Michelle Kwan

[ILoveAllSkaters]

I want you to [color=darkred:3b436373ee][/color:3b436373ee]STAY[size=9:3b436373ee][/size:3b436373ee] and SKATE. Please. That would do me so much good. Thank you very much, Michelle, for your beautiful skating. I wish I could have seen your "FIELDS OF GOLD" or any one of your other numbers in person. That would have made me very happy. :D

[hoptoad]

Hey ILoveAllSkaters, I love your name!

It sounds like Michelle definitely will not compete in GP events this year.
I think the ISU rules dictate that since she is a seeded skater, if she doesn't do the GP, she can't do any pro-ams either. (BTW, would the same apply to Sarah, who is not seeded this year?)

Does this leave any events that Michelle could compete in if she wanted a competition under her belt before Nationals (if she goes)? Of course, she could go to regionals and sectionals if she wanted to, but that would be shame for the skaters in her section. (not unfair, but a shame when there are so many really good women who won't qualify for Nationals.)

[ILoveAllSkaters]

Thank you. :)

[Debbie S]

AFAIK, the ISU rules about the GP series and pro-ams only apply to pro-ms run by the ISU (Masters, Canadian/Sears Open), not individual federations. So Michelle can compete in USFSA pro-ams w/o losing eligibility.

BTW, it's interesting to note that there is currently a spot open for a seeded ladies skater at Skate America. My guess is that the USFSA (which controls the invitation list) is leaving open the possibility that MK may decide to just do that comp, even though she's skipping the rest of the series and GPF.