Sasha's comments about competition

[kyla2]

Oh Please

No one, who has a brain, has any right to comment on Sasha's training. She has spent the last year training extensively. Her issues aren't training but technique and nerves. She trained right up to the Olympics and it didn't make any difference. I feel very sorry for her. She is a brilliant skater, who can't skate clean programs. I can only imagine how heartbreaking this must be for her. Imagine if this were you DancinDiva, how you would feel.

 

[Rgirl]

The competition is barely over and the Sasha bashing has already started.

Totally.

How odd that the USOC would select a diva, party girl who has no respect for Michelle to be one of the five recipients of the "Good Conduct" award in Torino. Selena Roberts of the New York Times wrote of Sasha’s Olympic Spirit award: “Some like Cohen get it (i.e. the Olympic Spirit). True, she won silver, but she would not blame injury and would not not indulge in self-pity. No public tantrum or tears.
“Amid the disappointment of Thursday, Cohen stayed true to a high level of grace and refreshing perspective.” http://www.sashacohen.com/torino06/news.shtml

And how even odder that such a self-absorbed, "me me me" diva would support the program "Soldiers' Angels," a charity in which individuals sponsor a soldier in Iraq with funds for the soldier and his/her family. An excerpt from one of the e-mails Cohen has received by soldiers in Iraq reads as follows:
"Your commitment to our men and women in uniform by simply sponsoring a soldier in Iraq is admirable and certainly a gesture of support that does not go unnoticed by that soldier and his family.
"You are truly a role model that I sincerely hope others follow! I wish more athletes had the respect that you so willingly show to our nation.
"I have two young boys of my own, David (8) and Christopher (4). I can only hope that they latch on to a dream that they want to fulfill and find a role model, like you, to inspire them to pursue that dream. Thank you for your support. Best of luck in your future endeavors."
Robert K. Bryan
Major, Field Artillery
Assistant Military Support Officer http://www.sashacohen.com/military.shtml

BTW, in the fluffy ABC did on Sasha last fall, she did say that she used to wish Michelle would move on or retire--now THAT'S Diva behavior, being honest about something negative or embarrassing about yourself -- but that she soon realize she was looking outside herself for a solution for her problems rather than inside herself, which she realized was the source as time went on (read: matured--or at least I read it that way). So this whole thing about "For years Sasha has been saying she wants Michelle to retire so she can win, yadda yadda" is just a grade school technique to get people who already agree with you worked up about something untrue. Take an honest and forthright person such as Cohen and use part of what she said, out of context, to make her look like something she isn't. Those of you who started or bought into this, go stand in the corner.

Oh! No, wait! I'M the bad person here! This is "how things are on GS" and if I don't like it, the rule is "go elsewhere."

I beg your pardon, Sasha Bashers. GS is a Kwan Centric General Forum, so all deference goes to you.

Ogre Mage and Dee, you had it right. One or two sentences and lights out. Yep, I'm the dim one, yuk, yuk.

Good night and good luck.

Rgirl

P.S. I'm thrilled for Kimmie and Fumie. I feel bad for Sasha. Things will be tough for her for a long time before she gains strength from these OWG and Worlds. I think one of Oscar Wilde's observations is apropos for Sasha--and Michelle, too, actually--at least given their present circumstances. Said Wilde: "There are two tragedies in life. One is to lose your heart's desire. The other is to gain it."

 

[Mafke]

I haven't ever even been a Cohen fan especially and rather disliked some of her earlier antics, but I'm really surprised by the level of hostility being displayed here. She's grown up a lot and people here are reacting like they did back in her days...

I think it was just plain exhaustion, this is the end of a very tiring and emotional season (I thought she looked burned out and exhausted in the SP already). And no skater can guarantee the performance they want on any given day and anyone who says they can is deluded.

And let's stop with the funeral already. This was a very disappointing loss for her (I'm assuming) but let's stop with the "She should quit already!" talk. I seem to recall similar talk about a former world champion last year in Moscow who (people said) should just hang it up because there was no way she could win another title.

If Cohen wants to stop competing then fine, if she wants to continue I wouldn't be surprised if her best skating is still to come.

 

[Rgirl]

Kyla & Mafke,
ITA. Loved what both of you said. To paraphrase Kyla and a very old saying: To all those who can't wait to SashaBash, "Skate a year in her boots."
Rgirl

 

[MKFSfan]

I do feel for Sasha for not living up to her own dreams and expectations. I feel for her true fans who had gone through the ups and downs with her. BUT to say poor Sasha, emotionally and physically drained is a stretch. Every skater went through the Olympic season, not just Sasha. Yes, there was more pressure on her as a favorite, but tell me Fumie wasn't feeling it either-she had a bad injury to overcome and still went to her GP events were she did lousy. She had to contend with a new flash in the pan, Japan's latest flavor of the year, Mao. Her countrywoman won Olympics and did not go to Worlds. Kimmie had that ruptured eardrum and all sorts of illnesses. Etc. Etc. Everyone has their own personal sob story.

