Two articles about Turino (ones to watch)

[LegalGirl82]

MM and antmanb, glad I could help.

 

[antmanb]

Thanks, LegalGirl. Gosh, a person really has to be an expert to keep up with the ISU web site.

On the other hand, on two different occasions I emailed them from the site to ask a question, and both times they shot an answer right back. So I do think that the ISU is trying to do its public relations bit.

Ant, oh, I totally disagree about Fumie I think she is the strongest of the three probable Japanese entrants (Fumie, Shizuka and Miki). I think she has the best basic skating skills and a unique balance of finesse and power. To me, she could easily land on the podium.

Could Kimmie really be a factor? She was third in the U.S. last year at 15 -- why wouldn't she be looking to move up a notch or two? What if she went into the Olympics as the American champion? Now that I have the scale of values back inb hand, LOL (thanks again, LegalGirl), I see that her first two combinations -- 3A/3T and 3L/3T/3L -- will net her 26.5 points right there!

Mathman

I thought the practice reports of Kimmie said that the lutz combo was going to be a 3/3/2?

About Fumie - she's one of those skaters that i never really cared for although i did LOVE her LP from last season - the costume was fantastic and the choreography was to do for. I loe her soft knees when she lands her jumps but that i don't think she has the jumping ability to do it. She was never very good at laying down a seven triple program when a lot of skaters where putting down LPs with at 7 planned triples and she really seems to stuggle with them now.

I'll wait and see how she's skating at the start of the GP. I agree that by the end of last season she'd really pulled it together but if all three of Japanese ladies skate to their full potential, Fumie just doesn't have the jumps to overtake the other two.

Ant

 

[Zanzibar]

Lots of good points, Joe, on the lady skaters for the upcoming season and what the particular issues surrounding each will likely be! Thanks!

I think from the international press it's going to be ANDO
that's going to get a lot of hype - she's already a big star that seems to have transcended out of just the figure skating world and into mainstream Japanese pop culture. Guess it's all about 'peaking.' What a shame it appears that Shen and Zhao peaked before they had a chance (with his injury) to win an OGM.

Now on this I have a slight issue, LOL:

Quote from Joe:

"It's a slow day at the Arizona Republic. The Chief Editor of the Sports Section tells one of his fledging reporters to rehash the US figure skating stories.
I've read all that before. Nothing new.

I don't know what the first link was (a publication, I presume) with absolutely nothing new to say that we didn't already know.

Every fan has their opinions of the figure skaters. Those reporters are not skating savvy." (end quote)

As regards to skating articles, LOL - my biased opinion is that skating fans should try and grit their teeth and be happy when there is any publicity given to skating. Most of the US male sports editors truly couldn't give a rat's *** about figure skating and there is a tendency to jump on stories (and I haven't read the one mentioned yet) and point out little innacuracies, etc. when what is overlooked is the main point that THANK GOD a few 'mainstream' (not skating publications) writers are at least bothering to cover the sport.

Or...people jump on 'controversies' that are drummed up by the writer, when in fact - quite often if you can't provide a 'conflict' to the editor...there simply will be no story assignment. I say rather than point out what's wrong with the coverage, fans should immediately write or email any newspaper or magazine that gives any press to figure skating as that is much more likely to help get that coverage repeated.

 

[brad640]

As regards to skating articles, LOL - my biased opinion is that skating fans should try and grit their teeth and be happy when there is any publicity given to skating.

:lol: I always get excited when some mainstream sports writer is assigned a skating story because it means a big skating event is coming up. It is always interesting to see how outsiders view the skating world. I can't wait for Brennan's columns to start running in USA Today.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Hi Zanzibar - My problem with the media's play on the Olys is that there are no real sports writers involved in figure skating. There are excepions with Brennan and a few others whose latest scoop reaches us via a GS member's post. Those reporters usually have something to say that we don't know. Come to think of it, there hasn't been any news from the more informed.

However, I do agree with you in that it is something for the general public to absorb and maybe up the popularity of the sport.

Thanks for my take on the Ladies for 2006. There are many really good skaters in the mix and I thought if I were anyone of them.... what would be my pressure as I take to the ice?

From my lesser listing, you selected Miki and I would not argue that. She's a very talented skater. the others I mentioned have less pressure (a la Sarah after the SP) so they are in waiting for the others to let the pressure get to them.

