Kwan Pulls Out of Grand Prix Events

[PAskate]

http://www.usfsa.org/event_story.asp?id=27053

[Kemy]

I'm actually surprised. For the GP, all she would have to do is go to SA, SC and GPF in China. Both SA and SC are within comfortable travelling distance and she's gone to Hong Kong a few times and Beijing isn't that far away, is it? oh well.

[Rapt2Go]

I guess it can't be a surprise anymore.

I don't think we can question that she is only around for the Olympics. Her "I just love competing" line just doesn't hold water.

She seems a bit afraid of CoP as well.

I dunno, Bondo. There was some talk of back problems around Campbell's wasn't there? Perhaps that may have something to do with her reasoning. Then again, maybe not.

You know, I love competing in my sport of choice [ subjectively judged as well] but I am no longer physically capable of competing at every event I used to, nor at every event my main compeition does.

That doesn't mean that I don't love to compete in the limited events I compete in, because I *do* love it. My trainer helped set this strategy for me. When the big events roll around, I do compete and *usually* do quite well. Win or lose, I still love competing.

And another perspective on her being scared of the COP.... Perhaps she did get feedback and it was positive? So she may have decided that she would rather take the chance of not competing in the GP and being ready instead for the big events?

Many people have expressed a desire to get to see a larger variety of skaters both foreign and up and coming US competitors. MK's absence will open up a spot along the way, won't it? I guess in everything negative also exists something positive.

[Kemy]

I don't like this decision because, if she were to decide to add a 3/3, she would have to debut it either at the Winter Cheesefest or Nationals. I somehow doubt aht RA and MK would take this risk because most people have to performs their 3/3's in competition several times before it becomes almost second nature. I hope she adds a spread eagle entry, Ina Bauer entry and a split falling leaf entry into her jumps because unless she has all of those and then some, there's no way she's going to win anthing without a 3/3.

[jcspkbfan]

This is disappointing news, but I'm relieved the USFSA article doesn't say anything about Michelle pulling out because of injury (my first thought when I read the heading of this thread!) If Michelle is having back problems, I hope it's not too serious and I hope it won't take long to find another deserving skater to fill her GP slots.

[danibellerika]

When I read the title I was thinking to myself "you have got to be kidding me." That means worlds is the only place she can test her program with CoP this year. But then again, she did say she wasn't going to let the CoP mold her skating anyways. *Shrugs* Ah well. The GPF was going to be in China this year too which would have been her home away from home.

It's almost as if she has gotten lazy competition wise and can't find her way back to a full schedule. It's almost always hard to get back in the groove when you stop something. If it is injury, she should have said so because then I wouldn't think she was just being lazy. She makes it sound like this half-assed schedule is the key. It might be the key if you're going to have minimum choreo and no difficult jump passes like she's been doing, but when you have to bulk up your programs and add in 3/3s and harder jump entrances, things can get tricky. But hey, nobody knows Michelle better than Michelle right? Maybe it will work and she will go on to win Worlds in Russia under the CoP for the very first time.

[MissJ]

I have it mentioned in the past the that schedule elite skaters compete with now would have been crazy and unheard of until just the last 15 years. Now I know that I'm being somewhat general and I don't have exact numbers or dates, but it seems to me that around 1994 was when it really started getting insane. The season for top skaters is now skaing in 6-9 events(2-3 gps, gpf, 1-2 cheese, national, euro or 4cc & worlds) vs. 4-5 during the season.

Now we have a few skaters backing down on their schedule, due to injury (Plushenko) or by choice (Michelle). Sasha has also backed down (doing only 2 GP vs 3 in the past) and has take more time to get going this year. It seems like a lot of skaters are realizing that they can't push their bodies physically to do what many fans and the ISU/USFSA would call a full season.

Michelle feels that two events prior to Nationals is enough. Personally, she should be able to do only one GP if she choose. The requirment to do 2 if ranked is ridiculous (IMO) She needs an opportunity to compete her short program and compete once under the COP. I'd almost bet that if she could have done just one and still done both cheesefests she would have but because of the rules it is all or nothing. She doesn't want to skate 5 events before nationals and is opting for a minimum of 2. Sounds smart not lazy to me.

