What PROGRAM made you a fan of figure skating? | Page 3 | Golden Skate

What PROGRAM made you a fan of figure skating?

Joined
Aug 16, 2009
I think YuNa and Mao brought about a skating renaissance for a lot of people. After Turin, many dominant female skaters stepped out of the spotlight. It happened that pairs also seemed to enter a holding pattern at the time. By coincidence, neither the U.S. nor Russia had any truly gifted ladies to take the place of those leaving. The thing is that YuNa and Mao aren't just good: they're great. If you hadn't watched skating before and weren't aware of these ladies' place in the field of competitors, you'd still be impressed by their performances and abilities. So they would bring a lot of people into skating, or back into skating. We were lucky that both of them showed up and hit their peak just now, when skating was kind of drifting in some ways, especially with all the confusion about CoP. Imagine how lucky we are to have people who can jump well enough (in different ways) to rack up points and yet can express artistry! In a way, YuNa and Mao validate the CoP system itself. If the only people who could keep up were technicians like Rachael, things would be very different.
 

Lilith11

On the Ice
Joined
Mar 1, 2010
I think YuNa and Mao brought about a skating renaissance for a lot of people. After Turin, many dominant female skaters stepped out of the spotlight. It happened that pairs also seemed to enter a holding pattern at the time. By coincidence, neither the U.S. nor Russia had any truly gifted ladies to take the place of those leaving. The thing is that YuNa and Mao aren't just good: they're great. If you hadn't watched skating before and weren't aware of these ladies' place in the field of competitors, you'd still be impressed by their performances and abilities. So they would bring a lot of people into skating, or back into skating. We were lucky that both of them showed up and hit their peak just now, when skating was kind of drifting in some ways, especially with all the confusion about CoP. Imagine how lucky we are to have people who can jump well enough (in different ways) to rack up points and yet can express artistry! In a way, YuNa and Mao validate the CoP system itself. If the only people who could keep up were technicians like Rachael, things would be very different.

ITA No matter which girl you prefer, there's no doubting the fact that these two skaters have vitalized the sport in their own way, in their melding of artistry and athletiscm on ice :3 When I first watched Yu-na, I didn't understand the difference between a triple lutz and toe (and I still don't >.<), but there was no doubt in my mind that "wow, that's an amazing jump" or how artistically compelling she was. I just re-watched her gala at the Olympics to Meditation and that ina bauer just takes my breath away :love: And Mao, Mao, Mao... her extensions, the positions she hits :love: Absolutely gorgeous! I love how she moves across the ice, how she seems to be completely home on it and just dances gracefully across it. :3

Lols layfan; in a lot of ways, I envy that you discovered FS earlier on, while it was under 6.0 For one, I have a feeling I missed a lot of amazing/great skating; I only followed the Kween for a year or two o_O And erm... who was Nicole Bobek lols? I feel very un-edcuated now >.<
 

Kitt

Final Flight
Joined
Feb 1, 2007
Country
United-States
I got hooked on G & G, especially their Moonlight Sonata program. After he died, I couldn't watch pairs for a while. Sasha got me interested in watching ladies -- but now that I skate, I am becoming sorry I wasn't more of a Michelle-watcher, since her edges are to die for! (I've been watching her programs to catch up on that). Current skaters like Mao and Mirai are my faves. (I can't resist a gorgeous spiral, sorry, Yu-na doesn't have one.)

As for men, I enjoyed Alexei a lot...then became interested in Johnny's artistry (I am a ballet person too). Also a big Daisuke fan.

These threads are too much fun -- really helps hold the interest in the off-season!
 

hklboro

Spectator
Joined
Aug 15, 2005
Torvill and Dean skating Mack and Mabel in 1982 - I had never seen anything like it, I was swept away.
 

gkelly

Record Breaker
Joined
Jul 26, 2003
Also, I don't remember the specific program, and it wasn't what made me a fan, but I remember watching this guy on TV about the time I first started to skate. Probably in 1971, when he won, before I started, but the fact that I remember him specifically may indicate that I was partly inspired to try it myself by watching him.

I think we didn't tune in for the ladies competition, so I didn't learn about Janet Lynn until after the fact.
 

janetfan

Match Penalty
Joined
May 15, 2009
Also, I don't remember the specific program, and it wasn't what made me a fan, but I remember watching this guy on TV about the time I first started to skate. Probably in 1971, when he won, before I started, but the fact that I remember him specifically may indicate that I was partly inspired to try it myself by watching him.

