When did you become a skating fan?

[gkelly]

(Mods, please move this to the Polls forum if appropriate. I'm afraid I don't know any way to ask several questions anonymously)

Just out of curiosity, I'd like to get a sense of trends in when, where, and how Golden Skate posters became skating fans. Please answer as many of the questions as appropriate

1. Approximately what year did you first become aware that there is a sport called figure skating?

2. Approximately what year did you become a fan of the sport?

3. Have you ever taken skating lessons?

3a. If so, did you start lessons before or after identifying yourself as a fan?

4. Would you consider your current level of fandom
a. casual (I'll watch on TV or online if it's convenient, occasionally attend a live event near my home)
b. interested (I'll seek out opportunities to watch on video, and live if costs, location, and schedule allow)
c. serious (I will go out of my way and spend money specifically to obtain access to videos or travel to shows or competitions, and I will do outside reading to learn about the current competition rules)
d. obsessed (a considerable portion of my waking life is spent skating, watching skating, and/or reading/talking/writing about skating, at Golden Skate and elsewhere)

5. Would you consider your current level of interest higher or lower than your answer to question 2?

6. Was there a point or period in between question 2 and now when your interest was at an all-time high? When?

7. Which of the following is your favorite format to watch skating?
a. shows that feature costumes, plots or themes, and group numbers
b. shows that feature current and former elite medal winners
c. professional and pro-am/"open" competitions featuring current and/or former elite medal winners with more emphasis on artistry/entertainment and less on technical difficulty
d. elite competition (Olympics, Worlds, Grand Prix, nationals of countries with deep competitive fields)
e. all international competitions and, in countries with deep fields, qualifying and nonqualifying competitions featuring skaters with national and international aspirations
f. all levels of amateur/eligible competition from local club events to Olympics/Worlds
g. primarily local competitions and shows -- I'd rather watch kids I know than elite level strangers

8. What country do you live in? Please indicate if you have moved between the time of questions 1-2 and now

[gkelly]

My answers:

1. Approximately what year did you first become aware that there is a sport called figure skating?

early 1970s

2. Approximately what year did you become a fan of the sport?

I'm going to say 1991, although I was a casual fan in the 70s

3. Have you ever taken skating lessons?

Yes

3a. If so, did you start lessons before or after identifying yourself as a fan?

Before

4. Would you consider your current level of fandom
d. obsessed (a considerable portion of my waking life is spent skating, watching skating, and/or reading/talking/writing about skating, at Golden Skate and elsewhere)

5. Would you consider your current level of interest higher or lower than your answer to question 2?
higher

6. Was there a point or period in between question 2 and now when your interest was at an all-time high? When?
not really -- it's still very high, but my focus is more local; 1994-99 was the period when I was more likely to travel to watch elite events, but the reasons I don't any more have more to do with changes in my personal life than changes in the sport

7. Which of the following is your favorite format to watch skating?
f. all levels of amateur/eligible competition from local club events to Olympics/Worlds

8. What country do you live in?
United States

[100yen]

Ohhh gkelly these kind of surveys are fun!

1. Approximately what year did you first become aware that there is a sport called figure skating?
Late 1990's

2. Approximately what year did you become a fan of the sport?
2008

3. Have you ever taken skating lessons?
Yes

3a. If so, did you start lessons before or after identifying yourself as a fan
After

4. Would you consider your current level of fandom
d. obsessed (a considerable portion of my waking life is spent skating, watching skating, and/or reading/talking/writing about skating, at Golden Skate and elsewhere)

5. Would you consider your current level of interest higher or lower than your answer to question 2?
About the same

6. Was there a point or period in between question 2 and now when your interest was at an all-time high? When?
Just before the 2010 Olympics...I became the "skating guru" among my group of casual Olympic-watching friends

7. Which of the following is your favorite format to watch skating?
f. all levels of amateur/eligible competition from local club events to Olympics/Worlds

8. What country do you live in? Please indicate if you have moved between the time of questions 1-2 and now
United States

[eyria]

1. Approximately what year did you first become aware that there is a sport called figure skating?

1976. My parents watched Olympic figure skating, and i have vague memories of seeing Dorothy Hamill on TV at the Innsbruck games. (i would have been 7.)


