Michelle Kwan's a natural born athlete! Her parents were just doing what comes naturally for their daughter Michelle! They did the right thing in letting her take her passion take flight with figure skating.
@adenmanic Not entirely correct. "The feeling begins" is the opening track of the CD for the soundtrack for the film "The last temptation of Christ", by Peter Gabriel.
allenglandlawns: You just can't make a valid argument for Kwan, can you? She was NOT held up if you actually look at the facts. As others have said: When she made mistakes in the short, she was never placed first at either Nationals or Worlds. She won her 9 Nationals and 5 Worlds b/c she had to skate perfectly in the free to win them, which she did. Even "getreal" acknowledges that Kwan deserved 2000 and 2001 worlds titles, but you can't. Your blinders are unreal.
@mlc2005 Oh PUH-LEEAASSEE. Shelly can slide her bottom on the ice and count on favoritism and (as Dick called them) 'graceful' falls to save her. Counting on that and the foregone conclusion that the title will be handed to her for simple programs she managed to even screw up at times. It's absolutely sickening but became a real delight to watch when her spoiled face found out even she couldn't get away with it at the Olympics.
@allenglandlawns: If falling and failing are things that "delight" you (which is sad frankly) I can see why you dislike Kwan and love Cohen: Kwan almost never fell, and Cohen almost always did. Honey, have you taken my advice and sought professional help yet?
I see a lot of babbling about athleticism and artistry here and both hardly apply to Kwan. Kwan...who uses the same simple moves and passes them off as artistry...the arm waving...goofy facial expressions...wiggle...jiggle...hardly upping the ante and even when she did, she went for the easiest moves. The graceful persona generated only masks her true lack of courage, originality, and athleticism...COP saw through that!
@allenglandlawns LOL! This short program WAS artistic AND athletic. Anyone who states that her spiral sequence, speed and footwork were "simple" is ignorant. Her jumps here were ace as well. What arm waving and goofy facial expressions? No other woman in the history of this sport used their arms as well as Michelle Kwan. Kwan has the most original programs ever done by a woman. Kwan only competed once under COP and came in fourth with a dreadful QR, a good SP, and a mediocre LP.
@Karosanyo Yes and that once under COP means more than all the cupcake 6s Kwan owns...you know because she actually had to earn her marks under COP...being marked down for her mistakes...COP saw right through that well-paid and protected image. It was a level playing field and not even Kwan's so-called "artistry" could save her that time. Would have been the same story Torino had she decided to make even more a dolt of herself by actually competing.
@allenglandlawns Kwan earned most of her 6s... Kwan would have been in fourth that year under the old system as well.. Remember what they did to her at the 2004 Worlds under the 6.0 system? Even the Brits stated that she was undermarked (they also said that with her 2005 Worlds as well). Michelle Kwan NEVER had it easy at Worlds or the Olympics. She had to skate her very best to win (her only flawed LP at Worlds was in '98, though that program was superior and she still had six triples).
@Karosanyo Many skaters are undermarked in order for Kwan to win. I guess Kwan is so used to being handed inflated marks it must rattle the poor dear so much to be given marks she actually deserves. 2004 was a reality check for her...bump it up or bump off. So arrogant of her to skip the GPF series instead of putting in the effort to test out COP in the years leading up to Torino. Trying to milk off as many 6s as she could before she was forced to play in the big leagues.
@allenglandlawns When was Kwan given inflated marks at Worlds or Olympics? There is no way that Kwan deserved 4.9s for her TFB at the 2004 Worlds. All of the commentators thought this as. She SHOULD have been in second place after the short in 2004. Kwan was actually undermarked at the 2000-2001 Worlds as well (landing 7 triples with a 3/3 and getting 5.6s). Kwan NEVER had it easy at the majors like Oksana did. Who are these skaters that were undermarked in order for Kwan to win? That's silly.
@allenglandlawns Not exactly, allenglandlawns. If other skaters were undermarked, one can argue that Kwan should still have won the Olympics in 2002. All Michelle had to do was finish second in the free skate, and the gold still would have been hers. But the judges played it fair. That is why she deserved the titles she did win. Michelle's marks were never inflated. Actually they were deflated. 2000 and 2001 Worlds LPs are what come to my mind. :)
@allenglandlawns At the 2005 Worlds, Michelle's first time competing under the COP's Michelle placed well. Though her qualifying terrible, she rebounded in the short and long programs. And even with more level ones and twos, she still placed third. That is not too shabby for the first time competing under the system. And allenglandlawns, had Kwan competed at Torino, a healthy Michelle could have easilly taken the gold. After 2005, Michelle worked really hard to boost the levels on her spins.
@TeamKween2010 Kwan placed fourth at Worlds 2005, the first time she was off the podium since 1995 I believe. She did not place third overall, that was Carolina Kostner.
This is a hoot...people just don't get it...she held her athleticism in check to ??? If they aren't separable (and for figure skating they aren't..well...except for she of the inflated scores and given golds)...she is SO gracious that she held her athleticism in check so other skaters could????? OMG ...too outright funny and outrageously desperate.
@getrealandsee We can't hear you. You're drowned out by the countless spontaneous standing ovations given Kwan by the vast majority, even at her practice sessions.
@Karosanyo The straight-line footwork in this is astonishing in both number and variety of detail -- breathtaking -- and speed. When she skated like this, no one could touch her. My all-time favorite of her short programs is the delightful "Romanza"; but this almost matches that for me.
@getrealandsee You would have to be really ignorant to figure skating if you agree that all this program is Kwan setting up for jumps. No, that's a stupid statement. The speed and the footwork in this was GREAT. Her spirals and spins were great as well. This was one of Kwan's best short programs (very different from her previous work). I wish that she had this and Aranjuez for the 2002 Olympics.
Also, pre-puberty she was doing the triple axel in practice as Tonya was her idol. I question how much her backing off technically had to initially do with her big body change between the spring and fall of 1995. From 96' to 01' Michelle had only done a triple/triple of the toe-loop. In 2001, she was doing the sal/loop and lutz/loop but both required more time to master than she had and caused her injury.
@RothdeMan She didn't "back off" technically. Rather, she first learned and mastered the basics, the foundation -- the technical -- while she was growing physically. And as she grew and her abilities evolved she increased her artistry. There was no less technical; there was more artistic.
I was there and saw this live. We were all mesmerized at the performance. However, I think the problem folks have with Michelle is that her degree of difficulty here was the exact same as it was in her 1995 Worlds Short Program. While the artistic growth is most certainly obvious, there just doesn't seem to be much growth athletically.
@ebesmom It is what it is. You simply have to realize that under Frank Carroll technical difficulty so far as 3/3's ran a distant 2nd to being solid and consistent. Michelle was never the most athletic and never pretended to be. Michelle knew what she was good at and did the best at with what she had.
