Either way, Wylie had a career from that Olympics that was the equivalent of a gold medalist's career. And I'd wager that more people re-watch his video than seek out Petrenko's, because of the exhilaration it gives us, so his work lives on in a way that Viktor's does not. So it's great the way it worked out after all. Petrenko is certainly a worthy winner both as a skater and as a man, as well. What more could we ask for?
^ Ah well, maybe, maybe not. But Paul Wylie became a star and even a household name for a while... It was one of those silvers that was really a gold. Kinda like Joannie Rochette's bronze last year.
ETA: Oops - Olympia and I were writing that the same time. But mine is in response to Blades, of course.
It was not long after the results, that the word was Victor Who? Wiley's best hidden skate came out and surprised the crowd.
Victor was an adequate Technician, and Paul was an Artist. Judging during Soviet times was always questionable but sometimes it was valid. If it were CoP, I would give it to Victor but only by l tenth of a point.
The judges truly did not know what to do with Wylie's lightning bolt, giving him ordinals from first to fifth in the LP.
Petrenko did not exactly disappear after this victory. He was a mainstay of the Champions tour on Ice for fifteen years. IIRC when the CoP came along he was the very first technical specialist to serve. He is still in the public eye as a coach and President of the Ukrainian Skating Federation..
Petrenko's a two time Olympic medalist and world champion. He helped shepherd Oksana Baiul onto the senior stage and is generally known as an all-around gentlemen. If people say "Victor who?" that's their loss. I'm glad Wylie had his moment, and there's no denying the impact of that skate at that time to that music, but lets not dismiss Petrenko out of hand here.
And Joesitz, your many posts on the subject attest to this, but judging's always questionable, regardless of era.
Petrenko had mistakes but so did Wylie. He had little flaws on a lot of the jumps he did. I think that is why some judges could put him 5th. The Japanee and Italian judges had him third. You see a lot of the judges were working for their skaters. The Czech judge placed him fifth because of Barna and the Canadian judge was Wylie, Browning, Petrenko. The ex soviet judge was nicer than the Czech judge and placed Wylie 4th. I was prepared to see a great program but there were flaws all over. Much better performance in a free skate than Hamilton gave in 1984 but not as good as Boitano's in 88-which amazingly is still the abolute Gold Standard (no pun intended) of American Mens performances at an Olympics!!! When will America produce someone as good as Boitano?!?
Last edited by gmyers; 01-01-2011 at 06:14 PM.
This is quite depressing, actually. What a bunch of crooks.Originally Posted by gmyers
This was the same Olympics that featured the Yuri Balkov - Jean Senft affair
As I said above the competition was during Soviet times. How many Russian skaters of today can compare with the results of the Soviets during that era?
Are you saying 1992 was Soviet Times because of the Unified team? When did Soviet times end in your view? 1994 because there was no Unified team anymore? Right now it is a fact that many judges from ex-soviet countries live in Russia-and maybe some from Eastern Europe too! Wylie was just so surprising and out of nowhere and he wouldn't win even now!
In his pro skating, Viktor used gimmick after gimmic and never did a serious skate as a pro.
^ You mean dancing a mambo with a life-sized doll isn't serious skating?
actually he did have a few. He's just remembered more for his more humorous programs.
and Paul gets "Paul Who?" just as often as Viktor. When I heard him speak in 2006 the people around me thought he was Brian Boitano
Last edited by Tonichelle; 01-03-2011 at 11:19 AM.
No it wasn't.
For example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czp9uOf_fPc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MnSGPdgrms
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-2YJ0wlQwQ
Looks like for pro competitions he would choose a more serious program for the "technical" portion and more lighthearted for the "artistic" portion.
Oh.
The nineties were kind of a blur for me. Not as much as the sixties, but still.
Back on Topic
There will be, imho, and upset in Men's competition. (probably Ladies too). How will the Select Committee handle it?
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