I know a lot of people are counting MK out, but would you at least admit

[Joesitz (RIP)]

my problem is the media touting her as the one to watch because she's gonna go all the way... it's a lot of hype that I just can't get on the bandwagon with...

Toni - You've been around figure skating long enough to know that one has no choice but to take it all in with a grain of salt. Kimmie on the cover of Time; Sasha on the cover of Blades; Michelle getting bad reviews because she's going to Torino. Much of these stories are to get the media sold to the public. It's all part of Americana. Not much if any news about Shizuka, Miki, Fumie and Irina.

And don't forget the corporations pushing their products. They want an American winner. Can you picture them putting a picture of Irina on a the label of Campbells soup? But then, I can't see a picture of Kimmie on a bottle of Russian vodka.

It's all in the game.

Joe

 

[Doggygirl]

Hi Amber11 and welcome to Goldenskate!!

I admit that I have no idea what the podium will end up looking like, or how to factor in Michelle's chances!!

I don't think the issue here (at least not for me) is "haters counting Michelle out." Trying to consider Michelle's chances in Turin is not emotional for me.

It's easy for me to say "Irina seems to have a good shot at gold" because she has been competing well this year - both mentally and physically it seems. Of course we all know about her health challenges...but she's been working through those so far. But there is no guarantee for Turin.

It's easy for me to say "Shiz might be a long shot for the podium" because she hasn't skated up to her 2004 World's LP this year, but after watching her progress through the season I think I see at least a possibility. And her recent announcement that she is going back to Turandot is something I find encouraging while sitting here making my own odds.

(and I could go on with that list, which doesn't really mean a hill of beans in the end!! I'm terrible at predictions...)

While Michelle has a strong competitive history (especially mentally, which I think counts for a lot) we have seen and heard very little of her this year. The only skating I've seen is Marshall's. I imagine that her test skate must have been better, but none of us have seen it that I know of. Michelle is very private (which is her right, and I have no issue with that) but that means we've heard little more than we've actually seen. While I can't imagine she would make a run for Turin unless she thinks things are going well, I've seen nothing positive with my own eyes, and her team has even asked that no detailed practice report information get leaked out.

If I were ever to proclaim "blind faith" in a figure skater, Michelle would be on my list. But there is little more than blind faith to go on thus far, to be able to say "Michelle will win Gold!" But if she gets there, good for her.

2 cents and a bag of chips..

DG

 

[Dee4707]

Michelle certainly did not choose to be injured. Yes, she has to live with coming back from not one but two injuries, but that was not her choice.

Chuckm, I was not talking about her injuries but her choice not to compete much in the GP series in the last 3 years. At least a couple of those years was her choice. I don't know how you read the injury part into what I said.

Dee

 

[mzheng]

In any case, you have to admire her fighting spirit.

Yeah. She really is! (I'll post more about her fighting after the Olympics).......Like most of her fans in this thread, my heart and brain does not work together about issue.

 

[mzheng]

Chuckm, I was not talking about her injuries but her choice not to compete much in the GP series in the last 3 years. At least a couple of those years was her choice. I don't know how you read the injury part into what I said.

Dee

Maybe her body made the decition for her? I agree with what Ant said, it was a wise choice.

 

[Tonichelle]

Toni - You've been around figure skating long enough to know that one has no choice but to take it all in with a grain of salt. Kimmie on the cover of Time; Sasha on the cover of Blades; Michelle getting bad reviews because she's going to Torino. Much of these stories are to get the media sold to the public. It's all part of Americana. Not much if any news about Shizuka, Miki, Fumie and Irina.

true but as far as paying attention to all of that I'm still rather new...

It's just a pet peeve of mine... I hate it when the tout anyone in anything over someone else... I hate the media pushing things on me... lol

 

[sarahmistral]

Objection

She has a chance. Even if it is an outside chance, it is a chance. Would you MK haters at least admit that if she was healthy, she would be a gold medal contender. Also, please admit that we don't know what contention of medal she is in the hunt for because we just don't know what her programs are like. Her programs could blow the roof of the mother or tank. So, please stop counting her out.

Is it not true that in order to get her consistency back she only need at least 2 weeks. Well, she has had that. Is it not true that she could be jumping 100% right now? So, haters stop hating and let the games begin.

I have to object to the spirit in which this thread was started, if only to express my opinion on it.

