Inspiration

[skateluvr]

I picked Dante's Prayer in another thread where I said I thought it was her best show program. FOG was amazing in SLC when she was overcome, but not when I saw it live. MK had been on the road so long that year, the whole COI troupe was underwhelmed. Most people pick FOG because they remember Salt Lake the Bronze and the tears. I also didn't see Sarah or Irina in that show. MK had the last spot as usual.

[callalily]

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

Yes, ITA.

In ladies' skating: Here is a program that just might be my favourite women's program of all time - Midori Ito's long program at 1989 Worlds. The energy and joy with which she skated was truly inspirational to me. Her triple axel at 1:20 just soars over the boards! I also loved the triple toe-triple toe at 3:30. Such height and flow - and her big smile afterwards. She totally went for it in that performance - held nothing back.

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

[callalily]

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.

Thank you for reminding me! I saw this performance live in Edmonton in 1996. Such a treat.

[Mathman]

MK had been on the road so long that year, the whole COI troupe was underwhelmed...I also didn't see Sarah or Irina in that show. MK had the last spot as usual.

That's too bad that you didn't get to see the full show. I guess it must have been at the very end of the tour.

For most of the stops Irina did Cotton-eyed Joe , Sasha did Hernando's Hideaway , Rudy Galindo closed the first half with YMCA , and after Michelle skated the show was closed by Olympic silver medalist Evgeni Plushenko and Olympic gold medalist Sarah Hughes. I don't think Sarah did the entire tour, however. I believe that was the year that Alexei Yagudin started the tour but was suspended after a few shows.

[Mathman]

Two of my most inspirational Kristi's. (That is, they inspire me to get up and dance! )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-QNtxwpTSE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWM5UDybfAM

[skateluvr]

Two of my most inspirational Kristi's. (That is, they inspire me to get up and dance! )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-QNtxwpTSE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWM5UDybfAM

Doop Doop was a nice number, and she is quite the dancer. What can she not to?

[skateluvr]

Most inspiring skate and best Carmen ever at the Olympics (at least 2010).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rJX0...eature=related

[skateluvr]

And most courageous lady-the Irish beauty and amazing athlete
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PscyR...eature=related

that was so exciting and I was so happy for Nancy.

[Olympia]

Indeed, I'm one of the many fans who turns to Michelle skating Lyra Angelica for inspiration, generally the performance at 1998 Nationals. It's not just because the music and skating themselves are sublime. It also represents Michelle's comeback from her broken foot during a crucial training period leading up to the Olympics. This jubilant performance reminds me not to fold when things get tough.

I also find her Song of the Black Swan inspiring. To me this program transcends the requirements of competition. It creates a serene, light-filled space full of mystery and richness. In fact, though I've always loved Dvorak's chamber music, Michelle's program made me pay closer attention to the piano trio she used, and I often listen to that piece for inspiration. (She used music from the last movement.)

Both versions of Missing are tremendously inspiring to me, the one skated competitively by the Duchesnays and the one skated by Christopher Dean himself with his partner Jayne Torvill. I love Andean music anyway. The program Dean choreographed used that music to highlights a larger issue of the rights of humanity, showing the dimensions that skating can achieve when inspired creators are at work. Works like these prove that no matter how many decimal points we argue about, skating is not just a sport. At its best, it is a unique example of human endeavor.

The Duchesnays' version

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coM4d1CQZfs


Torvill and Dean's version

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NJC_D8RLHQ

[skateluvr]

Olympia, we have the same taste in Mk competition programs. I find Lyra in a class by itself, it was young, pure Michelle-I loved both nationals and olympic skate. MK did not hold back at all in Nagano. It was a beautiful, flawless skate. Frank told her she was very good and that Tara was better. Well, Tara had the 3l/3l and I find her skating inspiring too. People say MK held back, but I don't see it. And she did all her elements. It was close. My second favorite is Song of the Black Swan and for end of career, grown up MK, Tosca. I find these inspiring. Her 2004 nationals Tosca is so inspiring. She was fighting then to show she still had it with CoP coming in to the game. I recommend these three programs to any young skate fans who want to see why MK was special and that not every great skater wins an OGM. Kurt, Orser, Elvis just to name a few Canadians. (someone said GS bashes Canadians-au contraire! Canadian men rock and rule!)

[skateluvr]

Indeed, I'm one of the many fans who turns to Michelle skating Lyra Angelica for inspiration, generally the performance at 1998 Nationals. It's not just because the music and skating themselves are sublime. It also represents Michelle's comeback from her broken foot during a crucial training period leading up to the Olympics. This jubilant performance reminds me not to fold when things get tough.

I also find her Song of the Black Swan inspiring. To me this program transcends the requirements of competition. It creates a serene, light-filled space full of mystery and richness. In fact, though I've always loved Dvorak's chamber music, Michelle's program made me pay closer attention to the piano trio she used, and I often listen to that piece for inspiration. (She used music from the last movement.)

Both versions of Missing are tremendously inspiring to me, the one skated competitively by the Duchesnays and the one skated by Christopher Dean himself with his partner Jayne Torvill. I love Andean music anyway. The program Dean choreographed used that music to highlights a larger issue of the rights of humanity, showing the dimensions that skating can achieve when inspired creators are at work. Works like these prove that no matter how many decimal points we argue about, skating is not just a sport. At its best, it is a unique example of human endeavor.

The Duchesnays' version

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coM4d1CQZfs


Torvill and Dean's version

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NJC_D8RLHQ

Oh, I have never seen this Olympia, I am blown away by Torvill and Dean. There is no comparison for me. I don't care for the D's version, but T&D are perfection. I loved the era when ice dance as well as pairs had unison in much of the movement, before the frenetic Euro/Russian era took full hold. This is a beautiful and inspiring skate. Thanks for sharing it.

[Pepe Nero]

My favorite Michelle Kwan long program is Tosca at 2004 Nationals. It is one of a few that really makes me emotional.

But, to respond of the theme of this thread, this is the one that does it for me:

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

Tonya at her best (Skate America 1991). This is the kind of skate that makes it seem like pulling oneself up by one's bootstraps is possible.

[skateluvr]

You are from Canton, MI. Do you ever watch the icedancers there in practice pepenero?

I agree Tonya pulled herself up many times before she thought the only way to go was illegal. It is still hard for me to see Tonya and know she felt she could not get the American judges/USFS behind her no matter what. Notice she gets two 6.0's from her tech skate and the American judge gives her a 5.8 That says it all. Nancy and Kristi had the confidence that went with their beloved status, Kristi, the spunky Asian girl who everyone liked, petite and consistent and such a hard worker and Nancy, mature, beautiful, every inch an Ice Princess. Capitals intended. Tonya had she suceeded in this sport, would have been a miracle given all she had against her.

[Srin Odessa]

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.

One of the things going for the program is that the camera work was amazing throughout the competition but especially so for Lambiel's free skate. It's like the Japanese hired a professional director for his skate.

[skateluvr]

What skate from this past season 2011-2012 inspired you most?

I had several. Ashley inspired me with both her sp and lp.

Takahashi with his sp-wow....

Chan with his gala skate-Elegy

Caro with her LP

It was a very good year for performances to go back and watch.

Thank you Caro, Ash, Dai especially for so many great performances this year. And Akiko too. All worth revisiting many times.