Latest Kwan News (?)

[curious]

I have mixed feelings about this pairing :scratch: :scratch: . Regardless of what you think of Kwan, she has a style uniquely her own and what concerns me most about this pairing is:

1. The creation of a program that screams “TT did it!” b/c it looks like every other program TT has choreography. TT’s good, but just because it looks good on someone else, doesn’t mean it’s very flattering on you.
2. Music. She plays it soooo safe. One thing I do like about Kwan is that she doesn’t always skate to the top 40 skating music songs. I’ll gag if I hear this kind of music from Kwan…it’s so beneath her. Kwan’s demonstrated that she can skate to unique music, so why not continue to.

The idea of Kwan skating some Swan Lake-Dark Eyes-boring-typical-classical-music-that-everyone-else-has music, would be such a disappointment. IMO, it would be a HUGE regression for Kwan’s. Personally, I would have to question why she is even skating this year. Kwan has always “done it her way”, and wants to “push the envelope” so to betray that spirit by choosing some generic-pretty-classical-music would have me questioning her motives for Turino. Perhaps I’m reading too much into it, but I would view it as the “easy” way out, rather than sticking to what she does best and doing it her way.

Secondly, I do think TT can bring out some of the in-betweens that have over time, evaporated from Kwan’s programs. I understand the idea of simplicity and making the few movements really mean something, but IMO, Kwan’s just been skating from element to element. I WOULD NOT however, want to see any of the same TT trademark moves that we see in all the other TT programs…esp. the whacky toe-pick footwork.

I guess what has me concerned is that Kwan has always tried to be herself and set her own standards. She’s not looking to Sasha, Jenny, Shiz, Slute etc. for inspiration in choreography…If anything, we see them looking to Kwan for inspiration. For Kwan to come away from TT with something not completely uniquely her style with TT’s help would be very disappointing. I’d rather her go back to the ultra simple choreographer than sell her “style-soul” out for a medal…..

Just my opinion….
Darby

Slute needs no inspiration from Kwan lol! She is doing things a healthy Kwan can't

 

[dwiggin3]

I think this is exactly what Michelle should do, though I am sceptical it is true as well. Tatiana has been known to completely turn around skaters but not change their personal style significantly, and this is exactly what Michelle needs. Especially the part that many previous posters have stated, CoP. Not having a CoP friendly program killed Michelle last year. Do we know yet if she is going to be on the Grand Prix? I'm really hoping that she is! My the Grand Prix is going to be so exciting with all the biggest players on the field!

Kwan is skating in Skate America and Cup of China...see this page: http://www.usfigureskating.org/event_story.asp?id=29756

 

[skatingfan5]

Kwan is skating in Skate America and Cup of China...see this page: http://www.usfigureskating.org/event_story.asp?id=29756

Those are only the GP assignments/invitations -- it isn't 100% definite yet whether Michelle will be doing the GP events.

 

[dwiggin3]

I really can't imagine why she wouldn't skate in at least one....I think she needs the experiance of COP as well as gettng back in the groove of competing etc. It'd be foolish of her not to....JMO.. :yes:

Darby

 

[RIskatingfan]

TT's work for Yagudin was quite different than her work for Kulik, so I don't think she is capable of only choreographing for one type of skater.

Absolutely. And the programs she choreographs for Weir are also completely different. Her many (successful) pairs and dance teams never resembled each other either. It's not only the work of the choreographer, the skater's interpretation and style is very important too.

One thing I do like about Kwan is that she doesn’t always skate to the top 40 skating music songs. I’ll gag if I hear this kind of music from Kwan…

I don't think The Feeling Begins, Tosca or Bolero, to name a few more recent are music that no one has ever heard in skating... I could be wrong, but IMO it's very possible that the music ideas came mostly from Lori Nichol because it was after they parted ways that her music selections became more mainstream.

