Convince me!

[Bennett]

Jonny is one of the most sophisticated male skaters ever. He has great artistic taste not only on ice but also off ice where he is involved in fashion.

His programs represent his unique character that no one can replicate. Especially, "the Swan" was often called a masterpiece that had delicate, beautiful choreos and gorgeous costume.

Johnny has brilliant competitive records. In this season, he has already won two events. He has a most beautiful 3A and his spins are also extremely beautiful. Jonny is a whole package.

Finally, Johnny is extremely popular all over the world. In every competition, we see countless Johnny's 'angels'. In particular, he has charismatic popularity in Russia. He greatly appreciates his fans as well.

 

[Jhar55]

Tara

 

[Tonichelle]

Michael Weiss

He's a fighter, he never just gives up... and he's a family man...


and he sent Duane a really nice letter when Duane wrote him for a school project... can't beat that!

 

[MichelleTodd]

Evan Lysacek is a driven, ambitious competitor. Many skaters would like to rest on their laurels and not push themselves, but Evan is always trying to add something to his arsenal. If one were to look at his programs from two years ago, he or she would see that Evan has improved DRAMATICALLY in that amount of time (remember his Grease number?). I have always admired the speed of his spins and how well they are centered, and his height and long legs give him a very dramatic look on the ice, which he has used to his advantage. Though he is able to pull off fiery numbers to classical skating standards, he can also do fun numbers (his "how to pick music" program is a good example). He also can do good programs to pop music ("Boston"). His costumes are elegant, and he never wears anything that looks as though it was coated in glue and swung around a craft store. He and Johnny Weir (whom I also love) are delicious foils for each other, and have made U.S. men's skating something worth watching again (which I don't think has been the case since Todd Eldredge turned pro). Now that I have seen him live, I can also say that his footwork sequences are impressively fast and interesting to watch. He's a good, all-around, bring-home-the-bacon kind of skater who isn't afraid to work hard. Plus, he has big brown eyes and a pretty impressive six-pack.

You took the words right out of my mouth. But I have to ask: When and how did you see his six-pack? :

 

[Bennett]

Miki Ando and her coach, Morosov (not a skater though).

 

[Tonichelle]

Morosov WAS a skater

 

[Kwanford Wife]

Michelle Kwan is more than a legend... she's a standard barer for all the skated against her and after her... Her behavior on the ice spoke of that rare ability to combine artistry on ice with a competitor's drive for perfection and desire to win.

During her entire career, the question always centered on can she beat kwan? sarah, tara and sasha made their reputations based on their answers to this question... and the victories only came when Kwan made a rare mistake. I can only think of one that beat her at her best and that was Tara in '98... a contest that will go down in skating lore with both sides still feeling the passion about the result.

She was also part of imo one of the greatest rivalirys with Irina - and they pushed each other in the only way true athletes can - on the ice.

Despite being critized for not "upping the ante" she performed at the highest levels and with the best result for a decade... she went from 7 triple performances at top health to making grown men cry without leaving the ice.

Off the ice - beyond reproach and using her celebrity to build much needed bridges across the world and continuing to inspire young people.

what's not to love? she's simply awesome...

 

[flying camel]

I was thinking about a thread like this.

My Choice Yu - Na Kim (Surprise right)

 

[hockeyfan228]

Lipinski was an intense competitor. She nearly didn't quality for the LP at her first Worlds in 1996, and then performed so well in the LP from the first group that her program held up through several groups, and she ended in 10th, for 15th place overall, and amazing comeback for a young skater who could have folded, especially after all of the hype and high expectations.

I believe Lipinski was underrated in presentation. She had lovely arms and was musical. Her Olympic programs were full of footwork -- Bezic did a masterful job for her with age- and size-appropriate programs -- and she made the most of everything she had technically.

Lipinski, was already suffering from the hip problems that would halt her career at her first Olympics. Besides the enormous pressure she put on herself, I believe there was some awareness that Nagano was her only chance, and yet she enjoyed her Olympic experience to the hilt.

 

[icedancingnut31]

Joannie Rochette is both a technitian and an artist. That's what makes her so good. She can jump, but she's also light and graceful on the ice despite not having a typically balletic body. She also has a great performance q1uality. When she's skating, especially when you are watching her live, she commands your attention right away, and then holds it until the end. She's got the wow factor.

