2017-18 State of U.S. Ladies Skating

[Ender]

Do you think the fact that figure skating is broadcast on television and usually sold as "entertainment" more so than "sport" to the general public has something to do with skaters fitting a certain 'image?'

Stereotypes run the tv and really performance arts world. For instance in film casting, how you LOOK is often how you are cast. No matter how soft spoken, shy, outgoing, well educated and sometimes even how TALENTED you are.
A friend of mine was often turned down for being "too blonde." The casting directors would literally tell him he looked like a Nazi?? And he was never cast in leading roles just as like a psychopath killer or bad guy.

Anyway, I wonder if the same type of "type-casting" transfers over to figure skating? A black female is perceived as "strong", an Asian pair "doesn't emote" A blonde girl must be "a princess" and maybe that effects scores and marketability for the athletes? My thoughts for the day, peace.

Well, American public only see skating as some princess being elegant on ice...

 

[macy]

Exactly!!!! Mae is like Polina Edmunds. Polina IS physically imposing due to her height, and she towers of Ashley Wagner. I can't imagine how she'd look standing next to Starr. The difference is that I don't think they are imposing people...Does that make sense. I can't imagine either of them being like Katt and standing at the boards watching their competitors. As far as race goes.....I don't think anyone cares. Debi was backed heavily when she came on the scene. I think the USFSA backs who ever is skating well. They backed Michelle Kwan, Kristi Yamaguchi, Rudy Galindo, and Debi Thomas. All from different races.

I'm sure it was much easier to back those skaters than it was to back Tonya Harding or the late Christopher Bowman. They made mistakes on and off the ice that tarnished the image of skating.

per Wikipedia polina is listed as 5'5.5", but gracie is actually even taller than her at 5'6". Ashley is 5'3" so polina is not that much taller! just throwing some fun facts it's sometimes strange to think of skaters as either being shorter or taller than us in real life, since we mostly watch them through a screen!

 

[VIETgrlTerifa]

Speaking of Debi Thomas, if she was able to, she could be a mentor to Starr.

Actually I have been thinking for a while no one would know better what Gracie has gone through as U.S. "it" girl than Debi, who might have some words of wisdom and caution. Debi, like Gracie has big star power, athletic big jumps, and all-American type feel to her skating. Both did not quite live up to the expectations set FOR them and both are/were fan favorites.

I mean. Look how crowds went wild for Debi. I get the same vibes for Gracie.

Debi Thomas needs to take care of herself and her own life before she can mentor anyone.

 

[princessalica]

I think that height is outdated. I think Polina has grown since that.

 

[frida80]

per Wikipedia polina is listed as 5'5.5", but gracie is actually even taller than her at 5'6". Ashley is 5'3" so polina is not that much taller! just throwing some fun facts it's sometimes strange to think of skaters as either being shorter or taller than us in real life, since we mostly watch them through a screen!

That page needs to be updated. She's at least 5' 7" I think she's 5'8".

 

[bevybean]

Exactly!!!! Mae is like Polina Edmunds. Polina IS physically imposing due to her height, and she towers of Ashley Wagner. I can't imagine how she'd look standing next to Starr. The difference is that I don't think they are imposing people...Does that make sense. I can't imagine either of them being like Katt and standing at the boards watching their competitors. As far as race goes.....I don't think anyone cares. Debi was backed heavily when she came on the scene. I think the USFSA backs who ever is skating well. They backed Michelle Kwan, Kristi Yamaguchi, Rudy Galindo, and Debi Thomas. All from different races.

I'm sure it was much easier to back those skaters than it was to back Tonya Harding or the late Christopher Bowman. They made mistakes on and off the ice that tarnished the image of skating.

With Mae it isn't just her height though. She looks like she just has bigger portions (bigger hips, wider shoulders), so that makes her imposing. I'm not trying to imply negative about Mae, I think she is in great physical shape and her body is as narrow as it can be. And if she can skate well and do all the elements required, then who cares what her body type is?! I think it is great to see someone who doesn't fit the mold out there skating, but I don't think everyone agrees. Which feeds right into posha's other post about image.

If she has had negative comments about her skin tone, "ethnic" features or body type, that's just sad.

 

[mrrice]

That page needs to be updated. She's at least 5' 7" I think she's 5'8".

^^^This is correct. Polina is a BIG star in our area of Central, Ca. When she was on the local news the lady interviewing her said, You're quite tall for a skater aren't you? She said in her answer, that yes, she was tall for a skater and that it was suggested that she become an Ice Dancer. She then said that she liked to jump and that's why she stayed in singles. I think that's why she is so good at Twizzles....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PwKOHkpAfE

 

[frida80]

^^^This is correct. Polina is a BIG star in our area. When she on the local news the lady interviewing her said, You're quite tall for a skater aren't you? She said in her answer, that yes, she was tall for skater and that it suggested that she become an Ice Dancer. She then said that she liked to jump and that why she stayed in singles.

