[HPFGU-OTChatter] More Figure Skating: Nail Biting Over Michelle

[Katze]

cindysphynx wrote:
> 
> I have to share my angst over Michelle Kwan.  I saw the short
> programs, and Michelle finished first.  But, uh, I love Michelle and
> all, but I really don't see how she could be ranked first based on
> how everyone skated.  Michelle seemed very slow.  Her spins were
> slow, her jumps were low, her footwork seemed slow.  Was it just me?
> I would have placed Slutskaya first, Cohen second, Kwan third.
> 
> Well, I hope it goes well for Michelle on Thursday.  I get the
> feeling that the sport is passing her by and this might be her last
> chance.
> 
> Cindy (who initially thought Michelle had lost her mind when she
> fired her coach, choreographer and costumer, but now figures it was
> kinda gutsy)

I agree that Kwan was gutsy firing everyone and taking control herself. 

As for the Olympics. I'm pulling for Cohen and Slutskaya. I thought
Slutskaya did wonderfully, though her spins were really aggressive.
Cohen was very graceful. I would have put Kwan in 3rd as well. It's not
that I hope she doesn't get the gold, but she doesn't seem that excited
about it. I think Cohen and Slutskaya are more excited. They seemed
genuine in their attitude towards the competition (just look at their
expressions at the end of the short program). A person's excitement goes
a long way for me. Did you all see the Swiss kid who won two ski jumping
medals? Now...that's excitement! Even Yagudin let his excitement come
out when he was skating. It's nice to see someone interested in the
sport, and Kwan seems quite ambivalent in her attitude (at least what
she shows us).

-Katze