No Holding Back For Cohen

[Dustin]

This Golden Skate Article discusses Sasha Cohen's goals for the World Championships and also her relationship with her new coach, Robin Wagner.

http://www.goldenskate.com/articles/2003/031204.shtml

 

[soogar]

Sasha always goes for her skating which is why I like watching her. Her mistakes are because she's going for her elements and not chickening out.

On the USFSA board , someone was ragging on Sasha on how at 19 she wasn't as accomplished as Michelle Kwan at the same age. My thought is that it's better that she doesn't win everything right away b/c she might wind up winning the big prize in 2006. Michelle may be accomplished, but I think that her accomplishments put too much expectation on her to win at the games.

 

[bronxgirl]

From what little I've seen on the USFA board, it seems that the fans of one skater loathe the other. You'd never guess from some of those posts that they were supposed to be fans of figure skating as well as fans of a figure skater. (Just my opinion)

 

[Fossi]

Can Sasha afford to leave the 3/3 behind at Worlds? I don't know. She hasn't gone for one at all this season. That makes me wonder if she isn't consistent with it. She may really need one not only with Michelle being there, but with Miki Ando and Arakawa, not to mention fume if she is "on." Oh, and Irina too!!!
Would it be wise for her to cut back on her GP events? Michelle has faced horrible criticism for this despite the fact she has competed for such a long time. Does Sasha have the accomplishments of Michelle to be able to do this?

 

[Mathman]

From what little I've seen on the USFSA board, it seems that the fans of one skater loathe the other. You'd never guess from some of those posts that they were supposed to be fans of figure skating as well as fans of a figure skater. (Just my opinion)

How true, Bronxgirl. That's what I like about Golden Skate. We can have our favorites without trying to tear down anybody else.

Great Sasha interview. The most charming part, to me, was her reaction to the support of her fans:

In addition to her coach, Cohen also feels that fans influence her skating. "It's always great to get a new perspective," said Cohen. "When I read fan letters, it brings me back to earth. The fans are so sweet and supportive, letting me know that I make a difference and/or being a good role model. It's really special because you can get really caught up in competing and training, but the fans are there to keep you grounded."

And also, her friendship with Jonny Weir:

Of the 2004 US men's champion, Johnny Weir, who will be touring with her, Cohen said, "I absolutely adore Johnny. He's an amazingly gifted skater and an extremely hard worker. When he's out on the ice, he doesn't stop. He just trains and trains! He's got great jumping ability. I think he's got a great future ahead of him." She continued affectionately, "As a person [off the ice] he's very loyal. Really there for you. He's got a great personality and he's a lot of fun to be with."

Can Sasha afford to leave the 3/3 behind at Worlds? -- Fossi

I think Sasha's strategy for Worlds is sound. We see so many skaters start out their programs with a strong triple-triple (or with a strong quad combo for the men), only to run out of steam later in the program. At Nationals Sasha started out great, with three combination jumps, but then "In the middle I got tired; my arms and legs were not working together, and I fell on the (triple) toe" (quote from an interview in the latest Spotlight on Skating magazine). In the November fluff contest, Shizuka Arakawa likewise started out with a bang, hitting a solid triple-triple, but then faltered at the end, doubling her last two jumps to finish second.

Michelle basically said the same thing:

"In the long run," a realistic Kwan said, "the best way to win will be to perform the triple-triple jump. It will take me about a year and a half to get that move to perfection, but at the same time, I have to see if my body can handle the demands required by the new scoring system.” (quote from the latest Kwan article on the GS main page).

Hmm. Let's see. A year and a half would be just in time for Torino.

Mathman

 

[skatepixie]

I think she means maybe doing 2 events instead of 3. I doubt anyone will say anything bad about that.

 

[JonnyCoop]

From what little I've seen on the USFA board, it seems that the fans of one skater loathe the other. You'd never guess from some of those posts that they were supposed to be fans of figure skating as well as fans of a figure skater. (Just my opinion)

Completely true!! I've stopped going on there because of all the acrimony; many of those people give figure skating fans in general a bad name. A casual observer of the sport would go on there and think we're ALL a bunch of crotchety argumentative psychotics. Not only are the people on this board much more intelligent and rational, they're also much more literate into the bargain.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Great article!!!

When Sasha first came on the scene and I read so much about her in various circles, I described her as "feisty". Some posters took that as a put down but I mean it in the most complimentary way. It seems to me from the article she has gotten back that "feisty" attitude, and again, I like that.

Reading the article on MK, was also a treat. Both skaters are so different in their approach to Worlds, yet both have the determination. As many posters like to point out that MK has no 3x3s, it was interesting to read that Sasha, too, will go 3x3less.

What does the lack of 3x3s mean for the Japanese trio who all have them and fairly solid?

Joe

 

[sk8ing_lady2001]

It's good that Sasha is going into attack mode, like she usually does. Michelle has someone to push her competitively, as she has with Tara, Sarah and Irina. I guess that is good news. Best of luck to Sasha as well as the rest of the skaters at Worlds!

 

[mzheng]

Can Sasha afford to leave the 3/3 behind at Worlds? I don't know. She hasn't gone for one at all this season. That makes me wonder if she isn't consistent with it. She may really need one not only with Michelle being there, but with Miki Ando and Arakawa, not to mention fume if she is "on."

I agree what mathman said. I think she can afford to leave the 3/3 out. If her goal is to skate clean then let the result falling to the place. She'll most likely land on the podium. She should just aimed for 6 triple clean LP. Seems Robin dose good to her, bring her down to the earth, you climb the ladder one by one not jump to the top. I remind my Frank Carol's comments on Sarah years ago.