 

[visaliakid]

If the report is true, I am very encouraged by this move on Kwan's part. I also take this very early start on getting her programs chosen and trained, as a sign that she has decided to committ to the Grand Prix Series. Kwan is no fool... she knows that she will need every possible performance under her belt prior to Nationals and the Five Ring trip to Turino, if she hopes to stand any chance to win the O Gold. :thumbsup:

Pete

 

[Skate Sandee]

I really can't imagine why she wouldn't skate in at least one....I think she needs the experiance of COP as well as gettng back in the groove of competing etc. It'd be foolish of her not to....JMO.. :yes:

Darby

Because she doesn't have the option of skating at just one. Against the rules.

 

[attyfan]

If Kwan wants to get some serious CoP feedback and the rules still allow her to skip the GP (a BIG IF, considering the ISU's circular letter threatening federations if they don't produce their big names for the GP) is to do the 4CCs.

 

[RIskatingfan]

The rules DO allow her to skip the GP and this does not compromise in any way her eligibility or skating in the Olympics.

 

[CDMM1991]

Thanks for that link! It's kind of frustrating because the US showing at Skate Canada in Halifax(where I live) this year wasn't very impressive at all, the only one of any importance whatsoever being Ryan Jahnke. (Sasha Cohen was invited but didn't go) and then this year there is some great skaters! I wish this year's was in Halifax!

 

[gezando]

Do you really expect the Kweenie to go to Ct?

It is a toss up, since both TT, and MK are adults and both live in a free country, they are free to work out the details. If TT indeed is choreographing MK's program, and flying to CA, I imagine she will be compensated well. So what is your point???

 

[Lucy25]

This is all so intriguing...and isn't it early to get MK news for next season????

Well, this isn't really official "news". It was just announced by Tony, who has friends in the right places. That is where he gets the information. He has proven to be a very reliable source. I have no doubts the news is true, and I, too, find it very intriguing! Michelle's tech-packed COI program along with a new choreographer is beginning to show how serious she may be taking this upcoming year. Whether it will give her the results she wants or not remains to be seen, but at least it appears (and I know it is very early days yet) that she is going to give it her best try.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

OH - I typed a whole post and whatever happened it disappeaared.Daaaam.

Are we still in the guessing mode or is it certain?

Just of little off-the-wall thought. If TT approached MK then could we be thining about a warmer climate for TT with a brand new rink?

Mzheng - Rafael has done a fabulours job with MK's technical. I don't know why you can't see that? I'm sure there are other pieces of the CoP he wanted her to work on but she has been adamant about her intentions to skate like she always has in the 6. system.(Wrooooong!)

Ptichka - Maybe it's time to go lyrical again. I think TT can handle that. She did a first rate job with a talented young American boy by enhancing his natural lyrical style. She put him in among the top skaters of today. I don't think she is set on cranking out Yagudin clones although, she should think more about that talented Russian boy (Griazev) and not push him into the Yagudin zone.MK and TT will be fine. Their's will be a good working relationship.

Upping the technical will remain Raf; upping the CoP will be TT. It's great on paper but will it work on ice?

Joe

 

[Doggygirl]

OH - I typed a whole post and whatever happened it disappeaared.Daaaam.

Are we still in the guessing mode or is it certain?

Just of little off-the-wall thought. If TT approached MK then could we be thining about a warmer climate for TT with a brand new rink?

On your first point, LOL I HATE WHEN THAT HAPPENS!!

Mean time, your point about the business possibilities between Team Kwan and Team TAT are very thought provoking. Assuming the rumor is true, of course.

After some thought about your comments related to who might have approached who first and why....Hmmmm. The business scenario resulting in a TT may have approached Kwan theory makes sense. I could imagine a TAT's person's person's person (but not TAT personally) approaching a Kwan's person's person's person to fish around for interest.

An alternative scenario might be that with COP of great concern to Kwan, she may have sent her person's person's person to approach TAT's person's person's person to fish for TAT's interest in doing her choreo this year....with the added bonus of checking out the new rink where a high profile person like TAT combined with a high profile person like Kwan could raise interesting business opportunities.