[adrianchew]

Personally, she should be able to do only one GP if she choose. The requirment to do 2 if ranked is ridiculous (IMO)

I just read that Plushenko is only doing 1 and I'm sure he's ranked - how's he getting away with just 1 GP event? :?:

The other part of the problem seems to be Michelle's preference to do North American GP events - if she did GP events like SA then China, she'd have more time in between thus it wouldn't be nearly as much a strain.

[Rapt2Go]

Somehow I doubt you compete at the top level in the world?

What makes you think that? ;)

If Michelle likes the competition but doesn't want to be held by the strenuous schedule of the elites, she could always turn to pro competitions.

Maybe I am missing something here - but *what* Pro competitions?

If she is going to compete on this top level, she should meet the expected schedule. She should stop doing it half assed.


I am unaware of this "expected" schedule you speak of. :?: Is there some requirement that says how many comps a skater must do in addition to Nationals and Worlds to qualify as not doing it "half-assed"? What exactly constitutes "half assed"?

Stay or go.

I think she *is* staying. Just not in the GP, right?


I might buy the injury thing if she hadn't done the same thing the past two years as well.

Was she not injured when she made those claims? Are you saying she's lying *if* she speaks of an injury affecting her decision this year?

Why do you seem so angry about this?

[MissJ]

One more thing...She has turned to pro comps. She has just decided to also compete for her country's national title and possibly the world championships & Olympics. Many skater throughout history would have loved to earn money & skate in the top competitions. They were forced out and now we have rules that allow them to stay in. As a fan, I'd love to see her in the more intense and difficult competitions, that is where my disappointment lies.

[MissJ]

I think Plushenko is getting away with one because he isn't doing the cheesefests.

[jpeach]

I dunno, Bondo. There was some talk of back problems around Campbell's wasn't there? Perhaps that may have something to do with her reasoning. Then again, maybe not.

You know, I love competing in my sport of choice [ subjectively judged as well] but I am no longer physically capable of competing at every event I used to, nor at every event my main compeition does.

That doesn't mean that I don't love to compete in the limited events I compete in, because I *do* love it. My trainer helped set this strategy for me. When the big events roll around, I do compete and *usually* do quite well. Win or lose, I still love competing.

And another perspective on her being scared of the COP.... Perhaps she did get feedback and it was positive? So she may have decided that she would rather take the chance of not competing in the GP and being ready instead for the big events?

Many people have expressed a desire to get to see a larger variety of skaters both foreign and up and coming US competitors. MK's absence will open up a spot along the way, won't it? I guess in everything negative also exists something positive.

Rapt2Go, your thoughtful responses to Bondo's oh-so-typical I-am-unable-to-stop-myself slyly negative (and at times outright antagonistic) tunnel-vision drones about Kwan are a breath of fresh air.

[doubletoe]

I'm going to go with MissJ on this one. Michelle has absolutely no obligation to do all of these competitions and any time she spends on the road competing is time she is not working on a triple-triple, or whatever it is that will give her a win at Worlds. She has gone for months without a competition and did just fine at Campbell's (to say the least), so I doubt that it will hurt her performance or get her "out of the groove" to skip some of the competitions Sasha and Shizuka will be doing. I think Michelle is a very focused, smart competitor and knows what she needs to perform at her peak when it counts.

[Kemy]

Well, as far as I can tell, a week of training takes a greater physical toll than a week of competition, so saying more events means greater toll is questionable at best.

As for her "to say the least" doing well at Campbell's...she probably should have been placed second as it was and her program was nearly clean and barely was better than a sloppy program by both Shiz and Sasha. If THAT is doing well for Michelle she probably should retire.
That would be your opinion and not a fact. If clean, I would have had Shizuka, Michelle and then Sasha. Sasha's maybe have a had one difficult entry and faster spins, but this is the emptiest program she's had thus far in her career. I'm hoping Michelle got good feedback AND got suggestions as to what she has to do to prepare better.

[md2be]

Rapt2Go, your thoughtful responses to Bondo's oh-so-typical I-am-unable-to-stop-myself slyly negative (and at times outright antagonistic) tunnel-vision drones about Kwan are a breath of fresh air. :lol: You are exactly correct. Bondo - does your consipracy therorist attitude extend to skating, too?

Why cant you believe her for her word (She isnt a politician for crying aloud!)
I chose not to compete in the Grand Prix Series the past two years, and I feel that my overall skating benefited from the reduced competition schedule,"

Michelle is one of the most honest people I have had the pleasure of knowing, and like Ryan Sutter (lol), is one of the most open about her emotions on camera. What you see is what you get with her.

