Will Michelle be left behind?!?!?

[dreamr]

Michelle hasn't added any technical difficulty in two years. Plus she hasn't landed 7 CLEAN triples in a program also in two years. Will she be left behind? Seriously, this thought frightens me. :( This year at Nationals, Sarah Hughes is trying the 3sal/3loop AND the 3loop/3toe! These jumps have never been landed by an American women in a competition! (I read this in the USA today article) I mean Michelle is still doing the very simple 3t/3t and sometimes she never lands it. In fact the only time I have seen her land it is in Skate AMerica. I very much doubt that she has added the 3flip in the short or another 3/3 for her long in just a short month! Will their be an upset this year like in '97? I hope this doesn't happen but will anyone else be dissapointed if Michelle does not up her technical difficulty at Nationals? And will she be left Behind?

[Deetlebug]

NO!! Maybe this year she won't win Nationals or Worlds, but...and this is a BIG BUT... remember that this is an experimental year for Michelle. I seriously doubt we will see anything different from her technically this year since her main goal and struggle has been keeping up with a sufficient practice schedule while going to school. Next year however I suspect will be an entirely different matter. I fully expect to see Michelle raise her technical bar over the next two years leading up to the Olympics. For two reasons, one - she's VERY cabable of it, and two - she and Frank are EXCELLENT STRATGISTS. They've been to the Olympics and been disappointed by the jumps v. presentation preference of the judges. They will NOT let that happen again. Michelle will throw down the gauntlet, technically and artistically, she will execute her programs to delicious perfection and the gold medal will be placed over her head and laid to rest on her lovely neck! Also, just an aside...I really like Sarah's skating. She is delightful to watch and has improved greatly this year. However, just because she (or any other skater) is planning on "trying" new and different triple/triples doesn't mean she's going to land them. And she'll have to land them for them to count in her favor.

[dreamr]

You know I really needed to hear that right now. :) Thanks!

[lavender]

I love your perception on things. A lot of the things you write make me feel so positive and hopeful. You should be right there with the kwan camp encouraging her.

[sw10025]

Deetlebug is right, just because Sarah is planning various 3-3 combos doesn't mean she'll actually execute or land them, or even land them decently, that her technical marks won't be held down by her flutzing, that she won't miss something else, she won't have already blown her chances with a mistake in the SP, or that her presentation marks will be as high as Michelle's. There are many possible scenarios. But it is also a little hasty to assume that Michelle won't try any other 3-3 combos, or that she won't land her 3toe-3toe. I wouldn't be at all surprised if Frank is making her practice every LP with a minimum of 2 3-3 combos, regardless of which ones. If she substituted a 3loop for the 3toe-3toe, she could try 3lutz-3toe, 3flip-3toe and 3saclhow-3toe, and if she didn't make the first attempt, try for the second and/or the third. You can't let yourself fret or obsess about those things over which you have no control. You don't have control over the respective performances, the judges, the marks, the ordinals, or the results, so why not concentrate on hoping the best for her (creating good karma, so to speak) and enjoying her performances, whatever the result. . ?

[Deetlebug]

<FONT COLOR=PURPLE>LAVENDER</FONT COLOR> - you are so sweet! But, you are assuming that I am not already with the Kwan camp encouraging her. ;-)

[DianeO]

No, Michelle definitely won't be left behind!!! There aren't 3 ladies capable of beating her IMO, unless she only lands like 1 triple LOL. Sarah is the only one who can come close, but I don't think she's *quite* there yet, but she has improved leaps and bounds from last year. Is that USA Today article online anywhere? Is that where it said that Sarah is trying a 3sal-3loop and 3loop-3toe?? Thats the first I've heard of that. I thought she had been working more on the 3loop-3loop and 2axel-3toe.

