Skaters Underappreciated in their eligible years that you respect more now

[Olympia]

^ As much as I have come to appreciate Yuks Sato later, I thought Surya should have won 1994 Worlds, too.

Really? I haven't rewatched those two programs, and I probably wouldn't know what to look for, but it's my memory that Surya generally had very bad stroking--very staccato--and generally worked on two feet during the non-jumping sections, while Sato was and is known for edges, stroking, carriage, and beautiful, flowing footwork. That alone probably got Yuka marked a little higher, and then there was the home-court advantage that year. I do remember that the programs were both good, hairline-close in terms of jumps and such. I always hoped that Surya would have a win one year, but that year my heart was with Yuka, so I hope my bias isn't getting in the way of my evaluation of the program.

[Tonichelle]

Doris - I, also, never got into Jahnke's skating, but he's a nice guy. So, it doesn't surprise me that people love him. He's very personable.

[shine]

Jahnke would be in my list of overappreciated skaters. He may, perhaps, have been a guy that left it in practice--I wasn't watching practices in the era that he was skating. But IMO, he was a guy who was nice looking, with good posture, who spent most of his performances on his butt on the ice, and who really did not have either a quad or a secure triple axel. Furthermore, he skated to some of the most horrendous music I've ever heard used in skating, including one with bird noises all though it.

Wow, really? I LOVED that Brazilian program. One of my favourite men's LPs. His performance at the 2004 Nationals was brilliant, with 2 3axels and an almost successful 3lutz/3loop. I was so excited when Jahnke and Lambiel both placed 3rd in their respective qualifying rounds at 2003 Worlds. I agree with Fozzie Bear about Jahnke being the extroverted version of Savoie. They both had such pure skating and wonderful innate musicality, and together saved a few US Nationals for me earlier this decade.

[Fozzie Bear]

ITA, shine! He's one of my favorite skaters, and that has nothing to do with his being a nice guy. That Brazilian program was brilliant, and the music was so unique. He was really versatile as a skater and could interpret so many different pieces of music well. His Asturias and Grieg LPs are also two of my favorites.

They both had such pure skating and wonderful innate musicality, and together saved a few US Nationals for me earlier this decade.

For me as well. And thank skategods that Abbott came along after they retired!

[shine]

For me as well. And thank skategods that Abbott came along after they retired!

Yes to that. And hopefully getting the results that the Matt and Ryan had the potential to but couldn't achieve.. I root so hard for him because sometimes I feel like I'm rooting for 3 skaters all at the same time!

[Tonichelle]

Yes to that. And hopefully getting the results that the Matt and Ryan had the potential to but couldn't achieve.. I root so hard for him because sometimes I feel like I'm rooting for 3 skaters all at the same time!

yes but in Savoie's case he had the goods, the judges just couldn't see it. Jahnke couldn't put two solid programs together when it counted, and Abbott crumbles after nationals. so frustrating.