I think we didn't tune in for the ladies competition, so I didn't learn about Janet Lynn until after the fact.

Misha was a family favorite -along with Janet - when I was growing up. What fond memories I have of him - and although he didn't always win, I think for a time he was the most exciting skater in the world.

I would like to add (without incurring the wrath of Toni for jumping topics :)) that my memories - back in the day - were not about a "signature program" but possibly about a "style" or perhaps a "signature move."

Here is Sports Illustrated's cover for Laurence Owen after she won US Natls back in 1961:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/cover/featured/7704/index.htm

Note the caption says " America's most exciting girl skater." Laurie was that and more.......

In her era Peggy was simply more elegant than the other Ladies. The music or program didn't matter so much.

I wonder if Janet's "Afternoon of a Faun" is possibly the first signature program from a singles skater? :think:

Thinking back to Dorothy we remember the "Hamill Camel" as her signature move. Her programs were more like a "mishmash" of music and typical of her era.

Even into the early 80's I think of Scott's footwork or Brian Orser's triple axle as signature moves as opposed to signature programs. Or the 'Tano Lutz.

Does Midori have a signature program - or was it her incredible jumps that made her standout?
I think in the late 80's skaters like Katerina, the Duchesnays and others began to show us the concept of a program as a statement and in the 90's is when we saw this concept blossom.

I am thinking more about singles - and it is possible Pairs or Dance teams showed signature programs earlier. Certainly T/D's Bolero must be considered not only a signature program but also "iconic."
 
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dorispulaski

Wicked Yankee Girl
Joined
Jul 26, 2003
Country
United-States
T&D had the signature program down from Mack and Mabel, 1982. Coincidentally, we were talking about it a couple posts upthread. They continued with Barnum and then Bolero. By 1984, other teams were doing programs with themes, including Charlie Chaplin by Slater and Barber (1984), Carmen by Bestemianova & Bukin--by 1988, pretty much half the programs were themed, especially in the top 10. Duchesnays were a late addition to the party.
 

janetfan

Match Penalty
Joined
May 15, 2009
T&D had the signature program down from Mack and Mabel, 1982. Coincidentally, we were talking about it a couple posts upthread. They continued with Barnum and then Bolero. By 1984, other teams were doing programs with themes, including Charlie Chaplin by Slater and Barber (1984), Carmen by Bestemianova & Bukin--by 1988, pretty much half the programs were themed, especially in the top 10. Duchesnays were a late addition to the party.

The Duchesnays were "late addition to the party" :think:
I doubt that as their innovative programs changed the possibilties for Ice Dancing.
 
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gkelly

Record Breaker
Joined
Jul 26, 2003
T&D had the signature program down from Mack and Mabel, 1982. Coincidentally, we were talking about it a couple posts upthread. They continued with Barnum and then Bolero. By 1984, other teams were doing programs with themes, including Charlie Chaplin by Slater and Barber (1984), Carmen by Bestemianova & Bukin--by 1988, pretty much half the programs were themed, especially in the top 10. Duchesnays were a late addition to the party.

The Duchesnays were "late addition to the party" :think:
I doubt that as their innovative programs changed Ice Dancing.

Well, I think Torvill and Dean really started the tradition of programs with unified themes (with a few precursors such as John Curry and Wighton and Dowding's Swan Lake free dance), and the Duchesnays (choreographed by Dean) took that direction even further.

But then the rules changed and ice dance retreated from that direction for a while, even as freestyle programs became more thematic. So one might even argue that the Duchesnays were responsible for changing it back to ballroom medleys again, in reaction their taking ice dance in a direction the ISU didn't want it to go.
 

janetfan

Match Penalty
Joined
May 15, 2009
Well, I think Torvill and Dean really started the tradition of programs with unified themes (with a few precursors such as John Curry and Wighton and Dowding's Swan Lake free dance), and the Duchesnays (choreographed by Dean) took that direction even further.

But then the rules changed and ice dance retreated from that direction for a while, even as freestyle programs became more thematic. So one might even argue that the Duchesnays were responsible for changing it back to ballroom medleys again, in reaction their taking ice dance in a direction the ISU didn't want it to go.