I HAVE competed at an elite level. The GP events were created to make $. There is no obligation. Also, nope again, training does not take more out of you than a competition. That is why training is training (!duh!) and that is also why most athletes in general tend to not do competitions two weeks in a row....Traveling, however does take a lot out of a person.

Maybe she is just tired of the entire figure skating bankroll being funded with her name.

[md2be]

What is your skating experience? Have you ever competed?

There are reasons why skaters do not do complete run throughs of their programs every day, or even every week. Rarely do they even do a complete run through of the short and long in a week! It is not a mental factor. It is the physicality of it. Add to the physicality of the intense programs the adrenaline and power of one's body it takes to control that pumped-up feeling, and yes, competitions are significantly more physically draining. Top it with travel, strange food, strange envioronment, and the mental aspect, and wow - whole different ball game. YOu skate when other people tell you to, which may be different from what you are used to. The altitude may be a factor...c'mon Bondo I know you know all of this!

Training - that is relatively easy. You have a set schedule, a goal, you know what is going to happen, you dont have adrenaline. Your day is planned from start to finish with the right food, sleep, and work balanced. You are in a familiar place and you are not being judged other than by the coach, whom you pay to judge you.

Havent you heard all of the skaters complain about having to do a Qualifying round....well, that is because competition is taxing physically.

[Sk8Bunny]

I guess it can't be a surprise anymore.

I don't think we can question that she is only around for the Olympics. Her "I just love competing" line just doesn't hold water.

She seems a bit afraid of CoP as well.

I gotta agree with Bondo here. While I love Michelle's skating and think she has many good qualities both on and off the ice, I'm not thrilled to see her pull out of the GP series again. Like Sasha, Kimmie, Jenny, etc, she is a member of the USFS and a skater *representing* the USFS and USA. It's sad that she thinks she can skip events just because she has legendary status. Mostly, I fear for her own sake because I think it will eventually catch up to her and hurt her in the long run. When Sasha, and upcoming seniors take their training and competition assignments seriously, in the end they will be seasoned skaters and far ahead of Kwan in terms of preparation to do well at Nationals and Worlds. I wish Kwan the best of luck this year, but I hope she shapes it up cause she'll be in for an eye-opener if she thnks she can just slide by until the Olympics roll around.

[3Loop3Loop]

Who will be replacing Kwan at SA and SC? Any news or guesses?

[manleywoman]

What is your skating experience? Have you ever competed?

There are reasons why skaters do not do complete run throughs of their programs every day, or even every week. Rarely do they even do a complete run through of the short and long in a week! It is not a mental factor. It is the physicality of it.

Uh, what is YOUR skating experience? As an adult skater, my coach makes me run through my program every day. And the kids I train with who do well at Regionals and Sectionals and in some instances do internationals all do at least two run-throughs of both their SP and LP each day, sometimes back-toback to build stamina. I've also remember an interview that Sasha Cohen gave last year saying that she was beginning to do daily run-thoughs under TT's tutelage.

You need to in order to build stamina. There's no greater substitution.

[Rachel]

As for her "to say the least" doing well at Campbell's...she probably should have been placed second as it was.

Of course she should have been placed second. 'Cause God knows, the majority of judges can't possibly know more about skating than you do, skating experience and training aside.

[icedancer2]

I watched it, too, and thought 3rd was just right. Her jumps were clean, others had botched jumps.

I am disapopinted that she will not be skating in the Grand Prix this year. I thought it would be good to see her throughout the season instead of just coming in at the end to skate at Nationals and Worlds (maybe... -- heh).

I can't imagine how skating at a competition would be "easier" (how?) than daily training. Just being in a strange bed in a strange city can throw a person off -- plus NOT skating as much during a competition -- so much down time waiting-- I would think that would be harder for a person who was used to training full-time than the actual training.

And yes, I think run-throughs and double run-throughs are totally necessary for training. I have never met any skaters who didn't do this.

[angelskates]

Just wanted to add that run throughs of a program and competing a program are not the same. One puts their ALL in competition, it is exhausting. You don't want to put your all in a run through, run throughs are to land the jumps and other elements, skate clean and build stamina. The emotion isn't the same. One wants to peak and have the best run through at competition, not practice.