2. Approximately what year did you become a fan of the sport?

1991. I was drawn in by the Yamaguchi/Harding battle at Nationals. Then i watched 1991 Worlds, and was hooked from then on!


3. Have you ever taken skating lessons?

Yes.

3a. If so, did you start lessons before or after identifying yourself as a fan?

Both. I originally took skating lessons as a kid, from about ages 8-10. I then took lessons as an adult from 1996-2000 and learned steps, spins, and basic single jumps up through flip. Currently I'm hoping to start lessons again soon--now with my 3-year-old daughters! :-)

4. Would you consider your current level of fandom
a. Casual (i'll watch on tv or online if it's convenient, occasionally attend a live event near my home)
b. Interested (i'll seek out opportunities to watch on video, and live if costs, location, and schedule allow)
c. Serious (i will go out of my way and spend money specifically to obtain access to videos or travel to shows or competitions, and i will do outside reading to learn about the current competition rules)
d. Obsessed (a considerable portion of my waking life is spent skating, watching skating, and/or reading/talking/writing about skating, at golden skate and elsewhere)


Pretty serious. I watch all competitive skating available on TV. We pay $10-$15 extra a month in cable because i insist on having Universal Sports for the skating. I typically check Goldenskate and IceNetwork several times a day to get the latest news. I will spend money to attend live skating events in my area, especially competitions, when available. I have not yet traveled specifically for skating, but for the first time this year, i did seriously think about going to 2013 Worlds because it's within driving distance. Eventually we decided it was too expensive. But i do intend to travel to Worlds at some point within the next 10 years. I haven't yet gotten into watching skating online with IceNetwork's Season Pass but probably will within the next year or so. I've also read most of the skating books out there, my favorite being The Second Mark. I haven't yet spent much time poring over ISU rules documents, but maybe in the future.


5. Would you consider your current level of interest higher or lower than your answer to question 2?

Higher. I know a lot more than I did in 1991 and pay attention to things I wasn't even aware of back then, such as international senior B events and summer club competitions.


6. Was there a point or period in between question 2 and now when your interest was at an all-time high? When?

My interest has been pretty consistent. I find that even when i'm not enjoying one of the disciplines all that much, usually i'll just pay more attention to the other ones. (For example, 1995-1997 was sort of a low period in pairs, but amazing in ladies.)


7. Which of the following is your favorite format to watch skating?
A. Shows that feature costumes, plots or themes, and group numbers
b. Shows that feature current and former elite medal winners
c. Professional and pro-am/"open" competitions featuring current and/or former elite medal winners with more emphasis on artistry/entertainment and less on technical difficulty
d. Elite competition (olympics, worlds, grand prix, nationals of countries with deep competitive fields)
e. All international competitions and, in countries with deep fields, qualifying and nonqualifying competitions featuring skaters with national and international aspirations
f. All levels of amateur/eligible competition from local club events to olympics/worlds
g. Primarily local competitions and shows -- i'd rather watch kids i know than elite level strangers


d. Elite international competition. Worlds is my favorite event. I also love the whole senior Grand Prix series. Overall I much prefer competitions to shows. Shows can be fun and enjoyable, and sometimes surprising in the level of artistry achieved, but they're so spotty in quality, and I really miss the technical difficulty. So far, though, I just watch the mainstream competitions, and haven't gotten into watching other countries' nationals or anything like that. Also, unlike others on the board, I haven't yet gotten into watching junior Grand Prix events online.


8. What country do you live in? Please indicate if you have moved between the time of questions 1-2 and now[/quote]

USA.

