Irina's interview ....

[Ptichka]

I can recall Yagudin winning Europeans after a truly awful FS (Abt should have won) and when the reporter asked about his disastrous FS, he said "well I won anyway, and that's all that counts".

Well, what was he going to say, "No, my win is unfair"? Come on! I also remember when he won gold in 2000 (?) with a mediocre skate after Plushy made serious mistakes, he said in his interview how unhappy he was with his skate, and how he wasn't going to the kiss ice that time.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I really don't think it is that important what skaters say verbally about their sport. Males tend to be more braggadaccio(sp) where females tend to be delicate.
Figure skaters are largely much younger than other athletes, and they are from yet another category on remarks which are usually learned from their parents.

Yags did not earn that Euros win. Even his most ardent fans would agree. It was Sasha Abt who skated his once in a lifetime beautiful skate. Yags was held up. Why skaters, and not necessarily Russian skaters, are held up is any one's rationale. It was a disappointment for Sasha's fans and honest fans alike. I believe Yags felt that. His flippant remark which I remember was - 20 years from now my name will be listed as the Euros champion. I was not pleased with that remark but he was very young at that time and not thinking properly. Skaters like Kwan have the proper answer long before the question is asked. He didn't have that. I kind of like to believe that he said something nice to Sasha privately which he could not say publicly.

Joe

 

[chuckm]

Other skaters have won unexpectedly and possibly undeservedly, and managed to be more graceful about it. I remember Jeff Buttle's expression when he won 4CC 2004. He actually seemed embarrassed!

I agree that Sasha Abt should have won that Europeans over Yagudin, and I was annoyed at Yagudin's attitude. Sometimes I have to laugh when people say Plushenko is arrogant. Compared to Yagudin, Plushenko is the humblest of champions.

 

[Vash01]

I disagree. Not all skaters are the same, and very few skaters have been around as long as Kwan.

I can recall Yagudin winning Europeans after a truly awful FS (Abt should have won) and when the reporter asked about his disastrous FS, he said "well I won anyway, and that's all that counts".

Kwan was NOT pleased with the FS that won her 9th US title, and she said so. In a recent interview, Johnny Weir said his Nationals SP was bad, and he didn't deserve the 6.0 he got. He wasn't pleased with his FS, either, because he had seriously messed up his footwork sequence.

Some skaters always think they should have won despite the fact that their performances were less than perfect. Irina Slutskaya still complains about the 2002 Olympics and the 2000 and 2001 Worlds. She was delighted with her 2001-2002 GPF victory, even though she had landed only 4 jumps in the final FS and was way outperformed by Kwan and Hughes.

Outperformed by Kwan? Yes (but that fall at the end really cost her). By Hughes? No- Neither in GPF2001 nor in Oly 2002. I think Irina's 2002 Oly complaints are mainly about her SP placement after a perfect skate vs. Kwan's slightly flawed (although IMO they were pretty close when all things were added; could have gone either way). The other complaint about Sarah's win has some validity. To me, Sarah's skate, though delightful, was juniorish. The (almost)triple-double combinations were given credit for 3-3 and that could have tipped the balance. I was personally disappointed with irina's lack of energy in her LP skate, but she had done enough to at least be in consideration for a top placement. Overall I thought Michelle may have been better, inspite of the fall, but we are talking of the 6.0 system here. It was one of those competitions where there was no clear winner (I remember the long wait time before the marks came up).

Irina tends to be more outspoken than most other skaters. I find most Russian skaters more open in their answers. I prefer a more diplomatic approach, but how many of us in our early twenties were diplomatic? Some skaters do a good job of stating their view points, and others are still learning. Johnny made some not too gracious remarks last year but he has improved this year. Some are simply not comfortable publicly stating that they did not deserve to win, or some just leave it upto the judges (the latter is my preferred approach).

Irina was actually very clear in stating at Euro's that she was not pleased with her performance. It is not about medals for her at this point. She, like other top skaters, has received some higher than deserved marks and/or placements. There are qualities about her that majority of judges like (and I do too). To me, that is not enough to conclude that she will be always held up, no matter what. Certainly not in a strong field of ladies. In a GP or Euro it is more likely to happen when not all top skaters are competing. Those with a reputation usually have a slight advantage in those situations. Not that it is right, but it takes a better than average skate to beat those favorites, like Tara did in 1997 USN, 98 Oly, or even Sarah in 2002 Oly. None of the ladies in Euro this time rose to the occasion.

