Inspiration

**skateluvr** · 05-02-2012, 10:57 PM

At its best, skating is both sport and art, and at its best, art inspires us with its beauty, or its uniqueness. With so much bad news within the sport and everywhere one looks in the world, I thought I would start an inspirational thread where one can link to performances or parts that inspire us and give us hope for the sport as it dwindles.

It could be a recent performance/program from this season or something that inspires you from long ago. This thread is what we make of it, a place to find great ideas, performances, quotes, memories, or nothing. I offer the idea as we close another season, and know that inspiration is badly needed. It might even be just a line from your favorite skater that has stayed with you a while. I hope it will be a special, sincere and even fun thread, where collectively we create something worthwhile.

**skateluvr** · 05-02-2012, 11:13 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCRaoNfU0r8

This is one of the ladies performances that inspires me and soothes me, even. 1996 Worlds, the exquisite Chen Lu picked this amazing music, wore this elegant costume, and skated from her heart. I wish there were two golds available. Actually, this performance by this icon of the sport might have been my choice for gold could I vote. Gorgeous is the word I think of. I think this is inspirational, and it seems as pristine today as the day she skated this in 1996. With so much beauty in figureskating, I find this perfect. Such a huge country, and Lu Chen remains an inspiration in her backstory her skating and life ever since. Thank you Lulu.

**evangeline** · 05-02-2012, 11:31 PM

http://youtu.be/PE1_0xd9A4k

It's been over five years, and I have yet to see a program or performance to equal Stephane Lambiel's Poeta at 2007 Worlds in sheer brilliance. The 2006-2007 season was such a strange season for Stephane, one of mostly dreadful performances and burnout--but for him to come back and skate like this at Worlds was extraordinary. I've lost count of how many times I've watched Poeta, but watching the entire program--particularly the final step sequence and the ending spins--still sends chills down my spine. I find Poeta inspiring due to the the scope of its ambition, both technically (2 quads, including one in the second half of the program) and artistically (e.g. how Stephane fuses together dance and skating, the way he uses the music). A milestone for 'artistic' programs under CoP.

Plus, Stephane actually hits a triple axel for once, which is a cause for celebration in itself.

**l'etoile** · 05-02-2012, 11:41 PM

2009 World FS Yuna Kim - Scheherazade

This performance and her breaking world record got me into thinking "I'll be a great person like her, one day." I was so impressed with that I spent so many days thinking of how much work she had poured in to achieve that level of skills. Still when I get tired of what I'm doing and need a little freshener in my life, I watch this performance, see her reaction at KnC zone - pure ecstatic moment of achieving one's long desired goal, and I imagine myself doing likely so.

**skateluvr** · 05-03-2012, 12:02 AM

Originally Posted by evangeline

http://youtu.be/PE1_0xd9A4k

It's been over five years, and I have yet to see a program or performance to equal Stephane Lambiel's Poeta at 2007 Worlds in sheer brilliance. The 2006-2007 season was such a strange season for Stephane, one of mostly dreadful performances and burnout--but for him to come back and skate like this at Worlds was extraordinary. I've lost count of how many times I've watched Poeta, but watching the entire program--particularly the final step sequence and the ending spins--still sends chills down my spine. I find Poeta inspiring due to the the scope of its ambition, both technically (2 quads, including one in the second half of the program) and artistically (e.g. how Stephane fuses together dance and skating, the way he uses the music). A milestone for 'artistic' programs under CoP.

Plus, Stephane actually hits a triple axel for once, which is a cause for celebration in itself.

Thanks Evangeline for sharing "Poeta." Lambiel is on of the great male artists on ice for me-family death made me miss much skating in the last Olympic quadrennial and much life issues, so I have not seen this performance. I love Flamenco, having been to Spain so long ago. Stephane can dance, spin, jump. He is awesome. He really loves to skate, it is clear. Funny, he reminded me of a very young Antonio Banderas with the slicked back hair. I don't know all the Swiss male skaters, but Stephane might be the most successful? I love him. He gets better every year in his gala skates.

**skateluvr** · 05-03-2012, 12:13 AM

Originally Posted by l'etoile

2009 World FS Yuna Kim - Scheherazade

This performance and her breaking world record got me into thinking "I'll be a great person like her, one day." I was so impressed with that I spent so many days thinking of how much work she had poured in to achieve that level of skills. Still when I get tired of what I'm doing and need a little freshener in my life, I watch this performance, see her reaction at KnC zone - pure ecstatic moment of achieving one's long desired goal, and I imagine myself doing likely so.

