Kimmie - "Still Plagued By Falls..."

[R.D.]

^ Dead on. What Kimmie's problems do is put more pressure on the other two team members, that is, Wagner and Bebe, to deliver the best performances that they are capable of. And that's EXACTLY what they don't need on their first trip to Big Worlds.

I have to say, and in all honesty I mean no disrespect to the three of them, but this is probably the weakest team we've sent in YEARS. Blame that on the age rule, but then again, it's the same rule that kept Asada and Kim out of the Olympics, so it works for everyone.

 

[kittyjake5]

This article strikes me as an extremely light sample of what the press does to Britney Spears -- that a celebrity's problems are a legitimate subject of reporting does not alter the potential harm; and it does not make the articles necessary. Let them alone and write about someone else.

Or in this case the reporter could have at least offered a reveiw of the show and focused less on Kimmie's shortcomings in her program.

 

[R.D.]

*sigh* once again, why are people so protective of Meissner? It's not like she's the first to have such an article- and I think it could have been worse, too- written about her when she has struggled. As other posters said, if she can't handle the criticism, then she's so not cut out to be a figure skating champion mentally, even though she may have the hardware. I think I understand now why Hersh wrote that rebuttal article a few months back about her fans.

Like most of you guys, I'm rooting for her to get back on track, but come on, let's cut the stuff here. This was a article that was written by an observer who saw that she was still having trouble on her jumps, and then reported on the event. What else is he gonna say? "Umm, Meissner came back to Delaware to skate this exhibition, and she had a good time, even though she struggled on the jumping attempts?" This guy told it like it was; she fell. There's no "nice" way to say that. She fell. This will do one of two things: bring out the best in her, or bring out the worst in her come Worlds.

I just don't get it. It has been said that Meissner is not a skater that invokes strong emotions, but come to think of it I'm not so sure if that's true anymore.

 

[Bennett]

^ Dead on. What Kimmie's problems do is put more pressure on the other two team members, that is, Wagner and Bebe, to deliver the best performances that they are capable of. And that's EXACTLY what they don't need on their first trip to Big Worlds.

I have to say, and in all honesty I mean no disrespect to the three of them, but this is probably the weakest team we've sent in YEARS. Blame that on the age rule, but then again, it's the same rule that kept Asada and Kim out of the Olympics, so it works for everyone.

But the next year, the US would have one of the strongest team in years and would surely recover three spots. So I don't think it a big problem.

 

[kittyjake5]

*sigh* once again, why are people so protective of Meissner? It's not like she's the first to have such an article- and I think it could have been worse, too- written about her when she has struggled. As other posters said, if she can't handle the criticism, then she's so not cut out to be a figure skating champion mentally, even though she may have the hardware. I think I understand now why Hersh wrote that rebuttal article a few months back about her fans.

Like most of you guys, I'm rooting for her to get back on track, but come on, let's cut the stuff here. This was a article that was written by an observer who saw that she was still having trouble on her jumps, and then reported on the event. What else is he gonna say? "Umm, Meissner came back to Delaware to skate this exhibition, and she had a good time, even though she struggled on the jumping attempts?" This guy told it like it was; she fell. There's no "nice" way to say that. She fell. This will do one of two things: bring out the best in her, or bring out the worst in her come Worlds.

I just don't get it. It has been said that Meissner is not a skater that invokes strong emotions, but come to think of it I'm not so sure if that's true anymore.

I can't speak for anyone else but for me it is simple. This writer just did not say she fell he re-hashed the whole mess of what Kimmie had been through this past season, for what reason, it was not breaking news, it happened and it was reported in several prior articles. Reporters have the right to write what they want but I don't have to like it.

 

[strawberry-kiwi]

I can't speak for anyone else but for me it is simple. This writer just did not say she fell he re-hashed the whole mess of what Kimmie had been through this past season, for what reason, it was not breaking news, it happened and it was reported in several prior articles. Reporters have the right to write what they want but I don't have to like it.

I totally agree with you

 

[krenseby]

You betcha we're concerned about Kimmie at this year's Worlds. And Bebe and Ashely! Why? Because they have to stand up to the plate at this World's in order to hold three places for the USA ladies for Los Angeles 2009 Worlds-- which feeds in to the 2010 Olympics. Why are we so fidgety? Because we have 3 (count 'em 3) junior ladies who swept the podia at Junior World's two days ago. And they were light years ahead of the rest of the competition. All three are age-eligible for Senior World's next year. And history tells us that they NEED Worlds 2009 competition to make the best of Olympics 2010. Keeping this in mind, we have quite a conundrum! Kimmie, and Ashley, and Bebe may just keep those three places for us. But alas, if they do so, they will have to fight like the dickens at 2009 Nationals to make that 2009 World team to use one of those places they earned for us! Doesn't seem fair!