If anyone has ever read any of the skating bios (none of us are elite skaters at Michelle's level), the word from the skater's, Peggy Fleming, Toller Cranston and plenty, even Michelle herself, is that competition takes it out of you a lot more than training and run throughs.

So what if Michelle is staying around for 2006. She has that chance, why not? She isn't the only skater doing it. Both of the top Aussie skaters (Miriam Manzano and Jo Carter) are doing the same, and they don't even have a chance to medal, they'd be happy with top ten and a clean skate.

I am disappointed, but understand.

[doubletoe]

It's ironic that I am defending Michelle, since I am usually the one expressing frustration that she keeps winning without a triple-triple combination or particularly interesting choreography.

But in her defense, I will also make an educated guess that she knows herself pretty well by now and she knows what it takes to get the best performance out of herself. At this point, she has probably figured out that she will be more likely to achieve her potential if she spends more time working on her program with her coach than performing her program at competitions every month.

And Michelle just happens to be a person who worked hard on her skating and got to be one of the best in the world. We aren't paying her and she doesn't owe us anything. She has the right to take the approach that she thinks will give her the best chance to achieve her personal goals. And for what it's worth, I have been on several freestyle sessions with her when she had no obligation to be nice to the rest of us, and she seemed to be a genuinely nice person.

[md2be]

It's ironic that I am defending Michelle, since I am usually the one expressing frustration that she keeps winning without a triple-triple combination or particularly interesting choreography.

But in her defense, I will also make an educated guess that she knows herself pretty well by now and she knows what it takes to get the best performance out of herself. At this point, she has probably figured out that she will be more likely to achieve her potential if she spends more time working on her program with her coach than performing her program at competitions every month.

And Michelle just happens to be a person who worked hard on her skating and got to be one of the best in the world. We aren't paying her and she doesn't owe us anything. She has the right to take the approach that she thinks will give her the best chance to achieve her personal goals. And for what it's worth, I have been on several freestyle sessions with her when she had no obligation to be nice to the rest of us, and she seemed to be a genuinely nice person.
ITA with all of this, esp. paragraph 2.

[fadedstardust]

Well, as far as I can tell, a week of training takes a greater physical toll than a week of competition, so saying more events means greater toll is questionable at best.

As for her "to say the least" doing well at Campbell's...she probably should have been placed second as it was and her program was nearly clean and barely was better than a sloppy program by both Shiz and Sasha. If THAT is doing well for Michelle she probably should retire.

Bondo- Competition is a LOT more taxing on the body and mind than training for a full week.Seriously. There's travel, jet lag, adjusting to new ice, less warmp up times, stress, eating out instead of cooking, the hectic schedule is just very very tiring, and competition DRAINS you. Practice is tiring and sure strained muscles and being tired happens, but once you're in the groove you're used to it. There's nothing like competition to suck the energy right out of you.

Meanwhile even if Michelle had fallen on every single jump, I really don't think it's your place to say she should retire. She's proven herself enough that she can do whatever she pleases, even though I very much look down on her dropping the GP series at the last minute, thus screwing over the skater who only has ten days to get ready to skate in her place at SA when she could have gotten more time, and Michelle's fans who no doubt spent a ton of money for air fare and tickets to go see her live. I don't like Michelle's attitude at all lately, I've said this enough. But competition is very taxing, and if she doesn't feel that she can handle it, it's her perogative. I just think she should have said it sooner. And again, I don't think she has any reason to consider retiring unless she feels she wants to.

[schnood]

this sucks, but I hope she's alright....

who is going to replace her at SA and SC though? can we convince Cohen to do another event?

[Alexa]

Meanwhile even if Michelle had fallen on every single jump, I really don't think it's your place to say she should retire. She's proven herself enough that she can do whatever she pleases, even though I very much look down on her dropping the GP series at the last minute, thus screwing over the skater who only has ten days to get ready to skate in her place at SA when she could have gotten more time, and Michelle's fans who no doubt spent a ton of money for air fare and tickets to go see her live. I don't like Michelle's attitude at all lately, I've said this enough. But competition is very taxing, and if she doesn't feel that she can handle it, it's her perogative. I just think she should have said it sooner. And again, I don't think she has any reason to consider retiring unless she feels she wants to.

I agree with this. I do think it is her perogative, and that she can choose the competition strategy that works for her, however she really should have pulled out earlier. Pulling out this late in the game was selfish, and though I like Michelle, it is obvious she did not show very much respect to her fans or her replacement in the event when she did this.

