Sasha wins bronze at Worlds;
medal streak at 20 events

March 25, 2006

Sasha Cohen has a full set of medals by winning the bronze at the World Championships at Calgary, Canada.

Sasha won the silver medal at the Olympics a month ago and the gold with her first U.S. National Championship in January.

It continues a run of 20 consecutive competitions that Sasha has earned a top three finish since 2003. Ironically, the bronze was her first third place finish in international competition since Worlds in 2003.

“I think years ago I used to cry, but I think I’ve used up all my tears,” Cohen said of her disappointment at not winning the World title. “I’m disappointed, and I look at it from outside myself, much more logically, and just try to take the helpful steps. It’s not going to help me to cry, it’s about figuring out what I need to do to get better.”

Sasha now owns three World medals – two silvers and one bronze. In addition she has an Olympic silver medal, one U.S. title and four U.S. silver medals.

The freeskate proved artistically rewarding for Sasha but a fall on a triple Salchow late in her program cost her points. Sasha received all level 4s on her elements outside of her jumps with the exception of one level 3.

"I struggled through it," Sasha said of the freeskate. "The quality wasn't there. I didn't really feel on. I'm a little tired."

It’s been a long season for Sasha compounded by injuries that forced her to miss the Grand Prix series while undergoing extensive rehabilitation including time off the ice. A groin injury suffered during the Olympics didn’t allow Sasha to train and prepare as normal for the final competition of the season. Despite the injury she courageously fought her way to an Olympiv lver medal.

Sasha said the Worlds freeskate wasn’t up to her standards. "It's frustrating and disappointing," said Sasha. “But I know I gave it my best effort.”

It’s that determination that had Sasha commit to the World Championships as the other Olympic medallists bypassed the competition. “I fought through (the program) and really struggled,” Sasha said in her post-skate interview on ESPN-TV. “I tried all the way.

“It’s been a long season, good and bad,” Sasha said on ESPN.

Sasha will take some earned time off, perform with the Champions On Ice Olympic Tour and decide her future plans over the summer.

Sasha in first at Worlds
after strong short program

March 24, 2006

Olympic silver medalist Sasha Cohen won the short program at the World Championships in Calgary, Canada and has the lead entering Saturday’s free skate.

“I have almost four points (over second place) so that’s a nice little piece of room,” Sasha said. “I’m going to take Wednesday as a lesson. The past 36 hours were not very fun for me, because you feel however you finish. I think it’s going to be good to take with me into tomorrow’s (free skate), as a reminder, to shake it up, so I’m not going to be tentative. I’m not going to hold onto two perfect performances. I know I just gotta’ keep fighting.”

Sasha moved on top by 3.62 points over Suguri. Kimmie Meissner was third, 5.58 points back.

Sasha will skate first in the final group Saturday, giving her little time to get nervous. "You have to stay in the present and give it your 100 percent."

Sasha, who won silver at Worlds the past two years, will be trying to win her first international major championship.

She looked determined and confident on the ice to her “Dark Eyes” program. She two-footed her landing on the triple Lutz, but cleanly landed the combination, a double toe. She went on to land her triple flip and double Axel Her trademark spirals were long and elegant, and her footwork was so lively the crowd nearly drowned out the music with its clapping.

Sasha spins and spirals all were graded a level four by the Technical Panel.

“It wasn’t my best jump today. I just told myself I’d better stay on my feet”, Cohen said, referring to her mistake. “I feel though that society always focuses on the negatives. I think they should focus on the things I did well, like the Axel, it was really good. I love this program. I loved the energy.

“I think Wednesday shook me up a little bit, and I just took it a little too easy and it reminded me to believe and conquer and to stay in the present and give it 100 percent. I can do all of these jumps in practice 99.9 percent so it’s just making it happen when you’re out there.”

"She just has to skate to her potential," her coach John Nicks said.

Sasha 3rd in qualifying group

March 22, 2006

Olympic silver medalist Sasha Cohen finished third in the World Championship qualifying group B at Calgary, Canada.