Somehow I can't imagine that either of them approached the other directly without sending "advance scouts" first.

Either way, I think this could be a winning combo, especially if MK commits to the choreography. Next season is going to be so exciting!

DG

 

[RIskatingfan]

There were a couple of people saying it was actually Kwan's camp who approached Tarasova, based on some interviews right after Worlds where she mentioned some high profile skaters approaching her. That's when the speculation started I believe. Of course we'll never know much about this and/or if it's true or false unless they speak about it to the press.

 

[Lucy25]

A couple of years ago (after Worlds '03, I think) a rumor began circulating that TT was going to be Michelle's new coach. The rumor reached TT, and she was quoted in an article saying that she had not been approached by Michelle, but would welcome the chance to work with her if she did. My guess is this time Michelle came calling and TT accepted.

I, too, think Michelle might go lyrical with her LP. I think she will choose music she feels most comfortable with for this, her last eligible year (which I am just supposing it will be).

 

[heyang]

If this is true, it will be great for Michelle. When we discussed this before, I thought that TT squeezes every point out of COP.

Joe, I was also thinking that TT might be considering a move to the new rink. Gee - it's brand new, has a high profile sponsor (MK) with no ultra famous coach (I know Oppegard is there, but has he coached anyone to the podium in any discipline, yet.), it's in a warmer climate and it's closer to Russia than Simsbury. Definitely seems like something anyone smart would consider if offered.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

There was a commentator at Moscow Worlds that mentioned TT as saying Michelle skated the best of the bunch but not competitively. So there is interest in Michelle as well as the new rink in California which first came to my mind.

As to whom approached whom first is totally irrelevant especially since nothing yet has been confirmed.

Joe

 

[mzheng]

Mzheng - Rafael has done a fabulours job with MK's technical. I don't know why you can't see that? I'm sure there are other pieces of the CoP he wanted her to work on but she has been adamant about her intentions to skate like she always has in the 6. system.(Wrooooong!)

Joe

Joe, I know Raphael has done a fabulours job with MK's technical, not only jump, spins and footworks, hech even stroking. He had her do new type stroking in practice. Sure he knows what the critirial to be called at which level for all the movements MK included in her program. He had explicitly measure/timing her spiral at the rinks, told her where to start where to put down her free leg so that ensure it was called the level they intended to. Counted in practice how many revolution how fast a spin should be to meet the certain level requirement. But from all I heard about him he is not good or no patient on crunching the numbers. The CoP is all about the numbers. Besides TT knows where to insert those MIFs. So far, MK still is the one who can perform most different number of MIFs among the top ladies. Though she may not doing them in her competetive program in past couple of years. But she still has them in her exhibition. Let's see what TT will do with MK's collective MIFs.

 

[euterpe]

CDMM1991: "Thanks for that link! It's kind of frustrating because the US showing at Skate Canada in Halifax(where I live) this year wasn't very impressive at all, the only one of any importance whatsoever being Ryan Jahnke. (Sasha Cohen was invited but didn't go) and then this year there is some great skaters! I wish this year's was in Halifax!"

Both Kwan and Cohen were originally scheduled for Skate Canada last year as seeded skaters. Kwan declined the GP and Cohen withdrew due to injury. Since Skate Canada hadn't invited a US lady, no US lady skated in Canada last year at all. Invited US skaters were Jahnke, Vise/Kole (Pairs) and Galler-Rabinowitz/Mitchell (Dance). If the US showing wasn't impressive, it was because Skate Canada didn't invite the best US skaters.

I've always had the feeling that Skate Canada tends to avoid inviting skaters who might challenge Canadian skaters for GP medals. This coming season, except for the men (US pewter medalist Matt Savoie) Skate Canada didn't invite any of the top US skaters in Ladies (Czisny and Nikodinov) and Pairs (Evora/Ladwig). And Gregory/Petukhov in Dance have never been a threat to Dubreuil/Lauzon.