How will Sasha be remembered if she does not return?

[R.D.]

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.

I think you said just about everything I would have said re. the topic of her possibly "coming back". I am willing to bet that it won't happen, but in case my guarantee doesn't work out and she DOES attempt a come back, I think she will hurt herself attempting to catch up with the others. Just accept the Silver medal (which she HIGHLY lucked out on considering her performance) and move on to theater. If she goes to 2010 and performs similarly to Torino I don't see her getting ANY medal.

One thing I will dispute in the above statement is that she wasn't competitive for '06 worlds. Of course she was- otherwise she'd have been 8th. But was she PREPARED? No. I believe the two situations differ.

My advice: just let it go. Just like Kwan, Arakawa, et al. she's now part of the past. And in recent memory I don't remember ANY silver medalists stepping up to Gold in the next games (because face it, that's the ONLY reason she'd want to go back. Any other reason is just BS). The last two silver medalists have gone back to the Olys, had a decent SP and then crumbled in the FS.

ETA: To play devil's advocate to my own post for a second, she IS doing the SOI tour this season, and that's not exactly a walk in the park in terms of needing to be in decent shape. So in a way that could prepare her, or maybe a better word to use here is EASE her, back into "normal routine". Besides, who will coach her? Mr. Nicks likely won't be around by that time.

That's just the "other side". I still FULLY believe and support the notion that this is just all fluff talk (remember Sarah H. talking about coming back for Torino? She ended up being just a spectator for her sister), and maybe in the 5% chance she SERIOUSLY wants to commit herself to competitive skating again, she won't get far anyway because she'll a) get injured or b) be buried in the standings with the Maos, YuNas and Kimmies doing 3-3's and 3A's all over the place (and they're developing their expression as well!!). Or both!

 

[goldenpleasures]

And in recent memory I don't remember ANY silver medalists stepping up to Gold in the next games (because face it, that's the ONLY reason she'd want to go back. Any other reason is just BS). The last two silver medalists have gone back to the Olys, had a decent SP and then crumbled in the FS.

None in the ladies, but Plushenko did it.

I think Sasha will be remembered as a lovely, silvery skater who couldn't get past her nerves. But in a couple of decades, no-one will be talking about her.
There are greater skaters than her - Ito, Chen, Kwan, Slutskaya, Shen and Zhao, who couldn't win that OGM either.

 

[R.D.]

None in the ladies, but Plushenko did it.

I think Sasha will be remembered as a lovely, silvery skater who couldn't get past her nerves. But in a couple of decades, no-one will be talking about her.
There are greater skaters than her - Ito, Chen, Kwan, Slutskaya, Shen and Zhao, who couldn't win that OGM either.

Ladies is a whole different ballgame. Silver --> Gold ain't gonna be easy for anybody.

I think you're right. At least MK, IS each have multiple world and National titles to their name. SC is like sport teams from Houston...they come so frickin' close to the championship, but they MUST find SOME way to just blow it and take themselves out. (that's partial frustration on my part with the Astros )

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

One thing I must say and believe about Cohen's Short Programs (wnich she won so often) is to quote Peggy Flemming: Stunning!. However, it's not enough to win the complete competition. IMO, Sasha will have an uphill battle to get through US Nationals come 2010, but she can be gutsy, and I'll support her.

Kwan's big mistake was not to take care of that hip after the 98 Olys but she made lots of money by gritting her teeth for 9 years without surgery.

Slutskaya was never on my list of exceptional figure skaters, but she had speed and big jumps. More than anything she was a favorite among the antiKwan fansJMO

I think the era is over for them. Le comedia et finite. (Gio. What's that last line in Palgacci?)

Joe

 

[gio]

I think the era is over for them. Le comedia et finite. (Gio. What's that last line in Palgacci?)

"La commedia e' finita"

I agree with you, Joe! For them (Michelle, Sasha, Irina, Shizuka) the comedy (and drama) is really over!

 

[attyfan]

"La commedia e' finita"

I agree with you, Joe! For them (Michelle, Sasha, Irina, Shizuka) the comedy (and drama) is really over!

Don't know about Sasha and Shizuka, but with Michelle dabbling with politics and Irina entering motherhood -- both the comedy and the drama are only beginning!

 

[hockeyfan228]

Don't know about Sasha and Shizuka, but with Michelle dabbling with politics and Irina entering motherhood -- both the comedy and the drama are only beginning!

 

[demarinis5]

Well I don't know how Sasha will be remembered in the history books but personally I will remember her beautiful line and the way she presented herself on the ice. To me Sasha represented pure class in figure skating.