Marcella
July 7th, 1999, 04:12 AM
Hi! Here is my second to last installment. Hope you enjoy. Here is a recap for those who have missed the first parts. Part I was a short description of Michelle's plane flight to SLC and a fortune she received in a cookie that says "great courage is rewarded by great things." Part II was the opening ceremonies in which Michelle carried the USA flag. Part III was the first ladies practice where Michelle overcomes her nerves and sees the MK forumites in the stands! Part IV was the short program where Michelle skated her "Dream of Desdemona" program after holding a contest where fans voted what old program they would like to see her revive. Part V was Michelle getting ready for the long program and getting words of advice from friend Brian Boitano. I must admit that I didn't pay attention to whether the moves would fill four minutes or match the music perfectly. I just put what I wanted since it is my fantasy and not a reality :-) ************************************************ Frank says a quick prayer, holds his breath, and waits for the music to start. He still saw the tiny, determined girl that first walked into his training facility whenever she skated onto the ice to begin her programs. She slightly raises her arms at her sides while placing one foot behind the other with its toe pick resting on the ice. She closes her eyes while gracefully arching her back. The first notes of Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" sends shivers down Frank's spine. Michelle opens her eyes and gazes toward the audience as she opens her arms outward to encompass them with the first notes of music. She opens with a front Charlotte in perfect split position after a few gliding strokes to gain momentum. She effortlessly moves down the ice to complete a stunning triple lutz/triple toe loop combination in the right corner of the rink. Next comes a @#%$ Button Seal of Approval" layback spin with arms outstretched and free leg straight. "Incredible! She's moving with such speed that she seems to be flying across the ice but with such grace. Truly moving. Figure skating as its meant to be!" The momentum of the music began to build. "If she's going to do the triple axel it will come right NOW!" Michelle executes a solid triple axel with her famous held landing as she reaches her arms toward the audience and then upward. "Wonderful. Very exciting!" Her trademark Y-spin on both legs follows a perfectly executed triple flip. She then strokes across the rink and turns into a triple salchow. A rink-length Ina Bauer with a beautifully arched back elicits whistles from the appreciative crowd. She turns and strokes into a gentle triple loop/half loop/triple toe loop combination. The music gradually builds in intensity until she leaps into a falling leaf and a high flying triple toe loop. She stretches into a Kwan spiral that flies the length of the ice and gracefully turns into a sit spin and then changes directions into a reverse catch-foot camel. She gathers speed into a spread eagle and jumps into a 'Tano triple lutz. She lands with arms extended to the sides and palms turned upward in triumph. "Oh look at that expression. Isn't that wonderful." Her step sequence flies down the ice with abandon as the music builds to a joyous crescendo. The momentum carries her into a quick series of illusions followed by a scratch spin. Michelle ends with a back spiral, gently gliding to a stop as her arms reach for the audience. She then simply stands center ice and brings her hands over her heart. ************************************************ The audience sits at first in a moment of stunned silence. Michelle enthusiastically waves to the crowd and whispers "thank you." Her infectious smile lights up the arena and everyone jumps to their feet chanting "7.0 7.0" "Have you ever seen it rain teddy bears?" Michelle is still smiling when she skates off the ice and excitedly hugs Frank, her luminous face only matched by his. Danny Kwan bursts into the kiss and cry area and jumps up and down with his daughter in his arms while the crowd laughs. The marks are not necessary. No one needed the marks to tell them that the finest performances in Olympic history were at long last worthy of the gold medal. But just in case you were interested: 5.9 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 5.9 5.9 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 *********************************************** Marcella Trevino MKGA Keeper of Michelle's look over her shoulder after Romanza at 96 Worlds