Michelle Kwan & Tara Lipinski 1997 Worlds Qualifying fluff (

[stephe1987]

I like both girls. They both seem nice, but they have very different personalities. Lipinski was in it to have fun, and was a free spirit. She simply enjoyed skating, and having people watch her skate. Kwan was more focused on winning, very serious, in it to win it, keep trying until you get it right, then defend your medals by competing again next time. I think it makes sense that each girl took the path that she did.

[Ardenis9]

I love Michelle.But I still can't get it, you know.It wasn't Tara,who passed Michelle over.She skated,she did great,she won.Anyone else's decision about Kwan not being mature enough is not Tara's fault.I don't deny that Michelle is a legend,but Tara was amazing too.Im just talking about being a little more open minded.For example I'm a fan of Yagudin,100%,but I dont hate Evgeni just'cause of that.See what I mean?U shouldnt hate Tara for being a "footnote"

[JNagarya]

@Ardenis9 There's no legitimate comparison:

T(i)ara was "amazing" ONCE. Kwan was consistently amazing.

Kwn -- not T(i)ara -- is the most decorated in US hhsitory.

[JNagarya]

@Ardenis9 I don't hate footnotes. I just don't mistake them for the main text.

[MegaAwesomeMLC]

Why did Tara Lipinski stop so early? I love both skaters! Tara brought the fun and had a lot of speed. Michelle expressed a lot of emotion and basically took u on a journey. But Michelle kept on going whereas i didn't hear from Tara after 1999. Tara was very strongwilled.

[TribalFaerie]

@MegaAwesomeMLC I think that she had a really bad hip injury or something. From doing that triple loop triple loop combination. Also, her parents put out tons of money for her career. Joining Stars on Ice gave her a chance to earn some money back for them.

[JNagarya]

@TribalFaerie It's because she -- and her parents -- were only in it for the money.

As for "Stars on Ice": she was on tour with Kwan and others in "Champions on Ice," so no more needed the money to pay for the skating than did anyone else. Moreover, T(i)are got training funding from the 1961 memorial fund, as did many others.

[JNagarya]

@MegaAwesomeMLC T(i)ara was in it for the money.

Kwan was in it because, before all else, she loved skating.

[barkingtree88]

very sophisticated 14-year-old.

[Ardenis9]

I dont get it.You dont like Tara just'cause she stepped ahead of MIchelle or what?She was sooo young,she acomplished everything anyone can dream of.Still she felt that everyone around her wanted Kwan to win.How would you deal with that at the age of 14/5?She got critisised just'cause she won or 'cause she retired after Nagano?Terror for the sport.?Well,she was shockingly talented yes.she gave great perfromances even as a pro.And I dont like her style that much.But honestly youre so narrowminded.

[JNagarya]

@Ardenis9 Michelle Kwan was passed over for a medal at 1995 Worlds because "not mature". Then she was passed over for the Olympic Gold in 1998 because mature.

Nonetheless, Kwan is an enduring legend, and T(i)ara is a footnote at the back of the book.



[allenglandlawns]

@JNagarya Easy! Kwan simply wasn't good enough! Tara skated the most difficult programs ever. Kwan is used to being safe, simple, handed titles, and even then she bumbles through her routines. Wiggle, jiggle, pepto faces, arm flapping... Judges saw right through that and gave the medals to the REAL athletes who EARN them.

[Karosanyo]

@allenglandlawns More hot air.... Tara's combos were more difficult than Kwan's but that's it! Kwan's choreography, jumps, lines, edging, spirals and spins were better.

[JNagarya]

@allenglandlawns We can't hear you. You are drowned out by the countless spontaneous standing ovations given Kwan by the vast majority, even at her practice sessions.

And we can't hear you becasue you wallow in obvious mental illness.

[JNagarya]

@allenglandlawns T(i)ara idn't skatre the most difficult of anythiung; stop the transparently stupid bullshit which persuades other of nothing but the fact that you have nothing of value to offer.

[JNagarya]

@allenglandlawns The Olympic team and coaches elected Kwan the team spokesperson. Based upon your hateful confabulations, distortions, lying, and relentless libelous personal attacks upon people you don't know, that must mean the Olympic team members and coaches were corrupt.

As for Kwan being second choice, as you allege? PROVIDE THE EVIDENCE FOR THAT CLAIM OR CEASE THE LYING.

[allenglandlawns]

@JNagarya Why don't you go look for it yourself? I don't take orders from a loon like you. You are quite desperate enough to protect your Kween at all costs.

