Kwan, Slutskaya to follow in Cohen's direction?

[Dee4707]

It seems that both Kwan and Slutskaya could follow in the same steps as Cohen and aim for the 2009 season and one final shot at the olympic games in 2010, it is not beyond the realms of possibility??

Sorry, I guess I don't understand. Are you just stating an opinion or do you have something to back this up?? Please post if you do.

Dee

 

[gkelly]

Yeah well, I'm sure a lot of people wrote off Arakawa in years past too.

The difference is that Arakawa never took a year off from competition, much less two or three. She just didn't always qualify for the Japanese world team. (Same as Slutskaya didn't qualify in 1999.)

A more similar comparison would be Katarina Witt and Elaine Zayak returning in 1994.

Witt had been touring and competing as a pro during the 6 years since she had last competed. She came in second(?) at German Nationals, and second of the German ladies at 1994 Euros and Olympics.

Zayak had not been training at all for almost 10 years. She had to work hard to get back into competitive shape, qualified for US Nationals, and came in 4th (probably would have been 5th if Kerrigan had been able to compete).

Respectable results, but not on par with where they left off in 1988 or 1984.

There had been big changes in the sport between 1988 and 1994, primarily the elimination of figures and the increased jump content, that made it hard for those skaters to keep up with the younger competitors. In this case the big change in the sport would be the demands of the new judging system, but Cohen and Slutskaya had already had plenty of time to adapt to that.

But the primary obstacles would be the wear-and-tear these skaters' bodies have already put up with through their years of previous competition, including chronic injuries, and the difficulty of getting back into shape after not training at a competitive level for several years. Other strong skaters from the same country would also be an obstacle to qualifying for an Olympic team -- this would probably be more of an issue with the American than Russian ladies.

If any or all of them choose to make the effort, they may well be able to get back to a level where they are able to make a respectable showing in competition, and depending on what the competition does at their Nationals *maybe* qualify for the the Olympic team. Actually being better than or equal to all of the top skaters of 2010 and thus being in contention for Olympic medals is a lot less likely. If their competitive fire and physical condition are up to it and they really want to try, some good skating and interesting human interest stories may come out of the effort regardless of the result.

 

[nymkfan51]

It really doesn't matter what any of us think, actually. Any or all of them can attempt a comeback if it suits them ... and if they have the talent to make it back to the Olympics, then who are we to say they should give it up already. If the other ladies you all speak about are good enough, then they will beat the 3 oldtimers ... if not ... I say GO FOR IT to the old broads!!!

 

[1cmarie]

It really doesn't matter what any of us think, actually. Any or all of them can attempt a comeback if it suits them ... and if they have the talent to make it back to the Olympics, then who are we to say they should give it up already. If the other ladies you all speak about are good enough, then they will beat the 3 oldtimers ... if not ... I say GO FOR IT to the old broads!!!

Ditto

 

[Mathman]

Well, that's not going to happen unless one of Meissner, Zhang, Nagasu, and Flatt changes nationality or the IOC and ISU change the rules about the maximum number of skaters one country can send to the Olympics.

Well, naturally I was assuming that Meissner would be competing for her ancestral homeland Germany, while Asada, who lives in California and trains with Raphael Arutunian would switch over to Armenia.

 

[soogar]

I can see all of them coming back; Irina will be the most successful.

 

[R.D.]

 

[NJSk8Fan]

I am not saying this to bash Irina or anything of the sort. However, I think she would have to do an awful lot of training and also stay in good health until 2010 to have any success at those Oly's.
I know she has had serious illness problems and I have compassion for her because of that.
However, I saw Irina, live, in Country on Ice in November. She seemed very exhausted. She had to do 3 retakes at the end of the show to get a jump right...when she was asked to do it the 3rd time, she wanted to give up. You could tell she was really out of breath.
My concern is that her health is never really going to be 100% again, and she isn't getting any younger. It may be better for her health that she not get back into the rigorous training and skating involved in remaining eligible.
Again, not saying this to put her down...JMO.