[janetfan]

1. Approximately what year did you first become aware that there is a sport called figure skating?

early 1960's

2. Approximately what year did you become a fan of the sport?

1968

3. Have you ever taken skating lessons?

Not formaly - I learned from mother and father.

3a. If so, did you start lessons before or after identifying yourself as a fan?

Doesn't quite apply, but I began skating at age 5 so I skated before I became a fan

4. Would you consider your current level of fandom
very interested and very concerned about the future of skating in USA


5. Would you consider your current level of interest higher or lower than your answer to question 2?

It is higher in some areas and lower in other areas....for instance I don't care as much about Pairs since the scoring system changed - but I like Ice Dancng better now than under the old system.

6. Was there a point or period in between question 2 and now when your interest was at an all-time high? When?
My interest level was huge between '68 and '72 and that is when I went to my first Live events... but over the years interest has gone up and down and my interest does tend to peak in Olympic seasons.

But I also find the year after Olympics pretty interesting and the year preceeding the Olympics.

7. Which of the following is your favorite format to watch skating?
Live is the best but due to various circumstances I primarily watch on TV and internet these days.

My favorite events are the elite competitions. I did used to watch Pro skating and cheesefests but that is no longer much of an option. Disson shows seem feeble

8. What country do you live in?
United States

[Buttercup]

1. Approximately what year did you first become aware that there is a sport called figure skating?
I guess when I moved to the US in the early 1990s.

2. Approximately what year did you become a fan of the sport?
Followed it on and off in the 1990s, became really into skating when I caught 1999 Euros on TV. I was hooked.

3. Have you ever taken skating lessons?
Yes. Suffice to say that Carolina Kostner has nothing to fear from me.

3a. If so, did you start lessons before or after identifying yourself as a fan?
Before I got into it more seriously.

4. Would you consider your current level of fandom
a. casual (I'll watch on TV or online if it's convenient, occasionally attend a live event near my home)
b. interested (I'll seek out opportunities to watch on video, and live if costs, location, and schedule allow)
c. serious (I will go out of my way and spend money specifically to obtain access to videos or travel to shows or competitions, and I will do outside reading to learn about the current competition rules)
d. obsessed (a considerable portion of my waking life is spent skating, watching skating, and/or reading/talking/writing about skating, at Golden Skate and elsewhere)
Somewhere between B and C.

5. Would you consider your current level of interest higher or lower than your answer to question 2?
Huh? I’m more interested now than I was in the 1990s, if that’s what you meant.

6. Was there a point or period in between question 2 and now when your interest was at an all-time high? When?
2008-9. I had gotten involved in forums, Eurosport was carrying the GP for the first time in like ever, I had become interested in ice dance again and I was borderline obsessed at times. My interest began to decline around the time of 2009 Worlds and is relatively low at the moment.

7. Which of the following is your favorite format to watch skating?
a. shows that feature costumes, plots or themes, and group numbers
b. shows that feature current and former elite medal winners
c. professional and pro-am/"open" competitions featuring current and/or former elite medal winners with more emphasis on artistry/entertainment and less on technical difficulty
d. elite competition (Olympics, Worlds, Grand Prix, nationals of countries with deep competitive fields)
e. all international competitions and, in countries with deep fields, qualifying and nonqualifying competitions featuring skaters with national and international aspirations
f. all levels of amateur/eligible competition from local club events to Olympics/Worlds
g. primarily local competitions and shows -- I'd rather watch kids I know than elite level strangers
Competitive international skating at the senior level. Less interested in Nationals and local stuff of any kind and not a huge fan of shows. OTOH, they do pay the bills for the skaters...

8. What country do you live in? Please indicate if you have moved between the time of questions 1-2 and now.
I did, but I prefer to leave people guessing Someplace where Eurosport is available, obviously...

[silver.blades]

1. Approximately what year did you first become aware that there is a sport called figure skating?
Sometime in the early 90's. I can't actually remember a time when I wasn't aware of it.

