New Hersh Article- says Kwan probably won't be at December event

[kyla2]

Irina

I read Jan Jam's post about Irina and much of what she says is true. But when Irina is on, she is compelling even without the artistry. She has such power and energy that she certainly makes a case for herself. My problem with Irina is that when all things are equal and everyone has comprable technical content (granted we haven't seen that lately), other skaters such as Sasha, Michelle and Shizuka should have an edge. That was pretty much the case under the 6.0 system but I don't think that is going to hold true under the CoP system. My other issue with her scores (and this isn't her fault) is that her awkward /telegraphing entrances into some of her jumps and her poor runout on her jumps aren't being factored in from what I can see. MZHeng, I hope you are right about skaters not losing their jumps once they have them. But I watched Timothy Gable tonite and I was wondering what the H E double hockey sticks has happened to him. I also think Michelle has been dealing with injury for some time. It would explain alot-especially the loss of the loop.

 

[orchid]

Well she did compete in SA and SC that season so she didn't miss that much time. Though a 17 year old body tends to bounce back quicker than a 25 year old body.

Gawd, I feel old, now

 

[attyfan]

How much preparation time did Michelle lose in 97-98 due to the toe injury? I know she withdrew from the Champions' Series Final in December and had to stay off of the ice for a period of time. I also know she also had to take it slow when she began training again. Is it at all comparable to this new injury?

IIRC, she discovered the stress fracture after Skate Canada, and, couldn't compete again until Nats (withdrawing from both the NHK and the Final). As I understand it, they removed her cast three weeks before Nats. What I don't know (for the purposes of drawing comparisons) is how long Michelle was practicing her '97/'98 program before she was injured, vs. how long she was practicing this one -- I would think the more she had the program "down pat" before injury, the easier it will come back to her, once she can start with normal jumps and spins again.

 

[R.D.]

I read Jan Jam's post about Irina and much of what she says is true. But when Irina is on, she is compelling even without the artistry. She has such power and energy that she certainly makes a case for herself. My problem with Irina is that when all things are equal and everyone has comprable technical content (granted we haven't seen that lately), other skaters such as Sasha, Michelle and Shizuka should have an edge. That was pretty much the case under the 6.0 system but I don't think that is going to hold true under the CoP system. My other issue with her scores (and this isn't her fault) is that her awkward /telegraphing entrances into some of her jumps and her poor runout on her jumps aren't being factored in from what I can see. MZHeng, I hope you are right about skaters not losing their jumps once they have them. But I watched Timothy Gable tonite and I was wondering what the H E double hockey sticks has happened to him. I also think Michelle has been dealing with injury for some time. It would explain alot-especially the loss of the loop.

Well, you can no longer win by flapping your arms around and pasting on a smile at least

 

[Mathman]

Hey Red Dog, now that Michelle has become a long-shot underdog, does that mean you will start rooting for her?

 

[R.D.]

Hey Red Dog, now that Michelle has become a long-shot underdog, does that mean you will start rooting for her?

Well, for now I'll just put it this way: I'd be happy just to see her take the ice there. I think that would be a defining moment for the ladies competition. I don't know if it's necessary to root for her, though. She is such a ? right now. But I'd rather her win than Irina. In fact, I'd rather anyone else win than Irina

So who to cheer for. It's hard. But because it's the Olympics, I might just forgo my non-fan status temporarily and pick somebody to root for. That's what the Olympic spirit is about

 

[nymkfan51]

Well RD, I vote that you root for Michelle. This will most likely be her last season as an eligible skater, so why not send her out in style!!!

 

[swannanoa54]

Well, for now I'll just put it this way: I'd be happy just to see her take the ice there. I think that would be a defining moment for the ladies competition. I don't know if it's necessary to root for her, though. She is such a ? right now. But I'd rather her win than Irina. In fact, I'd rather anyone else win than Irina

So who to cheer for. It's hard. But because it's the Olympics, I might just forgo my non-fan status temporarily and pick somebody to root for. That's what the Olympic spirit is about

If you forego your non-fan status for this Olympics, RD, I will have to Nothing would be the same if you rooted for someone in particular. But I'm with MM-root for Michelle now that she's a true underdog. (Isn't underdog an awful term? Does that means there's an overdog somewhere out there? And what exactly is the underdog under? Could it get hurt? I know. I've gone off topic. So sue me )

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

RD - Stand by your guns about MK You have strong feelings there.

What surprises me is that you've become an anyone but Irina fan.

Joe

 

[Mathman]

Isn't underdog an awful term? Does that means there's an overdog somewhere out there?