 

[Tinymavy15]

i would to see sasha come back and skate well, but it's not gonna happen. Irina will be too old and out of shape, michelle.... nt quite as old, but i see her as a career woman a few years down the line. Sasha wants that olympic and gold and has only been to two olympics, unlike michelle and irina. she in younger than them, but her outside acticties will fill her life and she will get over her dissipointment. it is hard to be living the good life nad then suddenly throw one's self into a ull on training regimen, and expect to skate better than ever. Sasha's no fool. she will see in 2009 that the copmetion will beat her blindfolded.... Caroline zhang will be 16/17.... perfect age for her olympic try. Let's face the fact. we have seen the last of these ladies in amatur competion.

 

[R.D.]

I am not saying this to bash Irina or anything of the sort. However, I think she would have to do an awful lot of training and also stay in good health until 2010 to have any success at those Oly's.
I know she has had serious illness problems and I have compassion for her because of that.
However, I saw Irina, live, in Country on Ice in November. She seemed very exhausted. She had to do 3 retakes at the end of the show to get a jump right...when she was asked to do it the 3rd time, she wanted to give up. You could tell she was really out of breath.
My concern is that her health is never really going to be 100% again, and she isn't getting any younger. It may be better for her health that she not get back into the rigorous training and skating involved in remaining eligible.
Again, not saying this to put her down...JMO.

There is nothing demeaning about her in that paragraph. In fact, if the above is true, it's kind of sad actually. She seems to be the kind to push herself beyond her limits, though, so who knows what can happen...(just not a comeback though )

 

[soogar]

I am not saying this to bash Irina or anything of the sort. However, I think she would have to do an awful lot of training and also stay in good health until 2010 to have any success at those Oly's.
I know she has had serious illness problems and I have compassion for her because of that.
However, I saw Irina, live, in Country on Ice in November. She seemed very exhausted. She had to do 3 retakes at the end of the show to get a jump right...when she was asked to do it the 3rd time, she wanted to give up. You could tell she was really out of breath.
.

It doesn't surprise me that Irina isn't in shape at the moment- however athletes have proven time and time again that their bodies can quickly regain the ability once training is resumed (Sarah Hughes being the odd exception). I think of the 3 Irina would be the most successful in regaining her position on the world team because the Russian team is so weak. Sasha and Michelle will have their work cut out for them. There are a lot of up and coming juniors who will age in time for 2009 and beyond, plus the current crop of girls are only going to get stronger.

 

[Kwanford Wife]

blah blah blah... same ol', same ol'... when will we admit we don't have the foggiest idea as to who will skate, who will retire and who will get caught shaving their hair after a fight with their babydaddy / mother? We simply don't know nor do we have the foggiest idea about an athlete's ability or desire to compete. If ya wanna skate, skate. If ya wanna retire, retire. It would be awesome to see Michelle, Irena and even Sasha compete again... to me. But I couldn't hazard a guess as to the likely hood of this happening because unlike most posters, I was at Target when the three divas called to tell me their future plans...

 

[demarinis5]

blah blah blah... same ol', same ol'... when will we admit we don't have the foggiest idea as to who will skate, who will retire and who will get caught shaving their hair after a fight with their babydaddy / mother? We simply don't know nor do we have the foggiest idea about an athlete's ability or desire to compete. If ya wanna skate, skate. If ya wanna retire, retire. It would be awesome to see Michelle, Irena and even Sasha compete again... to me. But I couldn't hazard a guess as to the likely hood of this happening because unlike most posters, I was at Target when the three divas called to tell me their future plans...

Great post!!!

 

[Spun Silver]

Kwanford Does It Again

"Three Divas"? Now you're giving me $deas!$!$!$

The Shakespeare Number
Sasha: Juliet
Michelle: Desdemona
Irina: Lady MacBeth* (LM of Mtensk = Shostakovich opera)

The Charlie's Angels Number
Sorry, I dont know one from another but aren't there three?