 

[soogar]

I didn't see Sasha skate this year but in previous years she has landed quite a few triple-triple combinations so I don't know why she would need to leave it out now. Maybe she should just do it in the middle of the program. I don't think she should take the approach Michelle always takes and leave the combination out b/c when the Olympics come around she'll be left in the dust. I think Todd messed himself up when he would always procrastinate about the quad. The more you try something in competition, the more comfortable you will be doing the element under pressure.

 

[Mathman]

I didn't see Sasha skate this year but in previous years she has landed quite a few triple-triple combinations so I don't know why she would need to leave it out now. Maybe she should just do it in the middle of the program. I don't think she should take the approach Michelle always takes and leave the combination out b/c when the Olympics come around she'll be left in the dust. I think Todd messed himself up when he would always procrastinate about the quad. The more you try something in competition, the more comfortable you will be doing the element under pressure.

I think there are two issues. First, within the program itself, the triple-triple seems to take so much out of the skater physically and emotionally that other parts of the program suffer. Especially under the CoP as it is presently constituted, a well rounded program with strong spins, footwork and connecting steps is rewarded over a couple of spectacular technical elements.

Second, I think that skaters like Michelle and Sasha see the toll that endless repititions of triple-triples and quads are taking on skaters bodies. If you want a long career in the sport, you have to pace yourself, it seems. Kind of a catch twenty-two. If you don't practice your jumps enough, you can't count on them when the money's on the table. But if you practice them too much, you might not be able to compete at all.

Mathman

 

[ouridol]

GO SASHA! I am confident that this is her year and she will skate superbly. I just want to see her let go and enjoy herself--and let the judges decide the rest

 

[RealtorGal]

I remind my Frank Carol's comments on Sarah years ago.

What did Frank say about Sarah?

 

[Kwanisqueen81]

I think there are two issues. First, within the program itself, the triple-triple seems to take so much out of the skater physically and emotionally that other parts of the program suffer. Especially under the CoP as it is presently constituted, a well rounded program with strong spins, footwork and connecting steps is rewarded over a couple of spectacular technical elements.

Second, I think that skaters like Michelle and Sasha see the toll that endless repititions of triple-triples and quads are taking on skaters bodies. If you want a long career in the sport, you have to pace yourself, it seems. Kind of a catch twenty-two. If you don't practice your jumps enough, you can't count on them when the money's on the table. But if you practice them too much, you might not be able to compete at all.

Mathman

Exatly Mathman!!
It is finding that balance that is the hard part. In my opinion Michelle Kwan has walked that fine line with the precesion of a circus atcrobat. She HAS landed 3/3 when it matter most. She also has a long career that is partly because of her not over practieing 3/3s.

 

[Fossi]

I didn't see Sasha skate this year but in previous years she has landed quite a few triple-triple combinations so I don't know why she would need to leave it out now. Maybe she should just do it in the middle of the program. I don't think she should take the approach Michelle always takes and leave the combination out b/c when the Olympics come around she'll be left in the dust. I think Todd messed himself up when he would always procrastinate about the quad. The more you try something in competition, the more comfortable you will be doing the element under pressure.

Sasha has only landed one triple triple combination in her entire career. She has landed a few sequences, but the 3/3 combination was only landed once, despite several attempts. I think Sasha won't go for them because she doesn't it down. Maybe we are all expecting Sasha to be like Sarah now that she is with Robin. It won't be that easy for Sasha though.
What did Frank Caroll say about Sarah? Was it good?

 

[show 42]

A very positive article......sounds like Sasha has a good mind set. I've always thought that the move to Robin Wagner was a great idea....we'll see if it pays off.......I hope she's solid at Worlds and makes the podium........42

 

[soogar]

Uh, she landed a 3lutz-3toe at the Olympics (slight two ft on second jump but still complete under old scoring), landed it at Nationals last year before having a meltdown, landed it at worlds.... that is way more than one time in her career and I don't even follow Grand Prix events. As for Michelle landing a 3-3 combination, I don't follow ladies skating extensively but she did not even try one at worlds since 1998 (not that I can recollect) and she doesn't even try it at Nationals either. I think that I read in Brennan's book that she did one when she won her first World title. Michelle does not land triple-triples when she needs them the most b/c in both Olympics she needed one and did not do one and in this past Olympics, she didn't really need one b/c she only needed 2nd in the freeskate but she fell apart.
Kristi Yamaguchi always had solid triple-triple combinations b/c she needed them to be competitive with Midori Ito and she has skated well for a long time and has not suffered any career ending injuries. I think it depends on the skater's coach and how conditioned they are to begin with before doing the jumps.

 

[Verbalgirl77]

Michelle landed 3-3's at 2000 worlds, 2001 Worlds, and 2002 Worlds. I'm also not sure you can classify an Olympic LP with 5 triples 'falling apart.'

The only time Sasha landed a clean 3flz-3t was at 2003 Worlds. I remember this because she actually commented on finally landing that combo in competition as being a bright spot of the program because she made several other mistakes. She has never landed a 3-3 at Nationals.

Kristi Yamaguchi only competed with a 3-3 combination for one season, and I think she only landed it 3 times ever that I'm aware of. Midori Ito on the other hand who did 3-3 combos for 10 seasons certainly suffered from leg/ankle injuries throughout her career. Not a direct correlation but it is something to think about.

 

[BravesSkateFan]

As for Michelle landing a 3-3 combination, I don't follow ladies skating extensively but she did not even try one at worlds since 1998

This is certanly not true. Since 98 Worlds Michelle has landed the 3/3 cleanly 7 times. 4 of those times were at Worlds (00 LP, 01 QR, 01 LP and 02 QR).