A Tribute to Sarah

Sarah Meier capped off her career at the 2011 European Championships with a fairy tale ending. She skated a lights out performance in front of a home crowd and ran away with victory (let's not give her too much credit...it was European ladiezzzz). What made her career finale so sweet were the obstacles that she underwent throughout the course of her skating.





Many of us naive Americans remember first seeing her at the 2002 Olympic games as she was shown on the NBC broadcast in the penultimate group of skaters.

After Sandra mentions that her choreographer is the same as Irina Slutskaya, all choreography from then on began to make sense. I can imagine now what this choreographer would say to Sarah at her first lesson:

"Ok Sarah, cusp your hands like an Egyptian. Ok, now cusp your hands like a China Doll. Oh wait, now interweave your hands together behind your head and look like an ass."

The only word that comes to mind is gawky. She was certainly not in tune with her body at this stage in her life. The natural talent was visible, but there was much to be desired.

For the next four years, she was stuck in the average pile at Worlds: 19th, 13th, 14th. Finally in the 2005-2006 season, she had a breakthrough year where she placed 8th at the Olympics and 6th at worlds.

By this time, Sarah had become all woman and skated like one too.



In the 2006-07 season, she yet again made more strides by placing 2nd at Europeans, and 3rd at the Grand Prix Final, and winning Cup of Russia. Her "Pride and Prejudice" long program from that season was a great outlet for her. However, Sarah's one dimensional quality usually can be summed up in this program:

1) Begin with a facial expression of surprise.
2) Wave hands around endlessly.
3) Look gorgeous while doing it.

She was always successful at all three.



After the 2008 season, Meier struggled leading up to the 2010 Olympics. With only a 15th place finish in Vancouver, it looked like Sarah was finally done and the spirit of Slutskaya's arm movements had worn off.

But the 2011 European Championships were right in Switzerland and Sarah knew she had to give it one more shot.



Skating up against the almost impassable field of ladiezzz, Meier skated a perfect program to "Love in the Time of Cholera." And boy, did she look like she had Cholera before she started that long program...

Winning the European title in her home country was a beautiful ending to a wonderful career.



Although, if Sarah wants to excel in her life away from skating, she may want to get rid of the habit of using moves that Irina Slutskaya's choreographer gave her. A night at the club may turn into a night in the hospital with those flailing arms.