Actually I don't think Sasha OR Michelle have been "creative", so to speak. They've just brought back moves that were done before and cast aside. How creative is that? Personally, I'm with Dick Button about the catch foot stuff. And I know it's to garner points, but it sure lacks creativity to see how many different ways you can catch your blade and hold it off to the side, over your head, around your neck, up your...well, never mind.
I guess I must have been watching a different SP than you because I didn't see any new moves from Sasha. I saw the same moves, but I see the same moves on all the skaters these days. I don't think there's any creativity out there because of the desire to garner all the points. And listening to some of the remarks they have said by choreographers, it seems creativity has been chacked for points. Oh well, such is the way to push the envelope. Might as well give everyone the music and have them all skate to it.
And as far as the spirals go, yep, Kwan got her leg up while keep her back higher as well. Sasha's spiral, while very nice, has her chest almost to the ice in order to keep her leg almost completely vertical. I won't argue spirals. I have those I prefer and those I don't. Matter of taste to me.
And I don't think Sasha is going to win by default. I think she'll win because, basically, I don't think she has too much competition unless Bebe or Alissa or Kimmie pull it together. And I don't know if she would win if Kwan was there or not because, quite frankly, Kawn's not there so who would ever know? I just want all the ladies to skate well, do their best and be proud of what they've achieved. Personally I think Stephanie Rosenthal should win just for having the b**** to bring hip hop out on the ice.