[DianeO]

OK, nevermind! I just found the USAtoday article. It says SH is working on the 3sal-3loop and the 3TOE-3loop (not the other way around). It should be interesting to see if she can pull it off. I guess she's been having problems with the 3loop-3loop if she's not going to try it at Nats. But, like I said before, Michelle is definitely still the one to beat, and she controls her own destiny at Nationals :)

[ML]

NOoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo :) Even if she doesn't win at Nat'l or World is no great tragedy. The ultimate goal is to win the 2002 Oly. I believe Michelle and Frank know how to pace & prepare for it. Perhaps, they use the same strategy as of a marathron runner --- not necessary lead the running all the way but WIN at the end :) In the meantime, all the "MK Cult Gang" may have to sacrifice more chicken and Chant, "We are not Worth thee!!!" toward LA ;)

[Rene]

Roz was bugging me last night. she can't stop about the 3 toe, she's been harping about it for 2 years already. Of course the gem of "Michelle would have done better in Nagano...." She says that Michelle has admitted that school is affecting her skating,also that she is afraid of being left behind. Then Michelle is interviewed and says that she CAN juggle school and skating. Does she realize what she's saying when she says it?????

[SJB]

remember that Michelle *has* added a lot of technical difficulty over the last two years (that's not the same thing as jump difficulty), and that she landed seven clean triples in Ariane at World Pros 99, and that a 3toe/3toe can by no means be called easy.

[kuchana]

So Sarah is attempting 2 triple/triple combos? well good luck to her...I'm going for Michele all the way...the thing about Michele is she doesn't need 2 triple/triple combos..the other skaters have to though for any chance to beat Michele take for example Irina's incredible skate at GPF...But Sarah is taking a big risk in trying to do those 2 combos...I just wish with all my heart for Michele to do her best..and if she doesn't win Nat'ls then you can't say she didn't try...although..in my opinion I don't think Sarah is even close to the level Michele is but then noone else is either...just gotta stop thinking about the competitions and what skater is jumping what triple and just concentrate on the fact that Michele is THE skater who we watch...she may not have all the jumps but she sure does have the entire package...the greatest skater in history!~:) GOod luck Michele!!~

[CollegeJock21]

It is true that other skaters have to have 3/3 combos if they want any chance to beat Michelle...even in Tara's case in Nagano (no offense Tara fans...I love Tara too), it's just the Michelle is too artistically perfect, and Michelle also has really solid technique. Michelle's competitors really have to either try really difficult jump combos, or pray really hard she'll mess up badly like in 1997 nationals (and I hope that will never ever happen again). So I think Michelle's secure for nationals. The world's is other story...just watch out for that 3lutz/3loop combo!! Go Michelle go!! Undaunted courage right?

[NicoleM]

Speaking as a Tara fan, I am not at all offended when you say that skaters, including Tara, need a triple-triple combination to beat Michelle. I believe that's true as long as Michelle skates clean. I don't think Tara would have won over Michelle without her triple loop-triple loop combination. Maybe at the '97 Nationals, because Tara was in 2nd place after the short, and Michelle had such a disastrous free skate. Tara might have won there with 7 triples and no triple-triples. But I have to think Michelle would have to pretty much forget how to skate to lose at Nationals. I believe the U.S. judges would hold her up even with some mistakes, as long as she didn't have a catastrophe such as in '97. Not that I think the competition is a foregone conclusion, but I don't see anyone, with the exception of a Herculean effort by Sarah, being able to outskate even a flawed MK. And if Michelle skates to the best of her ability, the gap between first place (MK) and second will once again be huge. I like Sarah and the other up and comers including Naomi Nari Nam, Sasha Cohen, and Lisa Kwon. I also enjoy the more seasoned veterans such as Angela Nikodinov, Amber Corwin, Brittney McConn, and Andrea Gardiner. I hope all the competitors skate great and make it an unforgettable event. And, of course, I hope Michelle skates her best ever, so I can stop being jealous of you guys that were in Philly in '98. I want MK to skate so magically that two years from now, I'll be here saying, "and I was there in Cleveland when Michelle got sixes across the board!". OK, a little much to ask... no pressure for MK there. Hope she doesn't read this...LOL. :-)

[sw10025]

One has to remember that despite all the improvements, even if Sarah skates "cleanly", she still has some technical flaws/areas for improvement of her own. Even without those, her carriage, line, extension, flow, and presentation are not as good, her footwork is far less difficult and impressive, and her choreography is no where near as complete, complex and mesmerizing. [Also, quite frankly, every time I hear Nessun Dorma I starting thinking of the beautiful, emotion packed performances Boitano (and Meno and Sand) more than whomever is skating. I'm sure a couple of the judges may suffer from the same problem. Never skate to music a better skater has made one of their signature pieces.] I agree with NicoleM, barring a complete Kwan meltdown, whatever Sarah does, she's going to have to be happy with being the US silver medallist. If the international judges aren't even willing to mark her ahead of Maria even when she outskates her, all other things being equal, the nod is going to go to Michelle, who definitely can beat Maria fairly easily and with a good performance could beat the much more difficult Slutskaya. Barring a disastrous performances, the judges aren't stupid enough to replace the national champion who can probably become world champion with a national champion who probably can't.

