Grace. Beauty. Technical prowess. Elegance. Power. All these words describe the most graceful and technically superior skater Michelle Kwan. We watched her grow from a little kid who loved to skate, to one of the most talented and gifted artists ever to grace figure skating.
At first, I wasn't going to do a (name of a skater) RUULLLZZZ!!! page. I felt there was enough of those already on the 'Net. But after Michelle's performance not only in the Olympics in Nagano, but her beautiful artistic program in 1998 Worlds, I felt the need to have a page dedicated to this special young lady who, has already had the priveledge of being a 5-time World Champion, and an Olympic silver medalist.
Born: July 7, 1980 - Torrance, Calif.
Height: 5'2", Weight: 106 lbs.
Home Club: Los Angeles FSC
Hometown: Torrance, Calif.
Training Town: Lake Arrowhead, Calif.
Coach: Scott Williams
Choreographers: Sarah Kawahara along with Alexander Morozov who choreographed Michelle's footwork sequences
Michelle Kwan first gained attention by her second place finish in the 1994 U.S. Nationals (Olympic Trial year) amidst the Harding/Kerrigan scandle. She was put as the alternate, and was put on "stand-by" in case the US Olympic Committee enforced any barring action on Harding against allegations of being involved with the brutal attack on Nancy Kerrigan. However, Kwan showed youth and innocence, and much more a determination to do whatever was necessary to achieve her goal.
Without her coach Frank Carroll's knowledge, Michelle Kwan went ahead and took the senior test which would allow her to compete and qualify for the U.S. senior elite Ladies National Championships.
She passed. :)
It proved to be a very good decision. At her first World Championships, Michelle Kwan had to place in the top 8 to secure spots for the U.S. ladies to compete in the next years worlds. All this pressure, and she was only 14 years old. Michelle skated, (what I thought) to be the performance of the night, completing seven clean, and strong triple jumps in her long program to a Chinese Melody. Michelle Kwan, at her first Worlds, finished FOURTH. (Although I feel she should have earned the bronze medal, but thats another story..:) ).
But Michelle was destined for even more greatness. The following year, Michelle discovered "herself", and became an artist. Under the guidance of her choreographer, Lori Nichol, a former John Curry protoge, Michelle Kwan reinvented herself, and came out with one of the most memorable competitive long programs, "Salome". Michelle not only captured the 1996 National Championship, but went ahead to win the 1996 World Championships, in the closest and most memorable competition between the 95 defending World Champion, China's elegant Chen Lu.
Although 97 proved to be a hard year for Michelle, she grew up alot, and showed nothing but class, and determination to do her best. Michelle learned alot that year, she learned that she loved to skate, and that's all that matters. She learned the winning isn't everything, it's doing your best and feeling good about yourself. Such perspective and maturity for such a young lady. Michelle came back in 1998 to regain her National title, with an injured foot, and went to the Nagano Games in hopes of a gold medal. While she did not achieve that goal, she did skate the most memorable long programs to "Lyrae Angelica", and earned the silver medal. (Although I do have opinions on that too. ;) )
1999 proved to be Maria Butyrskaya's year at the World Championships, but Michelle showed poise and grace to come back from a disastrous fall on a double axel in the short program to skate a very beautiful long to Ariane and grabbed the silver medal. However, since then Michelle has won every competition she has entered while adding a new facet to her life: college.
At the 2000 World Championships, the last of this millenium, Michelle skated the best program in years(shades of Salome where she did her triple toe/triple toe combination showing absolutely *no* fear) to deservedly win her 3rd world title. She laid the gauntlet down for Irina and Maria to "try and match that one" and they couldn't. Even though she skated first in the long. With only one non-European judge on the panel. Way to go Michelle!
Amid speculation and pressure of the year before the Olympics, 2001 World Championships was one of the most memorable programs I have ever seen from Michelle. With the pressure of winning that years World Championships giving her "good karma" and history on her side, amid allegations that Michelle could only win "in even numbered years", Michelle proved again that she is a fighter and when she puts her mind to something, she will prevail. Michelle equaled Peggy Flemings feat of 4 World titles, and adding yet another row of sixes at her performance in the 2001 US National Championships. And amid controversy over firing her long-time coach Frank Carroll and her choreographer Lori Nichol, Michelle has proved time and time again that her greatest weapon is her mind and her passion for the sport.
