More on MK's deal with Chevy

[Shallah]

<a href=http://flash.al.com/cgi-bin/al_nview.pl?/home1/wire/AP/Stream-Parsed/SPORTS/s0508_AM_USSkatingNotebook>article</a> this article has bits on Scotty Hamilton but the bit on MK says in part: STAY IN SCHOOL:@ Getting an education was so important Michelle Kwan curtailed her skating schedule to go to UCLA. Now she's going to sell school to other aspiring athletes. Under a three-year deal with Chevrolet announced Wednesday, Kwan will promote the benefits of education. "If you just think about skating, it takes a toll on your mind. For me, it's nice having another distraction, to focus on something else besides skating," the three-time national champion said. "School and skating can be done both, together. I think education is really important." There is also a quote from Frank Carrol saying Irina's 3 lutz/3 loop was not completed - that the 3 lutz was underrotated.

[Shallah]

I remember Heather W. once suggested on her MK page that people write caress & thank them for choosing Michelle - so why don't we drop Chevy a note and praise them for their wisdom in choosing such a wonderful athlete and sportswoman to represent their product!?! They have an email form on their website <a href=http://www.chevymall.com/dynahtml/pmchevy/contact.html>here</a> and you can snail mail 'em here: General Motors PO Box 431301 Detroit, MI 48265-1000 FAX: (313) 556-1988 John F. Smith, Jr., CEO, President & Chairman of the Board Ron Zarella, Exec VP of Marketing (snail mail info from the <a href=http://visionsdesign.virtualave.net/other.html>Skater Advocay Petition</a> page)

[Rene]

Shallah, what would we do without you?

[Brian]

If this article makes it to FSW or rssif, some people are going to be in a uproar with Frank's comments.

[taboo999]

I thought rssif and FSW love people who are "refreshingly honest". I know what you mean though. And unfortunately, MK is going to take the fall for it. I think a lot of people's slo mo and zoom in will be getting major workouts this week. I have a question though. I can't tell whether a jump is pre-rotated unless it's really blatant and obvious. How do you pre-rotate a lutz? Do you pre-rotate on the picking foot or the takeoff foot? And wouldn't there be some kind of scrape on the ice?

[Brian]

I forgot that they love people who are "refreshingly honest"! Franks comments were reported in another article as well. I have to admit though, I wish Frank would have kept his mouth shut! There really was no reason for him to even mention that, it just makes him look petty. Just think about it, if the press at Europeans picks up on this I'm sure they will ask Slutskaya and her coach what they think about Frank's comment. Then they might come back with a zinger of their own. Then of course the press will blow everything out of proportion to create another "rivalry". I guess Frank tells it like he sees it. I just wish he didn't say everything. And since he is MK's coach, it reflects badly on her.

[SJB]

Frank so rarely mentions what he thinks is wrong with the competition--what's with him here? What could he have to gain by pointing out his view that Irina's 3/3 wasn't technically that good?

[Brian]

SJB, that is what I was thinking. The comments make his seem desperate. Very bad move, IMO.

[littlepebbles1]

Well, the anti-MKers should be partying now, they just got plenty of ammunition handed to them on a huge silver platter. Dumb move, Frank!

[sw10025]

Well, he did say that she still deserved to win the competition. . .as for the anti-MK people, let 'em think what they're gonna think.

[littlepebbles1]

This reminds me too much of the "Michelle flutzes too" controversy from a couple of years ago. Of course, I doubt if there are any tracings left to check whether anything was prerotated. Michelle, if you're reading this, STAY THE HAM SANDWICH OUT OF THIS ONE! OT: Mano, if you're reading this, I'm playing your game today. *cough, sniff* :oÞ

[mano]

My co-workers are looking at me weird 'cause I just LOL. Didn't I say I was contagious, heehee. BTW, your punishment is to write a story. It's what I do when I play that game. And, yeah, I'm at work ;o) Really, I am. Regarding the article, I really like the fact that it was Michelle who was all for expanding Chevrolet's support on scholarships for student-athletes.

[lavender]

for the information provided on the board but who cares if they hammer frank for his statements. They seem to be very open with criticism and say whatever they want which can also be criticized. I wouldn't have wanted him to say anything and michelle probably would have wanted him not to too but he did. Oh well. He did give her compliments about the fact that he knew that she could do the jump correctly and that she deserved to win. You know Frank hates losing more than michelle does and we all know this.

[Karin]

What pleasant news!!! The first thing I see clicking on the forum is MK's new deal!!! Go MK!!! :-)

[Gentle]

IRian 's lutz combo didn't look clean to me. I think She did a 2 1/2 loop instead of 3loop. Remember I asked you Karin about this? Too bad I didn't tape the comp. to check it again. Thought Frank's comment re I.S.'s jumps is cool. HE was so honest. HE did point out what he thought she did wrong and what she did right. Man,HE's sooooooo cool!

[kwanette]

Skated with what is the translation? joy for life...and said she can so the 3x3, just not there, and did acknowedge that Irina's whole program beat Michelle......

[Rene]

I liked his interview. He just didn't need to say anything about the lutz. It doesn't do anybody any good.

[Karin]

skating for the joy of it is always wonderful!!! Gentle...I'm sorry...I don't remember...did I answer you??? About MK's coach's interview...well... Frank was just being frank!!!

[Shallah]

<A HREF=http://www.cleveland.com/business/news/f10kwan.ssf >http://www.cleveland.com/business/news/f10kwan.ssf </A> Her deal with Chevrolet placed her among the top 10 of the nation's "most appealing personality athlete endorsers," according to Bob Williams, president of Burns Sports in Chicago, whose company matches athletes with advertisers. He put Kwan's deal in the million-dollar category. Kwan, 19 and a freshman at the University of California at Los Angeles, came in second in the 1998 Olympics and is a favorite for gold in the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City. She has what Chevrolet calls one of its most expansive partnerships ever. It will integrate advertising, marketing and promotional activities. "We expect her to capture the attention of the world of ice skaters, their families and those who admire skating," said James D. Jandasek, director of auto advertising and promotion at Chevrolet in Detroit. "We have had success with other sports figures." Chevrolet chooses to partner with people who not only are successful but who also serve as good role models, Kurt Ritter, Chevrolet general manager, said in a written statement. He added that Kwan "is one of the best female athletes competing today." Please read the entire article it is really good! I would copy it all if it didn't violate copyright laws!!

[Banannak]

I wouldn't worry about what anti-MK'ers think. They complain when Frank and Michelle say only positive things that they are fake and phony and they will complain here that Frank is using excuses. Frank gave an honest opinion, which seems to be en vogue now. Better it coming from Frank than from Michelle!

[Deetlebug]

Just a thought to keep in mind about Frank's comments in the article. And this applies to any one else's comments too, ie Maria, etc... People are seldom quoted acurately in journalism. This happens for many reasons, either the respondant doesn't understand the question as the questioner is asking it, or the questioner doesn't clearly understand the response, or the writer wants to sensationalize his/her story, or the editor makes cuts in the story without any thought to story content. In any event, we all know Frank has more class than appears from the article, so I'm sure that there was more to his comments than we're being given to read.

[Shallah]

<a href=http://www.figure-skating.com/Skaters/Slutskaya/News.htm>here</a> - just go here and click where it says "View Irina's Grand Prix Final Clip"