[rcl]

As a TL fan ITA that the others need at least 1 3/3 combo. to beat Michelle, and with that they may need Michelle to make a mistake too. I think Michelle will easily win Nationals, with or without a 3/3. Worlds is where she really needs the 3/3.

[KWB]

Michelle will be fine. She said she's a little afraid of becoming complacent and that she and Frank have been talking about it, but that is why she said she has been practicing different 3/3 combos and other things she hasn't done before. Although it has been somewhat of a strain on her with school and whatnot, I have complete and totally confidence in MK.Answer: No Way!!!

[Beth2000]

ML I know this is off the subject sorry everyone, but where did you get that picture of Michelle Kwan? It is adorable, and I just love it. Now back to the subject, MK will not I repeat will not be left behind. Like I have said before you will probably hear her take a year off of college so that she can train and practice for the Olympics. I am not worried at all. MK will do just fine.

[Deetlebug]

Just a thought to sum up my previous posts.... <FONT COLOR=RED>Michelle will not be left behind - she will lead the way!</FONT COLOR> As she has been doing for so long now. ;-) PS - Acutally I think she IS leading the way RIGHT NOW! It's just that the media is looking backwards and is getting confused.

[lavender]

If you are a part kwan's camp then that would may me feel even better.

[Deetlebug]

<FONT COLOR=RED><FONT SIZE=10>;-)</FONT COLOR>

[Karin]

Although MK is gonna be the skater I'll be rooting for all the way...I don't think I really care about the results this year!!!...at least not as much as I used to...honestly...it's scaring me!!!...but I'm thinking...if MK doesn't win Nationals and Worlds this season...may be some people will stop saying "oh...no one can beat MK...bla bla bla..." !!! and then hey...may be the attention and focus will sorta diverge and take some pressure off MK??? I'm in a way kinda disappointed that MK hasn't skated a clean lp in a while!!!...but I still believe in MK!!! :-) At this point in time...my only wish is that MK will win the 2002 Olympic gold medal!!!...

[Stagebabe]

tough stuff and she melted down. I wonder about Sarah trying this stuff at Nationals now anyway. I think it may be a bit of an overreaction to Irina's win. Sarah has had these combos planned all season, never hit them and now she throws them over to try something else? And remember the first half of the GP Final had Michelle beating Irina when it was triple for triple even. It was only with the extra technical effort that could beat Michelle (and unless Michelle was psyche this summer and knew this was coming how was she supposed to match it mid-season?) I am more woried about judges opinion hurting her. The judging this season has been nationalistic and weird and that worries me more!

[IzzyS]

I don't think she'll be left behind. Sarah is skating beautifully this year, but even if she does her triple/triple's, she doesn't have Michelle's grace and artistry. I think it takes time and maturity to develop that. Besides, I think it was Nationals last year where Sarah landed the triple loop/triple loop (correct me if I'm wrong) and still finished 4th overall. I was more worried about NNN at this time last year, but by all reports she's not having the greatest season this year. As much of a MK fan as I am, I don't think I really realized how truly great she is until I saw her in person at last year's COI. IMO, no one on the tour came anywhere near her--and it was not just the artistry, but her jumps, her spins, her famous spiral, etc., etc. She's just amazing, and unless she has a disastrous performance, I don't think anyone will beat her. On that topic, why do they keep playing up the "rivalry" between MB and MK? I don't think MB has ever been a threat to Michelle. They may be competing at the same level if MB is having a really lucky day and Michelle is sick with the flu, but under normal circumstances, IMO there's no comparison. Does anyone else feel this way? It's getting on my nerves.

