Nationals...SCARED!

[lilpnoy847]

As much as I love Michelle...she's been having trouble with the Triple Loop and is popping the 2nd Lutz a lot now. I have no doubt that she's going to win Nationals...but it'll be 'iffy' when it comes to Worlds if she doesn't be better with her Loop.

[DianeO]

No offense intended, but I just wish everyone would stop posting all these "I'm worried about MK" posts. Lets think POSTIVELY shall we? :o) Don't think about what she is having trouble with. Think about what she does well and all of her wonderful qualities :) If it weren't for the internet, we wouldn't even know whats going on in practice, so don't concentrate so much on that and all the reports. Michelle knows what she has do do in competition, and always pulls through :)

[Brian]

I also wish everyone would stop posting these doom and gloom messages. Does anyone have confidence in MK's abilities? I certainly do, I know she will try her best.

[Karin]

MK will be spectacular!!!...she always is...even after poor run thoughs!!! Just hope she's having fun!!!...I'm sure she is!!!

[Beth2000]

Brian I am like you even though she sometimes has terrible practices she always pulls through. Remember folks keep repeating to yourself Michelle will win the Nationals, Michelle will win the Nationals, Michelle will win the Nationals. MK can and will win and she have the best time doing it, why?, b/c MK believes in herself and I believe in her too!

[Cherie]

I think that we've all come to the realization that Michelle cannot be perfect everytime in competition. So isn't it a little much to be worried about her practices? That's what practices are for. If she were perfect all the time, then she woudn't need to practice. I'm not the least bit worried about her. She seems confident in her skating and I have confidence in her. So don't be scared, think positive.

[axelkid]

My 2 cents for the nite. (sorry I get cheesy at night) As much as I am holding my breath until this weekend, I have faith that Michelle will handle the situation the same way she's handled every situation in the past (including the Nagano Olympics), she'll make the best out of what she's got and she'll do it with ample grace and poise. I think this is part of her appeal. Not only is she a beautiful skater, but she's distinctly gracious and mature. Whether she falls or not, it's not really important when you think about it...I think she's already won.

[NicoleMarie]

I was in drama for years, and one saying stuck out in my mind and reminds me of this situation now......so Michelle had a bad practice?? "Bad Rehersal, Good Performance" and let me tell you, that saying has held true time and time again so HAVE FAITH in the girl!

[Armchairskater]

Let's put this in perspective, according to most of the reports, most of the female skaters, Sarah Hughes included, are seesawing back and forth between good and not so good practices, but no one is forecasting doom for them. In fact the excessive scrutiny at practices may even be distracting Michelle a bit. I think a more valid indicator is the general trend of the practices. Are they better on the whole now going into the competition than when she arrived and needed to get her legs and midterms out of her brain? The only one who seems to be having any consistency at all in practice would seem to be Deanna Stellato. Since we know she can deliver in competition too, that actually may tell us something about who's going to grab the bronze or land just off the podium amidst the crowd of contenders.

[attyfan]

With MK, the same pattern has repeated itself at least three times -- she is crowned the winner in advance, and ends up with a silver medal. Admittedly, these were all international competitions, but still -- MK does better with real competition. l

[Beth2000]

attyfan Mk does do better when she has someone pushing her, and right now she has IS pushing her to up the ante in techinal and she also has SH pushing her to do the samething. Folks MK will up her ante and leave everyone saying "WOW"! It will be like the first time we saw her at 96' worlds and everyone was like "wow where did she come from?"

[liarose]

I think what happened to Michelle at Nationals was kinda like a reality check for her. She has been in this position before. The press seemed to crowned her the winner way before the competition started. I think she might of been just a little too comfortable in her performance last night. I heard Peggy Fleming make a comment that you need to stress each position and element in skating. Michelle might have not done that. But she has the chance to re group and sleep on it. So this might have been a negative comment..but i have read too many of Michelle's books to know and understand that a little criticism is good. Hey i'm no critic... i adore Michelle greatly...but she wasn't herself last night. I'm looking forward to see how she performs tonight... Her long program is OUTSTANDING!!! Just remember... the skater who wins the long program is the overall winner...no matter what place they are in... actually i think that only applies to the top 3 skaters... but have faith in this girl... i'm sure we all adore and think positive!!!=)

[Karin]

lol...we write so similar...!!! :-) Yes...I think MK will "wake up"!!! And yes MK does take critisicms seriously...she listens!!! But no worries...MK will be magical!!!

[Beth2000]

Me three that motion! I am starting to feel better now. It is so nice to have people to talk to when you are feeling down! Thanks everyone!