Was Emily Hughes robbed of the Gold at US Nationals?

Joesitz said:

Nothing wrong with your opinions, we all have them. But I can not help but assume that your interest in figure skating is ONLY for the top contenders worldwide. and that's perfectly all right too. That is where we differ. I go into figure skating as a sport at all levels and skaters. When I see improvements I am happy for the skater. I found a lot of this year's Nats to think they were exciting - not necessarily what the top skaters did. There were all those former Jr. Boys trying to make a statement, there was Zhang and Nagasu fighting it out with Wagner looking on and determined, there was Castile and Olkowski winning the Pairs. there was B&A with their new program and D&W making a statement You didn't see these as exciting and that's what I am saying. Maybe you have a different definition of what excites you. However, there is nothing wrong with disagreeing.

Joe

Click to expand...

Joesitz said:

Nothing wrong with your opinions, we all have them. But I can not help but assume that your interest in figure skating is ONLY for the top contenders worldwide. and that's perfectly all right too. That is where we differ. I go into figure skating as a sport at all levels and skaters. When I see improvements I am happy for the skater. I found a lot of this year's Nats to think they were exciting - not necessarily what the top skaters did. There were all those former Jr. Boys trying to make a statement, there was Zhang and Nagasu fighting it out with Wagner looking on and determined, there was Castile and Olkowski winning the Pairs. there was B&A with their new program and D&W making a statement You didn't see these as exciting and that's what I am saying. Maybe you have a different definition of what excites you. However, there is nothing wrong with disagreeing.

Joe

Click to expand...

nubka said:

How very condesending. You sound like more of a snob than Emily...

Click to expand...

Kwanford Wife said:

I must confess, I am a podium snob and I probably need to get over that - probably a bi-product of becoming passionate about the sport of skating prior to the Grand Prix series as well as an occupational hazard of obsessive focus on the business side of selling niche sports to mainstream audiences... the struggle and personal victories of these athletes is sometimes lost on me...

Having said that, I'm also reacting to this vibe of backlash against us ubers who find ourselves in a new world order of newbies striving to make their mark vs. watching the divas & divos slug it out for literal world domination.

I guess its the difference between being a Patroits fan vs. a Detroit Lions fan w/ Nationals being the playoffs & the Superbowl being Worlds... my husband is a die hard Lions fan who is interested in how players develop and grow within a stagnet system vs. the Lions ability to get to the playoffs (without purchasing tickets )... whereas I'm all about who wins, who loses and just how smug can I be in any given year... needless to say, this has not been a banner year for Kwanford Wife...

Click to expand...

Joesitz said:

No problem KW. I think it might be that I spend a lot of money to see these competitions and don't want to think they were not exciting.

btw. The Jets will rise as will the Mets.

Joe

Click to expand...

SeaniBu said:

I am a fan of yours Joe:agree:

Click to expand...

Joe said:

...I think it might be that I spend a lot of money to see these competitions and don't want to think they were not exciting.

Click to expand...

Mathman said:

This is a great point. It's just a whole 'nother thing to go to these serveral-day extravaganzas in person. You go in the full hope and expectation of having a great time, you get to hang out in the hotel lobby and meet the famous and not-so-famous skaters, and every performance has the potential to astonish and delight.

Like if you get to go to the Olympics in person, your fondest memory might be of standing at the bottom of the bobsled run during the early morning practice session and getting sprayed with snow by the Liechtenstein team -- never mind that you care so little for bobsledding that you wouldn't bother turning on the TV to see it, that you have no idea where Liechtenstein is, and anyway they finished 28th.

Click to expand...

slutskayafan21 said:

Kimmie did a 3/3 in the short program so I dont know why anyone is surprised she won the short. Yeah some think it was cheated but the technical specialist ratified it. Her long was not that bad, Emily's long was not that strong, Kimmie is the World Champion, and Emily still beat Kimmie in the long but not by enough to pass her overall. I cant believe anybody is so puzzled with this result.

Click to expand...

Kwanford Wife said:

I must confess, I am a podium snob and I probably need to get over that - probably a bi-product of becoming passionate about the sport of skating prior to the Grand Prix series as well as an occupational hazard of obsessive focus on the business side of selling niche sports to mainstream audiences... the struggle and personal victories of these athletes is sometimes lost on me...

Just a thought, but in selling a "niche" sport to mainstream audiences, you should focus on what is going to sell that sport. Rather then cutting it down and being a snob.
I think the US has a lot of potential if they get away from the usual suspects. The recycled fluff that is shoved down or throats every year about Kimmie and Emily has gotten really old. I'd rather watch more new skaters.
The year after the Olys are a rebuilding year. It always has been. Figure skating needs new blood to replenish the retiring skaters.
I agree it would have been better had there been some real surprises, other then C/O. Was it really that exciting knowing that Kwan would pretty much win? That Sasha would have a melt down at some point? That Johnny would win?

Click to expand...

Red Dog said:

...but in the end it's who wins the competition that counts

Click to expand...

Joesitz said:

You didn't notice before? Everyone knows I am a Class A Snob.

Joe

Click to expand...

kyla2 said:

I see both your points. But Joe, I am afraid I am right there with Kwanford Wife. I think I am going through Michelle withdrawal. Just call me "Michelle Impaired." Yes, the pairs were great, the men were wonderful, Bebe was a joy in the SP,and Alissa was lovely to watch BUT I still miss the head to head of Michelle and Sasha.

Click to expand...

Red Dog said:

hey, they call her "airplane arms" over at FSU

Click to expand...