Plus I do also have to question how this can be helpful to her. I do think she could use a couple of competitions to help her see where she fits in the COP and to just improve her program in general. If she doesn't want to do that, that is fine. I guess I just don't completely understand how if skating is essentially her full time job how it could be all that hard to attend a couple more competitions between now and December. I do agree that competitions are more taxing than regular training, but I do not think that the GP events would have made her schedule all that full.

[loveskating]

I don't agree with Michelle's stated reason for not competing in the GP...that staying out of it has helped her skating.

I saw an increase in level of difficulty in her LP at Campbells as compared to the last few years...but not as compared to 1998 LP or much less 2000, 2001 LPs. Her actual skating program has not matched herself, much less that of someone like Arakawa clean or Sasha clean.

So, the only time I've seen a technical improvement since Worlds 2001 has been from this last Worlds to Campbells.

Additionally, as I've maintained before, while there is no "legal" reason she has to compete in the GP Series, since most of her competitors do, she is clearly carving out an exceptional situation for herself, simply because she can get away with it. That is prima facia not fair. Its rather like "Just because mama said that Floyd could eat all the grape jelly, that does not make it fair to the other ten kids, there being no reason given other than mama's bias and favoritism for Floyd."

Additionally, one cannot simply say to others, "Well, don't compete in the GP yourself then" because if they took you up on that, it would destroy the GP Series altogether, and would not be good for skating since it would limit televised competitions to Nationals and Worlds. The suggestion others do what Kwan is doing is not practicable...thus, it is mere HOT AIR!

IF MK has an actual back injury, that is different; Plushenko competed in the GP Series last season in great pain, with a torn meniscus. Yagudin competed the entire Olympic season with terrible pain! So pain is not enough. I suspect that most elite level skaters are in some kind of pain most of the time. Remember Sarah's poor foot...couldn't get that fixed until after the Olympics, right?

Also, MK's announcement comes too close to the event to be construed as thoughtful or considerate. I recall when Angela NIkodinov could not be found to replace Tara Lipinski for 1998 Worlds...people bashed the poor girl for years for having visited her family in a romote location but Tara;s notice was considerably longer than 10 days.

So far as I know, its ONLY Michelle who has made a pattern of skipping the GP Series; if that had not been combined with a considerale diminution of her planned skating difficulty and at the same time a huge increase in HYPE on her behalf, it might not bother me as much as it does.

[MQSeries]

But in her defense, I will also make an educated guess that she knows herself pretty well by now and she knows what it takes to get the best performance out of herself. At this point, she has probably figured out that she will be more likely to achieve her potential if she spends more time working on her program with her coach than performing her program at competitions every month.


No one doubts that MK can't turn it on at the right moment. But this is the season of CoP. It just seems an unwise decision not to compete under CoP at least once early in the season to see how one's program will be judged under it, especially if one has never competed under CoP before. This isn't to benefit the fans. It's to benefit MK herself. She can do double run-through all she wants from now until Nationals and Worlds, but if she doesn't get feedbacks (positive or negative) from the judges, how will she know what to modify in her program to take maximum advantage of CoP? Reading the rulebooks just isn't the same as being actually judged. Even if MK falters at SA and SC, I think the feedbacks from the judges will be good for her. I can't imagine MK thinks it's a good idea to go into Worlds blind like this. Of course it's her decision and she'll live with the consequences - good or bad.

[Kemy]

I suspect that most elite level skaters are in some kind of pain most of the time. Remember Sarah's poor foot...couldn't get that fixed until after the Olympics, right?

Some skate with pain, but it's always risky. Yagudin skated with pain...and he's now reited. His situation was differnet in that his hip would have been bad regardless of whather or not he skater and that skating only speeded up the process. Tara skated through her pain and now she has the hip of a old woman. Plushenko skated through pain, but is now seeing that maybe skating through pain is not good and that he needs to rest it from all of his jumping.

Michelle skated through pain for a bit before realizing that her pain was the result of a stress fracture in her foot in her Olympic year. IF (and that's a BIG if) she has back pain, she may be unwilling to risk further injury before this next Olympic year as a result of what happened last time she tried to skate through pain.

[md2be]

MQ
SHe isnt completely blind....judges visit rinks/ skaters and give plenty of feedback all the time.

