An interesting point about certain skaters?

[Nathan]

WARNING DO NOT READ IF YOU THINK I POST IN AN IMFLAMATORY STYLE. DON'T SAY I'M TRYING TO MAKE YOU MAD. JUST DON'T READ IT:

I've always been under this assumption, but until I read the Carolina post, I never knew others agreed with me.

It seems like it's okay to be a really good skater, and to be praised just so long as you've never come cloes to or beaten Michelle. There have been some very possitive post about Carolina Kostner in the past but the second she placed third over Michelle at Worlds the tides seemed to change.

Other skaters which who are very well loved and respected on this forum seem to include Beatrisa Liang, Mao Asada, and particuraly Fumie Suguri.

Fumie seems to be the most loved Japanese lady on this board. Many dream of an Olympic podium with her on it. Funny...Fumie's the only top Japanese lady that's never been placed over Michelle. But she's skated some wonderful programs to get placed behind Michelle (2003 Worlds)

Mao asada is often praised on this forum. But if Mao beats Michelle at COC will people all the sudden start calling her "juniorish" and "unfinished"

Is it okay to be a great skater so long as you've never beaten Michelle?

Do our opinions about skaters change once they've beaten the Kween?

I'm not criticizing you if you do. I feel the same way. I used to be very threatened particuraly by young skaters because they always to seemed to be Michelle's nemesis's. I'm sure they're are people that are very nervous about Carolina because they think she could be the next Tara Lipinksi or Sarah Hughes, so criticizing her in some eases the fears.

I'm not condemning people for feeling this way I'm just curious to see if I'm right in my hypothesis that:
a.)It's okay to be very talented and good just so long as your talent is only good enough for Bronze with Michelle getting a Gold.
b.)You're particuarly loved if you're a non-jumper like Bebe who will never pose a serious threat to Michelle because she doesn't do 3/3 combo's.

[kwanluv]

NOTHING constructive can come from this thread. :rolleyes

[darin]

As if Carolina is skating like the worlds bronze medalist, her results this year speaks for itself, and lets face it. The only way Fumie is going to beat Michelle is if Michelle falls down on her jumps which is the only reason that Carolina got the bronze at worlds. Lets face it, Michelle can only beat herself.

[3Flutz3Lip]

I think Carolina and Mao do still look juniorish. That’s a fact.
Nobody on this board would ever say that Sasha looks juniorish. Even at her first Nats, Sasha did not look juniorish. She was really polished. And Sasha has beaten MK. (But of course Sasha has never won a major title over MK)
I think the reasons that you hear more criticism when someone like Carolina beating MK is because someone like Carolina is sort of in the spotlight now. And of course people are going to compare her to MK skating and such.
We all know that Carolina’s skating skills are not yet comparable to MK, IS, SC, or SA. Like someone else said. Carolina did well at last year world, but she also had help from MK’s mistakes.

[YankeesSuck01]

That is not true with everyone. I love all the Japanese skaters because they shut their mouths and skate. I would love Fumie if she beat Michelle because the kid is a class act. You NEVER hear a word out of her mouth that comes across as obnoxious or snide. Which is why I pretty much love every Japanese skater. They also don't sit on the sidelines glaring at people that beat them either like some ex US skaters whose names I will leave unmentioned.

Kimmie Meissner has never beaten Michelle and no one seems to like her skating very much.

[shell4mk]

Well, I can't speak for everybody because MKF is not one being although everybody seems to think it is. I personally don't base my preferences on whether or not a skater can beat Michelle and maybe you should do a study to see if it's the same people saying the good things and the bad things, or maybe, just maybe some people like a skater and some people don't. I root for Shizuka and Fumie and while I was disappointed when Michelle didn't win, I became of fan of Shizuka at 2004 Worlds and thought she deserved the win. Actually, every time I think a skater has potential they either have career-ending injuries or never seem to go beyond the point of potential. I agree with YankeesSuck that the Japanese ladies seem to go about their business and just skate.

[Puce]

wasn't fumie placed ahead of michelle at worlds at one point? i think after the SP. and people still loved her then. people like the skaters/skating styles that they like. whether or not it agrees with "nathans" opinion really doent's matter in the least. nobody has to run their tastes by anybody for approval.

[GoldenMichelle]

Well I don't know about others, but I certanly don't think that way. I like several skaters that have placed over Michelle , and 2004 I even said that I would be thrilled for Fumie if she won he Gold at Worlds that year. I don't love or hate skaters based on how they skate compared to Michelle. Sure I don't like Irina's skating....but I didn't like it long before she ever beat Michelle and I like Sasha's skating and I will still like it even if she beats Michelle in every competion. In my mind the two have nothing to do with each other.

[Dave]

I'm not offended but would strongly disagree for myself, beating Michelle has never been a factor in my analysis of any skater. I agree with the poster who said only Michelle can beat Michelle. I personally don't feel anyone has ever beaten Michelle because they were a better skater, just lucky enough for Michelle to have a subpar performance or the benefit of some shady judging.