I just can not think of the podium no less the winner at this point in time. While Irina seems to be leading, I think she can be taken over. But much depends on what I see in the GPs.

Joe

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

For the changes implemented in May of this year, go to ISU Communications (again, left side of screen, on the home-page menu). The Communications are listed chronologically, with the most recent being at the top of the page. Scroll down to ISU Communication #1319 for Single & Pair Rule Changes, and ISU Communication #1318 for Ice Dance Rule Changes.

In Singles and Pairs, the changes to Values start on Page 8 of Comm. 1319 and the Levels start on Page 14. There are new Values charts for Spins, Steps and Spirals in Singles, and for Side by Side Spins, Steps & Spirals, Lifts, Twist Lifts, Death Spirals and Pair Spins in Pairs.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the directions. I'll check all this out on a weekend.

But when there is a change in List of Values, who intitates this and who is called in to approve it?

Joe

 

[SkateFan4Life]

Sorry about the first link; for some reason I did not have to register to read it. I didn't see that Johnny was mentioned in this article, too, until I went back and reread it. This is what was listed about the skaters:

Quotes
Michelle Kwan, figure skating: Has won every major figure skating title but one -- an Olympic gold. She'll try to complete her Olympic collection -- silver in '98, bronze in '02 -- with that elusive medal.

Kimmie Meissner, figure skating: Remember Tara Lipinski and Sarah Hughes? Meissner, with her triple Axel, could be the next teammate to keep Michelle Kwan from the gold.

Johnny Weir, figure skating: The men's team should be strong with Weir leading the way, if he can stay healthy. Weir, skating on an injured foot, was fourth in Worlds as teammate Evan Lysacek took bronze.

IMHO, Kimmie could, indeed, be the person to knock Michelle off the gold medal stand at the Olympics. I really like her choreography, her speed and her competitive spirit. She seems to skate with calm assurance, yet at the same time attacks her jumps. If she wins, it will be yet another young skater winning the gold medal (Lipinski, age 15 at Nagano, and Hughes, age 16 at Salt Lake City). Meissner could be the next 16-year-old Olympic champion.

If Kimmie does win the gold medal, I sincerely hope she won't jump ship and turn pro or leave the sport entirely. I would like to see another skater stay on through the next Olympic cycle and attempt to defend her title - the way Katarina Witt did.

 

[Mathman]

About Fumie - she's one of those skaters that i never really cared for although i did LOVE her LP from last season - the costume was fantastic and the choreography was to die for. I love her soft knees when she lands her jumps but that i don't think she has the jumping ability to do it. She was never very good at laying down a seven triple program when a lot of skaters where putting down LPs with at 7 planned triples and she really seems to stuggle with them now.

To me, Fumie is in the same boat as Michelle (minus the credentials of five world championships). She has yet to prove that she can still bring a triple/triple. But she has everything else, and if the big jumpers leave the door open for a "complete package" skater to win, I think she has a chance for the podium. At worlds her only mistake was doubling her second Lutz, but she still did a five triple program, three in combination.

Like Michelle, Fumie started out under the tutelage of Lori Nicole. As with Michelle, Lori tried, through her choreography, to make her the next Janet Lynn. Fumie can still skate in this lyrical fashion, as witness her "fan" program that she did on the COI tour last year.

But in the last couple of years she has broken out, as Lori has given her bolder musical choices and choreography that is more aggressive technically in addition to allowing her to show more personality.

I liked her LP from last year, too. In fact, the only program that I liked better was her Pink Panther short, LOL.

Pink Panther

She's lovin' it!

Mathman

 

[R.D.]

Regarding Meissner: ironically, the same factor that worked in Lipinski's and Hughes' favor, will work against Meissner assuming she can qualify for the Olympics. People will be expecting (or predicting) that she will win. Can you have any more pressure than that?

 

[soogar]

I hope Meissner doesn't win. That girl has no personality. She's like a little jumping robot. Mao Asada shows more joy on the ice than Kimmie.

 

[slutskayafan21]

The fact that so many Americans honestly think Kimmie Meissner has any chance whatsoever at the gold medal at next years Olympics is hilarious.
It is amazing what the hype machine can do sometimes, I know that since in Canada they try to force certain exagerrated young athletes down our throats to.