I think counting Michelle out is the individual poster's prerogative; some will simply feel that way, and that doesn't make them "haters"! It may upset Kwan fans to hear others count her out, but it's all opinion, conjecture, speculation at this point, and EVERYONE IS ENTITLED TO HIS/HER OWN. It's almost like the next step in this process would be trying to force people to admit that she's an exciting, lyrical, amazing skater when some people just. don't. appreciate. her. skating. It all comes down to a matter of opinion.

As for me, I can say all that and then give my honest opinion. I have enjoyed a fair number of Michelle's programs over the years, loved her daring and creative music choices in the Lori/Frank years and her increasingly expressive, daring, and fiery lyrical skating since SLC, and I greatly admire her endurance, her perseverance, and her artistic development over the years. I also appreciate the way she conducts herself as a public figure and a skating icon, and though I IN NO WAY feel that the OGM should be a lifetime achievement award, I think that, all things being equal and her skate being superior over those fabled 7 minutes, she is among the most deserving, for giving her life, her heart, her integrity, and all her very best to a very grueling sport, consistently, over an extremely long period of time in skating years.

Do I think people have the right to count her out, all that being said? Absolutely. Matter of opinion; case closed. Wouldn't dream of forcing my opinions about MK or any other skater on anyone. In terms of making predictions, people thinking that she has no chance does not have to be construed as a bash! Making ugly, character-assailing comments about any skater, now that's a bash and it should be called out.

Just my two cents.

Sarah m.

 

[kyla2]

Actually,

Actually, I don't expect Michelle to win. If she does it is a pleasant surprise. I just want her to skate two great programs and I would be thrilled if she landed on the podium even with a bronze.

 

[FreeKatie]

regarding the original question, I think Michelle definitely has a chance but until I see her short program and hear reports about her practices at the Olympics, I will have to say it is an outside chance that she will win. I would not count her out and honestly would love it if she won. Most likely Irina will win, she is not my favorite skater but I would be happy for her nonetheless. Sasha, I like her but for some reason she tends to leave me cold sometimes, although I do appreciate her beautiful skating. Kimmie, I like her but I don't want her to win, she has a lot of improvements and developments to come. Carolina Kostner, I hope not only because I would like her to be around for a few more years like Kimmie because I don't think she has reached her potential. Arakawa, I love her skating but I see her as an outside chance to win as well. I'm probably forgetting someone, but it seems like as I list these skaters, MK's chances are getting better. The competition is good but not rock solid. Irina's health issues, Sasha's demons..if they crumble or stumble under the pressure, a prepared Kwan could stage a sneak attack.

 

[slutskayafan21]

I dont think anybody is hating on Michelle. The reality is Irina and Sasha go in as frontrunners, and at best Michelle is one of 4 or 5 women who can only win gold if she is inspired and Irina and Sasha are both flawed. Given that there are more questions around her readiness and competitive-readiness as women like Suguri, Arkawa, and Kostner, after so long off and the injury question she is seen below them in many peoples eyes as well, and logicaly so.

 

[Dee4707]

I have to object to the spirit in which this thread was started, if only to express my opinion on it.

I think counting Michelle out is the individual poster's prerogative; some will simply feel that way, and that doesn't make them "haters"! It may upset Kwan fans to hear others count her out, but it's all opinion, conjecture, speculation at this point, and EVERYONE IS ENTITLED TO HIS/HER OWN. It's almost like the next step in this process would be trying to force people to admit that she's an exciting, lyrical, amazing skater when some people just. don't. appreciate. her. skating. It all comes down to a matter of opinion.

As for me, I can say all that and then give my honest opinion. I have enjoyed a fair number of Michelle's programs over the years, loved her daring and creative music choices in the Lori/Frank years and her increasingly expressive, daring, and fiery lyrical skating since SLC, and I greatly admire her endurance, her perseverance, and her artistic development over the years. I also appreciate the way she conducts herself as a public figure and a skating icon, and though I IN NO WAY feel that the OGM should be a lifetime achievement award, I think that, all things being equal and her skate being superior over those fabled 7 minutes, she is among the most deserving, for giving her life, her heart, her integrity, and all her very best to a very grueling sport, consistently, over an extremely long period of time in skating years.

Do I think people have the right to count her out, all that being said? Absolutely. Matter of opinion; case closed. Wouldn't dream of forcing my opinions about MK or any other skater on anyone. In terms of making predictions, people thinking that she has no chance does not have to be construed as a bash! Making ugly, character-assailing comments about any skater, now that's a bash and it should be called out.

