Monday, July 6, 2009

Former “Free Spirit” Bobek Now Locked Up

And just when it looked like we were hitting an off-season, post-holiday skating lull…

Along comes word today that former U.S. Champion and 1995 World Bronze Medalist Nicole Bobek has been arrested, and made her first appearance in a Jersey City court this morning, on “the charge of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine,” according to a couple of New Jersey press sources including
this one

Bobek wore the green garb of the county jail when she appeared in the small video conferencing room at the jail. Her hair was short and dark colored, a stark contrast to the long flowing blonde locks she sported during her skating years.

The article offers then-and-now shots; in case you need to see it to believe it. As for me, well… it’s tough to be shocked, as Bobek always seemed to be something of a ladies’ answer to Christopher Bowman in my mind. Still, it leaves me at a sort of loss for words—it’s so sordid and sad at the same time.

Bottom line on her alleged crime—she’s being held on $200,000 bond and could spend up to 10 years in prison if convicted. So much for that “free spirit” in her that the commentators liked to rave about, huh. Yikes.

For the
Clip of the Day I’ve got the most recent skating clip of Bobek I could find… this was her “Whatever Lola Wants” routine from the 2004 Ice Wars. Particularly bittersweet to watch when they mention at the end that she was "going head-to-head" with Yuka Sato-- who is currently coaching our reigning U.S. Men's Champion. What a difference five years can make…