Why is everyone so happy right now?

[Yankees Suck 01]

I am actually very happy right now myself.
Michelle fighting hard and getting the bronze is an amazing accomplishment and I am thrilled as can be that she won a medal but I can't help but think I should not be happy.
The judging at this worlds was not fair. It was blatant cheating. Just because Michelle won a medal doesn't mean the end justifies the means.
There was still blatant cheating going on here by the judges. If this sport continue's to do this it is going to lose any legitimacy it has and right now I can't say that is a lot.

Sorry to be a bummer but IMO the cheating that went on at this worlds by the judges after what happened in 2002 means nothing has changed and it isn't going to either.

[NikkiFinn]

I agree. I am happy and proud for Michelle, but i can't help being angry at the judges and the ISU.
These skaters work too hard to because screwed out of their proper placement. I'm so sick of hearing "the process". yeah, skaters should enjoy the process, but if they deliver the goods then they should be rewarded.
I have never been this happy and this mad at the same time before.
I am just happy that the judges didn't hold a wobbly Cohen up over a perfect Arakawa. But you can bet if it were a Russian skater, Arakawa wouldn't be world champ right now.

[TwinnerA]

I think Michelle was great in the short and the long, but considering the drama of yesterday and the fact that she didn't have one or more 3/3, I think it's great that she won bronze. She seems happy with her performances for the SP and LP, so I am too. She certainly knows you can't win all the time and the bronze makes it 9 world medals and completes here collection. Not that's something to be proud of. I am happy for her and looking forward to seeing the coverage this afternoon and this evening!!!!! About the judges, well, it goes without saying that they went crazy this week with the overgenerous 6.0s, with the exception of Michelle of course.

[rOSiEoPeRaGIrL]

AGREE. That is exactly what I said yesterday. The cheating just DOESN"T stop

[Yankees Suck 01]

This thread is not about Michelle.
It's about the judges.
The judging was suspect at this whole competition and if we forget about the cheating that went on then nothing is ever going to change.

I am so happy for Michelle but to me she isn't the point. The blatant cheating is the point.

[neneth]

COP or not cheating is here to stay.Mainly for the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[FallingLeaf]

And people are kidding themselves if they think the COP is really going to make that much of a difference.

[ceap]

I agree Yankees Suck01! The cheating is worse than ever with Plushy's 6.0's with a fall, Irina's inflated scores, not deducting for Sasha's flutz, not deducting for Shizuka and Miki's cheated jumps or Shizuka's not doing enough spins, scoring Michelle so low and Sasha so high when they had the same content in their programs, scoring Michelle so absurdly low in the Short even without the penalty...I could go on and on.

It's sad and infuriating. I don't know how the skaters do it every year not knowing if they will be fairly judged or not. It sickens me and Speedy is dispicable.

WELCOME BACK!!!!!!!!!!! We missed your funny and insightful posts!

[Delilah's Mom]

You know, rules are rules. Plushy got dinged and lost the GPF for a rule violation. If Michelle's program was too long, then it was too long. She should have left herself a couple of seconds to spare so that this type of thing wouldn't happen.

She should be proud of how well she skated and that she came back and medaled.

Eurosport pounded the judging overall, but said that the 3 that were on the podium were the 3 that deserved to be there. Maybe MK would have been in silver w/o the deduction. Neither she nor Sasha had a 3/3, as did Arakawa. Apparently Arakawa's LP was nothing less than brilliant! Can't wait to see it tonight.

So I'm happy for Michelle AND Sasha AND Shuzika!

[debbwin]

i agree, ys,.but even the eurosport announcers were saying good bye and good riddance to the 6.0 judging system....this week will NOT happen again, they said...alot of controversy, not just the ladies apparently....and i heard on eurosport during medal ceremony ...cinquento was IMMENSELY BOOED...i could hear it was very loud......he's got to get the message and apparently the new coi will definately bee the new systemm.....and i'm sure with michelle;s all around skating skills...she will be justly rewarded highly in this new system....(remember plushy being penalized in gpf for being OVERLY technical??) anyway, i say goodbye, too to the 6.0 and HAPPY that michelle got the last laugh, excuseme, the last 6.0!!!!!! that's why i'm happy....ok, i'm not extatic cuz michelle was screwed in the sp...but hey...i think if they wanted to get rid of her to retire...the judges would NOT have placed her second in the long....imho...so ok yippee but not YIPPEE......

[Yankees Suck 01]

Thank you ceap.
I have had quite a welcoming on this board today (for now.lol)

We as fans have to do something about the blatant cheating now. I can be happy for Michelle but her getting a medal doesn't change the fact that the judges tried to cheat her (and others) out of medals.


