Some of the Europeans and Asians in this group might not know who Gannon is, but he`s the "color commentator" for figure skating at most major events (Worlds, Grand Prix Series) on U.S. television. Well, on the Worlds` broadcast, probably after all the disciplines` final results were in, he mentioned that as he talked to people (he didn`t specify who) he got that impression that the pairs results were the most controversial of all, and that there was avery strong buzz that the Pettikhs should have gotten gold. A real nice plug for them.. Wish I`d saved his remarks on tape.

      I`ve held off writing to the group for a while because I`m so devastated by D/V`s fourth place finish. A phony "smoke and mirrors" team like that should be nowhere near the podium. I`m so disgusted that I`m giving up figure skating fandom, although I`ll continue to enjoy old stuff I have on tape and computer.

    A Charleston, polka, or march OD for next season could lure me back, but it`s going to be tango. Not quite enough.

   Too bad about Chait/Sahnowsky quitting. I`ll miss them. I don`t think that their Bolero FD played to their strengths though.

    Here`s a little-known fact for you. Maria was the driving force behind the Pettikhs. In an interview once Alexei said that when they`re in Sweden in the summer training, he likes to enjoy himself, but she pushes him to get out to the rink and train.

    That they did so well at Worlds even with Maria`s bad ankle, was pretty remarkable. They should be very proud. Best wishes to them. I`ll miss them. Oh, I once heard Terry Gannon mention that he was talking to them and it sounded to me like they haven`r really ruled out a move to the states for coaching. I`ll probably get blamed for starting an unfounded rumor, but that`s what it sounded like to me. It was a couple of years ago.

     You know, until the Pettikhs did an exhibition with a headbanger included, I`d never seen a European team do it. I wonder if it`s considered a lowbrow American trick.

      Finally, I hope that Pashagirl17 doesn`t shut down this list now that the Pettikhs have retired. I consider them to be a legendary team.

 

Bye,

Arthur