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Sladrespalten Det siste innen internasjonal sladder: October 4, 2004: Campbell's International Figure Skating Classic - 2004 It may not have been a complete shocker, but it was definitely a surprise to see Tim Goebel and Michelle Kwan lead the charge for the U.S. on October 1 at Campbell's International Figure Skating Classic in St. Paul, Minn., as the new skating season officially got underway. Goebel said, "Going out and doing sort of a watered-down program against this field, at any other competition during the year, would not work but there's a little strategy to going out early in the season. I just wanted to come out after two years of really having problems and give a good solid performance - nothing spectacular - didn't want to set the world on fire, but wanted to go home to California with something I could be pleased with." Judging by the beaming smile on his face, and the check for $50,000 in his hand, he got it. Out of a group of six competitors in the men's discipline, Goebel presented a forceful version of his Queen Symphony freeskate, proving that after last year's disappointing season he is back, and once again, a force to be reckoned with. America's quad king played it safe with a program packed with strong triples, solid spins, lively footwork, and a couple of cool hydroblading moves. Wearing all black with a flourish of red ruffles down the sleeves and shoulder, the 2002 Olympic bronze medalist reminded the crowd of 9,000 that he is still capable of being a champion, and no longer suffering the equipment problems that caused his withdrawal from last season's U.S. Nationals after an embarrassing tenth place finish in the short program. The downside of the two-time World silver medalist's program was a lack of interesting elements and moves in the field compared to the other top guys, and a tendency towards over-telegraphing his jumps. Highpoints were his circular footwork and the successful final triple jump executed just as the music shifted into We Are The Champions, and when the 24-year-old crescendoed into a nice backscratch spin for the finale. The technical scores ranged from 5.5 to 5.7 and Goebel's presentation scores, normally the lower of his two marks, came close with a range of 5.4 to 5.7. The 2002 Olympic bronze medalist, still eyeing the 2006 Olympics as his long-term goal, reassuringly stated that he's presently practicing his quad jumps, but that for this event just skating a clean program was his plan. Asked about longtime rival Evgeny Plushenko's recent announcement to drop out of the Grand Prix season completely, Goebel said, "I think it's smart. A lot of people will probably be quick to criticize, but they don't appreciate what skaters go through." Expectations for France's Brian Joubert were somewhat reduced after last month's third-place finish in his home country's French Masters, with performances he called, "horrible, a complete disappointment." The 2004 World silver medalist, outfitted in a costume representing the sails and ropes of a sailing boat, took second place skating to music from the Christopher Columbus movie soundtrack 1492. Right out of the gate, the reigning European champion landed the only quad jump of the evening and said later that he still felt energized at the end of the program, leaving him confident he can insert at least one, or possibly even two more quad jumps into future competition freeskates. Reminiscent of recent jump problems, Joubert did not fall, but stumbled on a number of landings. Skating with greater speed across the ice than last year, the two-time and reigning French champion credits his two months of demanding training over the summer with coaches Tatiana Tarasova and Alexei Yagudin for the noticeable increase. Also evident was their choreographic influence. The 20-year-old employed his now signature toe-picking move three times during the playful circular step sequence, whipping up the reserved crowd, which then clapped along wildly during the dramatic straight line steps. "I'm very happy tonight because I did my job. It's not perfect, but it's the beginning of the season and I'm very happy. I'm sure," said Joubert, "I'll be even more ready for Skate America." In third place, Canada's perennially unpredictable Emanuel Sandhu took the ice in an understated black and white costume with gorgeous blue accents running along one side from waist to ankle. Skating to a conservative piano concerto by Emil Von Sauer, this was not the Sandhu of screaming hot pink and techno music audiences have reluctantly become accustomed to. The three-time Canadian National champion was sending a message of sophistication and class to the skating world: I'm finally serious, so now take me seriously. "I realize I can actually do this," said Sandhu. "I can be on top of the world. It's one thing to hear it from others, but it's another to actually believe it for yourself, and I think I'm getting there." Giving the evening's most lyrical performance, Sandhu moved like a musician would skate: each intricate move - especially the ones that show off his incredible leg extension and flexibility - are done