Political Poo

After posting the below post concerning Senator Levin's legislation. I proceeded to contact my senators and was treated to a reply by Senator Durbin of Illinois:

Dear Mr. Harris:

Thank you for contacting me to express your support for efforts to expedite Tanith Belbin's citizenship application. I appreciate hearing from you.

I understand your desire to assist Tanith Belbin. Ms. Belbin is a world-class athlete who wants to become a U.S. citizen so that she can represent the United States in the 2006 Winter Olympic Games. She is not currently eligible to receive U.S. citizenship until after the 2006 Olympic Games.

Although Ms. Belbin has expressed disappointment over her ineligibility for the 2006 Games, she has been quoted as saying that, "You don't absolutely need the Olympics to be the best in the world." Ms. Belbin will still be able to represent the United States at other international events, and is on track to compete in the 2010 Games as a U.S. citizen.

I will keep your interest in this matter in mind. Thank you again for contacting me.

Sincerely,


Richard J. Durbin
United States Senator

Political Poo I say!

There's Still Hope!

U.S. Figure Skating announced today that Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) has introduced legislation that would allow Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto to compete at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Torino, Italy.

This is huge, and we need to let our Senators know that we care. Please contact your Senators by visiting http://www.senate.gov and let your voice be heard. If we work together, the U.S. might have a shot at Olympic Gold in Ice Dance (I know...pushing it there, but I can hope, right?)

Kwan...She's Okay!

All of us Kwan fanatics can breathe a sigh of relief...She's back on the ice!

Unfortunately, however, under doctor's orders she has withdrawn from Cup of China. A replacement for Michelle at Cup of China has not been named. I have a sneaky suspicion it will be Beatrisa Liang. After her 4th place finish at Skate America, they may send her to China with an outside shot at back-dooring into the Grand Prix Final.

Michelle, we are happy to see the improvement and to see you healthy! Her next scheduled event is U.S. Nationals in St. Louis, Missouri where she will attempt to win an incredible 10th title.

Grand Prix Begins

Skate America is in the bag...And while I cannot comment on all the competition (not all of it has aired, I don't want to be the spoiler), we can certainly comment on the ladies free skate which aired today.

First off, I was pleasantly surprised and delighted to see the American ladies do fairly well. We took 2nd, 4th, and 5th in a field of 10...not to shabby. Certainly impressed with Alissa Czisny's effort, what a talent!

Secondly...Kudos to Elena Sokolova. I think that is the best condition I have ever seen her in for the beginning of a season. She has a lot of work to do, but I think this will be a good season for her. A Grand Prix win is certainly going to be a boost of confidence for her.

Question. Can't Josee Chouinard do something for Yoshie Onda's horrific choreography. I think Katarina Witt nailed it on the head when she said, "I think Yoshie needs to pick a piece of music that fits her style."

Speaking of Katarina Witt...last week I was so excited to see Kurt Browning on staff for commentary...This time we got Katarina Witt. Are we going to get a different pro commentator each week? If so, I predict Todd Eldredge for Skate Canada.

p.s. If I have to watch another Ore-Ida commercial...

Poor Sasha...

Just like that, another one bites the dust! Sasha Cohen has now withdrawn from Skate America due to injury. In short, boo. Apparently, Sasha has a contusion of the left Iliac Crest and External Oblique muscle.

Like Michelle Kwan, who also pulled out of Skate America, Sasha hopes to compete in her second grand prix event in Paris, France. Her doctor has suggested she "lay off" the triple jumps for a week before resuming full training. Also, like Michelle, it will be hard to garner a berth to the Grand Prix Final with only one event. Most likely, any hope of a U.S. women making it to the final rests upon Kimmie Meissner, who is competing in the senior grand prix for the first time this fall.

Sasha's withdrawal from Skate America has left a lack-luster field of ladies which only contains one previous world medalist. Top names now include Elena Sokolova (2003 World Silver Medalist), Yoshie Onda, and Julia Sebestyen. U.S. Entries include Beatrisa Liang, Emily Hughes (who replaced Kwan), and Alissa Czisny (who replaced Sasha).

Rough start to the season for the top U.S. ladies.

A nice addition

I was pleasantly surprised today watching the Campbell Soup's International Competition. Unfortunately, it wasn't the skating that pleasantly surprised me, it was Kurt Browning.

