Inspiration | Golden Skate

Inspiration

skateluvr

Record Breaker
Joined
Oct 23, 2011
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

Record Breaker
Joined
Oct 23, 2011
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

Record Breaker
Joined
Nov 7, 2007
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.
 
Joined
Mar 11, 2011
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

Record Breaker
Joined
Oct 23, 2011
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.:)
 
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skateluvr

Record Breaker
Joined
Oct 23, 2011
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....
 
Joined
Mar 11, 2011
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

Rinkside
Joined
Jan 9, 2012
Tessa and Scott - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_Pc_a-WBSs
one of the most inspirational programmes I've ever seen

Several from the most inspirational and beauutiful performances:
Weaver-Poje - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbiC0GXkj1Y
Albena and Maxim - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjgBf0uRbik&feature=related
Savchenko-Szolkowy - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFwzyuBWSTk
Anissina-Peizerat - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fsvq-N7xAtc - a thrilling performance
Grishuk-Platov - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5zK32mEFfk
Krylova - Obsyannikov - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXYpP5GGreE
Sasha Cohen - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELFerA2QZX8
Elena Sokolova - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veFDbTmMkoU - my favourite ladies' SP
Davis - White - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmV1_0jmHgA
Berezhnaya Sikharulidze - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enegcJGB4NY&feature=related
Gordeeva Grinkov - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qWW-Ok4V0E
Bourne-Kraatz - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyzuksE2qNA
Irina SLutskaya - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4dHwk1imO0&feature=related
 
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blue dog

Trixie Schuba's biggest fan!
Record Breaker
Joined
Dec 16, 2006
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OS

Sedated by Modonium
Record Breaker
Joined
Mar 23, 2010
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

Record Breaker
Joined
Oct 23, 2011
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.
 

skateluvr

Record Breaker
Joined
Oct 23, 2011
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

On the Ice
Joined
Dec 11, 2005
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

On the Ice
Joined
Dec 11, 2005
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.
 
Joined
Jun 21, 2003
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 :rock: , Sasha did Hernando's Hideaway :rock: , Rudy Galindo closed the first half with YMCA :rock: :rock: , 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.
 
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