What makes a skater beautiful to watch?
- Thread starter passion
- Start date
Line, flow, posture, musicality. But also, for me, skaters are more beautiful to watch if I feel some kind of emotional attachment to them on the ice, and that is just a "some have it, some don't" kind of thing for me. That is what makes some skaters more exciting to me, and why I feel more connection to some programs than others.
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2007
To me it's beautiful lines, flexibility and exceptional musicality (wait I pretty much said the same stuff lol!)
those I love to watch every time are:
1. Ekaterina Gordeeva (best of the best! with Sergei Grinkov)
2. Michelle Kwan
3. Jenny Kirk
4. Alexei Yagudin
5. Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir
6. Gwendal Peizerat and Marina Anissina
7. Jeffrey Buttle
8. Kurt Browning
9. Sasha Cohen
Those I didn't admire so much because they lacked the above qualities are (to these, athleticism seem to make up for everything):
1. Sarah Hughes (she seemed so painfully stiff on the ice)
2. Kimmie Meissner
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2006
I would have to say: emotion, edging, smoothness, flow, and posture. My favorites are Michelle Kwan and Ekaterina Gordeeva (even more so when she skated with Sergei) and sometimes Sasha Cohen.
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2003
Soft knees, deep edges, good posture, speed with flow, as much control getting out of a position as getting into one, finished positions, soft landings, musicality.
The "ethernal beauty" comes from the perfect technique first of all.
When your techique is brilliant, you can make me believe that the all impression comes from your heart. There is no poesy without this.
If you forgot your words you cannot be a good Actor also.
If you have this perfect techique you need to have a talent and artistry to make me cry.
Here is the list of these skaters, who did it for me:
Gordeeva-Grinkov,
Protapopovs,
Mishkutionok-Dmitriev,
Torvill-Dean,
Lu Chen,
Janet Lynn,
Toller Cranston,
Shen-Zhao,
Alexei Yagudin,
John Curry
As you can see, I'm not a teenager, watching this beautiful sport since the late 60's. Compair with that, there are not too many skaters could fulfil my requirements, and they are not necesseraly the biggest winners...
Nowdays there are 2 teams (not to mention again Shen-Zhao, who can come back maybe) who seems to be at the same league (and this is rare in the same era- except when Gordeeva-Grinkov and Mishkutionok-Dmitriev competed together):
Yu-Na Kim,
Virtue-Moir.
If they continue like this they will have this timeless quality than the above mentioned one's.
When your techique is brilliant, you can make me believe that the all impression comes from your heart. There is no poesy without this.
If you forgot your words you cannot be a good Actor also.
If you have this perfect techique you need to have a talent and artistry to make me cry.
Here is the list of these skaters, who did it for me:
Gordeeva-Grinkov,
Protapopovs,
Mishkutionok-Dmitriev,
Torvill-Dean,
Lu Chen,
Janet Lynn,
Toller Cranston,
Shen-Zhao,
Alexei Yagudin,
John Curry
As you can see, I'm not a teenager, watching this beautiful sport since the late 60's. Compair with that, there are not too many skaters could fulfil my requirements, and they are not necesseraly the biggest winners...
Nowdays there are 2 teams (not to mention again Shen-Zhao, who can come back maybe) who seems to be at the same league (and this is rare in the same era- except when Gordeeva-Grinkov and Mishkutionok-Dmitriev competed together):
Yu-Na Kim,
Virtue-Moir.
If they continue like this they will have this timeless quality than the above mentioned one's.
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2003
Music, flow, control, line. Everything else are just tricks.
Joe
Joe
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2005
In Pairs I'd say I prefer the more balletic long lines,posture and toe point plus the inventive choreography and tricks.I've been generally partial to Moskvina's pairs (M&D, B&S, and I&Z in particular). I ve also liked creative and contemporary teams as well over the years like A&B, S&S and even ... scarily enough ...S&P( but I still hate Love Story)
Dance, just anything that I find interesting with a good use of long leg line , expression and creative steps/unusual choreography plus a decent rapport with one another.
Men- I guess I'm all about Charisma. I preferred Yagudin to Plushenko during their rivalry.I adore Lambiel, Takahashi, Weir, and Verner, and I don't particuarly care for Joubert or Lysacek.
Ladies is a mixed bag I guess- I loved Chen Lu immensely, but in the same breath I also really liked Bonaly . I liked Cohen and Kwan , but never could stand the styles of Lipinski or Hughes. I liked Ito and Arakawa, but never could stand Sato or Suguri. I guess this discipline is one of those hit or miss ones depending on the skater. Sadly,none of the current ladies really do it for me
Dance, just anything that I find interesting with a good use of long leg line , expression and creative steps/unusual choreography plus a decent rapport with one another.
Men- I guess I'm all about Charisma. I preferred Yagudin to Plushenko during their rivalry.I adore Lambiel, Takahashi, Weir, and Verner, and I don't particuarly care for Joubert or Lysacek.