right to the beat and note of the music's rhythm. A number of popped jumps, ultra-slow jump entries, and a couple of sloppy spins marred an otherwise engaging performance. The 2004 Four Continents silver medalist credits his dance career saying, "I was a classically trained ballet dancer, and danced at an elite level comparable to what I'm skating at now. Career-wise I really could have gone either way." Interested in defending his Grand Prix Final champion title, Sandhu said his focus has been mainly on his upcoming two Grand Prix events, starting with Skate Canada later this month. "With Plushenko and Lambiel dropping out, I'm hoping to get a third event, and Skate America or NHK would be my preference." Last to skate and taking fourth place was reigning U.S. National champion Johnny Weir. In a striking costume reminiscent of last season's self-described "icicle on coke" outfit, Weir opened to the dramatic piano piece Otonal, in a palette of beautiful midnight blues, cream, and silver sparkles that he assisted in designing. After barely hanging onto his opening triple jump, Weir threw down a number of triples before popping one to a single. The much recently hyped skater, who finished fifth at last season's Dortmund Worlds, defined on-ice elegance with his picture-perfect posture, carriage, and graceful lines. The 20-year-old's lack of a consistent quad jump may hamper his mission for a major event medal, but he says he plans to use one in long programs later this season. "I was just excited to make it through the program. I sprained my ankle, twisting it when I took a wrong step off a curb one week ago. I had a cortisone shot, but I've been in pain, and since it's my right foot - which is my takeoff one as I rotate clockwise - I worried it would affect my jumps." In fifth place, skating for the U.S., was reigning and three-time World junior silver medalist Evan Lysacek. Opening the event as the first skater of the night, the 19-year-old performed a pleasant rendition of Gene Kelly's Singin' In the Rain. Beginning his jumps with a successful triple-double combination, the 2004 Four Continents bronze medalist performed interesting spin positions, packed his program with a variety of in-between moves, stayed upright on the jump landings and overall presented himself as a skater ready to challenge the senior ranks. After an injury-plagued year spent training in Canada, this event marked Japan's Takeshi Honda return to elite eligible competition. The two-time World bronze medalist gave a lifeless, lackluster performance, devoid of his powerful speed, and tightly rotated jumps of the past. Although he managed significant height on one triple, garnering huge applause from a sympathetic audience, he fell to the ice on another. His slow spins, with especially poorly positioned and wobbly camel spins delivered right in front of the judges, sealed his fate for last place at this event. No smiles from Honda as he took his bows, looking tired and unhappy with what he knew to be an inferior performance to selections by Kodo. When Michelle Kwan took to the ice with her debut of her much anticipated version of Bolero, the crowd erupted in cheers and applause. Signs hailing the "Kween" could be seen waving throughout the arena. Dressed in sleeveless lavender, Kwan looked strong and determined from the very opening note of her new routine. Nailing a triple toeloop/double loop combination in front of the judges, Kwan didn't disappoint when she displayed moves such as the inside outside spiral, catch ankle spin, and a camel spin in two directions. While there was no triple/triple combination, this was an otherwise well-balanced program filled with solid jumps, moves in the field, and good speed. As the 2004 World bronze medalist prepared to enter the straight line footwork sequence at the end of the routine, the music shifted into a loud heavy snare drum portion of Bolero. The program was marred when Kwan caught an edge and fell to the ice during this sequence. "I was supposed to do one less turn but my mind was kind of one step ahead of my body. It's all still a work in progress," she said later. But the eight-time U.S. champion quickly regained her composure and bounced up to skate into a knee slide for the finale. As flowers and stuffed animals rained down onto the ice, the jumbo-tron cameras panned the audience that was already on it's feet waving signs - one of which took three people to hold and read: "Marry Me Michelle!" Sitting in the kiss-in-cry with coach Rafael Arutunian, Kwan positively glowed as her scores came up, including three 5.9s for presentation. She appeared to be unbeatable at this event. And she was. But Kwan knows it's just the beginning. "It's exciting. For everybody here, I think it's stressful for all the skaters because this is the first time out for the new season. It's shaky and difficult to go out there and perform again." "This program, I believe, has a potential to be a great program," Kwan said, admitting that it's not a whole program on the ice yet. "I felt it here and there but the program has yet to blend and come together." The 24-year old also admitted to having a few back problems. "I