Sasha chose to attend Hollywood parties/events, noone made her. This was her "break", time off following the Olympics. Actually, I think her season was shorter than the top contenders' seasons were in 2002's season, or so it seems. Sasha only did the one GP event, no GPF for her, no Goodwill Games, etc.

That being said, I hope Sasha enjoys COI, takes a long, relaxing vacation and follows her heart in deciding what she wants to do next.

 

[Tonichelle]

No excuses now. When you show up for a competition you know what you must do. I don't want to hear about john nicks saying she was drained.

what really gets me are the people who cannot (or will not) forgive a teenager from saying something that wasn't PC against *gasp* the most popular skater in North America.

Sasha went to worlds after the olys, this board has been on all of the skaters cases from the last olys that didn't go for one reason or another if they were medalists in SLC... so at least give her that much credit...


and a world champion title doesn't make a skater great in people's eyes, lets try to remember there are still fans around here.

 

[graceness]

Nobody is telling to try to feel sad for her but atleast respect her well enough as an athlete, not to imply that she didn't work hard enough. Its easy for us to bash these girls if they don't do well cause we are not the one competing but in reality the sport is mentally and physically hard for them!

Well . . . then why the surprising lack of seizing the optimal opportuntities to practice AT the important events? In Turin, Sasha seemed so confident, so thrilled about her short program win, that she thot she could blow off practice, and did so, against her coach's advice. In Calgary, her practices, reportedly, focused on spins and spirals, which are her strengths, but omitted work on her jumps. Why? Is that considered working 'hard enough?' Does that make sense just before two major competititons?

Wagner and Tarasova both made comments about her work ethic. It seemed as though she really stepped it back up, especially this last year, only to have the above anomalies occur.

If you're an elite skater and have wanted the elusive titles and have acknowledged that you LOVE the attention, then why not be as ready as possible at the world championships? Or maybe you would seize the Hollywood moment and as she said at the Oscars, paraphrasing, "I love the dresses. I love the jewelry. I love the attention!!" I'm glad she had fun at all the parties and media appearances. Did it make it that much harder to then return to practice? Dunno.

Gosh, if she cannot pull it together at Calgary where she was finally free of Michelle, Irina and Shizuka, then when will she be able to do so? I think this is the end of her competitive career.

Some folks have posted about the media bashing her. Please. The media is reporting a somewhat fascinating human interest story: Beautiful skater who is exquisite to watch, who has been in the shadow of others, who seems to often blow the big opportunities, now has a chance to shine and doesn't. The media is not creating this story - they're reporting on what has happened, and in most every instance they DO acknowledge the beauty of her skating.

And sure, Sasha is now saying that medals are just things on strings.

Yup.

But the titles are something else.

Graceness

 

[Tonichelle]

Sasha had a groin injury and was tired after the short program... she and her coach thought it best that she rest instead of go to the insane early morning practices. I don't see over confidence in that at all...

Wagner and Tarasova both made comments about her work ethic. It seemed as though she really stepped it back up, especially this last year, only to have the above anomalies occur.

Yeah because Wagner doesn't hold grudges or anything. She's also the coach who finds going to Yale and studying to become something after skating is a stupid idea that will ruin a skaters life. I doubt she's gotten over losing Sarah, and to have Sasha say "hey you know what I realize you're not what I need" only worsened her condition.

 

[graceness]

Sasha had a groin injury and was tired after the short program... she and her coach thought it best that she rest instead of go to the insane early morning practices. I don't see over confidence in that at all....

Actually, Tonichelle, Nicks was quoted as saying that he didn't agree with her decision to skip practice, but that she was doing what she thought best, so he'd support that. I mean, what's he gonna do, bodily carry her on the ice? (grin).

Turin aside, tho, Sasha still had very unimpressive practices at Calgary which did NOT focus on her jumps at all. Curious that.

Graceness

 

[Jasper]

Apparently she's not doing too well physically but went to Calgary anyway. My idea of her problem is that she just doesn't practice hard enough.

I hope she takes a long, well-deserved break after COI and thinks about what to do. (PLEASE NO HOLLYWOOD.)

I agree. She went to Calgary tired and unprepared. While other skaters re-focused after the Olympics and put everything into training for Calgary, Sasha spent her time in the media spotlight. That's her choice, but it backfired yesterday.

In this case, the other skaters just wanted it more. Sasha had no fire or passion this week.

 

[Dee4707]

Actually, Tonichelle, Nicks was quoted as saying that he didn't agree with her decision to skip practice, but that she was doing what she thought best, so he'd support that. I mean, what's he gonna do, bodily carry her on the ice? (grin).Graceness

Could you provide the quote in an article?

Dee

 

[graceness]

Could you provide the quote in an article?

Dee

Glad you asked 'cause I always like it when folks can back up what they say! The article that I remembered it in is no longer available (must be the 30 day/free thing), but I did find something else.

HOWEVER, looks as though I may have only got it half-right. My apologies!

