Do you think Michelle

[millie]

I don't think she's "mastered" Cop (she's only competed ONCE under it) but I agree wholeheartedly with you- Kwan is already our 2006 US National champion (unless she pulls out).

How can anybody assume in the name of fair competition or fair play that Kwan is already the 2006 US National championship!! If that's the case why in the h--- are the rest of the skaters even trying. If that's the case that she's already got it in the bag--why should they even have Nationals, why not just give it to her, even before she skates. That should make everybody happy. Talk about scandels in figure skating, for even anybody to make that comment or suggest that Michelle is already that National champ because of who she is, is a scandel!!! What about all the other skaters that are training their guts out to try to win at Nationals?:frown2: :frown2: :frown2: Shame, shame, shame!

 

[R.D.]

millie- If you doubt me, just you wait.


(On the other hand, if Cohen manages to shock us, I'll gladly "eat crow" or whatever you call it. But I made the same statement last year, and I was right on.)

 

[emma]

Can I cheat for Rohene Ward??? If not, I'll cheat for Bebe and Matt:agree:

 

[mzheng]

I think each of us should email his/her vote directly to USFS. I sent mine already: cheat for Bebe!

MM

lol, mm, you always has a good line to crackle me up.

 

[Mathman]

Millie, don't let Red Dog make you mad, LOL. He's just trying to live up to his name as "Devil's Advocate"

MM

 

[JanJam]

How can anybody assume in the name of fair competition or fair play that Kwan is already the 2006 US National championship!! If that's the case why in the h--- are the rest of the skaters even trying. If that's the case that she's already got it in the bag--why should they even have Nationals, why not just give it to her, even before she skates. That should make everybody happy. Talk about scandels in figure skating, for even anybody to make that comment or suggest that Michelle is already that National champ because of who she is, is a scandel!!! What about all the other skaters that are training their guts out to try to win at Nationals?:frown2: :frown2: :frown2: Shame, shame, shame!

RD is correct, because as history has shown, other than Lipinski in '97, NO ONE has proved to be a challenge for Kwan this past decade. If Cohen turns out to be the one, that would be a SHOCKER. In fact, I would be shocked if Cohen even skates clean at Nats. If Cohen wins, however, good for her; she can cry a bucket and finally let go of all her pent-up frustration about not being able to win Nats year after year after year due to Kwan's non-retirement.

 

[millie]

Sasha The Perennial Falling Star who can't get any program together? You must be joking! The only thing she had over MIchelle the past years was her extension/flexibility ("exquisite," as Peggy would keep saying). Technically and artistically, she was always miles away from Kwan.

Now, this season's a bit different. She has more COP experience and her ability to contort her body will actually work to her advantage. But a good Kwan will certainly need no holding up at Nats. If Sasha The Perennial Falling Star actually skates better and wins Nats, good for her. She'll finally have ONE major title to her credit.

Don't count your chickens before they hatch, you might be disappointed. If Sasha or anybody else gets the major title, good for them--I hope that whoever gets, gets it fair and square--not given to them like under the old 6.0.

 

[R.D.]

If Cohen wins, however, good for her; she can cry a bucket and finally let go of all her pent-up frustration about not being able to win Nats year after year after year due to Kwan's non-retirement.

Well we have to be fair here. And in order to be fair, we have to take into account that Cohen DOES have a shot at beating Kwan. She can just never do it at Nats. The shocker IMO would be that she'd be able to put it together at that competition, not that she beat Kwan (she's done that already).

Another thing- Cohen did admit that she (in a way) wanted MK to retire. But as she grew older, she began to realize that a Nats win would be that much more meaningful if she could say that she had to dethrone Kwan to get it. So I think Sasha WANTS Kwan at that competition so she can beat her, lol. Can she do it? She seems to have more confidence this year, but I still think this one is Kwan's to lose. She has the crowd, the judges, the sentiments going for her. Who wouldn't be able to take advantage of that?

 

[Mathman]

Oh, that was kind of a mean way to make your point, Janjam.

But it is true that for some reason, U.S. Nationals brings out the best in Michelle. She always manages to turn it up a notch. There is a mutual love-in between Michelle and the crowd -- the more they cheer, the better she skates, and vice versa.

Does this influence the judges? No one knows, because nine out of the last ten times she has outskated eveyone in the house and basically blown the roof off the joint (last year maybe not so much, but still better than the competition).

MM

 

[R.D.]

Here's a BIG question.

Nats this year is using Cop for the first time.

Kwan has only competed under this system ONCE. But Cohen, even with her bare program and mistakes last year was able to place above her.