[doubletoe]

No one doubts that MK can't turn it on at the right moment. But this is the season of CoP. It just seems an unwise decision not to compete under CoP at least once early in the season to see how one's program will be judged under it, especially if one has never competed under CoP before. This isn't to benefit the fans. It's to benefit MK herself. She can do double run-through all she wants from now until Nationals and Worlds, but if she doesn't get feedbacks (positive or negative) from the judges, how will she know what to modify in her program to take maximum advantage of CoP? Reading the rulebooks just isn't the same as being actually judged. Even if MK falters at SA and SC, I think the feedbacks from the judges will be good for her. I can't imagine MK thinks it's a good idea to go into Worlds blind like this. Of course it's her decision and she'll live with the consequences - good or bad.

I totally agree. But we don't know what else is going on in Michelle's life that figures into these decisions. For example, I hear she and her family are planning to open their own skate rink and may be opening it as soon as next year. It's also a well-known fact that her father has always made the decisions in her skating career, as well as her sister's. My guess is that at this point she knows she has passed her peak as a skater and she just wants to somehow win an Olympic gold medal so that she will continue to be a marketable name in the future.

[Artemis]

My guess is that at this point she knows she has passed her peak as a skater and she just wants to somehow win an Olympic gold medal so that she will continue to be a marketable name in the future.

If that's her rationale (and I'm not saying that it is), that's really unfortunate. First of all, if she has indeed "passed her peak" as a skater, her chances of an Olympic gold are very slim. Secondly, she currently already is one of the most "marketable" names in the sport. But if she hangs on and continues slipping down in the standings, that will harm her marketability, not help it.

[flippet]

But if she hangs on and continues slipping down in the standings, that will harm her marketability, not help it.I think that's the real rationale behind dropping out of competitions. If she doesn't win what she does enter--well, it's only one or two competitions, and can be shrugged off that way. If she were to skate everything, and not win anything...it starts to look bad.

Her technical 'difficulty' - isn't. Not anymore. She's skating through on her name (pun not intended), and lucking out with her consistency. If she's hoping for a gold medal at the Olympics, she'd better be hiding a consistent 3/3 or two under her hat. And 'consistent' means nothing unless it's consistent through many competitions....which she's not doing.

It's definitely her prerogative to limit the number of competitions--if it's honestly about physical strain, and she's honestly trying to keep that to 'just enough' and not 'too much', then fine.....but she's got to weigh that against what she's losing by not getting her programs out there, and I think she may be on the losing end of that equation. To be fair, though, I think she is past her prime, and she may be on the downhill slide no matter how many competitions she does or doesn't do. In that case, doing less and keeping her body intact may be the way to go. I just don't expect her to keep winning with less.

[manleywoman]

I agree with all those above that MK knows what she needs to do for herself.

As for practice vs. competition: of course competition is more exhausting overall because of the travel and mental aspect. But from my experience and frm watching the elite skaters who train around me, the only way to get through a competition successfully and with energy to spare is training the program daily so it's second nature, so you do it when you have a slight cold, so you do it at noon, so you do it at 4:00 pm, etc, basically you're able to do it whenever it's asked of you. My coach knows Kwan fairly well, and she's always telling me that whenever Kwan does a run-through in practice it's just as good as the one we see at the competition on TV. She does it every day as if the audience and judges are right there. Seems to me that that fact alone is an good reason for her consistancy.

(So this is my coach's way of motivating me to do awesome run-throughs. She expects me to do the same. Ahhh, if only I could be as consistant as Kwan...but I still have to do double run-throughs at my advanced age.)

[Tapper]

I am disappointed that I won't get to see MK skate more this season. However, a person's gotta do what a person's gotta do, and she doesn't owe anyone an explanation. She knows better than anyone what is best for her.

[Kemy]

However, a person's gotta do what a person's gotta do, and she doesn't owe anyone an explanation.
Except USFS and Skate Canada.

[Tapper]

Except USFS and Skate Canada.

Ok.

She's done that hasn't she?

[loveskating]

Its her perogative.

However, people need to ask themselves some questions, for instance, "Is the GP Series important to skating?" Clearly, Kwan is saying, with her feet, that it is not important, that Nationals and Worlds are all that are important. We've seen her superfans claim the same.

I think it is. Without it, there would be far less money for the federations, including the USFSA. ABC could only televise as high level skating Nationals and Worlds (unless anyone considers those 4 jump cheesefest pro ams "high level").

