I should avoid this discussion like the plague, but the answer is NO.
Why? because as the sport evolves, & the rules change. Even aesthetics change. Today's perfect skater is not tomorrow's.
There was a day when people were repulsed by contortionist poses, and flexibility was therefore not important. Now it is a requirement.
There was a day when fine edge control was a requirement due to figures. Then it wasn't. Now with Patrick Chan's edges, edges are a big goal again.
There was a day when Janet Lynn could do triples and didn't because they were unnecessary and deemed unladylike.
There was a day when exquisite leg position in layback spins and in spirals were rewarded. Currently they are not.
There was a day when tiny little jumps like Kristi Yamaguchi's were just fine. Now, not so much.
There was a day when Ito's leg wrap was OK. Now people get critical about it.
And for that matter, the standard for facial beauty changes from year to year and from country to country.
So of course there is no ideal skater that will fit all ages & times. Nor will there be.
But there will always be skaters who capture your heart at the moment, whom you love to pieces, whose faults will be unimportant to you (even if not to some other people). They may even be skaters whose performances you will always love. But their appeal will never be 100% universal.
Why? because as the sport evolves, & the rules change. Even aesthetics change. Today's perfect skater is not tomorrow's.
There was a day when people were repulsed by contortionist poses, and flexibility was therefore not important. Now it is a requirement.
There was a day when fine edge control was a requirement due to figures. Then it wasn't. Now with Patrick Chan's edges, edges are a big goal again.
There was a day when Janet Lynn could do triples and didn't because they were unnecessary and deemed unladylike.
There was a day when exquisite leg position in layback spins and in spirals were rewarded. Currently they are not.
There was a day when tiny little jumps like Kristi Yamaguchi's were just fine. Now, not so much.
There was a day when Ito's leg wrap was OK. Now people get critical about it.
And for that matter, the standard for facial beauty changes from year to year and from country to country.
So of course there is no ideal skater that will fit all ages & times. Nor will there be.
But there will always be skaters who capture your heart at the moment, whom you love to pieces, whose faults will be unimportant to you (even if not to some other people). They may even be skaters whose performances you will always love. But their appeal will never be 100% universal.
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