So- does the advantage suddenly switch this time around? Is it now Cohen that has the edge? Does Kwan lose that "sentimental" edge she has had in the mathematics? Or will the US judges be biased towards Kwan and their sentimental feelings and give it to her instead?

In a close one, it's going to MK. IMO Cohen would really have to OUTSKATE Kwan in BOTH the SP and the FS to have a chance at winning.

I think it's all about the judges. Will these US Nationals judges be like international judges and look at Kwan as very inexperienced with the system? Hmm...some food for thought. I tend to think it will be the same, though, and Kwan will get that "jolt" once she crosses borders- kind of like 04 and 05. The US judges don't exactly have a short history of giving excellent feedback anyway- at least I don't think so.

 

[JanJam]

Don't count your chickens before they hatch, you might be disappointed. If Sasha or anybody else gets the major title, good for them--I hope that whoever gets, gets it fair and square--not given to them like under the old 6.0.

I would actually be very interested in seeing Cohen win, so she can quit b*tching about MK's non-retirement and about the old system not being fair to her, when under the old system during the past decade, only Lipinski and Kwan were worthy enough of the Nats titles. As far as other skaters go, I don't think any of the younger ones have reached Cohen's level. So unless something really shocking happens at Nats, if Kwan doesn't perform well enough to win, Cohen should.

 

[R.D.]

so she can quit b*tching about MK's non-retirement and about the old system not being fair to her, when under the old system during the past decade

I only know of ONE instance where she spoke about something even related to this. Care to provide a link to the article where she says these things? Because I sure missed it...

 

[millie]

RD is correct, because as history has shown, other than Lipinski in '97, NO ONE has proved to be a challenge for Kwan this past decade. If Cohen turns out to be the one, that would be a SHOCKER. In fact, I would be shocked if Cohen even skates clean at Nats. If Cohen wins, however, good for her; she can cry a bucket and finally let go of all her pent-up frustration about not being able to win Nats year after year after year due to Kwan's non-retirement.

You comments seem to be very vindictive and show strong animosity towards Sasha. Your comments sound like a true and proven kwanatic. Dont forget that this is not the 6.0 system now and a skater hopefully will not be held up. Your comments are getting to sound a bit childish and bitter!!!We know how you feel about Sasha with your reactions about her in your posts.:frown2: :frown2:

 

[R.D.]

Dont forget that this is not the 6.0 system now and a skater hopefully will not be held up.

Unfortunately, I think this very phenomenon is happening right now with the "PCS" scores...hwell:

 

[Doggygirl]

Can I cheat for Rohene Ward??? If not, I'll cheat for Bebe and Matt:agree:

OOOO I wasn't even thinking about Rohene!! OK - you cheat for Rohene and I'll cheat for Matt. WAIT A SECOND!!! We CAN'T decide Nationals without the actual competition since I have tickets already!!!!



DG

 

[swannanoa54]

Unfortunately, I think this very phenomenon is happening right now with the "PCS" scores...hwell:

And strange as it may seem, RD, I agree with you on that. I think it can be done and is being done.

Oh, millie, I like Sasha too and I wouldn't mind seeing her win Nationals. Actually I'd like to see Alissa win Nationals with Kwan 2nd and Cohen 3rd and really upset the skating world! That's what I'd like because then all this "kwanatic" and "cohenite" stuff will fade in the background for those of us who are "alissanams"

 

[Kathy]

I guess I am confident in Kwan's ability to skate well under COP for lots of reasons. I have talked to people I consider reliable who saw her training this summer AND TT's comments about MK have had an impact - TT has trained Sasha and Shizuka and still talks about being amazed at what MK can do. Then too there is the fact that she skates like she does - modifying to get points is not beyond her capability.

 

[Bijoux]

Hi Mm

You're so cute! "who so we want the judges to cheat for..." lol.

I'm hoping they finally reward Sasha and she earns it and she goes to Olys as our USFSA stamped champ, because she is our best chance for gold, based on ine ISU judges responses. Michelle has so much gold and "plata", I'm hoping the little gal wins and eats a big meal, bless them all!

 

[mzheng]

So I think Sasha WANTS Kwan at that competition so she can beat her, lol. Can she do it? She seems to have more confidence this year....?

Why not, according to some, Kwan is not competetive any more and in a sliding hill,......then again by the very same reason, even Cohen beat Kwan in Nationals there will be nothing special, will be?>

 

[mzheng]

Oh, millie, I like Sasha too and I wouldn't mind seeing her win Nationals. Actually I'd like to see Alissa win Nationals with Kwan 2nd and Cohen 3rd and really upset the skating world! That's what I'd like because then all this "kwanatic" and "cohenite" stuff will fade in the background for those of us who are "alissanams"