I also want to point out that I am not talking about the deduction Michelle got as cheating.
I agree rules are rules but deciding to use certain rules for certain skaters and not use other rules for other skaters (like flutzing and cheated jumps etc..) isn't right.

There needs to be no hiding the judges and their scores. Getting rid of the bad judges is the only made to make this sport fair.

[debbwin]

ys, yes i do agree...the judging should NOT be anonymous that was the worst thing they changed....judges SHOULD be held accountable...yes...

[GinnySmith]

I also want to point out that I am not talking about the deduction Michelle got as cheating.
I agree rules are rules but deciding to use certain rules for certain skaters and not use other rules for other skaters (like flutzing and cheated jumps etc..) isn't right.Well said. Let's add failing to include the required number of revolutions in a spin...


Edited to add: For some reason, I can't get this smile off of my face....:D

[ChiSkate2002]

Yes we should all be happy. Michelle definitely did what she can do best. Including improving both her short and long programs. Although it's a shame that she didn't win, she came out of this competition feeling proud and happy.

I celebrate with her!!!

[iilyastardust]

I am happy someone other than Sasha won with all the cheating and all.

[mkwanfan101]

i'm so happy coz she did so well. i can't wait to see it now. i can't believe this, she doesn't win gold and i'm happy for her! :)

[sidda]

I'm thrilled. Ever since I saw the results for the QR and SP, I've been really scared to find out what happened and sad for Michelle. But after I watched the results of the LP trickle in, I found myself so excited and happy for her. For me my reaction is based on several things.

1. She didn't give up. She kept fighting, and apparently gave the performance of a lifetime.

2. She has always said that she just wants to skate well. That's why we were so sad for her in SLC--not just because she didn't get the gold medal, but because she didn't give the performance of her life.

3. She maintains her streak of medals at Worlds. Even though it's not gold or silver, it's still an impressive feat.

4. She still has the passion to fight and compete, even when all the signs seem to point against her.

5. She must have skated her heart out--and managed to win over the judges on her performance AND extend her 6.0s in competition.

She's just such a fighter and has so much heart. I'm so proud to be a fan of hers and so happy for her right now. I only hope I can muster a fraction of her spirit in my more mundane life.

[GinnySmith]

sidda-

Beautifully stated. Those are all the things that are so great about Michelle and what makes her such a wonderful competitor. :D

[lemonade16]

Well, because Michelle showed once again what it means to be a true champion. When the chips are down, she comes through, and comes through spectacularly.

I'm also happy because Michelle wasn't prepared for these Worlds in the sense that she and Raphael hadn't yet put into action their overall plan for her. Much had been mentioned pre-Nationals and Worlds regarding what Michelle and Raphael felt Michelle needed to do to be the best. They admitted there wasn't enough time to do those things before Nationals and Worlds. Raphael also stated that, if Michelle decided after this season to stay in the mix, he had a plan for the summer and next season. I think Michelle and Raphael hoped Michelle would compete well at these Worlds, not necessarily expecting her to win, but to do well and keep Michelle visible as a top competitor. They achieved that and more, IMO. What other skater could have survived what Michelle did this week? Honestly, she (1) fought back after a mediocre qualifying skate, (2) put out the best SP she has in years, maybe, (3) dealt with the media BS following the time deduction issue, (4) settled herself after a streaker disrupted her warm-up skate, and (5) went on to kick some booty :CK in her LP. C'mon, that really IS superhuman.

I'm so happy because now Michelle and Raphael can make some decisions and have time to execute them. Who knows what Michelle will decide, but, if she decides to compete next season, WATCH OUT! She will do what she needs to do choreographically and technically to be the best. And, Michelle's gift is that, once trained, she executes.

I'm so happy because Michelle has extended her World medals record even more!!!

I'm so happy because this was Michelle's ELEVENTH consecutive appearance at Worlds, and she was fabulous!

I'm mostly proud ... really, really proud of Michelle, and I truly feel privileged to be a fan.

lemonade16

[GinnySmith]

aw, lemonade16...you got me all Varklempft! great post!

[mano]

Michelle is just going to come out of this stronger. I for one am excited for the upcoming seasons. Proud of Michelle! Happy Happy, Joy Joy I am and not med induced either. :)

[Forever Loyal]

I agree! I e-mailed the IOC about the judging at Worlds. They need to get rid of the ISU and speedy as the governing body of figure skating and JUDGES NEED TO BE MADE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR MAEKS!! I can't say that enough!

On another note I am SO PROUD OF MICHELLE!!:SP :SE :FL :CHO

[hfce]

I am happy for Michelle but sad that she got screwed. No excuse for what happened to her. But I am proud of how she didnt let this get her down. She went out there and did it.