[Beth2000]

Yes IzzyS ITA with you, MB is a good skater but she doesn't have the grace or the artistry to come even close to MK. I think it may have something to do with the fact that MB beat her that one year at worlds, and the only reason that happened was b/c MK was sick, but other then that get them both healthy and MB doesn't even come close. My Husband and I were watching them and when it comes to the jumps MB doesn't have the bend in the knee like MK does. MK just flows across the ice like she is floating everything connects and flows into one another. MB is a little choppy when it comes to landing her jumps and I am sure when MB practices she has beautiful landings but when MB is in front of millions of people I think the pressure gets to her and I can't blame her it would me to. I love to watch MK and I sit there thinking how I wouldn't want to be in her place b/c I don't like being center of attention so as you can see I wouldn't be able to handle any of the pressure at all.

[thumpers]

ITA with Karin. It won't be a big deal if Michelle doesn't win and may even help her in the long run. Michelle has so many titles already that I doubt even she would be that upset not to take first. I think she needs a break from "dominating the sport" as the media always likes to say and maybe take the focus off.

[NicoleM]

I know what you mean about Maria not always bending her knees when she lands the jumps. She sometimes lands with her leg completely straight, causing her body to pitch forward. When she lands like that it makes me cringe a little, thinking that's gotta hurt. I love Maria but she's gonna blow out her knee if she doesn't stop landing like that.

[Beth2000]

NicoleM you are so right. That was one thing that I learned when I was taking skating lessons. All of my teachers would yell, "Beth, bend those knees". After awhile you get the idea. But I agree with you eventually MB is going to have some major problems down the road.

[DianeO]

OK, someone said Sarah hasn't been hitting her other combos this season, so why switch to two new combos?? Hmmm..am I the only one who sees the obvious answer to this question. Since she HAS been having problems with her other combos, it makes sense to try new ones. Maybe she is more confident with these combos. I don't think she or Robin would decide to put them in a program at Nationals unless she had been landing them consistently in practice. And last year, she finished 4th because she had a fall on the 3 lutz, despite her 3loop/3loop combo and she was also early in the skating order. Anyway, I just wanted to make those points. I still think Michelle will win if she skates clean. And how do we know Michelle isn't planning anything new? Maybe she's just trying to keep it all a secret and really WOW everyone with her technical prowess ;)

[Beth2000]

Diane I have been saying and thinking that for awhile about MK practicing other things, MK knows when she will have to do something and I think her and Frank have something up their sleeve and I am not talking about their arms either folks. I think we will see the new stuff next season when it will really start to matter, not that it doesn't matter now, but it is so much more important to do well the year before the Olympics.

[lavender]

Ok DeetleBug-What does your last post mean. Michelle's whole package is much more solid and clean to me. Although I do like maria's artistry her line, jumps and even her flexibility that she thinks she has isn't polished. Even though most people can see this I just can't rely on judges to see the same thing. Maria has been skating with those knees for so long I am surprise they have let her get this far with them. I also think that maria wasn't given the training to correct her problems early enough even though she is better than before. I also need to figure out if judges are looking at the presentation or artistry. There's a difference. I would be less confused with their judging if I knew. I know that someone with less artistry(interpretation and choreography) could have great presentation. Does presentation mean excitement from all the different jumps and a great smile? I know a lot of questions.

[Karin]

Thanks... Actually...I got the idea from my boyfriend...who is "getting bored" of MK always winning!!!...LOL!!! But honestly???...IMO...it won't really "hurt" MK not winning the titles this season...may even help boost her support!!! :-)

[Rene]

I don't think it would "hurt" Michelle not winning the World title, maybe. But I do think if she doesn't do enough to win the judges of her own country, who they LOVE and who is their "meal ticket", has done everything asked of her, an idol and role model for lots of young USA skaters, if she doesn't get THEIR votes, I think that it would look bad. JMHO. I just reread this and it sounds pretty garbled but you get the point(I think)

[lavender]

Although it may not be a big deal with any of these competitions other than the olympics I to think that if she doesn't win and win big she will lose support and people will dog her. I don't want to hear from any naysayers saying I told you so. People have a way of turning on you win or lose but I wouldn't want they to totally turn on michelle. I know that people(judges too) may be tired of her. I feel it more and more with each passing season. What is it going to be like by 2002. She deserves more respect. I know michelle said somewhere along these lines that she would want to go out when she's on top like michael jordan.