@ebesmom I don't know why people don't get it. The athleticism is the foundation for the artistry; they are not actually separable. That she doesn't make a show of her athleticism is essential to her brilliance.
@JNagarya very astute comment. She could do all the artistic things she did because of her wonderful cardiovascular fitness and great technique. All this was only achieved through devotion to conditioning and practice. It always bothered me as a feminist that her team downplayed her incredible fitness that could only have come through hours and hours of grueling training sessions. But whatever, I love to watch her skate.
@OapostropheC She also had more than enough physical strength (and superb coordination -- see the slow skating of her 1998 World Pro "East of Eden" -- no trembling or bobble), even though she didn't make a point of being visibly, and unattractively, muscle-bound like Harding and Bonaly. She didn't have to imitate males in order to have that strength, or to excel. She had more than enough physical strength, and remained feminine. She was a superb athlete, thus the exquisite muscle control.
@ebesmom The athleticism makes the artistic possible. The athleticism is subsumed in the artistic. See her "Keri Lotion" skate to "Dante's Prayer" and listen to Button's comments at the end of it. And also see her "East of Eden" exhibition skate at 1996 Worlds and listen to Button's comments about the function of technique as making the artistic possible. Art is not a "gush"; it is disciplined expression.
Not only was Michelle Kwan a great skater, but she was also very level-headed and down-to-earth, with an excellent attitude. She had a personality that, along with her superb skating skills, made her a special athlete, a wonderful role model for young children everywhere.
What I really like about this is how she improved her spins. She held the camel on the combination spin for more rotations and spun must faster than she did earlier in her career.
That level-one at 2005 Worlds made me furious. (Not that sport should ever be a reason for anger.) LIke it doesn't matter that her position is better than anyone else's. She gets fewer points because she doesn't stretch her body into awkward point-getting positions. I'm learning to accept the COP regime, but I'm still mad about that.
@Dylvente the level one was because michelle forgot to hold the position for 3 seconds (she can hold her spirals for ages longer if she wants). later she held them and received higher levels so it's all good. everyone knows her spirals are legendary.
@BunniechanG You're right. The commentators from the network said the same thing. You can see, though, how she had to rush just to get everything in. I'm impressed that any skaters can hold each position for 3 seconds and still get all the moves in. When you think about it, it makes sense. They've added more rotations to spins, more intricate footwork, longer spirals -- but the same two minutes, forty seconds to get it all in.
What a difference a skater makes. The American female skaters that make up the current National team don't hold a candle to the beauty and grace of Michelle's skating. That is what happens when jumps are favored so much over artistry. It is just sloppy arm flails between jumps now.
I don't know if I'm being fair or not, but watching today's top skaters, they skate like robots. They're extremely talented and strong, but their presentation just doesn't come close to Michelle's.
I agree with you to some degree, but Yuna presents her performances very good as well. She's one of the few top skaters today that gets into a character role very well and expresses it with artistry and elegance, along with her very technical jumps which is why she gets such high praises from Michelle herself and many other famous figure skaters, let alone the judges. But yeah, there are too many skaters nowadays who look too concerned and focused on their jumps rather than there presentation.
You're right about Kim. I just get annoyed when, watching the ladies' short program for instance, every skater does exactly the same spiral sequence. Some do it well, others not so well. But every single one does the inside-out (few as well as Michelle) into catch-foot, then back catch-foot with leg held out to the side. It's a nice move, but why does every woman have to do the exact same sequence?
@Marisa70 i totally agree with you Michelle was my favorite skater for how beautiful she skated i actually got to see her on a performance show and even in person she look Beautiful skating
second part of this program was made by some choreographic genius. many skaters can skate well, however michelle skates as if music had been written only for her :)
with the new scoring and everyone making their routines harder today, i really dont see a difference with this performance and the way how they skate toay they say that her routines if done perfectly, she wouldnt even medal to this day i dont get it shizuka arwakawa won the olympic gold with only 5 triple jumps?
anyone at all got any ideas for figure skating music that would suit someone in juvenile grade doing doubles up to double flip?
It must be up beat and no longer than 2.10mins or shorter than 2.00mins long. And an up-beat piece with good music changes good places for arm movements for a 14 year old.
TracyTerry. One word of warning. Your racist comments against Michelle Kwan will be deleted. I will also personally notify the authorities against you for making racist threats with an intent to physically induce harm or mental injuries. You will NOT be allowed to post any more childish and bigotry incest comments in here.
i know u commented this long ago but i have something to say. it's not the skaters fault that they have those "smell-my-crotch" its because of the new judging system. so when they add those cannonball spin, pancakes, etc. they're getting a higher base level. so blame it all on the IJS system. because in this video michelle was still in the old system.
I really find it laughable about pointing out MK's speed. Michelle has great speed not uber fast like Kostner but MK has one of the best ice coverage without sacrificing artistry. She's also the best technician of her day unlike the weak edges of today's skaters. Sasha might have extension only because of her flexibility due to genetics but her edges are shallow & weak. MK is one of the best "all around" skaters. MK lands and deliver her jumps. She's a skater's skater.
Love the outfit, the skater, the music and this unbelievable performance....I can watch it over and over...Nice to see no hiking the blade up by her head on the lay back...ahhhhh the old days!
the statement made absolutely no mention that she was retiring. She's not going for the 2010 olympics that's all. Sure she might be moving onto the next phase in her life, sure she's going to graduate school, but seriously, it's Michelle Kwan we're talking about. I wouldn't be surprised if she fired off for the 2014 olympics. Whatever she does, we LOVE her and would root her on like crazy!!!
She announced yesterday that she will not compete in 2009/10 season, which pretty much means she is retiring. She will do shows, but will no longer compete.
bestfiction: Thanks for the update! Im so happy Kwan will be performing. I just haven't been able to get into skating since 2005. Maybe it's the judging system, but I think more than anything it's that Kwan is no longer competing. I watched skating for the excitement AND for the emotional impact, and I think we can all agree that Kwan had the whole emotional impact down to a T. She raised the bar so damn high that everything else dissapoints.
BTW, Michelle is skating again in Yu-Na Kim's exhibition this August. I believe she will be doing two programs because the other guests are slated to do so. So look out for the videos.
Since there seems to be some good discussion here, I'll also say that she can be criticized for not advancing her technical ability as much as she should have. But she did have logic: If it aint broke, don't fix it right? If you want to see someone, recently, who was always trying to keep up with the times, I would say Maria butyrskaya. Although not always consistent, she stayed competitive until age 29, and could still do triple triple jumps.
Michelle very much kept up her technical egde. May I remind you that the 2006 Olympics was won by a 5 triple program. Michelle did 7 triple programs 98% of the time. ( in serious competitions). Michelle can and has done 3/3's many times, why do people say she doesn't do them? Michelle had higher and stronger jumps in 2005, she worked hard to get her already strong jumps stronger. Michele's jumps are perfect, she doesn't cheat her jumps, they are textbook perfect, how many skaters have that.
