2006 WORLD FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIP
What I learned at the 2006 World Figure Skating Championship:
* When in Canada, it is possible to Skate While Canadian (TM). Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon first in the Free Dance and 2nd overall? Uh-ha.
* Once again, Evil Jews, this time Maxim Staviski, Benjamin Agosto and Igor Shpilband, conspired to keep Drobiazko & Vanagas off the podium.
* Emmanuel Sandhu makes Johnny Weir look like a Republican. Johnny better find himself a new persona, since clearly weird and inconsistent in competition are already taken.
* The Chinese Pairs are this generation's Surya Bonaly. Awesome tricks, need work on that actual skating thing.
* Sasha Cohen is no longer just a member of the Christopher Bowman/Nicole Bobek Lazy Talent Squandering Club, she's the president.
* Kimmie Meissner is awesome! Although, to my recollection, that is the most Junior-ish program ever to win the Ladies World Championship. And yes, I actually was in Switzerland in 1997 to see Tara win. Kimmie Meissner makes Tara Lipinski look like Grandma Moses. Not that there's anything wrong with that... I personally, will take an exuberant jumping bean over a lot of pseudo-artistic arm waving any day of the week.
Your thoughts?
* When in Canada, it is possible to Skate While Canadian (TM). Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon first in the Free Dance and 2nd overall? Uh-ha.
* Once again, Evil Jews, this time Maxim Staviski, Benjamin Agosto and Igor Shpilband, conspired to keep Drobiazko & Vanagas off the podium.
* Emmanuel Sandhu makes Johnny Weir look like a Republican. Johnny better find himself a new persona, since clearly weird and inconsistent in competition are already taken.
* The Chinese Pairs are this generation's Surya Bonaly. Awesome tricks, need work on that actual skating thing.
* Sasha Cohen is no longer just a member of the Christopher Bowman/Nicole Bobek Lazy Talent Squandering Club, she's the president.
* Kimmie Meissner is awesome! Although, to my recollection, that is the most Junior-ish program ever to win the Ladies World Championship. And yes, I actually was in Switzerland in 1997 to see Tara win. Kimmie Meissner makes Tara Lipinski look like Grandma Moses. Not that there's anything wrong with that... I personally, will take an exuberant jumping bean over a lot of pseudo-artistic arm waving any day of the week.
Your thoughts?
7 Comments:
At March 26, 2006 2:25 PM, Anonymous said…
I agree about Johnny Weir he needs to get it together quick or Evan Lysacek is going to take his U.S title...not that it would be so difficult since Johnny isn't that well liked currently. I loved what Alexei Mishin said about skaters; "Less talk, more work."
What do you think of Brian Joubert is this his big come back?
Lara
P.S I agree the Canadians are pretty scary...
WWW.myspace.com/artficerocksmysocks
At March 26, 2006 2:36 PM, M said…
Kimmie may need more maturity, but she has really earned my respect in the last month. I wasn't too impressed with her at Nationals, but I began to see what she is made of at the Olympics and found myself rooting for her. I think she should have finished a bit higher than they put her. Now at Worlds, I was in awe of her steeliness; this is not a girl who looks like she gets knocked around by nerves. She seems to cooly and quietly go to work and do her thing despite all the pressure. That's big.I think she's a real keeper and look forward to seeing her develop more as a skater.
At March 26, 2006 5:39 PM, Anonymous said…
I certainly agree with both of you. Kimmie was a joy to watch at this Worlds. I hope this is just the start for her as far as international competition goes. Awesome! As for Evan, more power to him. Johnny Weir needs to focus more on his skating not politics if he wants to continue in competitive skating. And speaking of competitive skating, didn't you love Peggy Flemming's comment yesterday about how competitions might not be the right venue for Sasha Cohen? Finally, I was a bit disappointed with the results of Ice Dancing. I had a very hard time appreciating the Bulgarians' free dance. And I didn't understand why Belbin & Agosto's difficulty levels were reduced from the Olympics to the Worlds? Any thoughts out there?
Denise
At March 26, 2006 5:51 PM, Anonymous said…
Johnny Weir, not popular right now? He actually has a pretty hardcore fan base, compared to Evan. However, he needs to seriously get it together. I think he should consider a new coach.
At March 27, 2006 5:16 PM, M said…
Yes, I heard Peggy's comment about Sasha, but I think if you finally win US Nationals, collect a silver at the Olympics, a bronze at Worlds, you should not be thinking you're a failure!! How many skaters would love to have a resume like THAT??? The comment is only worth so much. the truth is, if Sasha does what Sasha can do, she would win every time. she is coming closer than before now and it's no time to quit. I say she should keep going and find her ground and keep her eye on the prize no matter what. It would be a shame if we didn't get to see her at competitions anymore. Her skating in general is so exquisite. I hope she doesn't take the joy of seeing her skate prematurely from the fans and find something else to do YET.
Keep going, Sasha, look at the medals you won this year. It's better than previous years, YES? I think so.
At March 28, 2006 7:08 AM, Anonymous said…
This is a bit of a departure from the World's but has any one else seen the WE (Women's Entertainment)show, Skating's Next Star? At times, it's painful to watch but it certainly makes it clear that how talented the folks who are skating in International Competitions actually are.
Denise
At March 28, 2006 5:37 PM, M. Medina said…
Alina I love your site! I just discovered it today and have spent a good chunck of my day reading through some of your excellent interviews (Surya Bonaly in particular), biographies and information. Most of my enjoyment has come from reading your personal opinions (which are in sync with mine) on those skating personalities like Tara Lapinski and Sasha Cohen who have been well over-rated by the media and adoring pseudo-skating fans.
I can't believe you said, "Sasha Cohen is the president of the Christopher Bowman/Nicole Bobek Lazy Talent Squandering Club." I'm so glad someone has finally said it!
Any true skating fan knows that a real champion has the passion, desire and ability to win consistently. A real champion is gracious in victory as well as defeat. Such characteristics are personified in certainly the greatest figure skating champion of my lifetime, Michelle Kwan.
I agree that the maturity, grace and over-all style of Kimmie Meissner was the most Junior-ish program ever to win, but I have to applaud Kimmie for her ability to remain cool under pressure and deliver the goods when it counts! It's encouraging to see at the age of 16. We saw this ability in Michelle Kwan (although with greater talent) at the same age. We may be witnessing the start of the next real & true Ladies Figure Skating Champion.
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