How will Sasha be remembered if she does not return?

[dizzydi7]

Here's a thought......

I don't particularly care how she will be remembered by others. As far as I'm concerned, Sasha has the most beautiful style, positions, extensions and grace of any skater I've seen in my lifetime. I compare every skater to Sasha's smoothness and perfection and haven't seen one yet that comes close.

This is how I will remember her.

Dizzy

 

[zephyrskates]

the girl who caught will ferrel's jockstrap.

the girl who lost on a humongous opportunity to prove herself and seize the moment twice in a row.

 

[Kwanford Wife]

Sasha who?

But seriously, she'll be remembered as a beautiful skater... she just won't be remembered as a champion. So, for me it comes down to number 2. I simply have never been able to understand why she didn't pull it together just once and grab that golden ring... but that's simply one of those things... not everyone can win and she came up during a time when one had to simply be perfect to win and that did her in...

 

[Mathman]

I'm not so sure that people spend a lot of time looking up old records in the Almanac.

I don't know what Willie Mays' lifetime batting average is, or how many World Series he won (any?)

But I remember this:

http://espn.go.com/media/mlb/2001/0503/photo/a_wmays_i.jpg

And this:

http://sport.france2.fr/diaporama/IMG/jpg/cohen-2.jpg

 

[attyfan]

I'm not so sure that people spend a lot of time looking up old records in the Almanac.
...

No, but there are some records that are constantly crammed down our throats (Sonia's medal streak; home run records of Ruth or Bonds -- with or without asterisks)

I think it is mistaken to speak of an athlete's "legacy"; I think it should be "legacies", with the specific legacy in question determined by the event that brings the original athlete to your mind. For example, one of Tonya Harding's "legacies" was brought back to mind in 2004, with the "Trip down memory lane" with Dick Button; another occurred in 2005, when Kimmie landed her triple axel.

 

[rain]

I do not anticipate her returning to amateur competition, and already remember her as one of the most beautiful skaters I've ever seen. I enjoyed watching her even when she didn't win, and will continue to re-watch her programs simply because they are a joy to view. I think the medals count less over the years than the overall impression a skater left, and, to me, the impression Cohen left was a great one. I'll always think of her as one of my favourite ladies skaters of all time.

 

[Dodhiyel]

There are some lovely posts in this thread.

Some skaters don't have to win the big O to become legendary. There is Janet Lynn, for example.

Tastes differ, opinions differ.

One of my favorite memories of Sasha is watching her, live, in a show, skate to Romeo and Juliet, perfectly. She felt to me, like a dream on ice; that is how I thought of it at the time.

It has been said that some are great skaters, others are great competitors, and that the two things are not the same. I remember reading that Katerina Witt, for example, was a great competitor. I suppose one can be both a great skater and a great competitor, but how often does that occur? I am satisfied with Sasha's record, because she can create such loveliness on the ice, as is rarely seen. I think she will be remembered by most lovers of figure skating, in that way.

 

[Mafke]

I think she'll be remembered as a major competitor whose biggest contribution was increasing the importance of extreme flexibility in the ladies competition. What she did or didn't win will be secondary to that.

 

[twinsissv]

Here's a thought......

I don't particularly care how she will be remembered by others. As far as I'm concerned, Sasha has the most beautiful style, positions, extensions and grace of any skater I've seen in my lifetime. I compare every skater to Sasha's smoothness and perfection and haven't seen one yet that comes close.

This is how I will remember her.

Dizzy

----------------------------------------------------------------
The absolute definitive embodiment of SPIRAL EXTENSIONS in ladies' figure skating!!!
That's not a bad LEGacy

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I'm not certain what a legasy is in Figure Skating. But as far as the 'body of work' is concerned, I would say this about Sasha:

Her debut, for me, at US Nationals was just about the best I've ever seen by a young lady.

Her performance of Swan Lake at Campbells and later in the Quali Round at 2004 Worlds was breathtaking.

Her great skate, and it was, in Torino, was one of the best I have ever seen.

Joe

 

[slutskayafan21]

Thanks for many of the posts in this thread. I was not actually a Sasha fan, but she was definitely a very talented and special skater in her own way. Her competitive career is one of great success, but failing to come up with the big wins that were always expected of her. I was curious what some of you thought her career would go down as.

 

[RussianWinter]

Sasha

Hey all! I used to post as BronzeIsGolden some time ago, but I've been away and lost my name. I'm glad to be back and see so many familiar (and new) names!

How will Sasha be remembered? As many things I would imagine: the girl with all the potential who couldn't tame the nerves, one of the first skaters that really seemed tailor made for COP, etc. I prefer to remember her for such masterpieces as her "Malaguena" SP at the 2004 Worlds. She also went on to perform an absolutely perfect "Swan Lake" (albeit a watered down Robin Wagner version) at that year's Marshalls competition. So, she was capable of performing a flawless LP even if it wasn't at Worlds or the Olympics.
I will also remember (but less so), the frustration I felt for her at times like the 2006 Worlds LP. She had every opportunity to win and the pressure proved too much. But, honestly, that doesn't take away the quality she brought to the table. She was human and brought all of her strengths and flaws onto the ice. It is always much more interesting that way. I think that mention of her nerves may always be a part of conversation where she is concerned, but overall the quality demonstrated in her greatest performances will override most of that. She was/is a very gifted skater.

