Figure Skating Chat!- Page 4

[Jane2]

Posted: 1/2/06 at 12:46pm

Interesting-what do you object to in Button's commentary? I like him the best-sort of the Simon Cowell of figure skating. Dick isn't afraid to call it the way he sees it, while I find the others to be reluctant to ever say anything negative.

[LaurenB]

Posted: 1/2/06 at 1:15pm

I like Dick Button too. Years ago he said a particular female Russian skater used to land her jumps like a ton of bricks. And he complained about her dirty boots.
I thought his candor was refreshing.

And during the 80's, when the female skating outfits were moving more and more to the high "French-cut" style of leotards (or whatever you call them), he remarked how one particular female skater had "very long legs". You had to see her outfit to understand the humor, but by the end of her routine, her bottom part of the outfit had slid up, and it looked like she was wearing a thong from behind. I cracked up when he said that.

[JLSatUD]

Posted: 1/2/06 at 1:17pm

Hehe ... when you compare him to Simon I guess that makes a lot of sense. I just get so tired of his catch phrases ... "Oh here comes that treachorous (spelling?) outside edge ..." everytime someone is going to do an axle. But I guess you're right about the honesty, it's better than someone saying "Hooray hooray you are wonderful!" to everyone.

[Jane2]

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

One of my favorite comments he makes a lot is describing a skater's arms as "flailing about and having nothing to do with the routine". I always agree with him on that. He does give credit where credit is due though, which makes him fair in my book. He can't praise Sasha Cohen enough for her gorgeous style. He puts her in a class of her own, which she is, but who is so inconsistent that it keeps her out of the gold many times.

[JLSatUD]

Posted: 1/2/06 at 1:42pm

yes, he greatly appreciates the great effect her ballet training has on her skating. He probably keeps her reputation higher than it would be w/out him because even when she was not winning, she got higher praises from him than others.

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 1/3/06 at 9:37am

I don't think anyone has a better spiral than Sasha Cohen. It makes the power-spiral of Michelle look campy in comparison.

[Jane2]

Posted: 1/3/06 at 11:32am

Yes, she's unbelievabley flexible.

[Madame X]

Posted: 1/4/06 at 2:26pm

Michelle just withdrew from nationals w/a groin injury. Sad.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 1/4/06 at 2:29pm

I had a feeling she might withdraw. How sad. A groin injury takes time to heal.

Updated On: 1/4/06 at 02:29 PM

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 1/4/06 at 2:32pm

so which 16 year old american girl is going to win the olympic gold this year?
Updated On: 1/4/06 at 02:32 PM

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 1/4/06 at 3:58pm

Unless Sasha Cohen falls on every jump and trips in her footwork sequence, the US Championship is hers. And, she is no spring chicken. I mean, she's ancient. 21.

While I can't imagine Michelle NOT being at the Olympics, it will be freaky beyond belief to debut programs there.

[cturtle]

Posted: 1/4/06 at 6:54pm

you mean bush did something RIGHT and signed the bill??

i am ecstatic for tanith and ben! they have worked so hard and are the best olympic ice dance hope this country has ever had.

i hate it that michelle won't be competing next week, and i know she hates it too. i DO hope they name her to the olympic team IF she is healed enough to compete her best. i don't know how well she will compete against the ladies who have gotten their feet wet at the grand prix events, but i think it will be great (medal or not) if she goes to her third olympics.

the ladies event next week is going to be quite a show! i agree that it's cohen's title to lose, but the talent is quite deep this year.

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 9:42am

The nice thing for Michelle is she doesn't have to be concerned with defending her reign at nationals -- where she has won for the last 8 years. She'll finally give Sasha a crack at it.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 10:04am

As much as I admire Michelle, I would hate for her to be in a position to debut two new programs at the Olympics and possibly not even medal. I'm sure whatever decision she makes it will be the best one for her.

[JLSatUD]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 5:21pm

Nationals is going to be weird without her. I wish her a speedy recovery ... Nationals has always been my favorite because I love how Michelle always brings her "A" game and a lot of the other skaters step up to meet her. Hopefully Sasha will do it this year.

[cturtle]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 12:11pm

can't wait for nationals! only five more days until tv coverage! and, please, no spoilers until it's shown on tv

[cturtle]

Posted: 1/8/06 at 11:51am

just four more days

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 1/8/06 at 12:18pm

I'm excited that Naomi Nari Nam has returned to skating (but as a pairs skater).

[cturtle]

Posted: 1/8/06 at 5:14pm

yes, dottie, that's totally cool about nam. it will be interesting to see how well she and her partner do. when tiffany steigler switched to dance last year, she had a terrific run!

[Glebb]

Posted: 1/8/06 at 5:23pm

Will Zhao Hongbo be back?
He's handsome.

[cturtle]

Posted: 1/8/06 at 6:38pm

it remains to be seen if "hung-bo" will be able to skate at olympics. we saw him and his partner win worlds in DC in 2003, and they were perfection! we were on our feet way before they even stopped skating.

[cturtle]

Posted: 1/12/06 at 4:18am

don't forget to tune in TONITE (thursday) at 7:30 on ESPN2 ... original dance, men's short program, ladies short program!

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 1/12/06 at 9:21am

While we all know the outcome already for the ladies, I really have no idea who will win for the men. We've got quite a few great skaters. And the depth is there for a completely unknown guy to come out and snatch a win. I'm beading with anticipation!

[Jane2]

Posted: 1/12/06 at 10:01am

Thanks for the headsup, turtle!

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 1/13/06 at 12:42pm

Not too many surprises after the short program. I am, however, officially a fan of Matt Savoie. His artistry is so above and beyond any of the other guys -- if he'd land his triple axels, he'll be one of the top guys to watch at the Olympics. Not to mention that we share the same birthday.