Who was MK's biggest rival ever?

[KwansPrayerWarrior]

I will always list it as Irina Slutskaya. The only reason being because, everytime Irina competed against Michelle, I always wondered where the competition would be held.

If it was held in an Eastern Bloc country, I knew Michelle had next-to-nill chance of winning against Irina. If it was in a Western country or mostly had Western Bloc judges, then I could breathe a little easier

[elyn524]

I voted for Tara because she beat a clean Michelle in Nagano. IMO it is very unlikely that a clean Irina, Sasha, or Sarah would've beaten a clean Michelle skating Lyra. Tara also didn't have the Eastern Bloc like Irina did.

[mr pru]

....irina.....

they competed the most against each other...and seemed (at times) to bring out the best in each other..

[kittyjake5]

Irina and Sasha. Both of these skaters coveted Michelle position and worked very hard to surpass her. Irina had more success at beating the Kween than Sasha.

[3axel]

Irina and Sasha were the longtime great competitors, though Michelle won most of the time, but Tara was Michelle's equal at the age of 14, and was able to top Michelle at several of the big competitions. So I think little Tara stands taller than Irina, Sasha, or Sarah.

[fdevine]

Just went back and read this thread again. I'm pretty sure I voted Irina the first time and still hold that view. sigh. The good old days.

grannie frances

[briancoogaert]

Tara Lipinski, even if Irina was there a longer time.

[dollyl]

It was herself. She often said that.

[gratefulmkfan]

It's funny you said that Dolly. I voted "other" because her biggest rival was herself. Nobody ever beat Michelle when Michelle skated her best, except Tara one time at the Olympics. Even that could be arguable, as if Michelle had not spent the season injured, her program would have had her 3/3. Tara's other wins over Michelle were when Michelle was going through her 97-98 adjustment period, and I think that qualifies more as opportunity than rivalry. JMHO.