 

[Mathman]

Welcome back, RussianWinter.

BTW, BronzeIsGolden is still an active account (unless you forgot your password).

 

[RussianWinter]

I did forget.......but great to be back anyway! If there is anyway for me to reclaim the old name, let me know! Thanks, Mathman!

 

[Mathman]

I did forget.......but great to be back anyway! If there is anyway for me to reclaim the old name, let me know! Thanks, Mathman!

If you still have the same email address, log in under your old name and put in any password. A screen will come up saying, "forgot your password?"

 

[anniemg]

I think too, that it depends oh who's remembering.

*I* know that I will remember her as my favourite skater ever, the only one of the ladies that I was really a fan of. The skater that made me cry with her beautiful performances, the one that I could watch over and over and over again. I dont care about the medals, since she has given me so many wonderful moments(falls and all!).

And its only normal that the people who are not fans will remember her for not delivering when it counted. But for me, it's not that important.

God I miss seeing her at competitions

 

[kandidy]

I think too, that it depends oh who's remembering.

*I* know that I will remember her as my favourite skater ever, the only one of the ladies that I was really a fan of. The skater that made me cry with her beautiful performances, the one that I could watch over and over and over again. I dont care about the medals, since she has given me so many wonderful moments(falls and all!).

And its only normal that the people who are not fans will remember her for not delivering when it counted. But for me, it's not that important.

God I miss seeing her at competitions

I felt the same.
By the way, I saw an article in Sasha's fan forum mentioned that she gave interview in Kurt Browning's show that she plans to return for training for olympics next June.

http://www.sashafans.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18929

 

[Mafke]

Thanks for many of the posts in this thread. I was not actually a Sasha fan, but she was definitely a very talented and special skater in her own way. Her competitive career is one of great success, but failing to come up with the big wins that were always expected of her. I was curious what some of you thought her career would go down as.

Because of various tv issues I didn't see her until the SLC SP in 2002. I didn't really understand the hype. My first thoughts were that she would probably finish on the podium a few times and if everything went just right then maybe she could win worlds or olys. So far I haven't had any real reason to revise my opinion.

As to why she hasn't won more often. I think one problem is that she's clearly an SP skater as the more restrictive format forces her to a little more discipline which she doesn't have in abundance (in comparison with other elite skaters, she has tremendous discipline compared with the average person of course).

She tends to flounder a little in the LP as the format itself doesn't give her enough guidance and she doesn't take instruction from coaches especially well (again compared with other skaters at that level).

Her strengths are poise, balance and 'it', that indefinable spark that can fill a large venue (without which no skater can really reach or stay at the top).
Her weakness is that she doesn't seem to have ever really understand the concept 'edge' that well at a body level and like a dancer (or roller skater) seems too often to be performing on _top_ of the ice as opposed to _in_ it.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I felt the same.
By the way, I saw an article in Sasha's fan forum mentioned that she gave interview in Kurt Browning's show that she plans to return for training for olympics next June.

http://www.sashafans.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18929

I believe, but not certain that her silver medal in torino allows her to compete on the US Team for Olympics in Vancouver. If so that means no regionals, sectionals, nor even Nationals(?) to become part of the team. She will automatically eliminate one team member.

If it means she must qualify at Nationals before the Team is announced, she should practice 3x3s and 3As. She got high scores on her first CoP in the GPs mostly because the CoP was in the testing stage and WoW PCS moves skyrocketed her scores. While she may win the PC scoring I think she will be lagging behind in Technical. If she falls, her reputation will show up in the scores. JMO and I am a Sasha fan without MK around.

Joe

 

[chuckm]

No, Sasha's silver Olympic medal does not automatically qualify her for the 2010 Olympic team. She does get a bye through Regionals and Sectionals to 2009 Nationals, and that's about it. She has to finish in the top 5 at 2009 Nationals to get a similar bye for 2010 Nationals, and then it's up to her to finish in the top 3 to make the Olympic team.

Yes, the Olympic committee CAN select Sasha if she doesn't finish top 3 in 2010, but that is not guaranteed. If Nagasu, Zhang, Flatt and Meissner all have sterling seasons in 2007-2008 and 2008-2009, and Sasha either doesn't make the 2009 World team or fails to medal at Worlds 2009 and one or more of the other top ladies do, then I don't see her pushing more accomplished skaters aside for 2010.

Let's face it: Sasha's main focus has switched from skating to show biz, while the younger skaters are polishing their skills for 2010. They are working hard on 3/3s and several of them can already duplicate or outdo Sasha in terms of flexibility.

In 2010, the young guns will have the momentum---this is not like 2006 where you had Sasha and a beginning-to-rise Meissner, but not much else on the horizon. In 2006, superstar Kwan was injured and Hughes was still basically unproven as a Senior skater, so the benefit of the doubt went to Kwan.

Sasha has to prove that she can keep up technically not only with the rising young US stars, but also with Asada, Kim, Ando and Kostner. She has to prove that IN SPADES at 2009 Worlds, or she will have no credibility when 2010 Nationals rolls around.

Do I think Sasha can bring up her skills sufficiently to be competitive in the 6 months between June 2008 and January 2009? No, I do not. She wasn't competitive at Worlds 2006, and her skills have gone downhill quite a lot since then. I think she will realize it pretty soon into her 'comeback', and will take herself out of competition with an inevitable injury.