It is sure as heck important to me, becasue I love seeing the high level of skating all season, along with getting a chance to see up and comers from other countries. I think the American people deserve to see this level of skaitng.

If your answer is "yes", then you need to consider what would happen if the other elite skaters followed Michelle and made it their "perogative". Its easy to say its their perogative, but practically speaking, if they sat out the GP Series, as Kwan is doing, now for the third time, this would destroy the GP Series, period, and the money coming from ABC and other networks all over the world as well.

The ISU and the Federations know this, so they are not going to allow their skaters to sit it out unless, like Plushenko, they were injured.

No matter how you cut it, in the real world Kwan has fashioned a nice little deal for herself...and the only question I have left is that I'd like to know how she gets away with it.

[sk8ergirl]

i have to agree with manly on this one. Any elite skater has to be running through their programs at least one, often twice a session to build up the necessary conditioning to land the later triple jumps in ones program.

[sk8ergirl]

Does anyone else feel like me, that Kwan should have withdrawn earlier from these events rather than wait to the very last minute to pull out. Its one thing if its an injury, but to pull out so late simply because she has chosen to, strikes me to be entirely selfish, disrespectful of the event organizers, and, as someone has already speculated, may not even allow time for another competitor to be added.

[patsue]

Gosh, I remember when the only viewing of competitive skating events was on ABC's Wide World of Sports back in the "olden days" (the 60s & 70s) and the time slot for some events were shared with other sports. The Olympics were a really big deal--showed practically all of the competitors--a real treat by any standard. There was no internet--sometimes there weren't any articles in the newspapers--you almost had to wait for Sports Illustrated to come out to see the results (I would go to the library because my family couldn't afford to buy a subscription). But gosh--figure skating didn't go away. New skaters kept right on joining the elite ranks. Not all of them came from well-to-do families either. Skating federations were always able to nurture these athletes. If another Grand Prix event (a series designed by the ISU to put more money in their pockets. Sure, the skaters get some of the revenues generated but I would be willing to wager that it is a small percentage) was never held figure skating would go on. Personally I don't care who chooses to compete or who doesn't. The whole concept of this series of competitions just grates on me.
And yes loveskating I'm one of those people who think Nationals (of any country) Worlds and Olympics ARE the major skating events of this sport we all love. And I sure doin't have to ask myself any of the questions you listed.

[2sk8]

sk8ergirl - ITA. If Kwan knows herself so well, hasn't done GP last 2 years, etc., there seems to be little reason to have waited so long to pull out. The lateness does seem inconsiderate to other skaters who may have been chosen to participate sooner & to the organizers. If you noticed, at the end of Campbell's televised, Carruthers says to her "We'll see you in the GP events" & she just has this smile that pretty much says she knew she wasn't going to do them. Totally her choice whether to do GP - but be consderate, you know?

[Live-a-little]

I am so disappointed..... I have tickets for SC and this is my very first time attending a skating competition. Michelle is my favorite and I was looking forward to watching her compete. I feared this would happen. :cry:

Does anyone know who will compete in her place?

[MQSeries]

I am so disappointed..... I have tickets for SC and this is my very first time attending a skating competition. Michelle is my favorite and I was looking forward to watching her compete. I feared this would happen. :cry:

Does anyone know who will compete in her place?

KVP and Jeffrey Buttle will be there :P I'm sure there'll be plenty of good skating and stars there that week for you to enjoy.

[Kemy]

I am so disappointed..... I have tickets for SC and this is my very first time attending a skating competition. Michelle is my favorite and I was looking forward to watching her compete. I feared this would happen. :cry:

Does anyone know who will compete in her place?

Don't worry. You can now focus more on what other skaters are doing really well, now that you aren't concentrating on Michelle. You might even find someone that you like almost as much as Michelle.

[Samskate]

You know, I really don't think any of us can say for sure what Michelle's reasons for deciding not to participate in the entire GP series are and it's kind of futile to speculate about it. I do believe she did say she'd make that decision at a later time, which is what happened. Who knows, based on that, the USFSA may already have replacements in mind and just maybe, those replacements already know they may be asked to do the competitions. Who knows, she may truly have a back problem. As others have said, it was mentioned during Campbell's.

[Emmaly]

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHO WILL BE REPLACING MICHELLE AND EVGENI AT SKATE CANADA?????

