ToscaNKyJeff
March 27th, 2004, 09:21 AM
OK - this is my first time posting here. And I appologize for the long post. So, I will start by saying hello to everyone :) . Hi!!! In any case, I have been a Michelle fan since 1992. I got to see her live for the first time in Atlanta this year (BTW, howdy Sam). So, I preface this by saying I am slightly biased.
Here it goes...what the heck happened at this worlds. So, MK's 4th place in her QR could have gone either way, I unfortunately accept that. But having seen the SP, I cannot believe that she was in fourth. I know, I know .01 deduction. However, I also think the cut of TFB was a little different and I timed it at 2:40 and some change. But in any case even w/the deduction it was clear that Miki and Arawakra were not better than Michelle (the cheats were obvious). And yes Sasha was the clear leader but come on.
I have also seen the LPs and it was clear that Arawakra won the event. However, I was so proud of Michelle (especially given the streaker). She skated well and deserved her second place ranking and the Bronze.
In my mind, this was a clear attempt by the ISU to send her a message. "Either play our game or get out." The 4th in the short changed the entire complexion of the event. Who knows what would have happened to Arawakra and Cohen had MK been breathing down their necks. I believe that MK won in the best sense of the word. She won because she skated because she loves skating, not because she needed another medal...Lord knows she has plenty of well-deserved medals :) . When she skates she skates because she loves it. Her passion is the joy of skating, not the joy of skating well (like Cohen and others). Just skating. That is what makes her the Kwan we all know and love.
So we should applaud her victory. Her victory over the corrupt ISU and all her nay-sayers. I personally think she will come out fighting next year with another set of memorable programs. And if RA has his way a 3z/3l. :)
-laterz
TosacaNKyJeff:SC
Here it goes...what the heck happened at this worlds. So, MK's 4th place in her QR could have gone either way, I unfortunately accept that. But having seen the SP, I cannot believe that she was in fourth. I know, I know .01 deduction. However, I also think the cut of TFB was a little different and I timed it at 2:40 and some change. But in any case even w/the deduction it was clear that Miki and Arawakra were not better than Michelle (the cheats were obvious). And yes Sasha was the clear leader but come on.
I have also seen the LPs and it was clear that Arawakra won the event. However, I was so proud of Michelle (especially given the streaker). She skated well and deserved her second place ranking and the Bronze.
In my mind, this was a clear attempt by the ISU to send her a message. "Either play our game or get out." The 4th in the short changed the entire complexion of the event. Who knows what would have happened to Arawakra and Cohen had MK been breathing down their necks. I believe that MK won in the best sense of the word. She won because she skated because she loves skating, not because she needed another medal...Lord knows she has plenty of well-deserved medals :) . When she skates she skates because she loves it. Her passion is the joy of skating, not the joy of skating well (like Cohen and others). Just skating. That is what makes her the Kwan we all know and love.
So we should applaud her victory. Her victory over the corrupt ISU and all her nay-sayers. I personally think she will come out fighting next year with another set of memorable programs. And if RA has his way a 3z/3l. :)
-laterz
TosacaNKyJeff:SC