Seems fair to me in the sense that the US has to send its 3 best. But trust me, the girls who don't make the Worlds team for 2009 will not be overlooked by the people on these boards. We all watch Bebe for years and root her, though she has yet to skate a clean LP or at least one with less than 2 serious mistakes.

As for Kimmie, whether she makes the Worlds team in 2009 or not, we' ll still know her name and watch her and appreciate her.

But.. the ISU should establish a new rule in which all GP final participants would automatically qualify for Worlds but their federation would get to send additional skaters. I mean... if 2 American ladies were to make it to the GP final, they'd qualify automatically without being named by the federation so that the federation could put other people in their spots. That way 5 American ladies could end up at Worlds! (That's on the assumption that the US retains its 3 ladies spots for 2009 Worlds)

 

[R.D.]

I can't speak for anyone else but for me it is simple. This writer just did not say she fell he re-hashed the whole mess of what Kimmie had been through this past season, for what reason, it was not breaking news, it happened and it was reported in several prior articles. Reporters have the right to write what they want but I don't have to like it.

Thanks for your response. Definitely agree with the last sentence. However, given the scope (or lack thereof) of such an event, the writer DID need to justify making more than just a passing mention of Kimmie falling here. Because if he didn't, who cares- reading this was a waste of my time- it's just an exhibition and skaters fall all the time, no? In other words, for the casual fans.

But the next year, the US would have one of the strongest team in years and would surely recover three spots. So I don't think it a big problem.

Sure hope so!

But it would be kind of sad since that worlds is here in the US and only two of our own athletes will be able to experience it.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Maybe I didn't look close enough, but I've just read opinions about Kimmie and the reporters. Did anyone see the Show who can at least give us an eye witness opinion?

Kimmie did have a poor season, but only in her jumps. That should be obvious because if she had evertthing else, posters would be talking about her presentation. Am I correct?

Did anyone see Joubert's LP skate in Tokyo, and his misadventure at Skate Canada this season? Did anyone see Daisuke's and Lambiel's SP in Tokyo? What about Plush's lackluster Olys? Kwan and Slutskaya throwing away the 2002 Olys? And whodathunk Mirai"s recent LP would be faltered?

Cmon, not everyone is at their best every time.

As to 3 places in the LA Worlds, there's a chance. Definitely there will be two, and if there is only one, so what? Life goes on.

Joe

 

[Tinymavy15]

Cmon, not everyone is at their best every time.

As to 3 places in the LA Worlds, there's a chance. Definitely there will be two, and if there is only one, so what? Life goes on.

Joe

always the voice of reason.

 

[Mathman]

Life goes on. But these kids put lot of dedication into their skating. It would be cool this hard work were rewarded by a chance to compete in the World Championships.

Even with three spots, someone will have her dreams dashed at least temporarily. Rachael Flatt, Caroline Zhang, Mirai Nagasu, Ashley Wagner, Katrina Hacker, Melissa Bulanhaghui, Alexe Gilles, Angela Maxwell, Kristina Musademba -- they can't all go to Los Angeles next year.

 

[delray1977]

^ Dead on. What Kimmie's problems do is put more pressure on the other two team members, that is, Wagner and Bebe, to deliver the best performances that they are capable of. And that's EXACTLY what they don't need on their first trip to Big Worlds.

I have to say, and in all honesty I mean no disrespect to the three of them, but this is probably the weakest team we've sent in YEARS. Blame that on the age rule, but then again, it's the same rule that kept Asada and Kim out of the Olympics, so it works for everyone.

Actualy this most likey won't be the worst team. The worst team was actually at the 93' worlds. That was the worlds where Nancy Kerrigan had a disasterous LP. I forget who were the other US skaters. I think one of other on the team finished out of top 15 and the other didn't make it out of the qualifying round.

 

[Phobiamaster856]

That said, when she went to Florida, a quote from her struck me as odd given what she's been saying. she said something to the effect of "I know I can reach the podium at worlds." Doesn't sound like someone with a confidence issue to me. Is confidence REALLY the problem here? or is it something else, like maybe growing pains? or injuries? or lack of quality training time? etc.



Well idk it still maybe be confidence as michelle kwan once said its one thing to have confident and another thing to BE confident. I think this might just be psychological like shes psyching herself out while shes doing her program when the time comes. Shes a true fighter and ik she'll get through this best of luck at worlds :agree:

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

But.. the ISU should establish a new rule in which all GP final participants would automatically qualify for Worlds but their federation would get to send additional skaters. I mean... if 2 American ladies were to make it to the GP final, they'd qualify automatically without being named by the federation so that the federation could put other people in their spots. That way 5 American ladies could end up at Worlds! (That's on the assumption that the US retains its 3 ladies spots for 2009 Worlds)

I would go for that but most GP posters claimed that Mao should not be allowed to go to the 2006 Worlds according to the Rules. Why the turnabout now?

