Figure Skating Chat!- Page 14

[Jane2]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 11:57am

Thanks, touch me. Well, I guess one skater can't do it all, right? Most of the other male skaters can't do nearly what Plushy can, in my opinion. That's why he's where he is. This should be a really exciting Olympics, can't wait to see some skating tonight.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 1:08pm

Oh, there are post here! YEAH!

I almost missed the opening ceremonies because I thought I was watching NBC, but it turns out it was the channel above NBC called NBCHL(I have satellite). Anyways They kept(and keep) showing the same thing over and over mostly stuff from Salt Lake 2002 and Olympic Previews and they seem to think that Timothy Goebel is on the team.

How do you guys feel about Tanith and Ben winning the Ice Dance Competition? I guess the first compulsory dance will tell us the most since big changes are rare!

Although their Free Dance this year seems a little too-dramatic(though I only saw it once), I do like it better than Tatiana Navka and Roman Kostomorov's Free Dance. They are skating to a medly from the opera "Carmen" which is THE MOST OVERUSED skating music ever. Not that you CAN'T skate to it,but this one is really nothing real special.

I was happy to See Michelle at the Opening Ceremonies, taking it all in. I hope she doesn't withdraw, but now that the games have started if she withdrew before the Ladies Event took place, Could Emily Hughes compete? If not, then I WANT MICHELLE TO COMPETE. She took the spot and she needs to follow through. Every Olympics is a once in a life change for any athlete, and I agree she deserved to come here.
But if she withdraws now and Emily Hughes is declared ineligible because the games have started(or if she withdraws like the day before the games start and Hughes can't get there), I would be upset. By taking this chance she needs to get out there and compete, whether she falls and makes mistakes and takes herself out of the running. She wanted this chance and now she needs to follow through. If only 2 US ladies compete in the ladies singles I'll be upset.

That being said, she fell on her first offical practice jump in Nagano in 1998. Also the article made it sound like Michelle's big problems were her triple-triple combination. Well she's always struggled with that, and I didn't even think she was going to attempt one. I don't think that Sasha Cohen is. Anyways, if that's all it was, the 3-3 combinations, then I don't think there is too much for her to worry about. Although, it would help her cause.

[Jane2]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 1:22pm

All you have to do is check nbcolympics.com to read the story and that Emily will be skating if Michelle drops out.

[JLSatUD]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 1:31pm

Hi, all!

The thing I like least about the Olympics is the huge time zone difference. Last time in Salt Lake, most of the skating was live for East Coast TV which really added to the drama and the breath holding. I was just on the official site and they have real time results on the website for the pairs short program that is going on now. I hope I have the self control to stay away and let the televised stuff be a surprise!!

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 1:37pm

No, Sasha is not going to do a triple/triple. She usually does a jump sequence (triple/double/double) instead.

I don't think Belbin and Agosto will win gold, but I really wish they would. N/K have the best chance, but I would hope Tanith and Ben could vye for silver.

As for Michelle, I really hope she does not withdraw. I have been a huge fan since 1994 and well, I want the girl to have one last good showing at Olys.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 1:39pm

Thanks! If she withdraws before the February 19 draw then Emily can skate. I hope she keeps this in mind to because she seems to be last minute on a lot of her decisions.
It would be different if she qualified for the team by placing in the top 3 at Nationals. But under the circumstances that she was brought in for the team I think she needs to respect Emily Hughes and withdraw in a timely fashion should that be the case. Had she qualified for the team by placing in the top 3 at Nationals, I think she could take her time with the withdraw, but that's not the case.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Michelle Kwan and understand her condition, but I would be upset and disappointed if She withdrew(injury or not) and Emily didn't get to compete at all.

So if Michelle stays until after the draw, she needs to go for broke!

I see it wasn't just her 3-3 combo she had trouble on, but also triple flips. The jump that ruined her chances for Olympic Gold in the PAST TWO OLYMPICS!
Updated On: 2/11/06 at 01:39 PM

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 1:43pm

I have a deal to make with everyone!

ABSOLUTELY NO SPOILERS!!!!!!

Yes the time zone will cause a big delay, but let's post no spoilers for the Olympics(and yes I might have been guilty of doing that in the past!).

[JLSatUD]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 1:53pm

Exactly. I'm with you Mann. I wish they'd show it on TV. I hate that they wait to air the skating at night just for the ratings. It's not like it's on while we're asleep!

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 2:12pm

Also, don't forget about that show on USA! It may be called Olympic Ice and it gives you previews before each Skating Event!

Right Now a Hockey Game is on USA and after that a show called "Screwed" is coming on, so perhaps it will be on after that :)

BTW, anyone know who the skating commentators are?
Since the Olympics moved to NBC(from CBS) they got some new faces in 2002. Tom Hammond was the "lay" person, Scott Hamilton did Pairs, Mens and Ladies, Sandra Bezic also did Pairs and Ladies and Tracy Wilson did dance.

