Sasha. Comeback. Believe it.

[Mathman]

No - there really is a special animus and Schadenfreude against Sasha that comes out every time she has a thread like this.

Quite true. For some reason Sasha, pro or con, is an emotional lightning rod.

People like or don't like Caroline Zhang -- nobody gets mad.

People like or don't liike Kimmie -- no one gets mad.

People like or don't like Alissa Czisny -- no one gets mad (at least they don't get mad at Alissa or mad at each other.)

On the other hand, North Americans are pikers at the art of getting riled up over skating and skaters. Check out the Japanese and Korean boards. :yes:

 

[kyla2]

Sasha

I wish Sasha the best. She was a beautiful skater and she was missed. I think she will have a tough time though. She was never the most secure jumper out there and being out of competitive skating for this long won't help. She will have to knuckle down in a serious way if she is to have any chance. But having said that, many of the U.S. skaters have issues with their jumps too so maybe it's a wash. But I will be rooting for her. She had a quality that was unique and special.

 

[Tonichelle]

an announcement is far from a comeback.... she's never LEFT skating... and she hasn't RETURNED to competitive skating. Until she takes the ice and gets judged for what she puts out there it's still the same ol same ol...

and that's not my being slanderous. I enjoy Sasha's skating, but this supposed comeback is one of many we'll hear about... MK came back for the last Olympics, too, after all.

 

[Dee4707]

She's not in the stratospheric position Kwan was in in '05/'06, she has to prove herself like anyone else would. Sasha knows this, I know this.

The only people that don't know this are people that like to invent fantasy scenarios, so they get an opportunity to blame Sasha for something that will never, ever happen.

Particle Man, I like the way you think...the above bolded was very well stated. Then to add a little more is that some talk as if we are all waiting to hear what they have to say...and when they do say something it's the same thing year in and year out. You would think for the last few years that they would get the hint.

 

[R.D.]

Quite true. For some reason Sasha, pro or con, is an emotional lightning rod.

1) Her past rivalry with MK and 2) some people didn't like her early antics.

It is quite remarkable how she divides this forum. She draws strong feelings both ways.

But MM, you claim no one gets mad re. Caroline Zhang. I remember there was a small squabble previously about "getting" or "not getting" Caroline. I don't think ANY of today's US skaters draw strong feelings anywhere on the level of Cohen- look at Meissner- most people seem to support her, I don't know of anyone who dislikes her (at least on here). And as for Czisny- I dunno, I think ever since she won the US title she has attracted some attention. Remember the 10-page thread about her not deserving to win? (or was that elsewhere?)

It's nothing compared to Cohen though and I just dread what's gonna happen on GS next season should she make it through to the first competition.

(sorta kidding here)
I was hoping she'd retire so that we could keep the peace

 

[Particle Man]

It is quite remarkable how she divides this forum.

Sasha's not here. She's not dividing the forum. Again you blame Sasha for something which she had no hand in -- in fact it's the haters like you that are dividing the forum. Irony!

 

[R.D.]

Sasha's not here. She's not dividing the forum. Again you blame Sasha for something which she had no hand in -- in fact it's the haters like you that are dividing the forum. Irony!

I'm through "debating" with you- I'm sick and tired of all this.

But let me just leave with this one quote...


It takes two to tango.

 

[Dee4707]

Sasha's not here. She's not dividing the forum. Again you blame Sasha for something which she had no hand in

As I said before Particle man, it's the same thing over and over, year in and year out. It just gets tiring.

 

[shine]

IIt wasn't pie-eyed fanboyism, it was just a basic understanding of Sasha, and I was proven right.

Are you Sasha's friend or relative? Or you simply read minds? :scratch:

 

[Particle Man]

Are you Sasha's friend or relative? Or you simply read minds? :scratch:

Since you asked -- I'm intelligent, but I also have an inherent ability to recognize patterns and estimate things which aren't always readily quantifiable. Also, as a fan of Sasha I've taken the time to think about her career, her various statements and actions and choices; I've read her book, kept up with what she's been up to and things she has said in interviews, and all of that painted a pretty clear picture. In addition, Sasha and I are somewhat similar in some aspects of personality, so in that way I CAN be inside her head, just a little bit. That sounds like crazy stalker material, but it's just the truth. Like Sasha I'm also a perfectionist, headstrong, introverted, rely more on natural ability than hard work, and have a tendency to psych myself out in competition and then kick myself over it, just to name a few.