 

[curious]

The fact that so many Americans honestly think Kimmie Meissner has any chance whatsoever at the gold medal at next years Olympics is hilarious.
It is amazing what the hype machine can do sometimes, I know that since in Canada they try to force certain exagerrated young athletes down our throats to.

Yes,an unknown besting the best skater in the world Irina and Sasha in Torino totally ridiculous

 

[euterpe]

Every Olympic lady figure skating champion has stood on the (senior) World podium before winning Olympic gold. Kimmie has never even competed at Senior Worlds. I'd say her chance of winning the OGM is non-existent. She isn't even assured of making the Olympic team.

Kimmie has a long way to go before acquiring the polish and presence required of an OGM performance. Her skating after Nationals last year wasn't even consistent, and it seemed as if the hype was getting to her.

 

[Doggygirl]

Every Olympic lady figure skating champion has stood on the (senior) World podium before winning Olympic gold. Kimmie has never even competed at Senior Worlds. I'd say her chance of winning the OGM is non-existent. She isn't even assured of making the Olympic team.

Kimmie has a long way to go before acquiring the polish and presence required of an OGM performance. Her skating after Nationals last year wasn't even consistent, and it seemed as if the hype was getting to her.

ITA with you and the others who think there is no comparison between Kimmie heading into next season, and the past young OGM winners Sarah and Tara. I hate to say it, but the IMO premature media hype is actually turning me OFF to Kimmie. I wish the media would STOP IT since IMO it's way to early to predict her future, or the future of others such as Emily.

Of course the ice is slippery, and I'm sure we are all in for some Oly surprises.

DG

 

[dwiggin3]

The fact that so many Americans honestly think Kimmie Meissner has any chance whatsoever at the gold medal at next years Olympics is hilarious.
It is amazing what the hype machine can do sometimes, I know that since in Canada they try to force certain exagerrated young athletes down our throats to.

I have to totally agree. I can not for the life of me see Meissner on the Olympic team. I don't think she is a one-shot wonder, but I do think she had a great, great nationals and will take a bit of time to get back to that same poduim spot.

IMO, it will be Kwan, Cohen and Kirk to the Olympics. I can't see Bebe either....or Hughes

 

[chuckm]

Meissner's real Olympic chance may come in 2010, if she can match Mao Asada's technical and presentation skills. But 2006? Certainly not an OGM for Kimmie (if she makes the team)---top 10 may be her best shot.

 

[Mathman]

Boo to all you naysayers . Go Kimmie!

I think the real excitement for Meissner will be just making the U.S. ladies team. First she will have to beat out Jenny Kirk, who I expect to give a good account of herself. Then she will have to convince the judges that she is the one, rather than Bebe, Emily, Katy Taylor, etc.

After that, everything else is gravy.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Meissner's real Olympic chance may come in 2010, if she can match Mao Asada's technical and presentation skills. But 2006? Certainly not an OGM for Kimmie (if she makes the team)---top 10 may be her best shot.

First she has to qualify for the Olys. That's not a certain either. then we've got to see if her PCS scores in the US Nats give her the push for an Oly medal. Do you think Sarah was in a better position in 2006? I know Sarah had international
experience but then with the Cheesefests (if they are international) and the Grand Prix Assignments, it just might be enough for her to be in the last group of 6 and then, who knows?

Joe

 

[slutskayafan21]

Of course Hughes was in a much better position going into 2002 than Meissner 2006. Hughes was the reigning World bronze medalist, having worked up steadily at the World Championships from 7th, 5th, to finaly 3rd in the pre-Olympic Worlds. She also was the reigning GP final bronze medalist, and had medaled at 2 straight U.S championships when the U.S field was clearly stronger than it is now. She wasnt the favorite for Oly Gold coming into the year, or for that matter going into the Olympics, but she was in a much stronger position than Meisnner going into the Olympic year, no doubt at all.

Meissner's fight is strictly to make the team. Liang, Hughes, Kirk and a few others will fight her for that. The 3rd U.S lady has no chance of an Oly medal, whoever gets that 3rd U.S spot will need the competition of their life to even make the top 10 in Turino.

 

[hockeyfan228]

Hughes also had several strong performances in the GP against Kwan and Slutskaya in the fall leading up to the Olympics. She had proven that she consistently belonged to the final group before the Olympics, which is likely the reason she was in fourth after the short program, in position to win or medal.