Oh I totally agree... I think Kwan is the greatest skater of all time. Don't get me wrong. I was just commenting that she might have tried 3/3 combos aside from her toe toe. That would have kept her up with some of the younger ones. But seriously, she's awesome
During Worlds 2001 LP Peggy was saying that Michelle was practicing a 3 Sal/3 toe ( I think) and she was landing them in practice. She can do them, it would be good if she could consistently land that if she plans to return.
Actually she was practicing a triple sal-triple LOOP combo, a much more difficult second jump to do because the loop must be done without the assistance of the toe pick. In competition she once tried a triple lutz-triple loop combo but didnt make it all the way around on the loop, and fell. It would have been awesome to see her land such a combination in competition, but a skater would need more height and speed on her jumps than Michelle usually achieved in order to do such a move consistently.
@purpleblumoon: I always wondered what 2002 SLC would have looked like had Kwan thrown in, say, a triple flip-triple toe at the end of the program. Kwan is the greatest ever to me, but a small part of me wishes that she had gone for it after making a mistake. Of course, on the other hand, Kwan almost never made mistakes, so I guess there aren't too many examples of when she didn't go for it. Imagine her, out of nowhere, throwing in a triple-triple at 2002 Olympics at the end!
Very true! Michelle's jumps became higher and stronger even as her hip was getting worse. The most notable jump was her flip. Frank built her solid technique and Rafael helped with the strength and power.
I do agree that certain skaters skate faster than Kwan, but that doesn't mean anything really. Carolina Kostner, for example, skates very fast, but she falls half the time. I don't see why people are arguing about speed. Kwan doesn't skate slowly, and she's certainly the most consistent skater of the last several decades. She's got the whole package. I love people who try and point out a "flaw" in Kwan's skating, as if that changes her record or accomplishments.
After Worlds 2009 Carolina Costner should hang her head in shame...honestly...to do that bad at teh senior level is just horrible. It's liek she didn't even try, yes she's fast but if you're fast and can't land two jumos then what good is it?
@purpleblumoon: What happened there, I wonder? I will say that I do like Kostner, and think she's talented, but I was bummed when she skated that badly. I hope she doesn't hang her head, cause she's too talented. From my experience, skating fast makes everything much harder, and I wish she could slow down a bit to focus on the consistency. I've also read that Kostner is universally admired by other skaters as being a very nice, down to earth person.
As far as what I had said, I wasn't discrediting her accomplishments. She did what she needed to do. We argued about speed because I didn't agree with the generalization that no one since Kwan skates with speed. Speed doesn't mean everything and that's true but it is a good indicator of technique and basics. MK's speed in this particular video shows that.
For the record, I'm not disagreeing with you. I just don't like unfounded generalizations.
..... tell that to Joannie Rochette, Carolina Kostner, Miki Ando, and Yuna Kim. Many people who have seen Michelle skate live have said that she is average in speed. Yes, in this program, I think she is fast but there are others who are faster.
And those skating fans have valid opinions. Michelle is a great skater and competitor but it doesn't mean she's flawless. Even Michelle herself, while commentating at this pass Worlds had said that she's never seen skaters that skate that fast. It came from her own mouth.
Well of course she's not going to say "I've never seen skaters skate that fast besides me" That would be arrogant. You are right, the skating fans do have valid opinions. I have mine- you have yours. They are opinions, not fact. PS- Whoever said she was flawless? Not me.
I love Michelle Kwan . . . hahah . . . but one of my favorite things that she always did was the footwork in her skating . . . extremely difficult to do . . . she always had a flow and fire in that part of her skating
5.5? wtf? that technical score was far too low. it stood out like a sore thumb also with EVERY other score being 5.7-5.9. i bet that judge must've been a little embarrassed to have posted that kind of score.
One thing that Michelle had that very few single skaters have is "expression" and "feeling" in her skating. To express herself as she does and still do the very difficult technical moves is remarkable.
2003 is my favorite of her World Championships--she was so solid and clearly dominant the entire year while everyone was screaming retirement. Way to go Michelle!
How did you get this video its so cool. Shes the best Senior Skater i think i seen. Her coach Frank is the best she said . She kicked everyone butt!!! I saw her on T.V and i thought she was good. Yay Mechelle Kwan!!! If you seen more Videos you will know that if she falls she gets right back up. She never gives up. The other skaters would of
It is hard to say. At worlds in 2005 she scored around 61 for her clean short, and even without her two mistakes she is only around 120 for her long program. So she would have have needed to improve by about 5 points per program to be around Shizuka in Turin, even with Shizuka only doing 5 triples in Turin. That would have required alot of improvement under COP in one year with limited training time with her injury. Who knows though, if anyone call pull something out of the hat it is Kwan!
i think the thing that i love most about this program is how she uses the music, she really listens to the nuances and the intricacies and it shows in her choreography.
Fair enough. It would have interesting to see if she had remained totally healthy in the 04-05 and 05-06 seasons how well she could have mastered COP. Even had she made it the Olympics fully healthy her health of those two seasons leading up would have limited that to being only her second competition under COP, along with the reduced training time, an enormous disadvantage to the ones I mentioned.
While I agree with most of what you said I had to laugh at your "and the 2006 Olympics with Michelle out of the way" comment. Michelle was not even close to the favorite for the 2006 Olympic gold anyway. Slutskaya, Arakawa, Cohen were all favored over her. Asada and Kim missing the Olympics was far more significant to other contenders chances then Kwan. Kwan is a great champion but she was always a big underdog for the 2006 Olympics to multiple others anyway.
I do agree with you to some degree that others were favored in the 2006 Olympics. HOWEVER, after watching how the "favored" skaters performed in the 2006 Olympics, Michelle DEFINITELY would've given them a run for their money!
You are assuming Kwan would have been able to skate her best and take advantage of that. What on earth makes you think Kwan could have skated a 6 or 7 triple program cleanly like she could in 2004 at the latest. She did not do this in any of the cheesefests or events she was in during 2005, even when she was healthy. Sorry she was past her prime by that point, and too much so to even take advantage of the problems from the 2006 Olympics.
Still, the favored skaters did not perform up to their standards...Cohen fell twice,Arakawa (sp) popped a jump,i believe the loop (and her program was not really challenging), and Slutskay was just completely unorganized. Michelle would have provided a challenge.
and still like I said Kwan was not at her best by that point in time, clearly past her prime even healthy. So she would not have been great enough in Turin to take advantage of even the more favored skaters not doing great. You cant point one performance Kwan did in any of the competitions or cheesefests Kwan did in 2005 when she was fully healthy that would have won the 2006 Olympics, and that includes her 2005 Nationals winning performance.
who's to say that she couldn't have? the point is rather than chance it, which was what any other selfish skater would have done for personal glory, she graciously stepped aside. if you know anything about michelle it's that 99% she could deliver in the clutch. who's to say she wouldn't have had the skate of her life and kicked everybody's ass? so don't make assumptions off of other people's assumptions because the point is we'll never know.
