| Sasha is an avid skater, a talented artist; she has | | | | Vying for top spot is well and good; however, it should |
| modeled in major magazines, walked the red carpet, | | | | not be the main focus. Like Sara Hughes, Sasha (or |
| and has skated in many countries. As the two-time | | | | any other skaters) should be getting on that ice with |
| and reigning World Silver Medalist, the 2006 U.S. | | | | the objective that she has nothing to lose. She really |
| National Champion, Grand Prix Final Champion, and | | | | should believe that she is actually there to have fun. |
| 2-Time Olympic Team Member (2002 and 2006), | | | | Skating well is the ultimate prize. The medal will be the |
| Sasha is a sure podium contender for the 2010 | | | | bonus. She should approach both programs ( short and |
| Olympic Games. Sasha has experience. | | | | free) as if a flawless skate is her driving force; the |
| Alexandra Pauline Cohen was named after her | | | | prize she wants to obtain. |
| mother's favorite ballerina. She was born on October | | | | She has an exciting season ahead of her. |
| 26, 1984. Sasha's mother is of Ukrainian background | | | | At this point, Sasha ( Flatt included) should be beyond |
| and she is a former ballerina. Because of her Russian | | | | feeling the pressure to win. Let the other skaters from |
| heritage, Sasha can converse in Russian. She has | | | | other countries succumb to pressure or be pressured. |
| translated competitor Viktoria Volchkova's interview | | | | Let them be the ones with that "something to lose" |
| responses from Russian to English at the 2001 | | | | preoccupying their mind and their programs. Our |
| Trophée Lalique competition (Cup Of Paris). | | | | skaters (we) live in a free society, it won't be the end |
| Sasha began skating around the age of seven. Prior to | | | | of the world if they don't bring home the gold. |
| starting figure skating, she used to be a gymnast and | | | | Sasha will be prepared. She just has to skate the way |
| had progressed to level five. Apparently, her mom | | | | she does at practice. Her quest should be to skate |
| was relieved when she made the switch to figure | | | | well. According to Sasha, skating is her own |
| skating. She enjoys reading. One or her favorite places | | | | commitment, her hard work and that no one is pushing |
| to be, is the public library. After years of hard work | | | | her to do it. And, that is how she should approach the |
| and training, Sasha is renowned. She has become one | | | | upcoming season. She is skating on her own terms. |
| of the skaters in the world today. She won her first | | | | As far as I am concerned, Sasha would benefit if she |
| silver medal at the 2000 U.S. Nationals. Sasha missed | | | | were to practice in a vacuum; without the interference, |
| the 2001 Nationals because of a serious back injury | | | | the scolding and the criticisms of the media. She does |
| which required her to take time off from training. At | | | | not need to be reminded of her flaws or her |
| the 2002 U.S. Nationals, she earned her second silver | | | | inconsistencies. She does not need to be asked if gold |
| medal and a spot on the 2002 Olympic Team. | | | | will be her color, or whom she she feels she has to |
| Her gymnastic background has made her resilient | | | | beat; nor does she need to be compared to other |
| when it comes to sustaining those spills on the ice. She | | | | skaters ( "I must think I am living in Utopia"). This type of |
| has a great deal of experience. I am going on a limb to | | | | attention can be nerve-racking. All of the skaters are |
| say that Sasha Cohen knows the why, the where and | | | | good in their own way. They are a gifted bunch. |
| the how when it comes to her skating. She knows her | | | | Sasha needn't be perfect; nor does she need to skate |
| body. Things may not always be "perfect," however | | | | perfectly. Sasha needs to be Sasha. She needs to |
| Sasha should know how to compete by now. | | | | skate and be there for Sasha. |
| She is a different person from the inexperienced | | | | I am keeping my fingers crossed that she is (Flatt, |
| youngster who was introduced to us in 2000. She can | | | | Meissner, Zhang, Nagasu,Hughes as well as the other |
| handle skating. She may just need to reinvent herself. | | | | skaters are ) injury free. Sasha can be unstoppable. |
| We should never think of inconsistency, or spills, by the | | | | She must first have to free her herself of the burden |
| mere mention of Sasha's name. She has nothing to | | | | of having to be perfect. Her artistry, flawless |
| learn as this point. Sasha needs to be more confident | | | | connections, fluid extensions and techniques will be the |
| when it comes to the technical aspects of her skating. | | | | determining factor. She has nothing to lose. |
| She has always verbalized (like most skaters) that she | | | | Her artistry, the way she interprets the music, the way |
| is having fun on the ice; when in reality, she does (they | | | | she relates to the audience, her spiral and straight-line |
| do) not believe in those words. Those are rehearsed | | | | step sequence will set her apart; in turn, she will earn |
| thoughts for the media and viewers' sake. Deep down, | | | | high marks with the judges. She is ready. She has the |
| most skaters don't believe they are having "fun" Those | | | | ability to skate two solid performances. She does not |
| skaters are preoccupied with the ultimate goal. | | | | have to be perfect. |