[JNagarya]

@allenglandlawns I'M CALLING YOU OUT: PROVIDE THAT EVIDENCE:

It is YOUR responsibility to back up YOUR allegations. But, as SHOWN, you'll tell any lie to libel, by dirtiest of personal attack, those you don't know.

Your premise is TRANSPARENTLY obvious: EVERYONE who favorably spoke of or voted for Kwan was CORRUPT. The scope of that premise OBVIOUSLY includes such as Dick Button, Peggy Fleming, and the ENTIRE US OLYMPIC TEAM AND ITS COACHES.

PROVIDE THE EVIDENCE DEMANDED, LIAR.

[allenglandlawns]

@JNagarya Yeesh, you are definitely one of the more crazed Kwanatics. The evidence IS out there but if you must know, Kwan was SECOND to Picabo Street. But your Kwan-like ignorance will blind you from looking it up yourself. Anyway, I have no further business responding to you... your love for your Kween is so visceral, it's not even worth replying. Have a nice life, weirdo.

[JNagarya]

@allenglandlawns One last time, hate-consumed stalker: PROVIDE the EVIDENCE for your claim.

And one more time, NUT: the MENTALLY HEALTHY do NOT OBSESSIVELY SEEK OUT that they HATE; they AVOID it. You do NOTHING here but wallow in your hatred for a person YOU DO NOT KNOW by CONSTANTLY attacking Kwan PERSONALLY no matter the video. Everyone here KNOWS you are seriously mentally ill -- which you prove every time you post you UNEVIDENCED hate.

Get the professional help you need.

[TeamKween2010]

@allenglandlawns Then stop complaining about the titles that Kwan did win then! The REAL athletes got the medals at the competitions they EARNED them at. Geez. After sometime, when fans of Michelle's and other skaters argue about who should have won what, it gets rather annoying. Sorry but this is true.

[MrSk8ingfan]

Tara was such a little terror to the sport. Thank goodness she's no longer skating!!

[BevHills]

Well, there were many people who did not like Tara. Tara was young and acted on her emotions. She made a lot of mistakes and made people dislike her. I was hoping that she would change, but she hasn't really matured much. She needs to stop thinking as everyone having something against her.

[1814Brandan]

@MrSk8ingfan But now she's stinking up the small screen with her "ACTING". I've seen STOP SIGNS with more screen presence!

[tellito1]

@MrSk8ingfan i am agree !!!!!

[allenglandlawns]

@MrSk8ingfan Yep! She terrorized Michelle the Marshmellow. Kwan had to think twice whenever Tara was around...couldn't just stumble and bumble through her routines but actually up the ante. And Tara the champion is no longer skating...knew when it was time to hang it up and let others have a shot.

[JNagarya]

@allenglandlawns Kwan was always friendly to T(i)ara. T(i)ara couldn't comprehend being friendly with other competitors. Then, when the US Olympic team and coaches elected Silver Medalist Kwan their spokesperson -- instead of stuck-up T(i)ara, she was furious. She couldn't STAND not being the "My shit doesn't stink!" center of attention. She couldn't stand the fact that Kwan was held in high esteem by those who knew both.

[allenglandlawns]

@JNagarya From what I read, Tara didn't seem to mind at all. And if you actually read the fine print, Kwan was actually the SECOND choice to be that's spokesperson. You hear that? Second choice again! Kwan gets honors by default when the REAL athletes figure to let others have a moment in the spotlight.

[tinymavy]

Tara was amazing. She still has the best jumps for her age ever.

[SonyaNatalia]

That was an amazing era for figure skating. It was just a pity everybody felt the need to love one and hate the other. They were both fantastic!!

It's a bit like the Shawn Johnson/Nastia Liukin thing in gymnastics these days.

[tellito1]

MICHELLE KWAN ROCKS!!!!!

[music2themax4me]

well it is true what she said. she's lived it.

[LuvnJCandJB]

Michelle Kwan rocks!

[peppe201]

Hey is Tennis player Sue Barker still around during sporting events and still working as a presenter ?

[audie83]

I've never seen this before-thank you for posting it! :)

[tellito1]

michelle kwan is better

[audie83]

Well she's the more elegant of the two and yes she was a better skater than Tara-superior edges, etc. but Tara was better when it counted the most-at 1997 Worlds and of course perhaps more importantly the Olympics.

[bunnyinskates]

@tellito1

Is that why she has an olympic gold medal?