Ladies is a mixed bag I guess- I loved Chen Lu immensely, but in the same breath I also really liked Bonaly . I liked Cohen and Kwan , but never could stand the styles of Lipinski or Hughes. I liked Ito and Arakawa, but never could stand Sato or Suguri. I guess this discipline is one of those hit or miss ones depending on the skater. Sadly,none of the current ladies really do it for me
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2006
I agree with all the factors above. I have to admit that good looking is a factor too, at least to me.
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2006
I agree with everyone too. However, I will add this. If your program doesn't catch my interest in the first 20 seconds or so, I will probably be bored by you and not really watch to closely!!
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2003
Agree with all of this. Also agree with the poster who said perfect technique is the key. So difficult to achieve, but when you see a skater who has it, it's bliss. When I listen to Ekaterina Gordeeva's blades on the ice...and realize that she makes almost no sound because she's so perfectly balanced...just gives me the chills. Unfortunately, I never had the chance to see G&G skate live...what I would have given to see two skaters skate together without making any sound! Watching masters at their craft perform is just lovely.
Just wanted to add that I am loving this topic! It's interesting to see what we think makes a skater "beautiful" -- and how many people are saying the same things!
Since G&G, Virtue & Moir have been the first team to catch my eye and make me see "beautiful" again.
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- Joined
- Nov 16, 2005
For me it is someone with the whole package. The skater has effortless jumps, beaufiul expression and choreography. They just make it look easy. The little things they do make you say "beautiful".
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2006
Well usually the music has to catch my attention. Also the first 20 seconds or so of music. For instance, if the skaters starts the program and just skates around not doing too much of anything then usually I am bored. If they start off with some nice arm movement and some other stuff then usually I am liking it. For instance, Michelle Kwan always started her programs off really nicely. Some men they move their arms when the music starts and then they just skate around into a jump. I find this rather boring. I guess it's hard to explain what I really mean. Its there in my brain....not sure how to get it out of there and into words.
:think:
:think:
Musicality and line are crucial. I consider "line" to include posture, turn-out and flexibility, toe point and port de bras.
Probably the most important factor is the one most difficult to define--- that is the sense of emotional connection, commitment and communication. It is often called star quality. Can't be taught. Can't be learned. You either have it or you don't.
Probably the most important factor is the one most difficult to define--- that is the sense of emotional connection, commitment and communication. It is often called star quality. Can't be taught. Can't be learned. You either have it or you don't.
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2004
For me it always comes down to those translate the moves of skating into a statement of "I'm awesome and I LOVE to skate!" some skaters have that and others don't ... If you can convince me that you'd probably skate the exact program on practice ice all alone that you're pulling off under competition pressure, then I'm gonna be a fan... But then, I love an arrogant athlete - not arrogant personality, but someone who just screams "I'm the best at THIS!"
ala the Williams Sisters, Tom Brady, T.O., Bret Farve, the US Women's Soccer Team...
For lady skaters, this includes of course the uncomparable Michelle Kwan, Irina, Kat Witt, Oksana (while competing...), DivaKwara, and Emily "TaDa" Hughes (I know she doesn't technically belong listed with this group - but I love her total confidence the minute her skates hit that ice...)
For Men: Alexie (of course!), Brian Botanio, Kurt Browning, and Plushy
Pairs: Shen & Zhuo - I'm sorry, they are the best ever - I know many prefer the Pops, G&G, et al and don't get me wrong - those teams are awesome, but for me - S&Z are in a different league...
But then, I also have a great appreciation for those underdogs who for one moment in time throw away everything else and simply bring it and have such an awe inspiring skate, that not only am I moved to tears or fits of giggles - I simply cannot stand it!!
Examples: Sarah Hughes at the '02 games, Joubert last season, Miki at Worlds,
and of course that girl (can't remember her name to save my life...maybe Joanna something) who skated at the benefit for the 9/11 victims after losing her brother in law on Flight 93 - now THAT was beautiful...
ala the Williams Sisters, Tom Brady, T.O., Bret Farve, the US Women's Soccer Team...
For lady skaters, this includes of course the uncomparable Michelle Kwan, Irina, Kat Witt, Oksana (while competing...), DivaKwara, and Emily "TaDa" Hughes (I know she doesn't technically belong listed with this group - but I love her total confidence the minute her skates hit that ice...)
For Men: Alexie (of course!), Brian Botanio, Kurt Browning, and Plushy
Pairs: Shen & Zhuo - I'm sorry, they are the best ever - I know many prefer the Pops, G&G, et al and don't get me wrong - those teams are awesome, but for me - S&Z are in a different league...
But then, I also have a great appreciation for those underdogs who for one moment in time throw away everything else and simply bring it and have such an awe inspiring skate, that not only am I moved to tears or fits of giggles - I simply cannot stand it!!
Examples: Sarah Hughes at the '02 games, Joubert last season, Miki at Worlds,
and of course that girl (can't remember her name to save my life...maybe Joanna something) who skated at the benefit for the 9/11 victims after losing her brother in law on Flight 93 - now THAT was beautiful...
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2004
and of course that girl (can't remember her name to save my life...maybe Joanna something) who skated at the benefit for the 9/11 victims after losing her brother in law on Flight 93 - now THAT was beautiful...
Joanna Glick
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2006
balletic lines, flexiblity, musicallity, confidence, emotion and heart.
