Below are links to articles about this years Nationals and Michelle's win. Also, scroll down to read more about Michelle leading up to her 11TH consecutive US medal.
Reports say that Arutunian was thrilled that Michelle Kwan, chose him to be her coach.
As a recent report in the LA Times claims: "Rafael was stunned when Michelle asked him to coach her, saying, "Anybody would be surprised. It's Michelle Kwan, right? Everyone wants to just talk with her, and I'm working with her. I think I am the luckiest man in the world." About her skating, "Before I start to work with her, I realize she is good: five-time world champion is five-time world champion. But when I start to work with her, I realize she is a genius on ice. She picks up everything without explanation."
January 4, 2004 - The Champion
Still-driven Kwan has the complete résumé except for one detail
"This week marks her own premiere: "The Lady of the (Olympic) Rings: The Return of the Queen," which finds Kwan on a very public quest. After skipping the Grand Prix international competitive season, she is seeking her eighth national title at the State Farm U.S. Figure Skating Championships. If Kwan, 23, places in the top three, she'll make history with a record 11 consecutive medals and will qualify for the World Championships, which she's already won five times."
January 7, 2004 -
Let the practices begin! Today Michelle practiced her short program in Atlanta. Reports are she did great! A funny thing happened. Someone gave the sound guy the wrong tape. The music was a Tango..but still Michelle skated to her short program, "The Feeling Begins"
in perfect form. This women is an amazing athlete!
"In any case, Michelle is skating like she still owns this competition, and I'm convinced -- as I was last year -- that it's hers to lose at this point. She didn't miss a single jump in the entire practice, she looked relaxed and happy and confident, and the ease and power of her skating are still unmatched by anyone else in the field. Michelle and Nationals is always just a great big love-fest, and she was looking like she'd already won."
"Michelle Kwan has been coming to the U.S. Figure Skating Championships more than half her life. Tonight, the seven-time national champion will skate her short program to Peter Gabriel's "The Feeling Begins," but Kwan, 23, realizes that the feeling has been with her for a long time."
Michelle skated wonderfully last night, placing 2nd behind Sasha Cohen who also skated great. They will be showing the short program on Saturday, January 10, 2004 8P - 11P EST on ABC, the long will be live. Michelle has been in 2nd place going into the long program many times, and still won. Once at Worlds, she was in 3rd place AFTER she skated, and through the wonder of figure skating scoring, she ended up winning the Gold! So anything can happen. Michelle does well when she is the "under dog". So Michelle, SKATE YOUR HEART OUT!
Michelle Skates tonight LIVE for her 8th National Title 8P-11P EST
Word has it, that Michelle had a great practice this morning!
Here is a wonderful Michelle Kwan Mention in Sun Sentenial about Nancy Kerrigan getting inducted into the Hall of Fame.
"Sports fans applaud Woods and Lance Armstrong, but Kwan may be the greatest individual champion of this generation. She is a seven-time U.S. champion and a four-time world champion, and the way things are going she could finally win that elusive Olympic gold next winter in Turin, Italy.
