New Michelle Kwan article

[jcspkbfan]

Sounds like she's still undecided about her plans for next season:

http://www.gazette.com/stories/0707spts1.php?section=4

[Jim D]

jcspkbfan,

Thanks for posting the link. :) ... It does sound as though Michelle is still not certain as to what she wishes to do in the future.

Jim

[ToddFan]

Thanks :)

[AxelAnnie22]

[color=darkblue:3bc371c57b]Sometimes no decision is a decision.[/color:3bc371c57b]

[icyboid]

Does anyone have a picture of the statue?

[buffy]

I wish Michelle knew what her plans are for next year because I would go to Worlds if she was skating.

Maybe Michelle really needs to take the whole year off from skating except to find a coach and choreographer and to practice from time to time. That way she may gain some perspective on her life and skating. I'm wondering if she is burnt out for competitive skating and that's why she doesn't know what she will do next.

[nits]

Well, I hope Michelle returns for Nationals and Worlds at least. I believe her absence will make it too easy for her rivals. Michelle is the only skater that combines athleticism with artistry, and IMO, that is what figure skating needs in a time of 3/3 attempts and quad attempts with sloppy skating. This is NOT a bash of any other skaters...however, I just don't see any other skater out there with the PROVEN consistency of Michelle Kwan, including the jumps and the whole package.
I wish Michelle the best in whatever decision she makes.

[Blue Ridge]

[quote:043136cbc7="nits"]Well, I hope Michelle returns for Nationals and Worlds at least. I believe her absence will make it too easy for her rivals. Michelle is the only skater that combines athleticism with artistry, and IMO, that is what figure skating needs in a time of 3/3 attempts and quad attempts with sloppy skating. This is NOT a bash of any other skaters...however, I just don't see any other skater out there with the PROVEN consistency of Michelle Kwan, including the jumps and the whole package.
I wish Michelle the best in whatever decision she makes.[/quote:043136cbc7]

well I think it is true that Michelle is the skater with the proven consistency, but the "only skater that combines athleticism with artistry"? The ONLY? geez.

[kwanette]

Selfishly, I hope she competes at the nats and goes to Worlds. This is the first and probably the last time I will ever get to attend a world championship. I hope that she will use the fall to vacation, rest, find a coach, why do I think she already has one? and then proceed slowly.

Someone on another board suggested that perhaps FOG was her farewell. Hope not.

[hoptoad]

I'd love to see Michelle come back and win Worlds again...but I understand that it's a hard decision.

Instead of worrying about 2006, I'd like to hear her talk about taking it one year at a time. I support whatever she does, but would hate to see her doing it half-heartedly. I don't see how she can know right now whether or not she's motivated enough to give it four more years of hard training, even if she does take some time off.

[adrianchew]

[quote:8bc3636b56="nits"]This is NOT a bash of any other skaters...however, I just don't see any other skater out there with the PROVEN consistency of Michelle Kwan, including the jumps and the whole package.
I wish Michelle the best in whatever decision she makes.[/quote:8bc3636b56]

Kristi Yamaguchi has consistently maintained her level of skating into her pro career, including triples, and has the whole package to boot. We've yet to see whether Michelle can maintain consistency into adulthood as Kristi has, so such a proclaimation seems premature.

[ToddFan]

Adrian, dear, Michelle *is* an adult :)

And while it's just my personal opinion, I expect that she would quit skating and do other things full-time before she put crud down on the ice.

[cienicsk8]

I think Adrian meant adult as how Kristi will be 30, I believe this year. (If she isn't already....)
Michelle at 22 still seems like a kid to me, even though legally she's an adult.
I think she's realizing there is more to life than just skating and she would like to experience some of it before she herself is 30.
No matter what she decides, I wish her the best:)
She's worked long and hard, and deserves a break!

