This morning/afternoon I attended the practices throughout the day. Overall in general all the practices were fine with many in attendance. You can clearly see how hard these skaters work especially when so much is on the line. Last and final practices are very important and the pressure is definitely on. Today my goal was to hopefully get Michelle Kwan's autograph but I was unsuccessful. Oh well better luck next time. I did manage to take some lovely pictures though.
Men's practice was interesting. Yags was the last one on the ice to start practice, and was the last one to leave the ice. He was last to do his free program and by that time, there was only one skater left on the ice.
Ice Dancing practice, must say A&P's costumes were rather interesting. Gwendal could have really gone without the wing like material on his costume. It just seemed to get in the way.
A&P have an interesting free dance but I can't really tell just yet if it will be a favorite of mine. We will just have to see tomorrow. The Canadian's and my personal favorites Megan Wing and Aaron Lowe's free dance I really enjoyed. The music is wonderful, and they have a lot of neat lifts. I did have the opportunity to chat with W&L briefly after practice was over.
Ladies Free Skate:
What a night for these ladies. Struggle after struggle. Every time someone attempted a jump I wasn't sure if I should close my eyes and just hope for the best. So many ladies tonight were falling or popping their jumps. I don't know what was in the air tonight, or if it was the ice or what. Michelle Kwan had a GREAT skate. Had a tiny fumble but over all skated wonderfully I thought and I thought should have been standing in 1st place. What a battle this will be at World's this year. Look out because it will be Irina vs. Michelle! Should be quite interesting to see.
Men's Free Skate
WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW!!!!! YAGS was ON TONIGHT. As much as I hate to admit it, not being a really Yagudin fan. he was ON tonight and did an OUTSTANDING JOB. Definitely Yags deserved to win tonight!!!! And I do applaud him *just this once* However look out Yags because Todd is sooooo powerful!!!!! He had a GREAT skate as well. But I guess it wasn't enough :( I have to gloat here about Fedor Andrev though - he was the 1st one to skate tonight and WHAT A SKATE HE HAD. I so enjoyed his program, skated to techno music. His costume was something else. At first I thought "what are you wearing" but when he was actually ON the ice skating, it wasn't so bad and actually suited the program. He was wearing a flash blue outfit that kinda had wings like under his arms. Reminded me of Alexei Urmanov a bit. I've been watching him close at practices and he had been struggling a lot this week with his jumps. But tonight he was ON. I see a great future for this boy!!!
It's late, and I'm tired. I am sorry if this review isn't as detailed, just its been a long week for me. I do plan on revising my reviews when I do return home, and of course I do plan on posting MANY of my photos here once I get them developed, sorted out and then scanned. I've been VERY camera happy this week, so far taking a total of 6 rolls of film - one roll just for THE MEN! And I still have tomorrow to snap away.
I'm going to end this for now. Thanks to all who have been taking the time to read my reports. I promise to report one last time tomorrow about the Ice Dancing Final and the exhibition skates. Until then!!
Saturday, November 4, 2000