Who's watching FIGURE SKATING tonight.....?

[Catchawave]

They just picked the Men's Olympic reps earlier, tonight's the Ladies!



(My "Goddaughter" Molly, from the 2002 Nationals!)

[zanne]

1. Is your Goddaughter participating tonight? nt

[Catchawave]

3. No, she went pro and is now touring

with Dorothy Hamill and the "Broadway on Ice" show. The photo in my OP, I believe she placed below the televised contenders, but she was also competing in Pairs that year too! Quite a talent!

Shortly thereafter, she was scooped up by Royal Carribean Cruises, and did their ice shows. Her home base now is Nashville, where she coaches.

Thanks for asking so I could brag some more :hi:

[Darth_Kitten]

2. I'm watching Canadian Nationals.....men's and pairs on tonight...

Who are the american men going to the Olympics?

[Catchawave]

4. Here ya go...

The top 3 places are going:

http://stlouis2006.usfigureskating.org/Home/Results.aspx?lv=senior&ds=men

I did catch Michael Weiss stomping out of the kiss and cry area once he learned he missed the Olympic Team. What a "diva".

[WolverineDG]

13. What???

Todd Eldridge isn't on the team? :wow: It's just not going to be the Olympics without him choking in it! ;)

[colinmom71]

5. I am!

I couldn't be more thrilled for Savoie making the Olympic team!!!! Not to mention Silverstein/O'Meara getting the bronze and Olympic Dance slot!! :D

Now we get to see whether Liang, Hughes (2.0), or Czisny get the remaining Ladies slot. My money's on Liang...
I'm sure Cohen will win the gold tonight, and Kwan will likely get a medical bye... But the bronze medalist goes to Worlds, so I'm excited to see who gets to go there as well...

BTW, your goddaughter's picture is beautiful. Good for her for making it to Nats!

[Catchawave]

6. Thanks, she's a great kid too!

...Cohen can choke, I'm rooting for Hughes! I'm not a big fan of "divas".

A Kwan "bye" to the Olympics would disappoint me :(

[Awsi Dooger]

7. When DOESN'T Cohen choke?

I've seen her pick herself up off her ass so often in major competitions frankly I'm shocked when it doesn't happen. Maybe she's matured and without the pressure of others her caliber it won't happen tonight, but I'll be shocked if she wins Olympic gold. I was a big Sarah Hughes fan so I'll be rooting for her sister also.

Michelle Kwan should get one last chance at the Olympics although every indication is it would be anticlamatic and without a medal. You can't win these days minus the flurry of difficult jumps.

[colinmom71]

9. Oh please...

The Oly gold has practically already been engraved with Slutskaya's name! I'd be shocked if anyone besides Slutskaya was awarded the gold.

Though I'm not very fond of Cohen's skating, she *has* been more consistent in the last two years. Now if only she'd learn the difference between a Lutz and a flip jump... :eyes:

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

41. LOL, truer words were never spoken about Slutskaya.

The only reason she's still competing is that the Russian federation are still convinced she got shafted in SLC in 2002. This and the fact that the new COP is definitely slanted in her favor. Beside her the Russian federation has no-one that will even come close to winning a medal. I was laughing Thursday night after the ladies SP thinking that with Emily Hughes in second place, Irina was sitting in Moscow yelling, "Oh no, not again."

As for Sasha's flutz, that will never be addressed. It is bad technique that should have been corrected years ago. At least Slute does have a lutz that takes off from a back outside edge. Sasha, if she skates two absolutely clean programs in Turin, will give a Irina a real good run for her money. Her TES should be comparable, but unless the fix is really in, her PCS should blow Irina away.

The best comment of the entire week came from Dick Button on Thursday night during the ladies SP. He was going on about how much he hates the overuse of the Biellman spin/position. Katy Taylor, the 15 year old from Sugarland, TX and a clone of Tara Lipinski, was on the ice skating her short program. She had just performed a spin with a Bielmann in it and she started her spiral sequence with guess what, another Bielmann position. I thought Uncle Dick was gonna lose it right there.

As for the USFSA naming Michelle Kwan to the team tonight,it's still not a done deal. Michelle will be monitored by the USFSA and a final decision on her status will be made on January 27th. Emily Hughes isn't completely out of going to Turin. It might still happen for her.

[LisaL]

22. These little girls skated their hearts out.

Why should Michelle get to go? It's a sport competition, after all. Not a popularity contest.

[LynneSin]

38. Because from what I read everyone pretty much sucked tonight except

Sasha Cohen.

