Oooups, sorry, this is getting long:
I truly believe Russian skaters are the best! (Well, at least most of the time!

)
Actually I think Michael Weiss, at least his skating, is not that bad. He's elegant and musical, to me he's still the best us-american male skater recently (prefer him over Goebel and Eldredge any time!). His personality, his scary wife and his even more scary Dad, well, that's another story! If I'd have them in my staff, I'd screw up my double axels as well! Poor Mike!
I've never seen Johnny Weir before, but I'm looking forward to watch him next season. It seems to me he and Sasha Cohen are the first really interesting skaters coming from the USA after a long, long time.
With the exception of a few skaters and a few famous competitions the Ladies-event is always the most boring to me. Only a few real personalities, but mostly bloodless, over-anxious Ballerina-wannebe's, skating to blabla music.
I don't have any problems to get the difference between Axel, Lutz and Loop. But Toeloop, Salchow and Flip? OK, maybe in slomo ...
Oksana Baiul deserved to win Gold in Lillehammer without any doubt. But from what we know now it was the the worst thing that could happen to her. Too soon, too much to cope with. IMHO she was one of the most charismatic and natural gifted female skaters ever and I don't wanna even think about it what she could've given to skating world for maybe another four years without this early Olympic victory. This is such a sad story and a sheer waste of pure talent!
And here some news to you

: I simply don't get all that ado around Kwan. She's pretty consistant, but zzzzzz..., non-versatile and, most of all, hyped and overrated to death. I'm quite sure she's a nice girl but somewhat blah and lukewarm in always doing- and saying the "right" things. IMHO she could only win with a little less Disneyland and little more courage to risk something totally different. And who knows, maybe she could even gather a few more fans outside her homecountry then? And now off with my head!
Strange thing with Plush: I can't stand his choreography, I can't stand his costumes, I can't stand his music selections/cuts and I'm still waiting for the ultimative Plushenko program (it shouldn't be "Sex bomb"!). But I really like HIM and always love to watch him skate! Of course we'll never know, but if he remains healthy, I don't see anyone who can really touch him.
It's possible to love Yags and Plush at the same time (okay, Yags a little more and Plush a little less), just look at me! They couldn't be more different, but they're still twins somehow. And I truly believe neither of them would've became that great without the other one nipping at his toes. I rarely agree with Mishin, but he's totally right here: "Envy is good in sport. It makes both of them great."
I'm really wondering what guys like Goebel, Stojko, Restencourt are doing in a sport called figure skating.
I couldn't care less about Surya Bonaly's backflips, if I want to see something like this, I watch circus.
I'll keep my fingers crossed for Jeff Buttle to make the Canadian Worlds team. I want to see him here in Germany.
And I hope the Skating Gods send some wisdom and understanding to a guy called Elvis Stojko! And in time, if possible!
Todd Eldredge is a technical fine skater, but his performances always put me into sleep. Did he ever skate to something which is not cheesy, histrionic or kitschy?
I really don't give a damn how recent German skaters are doing. Well, maybe Winkler/Lohse a bit ...
Last, but not least: I want Yags' return to eligible skating, but I don't see it happen! : o ( And yes, his rolling-on-the-ice-movements are always v-e-r-y ... uhhmm ... well ... stimulating ... somehow!
Anke