Sasha Cohen behaviour in past, is it true?

[chuckm]

I can't agree that Sarah would have won Worlds 2002. Even with Michelle's mistake in the SP, Sarah would not have placed higher than 4th because of her very extreme flutz. She was not a good SP scorer because her technical faults were held against her.

And Irina had the first of two skates of HER life at Worlds 2002. Both Irina and Michelle skated terrific FSs at Worlds 2002, and Sarah would have been in the position of having to duplicate her SLC performance with the top ladies NOT blowing it. Remember, at Skate Canada 2001 (the only other time Sarah beat Irina and Michelle), they both had major mistakes. Sarah NEVER beat either of them when they skated well.

Add to that the lack of practice time Sarah would have had, considering her whirlwind of red carpet activities. Sarah didn't want to go to Worlds because she knew if she didn't win her OGM would always be considered something of a fluke. Unfortunately for her, she returned at Robin's urging for the latter part of the 2002-2003 season and was not competitive at all.

 

[R.D.]

well, 2nd at nats really wasn't that bad. But worlds really was a disappointment- she really should have been on that World podium somewhere.

But I think late puberty/filling out also contributed to Sarah's problems. Did you see her body in Feb 2002 and then her body in March 2003?? BIG difference. But, maybe if she worked just a LITTLE harder she might have been able to squeeze out some of those jumps.

And I agree- Irina just couldn't be beat at either 2002 or 2005 worlds.

 

[chuckm]

Sarah had been VERY thin during the Olympic season. But she went on tour with COI that summer, then was filming her TV special, then had a reported injury and skipped the GP. Her practice regimen had been about 30 hours per week during the Olympic season, and it dropped to less than 10 hours a week in the 2002-2003 season, when Sarah attended school for her Senior year rather than spend the weekdays on the rink. The huge drop in physical activity and possibly less desirable dietary habits contributed to noticeable weight gain. And of course with less practice, some of her old habits, including underrotated triples and a bad flutz, began to creep back into her skating.

 

[R.D.]

Her practice regimen had been about 30 hours per week during the Olympic season, and it dropped to less than 10 hours a week in the 2002-2003 season,

Do you know which article/magazine these numbers came from? Just curious.

But I still sense somewhat of an underlying hostility toward Sarah in many of these posts I read about her. Maybe it's just me but I don't get it.

 

[chuckm]

The Olympic year figures on her ISU profile were 25-30 hours a week. During an interview, Sarah mentioned she wasn't practicing much since she was attending school full time, only about 10 hours a week. She was no longer practicing every day. Sarah mentioned several times (a month before Nationals and a month before Worlds) in TV and print interviews that she "wasn't ready" and didn't know how well she would skate at Nationals and Worlds. Robin also complained that Sarah's work habits weren't what they once had been.

The Iraq war began on March 19, a week before Worlds 2003, and both Sarah and Robin said they were fearful that Worlds in Washington DC might be a terrorist target. They even spoke of possibly not going to Worlds, but apparently changed their minds because skaters from other countries weren't staying away.

 

[R.D.]

So if Sarah really did say those things, maybe she really didn't want that US title/World title enough, but still wanted to keep skating. However, I suppose that decreased time really affected her performance, especially come worlds. Still, I admire her for at least sticking it out an extra year when most OGMs just boot nowadays. It WAS nice having her name on the competition roster. :yes:

Sarah also did talk of a "comeback" shortly afterward, but we all knew that wasn't going to happen. The same could be said for a couple of other skaters now.

 

[chuckm]

I think Sarah skated in 2002-2003 at Robin's urging. Remember, in the years up to and including the Olympic year, Sarah often said that she and Robin were "more like sisters than coach and student". From Sarah's comments throughout that 2002-2003 season, it seemed she was not a committed skater and I had the definite impression that Sarah was skating because Robin wanted her to, not because that was what Sarah wanted.

But Robin was less than pleased with Sarah's training habits and the results that final season were well below what Sarah had done before, so that probably started to eat away at their relationship. They ended up on less than friendly terms when Sarah finally decided to go to college and not train at all.

 

[Tonichelle]

Do you know which article/magazine these numbers came from? Just curious.

But I still sense somewhat of an underlying hostility toward Sarah in many of these posts I read about her. Maybe it's just me but I don't get it.