I think that the best skaters I've ever seen are Kristi Yamaguchi and Michelle Kwan... Both of them are totally fun to watch. I'm not saying that the others like Sonia are not good enough, but when it comes to performing, I still prefer Kristi and Michelle.
I'll be skating to the same music, as an adult competitor. Though there will be no triples for me, I will try to represent the Adult Skating community the best I can. This is my favourite program of hers. I won't be able to better hers but hopefully close and give it justice. Will pst the vid when program is complete.
Michelle Kwan's a natural born athlete! Her parents were just doing what comes naturally for their daughter Michelle! They did the right thing in letting her take her passion take flight with figure skating.
anne91276 1 month ago
the other name for the music of "the feeling begins" is "the last temptation of Christ"
adenmanic 1 month ago
@adenmanic Not entirely correct. "The feeling begins" is the opening track of the CD for the soundtrack for the film "The last temptation of Christ", by Peter Gabriel.
mostlyanthony 2 weeks ago
This music sounds so Morrocan.........
charizianne 2 months ago
she's teh reason i started skating when i was 5
Meetre101 2 months ago
wow my class talked about her and we read about her she is amazing :O
Carolina0844 3 months ago
Look at how many stuffed animals she got LOL =D
theaggirl1 4 months ago
my favorite short program!
lowdaisy1 4 months ago
allenglandlawns: You just can't make a valid argument for Kwan, can you? She was NOT held up if you actually look at the facts. As others have said: When she made mistakes in the short, she was never placed first at either Nationals or Worlds. She won her 9 Nationals and 5 Worlds b/c she had to skate perfectly in the free to win them, which she did. Even "getreal" acknowledges that Kwan deserved 2000 and 2001 worlds titles, but you can't. Your blinders are unreal.
mlc2005 6 months ago
@mlc2005 Oh PUH-LEEAASSEE. Shelly can slide her bottom on the ice and count on favoritism and (as Dick called them) 'graceful' falls to save her. Counting on that and the foregone conclusion that the title will be handed to her for simple programs she managed to even screw up at times. It's absolutely sickening but became a real delight to watch when her spoiled face found out even she couldn't get away with it at the Olympics.
allenglandlawns 4 months ago
@allenglandlawns: If falling and failing are things that "delight" you (which is sad frankly) I can see why you dislike Kwan and love Cohen: Kwan almost never fell, and Cohen almost always did. Honey, have you taken my advice and sought professional help yet?
mlc2005 4 months ago
I LOVE MICHELLE
KiwiBanannagirls 6 months ago
I see a lot of babbling about athleticism and artistry here and both hardly apply to Kwan. Kwan...who uses the same simple moves and passes them off as artistry...the arm waving...goofy facial expressions...wiggle...jiggle...hardly upping the ante and even when she did, she went for the easiest moves. The graceful persona generated only masks her true lack of courage, originality, and athleticism...COP saw through that!
allenglandlawns 6 months ago
@allenglandlawns LOL! This short program WAS artistic AND athletic. Anyone who states that her spiral sequence, speed and footwork were "simple" is ignorant. Her jumps here were ace as well. What arm waving and goofy facial expressions? No other woman in the history of this sport used their arms as well as Michelle Kwan. Kwan has the most original programs ever done by a woman. Kwan only competed once under COP and came in fourth with a dreadful QR, a good SP, and a mediocre LP.
Karosanyo 6 months ago
@Karosanyo Yes and that once under COP means more than all the cupcake 6s Kwan owns...you know because she actually had to earn her marks under COP...being marked down for her mistakes...COP saw right through that well-paid and protected image. It was a level playing field and not even Kwan's so-called "artistry" could save her that time. Would have been the same story Torino had she decided to make even more a dolt of herself by actually competing.
allenglandlawns 6 months ago
@allenglandlawns Kwan earned most of her 6s... Kwan would have been in fourth that year under the old system as well.. Remember what they did to her at the 2004 Worlds under the 6.0 system? Even the Brits stated that she was undermarked (they also said that with her 2005 Worlds as well). Michelle Kwan NEVER had it easy at Worlds or the Olympics. She had to skate her very best to win (her only flawed LP at Worlds was in '98, though that program was superior and she still had six triples).
Karosanyo 6 months ago
@Karosanyo Many skaters are undermarked in order for Kwan to win. I guess Kwan is so used to being handed inflated marks it must rattle the poor dear so much to be given marks she actually deserves. 2004 was a reality check for her...bump it up or bump off. So arrogant of her to skip the GPF series instead of putting in the effort to test out COP in the years leading up to Torino. Trying to milk off as many 6s as she could before she was forced to play in the big leagues.
allenglandlawns 6 months ago
@allenglandlawns When was Kwan given inflated marks at Worlds or Olympics? There is no way that Kwan deserved 4.9s for her TFB at the 2004 Worlds. All of the commentators thought this as. She SHOULD have been in second place after the short in 2004. Kwan was actually undermarked at the 2000-2001 Worlds as well (landing 7 triples with a 3/3 and getting 5.6s). Kwan NEVER had it easy at the majors like Oksana did. Who are these skaters that were undermarked in order for Kwan to win? That's silly.
Karosanyo 6 months ago
@allenglandlawns Not exactly, allenglandlawns. If other skaters were undermarked, one can argue that Kwan should still have won the Olympics in 2002. All Michelle had to do was finish second in the free skate, and the gold still would have been hers. But the judges played it fair. That is why she deserved the titles she did win. Michelle's marks were never inflated. Actually they were deflated. 2000 and 2001 Worlds LPs are what come to my mind. :)
TeamKween2010 6 months ago
@allenglandlawns At the 2005 Worlds, Michelle's first time competing under the COP's Michelle placed well. Though her qualifying terrible, she rebounded in the short and long programs. And even with more level ones and twos, she still placed third. That is not too shabby for the first time competing under the system. And allenglandlawns, had Kwan competed at Torino, a healthy Michelle could have easilly taken the gold. After 2005, Michelle worked really hard to boost the levels on her spins.
TeamKween2010 6 months ago
@TeamKween2010 Kwan placed fourth at Worlds 2005, the first time she was off the podium since 1995 I believe. She did not place third overall, that was Carolina Kostner.