Anyway, the bottom line has always been that Sasha wasn't finished. There were a couple times when I started to doubt it a little, based on one new piece of information or another, but upon subsequent reflection and looking again at the sum total of evidence, I wasn't concerned. She said it was one of her life goals to go to Worlds '09 and Olys '10. However, she ended up not going to LA Worlds or participating in the '08/09 season, and that continues to bug me, as I know it is really a big mistake for her. But if you look at her statements, it seems she has basically lost interest in anything but the Olympics itself, not even mentioning pursuit of the World gold that she is missing. That means that you could lay really good money that 2010 is truly the last we'll be seeing of Sasha in competition, unfortunately.

How she does in her final season, how her body holds up etc, no one really knows that. But I know something of what's in her head and heart, and that is to push for this last-minute, last-chance run at one more Olympics, just so she can be at peace with herself and will be able to look back and know that she at least tried. It's definitely not what I would have chosen for her, since missing the '08/'09 season could end up really haunting her, but I am quite hopeful that she will at least do a lot better than the haters claim.

If I could make one wish for the '09/'10 season, it would just be for Sasha to not find herself with a Nationals bronze, and missing out on her last Olympics because of a missing spot. (Though in a way I guess you could say it will have been the spot SHE didn't earn for herself, since she was too busy messing around with SoI before her time...)

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Umm... what? Anyway, there's no way Sasha is getting a free pass to the Olympics. I've already explained this repeatedly. There is no comparison with the Michelle Kwan situation in '06. Michelle was the 9-time national champion up to and including the season prior to the '06 Olympic season. Sasha has missed 3 seasons. She's not in the stratospheric position Kwan was in in '05/'06, she has to prove herself like anyone else would. Sasha knows this, I know this. The only people that don't know this are people that like to invent fantasy scenarios, so they get an opportunity to blame Sasha for something that will never, ever happen.

I believe you are correct, and I hope she will have to earn her way to the Olys.

I was thinking that when Kwan skated against Sasha, many of the Sasha fans thought the ISU told their judges before Nationals to ensure Kwan is given gold.

I doubt that then and I doubt it now. I was just being fascetious and hopefully amusing. Guess not.

 

[demarinis5]

Since you asked -- I'm intelligent, but I also have an inherent ability to recognize patterns and estimate things which aren't always readily quantifiable. Also, as a fan of Sasha I've taken the time to think about her career, her various statements and actions and choices; I've read her book, kept up with what she's been up to and things she has said in interviews, and all of that painted a pretty clear picture. In addition, Sasha and I are somewhat similar in some aspects of personality, so in that way I CAN be inside her head, just a little bit. That sounds like crazy stalker material, but it's just the truth. Like Sasha I'm also a perfectionist, headstrong, introverted, rely more on natural ability than hard work, and have a tendency to psych myself out in competition and then kick myself over it, just to name a few.

Anyway, the bottom line has always been that Sasha wasn't finished. There were a couple times when I started to doubt it a little, based on one new piece of information or another, but upon subsequent reflection and looking again at the sum total of evidence, I wasn't concerned. She said it was one of her life goals to go to Worlds '09 and Olys '10. However, she ended up not going to LA Worlds or participating in the '08/09 season, and that continues to bug me, as I know it is really a big mistake for her. But if you look at her statements, it seems she has basically lost interest in anything but the Olympics itself, not even mentioning pursuit of the World gold that she is missing. That means that you could lay really good money that 2010 is truly the last we'll be seeing of Sasha in competition, unfortunately.

How she does in her final season, how her body holds up etc, no one really knows that. But I know something of what's in her head and heart, and that is to push for this last-minute, last-chance run at one more Olympics, just so she can be at peace with herself and will be able to look back and know that she at least tried. It's definitely not what I would have chosen for her, since missing the '08/'09 season could end up really haunting her, but I am quite hopeful that she will at least do a lot better than the haters claim.

If I could make one wish for the '09/'10 season, it would just be for Sasha to not find herself with a Nationals bronze, and missing out on her last Olympics because of a missing spot. (Though in a way I guess you could say it will have been the spot SHE didn't earn for herself, since she was too busy messing around with SoI before her time...)

Anyone that criticizes Sasha's skating or career is a hater, come on now. You seem to spewing a lot of venom yourself.
This thread is very supportive of Sasha I don't see any bashing
going on.

