Sasha to headline Stars on Ice

[rtureck]

I understand the 'billing' of Sasha as an Olympic Silver Medalist but I'm just asking for opinions as to whether she can handle the group numbers. Some people think it is not necessary and that she can do just 2 solos which I can't help but interpret as 2 COI-like numbers, and not in line with any programic concept of SOI.

Joe

I think she has to and therefore she can handle as many group numbers as necessary. Lets face it she needs SOI as much as SOI needs her. She has bills to pay, and her Hollywood career so far is characterized by acting lessons and not so many roles. IIRC, I read somewhere that she is supporting her mommie and sister. Group numbers, and putting the company first, and self behind is what is expected of an SOI skater. Kristi did it, and she is an Olympic gold medalist. It is not unusual to see Kristi skated 2 solos, plus all the group, plus a pair number in one evening.

Life as a SOI headliner is not just glam, but money is good, if it is in her contract, she has to deliver.

 

[Tonichelle]

I'm guessing they had two separate buses for the cast, and while the North Americans *primarily* grouped together on one bus, most of the Russians probably grouped together on another. (not sure though )

they normally have two cast buses... or did at teh height of the show, IIRC interviews/articles/skater autobiographies.

it's not a designated bus, it just works out that way. "The Russians" either had a spot on the bus or a bus of their own (I think it's actually a girls and guys bus situation) just because they're a bit different in teh way they go about things than the N. American skaters... mainly just due to the language issues. IIRC Scott's book correctly one year they had a "Russian Room" in the bus and he and Kurt decorated it with posters of the Russian Tea Room (or something like that) and would ask if he could sit in the room... it's all in fun, and not a sort of alienation. But friendships and cliques form within the bigger SOI family clique.

 

[Zanzibar]

Actually, SOI pretty much did have a designated bus for the Russians, one extra for the crew and managers, and one for the other skaters. They even called it the Russian bus, and it grew from inevitable tensions that arose on the tour - especially after the dual pairs gold medals in 2002. I've traveled on that bus, and saw the interactions, and while everyone got along on the ice - and actually pretty much off the ice too - there was almost no socializing during 2003, 2004, and 2005 among the Russian skaters and some of the North Americans.

However, last season due to budgetary reasons, they got it down to only two busses, and the Russians traveled with the other skaters, although with Elena and Anton gone from the tour, the only Russians were Alexei (full time) and Ilia and Katia (part time). Not to point the finger, lol, but it was Anton that tended to instigate the negativity amongst the skaters and that's not just an observation of mine - that would also be the opinion of the other skaters on the tour. I love Anton's skating, but he has absolutely no love lost for North Americans, period.

 

[heyang]

It's very natural to group together with people you have the most in common with. That's why you see immigrant enclaves all over the World. I don't think it's as cut and dried as actual segregation.

As for Sarah, it did seem as though Todd kinda of grimaced during one of the group #'s after had and someone else set Sarah down after a lift. I remember thinking it was odd.

Tara was just too young to be skatin with much older skaters. Kristi was probably one of the youngest females on the show at the time, but is 11 yrs older than Tara. Whereas, there was only 6 yrs betw Kristi and Kat and 7 yrs betw Ros and Kristi. Also, Kristi joined when she was 19+ yrs. Tara was the youngest skater to join SOI and she was used to COI where there were skaters in her age group.

I think SOI makes a mistake when they emphasize a particular skater as the headliner, especially during their freshman season. When Ilia and Tara joined the show, there was a huge emphasis on them. Only Ilia truly lived up to the hype for the longer term. As professional as the cast is, I would think that there would be at least some inner resentment in being pushed down for a less proven personality. The year Sarah joined the tour, they placed too much emphasis on her during the marketing and it was a let down. I questioned if it was just me because I am such an MK fan, but my college roommate when in her hometown and she actually called me during intermission to tell me that she and her friend really did not enjoy Sarah at all, especially since she did not skate on or near par with her Oly skill level.

 

[Jerseygirl]

I've traveled on that bus, and saw the interactions, and while everyone got along on the ice - and actually pretty much off the ice too - there was almost no socializing during 2003, 2004, and 2005 among the Russian skaters and some of the North Americans.

Yagudin/Ina
Elena/Cousins

There was some socializing:chorus:

Anton might have issues with N.A.. media-just a thought.

 

[Zanzibar]

LOL, Elena-Steven didn't begin until the following season. As to the other I'm sure I don't know what you mean...
But I was referring more to who would go out together for dinner regularly in the evenings, who hung out together on off days, that sort of thing - and it would be the Russians together, and the North Americans in a separate group. You could tell who were buddies and who were not. Since Anton left the tour everyone has seemed closer and friendlier towards each other.

In reference to Anton and the North American media, he does have reason to be frustrated. When a major book came out on the pairs debacle and history of the top 3 teams (Elena/Anton, Jamie/David/, Shen/Zhao(?)) he told me that he was never even contacted by the author of the book - that he and Elena had no input whatsoever into what their own history was, and he felt that pretty much made it a joke and I think he said he didn't even bother to read it. I felt that was harsh since the book seemed to be well received, yet I could completely sympathize with his position of not liking having a book written about him without even being asked to give an interview for it.

In personal dealings I found Anton to be mischevious, and fun, especially when you talk business - restaurant business - which at the time was his major interest.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Zanzibar - Were Jamie and David ever contacted by the author?

