VANCOUVER — Now that figure skater Rachael Flatt has finally made it to the top, she’s learning it’s not always easy being queen.
The lavish praise of her academic accomplishments and steel nerves in big competitions is giving way to creeping criticism.
The Chicago Tribune and Sports Illustrated both questioned Flatt’s national championship win over Mirai Nagasu last month, with SI writing that Flatt, “despite slow, labored spins, milked the controversial points system which values technical competence over grace and style to win her first national championship.”
Flatt, the straight-A senior at Cheyenne Mountain High School, was too giddy about being in the Olympics on Saturday to bite back.
“At this point, I’m just taking it as constructive criticism,” she said during a U.S. news conference. “I’m having the time of my life.”
Deep down, Flatt knows she must upgrade in some areas, namely her speed and artistry. She has the jumps down pat.
“My general artistry needs to improve a lot,” said Flatt, who skates her short program Feb. 23. “I need to make sure that, not necessarily my story comes out, because my programs aren’t based around a character, but a certain feeling or a certain emotion along those lines comes across.”
Her coach is less critical. Tom Zakrajsek said ISU rules call for different speeds during a performance and says skating often is in the eye of the beholder.
“Some people like apple pie, some people like cherry pie,” he said. “Both can taste good.”
Flatt arrived here Thursday for Friday’s opening ceremony. She returns to Colorado Springs on Monday to train and attend school before competition begins.