 

[goldenpleasures]

Since you asked -- I'm intelligent, but I also have an inherent ability to recognize patterns and estimate things which aren't always readily quantifiable. Also, as a fan of Sasha I've taken the time to think about her career, her various statements and actions and choices; I've read her book, kept up with what she's been up to and things she has said in interviews, and all of that painted a pretty clear picture. In addition, Sasha and I are somewhat similar in some aspects of personality, so in that way I CAN be inside her head, just a little bit. That sounds like crazy stalker material, but it's just the truth. Like Sasha I'm also a perfectionist, headstrong, introverted, rely more on natural ability than hard work, and have a tendency to psych myself out in competition and then kick myself over it, just to name a few.

You sound rather self-obsessed as well.

 

[evangeline]

Sasha's not here. She's not dividing the forum. Again you blame Sasha for something which she had no hand in -- in fact it's the haters like you that are dividing the forum. Irony!

Um, I don't think anyone meant that Sasha herself literally divides the forum...

Anyways, best of luck to Sasha and I hope to see her back.

 

[demarinis5]

It is official. There is an article up on USFS. I don't know how to link, sorry.
Welcome back Sasha!!!!

 

[viv]

Yeah, that totally rocked! I think the episode was called "Silent Night" and it was on around Christmas time of 2006. ...

Maths, thanks for the information. Sashas comeback surely will spice up the ladies event next season. I wish her the best!

She also had a supporting role in a movie about a girl and her horse (Sasha was the bad rich girl that picked on the heroine. )

 

[Mathman]

It is official. There is an article up on USFS. I don't know how to link, sorry.

Welcome back Sasha!!!!

“U.S. Figure Skating is pleased to welcome Sasha back to the world of competitive figure skating”, said David Raith, executive director of U.S. Figure Skating. “This is a great addition to what is already a very deep field of talent for the U.S. ladies.”

http://www.usfigureskating.org/Story.asp?id=43013

(To post a link, just go to the site, copy the url from your address bar, then paste it into the Golden Skate dialogue box. The vbulletinboard software will do the rest. )

 

[tarotx]

Injuries-umm that could even happen to Caroline and YuNa.

Sasha was a different skater at the begining of this season (in a good way) and I can't wait to see what happens this season when she has to have the current version of COP programs and as many true triples as she can master to even have a chance. Sasha likes having that goal. I think her competitive skating has always had this tension in it that made her skating truly spectactuar. At the begining of the season (the end of november and in January and in Febuary) Moonlight had that back. Also in October Sasha's performance of Hurt at the Golden skate awards was on of her best expos in years. That's the Sasha I want to see the most so I'm looking forward to her training full time again rather she makes the Olympics or not.

Also there is a difference between sceptics and those who want to see failure in the US skaters who are popular on any given board just to be contrary.

 

[Dee4707]

Um, I don't think anyone meant that Sasha herself literally divides the forum...

Anyways, best of luck to Sasha and I hope to see her back.

Particle Man didn't say Sasha was dividing the forum.

I think most of us do wish her the best...this is what she wants to do so good for her.

 

[Nadine]

Thanks for posting about the official annoucement over at www.usfsa.org!

I was just over there the other day looking around, lol, just surfing the 'net in preparation for the Olympic season, even stopping by over at www.sashafans.com to see what they had to say, as it looks like the closest thing she has to an official forum. I just might sign up & post my support for her over there because if she does read anything on the 'net the logical choice would be a place where she has overwhelming support, love, encouragement, and positivity.

However, my gut feeling is that skaters' have a friend, et al, read general skating message boards for them to get an overall impression how the skating public feels, as one would have to have the skin of a rhinoceros (aka Elvis Stojko) or retired to read some of the things that are said.

On that note, I hope Sasha & the other skaters don't overtrain, no matter what age. Accidents happen (e.g. Tara Lipinski's hip, Tessa Virtue's knee, Elvis Stojko's groin, Isabelle Delobel's shoulder, Kim Yuna's back, Miki Ando's shoulder, and on & on & on). I'm just surprised there aren't more skaters with injuries, especially Mao Asada, as she's known to skate literally all the time (only time she's not skating is when she's sleeping; she's the one I worry about the most, as she's just too special/spectacular for anything to happen to her before the Olympics). My thoughts & prayers go out to ALL the skaters for a healthy & happy memorable Olympic season. Good karma does come 'round.:agree:

Having viewed several of Sasha's past performances since she made her announcement, I have to say that the following is my all-time favorite program ~ music, costume, stage, lighting, skaters', expression, et al ~ magical:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbuIW9O3A-I