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

[Mathman]

For years it was Schadenfreude (think I got it, thanks mm). It was anyone but Kwan. Irina became the great heroine of the nonKwan club until Sasha came on the scene. So now there is a nonCohen club. You figure. Irina can't lose.

It's interesting, now that Michelle has fallen off the pace and is a long shot at best for Torino, how all the former anti-Kwans seem to have cooled off in proportion.

 

[R.D.]

It's interesting, now that Michelle has fallen off the pace and is a long shot at best for Torino, how all the former anti-Kwans seem to have cooled off in proportion.

If anything they should be concerned because the last skater I would think of is Kwan right now. Anyone else thinking that's what Kwan wants?

However, I still think the American press will hound her. It would make for a great story and get people to tune in to the Games.

 

[JOHIO2]

RedDog,

you'll notice Michelle is already the headliner in the NBC Olympic commercials. Does that follow your "hounding" prediction?

 

[R.D.]

RedDog,

you'll notice Michelle is already the headliner in the NBC Olympic commercials. Does that follow your "hounding" prediction?

Yes- I noticed the commercial as well. But here in the US, MK is one of the "feature athletes" of the Winter Games, so I expect NBC to include her in the promotions. Just wait until February. I wonder if MK will be the favorite again (to the general public), while the "insider" skating fans know that she's basically a long shot for gold (but maybe not for podium).

Look for Cohen and Meissner to be all over the place, too. Especially Cohen.

 

[BronzeisGolden]

It would make for a great story and get people to tune in to the Games.

Yep. And that is so often the draw of the Olympic Games. People love to see "regular folks" overcome the odds and prevail. Admittedly, I like it also. I found myself even getting into indoor cycling at the last Olympics simply because of a very interesting and unique story involving the Australian women's team. LOL, and normally, I could give two shakes about cycling.....but it was the Olympics, and there was drama....and so on. If Michelle is in Turino, the media will follow with all their zeal (regardless of what transpires before). That is a given. She has won everything else in sight, and she has repeatedly rebounded from relatively poor seasons and showings and regained form. That is something people have come to expect of her. She has set a standard for herself that is very difficult to continually live up to. This time, though, is different for her I think. She certainly isn't the favorite. She is approaching the end of her career, facing a new/somewhat foreign judging system, and dealing with an injury, etc. If she is healthy and prepared, I hope this lack of back-breaking pressure will allow her to finally put all of the Olympic demons to rest. To me, she deserves that......medal or no medal.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

If anything they should be concerned because the last skater I would think of is Kwan right now. Anyone else thinking that's what Kwan wants?

However, I still think the American press will hound her. It would make for a great story and get people to tune in to the Games.

It's the American press that makes heros (heroines) in Sports. Nothing wrong with that unless you hate sports heroes.

Joe

 

[mzheng]

However, I still think the American press will hound her. It would make for a great story and get people to tune in to the Games.

It as simple as that, she is like a brand name in US for those not following figure skating closely....I just heard an 'episod' the other day (sorry can't reveal the names of related parties).

 

[Eeyora]

Look for Cohen and Meissner to be all over the place, too. .

Since when did Meissner make the team? Right now I give Alissa an edge. But I can picture the media dubbing Meissner as the "young one".

 

[attyfan]

What if the third spot goes to Emily? Can you imagine the press reaction to that?

 

[R.D.]

What if the third spot goes to Emily? Can you imagine the press reaction to that?

The press would have a field day. Imagine- poor Hughes II would have to operate in the shadow of her Big Sister. That may put unnecessary expectations on her to deliver big.

As for the third spot- it's all about who Brings It On. Could be anyone, yes, but I pick Meissner as the most consistent of the contenders, and therefore I think she's favored. But I wonder if Alissa can give her some stiff competition to make things interesting. It shouldn't be a cake walk for anyone- except Kwan, of course.

 

[euterpe]

Emily's GP events haven't been impressive, and she was skating against weaker competition than Kimmie did at TEB. Kimmie may have flubbed her SP, but like Kwan, when she messes up a SP she comes roaring back in the FS, and Kimmie did that.

At CoR, Emily's SP was OK but she bombed the free. Of the 3 young'uns, she has the worst GP report card. A medal for Kimmie at NHK would raise her stock quite a bit, and of course Alissa is the GP star and probably the only US lady to make the final.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

RD - It could be Meissner, it could be Czisny, it could be even Cohen, or even Hughes, or Liang. can't lose the prediction game with that line up.

As for February - No fan will change if their favorite doesn't win. A fan is a fan is a fan.

As to the media, if Irina wins, she will get some play in the US and maybe even skate last in COI, but she won't be doing as much as Sarah or Tara did. The only european that made it good in the US was Katrina Witt. A big big coca cola ad, a spread in Playboy, news in gossip columns. None of them get movie contracts. Um, that's a fact.

