Michelle Kwan's Status

[Gingi]

Is she officially taking the year off? I don't want to beat a dead horse, but with the announcement of the Skate America lineup and the fact that she has received no GP assignments I was curious.

Gingi

[Lee]

The deadline for federations to confirm their entries into GP events is tomorrow, August 1. I would suggest any changes will appear on the ISU website at some point after that. If Michelle's name doesn't appear on any of the entry lists, then it's probably safe to assume she's taking time off from GP and Open events this next year.

[Patty]

Because she's not doing the GP, she can't do ISU Pro-Ams. However, she can still do USFSA Pro- Ams. IIRC, her USFSA contract obligates her to do those. So, we most likely will see her at the Fall USFSA Pro-Ams in October, December, and April. Also, she may still compete at Nationals. She has indicated she'd like to compete in her home- country Worlds. So, she may not end up taking the entire sesaon off.

[Mariposa]

MICHELLE!!!!! COME BACK!!!!! Competitions just don't have the same excitement and tension as when she is competing. Nothing against other skaters, but Michelle really sets the bar as far as the complete package--magnetism as well as athleticism.

[Kylen15]

I will phrase this very carefully, since I do have the utmost respect for Michelle. But I don't want to see her come back without passion and verve in her skating. Her short and long programs last season never truly gelled, and she skated tight at both Nationals and the Olympics.

If she comes back, she needs to come back because she loves the sport and because she still has room to grow.

[Jimmy Hoffa]

[quote:075403a2ba="Kylen15"]I will phrase this very carefully, since I do have the utmost respect for Michelle. But I don't want to see her come back without passion and verve in her skating.[/quote:075403a2ba]

It's difficult to have "passion and verve" when you know the same old people don't want to accept anything you do no matter what it is.

[Hannahclear]

I'm looking forward to seeing her, even if it is only in a pro-am. She's really obligated by contract to do all three? Well, that's good news. Cool!
I hope if she comes back she has more motivation and a coach. It's obviously been a very hard season, and I really think she had some personal life decisions to make. I support her no matter what. I agree with both of the above posters. It's hard when you are always criticized, but she does need more spark and motivation. Still, I would say that her programs "gelled", at least at Nats.

[Patty]

[quote:0391b625e5="Kylen15"]I will phrase this very carefully, since I do have the utmost respect for Michelle. But I don't want to see her come back without passion and verve in her skating. Her short and long programs last season never truly gelled, and she skated tight at both Nationals and the Olympics.
[/quote:0391b625e5]

I agree that her programs never totally gelled, but I have to disagree that she skated tight at Nationals. I attended Nationals, and her LP was wonderful. She skated most of that LP with freedom and joy, especially those awesome split jumps. Those caused the entire audience to rise to their feet before her program was even over.


[quote:0391b625e5]If she comes back, she needs to come back because she loves the sport and because she still has room to grow.[/quote:0391b625e5]

I think she still loves the sport, and I agree she needs to stretch and grow. But even if you love something with all your heart, you can still burn out and may not have the energy to continue to stretch and grow. Sometimes you can still stagnate even when you don't want to and try hard not to.