2. Approximately what year did you become a fan of the sport?
Around 1995/1996 when I started skating

3. Have you ever taken skating lessons?
Yes I'm a gold level test skater and a coach.

3a. If so, did you start lessons before or after identifying yourself as a fan?
They more or less occurred simultaneously

4. Would you consider your current level of fandom
b. interested (I'll seek out opportunities to watch on video, and live if costs, location, and schedule allow)

5. Would you consider your current level of interest higher or lower than your answer to question 2?
Overall lower because I've got so many other things going on in my life currently. I still follow the sport and I keep up to date with rule changes and such, but it's now more as a professional and less as a fan.

6. Was there a point or period in between question 2 and now when your interest was at an all-time high? When?
My interest was highest in High School. Skating was a way to stand out from all the other dancers.

7. Which of the following is your favorite format to watch skating?
d. elite competition (Olympics, Worlds, Grand Prix, nationals of countries with deep competitive fields)

8. What country do you live in? Please indicate if you have moved between the time of questions 1-2 and now
Canada

[ImaginaryPogue]

1. Approximately what year did you first become aware that there is a sport called figure skating?

1994.

2. Approximately what year did you become a fan of the sport?

Probably 2008.

3. Have you ever taken skating lessons?
Yes

3a. If so, did you start lessons before or after identifying yourself as a fan?
Before

4. Would you consider your current level of fandom
a. casual (I'll watch on TV or online if it's convenient, occasionally attend a live event near my home)
b. interested (I'll seek out opportunities to watch on video, and live if costs, location, and schedule allow)
c. serious (I will go out of my way and spend money specifically to obtain access to videos or travel to shows or competitions, and I will do outside reading to learn about the current competition rules)
d. obsessed (a considerable portion of my waking life is spent skating, watching skating, and/or reading/talking/writing about skating, at Golden Skate and elsewhere)

A melange of b, c, and d.

5. Would you consider your current level of interest higher or lower than your answer to question 2?
Higher

6. Was there a point or period in between question 2 and now when your interest was at an all-time high? When?
Not really. I can see my interest decreasing from now

7. Which of the following is your favorite format to watch skating?
a. shows that feature costumes, plots or themes, and group numbers
b. shows that feature current and former elite medal winners
c. professional and pro-am/"open" competitions featuring current and/or former elite medal winners with more emphasis on artistry/entertainment and less on technical difficulty
d. elite competition (Olympics, Worlds, Grand Prix, nationals of countries with deep competitive fields)
e. all international competitions and, in countries with deep fields, qualifying and nonqualifying competitions featuring skaters with national and international aspirations
f. all levels of amateur/eligible competition from local club events to Olympics/Worlds
g. primarily local competitions and shows -- I'd rather watch kids I know than elite level strangers

D. Senior international competitions mainly.

8. What country do you live in? Please indicate if you have moved between the time of questions 1-2 and now

Canada

[LeReveur]

(Mods, please move this to the Polls forum if appropriate. I'm afraid I don't know any way to ask several questions anonymously)

Just out of curiosity, I'd like to get a sense of trends in when, where, and how Golden Skate posters became skating fans. Please answer as many of the questions as appropriate

