Rochette pondering return to Olympics

[overedge]

I can't even begin to imagine the amount of media attention she would be subjected to if she came back. That could certainly make the Olympics a less than happy experience for her. I hope that has figured into her calculations.

[already imagining the sobfest that NBC would make from her story ]

[pinky166]

I'd love to see Joannie back, but have to doubt whether this will actually happen. She's been saying "maybe" to coming back to competition for awhile now and has yet to actually do it...

[kwanfan1818]

I don't think that Rochette should come back if she doesn't want to, but Phaneuf was in Vancouver.

I wish that if she does plan to come back, that she'd do it this year, to earn two spots for next, so that if Osmond, for example, the only Canadian lady to make the TES minimum for Worlds last year, and in junior competition, were to have a great year, or Lacoste were to control her nerves, and either were to come close but miss top 10 in London, that Rochette wouldn't swoop in and get the single spot.

[Mevrouw]

I'll be very happy if Joannie wants to come back to competition and does. I think Kaetlyn Osmond will be in contention for 2nd at nationals, but it remains to be seen if Cynthia's time with Orser will result in better performances under pressure.

[ltnskater]

Joannie has been in two Olympics and skated beautifully in each. I think it's time for another Canadian lady to have the Olympic experience.

In most cases, I would agree with you... except looking at the Canadian ladies, we have Cynthia, who already had an olympics in Vancouver, I can't really think of anyone else other than Lacoste or Osmond (who is still just moving up to senior). On top of that, if Joannie were to come back, she would probably (hopefully) skate at 2013 worlds? and win back 2 spots... so her and another lady can get the second spot for the Olympics. But then again, I think I'm being hopeful... I would love to see Joannie return!

[kwanfan1818]

Rochette said that she was planning to be a spectator in London. She could, of course, change her mind.

[Mayra]

Joannie has been in two Olympics and skated beautifully in each. I think it's time for another Canadian lady to have the Olympic experience.

I hate this argument. The Olympics is not a charity event. If any of the Canadian ladies want to compete at the Olympics, then they can go head to head with the best skaters in their country(which may include Joannie) and earn their place.

IMO

[alilou]

I hate this argument. The Olympics is not a charity event. If any of the Canadian ladies want to compete at the Olympics, then they can go head to head with the best skaters in their country(which may include Joannie) and earn their place.

IMO

And IMO

Besides what Cdn lady? Phaneuf and Lacoste have proven over and over they can't bring it when it counts. Sigh. ATM that leaves Osmond. Really hoping that Osmond will have what it takes - as a skater and as a competitor.

[Alex Forrest]

I hate this argument. The Olympics is not a charity event. If any of the Canadian ladies want to compete at the Olympics, then they can go head to head with the best skaters in their country(which may include Joannie) and earn their place.

IMO

I agree. Especially now with the NJS a former pro cannot just join in unless they have done their homework and honed their jumps, spins, FW, etc to satisfy the requirements. It always has seemed like a weak complaint "Let the new ones have THEIR TURN". Well, you want your turn, you get your levels up, skate consistently and then see what happens. Cohen wasn't gifted another Olys, she had to work for it, and she didn't make it. I have been unimpressed with CDN ladies forever except for Rochette. It's not Rochette's problem that no one else in Canada will step up to the plate. It's still her 'turn' as far as I'm concerned.

[BigB08822]

So is anyone thinking the "she's had her turn, give the younger ones a chance?"

IMO that just doesn't apply here.

That doesn't apply anywhere..EVER. No one gets a turn or a chance. You earn your spot, fair and square. This is an Olympic sport, not a tee ball tournament where everyone gets a hit and to run around the bases.

[euterpe]

Posters are pretty much saying that if Rochette wants it, she automatically gets the ONE ladies place. I think she should have to earn it just like anyone else, and that means competing prior to the Olympics---and not just at the National level. It seems that she will not compete in the coming season, except at a pro event in Japan.

If Joannie DID compete in the 2013-2014 season and fairly won her ticket to Sochi, that would be her last eligible competition, leaving Canada once again with no leading lady skater.

At some point, Canada needs to develop its ladies talent. It isn't fair to Rochette or the other Canadian ladies to depend on Rochette to step in and 'save the day'.

[lise]

it may not be fair but the others need to step up. The fact that since Joannie took a break, no one has stepped up to the plate and took over. There is talent coming up, but i could see SC buttering up Joannie to come back.

I went to SOI and saw her skate next to Cynthia. Honestly, it was night and day; Joannie is a much stronger skater and skates with much more confidence than she used to. Her artisitic side has developed considerably and to imo, she is the most complete skater we've had in more recent years and truthfully, the only one that is competitive on the world stage at this time.

i certainly hope she comes back as I believe she can win Worlds but i want her to come back on her own terms. We do need her for now but this season and next could be Osmond's time to develop the skills she needs without without the big spotlight. skate Canada did the same to Jen Robinson in 2003 and 2004 in terms of asking her to come back as we were facing the same problems.

[Mayra]

Posters are pretty much saying that if Rochette wants it, she automatically gets the ONE ladies place. I think she should have to earn it just like anyone else, and that means competing prior to the Olympics---and not just at the National level. It seems that she will not compete in the coming season, except at a pro event in Japan.

Where are posters saying that she should automatically get the ONE Olympic spot? People are talking about hypothetical situations where Joannie may or may not compete this season or next and what expectations may or may not be placed on her. Nobody is saying screw the up and coming ladies and just hand the Olympic spot to Joannie.

If Joannie DID compete in the 2013-2014 season and fairly won her ticket to Sochi, that would be her last eligible competition, leaving Canada once again with no leading lady skater.

At some point, Canada needs to develop its ladies talent. It isn't fair to Rochette or the other Canadian ladies to depend on Rochette to step in and 'save the day'.

Again, you can't take away a position that someone doesn't have and hasn't earned, and that includes a "leadership" position. Currently there is no leading Canadian lady IMO and and if Joannie comes back and pushes the current envelope, you could argue that this will do more for the development of Canadian ladies than simply going with whoever falls the least *cough* Phaneuf/Lacoste *cough* .

If these girls want a spot on the Olympic team, then they need to up their game and fight for it. That's how champions are made. JMO

[Jaana]

If Rochette is considering of a comeback because she just loves to compete, that is understandable. Maybe I´m wrong, but my impression has been that her best results she has achieved in competitions held in NA?

[kwanfan1818]

I think what most of us are saying is that, at this point, Rochette could win the Canadian Nationals SP with her exhibition skate, and could win the whole thing with Kostner-level technical content, although she's likely to have more than that anyway. No one is saying that Skate Canada is going to appoint her to the spot, or that the ISU will give her a minimum score bye, if there is a minimum score for the Olympics.

[leafygreens]

Can someone explain why Rochette was over 10 points higher than a clean Nagasu at the last Olys? After taking off my rose-colored glasses, I really think Nagasu should have been closer.

[Rock2]

That screeching sound you hear is the result of the sharp left turn this thread just took.

[caseyedwards]

Nagasu PCS was very poor. TES was fine but PCS poor - like Rochette in Torino!!!

[Zazy]

http://www.lapresse.ca/sports/autres...2_section_POS1

A new article on Joannie. She is giving herself until January to make a decision on a possible comeback.

[cem2]

Anyone want to translate the important stuff.....