Joe

 

[attyfan]

Emily's GP events haven't been impressive, and she was skating against weaker competition than Kimmie did at TEB. Kimmie may have flubbed her SP, but like Kwan, when she messes up a SP she comes roaring back in the FS, and Kimmie did that.

At CoR, Emily's SP was OK but she bombed the free. Of the 3 young'uns, she has the worst GP report card. A medal for Kimmie at NHK would raise her stock quite a bit, and of course Alissa is the GP star and probably the only US lady to make the final.

Last season, only one of the ladies on the podium had any success at all on the GP; most of the ladies who made the GPF did extremely poorly. If Emily can bring it on at Nats, and make the podium, she will go -- unless the USFSA will be naming a non-Nats-medalist to the Oly team (i.e., who gets the role of the '94 Michelle Kwan, if Michelle is playing the role of Nancy Kerrigan at that same event -- needing a bye due to injury)

 

[JanJam]

If MK is not in top shape by Nats, is it a big possibility that she skates bad enough to place out of the top three? Or is a flawed Kwan still likely to be so much better than the three youngsters currently expected to fight for 'the third spot'?

 

[mzheng]

As to the media, if Irina wins, she will get some play in the US and maybe even skate last in COI, but she won't be doing as much as Sarah or Tara did. The only european that made it good in the US was Katrina Witt. A big big coca cola ad, a spread in Playboy, news in gossip columns. None of them get movie contracts. Um, that's a fact.

Joe

How about Katy G.?.....I still remember the show that Scott and co. orgnized for her late husband.....She is really sweet.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

If MK is not in top shape by Nats, is it a big possibility that she skates bad enough to place out of the top three? Or is a flawed Kwan still likely to be so much better than the three youngsters currently expected to fight for 'the third spot'?

We have to speculate sensibly. If Kwan is healthy she will make the podium at Nats. OVER AND OUT. If she is not healthy, we don't know whether she will skate. SAD BUT TRUE. If she does skate unhealthily, and not well, I am sure she will not be on the podium. Whoa dilemna!!!

What should the USFSA do with their most celebrated skater if she does not make the podium?

They could bar the third place skater from going to the Olys and replace her with Kwan. I believe that is legal. But what if the third place skater is Sasha? Taking out the second place skater would not be ethical. The first place skater remains whoever it is. Can't tourch that one.

I am sure the USFSA has thought all about this and we will find out in St Louis.

Joe

 

[Mathman]

The only european that made it good in the US was Katrina Witt....None of them get movie contracts.

Of course, there was the one and only Sonia Henie.

If MK is not in top shape by Nats, is it a big possibility that she skates bad enough to place out of the top three? Or is a flawed Kwan still likely to be so much better than the three youngsters currently expected to fight for 'the third spot'?

Great question, JJ. I think it could go either way. 80% of Michelle is better than 100% of everybody else, but what about 60%?

As Joe says, I bet USFS (in consultation with NBC TV and all their corporated sponsors) have worked out every possible scenario already -- all the while hoping like crazy that Michelle will compete in full health and strength and they won't have to go with whatever Plan B is.

Mathman

 

[attyfan]

If she's not in good form, Michelle might not compete at Nats -- she can then be given a bye (with everyone "remembering" who didn't get to go to '94 Olys because Nancy Kerrigan needed a bye) If she doesn't skate well, she will still make the podium with high PCS scores -- remember Irina and last year's Euros?

 

[flowjo35]

It shouldn't be a cake walk for anyone- except Kwan, of course.

Not sure how it would be a cake walk for Michelle when she has been injured all season. We don't even know if she will be healthy and trained enough to compete at nationals. I hope so, but we will have to wait and see when she can start full training. Michelle will be a question mark if she does compete at nationals, no cake walk there. Good luck Michelle and get well soon.

 

[R.D.]

Not sure how it would be a cake walk for Michelle when she has been injured all season. We don't even know if she will be healthy and trained enough to compete at nationals. I hope so, but we will have to wait and see when she can start full training. Michelle will be a question mark if she does compete at nationals, no cake walk there. Good luck Michelle and get well soon.

Good points. I think MK will be on the podium SOMEWHERE if she competes. I mean, are the others seriously THAT much better? Even if Kwan falls twice, I don't see her finishing lower than third. Does one really think Kimmie AND Emily or Alissa can beat Kwan if she has a bad performance? Remember THEY have to skate very well too. Cohen probably would be able to (if she can skate well).

I just don't think it's likely. The only way Kwan isn't going to the OLYs is if she is not healthy enough. I agree that the USFS has probably thought of a "Plan B" should MK not be able to go. It would be a shame, though.