They suggested Polina ice dance? When someone doesn't fit their ideal...

 

[macy]

They suggested Polina ice dance? When someone doesn't fit their ideal...

see I think she would make a fabulous ice dancer! she has the body type for it (long and lean, pretty lines) and to me her basic skating skills can be almost dancer-like, if that makes sense lol. maybe after her singles career is over she'll decide to give it a shot

 

[tars]

Remember when Surya was referred to as the "chimpanzee" of France. Not cool.

No, I don't - I wasn't following figure skating back then. Who said that?

 

[mrrice]

No, I don't - I wasn't following figure skating back then. Who said that?

I've been following skating for decades and I never heard Surya referred to in that way. Was this just in France? I promise you that any poster on this site would have been in BIG trouble if they had said something like that. I understand that people have their favorites but, the best thing you can do is talk about a skater that you love instead of attacking another. We are all above a place where we need to call people disparaging and racist names to make our point.

 

[tars]

It must have been pretty widespread, if posha turns to readers by "remember when...".
Judging from her words, seems like figure skating fandom was pretty racist back then and you might be an exception, mrrice.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

I've been following skating for decades and I never heard Surya referred to in that way.

I was a fan of skating (and a fan of Surya's) for the duration of her career. I also never heard anything overtly racist said about her, although in recent years I have read about how her more muscular look was criticized (which is a more covert way of discriminating). I do think there was some racism in how she was judged by commentators; critics were quick to point out the objective weaknesses in her skating, but did not do so as often with her competitors. As far as how she was assessed by judging panels, I'm not sure if there was an impact. I think the power of the federation represented plays a much larger role in the results than the race of the skater.

 

[Krunchii]

Well considering people are defending plantation weddings and multiple entertainment outlets called it a "sweet, southern wedding," is the figure skating fandom really some giant welcoming party to all people? Despite the emerging Asian dominance in figure skating I still hear and robotic and cold and "no artistry" today. The figure skating fandom still has a long way to go, I know a lot of new fans from the anime were pretty shocked at how anti-LGBT the community can be, and yes that has included GS

 

[tars]

I was a fan of skating (and a fan of Surya's) for the duration of her career. I also never heard anything overtly racist said about her, although in recent years I have read about how her more muscular look was criticized (which is a more covert way of discriminating). I do think there was some racism in how she was judged by commentators; critics were quick to point out the objective weaknesses in her skating, but did not do so as often with her competitors. As far as how she was assessed by judging panels, I'm not sure if there was an impact. I think the power of the federation represented plays a much larger role in the results than the race of the skater.

I wonder, how did you react when people you spoke to or sat along in the arena called Surya a 'chimpanzee'?
Did they chant it or shouted it loudly?

 

[posha]

No, I don't - I wasn't following figure skating back then. Who said that?

@tars

No one of significance. Some heckling/ name calling from ignorant onlookers and fans. Not long ago on some of her old youtube videos, you could still find comments here and there which I'm sure were reported for abuse.

I didn't mean to start an argument here, I just didn't want ppl to gloss over the concern that the one poster voiced about her fear for someone like Starr or even Mae because these things are real and they do hurt. I think (I hope) Starr will not have to deal with anything like that. Not anywhere in the world.

So. I'll shut up. ON with U.S. ladies thread!

 

[Sasha'sSpins]

I've been following skating for decades and I never heard Surya referred to in that way. Was this just in France? I promise you that any poster on this site would have been in BIG trouble if they had said something like that. I understand that people have their favorites but, the best thing you can do is talk about a skater that you love instead of attacking another. We are all above a place where we need to call people disparaging and racist names to make our point.

Neither did I. Certainly not on American television nor any other media of the time.

 

[SkaterX]

ICYMI Ashley Wagner will be featured in ESPN's Body Issue

https://twitter.com/rockerskating/status/879041287177023488

 

[tars]

@tars

No one of significance. Some heckling/ name calling from ignorant onlookers and fans. Not long ago on some of her old youtube videos, you could still find comments here and there which I'm sure were reported for abuse.

Oh, ignorants... Like some dushbag fools, we may find in every brush off and ignore in every community, fandom or society?
When you wrote Surya was referred to as the "chimpanzee" of France, it sounded as it was common slur among fans back then, like there was some nasty group of figure skating fans in 80's mocking and dehumanizing black skaters in arenas or something.

Thanks god you meant only singular insignificant ignorants, which seems to be validated by other forum fans claiming they'd never witnessed anything you're talking about. :thumbsup:

So. I'll shut up. ON with U.S. ladies thread!

I agree entirely!

 

[skylark]

ICYMI Ashley Wagner will be featured in ESPN's Body Issue

https://twitter.com/rockerskating/status/879041287177023488

Well, it's just like Ashley to be the first ladies' figure skater to be featured in the Body Issue! She has undaunted spirit!

The photo seems both nonchalant and her expression a little cheeky.:cool14:




ETA: changed "female" to "ladies'"