She was amazing. I would so love to be in Korea when she skates a solo and feel the energy and love. Yuna seems this almost heavenly blessed creature. Yes, much work for many years, but the mother was there to sacrifice and the beauty, the huge jumps and speed. It must have been a thrill to see Yuna win with her homage to Kwan. She is a rock star and maybe the most beloved Korean. What is it like to be Yuna? I'd love to walk a mile (or skate one) in her skates. She has inspired millions of little girls-truly a phenom! And she is just beginning her life....

**l'etoile** · 05-03-2012, 01:56 AM

Originally Posted by skateluvr

She was amazing. I would so love to be in Korea when she skates a solo and feel the energy and love. Yuna seems this almost heavenly blessed creature. Yes, much work for many years, but the mother was there to sacrifice and the beauty, the huge jumps and speed. It must have been a thrill to see Yuna win with her homage to Kwan. She is a rock star and maybe the most beloved Korean. What is it like to be Yuna? I'd love to walk a mile (or skate one) in her skates. She has inspired millions of little girls-truly a phenom! And she is just beginning her life....

That's one of things what I was impressed with! The whole thing was Yuna's tribute to her idol, almost a celebration for Michelle's legacy.

**snejina** · 05-03-2012, 12:59 PM

**blue dog** · 05-03-2012, 01:12 PM

Not the most balletic or "beautiful" of performances, but I watch it whenever I'm having a bad day. I'm not their biggest fan, but they put it together when they needed to...

http://youtu.be/8pKT4e9sjYI
http://youtu.be/Dj9q7UOqwQ8
http://youtu.be/v8va2i2vENw
http://youtu.be/HWL-6QxY5s0

These performances make me believe in the existence of beautiful things in the world:

http://youtu.be/okPRcajUQrM
http://youtu.be/5gQzbVNzUC4
http://youtu.be/DHQRfNDX3kI

**tempika** · 05-03-2012, 04:10 PM

David Liu is my inspiration:
http://youtu.be/-c3ceRk1P0Y

**Mathman** · 05-03-2012, 04:38 PM

One of my all-time favorites. (Liz Manley, 1988.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hV179v0zjkM

**os168** · 05-03-2012, 05:06 PM

The definitive figure skating inspiration of my youth. Classic and timeless. 4.5 minutes of wonder that launched Britain's 18 years (and counting) of obsession with dancing on ice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2zbbN4OL98

I have often wondered how this would have marked under today's COP system? Every beat count, perfect marriage between music and movement, with imagination, creativity (with the rules as well), effortlessness, all the emotions are there, a definitive European program. The American commentators doesn't sound impressed though... with I can find a BBC version

**skateluvr** · 05-03-2012, 09:02 PM

Originally Posted by snejina

Tessa and Scott - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_Pc_a-WBSs
one of the most inspirational programmes I've ever seen

The choice of music, the choreography, the costumes...it was one of the finest ice dance performances i have ever seen. It so deserved the gold. One of the thrilling moments for Canada and ice skating fans everywhere.

**skateluvr** · 05-03-2012, 09:16 PM

several more favorites listed. Manley won the night-I wish she had gotten gold with her LP. Such a spitfire -she always gave 100%. Tara at Nagano was magical. She was amazing for her age and she skated two great programs. Lyra Angelica is Michelle's most inspired skating. I think if there was a poll/and doubtless there must have been MK fans would admit to watching Lyra a hundred times. Michelle had many wonderful skates but Lyra is one of three I watch the most.

I am not so inspired by G&G's second Olympics-there are many show programs I enjoy more from this best of the pairs in my book. But it is nice they went back and did their best, especially given how the story ends for Sergei.

**backspin** · 05-03-2012, 09:35 PM

As far as I'm concerned, you could almost take your pick of Michelle Kwan's performances--there was magic almost every time she skated. Here are a few of my favorites:

East of Eden: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eK56wE3KW0M
Winter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6f9XQhZ-9_A
Dante's Prayer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpogy...feature=relmfu

There are a lot more, but these are some that I find the most inspiring for myself.

Thread: Inspiration

Thread Tools

Display

Inspiration

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions