I have been away from the internet (and specifically figure skating)
since Worlds in Canada and am really out of the loop, but I'm
starting to get excited for this upcoming skating year.

First off, you guys are probably aware of this but there is a video
clip of Maria practicing at her home rink in Moscow on the SLC
website:

http://www.saltlake2002.com/?/athletesvoice/fsw/400937/features/2001/0
2/02/981137887263.html

The clip has Maria talking about how SLC will be her last competition
and how she wants a medal of any color because she was fourth in
Nagano. Her English is quite good. ;) Also, she does a killer 3loop
and a 3loop/2loop in the clip. First of all, the 3loop/2loop looked
awesome...does anyone see a triple/triple in her future. Of course
everything Maria does looks better in practice, but there looks to be
potential with that combination. Secondly, there was classical music
playing in the background which is difficult to hear much less
identify but I'm wondering if it could be Maria's short or long
program music as she's the only one on the rink at the time and the
jumps both seem to "fit" the music. Yeah, I realize this is REALLY
fishing, but it's kind of cool. The music reminded me of being in
the "Masquerade Waltz", "Die Fledermaus", and "Radetzky March" vein
of classical music; it's not any of these pieces but it was really
stacatto and lively...a lot better than the verrrrry placid and one-
dimensional "Seventeen Moments of Spring". Oh well, it's probably not
even her music. :) Just something interesting to speculate about.
Give a listen to the clip and tell me what you think.

See ya all later. And I'd be happy to spend ANY amount of money on a
Maria tape compilation as most of my tapes have been destroyed or
taped over. Bling bling. LOL

Justin (splintadolomite@...)