IRINA SLUTSKAYA,WORLDS 2004.

[@syrinx114]

I am American and I have always been biased toward Michelle Kwan. Especially back in the year of this world championships, 2004, when I was much younger. But I have grown up since then. I will still always hold Michelle dear in my heart, but I realize now that Irina, in her own special way, was also truly a gem in figure skating. She was upbeat, dynamic, and oh so positive, both in her skating and in her attitude towards the sport and towards life as a whole. I miss Irina and her big jumps and her even bigger smile! She has a huge heart!

[@syrinx114]

I’m surprised by her low scores and 11th place finish in the long program. Yes the two pops were glaringly obvious, but she did land four triples and had some decent spins. The 4.3 for technical merit was undeserved.