[ILoveAllSkaters]

[quote:666c678a8d]"No matter what she decides, I wish her the best:)[/quote:666c678a8d]

Me too, definitely!!! :D

[Patty]

[quote:f93516e72e="adrianchew"][quote:f93516e72e="nits"]This is NOT a bash of any other skaters...however, I just don't see any other skater out there with the PROVEN consistency of Michelle Kwan, including the jumps and the whole package. I wish Michelle the best in whatever decision she makes.[/quote:f93516e72e]

Kristi Yamaguchi has consistently maintained her level of skating into her pro career, including triples, and has the whole package to boot.[/quote:f93516e72e]

I agree with you about Kristi. I think Kristi and Michelle have a lot in common, such as being the complete package and consistent, especially on their triple lutzes. But, I think Nits was referring to those ladies still competing in eligible competition, so Kristi Y. wouldn't apply to her comments.

[quote:f93516e72e]We've yet to see whether Michelle can maintain consistency into adulthood as Kristi has, so such a proclaimation seems premature.[/quote:f93516e72e]

Kristi was 19 or 20 when she went pro after '92 Worlds. Since then, Kristi hasn't had to land more than 3 or 4 triple jumps per program. Probably, she could have still landed more for years after that, but we'll never know for sure since she went pro.

OTOH, though Michelle struggled this past season, we do know that she still landed 4- 6 triples in her LPs this past season as a 21 year old without a coach. Also, read the COI reviews. Her three triple FOG has been flawless almost every performance and the highlight of COI, even for many non- Kwan fans.

Therefore, unless she doesn't want to or gets injured in the future, right now, I see absolutely no evidence whatsoever why she couldn't be like Kristi, still consistently landing at least 3- 4 triples, including a triple lutz until she's at least 30.

[ToddFan]

As a 22 year-old myself, no, I do not consider Michelle a "kid" LOL ;) And she certainly handles a schedule / plate that many older people do not or could not. (I think it would drive me personally to tears :lol:)

(Just clarifying, not bickering *G*)

[cienicsk8]

ToddFan,
When you get to be a geezer like myself, you'll think 22 year olds are kids too :wink:
You are absolutely right about the myriad of things Michelle has on her plate. I sure as heck couldn't do it. That's why if she decides to take a year off, nobody should begrudge her the time off. She has more than earned it 8)

[nits]

I was speaking of eligible skaters, which is why I didn't consider Kristi. I agree though, about Kristi. She is a wonderful skater.

[ToddFan]

cienicsk8, I doubt you're a "geezer" :wink:

[kara]

Thanks for the link...I really enjoyed the article. I do wish she'd have some time to *not* think, though...and then think later when she's rested, and not be asked all the time about the future. She hasn't stopped skating in almost a year. She's been full speed ahead since the GWG...that's mind-boggling! I hope to see her at Worlds, but only if she wants to be there and not b/c she feels she owes us. I adore her, as many of us do, and I hope she knows we all want the best for her.

Oh, and I already am an AP fan, but she scored bonus points with me with her MK comments :D .

[Patty]

Kara-
I agree. I don't see how Michelle can make any big decisions until she's off tour. I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't hear a final decision on Nationals until the last possible moment. When is the latest she could make a decision about Nationals?

Since she put me on the edge of my seat at Nationals, I too have been an AP fan. I'm not surprised she admires MK-- her own skating has some of the same qualities as MK's

[hiliairyh]

[quote="adrianchew"][quote:620f595fe3="nits"] I just don't see any other skater out there with the PROVEN consistency of Michelle Kwan, including the jumps and the whole package.
quote]

Nits, ITA that in the past decade Michelle has proven to be consistent and with whole package (since 96) to boot, beginning with placing 6th at USA nationals at 12 years old, and winning junior World Gold at 13......

Kristi Yamaguchi has consistently maintained her level of skating into her pro career, including triples, and has the whole package to boot. We've yet to see whether Michelle can maintain consistency into adulthood as Kristi has, so such a proclaimation seems premature.[/quote:620f595fe3]

ITA, Kristi has a wonder pro career, and maintained all her triple jumps (never had the triple sal). She has given us so much joy in her decade of pro. She competed in the pro am, completed with short program requirements from 92 to Ultimate pro in 96. It was such a treat for fans to see Kristi, Yuka, and Michelle skating on the same ice that year. I wish Kristi will skate for 30 more years.