haven't done a layback in a few weeks [due to the pain]. Here, tonight, I had to do the layback, and 'Whoa!' Its hard with the new system to be doing them because you have to do like four different positions. You're grabbing your leg, twisting and moving this way and that. It takes a long time to get used to." The pressure was on Japan's Shizuka Arakawa as she had to take the ice after Kwan. Showing her jumping ability superiority, Arakawa landed a total of five triples in her rendition of Romeo and Juliet. This was an adequate program, albeit an overly busy billowing pink costume detracted from her normal statuesque elegance. It was no surprise that Arakawa lost to Kwan only on her presentation scores as her style on the ice still lacks passion and audience connection. After a summer spent training with Tatiana Tarasova, the influence was obvious in the intricate footwork sequences which featured lots of changes of direction. Performing her amazingly flexible Ina Bauer layback across center ice, the reigning World champion does display flashes of brilliance that will surely keep her a major contender for the world stage this season. "I think it is a very nice program," said Shizuka. "I was very nervous skating today. For the next three weeks, I plan to go back to Conn. and train with Tarasova before the NHK Trophy in Japan." When asked what she wants to focus and improve on prior to the next event, the 22-year-old smiled broadly, then laughed, and said, "Everything!" Skating to Pas De Deux from the Nutcracker, Cohen wore a long-sleeved and lavender costume that she wore at Skate Canada a few years ago. "My new costume wasn't ready yet," she said, adding that her new one should be ready for Skate America. The feisty three-time and reigning U.S. National silver medalist got into trouble when she fell on a triple flip and singled a toeloop. Playing to her strength, Cohen, who turns 20 later this month, showed off her unique vertical spiral to huge applause. Her Charlotte and catch-foot vertical scratch spin were also huge crowd pleasers. With nearly all 5.8s for presentation, it looks like Cohen could have a strong program winner on her hands for the rest of the season if she can minimize her tendency towards falls and blown jumps. "I'm not as trained program-wise where I was last year at this time," admitted Cohen, who had some blade problems and got a late start on her programs. "I need to get stronger. I know I have a lot of work to do. My big goals are U.S. Nationals and Worlds and now it is time for me to go home and work." The 2004 World silver medalist has had a lot going on this summer, including a move to her own apartment in New York City. "I was moving to different places. My apartment only became ready for me to move into Tuesday so I felt like a nomad over the summer," revealed Cohen. "My parents also moved to New York city. I'm going to be four floors up from them. It's nice because then I can come down for dinner," she added with a smile. Miki Ando of Japan opened her routine with a triple lutz/triple loop/double toeloop combination that wowed the crowd and judges, giving her the highest single technical score of the evening - a lone 5.9. Resplendent in a water-colored chiffon dress of faded burgundy and melon, the 16-year-old phenom threw down a number of textbook triple jumps but had some slip-ups including an odd looking spin series that she appeared to fall out of followed late in the program by a poorly positioned layback spin. Overall, the 2004 World junior champion's program to Alexandre Tansman's Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra lacked technical footwork intricacy, but she finished on a high note with an amazingly super fast scratch spin in front of the judges. USA's Kimmie Meissner, who celebrates her 15th birthday on Oct. 4, skated to Ravel's Daphnis and Chloé wearing a two-toned turquoise and deep blue sleeveless dress. The diminutive 2004 U.S. junior champion placed fifth place at this event, but still ahead of two U.S. senior teammates, Amber Corwin and Jennifer Kirk. Julia Sebestyen of Hungary got off to a good start with a triple Salchow in her routine to Carmen, demonstrating her ability to get great height on her jumps compared to the rest of the field at this event. A hindrance to this program was the garish day-glo orange portion of her asymmetric black, gold, and orange costume which took away from what could of been an elegant performance to this operatic classic. Corwin, who took a hard fall toward the end of her program, was seventh followed by teammate Kirk who finished eighth. No panic in wake of prize reductions - By NEIL STEVENS - Canadian Press (CP) - Most figure skaters will be unconcerned about the International Skating Union's decision to reduce prize money, says longtime Canadian coach Doug Leigh. "Money is just an added bonus to what they're already chasing," says Leigh. "Competitive skaters aren't going to quit because they're not making more money. "They love the sport. Nobody's even talking about the cuts." The ISU has announced that winners in the six-meet Grand Prix of Figure Skating series this autumn will receive $18,000 US compared