Any ideas??

[Tapper]

Gosh, I remember when the only viewing of competitive skating events was on ABC's Wide World of Sports back in the "olden days" (the 60s & 70s) and ....I sure doin't have to ask myself any of the questions you listed.

ITA! And Thanks for saying it so well. :bow: :bow: :bow:

[loveskating]

Responding to Patsue:

I remember the Protopopovs live, LOL! I thought they must be Martians, they were so incredibly beautiful. I was very young. I think we had just gotten a color television when Peggy won Olympic gold.

But what is at stake in the GP Series?

1.What I love about skating now as opposed to then is that I get to see high quality, international amateur skating all season long, and the up and comers, SPECIFICALLY not just Nationals and Worlds. I love that. It has increased my enjoyment of the sport tenfold!

2. From a business point of view, the industry, which is mostly in the USA, Europe and Russia, is making a lot of money exporting figure skating to countries like China, etc. or do folks think that in a global economy the business of figure skating can survive by being just a USA thing? Opening up a market for Harlicks in China is no small thing, people! Harlicks doesn't think so, I'm sure.

3. I agree with Bondo, if the schedule is too hard, then stop the pro ams, and let the PROS have that field again with TRULY professional skating, not a silly 4 jump version of amateur programs. IMHO the ISU should get out of the pro am business and let professionals develop in each country. Perhaps they could work out some deal?

You cannot turn back the global economy...you either ride it and manage it or you sink under it. To me, this nostalgia for Nationals and Worlds, and the 6.0 system etc. are all doomed in any case.

[fadedstardust]

I think not doing Grand Prix (and especially pulling out at the last minute) is really going to screw Michelle over for Worlds, and not even for lack of practice with CoP (I'm not really sure that seeing how Bolero is judged in the Grand Prix under CoP is that big a deal...) but I'm pretty sure she's pissed off the ISU. Last year she didn't participate, this year she says she will then pulls out last minute- the ISU much be furious with her right now, and while it wouldn't be FAIR per se, I wouldn't be surprised to see a repercussion in the judging at Worlds. Then again Bolero has a ways to go before it would be a Gold medal performance, anyhow. But still something to wonder about. I'm guessing the USFS isn't too thrilled with their poster girl either so, who knows if it will also affect Nationals. It's less likely but it could still be a factor.

[Tessie]

I posted this on another thread related to the topic. If Michelle were to compete in the GP events the threads would read such epitaphs as Michelle should move over and give others a chance to compete in front of international judges...she's getting greedy,,,blah, blah, blah.

She is not an indentured servant, what ever her reason she is allowed to make her own decisions.

I totally agree with Rap2go even though you love competing, doesn't mean you need or want to compete at every event. Even at the badge and other test levels do we compete at every chance?

[Tessie]

And you were equally wrong in that thread.

What was I wrong about that MK is not an indentured servant, or that people are free to make their own decisions?

Please do tell oh enlightened one.

[loveskating]

That people would be criticizing Michelle if she was doing the GP. No one would have criticized her for that. Well, I suppose some might criticize her if she was skating with an injury, but not for the reason you stated.

And since no one has suggested differently about MK not being an indentured servant (no one said they had any control over MK, just had various criticism and suggestion.)

I agree, I don't recall anyone saying that MK ought not to do the GP series. It seemed like those of her fans who are superfans even thought it was a good idea for her.

[Kemy]

I agree, I don't recall anyone saying that MK ought not to do the GP series. It seemed like those of her fans who are superfans even thought it was a good idea for her.

They still do think it would be a good idea...but not if she's injured. If there were no hint of injury, most would be very disappointed. The ones who make excuses don't interest me.

[Tessie]

I agree, I don't recall anyone saying that MK ought not to do the GP series. It seemed like those of her fans who are superfans even thought it was a good idea for her.

There were postings suggesting that MK be sued for withdrawing. The tone of some of the responses has been that she should participate just because of the way she handled her decision. Enough said she's entiled to her reasons and decisions.

[loveskating]

There were postings suggesting that MK be sued for withdrawing. The tone of some of the responses has been that she should participate just because of the way she handled her decision. Enough said she's entiled to her reasons and decisions.

No, there were posts ASKING if she could be sued...a perfectly legitimite question to ask, because her manager confirmed her participation in 2 GP events, and which was answered in the negative.

The TONE? TONE? Hmmm.