Totmianina article - hmm

[Debbie S]

Interesting tidbit from the Reuters wire:

http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforks/sports/5042470.htm

I'm trying to get a pic of that in my head. My first thought was that skating's got another Tonya H. - but then I thought how I would have enjoyed it if T had done that to the bouncer/security guy at Nats at Staples last yr who suddenly jumped in my path to prevent me from walking in the aisle behind the seats during a break bet. comps.

I wonder if she's available at Worlds in case the MCI Center people get physically intimidating? :)

[adrianchew]

Originally posted by Debbie S

I wonder if she's available at Worlds in case the MCI Center people get physically intimidating? :)

I have faith from reports so far that the MCI Center might actually have nice people running the facility. The people at the AAC in Dallas were definitely friendly... there is absolutely no forgiving what the staff of the Staples Center in LA was like, given I've been treated well elsewhere in general.

Count me as one hoping the Staples Center is never ever used for a major skating event ever again. And if something's needed in the greater LA area there's always the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim. ;)

[Chilly Penguin]

Trashy, trashy, trashy. But with that hair who would expect anything more?

[Luigi]

I'm a little nervous about adding this reply but since it is something I personally observed i'm going to go ahead. I hope I don't rile anyone up.
At Skate America we were sitting opposite and slightly to the right of where the skaters and officials sat. During the ladies final a bunch of skaters came in and sat down and my friend and I were watching them from across the arena with my binoculars.
I actually was an admirer of this team before but I was really turned off by the fact that she would not applaud for any American skaters.

Then after Jenny Kirk skated, her partner who was sitting next to her nudged her and she then made a face and did a "fake" clap. (It's hard to describe but if you had seen it you'd know what I mean.)

Then later that night a bunch of us went over to the host hotel and checked out the bar. I was walking in as she was walking out and as it was rather crowded we bumped elbows accidentally. She gave me a dirty look.
I don't know, maybe she was in a particularly bad mood that day but I unfortunately can't watch her skate without remembering what a pill she seemed!

[Debbie S]

Sounds like she's got a serious star complex.

I remember some quotes from Irina S. in an article last year that said the Russian public isn't as interested in skating now as they've been in the past - soccer, hockey, and tennis are now supposedly the spectator sports of choice. Given that, and given that most casual skating fans in the U.S. have no idea who this pair is, she would do well to take some humility lessons.