Plushenko won the 2012 Russian Nationals in his comeback bid?? He won with a score of 259, ten points over second place.

I watched the video which wasn't all that great, but it looks like he's in pretty good shape.

That does it! If EP is making a comeback at his age, then absolutely Evan can and WILL return to competition ice! No ifs, ands or buts!!

Yes, it's true -not only did he win, but the ISU granted him a waiver so that he could compete in the Europeans. Article below.

If they can do it for Plushenko, surely they could do it for Evan. How do we get him to ask for a waiver, too?


http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/news?slug...henko-europeans

Who knows?!!? One would think that surely someone in Evan's camp would have thought of asking the ISU for a waiver, too?!?

While we don't have the whole picture, I would imagine that Evan is focusing his efforts on the next two seasons leading into Sochi...

I posted some info from an article about Plushenko a little further down if you would like to check it out. He really is't in all that good shape. He is facing another knee surgery.

ISU never banned Evan, so I don't think there is any rule that would apply to him. USFS determines who goes to 4CC and Worlds and to request a bye you have to apply for medical reasons and then demonstrate before a panel of judges that you are healthy enough to compete. That rule would not apply to Evan. Evan right now is solely under the jurisdiction of USFS. He has not done anything to violate the rules that would keep him out of Worlds. Without competing at Nationals, he cannot qualify at Worlds. Most assuredly Evan would medal at Worlds, if not win, considering he does have a quad and his consistency.

This is what Evan says he is doing. I just hope he will take some time off to make some charity appearances somewhere so we could go to see him skate.

Now that Nationals is so close, I am really feeling competition withdrawal. This time of the year we would be getting really excited, coordinating our hotels and flights, shuttles from the airport. Mary and I would talk about what clothes we would take, which was really funny because it had become the same every year. Evan always wanted to see the "ELLF Gear," only those T-shirts were beginning to look a little worn. I am missing all of that, but most of all I am missing the excitement of the anticipation of seeing Evan skate, and perhaps a magical moment somewhere, somehow. He was always very serious and focused during practice, but usually sometime as he skated by he would do something to let us know he knew we were there. In Lake Placid, I was sitting where he had to pass by to leave the arena and I got a wink and a wave. Little things like that were so special. To others I would probably sound like a nut case, but Evan is so special. I don't care anymore about getting autographs or pictures, it is the interaction that is most special for me.

So right now, it is very hard to think about Nationals coming up and not going and Evan not being there. My oldest granddaughter's seventh birthday is Jan. 28, so I think that may be where I will be spending my weekend. My daughter rarely gets to watch skating any longer unless she records it, so I know I won't be watching it live. I will DVR it and will watch it after it is all over. Perhaps that will be the best way to handle it for me. Is anyone else having withdrawal problems?

Carley, I hear you! Yes, I am having big withdrawal issues! In fact, I have an all-event ticket, but am cancelling for various reasons, but one thing's for sure: If Evan was there, I would DEFINITELY be there. In his absence, the wind went out of my sail for this season.

I SO desperately want Evan to get back to competititon next season, and we can rest assured that he is doing what is necessary to be fully prepared to storm back to victory!!

And no, you are not a nutcase because I feel the same way about Evan as you do. Great minds think alike. ;)