I think Kristi's work ethics, and efforts to stay healthy are the main reason that she has been so consistent. Will Michelle be as consistent if she turns pro and skate till she is 30? No one can predict the futrure; of course any prediction could be pre mature. But my guess is that if MK turns pro, and stays healthy, she too can be consistent like Kristi. Michelle too has good work ethics. IMHO, this predication is no more pre mature than any other predictions made by fans about, e.g. this rising Japanese star will win worlds 2003, or that American lady sensation will win Olympics in 2006. It is fun for fans to predict.

Patty wrote:
Also, read the COI reviews. Her (Michelle) three triple FOG has been flawless almost every performance, and high light of COI, even for many non-Kwan fans.

Patty, you made a good point, and I have been taking Michelle and Sarah's skating consistency at COI for granted, until I read many COI reports of how other skater(s) struggle(s) with falling, stepping out and messing jumps.

Back to topic, whatever Michelle chooses to do, I hope she will have fun, and enjoy herself.

[kara]

Hi Patty - I'm not sure when Michelle can decide about Nationals. I have a feeling she won't go, though.

I agree about taking for granted the consistency of skaters like Michelle and Sarah. It's amazing to be that solid!

[Woofy2]

well, here's some news tidbit, and please don't ask on who the source is ; michelle does want to go to worlds; it will be held in DC this year, another home country territory. most of you may know, competing in her home country is something michelle has always try to do and be proud of each time. as for nationals, she's not sure yet, but she would have to compete at nationals to be at worlds (placing top 3, etc). the problem is that michelle has yet to decide on new programs, costumes, coach & choreographer (there's some movement, but please don't ask). :)

[Cruella de Kwan]

Why would this be a problem...if she is going to compete in Nationals and no GP then she has plenty of time...

I see no problem ...

MaryJo

[Cruella de Kwan]

She will be ready...

MaryJo

[kwanette]

Hi, Woofy2, thanks for the info.

[Lucy25]

Thanks very much, woofy2. Any bit of news is welcome. I know that Michelle loves competing in the US, and thought she would go to Nationals and Worlds this year. Glad to hear there is some movement, no matter how small. And thanks for never revealing your sources. I am glad that some people in this world still have principle.

[Debbie S]

[quote:29053e1067="Woofy2"]well, here's some news tidbit, and please don't ask on who the source is ; michelle does want to go to worlds[/quote:29053e1067]

Is your source that article in Blades On Ice? :)

Seriously, thanks for the info. I would love to see Michelle at Worlds next year (since I have tix), but only if it's really right for her, and only she can make that decision. And I, like just about everyone else, am anxiously awaiting her announcement of a new coach. I have my ideas, but that's a whole other thread.

Nice to see you at this forum, Woofy2. BTW, I'm the Debbie you met on Sunday morning at 2001 Nats. I joined FSW not long after that, and now I'm here after i$kater got greedy.

[duane]

[quote:b49d86f20c="Woofy2"]as for nationals, she's not sure yet, but she would have to compete at nationals to be at worlds (placing top 3, etc).[/quote:b49d86f20c]

is this now a mandatory rule? if michelle doesnt compete at nationals, could she still receive a bye to compete at worlds?

[loveskating]

[quote:cfd5bae5f8="duane"][quote:cfd5bae5f8="Woofy2"]as for nationals, she's not sure yet, but she would have to compete at nationals to be at worlds (placing top 3, etc).[/quote:cfd5bae5f8]

is this now a mandatory rule? if michelle doesnt compete at nationals, could she still receive a bye to compete at worlds?[/quote:cfd5bae5f8]

I dunno about the rules, seems that on paper the USFSA can do as it pleases (has the last word)...but would you like to be there when someone who won a spot at Worlds in competition at Nationals was told that the higher ups decided Kwan would take their place...that might be someone like Sarah, Angela, Sasha, A.P., Jenny, just to get very concrete about it? And which one would it be, do you think, first, second or third, and how would anyone decide?

Wouldn't be a very good move for anyone, seems to me...the only time things like that look good is like in 98, when Tara went pro and withdrew a few weeks before Worlds...and Tonia to the rescue!