And 10 years ago Michelle Kwan was suppose to go but got bumped. Yeah, I know - Nancy & Tonya blah blah blah. Last year in Worlds Kwan placed 4th. Outside of Cohen she is probably the best skater that America has to offer and she should be there.

[colinmom71]

43. Well, I don't know if you've seen our US skaters IRL...

But there is just a huge difference in basic skating skills ability between Kwan and our other US ladies. Her basics are simply the best in the world. Add in her almost always proper technical skills (excepting the occassional light flutz/flatz), popularity becomes a non-issue.

Even with her disastrous (for her) Qualifying round at Worlds last year (IIRC a few doubled and popped jumps), her scores reflected the quality of her skating. She still managed to place forth in that Q round competing in a terribly imbalanced qualifying group. Had she not been held down in the short program, Kwan would have medalled last year. She still only missed the bronze by .30 points.

Had Hughes, Liang, Czisny, and/or Meissner come out this week with really undeniably great skates and practices at Nats, I'd argue that Kwan shouldn't be named to the team. But all these skaters had some major errors in their short and long programs. Also, only Czisny recieved good scores at international events this season, only to fall apart at the GP finals and Nationals. The consistency just isn't there for this group of skaters - at least not yet.

If anything, Kwan has proved over the years that she's a fierce competitor and often has her best perfomances when she's considered the underdog (98 Nats - came back from a foot fracture, 2000 and 2001 Worlds - had problems throughout the season but came back with two of her best ever performances, 2003 Nats and Worlds - came back from Oly disappointment when everyone had written her off, 04 Nats - considered the underdog to Cohen only to come out and own the ice and take the gold with a program that was pure edge and skating technique not to mention a fierce performance).

Do I think she can pull off a miracle at the Olys? Possibly, but let's just say I'm not betting any money on her medalling. However, having a strong skating team is important since the results at the Olys and Worlds determines how many skaters get to go at the next winter games and next year's Worlds. Even with Kwan's 4th place last year, her and Cohen's placements helped earn the US three slots to the Olys. Ask the Japanese men how important that can be. The disasterous performance last year by an injured Honda garnered the Japanese men only ONE slot at the Olys this year. You can also look up how Kwan affected such Worlds placement during the 1994 Worlds.

I do genuinely believe that if Kwan isn't up for going for her best performance at the Olympics, she will withdraw from the team. If that happens, then Emily Hughes may get to go (the USFSA has been hedgy all week concerning the appointment of an alternate, so I don't know if they'd send her or not). And I will be in giddy frickin' heaven if Emily Hughes pulls a "Sarah" and has the skate of her life to beat Slutskaya and Cohen!! :rofl: But I do think Kwan will show up armed with a Vera Wang dress and a huge bottle of Motrin to get through the Games...

[LisaL]

46. Lightning doesn't strike twice. I think the chances of

Emily puling a "Sarah" are null, even if Emily got to go. But I still think that Kwan shouldn't have asked to be send to Olympics, considering she is injured and hadn't really competed this year. It was different with Nancy and Tanya, and they shouldn't have let Tanya go anyway, it was a disgrace.

[colinmom71]

8. I actually like Emily Hughes...

FAR more than I liked Sarah Hughes's skating. Emily just seems to have more fun with her skating, not to mention she has better posture and jump technique than her sister. Don't get me wrong, I'm cheering for her... I just think Liang may pull off the Nats performances of her life this week. Plus, Emily hasn't been truly consistent the last two years. But if Hughes does get the Oly slot, I'll be jumping up and down in glee!

As for Kwan, I think she should get the bye if she feels she's healthy enough. I'm a Kwan fan and I'd love to see her pull off a miracle and win an Oly gold over Irina ("What eez meeg meestake?", steroid using) Slutskaya. Besides, Kwan's skating skills are second to none in the Ladies field, and with two programs by Tarasova, she has a good shot.

Wow... How sad is it though that the arena is barely half full during an Olympic year Ladies free skate? :(

[Catchawave]

12. I noticed the venue was almost empty for Weiss

this afternoon.

Am trying to wrestle the tv away from my dh, who's watching the Pats/Broncos game...I'm using the "leaderboard" link for USFSA right now.

Are you a skatemom Colinmom?

[colinmom71]

16. Nah, just a big skating fan! (nt)

[Catchawave]

17. Lucky you....my dd....

was a competitive $kater. I'm still a fan too!

[Zomby Woof]

14. Michelle Kwan!

Our household is pulling for her. She did her first skating just blocks from here... we live in her hometown. :-)

[Catchawave]

19. She's a millionaire.....

...Guess I'm just tired of Olympic Millionaires, and don't deserve 'byes'

[dannofoot]

15. Matt Savoie! Finally!

Whooo-Hooo!!!!

