Michelle Kwan's 3rd place finish at World's

[simplylaini]

okay. is ANYONE out there pissed off at the placement of Michelle Kwan?? HELLO?! who the hell cares if it's 2 seconds too long? that one stupid, STUPID mistake cost michelle her 6th world title.

PLEASE tell there is someone out there who agrees??

[chipso1]

i think that most of us are over it! It is one stupid competition - and michelle achieving the bronze medal is AWESOME!!!!!!! Yeah it would have been cool if she could have won, but she is amazing anyways and i am happy for her!!!!!!! Great Job, Michelle!!!!!!!:TOS

[Gongju]

chipso1, i totally agree with you! there's no need to be upset or mad about Worlds, our girl still rocked! just watch the long program tonight:)

[GoldenMichelle]

well rules are rules. If its in the rules that points should be deducted then they should be deducted.

[taf]

Please get your facts right. Michelle's QR & the fact that she didn't win the FS means she wouldn't have won the gold anyway. Shizuka won her QR so even if she had been 4th in the SP, she still would have won the gold. It does appear that Michelle would have won the silver, but hey, she already has 3 of them-now she has the set with that bronze.

[Pattern99]

I think her low placement in qualifying was what really hurt her.

[Chrystia Mee]

I would say the happiness is bittersweet right now.

I would have been ecstatic to see Kwan win a 6th title. But she didn't. And I'm still proud of her. She's still my hero. She's still the same wonderful classy champion. And that's a relief to me. Michelle doesn't need a gold to be the champion. After all the insanity yesterday. THere was one thing I wanted to happen this competition. I wanted Michelle to skate a great free skate and have a smile on her face. She should be proud. With pressure and chaos she delivered.

I disagree with her scores for the sp and placement. Even without the time deduction I thought they were low. a 5.2 for a clean program? Even with a traveling spin like some have said, should at least meet a 5.4 -5.6. And rules are rules. If it's timed at 2.42 then that's how it is sadly. It's unfortunate, but it happens sometimes. But it's one competition out of the many she's won. She knows now what she's got to do if she's going to Italy in 2006. Even to portland 2005. I think in many ways this bronze finish is going to help her fuel the fire for two years.

[SonnyD]

Not just 2 seconds but MK:
2sec (in the sp) + double lutz+footwork a little bit late

and Arakawa did:
-3lutz-2,70toe loop-2loop combination
-3sal-2,75toe loop
Her artistry was ot bad.

[Fumbilicious]

Michelle only did a double lutz?

[Kabooke]

Let's just let it go!:D

Michelle showed class and dignity admist so
much adversity and I am so proud and happy for her!

Michelle reminded us why we love her so much
and each experience (bad and good) enriches your
life and always teaches you something!

She's got perspective and will use this experience to strengthen herself for the future and things to come!

I'm just so over joyed right now!:CHO

[SonnyD]

No it was just her second lutz in double rotation.
The first was perfect in combination with the double toe.

[Fumbilicious]

Ok, I see. Thanks for clarifying that SonnyD!

[GardenKitty]

Actually I'm extremely proud of Michelle. She had a difficult qualifying round , but she came back and skated two phenomenal programs in the SP and the LP. If she did go over in the SP, I can understand that the rules have to apply, but it doesn't take away from her great performance. She overcame so much at this event and still skated like the champion she is. I'm as proud of this bronze medal as I am her gold medal from DC.

[probativev]

I'm over it too. I'm just glad she skated herself to the podium despite all that. It's been an extraordinary experience for Michelle if you think about it. She has to reflect on how the QR factors in if she decides to compete at Worlds again. She got to see how her skating stacks up against someone like Shizuka with amazing 3/3s in the LP (which BTW is really not bad considering that she did 5 triples with a program not loaded with in-betweens). She got a reminder to be sure not to go over time in more important future competitions. I think before this competition, she might have felt the pressure of the Japanese technicians coming head on, and after the QR and SP she got a chance to let go of any fear she might have for that because, she placed behind them both already. Sometimes if the worst you fear actually happens, it helps one to move ahead because you realize your worst fear didn't destroy you. And to top it off, she had a streaker on the ice with her. I think this competition had been full of tests for her, and she came through all of them. Going forward she will have nothing to fear. She just need to find a way to reinvent herself, and to master 3/3 jumps. You look back at all this, and really, this competition had been in many ways full of blessings for her in how it helped her learn about herself, and confront some of the fears she might have had.