[bagelpuss]

Yes, the USFSA could place Kwan on the World team even if she doesn't compete at Nats, but they wouldn't. They've made it very clear over the years that unless you're injured, you skate at Nats or you don't go to Worlds (eg Nicole Bobek 1996).

This is good news, I think Michelle has plenty of time this fall to come up with programs and get ready for Nats, I just hope she has time to find a new coach and get adjusted.

[centerstage01]

[quote:41f2fb5cf8="bagelpuss"]Yes, the USFSA could place Kwan on the World team even if she doesn't compete at Nats, but they wouldn't. They've made it very clear over the years that unless you're injured, you skate at Nats or you don't go to Worlds (eg Nicole Bobek 1996).[/quote:41f2fb5cf8]


Yeah, but Nicole had such a horrible skating regimen and always seemed to do what people told her not to do. I think she ended up burning more bridges than she built. I could see the USFSA letting Michelle go to Worlds without competing, if for no other reason than she's won both Nationals and Worlds numerous times and she's extremely popular.

However, I DO agree that it would be a bad precedent to set and I hope they don't assign a skater like that, regardless of who it is. Besides, I don't think MK would do it that way anyhow. It doesn't seem like something she'd allow.

[rack]

I think all this is as unlikely as the Dow going up a thousand points today, but if Michelle didn't skate at Nationals, and last year's two, three, four ended up one, two, three, and Michelle then requested being sent to Worlds, and Sasha, Sarah, and Angela were all healthy and ready to skate at Worlds, then the USFSA would have to dump the US Champion, the Olympic Champion, or slap Frank Carroll so hard in the face it would be heard on the moon.

Which is why I think all this is as unlikely as the Dow going up a thousand points today (and considerably less desirable).

[adrianchew]

[quote:5a6f0ca864="rack"]...then the USFSA would have to dump the US Champion, the Olympic Champion, or slap Frank Carroll so hard in the face it would be heard on the moon.[/quote:5a6f0ca864]

:arrow: [i:5a6f0ca864]Please mind your language - it is possible to state an opinion without have to express it this way. Thanks. ~adrianchew~[/i:5a6f0ca864]

[Patsy]

What in the world was wrong with Rack' post? I've reread it several times and found no offensive language. Cleverly worded exaggeration is a legitimate tool of discourse.

Nothing sexy, nothing outrageous, nothing political--what's the problem here? *Patsy wanders off onto the ND prairie, wondering if she's losing all her marbles*

[adrianchew]

[quote:1b31aed773="Patsy"]What in the world was wrong with Rack' post? I've reread it several times and found no offensive language. Cleverly worded exaggeration is a legitimate tool of discourse.[/quote:1b31aed773]

:arrow: [i:1b31aed773]There are better ways to state an opinion than to use such tools. Using exaggeration usually leads to more arguments and is unnecessary. ~adrianchew~[/i:1b31aed773]

[speedy]

Michelle's not the type person to accept a bye into Worlds anyway without skating at Nationals in the first place. I can't imagine her skipping Dallas and expecting to waltz into D.C. on a pass. The American ladies are too good and work too hard for that kind of scenario to take place. I definitely think she deserves some time off to lead a normal life at UCLA this fall (if she decides to stay on the west coast). Personally I can't imagine her not trying to skate at Worlds in the capital of her country...I expect to see her there, as well as Dallas. What an Olympic rematch that would be of the 3 American ladies and Irina if they all make it back! :)

[gracefulswan]

i don't think there was anything wrong with rack's post either :?: :roll:

[adrianchew]

[quote:9c8e5076e1="gracefulswan"]i don't think there was anything wrong with rack's post either :?: :roll:[/quote:9c8e5076e1]

[color=red:9c8e5076e1][b:9c8e5076e1][i:9c8e5076e1]I'm closing this topic up. In the future - please respect all decisions made by the moderators of this board, or leave. The choice is yours. ~adrianchew~[/i:9c8e5076e1][/b:9c8e5076e1][/color:9c8e5076e1]

FWIW - rack's post wasn't very far out of line, just noting that it could be expressed in a more gentle manner.