Part I: http://frozenintime.tk/the-greatest-russian-figure-skater-that-never-was-part-i/
Part II: http://frozenintime.tk/ilia-klimkin-the-greatest-russian-skater-that-never-was-part-ii/
Part III: http://frozenintime.tk/ilia-klimkin-the-greatest-russian-skater-that-never-was-part-iii/
The above series of articles desribes the career and history of Ilia Klimkin, a wonderful skater whose particular strengths were inadequately rewarded by the judging rules of his day. He was a wonderful, artistic, musical performer, who utilized innovative moves, transitions, and appealing choreography. He also had great jumps, but his competitive nerves were not the best.
Klimkin had a second big problem. He was the third or fourth best skater in Russia at a time when the two best skaters in the world, Plushenko and Yagudin, also skated for Russia. His rival for the third spot, Alexander Abt, was also a wonderful skater. He arguably did not get the support that a skater of his caliber would have gotten in any other country at that time.
Looking back, the embarrassment of rich talents in men's skating in Russia is not now there. What happened? What should have happened to continue the supply of wonderful men's skaters there?
I would like to ask for your thoughts.
Klimkin's case is not unique. The USA had a similar problem in the days of Kwan and Cohen. And now, although we have great men, our ladies program is only mediocre.
It would be to the benefit of skating fans as a whole if we could shed some light on this.
Meanwhile, enjoy some Ilia Klimkin performances from this playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mc_oeLQybY&list=PLB2dU9VBzV4_wfpFnCQtyXJWlJtELsu_b
Part II: http://frozenintime.tk/ilia-klimkin-the-greatest-russian-skater-that-never-was-part-ii/
Part III: http://frozenintime.tk/ilia-klimkin-the-greatest-russian-skater-that-never-was-part-iii/
The above series of articles desribes the career and history of Ilia Klimkin, a wonderful skater whose particular strengths were inadequately rewarded by the judging rules of his day. He was a wonderful, artistic, musical performer, who utilized innovative moves, transitions, and appealing choreography. He also had great jumps, but his competitive nerves were not the best.
Klimkin had a second big problem. He was the third or fourth best skater in Russia at a time when the two best skaters in the world, Plushenko and Yagudin, also skated for Russia. His rival for the third spot, Alexander Abt, was also a wonderful skater. He arguably did not get the support that a skater of his caliber would have gotten in any other country at that time.
Looking back, the embarrassment of rich talents in men's skating in Russia is not now there. What happened? What should have happened to continue the supply of wonderful men's skaters there?
I would like to ask for your thoughts.
Klimkin's case is not unique. The USA had a similar problem in the days of Kwan and Cohen. And now, although we have great men, our ladies program is only mediocre.
It would be to the benefit of skating fans as a whole if we could shed some light on this.
Meanwhile, enjoy some Ilia Klimkin performances from this playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mc_oeLQybY&list=PLB2dU9VBzV4_wfpFnCQtyXJWlJtELsu_b
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