1. Approximately what year did you first become aware that there is a sport called figure skating?
Around 1985
2. Approximately what year did you become a fan of the sport?
1991
3. Have you ever taken skating lessons?
Yes, but way back when I was 3 or 4 or 5!!!
3a. If so, did you start lessons before or after identifying yourself as a fan?
Before.
4. Would you consider your current level of fandom
a. casual (I'll watch on TV or online if it's convenient, occasionally attend a live event near my home)
b. interested (I'll seek out opportunities to watch on video, and live if costs, location, and schedule allow)
c. serious (I will go out of my way and spend money specifically to obtain access to videos or travel to shows or competitions, and I will do outside reading to learn about the current competition rules)
d. obsessed (a considerable portion of my waking life is spent skating, watching skating, and/or reading/talking/writing about skating, at Golden Skate and elsewhere)
b
5. Would you consider your current level of interest higher or lower than your answer to question 2?
Well, I think I enjoyed the ladies' discipline more back in 1991, but overall, with easy access to skating videos and information on the internet any day of the month, I might rate my current level of interest as higher.
6. Was there a point or period in between question 2 and now when your interest was at an all-time high? When?
Possibly between 1994 and late 1996, when there was TONS of skating on American TV.
7. Which of the following is your favorite format to watch skating?
a. shows that feature costumes, plots or themes, and group numbers
b. shows that feature current and former elite medal winners
c. professional and pro-am/"open" competitions featuring current and/or former elite medal winners with more emphasis on artistry/entertainment and less on technical difficulty
d. elite competition (Olympics, Worlds, Grand Prix, nationals of countries with deep competitive fields)
e. all international competitions and, in countries with deep fields, qualifying and nonqualifying competitions featuring skaters with national and international aspirations
f. all levels of amateur/eligible competition from local club events to Olympics/Worlds
g. primarily local competitions and shows -- I'd rather watch kids I know than elite level strangers
c and d, though there isn't much of c anymore
8. What country do you live in? Please indicate if you have moved between the time of questions 1-2 and now

I live outside of the U.S. for work reasons and have lived in multiple countries between questions 1-2 and now.

[emma]

(mods, please move this to the polls forum if appropriate. I'm afraid i don't know any way to ask several questions anonymously)

just out of curiosity, i'd like to get a sense of trends in when, where, and how golden skate posters became skating fans. Please answer as many of the questions as appropriate

1. Approximately what year did you first become aware that there is a sport called figure skating?
1976 - olympics

2. Approximately what year did you become a fan of the sport?
Basically at the same time - i was a young child

3. Have you ever taken skating lessons?
Yes
3a. If so, did you start lessons before or after identifying yourself as a fan?
Way after - i skated as a kid receiving ice-skates almost every year for christmas for awhile; but didn't know about edges and skated on a pond spending most of the time shoveling off snow and playing a version of hockey and skate fast as possible into snow banks. I took a few years of lessons as an adult. Would continue if time and money permitted.

4. Would you consider your current level of fandom
a. Casual (i'll watch on tv or online if it's convenient, occasionally attend a live event near my home)
b. Interested (i'll seek out opportunities to watch on video, and live if costs, location, and schedule allow)
c. Serious (i will go out of my way and spend money specifically to obtain access to videos or travel to shows or competitions, and i will do outside reading to learn about the current competition rules)
d. Obsessed (a considerable portion of my waking life is spent skating, watching skating, and/or reading/talking/writing about skating, at golden skate and elsewhere)

obsessed. I've not gone to comps live - money is a factor, but time a bigger one for me. I would enjoy it immensely.

5. Would you consider your current level of interest higher or lower than your answer to question 2?
I think it is higher now as i can read about skating, or participate in GS or other forum discussions, or watch icenetwork on demand or youtube videos. I try to follow doris' posts on ice dancing to learn more, for example, and sometimes try to read through the isu rule book, but again...my biggest constraint is time.

6. Was there a point or period in between question 2 and now when your interest was at an all-time high? When? I think in the last decade it is high because of all the fairly accessible resources via internet.

In the 90's, i had less access to watching comps and typically watched us nationals, worlds, and olympics (or the portions you could view on us tv)....i loved those moments and longed for them in between, but i wasn't plugged into skating year round in the way i am now via internet.