"Nicks said Cohen skipped her practices Wednesday because she was tired. She didn't get back to the athletes' village until late Tuesday night, and then had trouble falling asleep. When she finally did, it was a fitful rest.

"I thought she should practice," Nicks said. "Then, when I heard of her rest issues, I thought she shouldn't do it."

http://pakistantimes.net/sports02240602.htm

Graceness

 

[R.D.]

But I think people must understand that the "negativity" towards her is not limited to GS. I've seen it on other boards, even her own fan site. It seems people have really had it with her. Move over; she got out of Kwans shadow only to get into Kimmie's...

But the skaters I REALLY feel for are skaters like Carolina Kostner, who took a REAL dive. Cohen was lucky she got third with the worst FS performance probably of her senior career.

 

[Dee4707]

But I think people must understand that the "negativity" towards her is not limited to GS. I've seen it on other boards, even her own fan site. It seems people have really had it with her. Move over; she got out of Kwans shadow only to get into Kimmie's...

But the skaters I REALLY feel for are skaters like Carolina Kostner, who took a REAL dive. Cohen was lucky she got third with the worst FS performance probably of her senior career.

Red Dog for the most part I don't go to other sites except for skater specified meaning Alexei specific so I wouldn't know what goes on on other boards. It is very hard for me to understand the negativity shown to her. It's not like she fell all over the place. She held onto a couple of the jumps and she didn't do as badly as people are making out. Another thing what's the big deal??? People are reacting like it's the end of the world because Sasha didn't win or do what they thought she should. I don't think being mean to her or any other skater is very mature. She didn't do it---so what!!!

Dee

 

[R.D.]

I agree. After reading comments about the performance I thought she must have totally bombed. Instead, she basically held it together on everything except for the jumps, which were off. But I really think people are tired of her messing up over and over again (and maybe some Kwan fans who hold a grudge against her for comments she said earlier) and therefore this is where the backlash comes from.

I also think that the comments she made BEFORE the competition couldn't have helped matters. She said it was going to be easier...all the articles saying she was ready to go....when in reality she wasn't. I sort of suspected she was tired and thus would struggle throughout the comp. This was after the QR. I knew it wasn't over yet but I figured she wouldn't win. I feel this might lead her to quit skating. She doesn't seem to be into it any more.

I do think lack of preparation played a factor, though. Although the performance wasn't AWFUL, it WAS her worst performance in a long time.

But overall, I agree...I don't really get the backlash...I'd say she needs all the support she can get from her fans.

ETA: It's easy for us to sit here and criticize but I think I honestly believe her when she said she tried her hardest. But to see her face afterward before the ceremony my heart just sank. I don't ever think I've seen her so devastated before. I don't care who you're a fan of, that you don't want to see from anyone. Same for Irina in Torino- I don't like her but strangely enough I felt for her during the medal ceremony when she was crying.

 

[Mafke]

Instead, she basically held it together on everything except for the jumps, which were off. But I really think people are tired of her messing up over and over again (and maybe some Kwan fans who hold a grudge against her for comments she said earlier) and therefore this is where the backlash comes from.

I feel this might lead her to quit skating. She doesn't seem to be into it any more.

But overall, I agree...I don't really get the backlash...I'd say she needs all the support she can get from her fans.

I'm very Kwanocentric (though not the type to write much about it) and disliked Cohen in her L*M*T period, but you know what? She outgrew it and I got over it, I think some people haven't yet.

I hope she doesn't quit, faults and unclean performances and everything, she's one of the few who made a splash at a young age who's hung on and gotten better. Look at Arakawa after last year's worlds when everybody was saying she was washed up and shouldn't continue ...

Skaters need fans most when they do worse than expected. It's easy to support someone when they're on top ....

 

[Ptichka]

Wagner and Tarasova both made comments about her work ethic. It seemed as though she really stepped it back up, especially this last year, only to have the above anomalies occur.

Actually, Tarasova made comments about Sasha not listening to her coaches and doing what she thought was right no matter what. Another criticism TT had of Sasha was having trouble keeping to a routine (e.g. staying up all night to bake Christmas cookies instead of getting a good night sleep). TT never accused Sasha of being lazy or having poor work ethic.

I really second Toni's post. Skaters just can't win with this crowd. If they skip post-Olympic worlds - they're disrespectful to the sport; if the go and are ovbiously too tired - they are too cocky. Oh well...

 

[R.D.]

Bottom line: I think Cohen showed- with her performance- why OGMs and Olympic medalists skip Worlds most of the time. A noticeable exception to this was Irina in 2002, however.

 

[password]

lmao...staying up all night to bake Christmas cookies. I find it kind of amusing if its true. Sasha just seems to have a very short, erratic attention span. Is that really what she said?

 

[Skate Sandee]

Sasha had a classic Nancy Kerrigan circa 1993 moment. Perhaps a bit too complacent that she would win, and never saw the first time teenager at Worlds swooping in for the win - a la Oksana.

I don't think Sasha can make any rationale decision about her future until she takes some time off and just enjoys touring with COI. It'll be interesting to see what a little perspective will do for her.