Re: Sasha's Programs
Realistic,
<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>I know I haven't been posting here for long, but why does it seem that posters "gang" up on another poster? Seems kind of one-sided. It's like a game, pointing out the flaws of one specific poster while hiding the flaws of the "gang." That's just as bad as "bashing" or "dissing" our skaters.[/quote]
I admit I jumped on what probably seems on the surface like a "ganging up." I don't like dealing with things this way, in fact I tried to avoid it and I've openly kvetched about "dogpiles" in the past. But sometimes things don't work out according to the GS and one's personal guidelines, no matter how hard one tries. I know that both Cynic and I tried a number of other ways of working things out to no avail. And I don't know that I would consider two people (myself and Cynic) as a "gang." Windspirit, IMO, only posted that he too thought Eltamina had gone overboard with the Sasha digs. With 21 negative posts by Eltamina about Sasha between 3/13 adn 3/19/03, I think that assertion is warranted.
As for us not pointing out our flaws, I think Cynic's and my flaws are on ample view in these and other posts around the forum for anyone who wants to point them out--which some have in the past. Whatever flaws in me that made it impossible for me to get through to Eltamina, I will certainly take responsibility for them. I can't speak for Cynic, but I'm sure she will too as I have seen her admit and correct her mistakes in the past openly and without sarcasm.
I am, however, quite ambivalent about posting this since I don't like that things had to happen this way and I don't want to perpetuate the situation with more posts. OTOH, I did want to respond to your statement/question, "I know I haven't been posting here long, but why does it seem that posters 'gang' up on another poster?" I think perhaps it's because you haven't been posting here long. In the past few months, GS's membership has increased from 500 to over 1100, plus there was another increase in the summer after FSW folded. With that many new people, there's bound to be friction. Also, external factors such as strongly divided opinions about the war and certain skaters have, I think, also contributed to an uncharacterisically testy atmosphere here.
Also, I wanted to post that it goes without saying that people who don't agree with what Cynic and I posted are of course entitled to voice their opinions. In fact I'm glad you did because I think it's best when a variety of opinions are expressed. As for your feeling that there are frequent group bashings of individual posters on GS, with that I mus disagree. Having been around for years, I don't think I've ever seen a true group bashing. I've seen situations where someone says something negative about a poster or a skater and then others post in agreement to the point where the total effect, IMO, is a bash, but that's a situation where no one individual actually bashes anyone. Those are tricky. Also, I don't think Eltamina was bashed in this situation. I think she was bluntly told that certain posting behavior was inappropriate and to please tone it down. We also called Eltamina on her denials and I know I could have worded things better than I did. However, I did intend to state in no uncertain terms that I was sick and tired of the inferences, whether they were outright character attacks on Sasha or not. Sometimes a cudgel is necessary. Finally, I think your assertion that Cynic told Eltamina "to go to MKF and slam another skater" is incorrect.
However, I do appreciate you stating your opinions on this situation. Although I don't think the "I almost agreed with Mathman for a minute" was necessary, I see now that you meant it to be funny. Perhaps you can see from this example how easy it is for one person's idea of humor to come across to others as dissing. But then I think we all say things when our "goat" is up (mine looks more like a turtle's head
) that we would probably not say when our goat is down
As for your comments about Sasha (since this thread is entitled "Sasha Cohen's Programs"
), I agree that her performance at GPF was more methodical and less interesting than her best performances in the GP series, such as Lalique; however, the jumps were always front-loaded.
At Campbell's, Sasha's jumps were: 2Ax, 3Lz (supposed to be 3Lz/2t but she didn't do the 2t), 3f, 3t/.5/3sal, 3lp, Ina Bauer into 3Lz (fall), with her last jump attempt at about 2:40. Six planned, five completed triples and one 2Axel.
At GPF, Sasha's jumps were: 3Lz/2t (supposed to be 3t), 3Lz, 3f, 3lp(pop), 3t, 3sal, IB into 2Ax, 3sal/2t, with the last combo coming at about 3:13. Don't know if she would have put in the 3sal/2t if she had made the 3Lz/3t and/or the 3lp, but in any case she completed six triples, two in combination, and one 2Axel. I too would like for her to have a triple at least right before the final spin combo and although I liked the 3t/.5/3sal sequence, it doesn't get as much technical merit as the 3Lz/3t combo--IF she completes it. So they're taking a calculated risk. But given Sasha's problems with jump technique, stamina, and focus, I think it was wise of Tarasova to construct the program this way. I think it has the maximum technical difficulty within Sasha's abilities. It might not be enough for gold at Worlds and as others have said, the "Rach" LP doesn't seem to work on Sasha nearly as well as the "Malaguena" SP, but them's the breaks. I do think her jump technique and stamina have improved (watching Campbell's and GPF back to back, I was surprised at how much stronger her jumps are, even though she did pop the loop) and hopefully next season Cohen and Tarasova will be able to come up with an LP that works as well on Sasha as "Malaguena" (but with more original music
).
Rgirl
so cool am I!!!!