BTW Kwan did not actually SAY that she was not happy with her skate at nationals. She LOOKED unhappy. When she was asked about her skate, she said something like, well I was a bit tight but she did not exactly say she was not happy with the performance or that she should not have won. She was more skilled in handling the question where she admitted to not having a GREAT skate, but she did not put herself down either.

The only time Irina was not severely criticized was when she was ill and not skating. I hope she will be healthy for worlds and skate 3 great performances that she will be proud of. It may not be enough to silence her critics, but at least it will make her and her fans happy.

Vash

 

[chuckm]

After the 2002 Olympics, Irina gave a lengthy interview in the Russian press which was translated on one of the boards. In it she claimed she should have been World Champion in 2001, that it was close and she should have gotten the gold. But in reality, Worlds 2001 was not a close decision at all. Irina won the SP, but in the FS, Irina skated after Kwan and may have been unnerved by Kwan's high marks. She started off well, but in trying to beat Kwan, she began to improvise late in her program and made some sloppy moves. She lost the FS to Kwan in a 7/2 decision. Irina had higher technical marks, but lost on presentation.

 

[lavender]

After the 2002 Olympics, Irina gave a lengthy interview in the Russian press which was translated on one of the boards. In it she claimed she should have been World Champion in 2001, that it was close and she should have gotten the gold. But in reality, Worlds 2001 was not a close decision at all. Irina won the SP, but in the FS, Irina skated after Kwan and may have been unnerved by Kwan's high marks. She started off well, but in trying to beat Kwan, she began to improvise late in her program and made some sloppy moves. She lost the FS to Kwan in a 7/2 decision. Irina had higher technical marks, but lost on presentation.

To be honest normally I would put Irina slightly over Michelle technically but I think Michelle's 7 triple technically sound program was superior in every way in 01. Irina's jumps were sloppy at times and so was her spins. Her spiral doesn't match Michelle so I would have given Michelle higher tech marks also.

 

[curious]

Other skaters have won unexpectedly and possibly undeservedly, and managed to be more graceful about it. I remember Jeff Buttle's expression when he won 4CC 2004. He actually seemed embarrassed!

I agree that Sasha Abt should have won that Europeans over Yagudin, and I was annoyed at Yagudin's attitude. Sometimes I have to laugh when people say Plushenko is arrogant. Compared to Yagudin, Plushenko is the humblest of champions.

it was plushy's fault for not competing,that's what yags said at the press conference

 

[Terri]

Thanks Mathman!

 

[Terri]

After she came in 4th at SLC sp, she told the press that she should have received some 6.0s. Hughes had never received any bad girl rep for wanting to win.

Did she really? If Sarah wasn't joking she was cleary delusional about her perofrmance then. I remember being relieved that she had managed to squeak out a 4th place placement. I think she was one judge away from being placed lower, just like she only won the lp on a 5-4 split.

 

[gezando]

Did she really? If Sarah wasn't joking she was cleary delusional about her perofrmance then. I remember being relieved that she had managed to squeak out a 4th place placement. I think she was one judge away from being placed lower, just like she only won the lp on a 5-4 split.

She made that comment after sp.and before lp. Maybe she was delusional. Sarah definitely had confidence, and was very open about wanting to win, she never has a bad girl image. So IMO, I think bad girl image that follows some skaters is totally unrelated to their desire to win, and verbalizing their desire to win

 

[mzheng]

Figure skaters are largely much younger than other athletes, and they are from yet another category on remarks which are usually learned from their parents.

Joe

I agree with this. And they usually learned from their coach and ppl around them. Had Frank Carrol diddn't told young Michelle that "you skated good, but Tara skated better". Michelle might not get over the upset that easy, which actually helped her growing in the sport in future. My point is that human behaviour heavyly influenced by their upbring. When you were constantly told somthing by adults surrounding you you started to believe it. And behaved like such. ...

 

[hockeyfan228]

I agree with this. And they usually learned from their coach and ppl around them. Had Frank Carrol diddn't told young Michelle that "you skated good, but Tara skated better". Michelle might not get over the upset that easy, which actually helped her growing in the sport in future. My point is that human behaviour heavyly influenced by their upbring. When you were constantly told somthing by adults surrounding you you started to believe it. And behaved like such. ...