The guy from Peoria who would never stop trying....makes it!!!!

He skated the best damn program of his career...almost perfect (missed a triple lutz), to win the fourth spot!

[Catchawave]

10. A DU bump for the Final Group coming up......

...just wish ABC wasn't promoting this segment like "porn". Sigh.

Go Emily Hughes!

Go Pats!

[jakefrep]

11. Not me...

I went to a high school basketball game.

[Catchawave]

20. thanks for posting anyhow :)

Hope you enjoyed your game too :hi:

[colinmom71]

18. Well, it looks like I cursed Liang...

And I was really hoping Hughes would have a great skate. Darn it!

Cohen earned her Nationals title tonight, the triple Flutz and jump step-outs not withstanding. But based on the performances tonight, Kwan should *definitely* be awarded the bye to the Olympics... The strongest team we could send to Turin this year is Kwan, Cohen, and Meissner.

Eek!! And whoo-hoo!! Emily Hughes will likely go to Worlds!!

[Catchawave]

21. cohen was lovely, I enjoyed her skate.....

I'm pleased with the results and the Olympic Team. These kids deserved that shot tonight, I'll be very disappointed if the very political USFSA displaces Hughes with a Kwan medical bye.

[colinmom71]

23. Well, like I said above...

I really like Emily's skating, but she's just not consistent enough yet to send to the Olympics. Now I can see her dominating Nationals and Worlds over the next couple of years, just not quite yet. And that's a good thing.

I think her coaches have paced her progress into the elite levels of eligible skating in a beneficial manner. She's avoided injury thus far and hasn't been nagged by the (reasonable) age requirements imposed by the USFS and ISU. And because of this, she's likely to be a strong presence on the USA's Ladies team for some time, especially if Cohen retires after the Olys. I truly do think that if Cohen medals in Turin, she'll bow out after Worlds. As for Kwan, well she's all but put the writing on the wall concerning retiring after this season....

[Catchawave]

25. Definitely a "seen and be seen moment" for Hughes

especially if she gets bumped by Kwan. Though I won't root for Kwan in the Olympics. Call me old-fashioned, the Olympics have been ruined by professionals, don't let the USFSA fool ya. Kwan is their moneypot :hi:

[LisaL]

24. Kwan didn't compete in any major competitions this year.

When they are going to award Olympic medals, I doubt the judges are going to think of what she did several years ago. It's a sport, and why on Earth should she be going to the Olympics? Add to that she has been injured.
The people who are able to compete now should be going, not the people that could compete several years ago.

[Catchawave]

26. I agree lizzy.....

...if I wake up in the morning to find out the USFSA kicked Hughes off the Olympic Team in favor of boo-boo Kwan, I'll be pissed.

[LisaL]

28. I like Kwan, but if you can't compete, you can't compete.

It's not classy to kick a little girl out of the team, considering Kwan hasn't really participated in any major competitions this year.
She has been there, and done that.

[Catchawave]

31. Olympic "byes" have never helped the USA Olympic Team

in the past, in the OLD days, if you didn't compete for quals, tough sh*t. But like everything else, "sports" has become political too :(

I so agree lizzy!

[colinmom71]

35. Shoot! Forgot to add....

I can easily think of one bye that did help the USFSA. Nancy Kerrigan's bye to the 1994 Olys helped the skater to earn a Silver Oly medal for the US team (though she should have been awarded the gold over Baiul!).

When Kerrigan dropped out of Worlds, Michelle Kwan's subsequent appearance and top 10 placement at Worlds after the 94 games kept open *2* spots in the next year's World's games. Kwan has saved the USFSA's ass several times when Oly champs dropped out of Worlds by placing well and keeping open multiple slots at the next year's Worlds. Political? Maybe, but not necessarily without merit...

[colinmom71]

34. Yes, she did...

She competed at 2005 US Nationals and Worlds this past year. She (deservedly) won Nats and placed 4th at Worlds. She wasn't able to compete at Skate America and Cup of China as scheduled due to the hip ligament injury, though she was actively scheduled to compete there. And by all reports, she was quite disappointed at not being able to compete in the GP this season.

Kwan did though chose to not compete at the 2003-04 Grand Prix series because she feared the risk of overuse injuries. And I think that was a smart move on her part. Unfortunately, Kwan couldn't predict that she'd get injured during that all important pre-Olympic season (shades of 1998, anyone?).