The judges and the ISU need to hear from us and tell them we will not take it anymore. Enough with the cheating.:evil


Hope:CK

[muri]

because after all is said and done Michelle is still on the podium and by the looks of all the photos (thanks guys) she looks HAPPY!
Thank You, Jesus.

[uglygreekgoddess]

I'm SOOOO HAPPY that Shizuka won!!! And for Michelle for winning her 1st Worlds bronze medal! YAYYYYYYY

[bunghodog]

I do not think Michelle got screwed, I do not understand.
The American ladies are going to have have 3/3 or they won't be able to compete with the top skaters, I understand this about cheating not Michelle but what cheating. The judges felt the way the did who are we to say they are wrong.

[KWS]

b/c Arakawa is my second favorite lady behind Michelle, and i feel she has sometimes been marked down in the GP this year.

b/c Michelle had a great skate, she looks so happy, she shows once again she's a true champ, and she's aiming for Turino!

[JamesG]

She did not give up despite not earlier skating her best.

I felt she might be slipping a bit, but if she continues to place in the top three in competition she should definitely keep skating competively. Of course, this assumes she still wants to.

She has one more medal from the World Championships, which makes it eight or so in total. Wow, what an accomplishment.

Michelle is much stronger mentally than certainly me (which is not saying that much). But, she overcame a lot to at least earn a medal.

Now, if this is possible, I am EVEN a bigger fan of hers than before.

[mkrules]

Yankees Suck - So what do you suggest we do about the blatant cheating?

BTW - I hope your hear to stay.:)

[kwanette]

Yankees Suck...Welcome back...

[shellyfan]

I'm thrilled because she skated fantastic and she is on the podium. Last year was one of renewal. This year as well as next year are growth years. Hopefully 2006 will be a climactic year.
It is WRONG and counter-productive to blame anyone but Michelle for the difficulties at this Worlds. It ia also wrong to credit anyone but Michelle for the poise, dignity and strength with which she handled these difficulties.
she didn't expose her short to many judges this year for feedback. She waited until it counted bigtime. Her two second penalty may have been justified for that kind of mistake at her level. See how sharply and quickly she closed Tosca!
If the goal is to peak in early 2006, this outcome probably could not have worked better to prepare Michelle for the next two years.
I am delighted!!!!

[SusanBeth]

I'm just thankful Michelle wasn't hurt. How did that guy get so close to her? It's a good thing he wasn't violent. Who cares about a skating competition when you think of what could have happened? I am sending up thanks and I am officially giving up griping about the competition.

[hfce]

Yeah that was scary then funny that guy got out there. The security was lax and this could have turned the other way. Thank God Michelle wasnt hurt.


Hope:SE

[cestlavie000000]

I'm proud of Michelle and thrilled she pulled up with each phase of the competition. I hope she is stimulated to improve her spins and increase the difficulty of her jump combinations. I have been watching Shizuka for the past 2-3 years and do enjoy her skating. She has interesting jump technique and is a true lady and competitor. Of course I want Michelle to win. I also want to see her improve her jumps and spins. The judging was horrible by all accounts and in my opinion Plushy's performance did not inspire me--Joubert should have won. If Michelle fell off an edge setting up for a 3 loop and had otherwise equal tech. difficulty as the other skaters she would not have won. Sounds like Sasha was given generous "gifts" throughout the competition. No surprise there. She is just not appealing to me --I'm sorry. I'd like to vote her out but it's not an election.--Darn! Go Jenny, Michelle, Shizuka, Miki, AP, Angela, and the girls who have so graciously competed over the years with class and style.

[jlgformk]

I am thrilled that Michelle finished this competition on a high note. It just wasn't her competition, but the good thing is that she has plenty of things to learn from. She won't cut her music so close, she'll practice on the competition ice before she competes, and she will attack her qualifying round even if it doesn't count much. Still, even with her uphill battle she was extremely close to winning. That she stayed in the mix is a credit to her!

Bunghodog, I think that people are complaining about the marks in the short program. If she skated beyond the time limit, fine, but that's only a .1 deduction. Her elements were executed flawlessly, and a flawless Michelle program generally scores 5.6 - 5.8, even without a 3/3. That's how they scored Sasha with the same jump content. How, then, does Michelle get such low (for her) technical marks? It's because the judges had an agenda rather than judging the actual competition. That's cheating, and its wrong. The cheaters will never be exposed because of the anonymous judging, which adds insult to injury.

Still, yesterday I was worried that Michelle might not even medal. I'm content to see her leave Dortmund in style!