around this return. Or Sasha could be not quite 2006 Sasha but he knows she's still better than the rest and so he is leaving us wondering WHAT to expect and be blown away...

 

[Mathman]

Cohen has not matched her previous technical prowess, Nicks said, and would not even attempt a triple-triple jump in combination.

This must have been two separate questions that the reporter put together as one when he wrote it up, don't you think? Sasha was never known for her triple-triple combinations. It must have been:

Reporter: Is Sasha at the same level technically as she was four years ago?

Nicks: No.

Reporter: Will Sasha attempt a triple-triple?

Nicks: No.

 

[R.D.]

To have any real chance at an Oly medal, though, I say she needs to be AT LEAST as good as she was in 2006. If not, may as well send someone else who really can benefit from Oly experience. But her presence at Nationals could very well to be her competitors' benefit- by taking the spotlight from them I still maintain that she is doing them a favor by taking some of the media pressure off them.

MM- Yes.

 

[Spun Silver]

The next project for the makers of "Johnny be good" should be a movie about Mr. Nicks. The old Brit certainly manages to capture the imagination. One minute he's a senile geezer who can't remember what his star pupil did last week. Next he's "a grizzled old skating coach forcibly dragging a tiny woman onto a plane and handcuffing her to the seat." Then he's "a well greased PR machine."
I have two suggestions for how they might approach the project and they're welcome to use them for free!

1.
The Many Faces of Mr. Nicks (on the many guises under which the crafty old geezer works his wiles)
2.
The Odd Coaches (Mr. Nicks and Dick Button as a pair of retired stars now coaching rival skaters)

 

[MKFSfan]

MM, you are probably right on the question format. But don't forget, 2006 Sasha was attempting 7 triples with a 3^3 sequence, so my guess is that is where she is not back up to par. I know she could be counted on for a mistake or two, but it usually was a random triple each time out, not a specific nemesis jump, like Yu-Na with the loop or Mao/lutz, etc.

SS...like I said, Mr. Nicks keeps us all entertained! I think way back in 2000 I enjoyed him and looked forward to his comments more so than I wanted to see Sasha skate! So, you better pitch that idea to Johnny's peeps ASAP!

((edited to add...on a more serious note...I never agreed/thought Mr. Nicks was a senile old man who couldn't handle Sasha. I think she went back to him because there is a certain level of comfort and that is HUGE. I'm sure the rumors are true he lets her do her own thing, but if it works for Sasha, well, Mr. Nicks has had a pretty darn successful career!))

 

[Ice&Glass]

What time is the ladies practice tomorrow? Does anybody know?

Ahh, it's sooooo hard to wait til Thursday. I'm losing my patience..

Sasha said,
"I'm not coming back to be as good as the old me," she added last fall during a conference call with reporters. "I'm coming back to push myself in ways I haven't before."

 

[justaskatingfan]

The ladies' short is in just two days. That'll put an end to all this for once. :yes:

With or without Cohen this will be the most exciting Nats SP in years.

It will be very hard to top the women's short programs at 2007 US Nationals:

"There is something in the water here ... it's just ... unreal ... they all come to the plate." - Peggy Fleming

Katy Taylor 2007 US Nationals Short Program


Emily Hughes 2007 US Nationals Short Program


Alissa Czisny 2007 US Nationals Short Program


Rachael Flatt 2007 US Nationals Short Program


Kimmie Meissner 2007 US Nationals Short Program


Beatrisa Liang 2007 US Nationals Short Program

 

[Dark-Eyes]

Looks like her new website is up, with a journal entry included. Here's the link:
http://sashacohen.com/journal.html

 

[Mathman]

^ Thanks for the link. The picture of Sasha in the gold dress is

 

[Sasha'sSpins]

Looks like her new website is up, with a journal entry included. Here's the link:
http://sashacohen.com/journal.html

Thanks-and finally! I love the new layout!

 

[demarinis5]

Thanks for the link. Sasha looks fabulous. Is Sashafans (forum) still around?

 

[Dark-Eyes]

From Twitter:
SarahandDrew: RT @JWo1986 Umm Sasha is in the house!!!