Michelle Kwan out of Cup of China!

[MusicSkateFan]

:cry: I dont think this is going to bode well for her. She has to go to Nats under the new scoring system and then to the Olympics? Well I guess she will have the winter cheesefest event to test out her LP on the scoring system.

Any thoughts?

[jazzpants]

Here's the official post from USFSA: http://www.usfsa.org/event_story.asp?id=31571

Well, I look at it this way -- it's better than not being well enough to go to Nationals and the Olympics at all, right?

[icedancer2]

Hmmm -- why am I not surprised?? :giveup:

At the risk of being bashed, I am enjoying the GP events so far this year without her!

[Debbie S]

At the risk of being bashed, I am enjoying the GP events so far this year without her!

Well, I was at Skate America on Saturday and I thought the ladies event was sorely lacking both talent and cache. Either MK or Sasha could have done the trick. As much as I enjoyed seeing Alissa Czisny skate a good program, there's something about watching Elena Sokolova and the 7th-ranked American battle it out for the title of the first major int'l event of the season, in an Oly year no less, that's just a bit of a letdown. And the deflation in the audience was noticeable. Or maybe it was just the large number of empty seats in the lower bowl, most likely the result of ticketholders skipping the event entirely once the big names withdrew.

[dbny]

Well, I was at Skate America on Saturday and I thought the ladies event was sorely lacking both talent and cache. Either MK or Sasha could have done the trick. As much as I enjoyed seeing Alissa Czisny skate a good program, there's something about watching Elena Sokolova and the 7th-ranked American battle it out for the title of the first major int'l event of the season, in an Oly year no less, that's just a bit of a letdown. And the deflation in the audience was noticeable. Or maybe it was just the large number of empty seats in the lower bowl, most likely the result of ticketholders skipping the event entirely once the big names withdrew.

I attended all events and I can tell you that they were all about half empty. I thought it was quite sad and discouraging. Those of us who were there for all events got to know one another and had quite a good time. I sat next to three adult women skaters from Philly, and behind a mother and daughter who had flown from CA for the week. They were not at all disappointed in the quality of the skating in the Ladies or any other event, and they were not alone in the audience. I really disagree with you about Kwan and Cohen being absent. I was disappointed, but really enjoyed watching those who did skate, in particular Emily Hughes, Yoshie Onda, and Alissa Czisny, who reminded me of the early Kwan - before she became boring (to me, anyway).

[loveskating]

Hmmm -- why am I not surprised?? :giveup:

At the risk of being bashed, I am enjoying the GP events so far this year without her!

I totally enjoyed myself going to one day of Skate America, Saturday! I am a fan of Sasha's, she is my favorite, I wanted most of all to see her new program live, but I love all the skaters, and there is so much there to enjoy and to see.

Therefore, I can say the same thing.

I had been dreading having an expeirence with the fans like I had at Campbells (the year Sasha skated Swan Lake) but this time, nothing occurred except that I was humilitated when the fans booed during the pairs competition. I hated that.

[dbny]

but this time, nothing occurred except that I was humilitated when the fans booed during the pairs competition. I hated that.

I hated it too. I had hoped for a different outcome, but on thinking it over had to agree with the scores. I attended every event and that was the only time there was any booing.

[WeBeEducated]

MK pulls out of another competition ? Predictable behavior and right on schedule!
I think there is a good chance we have seen her last qualifying event.

[Tapper]

MK pulls out of another competition ? Predictable behavior and right on schedule!
I think there is a good chance we have seen her last qualifying event.

She pulled out because of an injury. It has nothing to do with behavior or predictability.

[loveskating]

She pulled out because of an injury. It has nothing to do with behavior or predictability.

More precisely, because Kwan is now cleared health wise, isn't she (?)
her injury this time probably prevented her from being on the ice, therefore, she is not prepared for competition just yet, which is not unusual.

Over the long haul, however, I am sympathetic with those who are skeptical...because not only did Kwan sit out the GP Series basically since 2002, but most of Kwan's fans claimed that all of Sasha's victories those years in the GP Series and GP Finals were just meaningless because Kwan was not there. I found that really cold and mean spirited at the time.

[crayonskater]

According to usfsa.org, she's cleared for limited practice on the ice; doesn't sound like she's back to competition status. In any case, Kwan can hardly control her fans' opinion of Sasha.