COHEN'S LEGACY IS ON LINE GOLD MEDAL WOULD ERASE PAST STRUGGLES FOR U.S. SKATER.Byline: Steve Dilbeck Staff Writer TURIN, Italy - One way or another, this is Sasha Cohen's moment. Tonight will define her, identify her for years to come. That is some burden for a 21-year-old, but she seems keenly aware of this place in time for her. Tonight is the final of the women's figure skating figure skating Sport in which ice skaters, singly or in pairs, perform various jumps, spins, and footwork. The figure skate blade has a special serrated toe pick, or toe rake, at the front. at the 2006 Turin Olympics, the Winter Games' signature sporting event. She will either be crowned Olympic champion, or cement her reputation as someone unable to withstand the pressure. This is a chance for something in between, a very good performance that is not strong enough to overcome a sterling one by either Russia's Irina Slutskaya Irina Eduardovna Slutskaya (Russian: Ири́на Эдуа́рдовна Слу́цкая or Japan's Shizuka Arakawa. But her skating legacy will likely be determined with her own performance. Stumble, and it will be she wilted. Hit her routine, and it will be the evolution of a great champion. Cohen cohen or kohen (Hebrew: “priest”) Jewish priest descended from Zadok (a descendant of Aaron), priest at the First Temple of Jerusalem. The biblical priesthood was hereditary and male. certainly looked ready Tuesday, when she put together a sassy sas·sy 1 adj. sas·si·er, sas·si·est 1. Rude and disrespectful; impudent. 2. Lively and spirited; jaunty. 3. Stylish; chic: a sassy little hat. , personality-filled short program that left her in first place. She was dynamic, confident, looked ready to seize her moment, to take the final step in her career. Corona del Mar's Cohen has the thinnest of leads, finishing the short program with a 66.73 score. Slutskaya is second at 66.70 and Arakawa third at 66.02. Any of the three could emerge as Olympic champion, but Slutskaya and Arakawa both have something Cohen does not - a world championship. Slutskaya is the reigning world and 2002 champion, and Arakawa took the 2004 title. Cohen was second the past two years. She has led a competition before and failed to emerge champion, and that threatens to be a permanent stain if she falters badly tonight. Cohen talks and acts like someone who expects things to be different tonight at the Palavela, who has reasons to believe she will respond differently this time. ``The experience, the constant work ... it's definitely going to be tough for everyone to do great longs with the pressure,'' Cohen said. ``I've trained as hard as I possibly can this entire year. I'm going to believe in myself and expect the best.'' Cohen said this Tuesday after her winning short program. What she was thinking Wednesday remained uncertain, as she surprisingly decided to pass on her practice time at the rink. Her coach, John Hicks
Sir John Richard Hicks (April 8, 1904 – May 20, 1989) was one of the most important and influential economists of the twentieth century. , said it was not because of any injury, but simply because she struggled to sleep and decided she need the rest. ``She didn't sleep well (Tuesday night),'' Hicks Hicks , Edward 1780-1849. American painter of primitive works, notably The Peaceable Kingdom, of which nearly 100 versions exist. said. ``She was tired. We thought it would be better to be rested come (today), have a short practice and be energized and focused for the night.'' Hicks said at first he did want her to practice, but after hearing of her restless night, decided skipping a day was the best approach. Hicks said there is otherwise nothing physically wrong with Cohen. ``She has occasional muscle problems and uses a lot of ice as a lot of athletes do here,'' he said. ``There is nothing to worry about. I don't think she looked injured (Tuesday). She has a few aches and pains as we all do as we get older.'' Cohen's passing practice in itself was not alarming, but given that some questioned her mental toughness, still a concern. Certainly, she will have to be on her game tonight. With three skaters so close, this is a championship that will have to be won. Her two teenage U.S. teammates are still within reach of a medal. Kimmie Meissner Kimberly Claire "Kimmie" Meissner (born October 4, 1989) is an American figure skater. She is the 2007 U.S. National Champion, the 2007 Four Continents Champion, and the 2006 World Champion. , 16, is a surprising fifth after the short program and Emily Hughes Emily Hughes (born January 26, 1989) is an American figure skater. She is the 2007 U.S. National silver medalist. She is the younger sister of Sarah Hughes, who won a gold medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics. is seventh. It would take the best long program of their young careers and a stumble by those ahead, but the podium still is a possibility, particularly for Meissner. ``I'm definitely anxious to get back out there, because I felt really strong and I can't wait for (tonight),'' Meissner said. Out of the 24 skaters, Meissner will skate with the final group of six, going second-to-last. Cohen drew the No. 20 spot and Arakawa No. 21, while Slutskaya will go last. No Russian woman has ever won an Olympic skating title, and at age 27, Slutskaya is in ideal position to be the first. But in the U.S., all eyes will be focused on Cohen. With an injured Michelle Kwan Michelle Wing Kwan (關穎珊) (born 7 July 1980) is an American figure skater and media celebrity who has won nine U.S. championships, five world championships, and two Olympic medals. out, she has become the focal point focal point n. See focus. of U.S. figure skating U.S. Figure Skating (USFS), officially called the United States Figure Skating Association or USFSA, is the national sport governing body for figure skating in the United States. . This is her time to emerge as the darling of the Games, or something much less. Steve Dilbeck, (818) 713-3607 stephen.dilbeck(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): 3 photos, box Photo: (1 -- color) Sasha Cohen
Alexandra Pauline "Sasha" Cohen (born October 26 1984) is an American figure skater. She is the 2006 U.S. National Champion, 2003 Grand Prix Final Champion, and 2006 Olympic silver medalist. of Corona del Mar Del Mar is the name of several places in the United States of America:
Kevork Djansezian/Associated Press (2 -- 3) Russia's Irina Slutskaya, top, and Japan's Shizuka Arakawa, bottom, both have world championships to their credit, which they hope will help them overtake Sasha Cohen tonight. Photos by Amy Sancetta/Associated Press Box: FANCY FREE |
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