Since most of us fans can’t be in Spokane this week, we have to settle for what they’ll show us on TV, right? Well….not neccessarily! KHQ is live streaming practice sessions on their site! Attending practice sessions is my favorite part of going to competitions. And now I get to watch from home! See this link: http://www.khq.com/global/Category.asp?c=179646
So, according to Reuters, Sasha Cohen will be competing at Nationals. Yesterday, Ashley Wagner told FS Online that she believes that if Sasha competes, she’ll be ready. My tweeted response was “Ashley is nice”.
Seriously, am I the only skeptical one?
So, Sasha, who hasn’t competed in three years, is going to waltz in on her well-appointed blades to nationals, without testing out those programs, without paying her season’s dues, and we’re all supposed to sit up and take notice? And all of those young women who have trained, competed and traveled within the system are supposed to take her seriously as a rival?
I am not saying that Cohen hasn’t been training. I’m sure she has. But when there’s a comeback, I like the respectful manner in which other (and incidentally, more successful) athletes – Plushenko, Shen/Zhao, have done it. I think that trusting and respecting the process is important. I think Sasha owed it to the USFSA to not just show up, untested, at Nationals. Let’s face it — they want her there for ratings. NBC would like her at the Olympics for the same reason. But if she’s going to mop up the ice with her rear end, she’s not going to be any good to anyone.
No, many of the US ladies don’t have the compelling personalities that Sasha has. But if she can’t back it up with good programs then really, where does that put us?
As THE FS FAN, what do I want? I want a respectable level of OOOOO success for an American lady for the simple reason that FS TV coverage in the US could really use the boost. Yes, our men and dance teams are very, very promising. But the American public responds to the American Ice Princess. So, we desperately need success in that arena. But if Sasha just comes out and Kimplodes, then what’s the point?
Russian Nationals and they all appear ready for OOOOO medals. 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Russian_Figure_Skating_Championships
I’ll be tweeting my thoughts throughout this weekend’s Skate America competition. See http://twitter.com/#search?q=thefsfan%20%23skateamerica.
And while you’re at it, follow me, @thefsfan.
Emily Hughes tells Juliet Macur of the NY Times that she is ready to step in for the injured Sasha Cohen at Skate America this weekend. Hey, it’s worked for her before!
This program by Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir is by miles and miles my favorite program by any skater or team thus far this season. Can’t wait to see it with even more polish as the season progresses!
My very favorite moment? See the spin at 3:55.
Jenny Kirk has written a great article measuring up the current season. Her article is insightful for sure and I agree with her almost 100%. But I wonder if I’m the only fan who isn’t as turned on about Plushenko’s return as the FS establishment seems to be?
I agree that he’s a talented guy but his style unnerves me. In a sport which so thoroughly blurs the line between atheleticism and style, is it okay to critique a skater based upon taste alone? By now you know me well enough to know that “inappropriate” isn’t enought ot keep me silent.
Yes, the guy can jump. Yes, he can spin. His feet aren’t bad either. Oh, but all those flailing arms and that in-your-face sexuality! Perhaps I don’t care for his style because I don’t appreciate his brand of manliness and don’t find him sexy? Eww……
Or maybe it’s just his hair.
gotta admire his embracing the cheeze
You know what gets THE fs fan pumped? Ice Dancing. Think there’s no fun in dance? Life ain’t MTV folks — there is much beauty to behold in a well-executed twizzle or an amazing rotational lift.
While the US consistently has kept a team near the top for several years, it’s been a long time since we’ve had this much to be excited about. Tanith and Ben are still doing their thing and looking well and shaking off the stale. Meanwhile, Meryl Davis and Charlie White are seriously turning it on for the run up to Vancouver. Could the US have TWO teams in the top four at the O’s as we did at least year’s worlds? Whoa…..
Here’s a little wire piece about their second GP victory.
Did everyone see this?
So she dislocates her shoulder and then goes on to skate a silver-medal program? Amazing….scary….made me a little nauseous… :-/