The Overdog:

http://www.iceskatingintnl.com/images/slutskaya worlds05 sp.jpg

The Overdog senses steel daggers boring into the back of her head...Slowly she turns...

http://www.usfigureskating.org/content/events/200405/worlds/backstage/kwan-slutskaya.jpg

 

[R.D.]

The Overdog:

http://www.iceskatingintnl.com/images/slutskaya worlds05 sp.jpg

The Overdog senses steel daggers boring into the back of her head...Slowly she turns...

http://www.usfigureskating.org/content/events/200405/worlds/backstage/kwan-slutskaya.jpg

So true

What surprises me is that you've become an anyone but Irina fan

Only for the Olympics, though.

Actually, Joe hits closest to home re. my feelings about MK. I did cheer for her in 98 and 02. but I just don't know if I feel the same way I did about her. Now, knowing so much more about figure skating than I did back then, all of a sudden there's not this "cheer for the familiar face" feeling. There are so many other choices.

But MK's position is sad the more one thinks about it. Her last chance at Oly gold could be compromised (if it's not already) by this injury (and who knows how long she's had it). That's why it would be a defining moment just to see Mk at the Olys. I won't count her out, but I think that's about as far as she's going to go. Even Cohen has the edge over her - RIGHT NOW, that is.

 

[kyla2]

Michelle-Always

I will always root for Michelle, but I will now root for the rest of them too and all for different reasons. Irina for her sheer guts and hard work, Shizuka-a skater's skater and Sasha-perfection on the ice

 

[cianni]

My Wish

Well now that Michelle has been written off is the underdog and doesnt stand a chance and everything else thats been posted heres my wish or wishful thinking. I want Michelle to show up and take the ice and do an awesome blow the roof off the arena with her doing what she does best thats skate a clean quality program using the 6.0 system. Listen to the crowd go nuts look at the judges and with that look say shove the new system. Wouldnt that be the best OLYS ever. Im reading post after post she has no chance so go for it Michelle. I will take a Quality Clean Michelle skate any day over the flawed tricks I have been seeing this season.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Let's face it Cianni - we Kwaniacs have to wait and see. There is nothing for us to see before Nationals; not even that silly Marshall thing which she would win on a multitude of phone calls.

Joe

 

[gezando]

kyla

Thanks for the laugh I believe you are the one who never miss a chance to obssessively throw tantrums whenever other refuses to bow to your ideas that one of your favorite skaters is the most exquisite in the world

IMO, what you did in your posts, is name calling kyla, but I expect that from you.

I never said you and your friend were taking different kinds of steroids. You post your CV all over the place, you should know that corticosteroid include glucocorticoid, and mineralocorticoid.Mineralosteroid e.g. aldosterone, is for renal functions and glucocorticoids are for inflammatory or autoimmune processes, since you said you had asthma and your friend has MS, therefore I understood that both of you were taking synthetic glucocorticoid, i.e prednisone like meds) IMO your little knowledge is indeed potentially dangerous.

Part of me finds you amusing and part of me finds you pathetic.

Right back at ya. Now about ignoring posts, It will sure be nice if you practice what you preach

 

[gezando]

Does MK's injury really go back one or more years, or is that just urban legend?

Kwan has been struggling with back pain for a few years, when did back pain transferred to hip pain?

Here is my question. If MK has hip (or any other) problems that she (or her team) attribute to past problems, are there any links to official commentaries about this?

IIRC prior to olys 2002, some sports magazine maybe women's SI? talked about her back pain.

 

[Jhar55]

I am a big Michelle fan and will be at Nationals and hope to see her skate and win her record 10 US Title. But still out with injury and from what I've read and could have missed something she's only skating no jumps or spins, unless it's all a ploy to keep everyone wondering is she competing, whats her programs.
With all said I still don't think she will be competing and will retire due to her injuries and I hope I have to eat my words.

 

[gezando]

unless it's all a ploy to keep everyone wondering is she competing, whats her programs.With all said I still don't think she will be competing and will retire due to her injuries and I hope I have to eat my words.

I don't think it is a ploy, but do agree that there is a possibility that she will not recover early enough for nationals. Then it will be a difficult decision for usfs and Mk, will they give her a bye and just name her on the team or go ahead and send the top 3 skaters at nationals to olys

Off topic a bit, I think Fumie is facing the same challenge, as she is trying to recover from a bad groin injury

 

[mzheng]

...... In fact, I'd rather anyone else win than Irina

So who to cheer for.

How about going for ABI?

 

[R.D.]

How about going for ABI?

What's ABI? :scratch: