My opinion is still the same. Results are just one aspect. Did it ever occur to you that maybe I prefer the quality of the Russian skaters over some of the American skaters? Besides, in recent history, Russia/Soviet Union has laid claim to the best mens' singles results at the Olympic Games.Originally Posted by janetfan
That is a good reason.
Personally I can't believe how Curry makes them all look like a bunch of truckdrivers on skates.
That is just my opinion though.
If only every American man skated like John Curry, Jeremy Abbott, Matt Savoie, and Ryan Jahnke, then yes, USA would rule along with Russia. The US men who have claimed gold in recent history with the exception of Brian Boitano have been very lackluster in quality, IMO.
If that is true - then it sounds like the Russians and others at those events must have been extra lacklustre, no
Last edited by janetfan; 05-21-2010 at 07:14 PM.
Todd Eldredge and Evan Lysacek are not my cup of tea, but then again, neither is Evgeny Plushenko. My discontent with the 2010 Olympic results have to do with the fact that Abbott, Lambiel and Takahashi didn't skate up to their full potential because if they had, Lysacek and Plushenko would not have stood on the top 2 spots. I don't like any competition where the gold and silver medalist triumphs because better skaters make major mistakes. If only everyone could have skated their best, then the results would have been very different I think. I do without a shadow of a doubt prefer Ilia Kulik over Todd Eldredge though. Plushy is the one Russian skater who never grew on me. Give me Yagudin, Urmanov, and Kulik over Plushy any day.If that is true - then it sounds like the Russians and others at those events must have been very lackluster in quality, IMO.
Last edited by dorispulaski; 05-21-2010 at 07:59 PM.
For some reason the U.S. has produced a lot of male skaters who thought of themselves as athlete-entertainers rather than athlete-artists. Scott Hamilton, Michael Weiss, Christopher Bowman, Lysacek -- I would put Rudy Galindo and Todd Eldredge in that category, too, maybe even Weir.
I like those skaters too - maybe not so much Urmanov - who only won because others made mistakes. In fact '94 had more subpar performances from the Men than good ones.
I liked Kulik - but he is sort of like a Tara or Sarah - a skater with one big moment and not many other notable titles to speak of. A nice Pro career though.
I do think Yagudin was the most impressive of the Russians and at his best he would beat the others.
Here he is in Nagano, only 17 and sick with the flu. Still, his quality is easy to see even on an off-night.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLMlt3Noavg
BTW, Elvis not only had the injured leg, but he was also sick with the flu the night he skated in Nagano. Never my favorite skater, but he was an impressive competitor.
Last edited by janetfan; 05-21-2010 at 07:36 PM.
One of those skaters, like Kristi Yamaguchi and Yuka Sato, who kept growing as a pro.[/QUOTE]
My problem in giving allocades to Russian Skaters is that there doesn't seem (to me) much diversity. There is a certain Russian formula which they all have. and it doesn't overwhelm me. They are more sport skaters than performance skaters. Among the Men, how many different styles does one see?. They all look alike.
There is no Daisuke and Nobunari, no Buttle and Stoyko, no Amodio and Joubert, no Lysacek and Weir.
However, that Russian formula does produce good technicians.
As for Kulic, when he decided to reside in America, he realized he needed variety and that he has now.
There was Klimkin
Whatever, but it was Urmanov who was the first Russian skater to win the men´s Olympic gold medal.
Last edited by Jaana; 05-22-2010 at 12:49 PM.
You know I sympathize with you on this! But things aren't as bad as all that. Look at Yagudin, Wylie, and Browning. And Takahashi.That is a good reason.
Personally I can't believe how Curry makes them all look like a bunch of truckdrivers on skates.
That is just my opinion though.
Certainly few people if any live up to Curry. But that's what an immortal is--someone whose achievements can almost never be equalled. So Curry's just living up to his description, because no one else can live up to him. We were lucky even to have one skater like that!
I'm looking forward to watching the Yagudin link you posted.
[/QUOTE]
Not so much growth MM re Kulik. Watch Nagano, watch any pro skate. He is a very inventive choreographer, that's true enough. Kulik was a pure jumper but his skating style didn't mature greatly. I think his posture and arms /upper body are very much the same. I think of Kurt, Wylie, Eldridge, Weiss even and see improvement in SOI years. His recent skates in the Asian shows were nothing special. I think he was a bit egotistical to always want to do his own choreo and not seek out the best choreographers. Urmanov is my least favorite Russian skater so I can't say he had a great am or pro career. Hated every costume I can remember. Yecch! I think Petrenko is underrated. Many wonderful show programs. His MJ in person was phenomenal.
Yuka became more sublime, but she is very much a classical skater. Kristi could do anything to any music. I saw little of her DWTS but knew she'd win as she is a great dancer. I don't think there was anyone who compared to her as a pro. I think she is probably our best American skater to date. I know KWAN got all the competitive titles but she never developed the versatility of Kristi because she stayed in the comp. world her whole career. I can't think of another skater who kept her jumps like Kristi and who grew by leaps as an artist/performer/entertainer. She did do everything possible. What a lucky woman and what a career. I think Kristi is in a league of her own as she chose to stay skating a very long time and worked very hard to show such versatility.
Last edited by princess9; 05-22-2010 at 04:27 PM.
Breaks my heart. He was outstanding.There was Klimkin
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