It's been extraordinary for Shizuka too. Ok she got some free passes at the SP, but to pull off an LP like that...must have worked her butt off and we don't even hear about it. It is nice to see when hard work pays off. She's really coming into her own, and to think....she's no little teenage jumping bean. This is a 22 y.o, grown woman! This is great for the sport.

Of the top 3 women at this competition, I've got to think that Sasha must feel the worst. So close again and yet it slipped away from her. I don't like her or her skating, but I do know that she works very hard. This whole competition led her on, the win of the QR, the win and praises of the SP, and then to still make the same mistakes she's made again and again. This LP piles on to all the past competitions and she now really cemented her reputation as someone who just can't put it all together, ever. I admit I do feel a slight pity for her. If ever she was to win a major title over Michelle, I would have wanted this year to be it after Michelle's bad QR placement and the time deduction and all the surrounding shenanigans. I would have find it harder to take if it was a head to head competition between her and Michelle, both perfect and she comes out on top (hey that's just me as a die hard MK fan). But she didn't capitalize on it and seize the moment. I've heard many times before that at Olympic competitions, it's usually the silver medalist who feel unsatisfied. I'm thinking this is the case now with Sasha. It's really a shame.

So, I'm not mad, I think Michelle pulled through for herself and for us. She didn't let anybody down!!!! We should be happy.

Alexa

[bekalc]

Good for Kwan to pull it out and go for the bronze she's a true competitor. I have a feeling this will also give her a reminder of how hard it will be to win Olympics. She really will need to get those three/threes in her arsenal and start doing Grand Prix. So, she can show she consistently beats this young kids and really work on doing three/threes again under pressure. Because I think the ladies field is getting very deep. These women are doing awesome things, and they are getting a whole lot of experience. Can you imagine how good Miko is going to be next year, much less two years from now! Kwan's biggest thing for her is consistency, and she is the most consistent still BUT I'm not sure if that can be relied on. Once you get to the point where there are several skaters who can hit it, you've got to count on the fact that someone will hit the three/three. (Kind of like Eldgridge believing in 98 that he'd win without the quad. by then there were far too many men hitting the quad to make it possible.) I totally think she can do it. (And even though I like Sasha better, I say Michelle stay for Italy because we the USA need you!)

Yagudin said something in salt lake that I thought was wise. He said there are skaters who lean towards artists, and their are great technicians. IN the end, though it is the skater who is both, or who combines both that wins. Its really how it should be.

As much as I like Sasha, even if she had skated clean, I don't think I would have given her the gold because (two three/threes even if they are a bit underotated (and judges better start deducting a bit for it) is better than none. The new World Champion is also very beautiful to watch on the ice, too!

I'm excited about figure skating. How awesome is it that we have so many talented skaters to watch. I have a feeling that this next Olympics will go down as really one of the greatest Olympics because there are so many talented skaters. (Its almost sad that only one can win at this time.)

[taf]

bekalc, I agree. After Shizuka skated I was thinking it wouldn't be fair to put Sasha or Michelle over her with less tech content. Shizuka is a beautiful skater-lovely basics... we saw her at Skate America. Her exhibition is to die for. So if her presentation today was equal to or better than SA she rightfully won the LP. There is so much cheating in this sport. It seems for the top 3 they finally got it right.

[kwanette]

taf, Shizuka's exhibition at Skate America blew me away...the edging, the connecting moves..It had a soft quality...and an audience connection. Her hair was down, her costume, simple, very Kwan-like... I am so looking forward to her performance tonight.

[MKandNYYfan]

Well, as Michelle may put it, she now has the whole set!! I am sooo proud of her. Obviously, she got a lot of unwanted attention- the questions and all the overage about WHY she skated un-Michelle-like in QR. Then the whole time fault situation when she skated great. Yet she puts ALL that behind her and skates what sounds like a WONDERFUL last Tosca performance, and was 2nd in the FS! Who else would we think would pull that out?! The only one to feel sorry for is SC, and I'm thrilled for SA...but Michelle...! I'm speechless, she's priceless, what else can I say...