My pick: Tanith Belbin & Benjamin Agosto

I agree and let's add Bourne and Kraatz and Domnina and Shabalin

 

[Tonichelle]

Tara's Dreamcatcher - my favorite program of hers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zW0SMTp1_z4

 

[dutchherder]

Evan's six-pack:

http://www.figureskatersonline.com/evanlysacek/gallery/2004beach/2004beach006.html

 

[sillylionlove]

Nice pic there dutch!!

Ok......here's my pick.....Brian Joubert!!

 

[Audrey19]

I would say Grushina & Goncharov

 

[sorcerer]

Midnight in Tokyo

Miki Ando and her coach, Morosov (not a skater though).

I've no desire to convince anybody on Miki. (To keep her only to her fans ?)
I can only confess my heart; but it's so embarassing to put it into straight words, so I'll sing.

Why, I, love, My Mikitty Miki
Is not, her, quad, the jump so tricky
She looks, so, lonely, though cute and pretty
Trapped, in, fate, the queen so risky

When, she's, bashed, she'll take them all
And shed, her, tears, through her blades
To step, up, more, howev-er small
She strives, for, us, that's why An-do!

..
Gee I must be drunk.

(I sometimes feel, honestly, that Mao strives for herself while Miki strives for her fans.)

 

[sillylionlove]

Sorcerer,

that's funny!!!!

 

[discoduck]

Morosov WAS a skater

Well more or less. Have you ever had the privlege or misfortune of seeing his 98 OD with Navka? If you haven't, that can be arranged because I might happen to have it.

Now it's time to do some convincing. Bourne and Kraatz brought athleticism to a discipline that had always been more about art and drama. Their hydroblading moves were the first of a kind and are now used by a lot of dance teams as well as some single skaters. They changed the face of ice dance by doing programs that broke the mold, not over the top drama but just pure skating and dancing. Well except for Adagio for the 21st century but that's a whole nother ball of wax.

And besides all that, they're both pretty to look at.

 

[Mathman]

Why, I, love, My Mikitty Miki
Is not, her, quad, the jump so tricky
She looks, so, lonely, though cute and pretty
Trapped, in, fate, the queen so risky

When, she's, bashed, she'll take them all
And shed, her, tears, through her blades
To step, up, more, howev-er small
She strives, for, us, that's why An-do!

But you need a rhyme for "blades" in the last line. How about, "My love for her never fades?"

 

[Skye]

(I sometimes feel, honestly, that Mao strives for herself while Miki strives for her fans.)

OMG, you're so right on! I was one of the lucky spectators at Skate America last year to witness the great comeback and though I never was fond of her skating before I became an instant fan of Miki Ando the skater. I'm happy for her recent success with Morozov but secretly wish that she would give another try on soft and mellow programs like the Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence.

 

[Mathman]

My pick: Tanith Belbin & Benjamin Agosto

Two wonderful, caring young people with hearts of gold.

In 2006 they organized a benefit show to aid the victims of the tidal wave disaster in Indonesia. Although they had no experience in such an undertaking, they worked tirelessly (right in the middle of preparing for Nationals and the Olympics) to line up a spectacular cast of U.S. and international champions and coaxed major corporations into donating facilities and services. They raised $40,000.

This year they are spearheading a similar event to raise money for cancer research. In partnership with the much respected Karmanos cancer research institute, the show, scheduled for December 22, likewise promises to be a blockbuster.

The first time I met Tanith and Ben, it was a cheesefest (men and ladies competing) where they were scheduled to do an exhibition at halftime. This was before Tanith and Ben were famous in their own right.

The local public television station had a promotion where if you donated $500 to PBS you got free tickets to the ice show, plus a meet-and-greet with all the famous skaters, "like Michelle Kwan." (Always be suspicious when an ad agency says you get to meet someone "like" a famous celebrity, )

Anyway, the meet-and-greet took place in the few minutes just before the skating started, so naturally Michelle, Plushenko, and the other stars were busy preparing for the competition so they couldn't come out and meet anyone.

So after an awkward delay, finally they prevaled on Tanith and Ben to greet the fans. Naturally there was a certain amount of grumbling about, I paid $500 for my kids to meet Michelle Kwan, who are these jokers?

But Ben and Tanith proceeded to totally charm the socks off everyone, answered every question, and posed for a picture with each fan individually (want to see mine? ). People were so delighted with the experiece that some of us hung around and almost missed the start of the show. Finally the organizers had to drag them off to dress for their exhibition.

Are Belbin and Agosto better dancers than Domnina and Shabalin? I don't know. That's why they have contests.