7. Which of the following is your favorite format to watch skating?
A. Shows that feature costumes, plots or themes, and group numbers
b. Shows that feature current and former elite medal winners
c. Professional and pro-am/"open" competitions featuring current and/or former elite medal winners with more emphasis on artistry/entertainment and less on technical difficulty
d. Elite competition (olympics, worlds, grand prix, nationals of countries with deep competitive fields)
e. All international competitions and, in countries with deep fields, qualifying and nonqualifying competitions featuring skaters with national and international aspirations
f. All levels of amateur/eligible competition from local club events to olympics/worlds
g. Primarily local competitions and shows -- i'd rather watch kids i know than elite level strangers

so 'd', followed by 'e' i think - 'f' would be up there if time permitted as would pro-ams. I'm not really into theater on ice or simply show programs although when a favorite is skating, i could be tempted. I just prefer comps.

8. What country do you live in? Please indicate if you have moved between the time of questions 1-2 and now
The U.S.

edits to fix typos and last answer that fell outside the quote

[Tonichelle]

I LOVE stuff like this! It's more my speed!

1. Approximately what year did you first become aware that there is a sport called figure skating?
1988. I was three. This story is not a new one on here so no need to go into it again

2. Approximately what year did you become a fan of the sport?
1989. Disney on Ice with guest star Scott Hamilton.

3. Have you ever taken skating lessons?
Nope, I have horrible balance and my first time on skates was pretty much my last.

4. Would you consider your current level of fandom
Oh gosh, Somewhere between interested and serious. I was more obsessed when I was in college and travelled to nationals a few times, but it's just too expensive and I can spend that money on other vacations and SAVE money.

5. Would you consider your current level of interest higher or lower than your answer to question 2?
higher, I guess. when I was little I only watched stuff that had Scott Hamilton in it.

6. Was there a point or period in between question 2 and now when your interest was at an all-time high? When?
Yup, 2000-2008.

7. Which of the following is your favorite format to watch skating?
Back when I was all about shows, then I was all about competition... So a healthy combo of both I suppose.

8. What country do you live in? Please indicate if you have moved between the time of questions 1-2 and now
USA

[evangeline]

1. Approximately what year did you first become aware that there is a sport called figure skating?
Around 1998--my earliest memories are of Kwan vs Lipinski

2. Approximately what year did you become a fan of the sport?
2006

3. Have you ever taken skating lessons?
Yes

3a. If so, did you start lessons before or after identifying yourself as a fan?
Before. I took years of skating lessons but I didn't start becoming a fan until after I quit skating.

4. Would you consider your current level of fandom
a. casual (I'll watch on TV or online if it's convenient, occasionally attend a live event near my home)
b. interested (I'll seek out opportunities to watch on video, and live if costs, location, and schedule allow)
c. serious (I will go out of my way and spend money specifically to obtain access to videos or travel to shows or competitions, and I will do outside reading to learn about the current competition rules)
d. obsessed (a considerable portion of my waking life is spent skating, watching skating, and/or reading/talking/writing about skating, at Golden Skate and elsewhere)

Mix of B, C, and D.

5. Would you consider your current level of interest higher or lower than your answer to question 2?
Higher? Not exactly sure what this question is asking.

6. Was there a point or period in between question 2 and now when your interest was at an all-time high? When?

Yes. Probably 2010.

7. Which of the following is your favorite format to watch skating?
a. shows that feature costumes, plots or themes, and group numbers
b. shows that feature current and former elite medal winners
c. professional and pro-am/"open" competitions featuring current and/or former elite medal winners with more emphasis on artistry/entertainment and less on technical difficulty
d. elite competition (Olympics, Worlds, Grand Prix, nationals of countries with deep competitive fields)
e. all international competitions and, in countries with deep fields, qualifying and nonqualifying competitions featuring skaters with national and international aspirations
f. all levels of amateur/eligible competition from local club events to Olympics/Worlds
g. primarily local competitions and shows -- I'd rather watch kids I know than elite level strangers

D - elite competition.

8. What country do you live in? Please indicate if you have moved between the time of questions 1-2 and now

The US. And yes, I have moved since questions 1 and 2.

[Cherryy]

1. I knew that there was a sport called figure skating since I was a little child, but I understood that people actually compete and take it seriously around 2004.