ShamusMacGuffin 6 months ago
This is a hoot...people just don't get it...she held her athleticism in check to ??? If they aren't separable (and for figure skating they aren't..well...except for she of the inflated scores and given golds)...she is SO gracious that she held her athleticism in check so other skaters could????? OMG ...too outright funny and outrageously desperate.
getrealandsee 7 months ago
@getrealandsee We can't hear you. You're drowned out by the countless spontaneous standing ovations given Kwan by the vast majority, even at her practice sessions.
Show us you know how to go away.
JNagarya 6 months ago
It appears all she is setting up for Jumps. Anyone else would be nailed by the judges.
BALISONCLARK 7 months ago
@BALISONCLARK Actually, this program is great. All she is doing is setting up for jumps? What an ignorant statement.
Karosanyo 7 months ago
@Karosanyo The straight-line footwork in this is astonishing in both number and variety of detail -- breathtaking -- and speed. When she skated like this, no one could touch her. My all-time favorite of her short programs is the delightful "Romanza"; but this almost matches that for me.
JNagarya 7 months ago
@BALISONCLARK It appears you believe that the skating between jumps doesn't matter; that only the jumps do. The stright-line footwork is unrivaled.
JNagarya 7 months ago
@BALISONCLARK You got that right!!
getrealandsee 7 months ago
@getrealandsee You would have to be really ignorant to figure skating if you agree that all this program is Kwan setting up for jumps. No, that's a stupid statement. The speed and the footwork in this was GREAT. Her spirals and spins were great as well. This was one of Kwan's best short programs (very different from her previous work). I wish that she had this and Aranjuez for the 2002 Olympics.
Karosanyo 6 months ago
Also, pre-puberty she was doing the triple axel in practice as Tonya was her idol. I question how much her backing off technically had to initially do with her big body change between the spring and fall of 1995. From 96' to 01' Michelle had only done a triple/triple of the toe-loop. In 2001, she was doing the sal/loop and lutz/loop but both required more time to master than she had and caused her injury.
RothdeMan 9 months ago
@RothdeMan She didn't "back off" technically. Rather, she first learned and mastered the basics, the foundation -- the technical -- while she was growing physically. And as she grew and her abilities evolved she increased her artistry. There was no less technical; there was more artistic.
JNagarya 6 months ago
I was there and saw this live. We were all mesmerized at the performance. However, I think the problem folks have with Michelle is that her degree of difficulty here was the exact same as it was in her 1995 Worlds Short Program. While the artistic growth is most certainly obvious, there just doesn't seem to be much growth athletically.
ebesmom 9 months ago
@ebesmom It is what it is. You simply have to realize that under Frank Carroll technical difficulty so far as 3/3's ran a distant 2nd to being solid and consistent. Michelle was never the most athletic and never pretended to be. Michelle knew what she was good at and did the best at with what she had.
RothdeMan 9 months ago
@ebesmom I don't know why people don't get it. The athleticism is the foundation for the artistry; they are not actually separable. That she doesn't make a show of her athleticism is essential to her brilliance.
JNagarya 7 months ago
@JNagarya very astute comment. She could do all the artistic things she did because of her wonderful cardiovascular fitness and great technique. All this was only achieved through devotion to conditioning and practice. It always bothered me as a feminist that her team downplayed her incredible fitness that could only have come through hours and hours of grueling training sessions. But whatever, I love to watch her skate.
OapostropheC 6 months ago
@OapostropheC She also had more than enough physical strength (and superb coordination -- see the slow skating of her 1998 World Pro "East of Eden" -- no trembling or bobble), even though she didn't make a point of being visibly, and unattractively, muscle-bound like Harding and Bonaly. She didn't have to imitate males in order to have that strength, or to excel. She had more than enough physical strength, and remained feminine. She was a superb athlete, thus the exquisite muscle control.
JNagarya 6 months ago
@ebesmom The athleticism makes the artistic possible. The athleticism is subsumed in the artistic. See her "Keri Lotion" skate to "Dante's Prayer" and listen to Button's comments at the end of it. And also see her "East of Eden" exhibition skate at 1996 Worlds and listen to Button's comments about the function of technique as making the artistic possible. Art is not a "gush"; it is disciplined expression.
The athletic and artistic are not separable.
JNagarya 6 months ago
I love this SP. The timing is so difficult at the end, but otherwise, the atmosphere and tension is just magical.
RevShaqueefa 9 months ago
I don't care how many 3-3s or 3axels someone can jump, Michelle is STILL BE BEST!
internetaddict 1 year ago 2
Not only was Michelle Kwan a great skater, but she was also very level-headed and down-to-earth, with an excellent attitude. She had a personality that, along with her superb skating skills, made her a special athlete, a wonderful role model for young children everywhere.
mrshinyshoes 1 year ago 3
I absolutly LOVED this program...now THIS is real figure skating :).....
mtv32994 1 year ago 4
this program is gorgeous- one of her bests
Karolina917 1 year ago 4
i wonder who picks her music. such wonderful original choices of music.
onetwocue 1 year ago 3
@onetwocue I think she picked them along with her coach and choreographer.
Brynne87 1 year ago
LEGENDARY SPIRAL!!!!!
Egbert23 1 year ago 4
Her expression on that spiral is so fierce! I love it.
VanityRomance 1 year ago 7
What I really like about this is how she improved her spins. She held the camel on the combination spin for more rotations and spun must faster than she did earlier in her career.
Dylvente 1 year ago 3
tremendous! this is worth more than any gold medal!!!!
GosfordAbercrombie 1 year ago 5
What is amazing about Michelle is when she's in the air her rotations are SOOO tight and always on axis. No one comes even close!
guyinsf 1 year ago 3
this is when spins, spirals and footwork were used to enhance programs, rather than rake up some stupid points
michelle's spiral is one of the most effective in history and yet when she enters the COP, she gets a level one.....
i have yet to find a modern day footwork sequence that makes me feel passionate (maybe yuna's...alittle and sasha's romeo and juliet)
fluteAHS 1 year ago 6
That level-one at 2005 Worlds made me furious. (Not that sport should ever be a reason for anger.) LIke it doesn't matter that her position is better than anyone else's. She gets fewer points because she doesn't stretch her body into awkward point-getting positions. I'm learning to accept the COP regime, but I'm still mad about that.
Dylvente 1 year ago 5
@Dylvente the level one was because michelle forgot to hold the position for 3 seconds (she can hold her spirals for ages longer if she wants). later she held them and received higher levels so it's all good. everyone knows her spirals are legendary.
BunniechanG 1 year ago
@BunniechanG You're right. The commentators from the network said the same thing. You can see, though, how she had to rush just to get everything in. I'm impressed that any skaters can hold each position for 3 seconds and still get all the moves in. When you think about it, it makes sense. They've added more rotations to spins, more intricate footwork, longer spirals -- but the same two minutes, forty seconds to get it all in.