BTW, I don't see anyone bitching about Slutskaya being allowed to go to Worlds in 2004 without a preceding Russian Nationals trials, nor Cohen earning an Olympic berth despite placing a lucky second at only one GP even this season. And given my druthers, I'd probably send Emily Hughes instead of Kimmie Meissner. I just find Hughes's skating a more complete package over Meissner...

Funnily enough, of the 39 member committee that will decide whether Kwan gets appointed to the Olympic team, *9* people have already recused themselves citing conflict of interest (including Kwan's BIL Peter Oppegard and Amber Corwin). So whatever decision is reached, I think it will be a fairly decided and well debated choice. I just think Kwan is the stronger candidate over Hughes at this point.....

[LisaL]

36. I don't know how can you assess

what kind of candidate Kwan is, considering that even the world championship you mentioned was 11 months ago. This is a sport, and the person who is able to compete at this moment of time should be the one going. Although none of it apparently matters, cause Kwan was appointed to the Olympic Team after all.

[LynneSin]

39. Um, well then Kwan should have went in 1994

Because Nancy Kerrigan was injured (yeah, by Harding's thugs but she was injured).

You need to send your best team to the Olympics and outside of Cohen who do we have that is competitive. Michelle earned her spot fairly. She even offered to be monitored throughout the weeks leading up to the Olympics to ensure she can compete.

Medical byes serve a purpose because sometimes your best talent (and after seeing the highlights of the 2nd & 3rd place from tonight she definately still is) might not be able to complete at Nationals. Kwan is going and I'm pulling for her!

[Darth_Kitten]

27. Who is on the team for ladies?

:shrug:

[Catchawave]

29. Here ya go:

http://stlouis2006.usfigureskating.org/Home/Results.aspx?lv=senior&ds=ladies

I think it's the top 3, but waiting for Kwan's USFSA bye, if approved, would displace Hughes?

I should've stuck with the Pats/Broncos thread tonight :)

[Darth_Kitten]

30. Cripes, what happened to Allisa ?

She won Skate Canada and she places 7th overall?

[Catchawave]

32. Bad day ?

:shrug: Probably why FS is still considered a "sport" ?

[Darth_Kitten]

45. of course...

Here's something else, why is Michelle Kwan betting a medical bye?

You're injured you don't go to the Olympics period. :evilgrin:

[colinmom71]

33. I love Alissa's skating...

But she has a *bad* habit of letting nerves get to her at Nationals. Seriously, I saw her at 2004 Nationals and her skating technique, spins, and spirals were simply exquisite! Her Swan Lake LP that year was a joy to watch.... Her real problem is her jump technique. Too low and too tentative...

And believe me, there were SEVERAL Swan Lakes to watch that year (including Cohen!). I had a feeling that this year would be no different, and she proved me right. Ah well, at least we had Skate America and Skate Canada!

[Awsi Dooger]

37. Yeah, she managed top catch herself before falling on her ass this time

Sasha's last 90 seconds or so were excellent. The lines and style are tremendous although she's nothing special in choreography and flair, compared to the likes of upbeat Oksana Baiul or the elegant Kwan.

Sorry, but I'm just not a big fan of Sasha Cohen. I watched and anticipated a bobble or fall and she hardly let me down. In fact, as you point out she missed twice just the first one was much more noticeable.

Emily Hughes is too fat. I'll just say it. Dick Button attempted the same thing at the end of her skate but wimped out and talked about lightness in her program and jumps. She's still in high school with a big frame and obviously not as toned or athletic as Sarah was in 2002. You just look at her and know she's more likely to flop on the demanding jumps in vital competitions when she's simply not in top shape. Give her 4 years and a collegiate frame after she's more mature and that might take care of itself. But when I look at her I simply see a skater but not an athlete and these days you need both.

Michelle Kwan needs to be on this team. The level without her would be the weakest US women's team in modern history.

[LisaL]

40. Well, on the other hand, Sasha looks positively anorexic to me.

The girl is all skin and bones. Compared to her, anyone will look fat.

[oldcoot]

42. Emily Hughes is fat?

She looked fine to me.

[Darth_Kitten]

48. Actually to do jumps it's beneficial to have thick muscles...

the tall lanky gals are not natural jumpers.

[distantearlywarning]

44. Looks like it's going to be Cohen, Kwan, & Meissner

Full story here:

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/news;_ylt=AnP19mzQiNegEcFstRj5Zs7NycIF?slug=ap-uschampionships-women&prov=ap&type=lgns

However, Hughes did get placed on the World team instead of Kwan.

[Darth_Kitten]

47. Then by rights Hughes should have been put on the Olympic team

JMO

Here, one of our lady skaters is injured but she doesn't get a bye, she's missing the Olympics.