ahhhhh this brings up a very basic point!
bronxgirl said:
I would enjoy watching Sasha skate more if there wasn't the constant concern that any move on the ice can and has put her on her tush.
Bronxgirl and everyone! We need to remember that figure skating is a very difficult sport, and any of the moves, from the most simple stroking to just remaining balanced over two pieces of 1/4 thick steel blades standing still can put the most experienced of skaters on their respective "tushes".
That's the excitiement of skating in general, and it is also the difficulty of skating to make everything seem effortless and natural, which it isn't at its very core and being and definition.
I understand that any skater can lose their balance and fall at any time doing any skating, gliding element, turn, footwork, jump or spin. In this regard it is very much like the balance beam and pommel horse in gymnastics where balance is absolutely vital, and these events are riskier due to the higher risk of losing your balance only a little, creating a fall or a "disasterous" skate.
Therefore, it is exciting just to have the skaters cruising around stroking, or doing beautiful moves and turns with strong edges, speed and flow. They can fall for any number of small disruptions in balance---a rut in the ice, a small break in the tension of an arm or leg or the waist, incorrect breathing mechanics during elements can throw your balance off---losing your concentration for a split second by looking into the audience, a noise, a flashing camera, a coach's disapproving or approving look---anything at all can lead to a balance break and problems.
At the level of which many of us are fans exclusively (myself not included as I am a fan and student of figure skating of all levels)---the elite/Olympic/World Class level of skating---this already above average talent and expertise in skating has been developed and in many ways, taken for granted by a great deal of the public.
We all have done it! We have seen many programs performed with seven triples, a quad maybe, well done spins and footwork with no errors and been bored. If we are to be brutally honest about it, isn't it the nature of being a fan of World Class athletes of all types and sports to expect and take for granted a certain level of mastery and excellence of their sport? I don't pay $50.00 to go to a basketball or football game and see awful games, poorly played. As a fan, I would like to see quality sport and be entertained.
But, as a student of that very sport, in this case skating, I tend to be very forgiving and lenient towards the skaters (to a point, some failures are frustrating to see when you wish the skater(s) to do well). Without the experience of trying the sport you are watching and studying it, can our appreciation and judgements truly give the skaters their just due?
I believe fans lose sight of this basic fact about skating, that it is difficult. We all tend to be overly critical of the skaters. Even uber cyber fans overly criticize their favorites in the overall scheme and perspective of things.
So, the next time we want to discuss a certain performance, etc. by any skater in any event at any level at all being "terrible", or "a disaster" or something else equally as harsh as a comment for a program with a few balance breaks and corrections, remember this basic fact:
It's Figure Skating........
IT'S HARD!
Fumie has done nothing wrong and did not deserve to have her bronze medal 03 minimized by the 4th place 2003 world finisher publically in her official website, sore about losing the podium spot? Even NBA players know to shut up post game. I expect the current USA natioinal silver medalist to do better 
