Sasha plans for Worlds

[sk8er1964]

Here's an article about Sasha's skating since Nats and some of her plans. According to the article, they reworked some of her music and the choreography, and she has no plans to do a 3/3 at Worlds.

http://goldenskate.com/articles/2003/031204.shtml

[Skatingsarah]

Wow thanks for the article I really cant wait to see the changes that Sasha talked about

[Schmeck]

I'm so glad she's enjoying working with Robin. I can't wait to see the results at Worlds!

One quote to nitpick over -

"Practice has been a little longer and Robin has really helped me to work on the base on my stroking; including control, position and posture. It's really helped to get speed in my program, in correct positions as well as in jumping."

Robin is helping Sasha with posture? I've always thought Sasha's posture was one of her best skating features. On the other hand, Sarha Hughes's posture was one of her worst skating features...

[nyskatefan]

I think Sarah had pretty good speed and nice edges, but her posture was hideous. To me, Sasha's posture is exquisite ... so I can't imagine Robin wanting to change that in any way.
It's interesting to note now that both Sasha and Michelle seem to be leaning away from the 3/3's at Worlds ... I'm not sure how I feel about that, because I'm certain Miki Ando will go for broke. I guess only time will tell.

[Debbie S]

Remember, though, that with the structure of Worlds, with a QR that figures in, if a skater is not in the top 2 after the SP, they don't "control their destiny", to borrow Terry Gannon's phrase. Of course, skaters have won despite being 3rd or lower (MK in 2000), and the sitution didn't matter with Sarah Hughes at the last Olys, but if Miki Ando is not in the top 2 after the SP, she'll not only have to win the FS but need the 1st place skater to finish 3rd, etc., etc. And from what I've read about Ando's skating, her technique on some of her jumps is not the best (cheated 3L in her 3Z-3L combo), nor is her consistency even when she does land the quad - I believe I read that she had a couple mistakes at Japanese Nats. She'll have to skate a very good QR and SP to even be in the running for a medal. I'm not saying she can't do it, but senior Worlds is different from Japanese Nats or junior Worlds. I haven't seen her skate, but I'm not sure that her presentation (based on discussions I've read) will challenge MK or Sasha, or even Suguri or Arakawa.

I think Worlds will be between Michelle and Sasha. I'd give Suguri a good shot to win a medal of some sort. Arakawa (if she can keep it together after switching coaches), Ando, Kirk, Sebestyen, and maybe Slutskaya if she's healthy and gets to go, will likely be in the mix for the top 5.

Of course, I could be completely proven wrong 2 weeks from today. :)

[Schmeck]

Debbie S, this is why I'm so excited about Worlds this year

Quoting Debbie "Of course, I could be completely proven wrong 2 weeks from today."

It's the fact that there are going to be so many fantastic ladies at Worlds, that no one can really say who will win, or even who the top 3-5 will be with any certainty! It just seemed in the past years that it would be Michelle, Irina, Maria,(in various order) a Japanese or former Soviet Union skater, another US skater, and so on, etc.

This year?!? Sasha, Michelle, 2-3 Japanese skaters, never leave out the Russian ladies... I wouldn't even be completely shocked if Michelle is not on the podium, and we have a Japanese World Champion!

Schmeck, hoping Sasha does go for a 3/3 (it'll be good experience for her!), just to get back on topic

[Italiano]

It is exciting isn't it? I'm very distressed to hear Sasha may not have a 3/3 in her program. I don't like the sound of that. I want her to do well.

[Woofy2]

i'm really happy for sasha this season, simply cuz both of her programs are amazing. she has such musicality, and everything she does is perhaps the most interesting among the ladies. i honestly don't think the threat would come from any of the japanese ladies; her main rival would be michelle. i don't think sasha needs a 3/3, and it would be interesting to see how the judges rank if both fine skaters skate cleanly.

if anything, i hope that robin can give sasha the mental toughness needed to hold everything together. if she does, every lady must watch out, including michelle. for this season, i prefer a clean sasha over a clean michelle. next season would be interesting if all the japanese ladies continue to improve, with irina adding to the mix (assuming that she'll make a comeback).

[Italiano]

I know Woolfy. I think Sasha is just great. I am a little worried for her. My hope is she wins.

[apache88]

I wish she would have a great clean skate in the free skate. Although she's not my favourite at all (I do acknowledge her awesome talents though and in fact I enjoy her skating in one way or another), it's heart-wrenching to see her down when she doesn't skate the way she has wanted it. She has worked so hard for it and is so determined to win the big ones. Of course at the end of the day I still root for Michelle for the gold but if she fails I would very much like Sasha to take it. :D

[fsf9012]

Well, it's interesting that she will not attempt a 3/3 considering Wagner is a very ambitious coach. Looking back two years at the worlds, Sasha's problem was not technic-wise but her nerves. They thought having a clean skate is better than taking a risk. Smart strategy.

[apache88]

Italiano:
It is exciting isn't it? I'm very distressed to hear Sasha may not have a 3/3 in her program. I don't like the sound of that. I want her to do well.


I respect those who have coherent opinions. You are one of them. Your constant criticizm of Michelle's skating and her lack of technical progress is objective (based on some of your posts I have read), although by now you should know how much I love Michelle. For Sasha, the consolation is, she can very likely pull out a clean LP by toning down her jumps and when that happens we all know how formidable she is.:D Sasha's a threat to Michelle but I want her to do well too. It's just heartbreaking to see her down.

[bunghodog]

I am so glad she changed the cuts in her music and reworked her Swan Lake, I can not wait to see it, I did not see her program at Nationals anything close to amazing, even if she would of skated it clean, she changed it from the beginning of the year, which I think ruined the program.

[danibellerika]

Gotta agree. The one she had at Nationals I did not like at all compared to what she had earlier in the season. Adding in that first new sal messed up a real highlight section of the program.