I once heard a Q&A with former NYCB ballerina, Maria Calegari. Soon after she joined the Company from the school, Balanchine gave her a lot of good parts, and it looked like she was being fast-tracked for soloist and principal dancer levels. Then she stopped getting roles. IIRC, she said that Balanchine made a cryptic comment to her at the time.

She was feeling agrieved and complained to her friend and fellow corps member, the late Joseph Duell. Many of her fellow dancers had been telling her that Balanchine was being unfair, and that she was really great, and that she deserved better -- she paused and said, "Except Joe." She said that his response was "Balanchine is right," and told her why, and that made her re-think and re-see her own dancing. As a result, she improved greatly, and became one of the greatest dancers of her generation.

 

[Fossi]

BTW Kwan did not actually SAY that she was not happy with her skate at nationals. She LOOKED unhappy. When she was asked about her skate, she said something like, well I was a bit tight but she did not exactly say she was not happy with the performance or that she should not have won. She was more skilled in handling the question where she admitted to not having a GREAT skate, but she did not put herself down either.

.
Vash

What part of the Nationals interview didnt' you understand? Kwan was visibly disappointed with her skate and she stated she has to train and make changes for Worlds. Why should Michelle say that she should not have won Nationals? Who, in your opinion, should've won US Nationals then?
Irina was majorly held up at GPF 02. BOTH Sarah and Michelle should've been placed ahead of her. The judges didn't help Irina by holding her up at that competition though. They sent her an unfair message before the Olympics, and she continues to be a bitter woman because in her mind she thinks she should've won. The SP at the Olympics will be debated forever, however people always forget Irina's HUGE gift at GPF 02. Irina wasn't "flawless" at the Olympic SP. She omitted steps into the 3flip, and she telegraphs her jumps. Just because Irina THINKS she is the best, doesn't make her the best.
I don't think people shouldn't cricicize Irina's skating just because she is ill. She puts herself out there, and people should be able to be honest about their feelings and not feel badly because she is sick.
IMO, she is a spoiled brat. Her comments make Cohen look tame in comparison, and Cohen is 5 or 6 years younger than Irina.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Thanks for the analagy, Hockeyfan. I didn't know that about Calegari and Mr. B.
I have often heard from some of the dancers that he was quite mysterious when he was choosing someone to feature in one of his ballets. Everyone was on edge because he could pick a 'star' or someone out of the corps.

I'm not sure Carrol was that way. Carroll seemed to say more than Mr. B to his favorites. He should not have implanted (into MK's ears) that she was the best skater in the world. I believe that made her complacent and it took away from her determination to increase her technical. When Mr. B. choreographed a difficult combination, he would work the dancer till she got it. Painful sometimes.

But your point is well taken. Know your skater and know the psychology to use.

Joe

 

[Excidra2001]

Wow, first Slutskaya thread that could hit 100 replies and rival an average Kwan thread. But on a serious tip, Irina is known to be honest and speak her mind when she feels like her skating was not rewarded fairly or that she is out there skating for the audience and not the judges. Sasha has been known to speak her mind as well but she since changed that since a lot of people started calling her a "diva" and good for nothing other then running her mouth. Sasha shouldn't have to change who she is just because the general public does not approve of it. Sorry to go off topic here but back to Irina. Irina has always been upfront about everything, you either like her or you don't, she doesn't try to please anyone rather she goes out there and performs like she's been doing the last 10 years and is the same person she was yesterday, today.

As for the people who insist Irina is "two faced" I would just like to point out that you and I were not at the interview, we don't know how the question was asked or answered, all we are reading is the published interview. Do you know how many celebs do interviews and later find out either their words were taken out of context or what they didn't say what was published. Irina has stated before that there are a few journalists who twist her words and that she would not give them a personal one on one interview again.

 

[mzheng]

As for the people who insist Irina is "two faced" I would just like to point out that you and I were not at the interview, we don't know how the question was asked or answered, all we are reading is the published interview. Do you know how many celebs do interviews and later find out either their words were taken out of context or what they didn't say what was published. Irina has stated before that there are a few journalists who twist her words and that she would not give them a personal one on one interview again.

So in your opinion, which one to believe, her interviews with NA media or interviews with Rusian media?