Oh- I think she still would have gotten the bronze medal had she been 2nd in the short. She would then have had a total of 5.6, SA (if she was in 3rd in SP) would have had 3.2 and SC had 4. The only way she could've won silver with a 2nd in FS is if she had been 2nd in QR and 2nd in SP...But who cares!
:TOS

[crazysoul80]

It doesn't matter. She skated with fire and she socked it to the judges and rightly so.

[mkrules]

I'm sorry, but I'm not over it. I'm happy Michelle skated great. Even though the end results were appropriate according to many (I have yet to see the long program) the judging was still unfair. The judges can screw her marks again.

[brinababy87]

You know, it's interesting to see a general (key word, general) sense of satisfaction between Kwan and Cohen fans over the results. Cohen fans are happy that Sasha got her first world medal, she didn't fall, and she placed higher than Michelle. Kwan fans are happy that Michelle won the LP, that she got the last 6.0, and that Sasha didn't win the title. The results, in a way, couldn't have been better, I think. 8)

[iceangelic]

Actually, those stupid judges overrated the Japanese skaters. I didnt connect with their moves and music. And yes, they were technically good but they were overrated in PRESENTATION department.

In the short, both japanese skaters were good but they overrated in the short programs. They were STALE. They just dont want Kwan to go home with the gold.

[iceangelic]

Yes, the judges screwed Michelle. They overrated the Japanese ladies in the artistic department. Shame on them!!! Watch the short programs and the long, I dont feel connected.

[ctolhouse]

Ya know, at the beginning of this whole contraversy, I was extremely pissed. I just can't understand how anybody could give Michelle low scores like that in the short and it ruined my whole day. But after spending many, many hours in the MKF chat, and just letting off some steam, I've realized that no matter what, Michelle skated her best. And that's all we can really ask for. No, it's not fair that she wasn't given the right marks, but that's just out of our hands. We have to be gracious like Michelle and just let it go. We can't sit around and be sore sports because that's the last thing she'd want us to do.

We should be proud that she didn't give up and that her short and long were incredible. I think that's what she needs right now.

:SJ

But anyway, here's to looking forward to the new COP. Bring it on!

[epoibim]

GK you took the words right out of my mouth. The smile has not left my face all day.

I could not be prouder of her.

What an inspiration...I only hope that one day I can make someone as proud as Michelle has made me.

AMAZING!

Her first world bronze! I was jumping all around screaming with delight over that silly medal! AH! This was amazing!! I am so SO HAPPY!

CONGRATULATIONS, MICHELLE! I can't imagine I'd be any prouder if you were wearing gold.

Absolutely beautiful addition to your collection.

Way to Tosca!!!!!!!:D
:TOS

[Tinuviel]

I don't care. I heard she put on a show and skated like a champion--that's all that matters.

[Polgara Nynaeve]

I'm not gona lie, I was kinda disappointed, but winning isn't everything and I am proud of Michelle no matter what!!! She will always be my favorite!

[taf]

OK, now I've seen the SPs, I've changed my mind. It's a toss-up between Michelle & Sasha for the best short-with the timing deduction, Sasha is definitely in 1st. The 2 Japanese were waaayyy below their quality IMO. I probably would have put Miki in 3rd & Shizuka 4th or 5th, but again that's a judgement call. Her errors were really apparent without slo-mo. So Michelle should have the silver instead of bronze. But I can't bring myself to really care. The only thing that really bothers me is her low SP tech scores. That was plain rude. It's weird that the same panel scored her fairly in the long. But I'm so proud of her and happy with the way it all worked out.

[Terri]

I wrote in another post that I don't think I would feel any happier, any prouder if Michelle had won gold. I think she showed remarkable courage, class, and determination. Everytime I witness her rise to the occasion I'm reminded why I'm fan of Michelle.

Congratulations to Michelle and congratulations to our new world champion, Shizuka Arakawa. May she wear the crown with as much grace as the lady that preceded her.