to $30,000 last season, a decrease of 40 per cent, and others on the ice also will receive less. First place at the GP final in December will be worth $25,000 US, down from $50,000 US. Jeff Buttle, one of Canada's top singles competitors and a member of Leigh's Mariposa School of Skating in Barrie, Ont., didn't rush from the rink in tears Thursday. "If I was in this for the money, I'd probably be going to university full-time to work towards a job that would provide me with a steady paycheque," says Buttle. Even at reduced levels, prize money is still more generous than what world champions such as Mariposa grad Brian Orser competed for in the 1980s. "He got peanuts and maybe a congratulatory card," says Leigh. The overall impact of the cuts? "Not much," Leigh sums up. "You can't buy Olympic gold medals. "You know that going in. If for a few years (prize money) is going to be a little less, it's not going to take the reason away for doing this. If this is what it takes to make things work, then that's good." The ISU, the sport's world governing body with head offices in Lausanne, Switzerland, has reduced its budget by 25 to 30 per cent across the board due to declining TV revenues. David Dore of Ottawa, the former director general of Skate Canada, is vice-president in charge of figure skating. Given the budget slashing, the choice was cut and dry, he explained: either eliminate some meets or reduce prize money. The ISU opted to keep the schedule intact. "You could look at this as a glass being half full or half empty, and I choose to see the glass half full because all of the competitive activity has been retained," said Dore. Many sports are experiencing a drop in TV revenues, he pointed out, emphasizing that figure skating is not alone. "In all sports, there has been a trend towards cable TV and the increasing variety of (digital) channels has greatly altered the ability of the various TV networks to carry sports and pay the money they used to pay," he said. "Rights fees don't exist anymore in some sports." The ISU will continue to get rights fees in its 2004-2008 deals, albeit at a reduced rate. "We have enabled the sport to remain on TV," said Dore. "The sport is not dead at all. "It's in the process of re-identifying itself. By 2008, with the new judging system now in place . . . and given the quality of skating we saw in Dortmund (at the 2004 world championships), I think the glass will be more than half full." Implementing the new judging system has been costly. "I'm willing to take a cut for the sake of the sport," says Buttle. "I'm sure once the new system is implemented the sport will regain its popularity, which will push prize money back up." Dore is confident the ISU can ride out the hard times because it budgeted wisely during the boom years and a surplus was built up when president Ottavio Cinquanta was negotiating "some spectacular (TV) contracts." Dore confirmed that prize money for the 2005 world meet in Moscow next March also will be reduced. The GP series begins with Skate America in Pittsburgh, Oct. 21-24, and MasterCard Skate Canada International in Halifax, Oct. 28-31. Meets also are scheduled for Japan, China, France and Russia. The ISU increased prize money during the 1990s to keep stars from jumping to non-ISU pro competitions. There is little fear now that there will be a new exodus because the entrepreneurs who were luring away big-name competitors back then are suffering themselves from overall attendance decimation. The pairs judging scandal at the 2002 Olympics is widely blamed for turning off fans. French skating president resigns PARIS: Didier Gailhaguet, the head of France’s figure skating federation embroiled in a judging scandal in the 2002 Winter Olympics, has resigned, the federation said. At the Salt Lake City games, Gailhaguet was accused by French judge Marie-Reine Le Gougne of twisting her arm to favor Russia – a decision that deprived Canada of a gold medal in the figure skating competition. She later retracted the accusation. The French skating federation, in a statement on its web site Thursday, said Gailhaguet had resigned as president at a meeting a day earlier, but did not elaborate. Marc Faujanet, who heads the body’s federal council, took over as interim chief, the federation said. At the Salt Lake City games in 2002, Le Gougne awarded Elena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze a mark of 5.9 in the free program, but gave Canadians Jamie Sale and David Pelletier 5.8. Other judges were evenly split – meaning that her vote decided who took gold. At a post-competition review by judges, a teary Le Gougne said she had been under pressure from Gailhaguet to vote for the Russian pair. A duplicate gold medal was later awarded to the Canadians. Gailhaguet and Le Gougne were handed three-year bans from the International Skating Union following a hearing in April 2002. —AP 2003/04 Nyheter: QUAD QUEEN: Amerikanske Sasha Cohen ble nylig sett jobbende på sine 4-doble Salchow. Tiltross for to-fotede landinger virker hun bestemt på å bli den første kvinne til å gjennomføre dette under konkurranse. |
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