 

[Vash01]

What part of the Nationals interview didnt' you understand? Kwan was visibly disappointed with her skate and she stated she has to train and make changes for Worlds. Why should Michelle say that she should not have won Nationals? Who, in your opinion, should've won US Nationals then?
Irina was majorly held up at GPF 02. BOTH Sarah and Michelle should've been placed ahead of her. The judges didn't help Irina by holding her up at that competition though. They sent her an unfair message before the Olympics, and she continues to be a bitter woman because in her mind she thinks she should've won. The SP at the Olympics will be debated forever, however people always forget Irina's HUGE gift at GPF 02. Irina wasn't "flawless" at the Olympic SP. She omitted steps into the 3flip, and she telegraphs her jumps. Just because Irina THINKS she is the best, doesn't make her the best.
I don't think people shouldn't cricicize Irina's skating just because she is ill. She puts herself out there, and people should be able to be honest about their feelings and not feel badly because she is sick.
IMO, she is a spoiled brat. Her comments make Cohen look tame in comparison, and Cohen is 5 or 6 years younger than Irina.

Where did I say that I did not understand about nationals? You are putting words in my mouth.

You are completely off target. I am have not said 'should have' about anything. I am simply pointing out what was said and it was in reference to the earlier post. I simply pointed what Michelle said and did. It has nothing to do with should have. I even said that she said it in a diplomatic way. She won rightfully- that has been my opinion throughout. It was unnecessary to write that (because I was only pointing at the interview -read the post I was responding to). That was not the issue I was addressing. What is your problem? You are so upset upon reading that I found something reasonable about Irina so you assumed that I disliked Michelle. That is crazy.

 

[Linny]

Shoulda won

I've always wondered whether the "shoulda won" or "wuzzrobbed" comments that we hear now and then aren't really misunderstood. Many times, after a competition, I kick myself. The judges are usually right in that my performance with my horse was not as good in comparison to the others... but when I say (privately or to my coach) I "shoulda won", what I mean is "My horse and I are sooooo capable of doing better than that, why the heck didn't we?"

So maybe a skater sometimes feels the same way. "I hit that [lutz, flip, spiral, movement of your choice] 1,000 times in practice. When I do my program at home, it would totally beat any performance we saw at the competition! If I had just done what I do at home, I would have won!".

Something like that...

Linny

 

[michaelfsfan]

2001 Worlds

I do think Irina has a feeling of entitlement when it comes to figure skating championships. She has always believed that she should have won Worlds 2001 (even though it was a 7/2 decision for Kwan) and Olympics 2002. I also read between the lines that she feels she will win Worlds in Moscow and the OGM in Torino because of the wins she was unfairly deprived of it in 2001 and 2002. If she does go to Torino next year and does not win, I think she will retire as embittered as Roslyn Sumners was after losing to Witt in 1984.

If Irina still thinks that she deserved to beat Michelle at 2001 Worlds, then she is more deluded than we think she is. Michelle was miles ahead artistically, and technically she delivered a 7 triple program with a 3-3 combination, compared to Irina's disjointed "I'm gonna shoehorn as many jumps as I can" 5/6 triple program with no 3-3 combination. I think the judges 7/2 split in favor of Michelle pretty much sums it all up.

If Irina can't accept the fact that the judges may not always see eye to eye with her, then she needs to retire from amateur figure skating and move on to the pro/exhibition tours; no doubt she'll make lots of money from it.

 

[thisthingcalledlove]

I've always wondered whether the "shoulda won" or "wuzzrobbed" comments that we hear now and then aren't really misunderstood. Many times, after a competition, I kick myself. The judges are usually right in that my performance with my horse was not as good in comparison to the others... but when I say (privately or to my coach) I "shoulda won", what I mean is "My horse and I are sooooo capable of doing better than that, why the heck didn't we?"

So maybe a skater sometimes feels the same way. "I hit that [lutz, flip, spiral, movement of your choice] 1,000 times in practice. When I do my program at home, it would totally beat any performance we saw at the competition! If I had just done what I do at home, I would have won!".

Something like that...


Linny

ITA Linny. I compete in speech, and on Thursday, my coach and I ran through one of my speeches, and we both agreed my program (we call them programs LOL) was competition ready and should be fine and do well...

Of course, I should have remembered that out of the fifty competitors in my event (poetry interp), the other forty-nine were probably doing the same thing I was...which was rehearsing. I finished a respectable, but disappointing (to me) fourteenth.