Reviewing 2003 Nationals ...

[mzheng]

Boring at off season. I'm reviewing 2003 worlds tape. Some random thoughts:

Still got goose bumpered at Michelle's SP and LP.

Reviewing the tape after two years, very impressed with Yebin Mok's skating skills. Very solid among the ladies in last group, except Michelle. Anyone know where Mok is now? Does she still skate?

Believe Sarah's skating at 2003 Nationals was the best she ever managed after 2002 SLC.

Compare Sasha's skating then to now, she is a much better skater now. Her blades now cutting into ice more than then.

Jenny almost no improving these years.

Strange feeling that among the last group only half of them (Michellle, Sasha and Jenny) still competing.

Heard Terry Ganon half joking on MK's 7th National title: "Who knows, she might go double digits.". Then at exhibition, Terry again "only Merriable Owne Vinson has more 9 of them. she (MK) is two more steps to go". Two years late she(MK) did these two steps. On the way to 'double digits'.

Tara's interview during Exhibition broadasting. Whinning how unfair media treated her, called herself a celebraty, with occational snik comments from Terry Ganon throw in once a while.....

Oh, I'm boring.... still waiting for MK's exhibition coming up.

[patsue]

mzheng--I watch 2003 Nat's quite often--I don't have to be bored but when I'm feeling "down" I watch Michelle's skating --those two programs never fail to put a smile on my face and magically lift me out of my "blue funk"!

[chipso1]

I agree - 2003 Nats is an awesome competition to keep watching!

However, I disagree that Jenny hasn't improved. I think that her jump technique, power, and overall strength has gotten much better under Frank . . . . . .

[THIZfiyaVIETgrl]

However, I disagree that Jenny hasn't improved. I think that her jump technique, power, and overall strength has gotten much better under Frank . . . . . .

It might have, but her skating is still so weak compared to other skaters internationally that it's hard to tell.

[Eeyora]

I still get tears when thinking of Michelle's performance. :SE :LB
I remember crying when watching it.

[mzheng]

patsue, This is the first time in long time that I review the whole tape - I usually fast forward to Michelle's SP and LP on that tape. And also 2004 LP - , listening to those comments feels a little differently then and now. Maybe I'm getting old, become more sentimental.

[MFarone]

Thanks mzheng for bringing up 2003 Nationals. I was lucky enough to be in Dallas for Nationals and from the moment Michelle arrived she owned this competition. Practices were great - she was relaxed and confident. I was just dying to see the short program - she had only done it at Skate America and the powers that be at ABC never showed the short program. I was just blown away when I saw it in Dallas. Michelle was fast, sultry, intense and perfect. No wonky landings, spins centered and reasonably fast, everything timed to the music. I was sitting at the end of the Arena when she absolutely flew down the ice doing that wonderful footwork. Did I mention it was fabulous? The free skate was just as wonderful. Loved the costume, loved her freedom. The footwork was wonderful. When I got home and listened to the tape I sometimes wondered if Dick and Peggy were watching the same competition. I felt Michelle won far and away from everyone else. Of course, Dick got kind of choked up at the end of the free skate when Michelle went into her final pose. I've been lucky to go to four Nationals, but Dallas is my favorite. It was just wonderful.

Maureen

[MFarone]

Mzheng I forgot you asked about Yebin. I believe I read after Nationals this year that she was still trying to get her triple jumps back. In the spring I believe she decided to stop skating because of all the injuries and not being able to regain her triple jumps. She has an official website (I found it on Skateweb - Sandra Loosemore's website). Yebin talks about how difficult things have been and that perhaps she will become a writer. She also mentions taking up golf. I thought she was delightful in Dallas - great basics. I will miss her.


Maureen

[Katie]

2003 Nationals was so special! Michelle skated brilliantly!:SE

I've watched her LP thousands of times, whenever I need a pick-me-up or just because it is my favorite performance of the last few years!
Thanks so much for bringing it up. :)
:LB

[lillyfly]

Awww, Yebin is one of my favs. I felt privileged to see her skate at this years Nationals even though she wasn't perfect. Her skating is lovely. I thought she was taking some time off. I hope she can come back but it must be difficult. Whatever she does I hope she is happy and wish her the best.

[millenniummagicz]

what did celebraty tara say?

[uncchristine99]

Aranjuez is so uplifting and so incredible... the Nats LP was the best performance of it ever... even though the Worlds LP got more props. This is one of the happiest seasons for me.

[aaronts]

i think that AP could have been placed above Sarah & Sasha. i know her jumps are small & didn't have the best landings, but watching Sasha's mistakes & Sarah's leg wraps/underrotated jumps, i thought AP was 2nd only to Michelle. i love all of the soft edging & balance/edge changes AP managed. that's really difficult.

re Jenny: while i do believe she's improved, her stroking & speed in spinning & other MITF still leave much to be desired~

[Beach Springer]

Mzheng, Yebin Mok had a rough time with her jumps in Portland, but she was still lovely to watch. She looked stronger and more mature. Frank was very attentive and instructing her a lot in the practices. They seemed to be getting along well, and Yebin seemed happy on the ice, despite not placing very well.

I love 2003 Nationals also. We had no idea what to expect and what a wonderful surprise it was! Michelle was just perfect.

:SE :SJ

[Lanternlight]

Nats 03 is one of my favorite performances from Michelle, both SP and LP. Next to 98, I think it's her strongest title win. Her landings were so fabulous and it was the debut of the improved LP footwork sequence.

I was there for Worlds. Michelle's SP was so amazing that day. The LP was great too, but that SP was so incredibly spot on. I remember screaming my head off, way up in the rafters.

[lasaslav]

I, too, really loved Yebin's performance in the SP that year. I've rewatched it several times, and it seemed like finally she nailed a true, complete program with artistry, technical basics, etc. It felt like a "complete meal".

Sorry to hear she's had so many problems since then.

Also, I agree re: Jenny Kirk not really progressing. I've always considered her a junior-ish skater, not really up to the standards of Michelle, Sarah Hughes, etc. in jumping ability. I always thought she'd make a great pairs skater, though...she has the same build as the more grown up Katia.

[GMAN]

I borrowed my dance instructor the video of 2003 Nationals in the summer of 2003. My mom said she would have it for a fe weeks. Well, it turned out a few years and I got it back in the spring of '05! I was so excited and instantly fell in love with Aranjuez again! In my opinion, that was one of her most fluid and graceful performances ever.