Joe

 

[bekalc]

I would go for that but most GP posters claimed that Mao should not be allowed to go to the 2006 Worlds according to the Rules. Why the turnabout now?

Joe

I didn't support changing the rules so Mao could go to the Olympics because the exemption would have been in the middle of the season and it would have been to late for Korea to send Yu-na Kim to the Olympics.

If your going to make an exception you have to announce the exception in such a time so that everyone has a shot at applying for it. I have no doubt that the Koreans would have wanted Yu-na to have Olympic experience, and if they had known a medal at the SGPF would have given it to her, they probably would have put her in the SGP series that year, and they also would have sent Yu-na to the Olympic qualifying event.

I don't think anyone can doubt that Yu-na wouldn't have done well in the SGP that year.

Some people said they thought it was "interesting" that the Japanese who knew about Mao for awhile, waited so long to ask for the exemption. (That they probably waited that long because they did want Yu-na taking advantage of it)

Personally, I'm more concerned about the age rules for the Olympics, than I am for Worlds.

 

[Medusa]

I would go for that but most GP posters claimed that Mao should not be allowed to go to the 2006 Worlds according to the Rules. Why the turnabout now?

Joe

Because this board is full of US-Americans and right now they happen to have a bunch of very talented ladies and apparently having a chance of a complete sweep at a World Championship is not enough and the rules that affected for example the Russians over several years (when they ruled pairs and men) shouldn't just be the same for the Americans now the Americans rule / seem to be able to rule the ladies?

 

[Tonichelle]

I'm an American and I'm still anti allowing the little girls go get a pass... the rules are the rules...

I think the GP should follow the same rules (and even teh national championships) as the Worlds and Olympics when it comes to age... I'm not one of the ones whining that the US Champion in ladies can't compete or, for that matter, Caroline... they'll get their shot when they're old enough. They weren't forced to jump to seniors...

 

[museksk8r]

I'm an American and I'm still anti allowing the little girls go get a pass... the rules are the rules...

I think the GP should follow the same rules (and even teh national championships) as the Worlds and Olympics when it comes to age... I'm not one of the ones whining that the US Champion in ladies can't compete or, for that matter, Caroline... they'll get their shot when they're old enough. They weren't forced to jump to seniors...

I'm American, a very open-minded, appreciative of other nations and cultures American, and I feel the same way as you Tonichelle. I want the young skaters to have time to develop and find out what works and what doesn't in their technique and their presentation before rushing into an event like senior Worlds or the Olympics.

 

[Mathman]

Krenseby's post that started this last discussion was not about the age rule.

Krenseby was proposing to allow some extra skaters (GP finalists) to compete at worlds "at large" without counting against their country's quota.

To me, this is an interesting suggestion and could be regarded as a step toward making the sport truly international. That is, a sport where the best athletes in the world compete without regard to nationality.

 

[jcoates]

I believe this may be my first post to any of the boards. So first, let me say hello to everyone.

Next, I've been a skating fan for about 20 years and I so glad to see so many enthusiastic fans like me. Still, as much as I can understand everyone having their favorites (I certainly do) and strongly held opinions, can I suggest people take a deep breath about this subject? Like some of you, I feel pretty indifferently toward Kimme's skating. As a person, she seems perfectly nice, hardworking and cheerful. But her personality should never be confused with her skating. They are separate and distinct. There are flaws there (not just jumps) that could stand to be corrected.

To be honest, I think we all put too much early pressure and expectation on Kimmie to deliver the goods, especially considering the shoes she is trying to fill. This is a real transitional period in US women’s skating. We are ridiculously flush with talent and we can’t really predict whom among those skaters will emerge as the leader going forward. I think that plays a part in some of the comments on both sides here. Many want to maximize the talent available before these girls, burn out, get injured or go through bodily changes. Still Joe is right. The angst over how many spots we’ll earn for next year is a little overblown. If we don’t have 3, it’s not the end of the world. It’s sports. Outcomes are not always ideal. But they often make for more interesting competition later (i.e 2009 Nationals).

People often forget that Kwan’s dominance was unusually long and in some ways stunted the natural cyclical development of new champions. Intense competition for however many spots are available is good for these girls because it will hone their instincts and make whomever comes through better able to deal with the pressures of the bigger events down the road. This is a sport and the best should win; not the most well known, the youngest, the oldest, the most mature, the most womanly, the nicest, or our favorite. That means jumps, spins, footwork, choreography. Otherwise skating is just a beauty pageant. If Kimmie can’t deliver at the moment, it’s fair to report that and to ask who can. Everyone doesn’t have nice, unimpeded progressions to and reigns at the top. Most have slumps. That is part of competition. So let’s sit back, enjoy the skating, root for our favorites and let the chips fall where they will.

Cheers