Dylvente 1 year ago
She's absolutely amazing!!! I miss watching her compete!!
skategurl1102 1 year ago 6
Yuna's jumps are incredible I see now. Michelle was one of the best in history.
plzwakeup 1 year ago 3
great..and she represents US..
kristofferinus 1 year ago
What a difference a skater makes. The American female skaters that make up the current National team don't hold a candle to the beauty and grace of Michelle's skating. That is what happens when jumps are favored so much over artistry. It is just sloppy arm flails between jumps now.
Marisa70 2 years ago 64
I don't know if I'm being fair or not, but watching today's top skaters, they skate like robots. They're extremely talented and strong, but their presentation just doesn't come close to Michelle's.
Dylvente 1 year ago 2
I agree with you to some degree, but Yuna presents her performances very good as well. She's one of the few top skaters today that gets into a character role very well and expresses it with artistry and elegance, along with her very technical jumps which is why she gets such high praises from Michelle herself and many other famous figure skaters, let alone the judges. But yeah, there are too many skaters nowadays who look too concerned and focused on their jumps rather than there presentation.
rtc7788 1 year ago
You're right about Kim. I just get annoyed when, watching the ladies' short program for instance, every skater does exactly the same spiral sequence. Some do it well, others not so well. But every single one does the inside-out (few as well as Michelle) into catch-foot, then back catch-foot with leg held out to the side. It's a nice move, but why does every woman have to do the exact same sequence?
Dylvente 1 year ago 3
and its an UGLY spiral sequence where they are all required to do the "show the snatch" move.
koolaidnhemlock 1 year ago 5
@Marisa70 i totally agree with you Michelle was my favorite skater for how beautiful she skated i actually got to see her on a performance show and even in person she look Beautiful skating
ihavthering 1 year ago 2
My favorite routine of her's in terms of music and choreography. <3
RosaLui 2 years ago 7
This is one of the most lovely programs from Michelle! A program for the ages!
kellyszeto168 2 years ago 8
this is when skating used to mean something and when straight line sequences didn't meander like a fuckin drunk person doing a drunk test!!!!
GosfordAbercrombie 2 years ago 8
ha that was classic
shayneinsc 1 year ago
second part of this program was made by some choreographic genius. many skaters can skate well, however michelle skates as if music had been written only for her :)
Karolina917 2 years ago 16
the fluidity in her movements is just soooo goood:)
shes such an amazing skater<3
MrsEdwardCullenx0 2 years ago 6
love the music.. suits her so well.. takes me back to 1996 worlds.
idereknyc 2 years ago
Who was the judge that gave a 5.5? That's the problem with the judging post-2002, its all anonymous.
Utopia19 2 years ago 10
Definitely marvelous. So in tune with the music. What a role model for skaters!
reokenally 2 years ago 7
with the new scoring and everyone making their routines harder today, i really dont see a difference with this performance and the way how they skate toay they say that her routines if done perfectly, she wouldnt even medal to this day i dont get it shizuka arwakawa won the olympic gold with only 5 triple jumps?
onetwocue 2 years ago 5
anyone at all got any ideas for figure skating music that would suit someone in juvenile grade doing doubles up to double flip?
It must be up beat and no longer than 2.10mins or shorter than 2.00mins long. And an up-beat piece with good music changes good places for arm movements for a 14 year old.
Please i'm having so much trouble!
lipinskiidol 2 years ago
TracyTerry. One word of warning. Your racist comments against Michelle Kwan will be deleted. I will also personally notify the authorities against you for making racist threats with an intent to physically induce harm or mental injuries. You will NOT be allowed to post any more childish and bigotry incest comments in here.
waddleduckie1 2 years ago 7
Comment removed
tracyterry 2 years ago
I miss seeing a classic sits spin with the straight back. I am so tired of smell-my-crotch sit spin.
criznueve 2 years ago 62
@criznueve you're so right nothing like classic skating. im not watching porn here.
onetwocue 1 year ago
@criznueve
i know u commented this long ago but i have something to say. it's not the skaters fault that they have those "smell-my-crotch" its because of the new judging system. so when they add those cannonball spin, pancakes, etc. they're getting a higher base level. so blame it all on the IJS system. because in this video michelle was still in the old system.
phusk8r 1 year ago
@criznueve haha
brunofttt 11 months ago
@criznueve lol!!
bublmidget 10 months ago
I really find it laughable about pointing out MK's speed. Michelle has great speed not uber fast like Kostner but MK has one of the best ice coverage without sacrificing artistry. She's also the best technician of her day unlike the weak edges of today's skaters. Sasha might have extension only because of her flexibility due to genetics but her edges are shallow & weak. MK is one of the best "all around" skaters. MK lands and deliver her jumps. She's a skater's skater.
criznueve 2 years ago 8
Love the outfit, the skater, the music and this unbelievable performance....I can watch it over and over...Nice to see no hiking the blade up by her head on the lay back...ahhhhh the old days!
desglacons 2 years ago 4
I like this performance, but I think one year later she did it better- especially at the nationals
Karolina917 2 years ago 3
Power, grace, artistry, and musicality...I get goosebumps when she skates...fire more more
JamConcerned 2 years ago 5
just perfect!
limide 2 years ago 5
the statement made absolutely no mention that she was retiring. She's not going for the 2010 olympics that's all. Sure she might be moving onto the next phase in her life, sure she's going to graduate school, but seriously, it's Michelle Kwan we're talking about. I wouldn't be surprised if she fired off for the 2014 olympics. Whatever she does, we LOVE her and would root her on like crazy!!!
judithspeaking 2 years ago 5
Totally agree on what you said, she just taking a break I don't think a skaters career ends earlier than a basketball player.
Valkrezy 2 years ago 3
LOL 2014 Olympics. You are delusional.
russianskatingfan 2 years ago
So sad she's retiring :(
purpleblumoon 2 years ago
she not retiring... yet!!!!
Valkrezy 2 years ago 5
She announced yesterday that she will not compete in 2009/10 season, which pretty much means she is retiring. She will do shows, but will no longer compete.
purpleblumoon 2 years ago
my cousin looks like her....she*s a ballet dancer at the philippine ballet...
schneggilein89 2 years ago 2
She is just amazing!!!
pauljalessi 2 years ago 4
bestfiction: Thanks for the update! Im so happy Kwan will be performing. I just haven't been able to get into skating since 2005. Maybe it's the judging system, but I think more than anything it's that Kwan is no longer competing. I watched skating for the excitement AND for the emotional impact, and I think we can all agree that Kwan had the whole emotional impact down to a T. She raised the bar so damn high that everything else dissapoints.
mlc2005 2 years ago
BTW, Michelle is skating again in Yu-Na Kim's exhibition this August. I believe she will be doing two programs because the other guests are slated to do so. So look out for the videos.
BestFiction00 2 years ago 3
my favorite of her short programs!!!!!