Just my two cents.

Sarah m.

Thanks Sarah, very well said.

Dee

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Dee - I agree 100%. Let them say what they want about MKI.
To be fair, let them say Sashasplats.

I've read them all. They irritate the fans of those skaters but when you think about it it isn't the end of the world.

Joe

 

[nubka]

The funny thing about the media when they are "for" someone and all sugar coated, they are the best but when they say something "against" they don't know what they are talking about and they are bad. I works both ways and it's their opinion. The thing is that when something is written or on T.V. you have the perogrative not to read it or turn the T.V. of so that you won't be sick of hearing about things that you are tired of hearing. So the next time you see anything written about S & P or anyone else, just close your eyes and skip over it. It's their perogrative to write and talk and your's to close your eyes and ears.

Well, yes, of course common sense tells you that. That's a no brainer...duh!

Also, I never said anything about the media being "best" or "bad", depending on what they write. If S&P are commentating at Turin, closing my eyes and ears aren't going to help when I want to watch the competition...

But I still think the media tends to go waaaay overboard at times...

 

[Jhar55]

I am a big Kwan fan but I also don't think she's going to medal.
She hasn't skated all season, she really hasn't adapted to the new COP scoring.
If for some reason she does win a medal of any kind I'll be one of the first to admit I was wrong and congradulate her. :thumbsup:

 

[antmanb]

ITA with you on this one. A few days ago (on a different thread) I posted how many times I become totally sick of certain celebs/singers/sporting figures because of media overkill/overhype. Heck, I'm even tired of hearing about Sasha & Irina, and I like their skating! Maybe if they reported something new and really interesting, but that's usually not the case.

Talk about media overkill, after the SLC Oly's, I'd felt like I'd seen enough of S&P to last me a lifetime, thank you very much...

Over exposure can be a real turn-off...

I agree with you about the media over exposure but what is there that's new and interesting to report...these people are skaters...they skate...to most of these once every four year reporters there's no new angle they can cover, they don't ahve the knowledge....even as a knowledgeable fan what new things are there to report?

Ant

 

[antmanb]

I am a big Kwan fan but I also don't think she's going to medal.
She hasn't skated all season, she really hasn't adapted to the new COP scoring.
If for some reason she does win a medal of any kind I'll be one of the first to admit I was wrong and congradulate her. :thumbsup:

It seems rather strange having said that she hasn't skated all season to then conclude that she hasnt' adapted to the COP. I'd have thought knowing whether she has or hasn't adopted to the COP would be something we'd have to judge once we've seen her programs?

Ant

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Much of these specious predicting posts do not talk about Michelle among the top competitors. There really isn't anything wrong with that except some posters who like to put MK down don't have much to say anymore.

Joe

 

[flowjo35]

It seems rather strange having said that she hasn't skated all season to then conclude that she hasnt' adapted to the COP. I'd have thought knowing whether she has or hasn't adopted to the COP would be something we'd have to judge once we've seen her programs?

Ant

I agree with you. Since we have not seen what Michelle and TT came up with for this season, I'll wait until I see her programs to judge for myself. From the sounds of the skate test (levels of 3/4 per articles) she should be fine if she skates with attack like Worlds 2000, holding nothing back. Go Michelle, kick some ice at the olympics

 

[sk8rgrl3]

She has a chance. Even if it is an outside chance, it is a chance. Would you MK haters at least admit that if she was healthy, she would be a gold medal contender.

I am not a Michelle hater, I am just a realist. I will be the first one to post on this site, if she wins the gold medal, that I was completely wrong. I hope that she does prove me wrong. I think she was one of the best female skaters ever and to see her not finish her career at the top of her game would be sad.

 

[nymkfan51]

I agree with you. Since we have not seen what Michelle and TT came up with for this season, I'll wait until I see her programs to judge for myself. From the sounds of the skate test (levels of 3/4 per articles) she should be fine if she skates with attack like Worlds 2000, holding nothing back. Go Michelle, kick some ice at the olympics

I would agree. It seems that her programs have been choreographed well for COP, according to the judges who viewed them. Where the question mark comes in, is how well she'll be able to execute the elements the first time out. I don't think any of us could know that.
She could come out and throw caution to the wind, and blow the roof off the place ... you just never know.
But I'll be watching to find out!