Sarah Hughes wore a cute black sequined jumpsuit with matching gloves, and a sewn on chain belt that had come loose almost immediately. My neighbor kept saying "ouch", as Sarah spun and the belt whipped around. This number is a Cabaret medley, and in Hamilton, Sarah was captivating. With the distraction, that I am sure everyone saw, she couldn't overcome it. I don't know why she didn't stop and get a re-start from the referee. Her moves: 2A, 3L, layback, belt starts swinging, fall on 3Z, spiral, sit/change/sit spin, illusion spins, DD, 3T, Charlotte, more illusions, Russian splits. Big hand for her effort.

Maria Butyrskaya....Her blue Cleopatra outfit, but without the brunette wig. This program received such a tepid response at Masters, I was surprised she used it here. I don't know if there have been any changes to it. She did a 3Z, a 3L and fell on this, a shaky 2T, 2A, and a mediocre spiral.

Alexei Yagudin, I thought his program was up to his standards, no slacking off, no compromising. I wrote "hamming" on my notes, I think this was just before he took his position in front of the judges. He did a gorgeous high 3A right in front of Kim, after a 3F. He did step out of his 3L at my end of the rink, but completed another 3T. Can't wait to see this on TV because I can't remember what hamming he did LOL.

Timothy Goebel. His blue and cream costume. He had pressure right off the bat, because of his introduction as King of the Quad. My notes show 3 double jumps, 2 quads, one of which he fell on. The notes are poor, I was trying to get my focus back after Alexei skated LOL, and this was the time when he was being administered to.

Irina Slutskaya. My seat mate exclaimed at all the "skayas" there were LOL. Irina did her Schindler's List program, in her lovely silver, grey and white dress. She has some kind of rhinestone emblem on the backs of her skates. Again, I had lost focus on her program, but she was terrific and energetic, and her marks were deservedly high.

Michelle Kwan, got that long, drawling Michelllle Kwaaaann from the announcer, and a really big hand. Her Beautiful World program, in the lovely pink and silver dress, was skated with love and energy. Of course her spins in two directions are so impressive! No mistakes that I saw, except the slightest blip on her opening 2A.

See, I did watch the show! But who can be blamed for wandering attention, when the distraction was so powerful LOL. Im glad that Kim posted such a fine review too. It helps to have the second and third sets of eyes, picking up the things the first set misses. Now, Nicole, do you have some exciting things to share with us?

Julie (relieved to have accomplished the review, and I hope you enjoyed it)