She scored 110.36 points which was only under four points behind group B winner Fumie Suguri. Canada’s Joannie Rochette recorded the best score among all ladies in both groups with a 117.12 score.

Sasha started out well with a solid triple Lutz-double toe, triple flip and triple loop. But she ran ran into some trouble when she fell on a triple flip, stepped out of triple toe and fell on a triple Salchow. She landed a double Axel.

"Qualifying is worth only one-quarter," Sasha said. "I'll just forget about it and start over Friday."

Sasha's superiority in her spins and step sequence helped make up some of the difference in lost points. Sasha received all 4s and 3s for them.

“You have to be able to persevere and to shake off any mistake, and I kind of didn’t do that tonight,” Sasha said. “I kind of let that first mistake creep into my confidence for the rest of my program. I just have to be tougher, but I was really happy with how I started out the program. You know, good and bad.”

Sasha has won the silver medal in the past two World Championships.

Sasha, coming back from nursing a groin injury, had the fifth best score among both qualifying groups.

The ladies have a practice day Thursday before returning to competition on Friday in the short program.

The free skate is Saturday.

Sasha draws 12th position
in Group A Worlds qualifier

March 21, 2006

Olympic Silver Medalist Sasha Cohen drew the 12th position in Wednesday’s Group A qualifying at the World Championships at Calgary, Canada.

The two-time World silver medalist will compete in the evening group. It’s a favorable draw for Sasha.

Sasha goes into the competition favored after her stunning comeback in the freeskate at the Olympics. All the more amazing of her freeskate was a groin injury that hindered her at the Olympics and one she was still nursing as late as last week. Shizuka Arakawa and Irina Slutskaya, Olympic gold and bronze medallists, are skipping Worlds.

“It's always easier when the competition isn't all there,” Cohen said. “To have a less dense field, there's less pressure. I'll be able to enjoy the skating. There'll be less tension.

“My intention has always been to go to Worlds,” Cohen said in a teleconference last week. “At times it looked bleak, but I persevered. My skating's been going really well (last) week. I always wanted to go, and it turns out I am ready and able.
“There's definitely a lot of wear and tear physically and mentally. It challenges you to find inner strength to see how far you can keep going when it doesn't seem possible (to go any farther).

“There's a huge emotional and physical letdown after the Olympic Games. It's something everyone talks about in training for four years,” Cohen said. “You come home, you're pretty tired and beat up, and you have to take a good chunk of time off.
“It's important to not over-think it, to let your body come back to it. You have to find a lot of determination and motivation to keep going for another competition.”
Sasha is now focused on Worlds. The Olympics are in the past.

“I don't go back and analyze it because I've learned that wishing you could re-do the past is, number one, not possible and, number two, doesn't make you feel good.”
Sasha was among the most sought-after Olympians upon her return to the U.S. She was a guest on national late night and day shows. She mingled with the stars at pre- and post-Oscar parties. She was a correspondent for “Inside Edition” during the Oscars.

“I met pretty much all of Hollywood,” Sasha said. Among them were Tom Cruise and Jennifer Aniston. “They both really wanted to talk to me, to find out how I skated. It was so nice to hear.”

Returning to training was a pleasure for Sasha. “I was pretty happy to get into my Nikes after being in six-inch heels for that week. I’ve become kind of a hermit in my own world again.”

The top 15 in each group advance to Friday’s short program. The qualifying is worth .25 of the total score.

Sasha will compete at Worlds

February 24, 2006

Olympic Silver medalist Sasha Cohen said she will be competing in next month’s World Championships at Calgary.

Sasha, in an interview with Bob Costas on NBC Friday night, said she will continue to skate because of her passion to compete.

Sasha said she’s going "To the World Championships in Calgary. To keep improving, see where I can go. Take it day by day and see where the road goes.''

The U.S. National Champion has had a remarkable season thus far.

Sasha has won the silver medal the past two years at the World Championships.
The World Championships are scheduled March 20-26.