Good points - and when I reference the Duchesnays I realize it is also the choreo of Chris Dean that comes into play.

It always took the Euros and their stodgie ways a full Olympic cycle - or more- to realize they were no longer leading the sport. It was unfortunate how they crippled the Dance and older fans remember how the Duchesnays were literally cruified for being different. The fact that were not "a man and a woman in love" - the only style the Russians ever knew - was unacceptable to the Eastern bloc judges.

The irony is that the "primitive" program the Duchesnays were so chastised over 20 years ago was good enough in a second rate imitation skated by D/S in Vancouver to help secure an Olympic Bronze medal. (boo, boo,)

Ice skating will never be a "sport" until it cleans up it's act. I seriously doubt it :scowl:

"Savage Rites" by the Duchesnays - watch the original and see how much better it is than D/s's "Aborriginal Nightmare." :yes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQKawuklMDc
 
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gkelly

Record Breaker
Joined
Jul 26, 2003
It always took the Euros and their stodgie ways a full Olympic cycle - or more- to realize they were no longer leading the sport. It was unfortunate how they crippled the Dance and older fans remember how the Duchesnays were literally cruified for being different. The fact that were not "a man and a woman in love" - the only style the Russians ever knew - was unacceptable to the Eastern bloc judges.

The irony is that the "primitive" program the Duchesnays were so chastised over 20 years ago was good enough in a second rate imitation skated by D/S in Vancouver to help secure an Olympic Bronze medal. (boo, boo,)

Ice skating will never be a "sport" until it cleans up it's act. I seriously doubt it :scowl:

"Savage Rites" by the Duchesnays - watch the original and see how much better it is than D/s's "Aborriginal Nightmare." :yes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQKawuklMDc



Was this winning performance inspired by Savage Rites? Probably not possible without its existence.

Sorry, I can't find video or even photos of Diane Gerencser and Pasquale Camerlengo's 1998 free dance on a similar theme.
 
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janetfan

Match Penalty
Joined
May 15, 2009
OK, we're getting way off topic now, but do you really mean "Euros" in the above? After all, Britain and France are part of Europe.

Was this winning performance inspired by Savage Rites? Probably not possible without its existence.

Sorry, I can't find video or even photos of Diane Gerencser and Pasquale Camerlengo's 1998 free dance on a similar theme.

Please note my reply by PM. :)
 

sunny0760

On the Ice
Joined
Feb 16, 2010
Back to the topic.:)

In my case, Jeremy Abbott's LP at 2010 Nat.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9SmMh9t-_s
Don't know how many times I watched this program. I just feel like I am floating with this.

Actually, I have been interested in FS for a long time but could not consider myself a fan.
If it had not been for this, I would never have dreamed of participating in GS.:laugh:

Anyway, I liked his skating when I saw him skate for the first time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IK_BcQoCL6Y (GPF 2008)

As for Yuna, she is my favorite female skater. I consider myself her fan too, a new fan. To behonest, the more I know about her, the more I admire her.
I confess I did not give too much attention to Yuna in 2007 so did not know there was a program like this.(I am ashamed of that)
This is a gala program I really enjoy which I often watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vOzvZrbr6A
Is this commentator Cousins? His last comment was so prophetic!:eek::
 
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CassAgain

On the Ice
Joined
Mar 27, 2004
I had always like figure skating as a little girl, but I saw Bolero at the '84 Olympics when I was 12, and that started the obsession.
 

MKFSfan

Medalist
Joined
Mar 15, 2006
I had always been interested in watching FS but the 1st program that hooked me was Michelle's 1994 East of Eden performance at Worlds. ((And IIRC, Kurt called her "kinda sexy"!!!))
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vwax0id60E

The 1st program that made me a hard core Michelle Fanatic was definitely Salome, starting at SA that season.
 

Tonichelle

Idita-Rock-n-Roll
Record Breaker
Joined
Jun 27, 2003
I had always been interested in watching FS but the 1st program that hooked me was Michelle's 1994 East of Eden performance at Worlds. ((And IIRC, Kurt called her "kinda sexy"!!!))
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vwax0id60E

The 1st program that made me a hard core Michelle Fanatic was definitely Salome, starting at SA that season.

Yes Kurt did, and NBC was so appauled that he would make such a comment about a young teen that they never asked him to commentate for them again. Their loss (USA's loss, too).
 
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