GosfordAbercrombie 2 years ago 3
In my opinion her frip and lutz was the best!
iluvfigureskating96 2 years ago 3
This comment has received too many negative votes show
For me in SP Sokolova was a little bit better
b2367 2 years ago
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i think mao is best. mao is really shows fantastic performance without facial expression
facial expression is not the art!!
maothebeauty 2 years ago
She is FIERCE!
courtneysk8s 2 years ago 7
Since there seems to be some good discussion here, I'll also say that she can be criticized for not advancing her technical ability as much as she should have. But she did have logic: If it aint broke, don't fix it right? If you want to see someone, recently, who was always trying to keep up with the times, I would say Maria butyrskaya. Although not always consistent, she stayed competitive until age 29, and could still do triple triple jumps.
mlc2005 2 years ago 2
Michelle very much kept up her technical egde. May I remind you that the 2006 Olympics was won by a 5 triple program. Michelle did 7 triple programs 98% of the time. ( in serious competitions). Michelle can and has done 3/3's many times, why do people say she doesn't do them? Michelle had higher and stronger jumps in 2005, she worked hard to get her already strong jumps stronger. Michele's jumps are perfect, she doesn't cheat her jumps, they are textbook perfect, how many skaters have that.
deepn2night 2 years ago 11
Oh I totally agree... I think Kwan is the greatest skater of all time. Don't get me wrong. I was just commenting that she might have tried 3/3 combos aside from her toe toe. That would have kept her up with some of the younger ones. But seriously, she's awesome
mlc2005 2 years ago 7
During Worlds 2001 LP Peggy was saying that Michelle was practicing a 3 Sal/3 toe ( I think) and she was landing them in practice. She can do them, it would be good if she could consistently land that if she plans to return.
purpleblumoon 2 years ago 2
Actually she was practicing a triple sal-triple LOOP combo, a much more difficult second jump to do because the loop must be done without the assistance of the toe pick. In competition she once tried a triple lutz-triple loop combo but didnt make it all the way around on the loop, and fell. It would have been awesome to see her land such a combination in competition, but a skater would need more height and speed on her jumps than Michelle usually achieved in order to do such a move consistently.
dylanvalente 2 years ago
@purpleblumoon: I always wondered what 2002 SLC would have looked like had Kwan thrown in, say, a triple flip-triple toe at the end of the program. Kwan is the greatest ever to me, but a small part of me wishes that she had gone for it after making a mistake. Of course, on the other hand, Kwan almost never made mistakes, so I guess there aren't too many examples of when she didn't go for it. Imagine her, out of nowhere, throwing in a triple-triple at 2002 Olympics at the end!
mlc2005 2 years ago 2
Very true! Michelle's jumps became higher and stronger even as her hip was getting worse. The most notable jump was her flip. Frank built her solid technique and Rafael helped with the strength and power.
AndyChen018 2 years ago
I do agree that certain skaters skate faster than Kwan, but that doesn't mean anything really. Carolina Kostner, for example, skates very fast, but she falls half the time. I don't see why people are arguing about speed. Kwan doesn't skate slowly, and she's certainly the most consistent skater of the last several decades. She's got the whole package. I love people who try and point out a "flaw" in Kwan's skating, as if that changes her record or accomplishments.
mlc2005 2 years ago 2
After Worlds 2009 Carolina Costner should hang her head in shame...honestly...to do that bad at teh senior level is just horrible. It's liek she didn't even try, yes she's fast but if you're fast and can't land two jumos then what good is it?
purpleblumoon 2 years ago 4
@purpleblumoon: What happened there, I wonder? I will say that I do like Kostner, and think she's talented, but I was bummed when she skated that badly. I hope she doesn't hang her head, cause she's too talented. From my experience, skating fast makes everything much harder, and I wish she could slow down a bit to focus on the consistency. I've also read that Kostner is universally admired by other skaters as being a very nice, down to earth person.
mlc2005 2 years ago
As far as what I had said, I wasn't discrediting her accomplishments. She did what she needed to do. We argued about speed because I didn't agree with the generalization that no one since Kwan skates with speed. Speed doesn't mean everything and that's true but it is a good indicator of technique and basics. MK's speed in this particular video shows that.
For the record, I'm not disagreeing with you. I just don't like unfounded generalizations.
BestFiction00 2 years ago
This is a devastatingly gorgeous performance!!! Miss this girl sooooooo much!!
rcm2469 2 years ago 3
This comment has received too many negative votes show
She is a choker. She always choked in the Olympics.
You need three things to be considered a great athlete:
1: Tremendous athletic ability
2: Great skill
3: Mental toughness in the clutch
Michelle had the first two, but she always choked in the clutch. Quite sad, because she could have been one of the greatest athletes of all time.
WhoLueYou 2 years ago
Just fantstic!!
sb2069 2 years ago 3
NO ONE has control over their spirals like Michelle. Her forward inside to back outside it seamless.
yodabeesh 2 years ago 4
Amen to that. She owns spirals.
Satellitegirl41 2 years ago
she may have control but little sasha cohen has more extension!=)
SashaMichelle2010 2 years ago
:')
pinkhairgirl911 2 years ago
such great speed... no one skates that fast anymore...
sgjake21 2 years ago 4
Actually, there are skaters that currently do skate faster than Michelle.
BestFiction00 2 years ago
ugh. there is no way for you to know that for sure.
sgjake21 2 years ago
..... tell that to Joannie Rochette, Carolina Kostner, Miki Ando, and Yuna Kim. Many people who have seen Michelle skate live have said that she is average in speed. Yes, in this program, I think she is fast but there are others who are faster.
BestFiction00 2 years ago
"Many people" who are these people? Besides you. I really don't see much of a difference. What makes you such a professional at other skaters' speed?
sgjake21 2 years ago
May I direct you to skating forums where the rest of us have discussed this topic many times before.
BestFiction00 2 years ago
Right... you'd be directing me to the opinions of people- probably some being 10 years old. that's hardly reliable.
sgjake21 2 years ago
Seems like it's raining ignorance today.
BestFiction00 2 years ago
Sure. I'm ignorant because I won't believe the opinions of skating fans ranging in age from 10-100. My bad.
sgjake21 2 years ago
And those skating fans have valid opinions. Michelle is a great skater and competitor but it doesn't mean she's flawless. Even Michelle herself, while commentating at this pass Worlds had said that she's never seen skaters that skate that fast. It came from her own mouth.
