Nothing against Asada, who certainly displays the potential for an amazing career. However, we haven't seen how her body will grow and change or, god forbid, if she might sustain a serious injury (think Naomi Nari Nam). So it's not Mao; I would be hesitant to pronounce any skater beginning her "reign" before she had reached her full height and weight.
As for Cohen, I think it depends on how deep her competitiveness and drive goes. She's always said she's always been a very competitive person; however, it remains to be seen if these last four years have mitigated those feelings. If she really is as driven as she says, we may see Cohen as another Michael Weiss.
Personally, I'd prefer to see Cohen channel that drive into SOI. COI---nothing against it--is easy. Just go out and do your exhibition number. However, SOI is very demanding of its skaters. Both S&P and B&S have said they were not prepared for how much work skating with SOI would demand, and that in many ways it was tougher than competitive skating.
This is JMO, but I think Sasha would grow more, be challenged more, and be happier as a skater with SOI. But I do agree that she's going to want an Olympic medal of any color and at least a USN gold. I think Asada is terrific and shows great potential, as I said, but we've only seen her in two GPS competitions. After people saw Carolina Kostner in a similar number of GPS events plus Euros, most said she was going to be the new queen of the ice.
So by no means do I think Asada has the '06, '07, or any World championships in the bag. Again, I have no doubt of her talent and skills, just the recognition that all may not go smoothly in her physical transition from barely pubescent to a fully-hormoned young woman (think Ando last season) and how that affects her skating. Plus there's Asada's lack of experience on the senior level. I think the judges will be less forgiving of her technical and presentational weaknesses next season, as they tend to be with any young skater who comes flying out onto the ice. Remember what happened to Michelle after she won her first World Championship? Granted, Kwan had Tara to contend with as well as boot problems, but these are exactly the kinds of things, though not the same, that could make Asada's second senior season difficult.
Also, the experience of Cohen, Ando, and others may help them next season. Plus there are other skaters such as Czisny, although she's not as well-rounded as Asada, who could challenge her.
Or else everything could go very well for Asada and she could mow down everybody, starting another Kwan-like reign.
If that happens, especially considering Sasha's back problem, I think she will look for a satisfying professional career. Not only do I think SOI would be good for Sasha, but I also thing Sasha would be good for SOI. They've been without a "dazzling" leading ladies singles skater since Kristi retired and goodness knows they could use one. With Sasha's "wow" moves for a show audience and the excellent choreographers employed by SOI, I think SOI would pay her very well to join, whether she has an Olympic medal or not--thought of course they'd want her with.
I think Michelle will remain committed to COI. Such a shame that, IMO, Irina's health will prevent her from even doing one year as a guest with SOI. She is an amazing show skater. However, I think that after a stint as star of COI after the Os, she'll put her energy and health into trying to have a child.
All this is JMO, of course.
Rgirl
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