ABC Sports, in a brilliant move, has added Kurt to their commentary team. Poor Peter Carruthers has been delegated to rink-side interview duty.

My favorite line from Kurt Browning came when Takeshi Honda, the men's champion, managed to not fall on a horrible Triple Axel, "Congratulations. You have to congratulate a skater who can save that."

I hope Kurt Browning joins the ABC Sports/ESPN team for the Grand Prix Series. I don't think I can handle the constant rant rant rant of Paul Wylie again.

p.s. Did anyone manage to see Emmanuel Sandhu, Timothy Goebel, or Michael Weiss' performances? My coverage began with Evan Lysacek.

Once More...

Timothy Goebel announced today that this will be his final season of competitive skating. When asked if he was really giving up competive skating; "Definitely," said Goebel, "I'm done after 2006. I'm not training anymore."

This season will mark Tim's 7th season on the senior level. His accomplishments are many. He is the 2001 U.S. National Champ, 2002 Olympic Bronze Medalist, 2002 and 2003 World Silver Medalist. He is also a U.S. Silver and Bronze Medalist and a multiple Grand Prix Series medalist.

Recently, however, he has hit a rough patch. During the 2003-2004 season, after battling injury from the start of the season, he was forced to withdraw from Nationals after a terrible short program that left him in 10th place! He came back swinging at the 2004 NHK Trophy with a solid silver, but again had to withdraw from the Trophée Eric Bompard competiton due to injury. A solid performance at National's earned him a silver medal and a trip to Worlds. However, despite having one of the best technical scores in the competiton, he only placed 10th.


This his final season, he is working with Tatiana Tarasova. He hopes to improve artistically to compete with the big names this season and vie for another Olympic Medal. His free skate music this season is Night on Bald Mountain, a program he will debut tonight at the Campbell Soup's Competition. Timothy, good luck this season, and I wish you all the luck in the world!

Another City Named

Today St. Paul, Minnesota was named host of the 2008 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. The event will take place at the Excel Energy Center, which is currenlty hosting the Campbell's Soups Figure Skating Classic. The city last hosted the event in 1991. The last major skating competition to take place in the area was the 1998 World Figure Skating Championships.

The event will follow after St. Louis in 2006 and Spokane in 2007 as the host city.

Oh No! The Queen is damaged!

Oh No! I happened to browse by the USFSA website this morning only to discover that Michelle Kwan has withdrawn from the Campbell's Soup Classic and Skate America...hold your breath...due to injury!

Apparently she has a strained hip ligament that will require a full two weeks off training, followed by a gradual resumption of training over the period of a month. She still plans to compete, for now, at the Cup of China competition in November.

Let us not fret die hard Michelle Kwan fans. This is the second time Michelle has been injured during an Olympic Cycle (toe stress fracture, 1998) and she has proven that she can rally and be her best, even when her body is not. And even so, this doesn't seem to be a very major injury, just something that requires a little rest. What is the worst about this is that Michelle's chances of making the Grand Prix Final are now nill. She would have to win Cup of China (very possible) and then hope for the points to work out. It has happened, but not often. Looking at the Grand Prix assignments, it seems very unlikely that a berth to the final could be garnered from one event.

Alissa Czisny will replace Kwan at the Campbell Soup's event, Emily Hughes will replace Kwan at Skate America.

Get better Michelle and we will see you soon.

Joubert out...Weiss in

Sorry die-hard Brian Joubert fans...apparently he has conflicts and cannot compete in the Campbell Soup's Skating Classic. But fret not...for Michael Weiss has joined the line-up. Also competing in the men's group will be Timothy Goebel, Takeshi Honda, Evan Lysacek, Emanuel Sandhu and Johnny Weir.

Hopefully, Michael will preview his new free skate. This season, Michael has chosen three Beethoven pieces, 5th Symphony, Moonlight Sonata, and Ode to Joy. If I recall, Michael had pretty good success with Beethoven in the past (1998). Here's wishing Michael the best start to his season.

Brian Joubert will now make his season debut at Skate America.

Opening Blog

So this is the blog that we crazed Figure Skating fanatics will converge at to share our opinions, our thoughts, our whatever on everything Figure Skating. Check here for results (spoiler free!), latest news, controversy, everything! Sit back..and enjoy the ride!