I Love Tracy and Scott[although when teamed up with Sandra got to be a little biases ]

Also, remember how STUPID Tom Hammond acted about 2002 Ice Dance Gold Medalist, Marina Anasina and Gwendal P.(not going to spell that!) free dance? He talked about how he felt the fact that they featured parts of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech insluting and inappropriate. I really didn't feel this at all, and I actually feel it was inappropriate of him to say that on the air.
Sure, it's not the first thing you think of when thinking of the speech, that it would be perfect for a routine. But it's not forbidden territory. Plus, it was an art piece meant to inspire.
Anyways, I guess NBC got scared or felt the same way or something because on the Skating Hightlights tape they had some commentator talk over their music and you couldn't hear it. I don't think they would have done anything had Tom Hammond not made such a fuss.
Because all their comments on the tape they got for the commentators. Like they talked about Michelle Kwan's SP being "not quite perfect" refering to her triple flip and how she might have fallen. They wouldn't have said anything had Scott Hamilton not said it while commentating.

Anyways, my point is that Tom Hammond over-reacted ruined the highlights tape.

[JLSatUD]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 6:19pm

Dick Button is there, cause I just saw him on the pairs preview. I'm watching the USA network show now ... it's on until 7pm EST. They have Sale and Pelletier as guest commentators!

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 6:41pm

Yeah, but Scott and Sandra are there too! I can't imagine they will have Tom, Scott, Dick and Sandra!

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 8:51pm

Well Figure Skating is tonights Olympic Moment! I'm so happy one of my favorite things is going to be seen so much!

BTW, didn't Carolina Kostner look so pretty carrying the Italian Flag last night? With her hair down she looked so pretty, compared to how she usually looks with her hair up.

[JLSatUD]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 8:51pm

It's on, It's on! Are you watching? Baldwin and Inoue up now!

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 8:55pm

OMG! John and Rena just landed their throw triple axel! I'm so happy for them and the rest of the program was up to par!!!!!! I hope this will put them into medal contention!

[JLSatUD]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 8:57pm

It really was beautiful. The axel was much better tonight than at Nationals.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 9:01pm

They did side by side double axels and most other top teams do side by side triple toes, so that may take them down, but the triple axel should balance it out!

It was a smart move because I know John struggles on triple toe.

The triple axel landing was as good as it could be! So much better than all those Japanese single skaters that try them!

BTW, did anyone notice John lifting Rena during the opening ceremonies? That was sweet I thought!

Anyways, they say you have to take risk for success, especially at the Olympics, so I'm glad they left no stone unturned!

Next are Shen and Zhou! Cross your fingers and say your prayers!

[JLSatUD]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 9:03pm

I did see that lift during the ceremony march last night. Very cute. I'm excited to see all the Chinese pairs - they are always so fantastic!

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 9:06pm

Dick Button just described a move of Tong and Pang as Ugly! I just remembered why I perfer that he not commentate at the Olympics!

I hope he's kind to Irina and not talk about how ugly her arm movements are!

[JLSatUD]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 9:10pm

I know that sometimes Dick Button can be very helpful at explaining things, but a lot of the time I feel like he's very brash and I feel bad for the skaters. I mean, nobody goes out there and says "Gee I hope I'm horrible tonight!" I was hoping he wouldn't be at the Olympics with it being on NBC.

I'm feeling stupid at the moment - I didn't notice the last girl was wearing pants until halfway through the program when they mentioned that it was a new rule that girls could wear pants. I was surprised to find out that skirts were a RULE!

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 9:14pm

Pang and Tong ahead of Rena and John?

Not in my book! Did you see that spin get off?

Now Shen and Zhou!

Awww, Xue Shen just touched down on the triple toe and Zhou landed his! Talk about things not going right!

And their death spiral......not too good.

Too Bad! But what a comeback!

[JLSatUD]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 9:16pm

I am very happy for him getting through that program. I can't believe that Pang and Tong are ahead of our team. The messed up spin was so obvious!

I feel like the microphones over the ice are on high tonight because I'm really noticing the calls between the skaters.

Woah, I mean they were good but she touched down and they are STILL ahead of our team?

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 9:24pm

Well Rena and John did do double axels instead of triple toes. And I guess that this system can still allow for judges to hold up favorite teams like Shen and Xue.

Good thing is, the new system all you have to do is make up the lost points. You don't have to worry about placements and "getting help" as you did in the old code.

BTW, It looked like Xue got her braces off. Now her smile can be as pretty as she is!

[JLSatUD]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 9:53pm

Did I detect a little bit of a dig there during the John and Rena interview??

"We knew the outcome before we even stepped on the ice."

As long as there is anything subjective about judging, it won't be perfect. Everyone's human.

[Jane2]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 10:31pm

Dick Button's the only commentator I can stand. He's the Simon of skating. He tells it like it is.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 2/11/06 at 10:41pm

Janey, I posted in the Official Olympics Thread that I love Dick Button, too. Maybe you and I are the same person and we're just pretending on the Board that we're really "two" to "fool" everyone.