The Three Graces Number
Ditto

The LIttle Women Number (with Shiz as special guest) :boohoo:
Irina: Jo
Michelle: Beth
Sasha: Amy
Shiz: Meg

The Mozart Number - Cosi Fan Tutte on ice
Michelle: Fiordiligi
Sasha: Dorabella
Irina: Despina
Two nice boy parts and a dirty old man for Evan, Johnny and Rudy Galindo

Ah.... it will be Heaven on Ice!

 

[Mathman]

"The Three Graces Number

Sasha =Beauty, Michelle = Mirth, Irina = Good Cheer. It has possibilities.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...g/180px-Canova-Three_Graces_0_degree_view.jpg

 

[heyang]

As things currently stand, Sasha & Michelle would likely not make it onto the podium for the next Oly's. I base this only on the current strengths of the current SR's and the promising jr's. There's a lot of depth moving up in the Ladies' ranks.

However, if they want to compete for a spot, I'd relish the opportunity to see them skate again. They are wonderful skaters and deserve respect.

As an MK fan, I would love to see her perform the routines she had planned for Torino to the best of her ability as, at a minimum, a proper farewell to US Nationals. Even if she doesn't medal, it would still be worth it.

 

[chuckm]

It doesn't surprise me that Irina isn't in shape at the moment- however athletes have proven time and time again that their bodies can quickly regain the ability once training is resumed (Sarah Hughes being the odd exception). I think of the 3 Irina would be the most successful in regaining her position on the world team because the Russian team is so weak. Sasha and Michelle will have their work cut out for them. There are a lot of up and coming juniors who will age in time for 2009 and beyond, plus the current crop of girls are only going to get stronger.

Irina is very, VERY far from being in shape at the current moment, almost (but not quite) as bad as Sarah was in the 2005 SOI. But then Irina hadn't taken more than a year off from skating as Sarah had.

I think Irina is the least likely to return to competitive skating because of her serious chronic illness. She is making very good money touring in shows in Russia and elsewhere. I don't think she has any intention of ever competing again. Sure, she could easily make the Russian team because there is no competition for her, but I don't think she'd want to compete in Vancouver and finish 10th, and that is about all she could expect.

 

[R.D.]

I'd put all of their chances of a successful comeback at the same, actually: Zero.

that's right, nada. Not happening so no need to talk about it. :yes:

 

[krenseby]

re:

Irina is very, VERY far from being in shape at the current moment, almost (but not quite) as bad as Sarah was in the 2005 SOI. But then Irina hadn't taken more than a year off from skating as Sarah had.

I think Irina is the least likely to return to competitive skating because of her serious chronic illness. She is making very good money touring in shows in Russia and elsewhere. I don't think she has any intention of ever competing again. Sure, she could easily make the Russian team because there is no competition for her, but I don't think she'd want to compete in Vancouver and finish 10th, and that is about all she could expect.

I think you are so right. Watching the way she skates now would never lead me to believe that she could have won any medal at Worlds or the Olympics, much less make it into the top 10. I think she is now in worse shape than she was for the 2004 Worlds when she popped most of her jumps in the LP.

All that said, I really do wonder how she has managed to compete these last two seasons and land all those difficult jumps. Looking at the way she skates now, it seems like she couldn't do 90% of them.

(As for Sasha, how badly have her jumping skills downgraded? What do you all think? Probably not as bad as Irina's ;-)

 

[antmanb]

blah blah blah... same ol', same ol'... when will we admit we don't have the foggiest idea as to who will skate, who will retire and who will get caught shaving their hair after a fight with their babydaddy / mother? We simply don't know nor do we have the foggiest idea about an athlete's ability or desire to compete. If ya wanna skate, skate. If ya wanna retire, retire. It would be awesome to see Michelle, Irena and even Sasha compete again... to me. But I couldn't hazard a guess as to the likely hood of this happening because unlike most posters, I was at Target when the three divas called to tell me their future plans...

That was too funny!

Ant