I fell in love with Sarah and she along with Angela got me back into watching the sport, so I don't get the reason why she's so disliked... but then I'm the same age (just 4 months older) as she is. So I think there was a connection that way... still love her Don Q. program

 

[R.D.]

I think Sarah skated in 2002-2003 at Robin's urging. Remember, in the years up to and including the Olympic year, Sarah often said that she and Robin were "more like sisters than coach and student". From Sarah's comments throughout that 2002-2003 season, it seemed she was not a committed skater and I had the definite impression that Sarah was skating because Robin wanted her to, not because that was what Sarah wanted.

But Robin was less than pleased with Sarah's training habits and the results that final season were well below what Sarah had done before, so that probably started to eat away at their relationship. They ended up on less than friendly terms when Sarah finally decided to go to college and not train at all.

That's very possible, even probable but it's only speculation (I think the relationship ended rather abruptly, too, didn't it?) Like all coaching splits (except Wagner/Cohen), we'll never know what REALLY caused it to end.

I fell in love with Sarah and she along with Angela got me back into watching the sport, so I don't get the reason why she's so disliked...

I've sensed that toward Tara as well, and somewhat towards Irina now. I think Cohen also picked up some heat around the 2002-2003-2004 era here on GS.

The only thing I can find in common with all those skaters is that they were all once Michelle's competitors. Not saying that is the reason, but just something to think about. I can't find any other similarity (except for Sarah and Irina gaining weight).

 

[Tonichelle]

Tara and Sasha are the youngsters that came up quickly... Irina started to and then teetered off only to make a comeback...

and you are charting dangerous waters with your suggestion, but I expect you're aware of it

 

[R.D.]

hey, I figure it doesn't make a difference since certain posters will be after me no matter what

Besides, someone's gotta say it, right?

 

[Tonichelle]

forever the devil's advocate?

 

[R.D.]

Yes, and soon to be...(coming at post #6,000, which is not that far away actually)

 

[Tonichelle]

... and soon to be???

 

[blue dog]

names hehehe

Perhaps we need to *&IU!@#&^& certain names, like Kwan, Cohen, Slutskaya, Hughes, and Lipinski (only the ones with people who fight to the death for their skater), much like the way the name Wofice used to be blocked.

 

[R.D.]

.. and soon to be???

you'll see. it's not that hard to figure out though. You'll nod when I put it up.

 

[R.D.]

Perhaps we need to *&IU!@#&^& certain names, like Kwan, Cohen, Slutskaya, Hughes, and Lipinski (only the ones with people who fight to the death for their skater), much like the way the name Wofice used to be blocked.

Not sure what Wofice is. But hehe...I think "Tara" was once blocked on another forum (I think it was one of those "underground" forums back in 2002/2003 where 80% of the fights took place).

Maybe we should just say "the skater who will not be named". Everyone knows who that is anyway. Like if I say, "that wannabe actress who shall not be named."

 

[blue dog]

, "that wannabe actress who shall not be named."

Pasha Grischuk? hehehe

I know what you mean, Red.
-Blue

PS- I don't know if anyone but gsk8 has been here long enough to remember, but right around the time Sarah won her OGM, "the poster who shall not be named..." (aka w*fice) threw a fit about why Sarah should not have won...lots of fighting. If people thought Sasha colliding into Michelle was tense, the board during those days wasn't much fun...

Speaking of collision:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaxsPeepi3w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy7JgX5C1I0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5Q4IOj2OzQ

 

[R.D.]

I came to GS in late spring 2002 and became a member late summer 2002 (so therefore that incident happened before I came here). I think there was another poster who just basically declared war on one skater (forgot who by now).

Actually, believe it or not, I think this is the most peaceful this board has been in 4+ years, ever since I came here. There have always been fights and heated debates started by various posters every FS season (to the point where threads had to be closed). This is the first season so far IIRC without a major fight (and w/o MK/SC )

I also notice a lot of long-time members (like Rgirl, RealtorGal) have been away for a while. I can't believe I've been here long enough to remember those names.

By the way, what was your post name before? (Still can't believe you chose "blue dog", though. )

 

[blue dog]

By the way, what was your post name before? (Still can't believe you chose "blue dog", though. )

My old name is my own =P I will say this though--I never declared jihad on another poster, and I chose blue dog because of my roommate's obsession with blues clues (he threatened to paint my beagles, Sophia and Junior blue...EEEK!)