Word: witts
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...Witt, who aspires to an acting career, thrived on the attention. Thomas, on the other hand, tried to deflect publicity, stating repeatedly -- and as it turned out, correctly -- that it was ridiculous to speak of the competition as if it involved only two skaters. "Every time I open the paper, they're trying to make this thing between me and Katarina," she said. "It bugs me. We're just two people...
Someone should have told Witt. During Thursday night's short program, she placed herself ostentatiously at the rink's edge as Thomas deftly executed the seven required moves. "I was aware of it because she was standing right there," Thomas said. "Katarina watches all the time. Maybe she was trying to psych me out, but it doesn't work. It just makes me fight harder." That night Thomas nailed her performance, hitting every jump perfectly and engaging the audience with her megawatt smile...
Coming into the final program, Thomas held a slim lead over Witt, with Manley a distant third. Relying on the same ritual that had brought her so much luck two nights earlier, Thomas pounded the hands of Coach Alex McGowan with her fists. "This is your moment," he encouraged. "Now do it!" Alas for Debi, she didn't. Maybe it was the pressure. Maybe it was the ice, which she had complained about earlier in the week. Or maybe it was the fact that she skated last and had a hard time staying at her peak as the evening dragged...
...only 18, who entranced the audience with her powerhouse jumps and girlish enthusiasm. As she concluded her routine with a gravity-defying triple Lutz, Ito shook her fists triumphantly above her head and burst into unabashed tears of delight. Though she finished fifth, Ito received a standing ovation -- something Witt did not earn...
Speaking of alphabets, after the world championships next month, Witt and her string of S's will probably head for the silver screen, while Thomas, who suits Carmen to a P, will study to become a physician. "I'm still alive," Thomas said firmly as her disappointing scores flashed. "I can get on in my life, and I'll be fine." Amid all the hype and cheers and tears, those words rang brave and sincere...