Remind me why I'm watching skating again? :op
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Sasha Cohen is my sentimental favorite. She is the little girl I swore, as a hardcore fan of Tara Lipinski, to never truly appreciate, all grown up and, as the commentators felt the need to point out; older than all of the other competitors in her field by an average of 8 years. She had been away from competition for 4 years --- since winning Silver at the 2006 Olympics. She's been talking about an attempted come-back for years but, kept putting it off. The fact that she showed up at Nationals in and of itself, is, I think, impressive. The very idea of her making the Olympic team given what she was up against was completely unrealistic; but as usual she succeeded in making my heart ache in a way that often makes me wonder how the hell I got so invested in figure skating in the first place. Sasha has never been a great competitor, whether it's nerves, lack of focus, etc. has been the topic of discussionon the Sasha Fans discussion forum since her 4th place finish at the 2002 Olympics. Sasha may not have it in her to deliver back-to-back flawless programs, but what she does have is an exquisite ability to get into character, to draw her fans in...and to break our hearts when she once again doesn't live up to what we know she's capable of.
Sasha was in second place by less than a point after the short program. Because of last year's terrible showing at World's, the U.S. can only send 2 ladies to the Olympics. Foolishly, I admit, I got my hopes up at this point.
It would take me longer to detail what was wrong with Sasha's long program that what was right with it. The fire wasn't there. She gave up before she started. Her jumps were too cautious -- every single one was two-footed and then she fell. She left out the layback spin and didn't go for the triple-triple. Completely out of character, she ended up with level-1 footwork scores. I love this girl, but her heart wasn't in this program. At least her dress was gorgeous -- the pictures don't do it justice. I wanted her to take it all -- but barring that, I'm grateful for the fact that she didn't seem upset with her performance. It was like sometime between the short and the long she changed her mind about being there and was just relieved to have it over with. I admit to being one of those that REALLY wanted her to come back to competition, but I'd be more than satisfied if she went back to being the headliner for the Stars On Ice tour. Performing without pressure is where she completely shines.
Sasha finished in 4th place...and, all things considered, she should be really proud of that outcome. With the addition of the pewter medal, she now has the entire collection of nationals medals. :o)
Meet Rachael Flatt (aka Diva). She's the "little girl" that I've been trying to ignore for the past 4 years while I've been trying to ignore figure skating as a whole because my girl wasn't competing. Rachael is the Sasha that Sasha once was to my Tara. She's the next ladies skater I'm going to get behind. Now that Sasha attempted her come back and is, for all intents and purposes, done with competition, I can move on. Diva does a Sasha fangirl's heart good. In terms of competitiveness and reliability, she's the polar opposite. It's been years since I've seen a skater so consistent and good under pressure. It'll be a long shot for a U.S. lady to make the Olympic podium -- the Japanese field is amazing and the Korean is a heavy favorite to win -- but if anyone can deliver the goods when it counts, it's this girl. I'm SO looking forward to seeing how it goes down! -- It also helps my nerves that Rachael is young enough to be at the NEXT Olympics as well if she wants and things don't work out this time. Less heatbreak is what I need in my figure skating.
I expected Rachael to end up second, which would have been fine with me because she'd still have made the Olympic team. I was STOKED to see her become the new National Champion.
At the exhibition ceremony, Rachael was interviewed by Scott Hamilton about what it feels like to be going to the Olympics as the reigning U.S. Champion. She said "it's an honor to be representing the United States of America" like she still hadn't absorbed it all yet. She's adorable. Her short program is FANTASTIC. Have I mentioned that I'm looking forward to the Olympics?
My girls hugging? Well of course I'm going to post THAT picture. :o)
Ladies Podium: Miri Nagasu (Silver Medalist and the other U.S. lady going to the Olympics. Total cutie, that one), Rachael Flatt, Ashley Wagner (one hell of a long program skater; can't wrap my head around the short not being the strength after so many years of watching Sasha, but I just can't get behind her, she always looks like such a bitch when she's in the kiss and cry/back stage lol) and Sasha Cohen.
Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto. These are my ice dancers. LOVE them. They've been around forever though, which means this Olympics will more than likely be their last go-around. :o( They won the silver at Nationals...which unnerved me a little because it's so unlike them, the 5 time National Champs that they are. In 2006 they were the first U.S. dance team to medal at the Olympics in 30 years, bringing home the silver. Though I'm NOT a fan of the dance team that won Nationals this year, I have to admit that the U.S. has never had teams this strong to send to the Olympics. I'd LOVE to see a U.S. team bring home the gold. THIS ONE in particular. :o)
Emily Samuelson & Evan Bates. Bronze medalists in ice dance at Nationals. This is the first time I've seen them, actually, and I really like their style. They're spunky and fun. Their Original Dance is a Dixie Chics medley and their exhibition is a western number. I'll be rooting for them at the Olympics as well --- not quite as much as I will be for Tanith and Ben --- but if they blow past Meryl and Charlie...that'd be alright with me. :o)
Caydee Denney and Jermey Barret. National pairs champions --- out of NOWHERE it seems...but I don't generally watch pairs, so I wouldn't really know. I'm a little wigged out by the fact that she's 16 and he's 25...and they're totally going to get KILLED in Vancouver... but they're the best we've got to send, apparently. She's adorable (and I'm sorry, but she doesn't LOOK 16) and he's my friend on Facebook...lol, I don't even know how that happened. I added Miri, then he added me. Skaters are sort of people that are insane by design. I think that's why I like them.
Last, but anything but least, Johnny Weir --- the most controversial figure skater the USFSA has ever seen. Bronze medalist at Nationals, like Tanith and Ben, he's been around about as long as Sasha and I expect this Olympics to be his last hurrah. I adore him, not despite his exhibition to 'Poker Face' complete with Lady Gaga make-up but BECAUSE of it. Although it's a very unpopular opinion amongst most of the fans, I detest Evan and don't know a thing about the guy that won gold this year --- I hope Johnny gives them ALL hell at the Olympics. :o)