Now that would have really been a showdown if Alexi Yagudin had been in shape to give Plushenko a run for his money. There would have been quality skating plus the quad. He is my favorite Russian Skater. This stupid debate between Evan and Plushenko would have not happened.
Everyone lives in the shadow of what Yagudin accomplished. I don't think we will see anyone for quite some time who is able to deliver performances that are both technically and artistically on the same level. Lambiel had the talent but he never quite pulled it off.
Yagudin hasn't skated competitively since 2003, and hasn't at all for the last, what three years at least. A little different than Plushenko who hasn't ever really stopped skating, and who only had three seasons away from competition. It would have been - at best, IMO - Yags in it for bronze. But, he'd have to up his technnical difficulty by leaps and bounds, his footwork - I believe - in 2002 would only count as a level one or two (Kurt Browning commented once on how it LOOKS difficult, but it's all toe work with no variation... and it's teh same basic steps over and over... and Yags himself has said the same)
An uninjured Daisuke would've been a suitable heir for Yagudin.
But Dai has so much more style, IMO. I think Yagudin was great jumps but a lot of smoke & mirrors in presentation...Dai is elegant. Of course that apparently doesn't count for much anymore.Originally Posted by DesertRoad
It counted enough to give him the highest PCS of the competition. And I cannot disagree more with Yagudin being a mere jumper. The man poured his heart into his skating and interpreting the music, just like Dai. Stylistically, they're, of course, different. Yagudin was the traditional manly warrior type, while Dai wasn't afraid to break with a few gender archetypes. Regardless of that, they are both incredibly soulful skaters with huge jumps and rousing footwork, that's why I suggested Dai as a successor to Yagudin.
If Alexei were able to come back, I can assure you that he would have known what the new rules are and would have a very COP program. He is still skating and has been since he left when he was able to after his hip surgery. When Alexei competed, gold was the only color he skated for...meaning he was well prepared to get the gold, even if he didn't.
My favorite figure skater of all time! The best of the best - with that extra special something, to boot! Pure magic!
He is the best! The complete package. However, look at what repeat quads did to him. A hip replacement by age 25. Where is the outrage? Also Tim Goebel has problems too. Repeated landings of the quad are just not good for the body.
You just put your finger on the reason I'm not all that upset that a skater won the gold without a quad. I'm tired of watching the best skaters tear themselves up prematurely just for a jump. I agree, though, that a healthy, strong Yagudin would have been a joy to watch this year. Yagudin truly did have it all, style and substance. So does Daisuke, and he was the one I was rooting for. But he's been hobbled by injuries, too. It worries me that this is the future of men's skating. (Yes, I am a worrywart.)
And if Yagudin had won over, say, Lysacek in a squeaker, no one from any country would have complained. He was one of those skaters who belongs to the world. That kind doesn't come along very often. Yet another reason to give thanks for YouTube!
I read from the news that Yagudin was in North Korea recently from 15th to 17th to attend a figure skating event. Kim jung-il is a big figure skating fan, and that event is to celebrate his birthday. :P
That's so true! Sigh I miss him.
I also don't think for a moment that a win by Daisuke (with or without a quad?) would have sparked such a controversy. Alas it was not to be. Let's hope he can stay injury free and skate to his full potential.
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