Although Salt Lake City ended up to me somewhat of a disappointment for Michelle, she showed just what a competitor she is, falling on the triple flip in the long program did not deter her and had the fight of her life to finish with the bronze medal. I and all her fans love her even more. Amid speculations of retir
ement, of being "rusty" (certainly none of me or my friends!), Mic
helle has taken such a mature approach to her skating. With her announcing her
intention to compete in the 2003 US National Championships with a new coach, Sco
tt Williams, a new choreographer in Alexander Morozov, and two *brand* ne
w short (The Feeling Begins) and long (Aranjuez) program, with new
footwork, giving Michelle a new look, she once again showed her love for the sp
ort and her joy in just competing. With attention being placed on teen phenom S
asha Cohen, who won two Grand Prix series events, with this competition being du
bbed "Sasha's championships to lose", Michelle entered this competition being th
e underdog in some people's eyes. With only two competitions under her belt (Ska
te America which she won, and Skate Canada) Michelle out of all the competitors
looked the most relaxed relying on her experience during practice sessions. With
Sarah and a new face, Anne Patrice McDounough along with Yebin Mok skating well
, Michelle skated the best two programs I have *ever* seen her do, making it see
m more like an exhibition than an actual competition much less a National title.
Looking self confident, Michelle skated to her 7th National title. At the 2003 World Championships, Michelle once again performed magnificently (almost too relaxed) and won her 5th World title. She has proven time and time again why she has such a loyal following. I wish her success and luck on and off the ice. She is one special lady. Go Michelle!!!!
Although everything Michelle does is very memorable, there are a few that stick in my mind, and one that I'll probably never forget.
My favorite *competitive* Michelle Kwan program must be:
1998 U.S. Nationals Short Program to Rachmaninoff
2001 World Championships Long Program to Sheherezade
2000 World Championship Long Program to The Red Violin
1996 World Championships Long Program to "Salome"
1998 Nagano Olympic Long Program "Lyrae Angelica"
2003 US Nationals Short Program to The Feeling Begins
My Favorite *non-competitive* Michelle Kwan Program is:
"Winter" by Tori Amos
"Dante's Prayer"
"Fields of Gold" by Eve Cassidy
"Exit to Eden": Even though I hated this piece, when Michelle skated to it, it didn't seem so bad anymore....;)
1998 US Professional Womens Figure Skating Classic - 1st
1998 Goodwill Games - 1st
1998 Hershey's Kisses Challenge - 2nd
1998 Olympic Winter Games - 2nd
1998 U.S. Championships - 1st
1997
1997 Skate Canada - 1st
1997 Skate America - 1st
1997 Hershey's Kisses Team Challenge (team) - 1st
1997 World Championships - 2nd
1997 Champions Series Final - 2nd
1997 U.S. Championships - 2nd
1996
1996 Ultimate Four - 1st
1996 Skate America - 1st
1996 Continents Cup - 1st
1996 Hershey Kisses Team Challenge - 1st
1996 World Championships - 1st
1996 Champions Series Final - 1st
1996 U.S. Championships- 1st
1995
1995 Skate Canada - 1st
1995 Skate America- 1st
1995 World Championships - 4th
1995 U.S. Championships -2nd
1994
1994 Skate America- 2nd
1994 Goodwill Games - 2nd
1994 Hershey's Kisses Pro-Am - 1st
1994 World Championships - 8th
1994 U.S. Championships - 2nd
1993
1993 Skate America - 7th
1993 U.S. Championships - 6th
Note:This is FAR from a complete list of every competition Michelle Kwan has competed in. These are the only ones that I either remember watching and have taped.Thanks. For a Complete listing of Michelle Kwans Competitive Record, please refer to the USFSA Home Page.
Back to Michelle Kwan Links
Here are my favorite Michelle Kwan Links:
If you want to be included, please send me e-mail! Remember, they must be Michelle Kwan pages only! I have a seperate links list for figure skating pages. Thanks.
Hi! My name is Valerie. My Favorite Michelle Kwan Move: going from a inside edge spiral to an outside edge spiral (Simply breathtaking!!)
Favorite Michelle Kwan Program: (Toss Up) Lyrae Angelica and Winter
My earliest recollection of figure skating is way back in 1988 with Debi Thomas and Katarina Witt in the Calgary Olympics. However, my sister can recall the 1987 World Championships, but I can't at all. Anyway, I've always loved figure skating, even before I got involved in another of my favorite sports gymnastics. However, it wasn't long before I fell in love with gymnastics too.
I kind of got involved in figure skating *at the right time* because when they would broadcast professional competitions, they would analyze the jumps as if the network was educating themselves about the sport. I can't tell you how many times I heard Dick Button, or Scott Hamilton emphasize during the technical program the eight required elements. There was one time where Scott Hamilton even went through and counted them as the skater was performing them. It was very educational for me at a very good time.
For more information about me, check out my own personal home page:
Heather W's Figure Skating Page Heather does a great job, the most comprehensive site out there on Michelle Kwan. Click on "Michelle Kwan site".
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