I have not read the book nor have I heard of it, but I do know people who write books about their personal views on the topic of the book. (There are lot of POLs these days being written about.) I don't see it as in the framework of libelous. Was it that terrible?

Joe

 

[Sylvia]

I have not read the book nor have I heard of it,

It's called "The Second Mark: Courage, Corruption, and the Battle for Olympic Gold" by Joy Goodwin (figure skating researcher for ABC Sports):
http://www.amazon.com/Second-Mark-Courage-Corruption-Olympic/dp/074324527X

 

[Zanzibar]

Zanzibar - Were Jamie and David ever contacted by the author?

I have not read the book nor have I heard of it, but I do know people who write books about their personal views on the topic of the book.

Joe

Don't know if Jamie and David were asked to be interviewed for the book or not. I never read it, although like I said it seemed to be favorably received by those who did, except of course for Anton, who didn't read it - and was not happy about it. Probably with all of the never-ending controversy surrounding he and Elena's victory at SLC 2002, he would have at least liked the opportunity to present his views or have had the opportunity to decline presenting them.

One of the Amazon.com reviews highly recommended the book, yet had this comment which illustrates Anton's point: "The one person it (the book) is lacking information on is Anton Sikharulidze."

 

[attyfan]

I read in Christine Brennan's book that on COI, the "Russian bus", which began in the '80s, got its name because Tom Collins had hired a Russian-speaking driver -- since many of the Russian skaters didn't speak English -- although it has since become "integrated". Could the SOI "Russian bus" (which seems to pre-date the SLC scandal) have been created for a similar reason?

 

[Mathman]

I think the bottom line about Sasha's value to SOI is simply this. People in the U.S. have heard of her.
If you say, Sasha Cohen, U.S, champion and Olympic medalist!!! arty: -- people who do not necessarily pay much attention to figure skating but are looking for a nice show to take their family to, might notice.

Sadly, if you say, come see Alexei Yagudin, 4 time world champion and Olympic Gold medalist!!! or Olympic Scandal Pairs Champions Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice!!! -- a lot of folks will opt for the demolition derby/tractor pull show instead.

As to the other I'm sure I don't know what you mean...

From all I've heard, AY and KI, together or separately, are two of the more social SOI members.

 

[skamper23]

I think the bottom line about Sasha's value to SOI is simply this. People in the U.S. have heard of her.
If you say, Sasha Cohen, U.S, champion and Olympic medalist!!! arty: -- people who do not necessarily pay much attention to figure skating but are looking for a nice show to take their family to, might notice.

I Agree!!


From all I've heard, AY and KI, together or separately, are two of the more social SOI members.

This is news to me.......can I ask what you've heard? Was this years ago or recent?

 

[Mathman]

^ My lips are sealed, LOL.

No, I was just goofing around. I don't know any juicy gossip (alas!).

 

[76olympics]

There have always been stories about KI and AY separately, but haven't heard the combo story!! ( I meant internet stories! I do not qualify as any sort of insider. I can't even get tickets to an ice show without subsequent cancellation! Sob! )

 

[Zanzibar]

Ooh, if we get into skater's social lifes, this is going to be a loooong thread.

 

[NansXOXOX]

I don't mean to hi-jack this thread further, but since we have already headed in this direction, those of you who have not read "The Second Mark" might want to give it a whirl. There is some great history of the sport of figure skating in it, it's superbly written and the insight into the six people who stood atop the podium in Salt Lake City in 2002 is fascinating.

If Anton had read the first four pages, or had them translated for him, I think his view of this book might have been different. If I may quote a brief passage from that page, that author is referencing the warm-up at the 2002 Olympics just prior to the long program for the pairs:

"The simplest movement of skating can be the most difficult to perfect, and few ever achieve absolute mastery over the pure glide. Berezhnaya and Sikharulidze are better at basic stroking than anyone in the world and as good as anyone ever. Their techinique is so singularly exquisite that a few of the former champions up in the stands tonight are looking forward to the first minute of Berezhnaya and Sikharulidze's warm-up more than any other part of the competition. These same past champions will tell you that while they achieved great things in their careers, their one lingering regret is that they could never move over the ice in the way that Berezhnaya and Sikharulidze are moving now."

The book was well received because it was well written, informative and interesting. I would recomend it to any serious figure skating fan.

 

[IDLERACER]

My question, again, is Will Sasha be able to conform with group choreography?

While I've never seen her in a synchronized skating situation, I do recall her once doing a brief pairs routine with Michael Weiss at an after-program exhibition. They performed a great death spiral, which is obviously something that single skaters would've had no previous experience with.​

 

[skamper23]

^ My lips are sealed, LOL.

No, I was just goofing around. I don't know any juicy gossip (alas!).

Too bad..I was hoping for some confirmation to the rumor that AY and KI hooked up on tour a few years ago! I think most skaters keep a pretty low profile when it come to their private lives. It's not like the media is chasing them down. I think most can live a regular life and not be bothered as they go about their day. It's just us Nosy fans that want to know more about them!

 

[Dee4707]

From all I've heard, AY and KI, together or
separately, are two of the more social SOI members.

Actually that is very, very old news!!

This is what I heard from a Canadian fan, and quite reputable, that it was Jamie S. that made comments (not very nice ones) to Sarah.

Here is a pic of Sarah in her (as I hear on this board...her fat days). I think she looks terrific.

Dee

 

[R.D.]

wow, nice pic