2. I became a fan in the January of 2011 so I still have a lot to learn.

3. Yes, I go skating twice a week on group lessons with a coach. It came along with becoming a figure skating fan. One was increasing the other level of interest.

4. My level of fandom is quite big. I wath videos every day and I easily memorize everything I watch, so I can exactly tell you what certain figure skater skated to, what's his personal best, what titles did he win etc. I don't attend live shows and competitions simply because there are almost none near my town and I'm still pretty young, so parents wouldn't even let me go watch these competitions. Going abroad is impossible right now. But still - I consider myself an obsessed person. I jump off-ice in my house all the time. Seriously, all the time

5. I've been a fan for 1,5 year so my level of interest hasn't changed much. Maybe it's a bit bigger, but since the very begining it was quite huge.

6. No. I'm waiting for upcoming seasons and Sochi.

7. I love elite competitions including grand prix and all junior competitions. In my case it's the discipline that matters. I can watch even novice and juvenile ladies, but I'm totally not into ice dancing, so I know only about 5-6 teams. It would be another interesting question to ask - what's your favourite discipline. I also enjoy wathcing shows that feature current and former elite medal winners and some lower ranked international events.

8. I live in Poland (eastern Europe). The only skaters you can recognize from here are Zuzanna Szwed, Anna Rechnio, Dorota Zagórska & Mariusz Siudek and Grzegorz Filipowski of course. Your best competitors right now are Aleksandra Kamieniecki - 33rd place at junior worlds and Maciej Cieplucha - 3rd in preliminary round at worlds. Yeah, that indicates what is the level of figure skating where I live

[merrywidow]

1-1961
2-1968
3-No
4-C (serious)
5-higher
6-1990's
7-E
8-USA

[iluvtodd]

1. Approximately what year did you first become aware that there is a sport called figure skating?

I always watched it during the Winter Olympics (starting with Peggy Fleming in 1968. Probably knew about it as an Olympic sport as of 1964.

2. Approximately what year did you become a fan of the sport? - diehard fan during the Calgary Olympics - 1988 - The "Battle of the Brians" and Midori ito did it for me!

3. Have you ever taken skating lessons? a few, hope to get back to it eventually. We skate recreationally.

3a. If so, did you start lessons before or after identifying yourself as a fan? after

4. Would you consider your current level of fandom
a. casual (I'll watch on TV or online if it's convenient, occasionally attend a live event near my home)
b. interested (I'll seek out opportunities to watch on video, and live if costs, location, and schedule allow)
c. serious (I will go out of my way and spend money specifically to obtain access to videos or travel to shows or competitions, and I will do outside reading to learn about the current competition rules)
d. obsessed (a considerable portion of my waking life is spent skating, watching skating, and/or reading/talking/writing about skating, at Golden Skate and elsewhere)

I would say "c" - serious. Some of my family members might say "obsessed!"

5. Would you consider your current level of interest higher or lower than your answer to question 2? probably higher

6. Was there a point or period in between question 2 and now when your interest was at an all-time high? When? Well, loved the rivalry between Todd & Elvis during the 1990's/early 2000's and I regret that I didn't follow the rivalry between Brian B. & Brian O. between 1984-1988.

7. Which of the following is your favorite format to watch skating?
a. shows that feature costumes, plots or themes, and group numbers
b. shows that feature current and former elite medal winners
c. professional and pro-am/"open" competitions featuring current and/or former elite medal winners with more emphasis on artistry/entertainment and less on technical difficulty
d. elite competition (Olympics, Worlds, Grand Prix, nationals of countries with deep competitive fields)
e. all international competitions and, in countries with deep fields, qualifying and nonqualifying competitions featuring skaters with national and international aspirations
f. all levels of amateur/eligible competition from local club events to Olympics/Worlds
g. primarily local competitions and shows -- I'd rather watch kids I know than elite level strangers

a, c, d, e, f, g

8. What country do you live in? Please indicate if you have moved between the time of questions 1-2 and now

USA