BestFiction00 2 years ago
Well of course she's not going to say "I've never seen skaters skate that fast besides me" That would be arrogant. You are right, the skating fans do have valid opinions. I have mine- you have yours. They are opinions, not fact. PS- Whoever said she was flawless? Not me.
sgjake21 2 years ago
I love Michelle Kwan . . . hahah . . . but one of my favorite things that she always did was the footwork in her skating . . . extremely difficult to do . . . she always had a flow and fire in that part of her skating
mquerol2002 2 years ago 7
Such tension, such presence, no one can match her. She's perfection!
twilight3three3 2 years ago 8
the best skater there ever was!!!!!
katinkaballerina 2 years ago 9
did she choreograph this herself?
moonlightresonance08 3 years ago
Yes she did. With the help of Nikolai Morosov, Karen Kwan and Scott Williams :)
MichelleKwanForever 2 years ago 5
Michelle is the best Point Blank Period
tennislover08 3 years ago 9
That was awesome. I loved how she stared down the judges at her ending pose before finally cracking a smile.
uwoeric 3 years ago 3
she looks really good
Srtrita 3 years ago 2
hahahaha she makes it look so easy!!!
TheLuckyOneee 3 years ago 3
5.5? wtf? that technical score was far too low. it stood out like a sore thumb also with EVERY other score being 5.7-5.9. i bet that judge must've been a little embarrassed to have posted that kind of score.
Yimbie 3 years ago 3
One thing that Michelle had that very few single skaters have is "expression" and "feeling" in her skating. To express herself as she does and still do the very difficult technical moves is remarkable.
mrshinyshoes 3 years ago 4
2003 is my favorite of her World Championships--she was so solid and clearly dominant the entire year while everyone was screaming retirement. Way to go Michelle!
uncchristine99 3 years ago 8
I loved this performance it was serious.
pinoykiddxoxo 3 years ago 3
Great Michelle viedo. I loved this program.
angelwings064 3 years ago 6
How did you get this video its so cool. Shes the best Senior Skater i think i seen. Her coach Frank is the best she said . She kicked everyone butt!!! I saw her on T.V and i thought she was good. Yay Mechelle Kwan!!! If you seen more Videos you will know that if she falls she gets right back up. She never gives up. The other skaters would of
Ange9361 3 years ago 5
It is hard to say. At worlds in 2005 she scored around 61 for her clean short, and even without her two mistakes she is only around 120 for her long program. So she would have have needed to improve by about 5 points per program to be around Shizuka in Turin, even with Shizuka only doing 5 triples in Turin. That would have required alot of improvement under COP in one year with limited training time with her injury. Who knows though, if anyone call pull something out of the hat it is Kwan!
gayskatingfan 3 years ago 2
omgosh! that was...breath taking....@#U*@)(#* my spine..is...still shivering...
SkateLover151 3 years ago 3
i think the thing that i love most about this program is how she uses the music, she really listens to the nuances and the intricacies and it shows in her choreography.
fishdude77 3 years ago 5
Fair enough. It would have interesting to see if she had remained totally healthy in the 04-05 and 05-06 seasons how well she could have mastered COP. Even had she made it the Olympics fully healthy her health of those two seasons leading up would have limited that to being only her second competition under COP, along with the reduced training time, an enormous disadvantage to the ones I mentioned.
ants2876 3 years ago 2
While I agree with most of what you said I had to laugh at your "and the 2006 Olympics with Michelle out of the way" comment. Michelle was not even close to the favorite for the 2006 Olympic gold anyway. Slutskaya, Arakawa, Cohen were all favored over her. Asada and Kim missing the Olympics was far more significant to other contenders chances then Kwan. Kwan is a great champion but she was always a big underdog for the 2006 Olympics to multiple others anyway.
ants2876 3 years ago
I do agree with you to some degree that others were favored in the 2006 Olympics. HOWEVER, after watching how the "favored" skaters performed in the 2006 Olympics, Michelle DEFINITELY would've given them a run for their money!
hvnlycrtr 3 years ago
You are assuming Kwan would have been able to skate her best and take advantage of that. What on earth makes you think Kwan could have skated a 6 or 7 triple program cleanly like she could in 2004 at the latest. She did not do this in any of the cheesefests or events she was in during 2005, even when she was healthy. Sorry she was past her prime by that point, and too much so to even take advantage of the problems from the 2006 Olympics.
ants2876 3 years ago
Still, the favored skaters did not perform up to their standards...Cohen fell twice,Arakawa (sp) popped a jump,i believe the loop (and her program was not really challenging), and Slutskay was just completely unorganized. Michelle would have provided a challenge.
hvnlycrtr 3 years ago
and still like I said Kwan was not at her best by that point in time, clearly past her prime even healthy. So she would not have been great enough in Turin to take advantage of even the more favored skaters not doing great. You cant point one performance Kwan did in any of the competitions or cheesefests Kwan did in 2005 when she was fully healthy that would have won the 2006 Olympics, and that includes her 2005 Nationals winning performance.
ants2876 3 years ago
If u say so! Her 2005 Nationals performance was AMAZING! but u r entitled to ur opinion.
hvnlycrtr 3 years ago 2
who's to say that she couldn't have? the point is rather than chance it, which was what any other selfish skater would have done for personal glory, she graciously stepped aside. if you know anything about michelle it's that 99% she could deliver in the clutch. who's to say she wouldn't have had the skate of her life and kicked everybody's ass? so don't make assumptions off of other people's assumptions because the point is we'll never know.
herm712 3 years ago
She is an amazing skater and this is a great programme but I wish she would have smiled rather than just skating with that serious face.
ckno9 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Great presence, charisma, quality skating, poise, strenght. But there is no choreography in the program.
icebabe75 3 years ago
no other skater makes me feel so much joy as michelle kwan. she is heaven on ice.
koolaidnhemlock 3 years ago 6
I'm so miss her
samanthacheng 3 years ago 5
I think that the best skaters I've ever seen are Kristi Yamaguchi and Michelle Kwan... Both of them are totally fun to watch. I'm not saying that the others like Sonia are not good enough, but when it comes to performing, I still prefer Kristi and Michelle.
pinkcandygirl 3 years ago 2
No one has ever, or will ever, match the impact Michelle Kwan has made on the ice. No one.
She is what you can properly call a "legend".
mariahfan444 3 years ago 20
I totally agree.
sayalamar 3 years ago 2
Comment removed
noyski 3 years ago
Oh and lets not forget during that time her dad was a judge at most of her major competitions.
sirgio 3 years ago
I love michelle!!!!
sleepingbeauty1022 3 years ago 11
without michelle,sasha and irina,there is no fire on ice.
tylerfang 3 years ago 13
I'll be skating to the same music, as an adult competitor. Though there will be no triples for me, I will try to represent the Adult Skating community the best I can. This is my favourite program of hers. I won't be able to better hers but hopefully close and give it justice. Will pst the vid when program is complete.
soulmuzixercher 3 years ago 2
kimkim skated to this too.!
sayomsskiver 3 years ago
This short program is the best.
loranda007 3 years ago 5
i love this short program.
janimation 3 years ago 2
Anyone have Michelle Kwan skating to Whitney Houstons song ONE MOMENT IN TIME?
Flake777 3 years ago