How much interest can Alysa Liu revive in figure skating in the US?

[trixis_schinuba]

(This is my first post here, please bear with me. May divert from the ongoing discussions here.)

I would have to say that at the very least, Alysa would lead some people to follow figure skating. It's not just in the US, but even internationally.

Whether her popularity to ensure figure skating's prominence in the general US audience will reach the heights of the 1990s to the early 2000s has yet to be seen. We've noticed that there's not much monoculture going on with curated algorithms in social media tending to cater to the familiar and niche. But still, I feel that seeing folks like Alysa succeed would get more eyes into the sport of which I hope will end up like a general interest in gymnastics among casual audiences at least.

I just got into this sport because of the recent Olympics, but I have been aware of figure skating since I have a friend who was such a Yuna Kim stan. I hope that Alysa's influence will keep me here as I get more into the sport while I also go into the history that fascinates me a lot. And I see some interesting discussion here so that may be engaging as we head into the week of Worlds.

 

[el henry]

OK, I think I have some cred that I am not a Hanyu hater. I hope. Can we not do this right now? Yuzu is in his own universe and does not need defending (and if he does please quote the post. And see if it is responding to a post that says we all should do what Yuzu does).

In any event, Alysa is doing what Alysa is doing. That's part of her appeal. She is not doing Yuzu, she is not doing Dorothy Hamill, she is not doing Ilia or Jason or Kaori or anyone else. She is doing Alysa.

(and I do find it interesting that Alysa's Nike t-shirt is listed only under men's, although that may change. "Love, Hurts" the Nike best selling t-shirt for my fave QB is listed under men's and women's. Personally, I have never bought a "woman's" t-shirt ever, so were I inclined to go for "grace and grunge", how they are marketing Alysa, I'd be fine with the one on offer. )

And if Alysa gets invited to Michael Jordan's yacht with other Nike athletes, then we're cooking.

 

[el henry]

(This is my first post here, please bear with me. May divert from the ongoing discussions here.)

I would have to say that at the very least, Alysa would lead some people to follow figure skating. It's not just in the US, but even internationally.

Whether her popularity to ensure figure skating's prominence in the general US audience will reach the heights of the 1990s to the early 2000s has yet to be seen. We've noticed that there's not much monoculture going on with curated algorithms in social media tending to cater to the familiar and niche. But still, I feel that seeing folks like Alysa succeed would get more eyes into the sport of which I hope will end up like a general interest in gymnastics among casual audiences at least.

I just got into this sport because of the recent Olympics, but I have been aware of figure skating since I have a friend who was such a Yuna Kim stan. I hope that Alysa's influence will keep me here as I get more into the sport while I also go into the history that fascinates me a lot. And I see some interesting discussion here so that may be engaging as we head into the week of Worlds.

Hello Trixis, welcome to Golden Skate! Post long and post often!

Thank you for your post, it is perfectly in keeping with the discussion. (and is that screen name related to Trixi Schuba?)

 

[trixis_schinuba]

Hello Trixis, welcome to Golden Skate! Post long and post often!

Thank you for your post, it is perfectly in keeping with the discussion. (and is that screen name related to Trixi Schuba?)

It is a Trixi Schuba reference! For some reason I wanted to make a pun with her name and then I also thought of an old seafood grilling place called Pixie's Sinugba and that's how it goes.

As much as I tend to appreciate her contemporary Janet Lynn a bit more (ever since Dorothy Hamill compared Alysa Liu to her and then I'm like "okay I'm intrigued about her era of skating" and then I was blown away), I cannot deny that Trixi's also a legend with the rules in play and that her school figures are textbook, hence the large scoring she got.

 

[Jeanie19]

(This is my first post here, please bear with me. May divert from the ongoing discussions here.)

I would have to say that at the very least, Alysa would lead some people to follow figure skating. It's not just in the US, but even internationally.

Whether her popularity to ensure figure skating's prominence in the general US audience will reach the heights of the 1990s to the early 2000s has yet to be seen. We've noticed that there's not much monoculture going on with curated algorithms in social media tending to cater to the familiar and niche. But still, I feel that seeing folks like Alysa succeed would get more eyes into the sport of which I hope will end up like a general interest in gymnastics among casual audiences at least.

I just got into this sport because of the recent Olympics, but I have been aware of figure skating since I have a friend who was such a Yuna Kim stan. I hope that Alysa's influence will keep me here as I get more into the sport while I also go into the history that fascinates me a lot. And I see some interesting discussion here so that may be engaging as we head into the week of Worlds.

Welcome to Golden Skate.

 

[el henry]

It is a Trixi Schuba reference! For some reason I wanted to make a pun with her name and then I also thought of an old seafood grilling place called Pixie's Sinugba and that's how it goes.

As much as I tend to appreciate her contemporary Janet Lynn a bit more (ever since Dorothy Hamill compared Alysa Liu to her and then I'm like "okay I'm intrigued about her era of skating" and then I was blown away), I cannot deny that Trixi's also a legend with the rules in play and that her school figures are textbook, hence the large scoring she got.

Someone needs to be a Trixi supporter, good for you . I first got into skating fandom due to Janet Lynn, so needless to say, at the time I was not a Trixi fan. But now I can appreciate what she did, with the wisdom (hahaha) of age.

Popularity is so different now, as you noted. I never thought I would see a figure skater break through in the US today the way Alysa has. I was mentioning her today to my art instructor, who couldn't care less about any sports, at all, and he said I don't know her. I said, well, I knew who she was the first time around, before she retired and came back, and I still know her.

He said, oh is that Alysa? I heard her interviewed, she sounded cool.

Now will he watch figure skating? Probably not. But if she is reaching him, she is reaching a lot of people. A lot.

 

[Arigato]

The NIKE T-shirt is sold out in every size except XXL. It's not listed as menswear in the URL nor does it say it's menswear on the purchase page. I'm looking at it right now. We don't have black and white dividing lines in America about what a man or woman can buy to wear. Anyone can buy a t-shirt or hoodie in any size they want regardless of gender.

It's just a darn t-shirt.

 

[trixis_schinuba]

Someone needs to be a Trixi supporter, good for you . I first got into skating fandom due to Janet Lynn, so needless to say, at the time I was not a Trixi fan. But now I can appreciate what she did, with the wisdom (hahaha) of age.

Popularity is so different now, as you noted. I never thought I would see a figure skater break through in the US today the way Alysa has. I was mentioning her today to my art instructor, who couldn't care less about any sports, at all, and he said I don't know her. I said, well, I knew who she was the first time around, before she retired and came back, and I still know her.

He said, oh is that Alysa? I heard her interviewed, she sounded cool.

Now will he watch figure skating? Probably not. But if she is reaching him, she is reaching a lot of people. A lot.

I feel that for a great deal of time, strong and charismatic personalities define interest in a sport like figure skating even if the sport may not have lasting popularity in long periods of time. Though I have to admit that it's harder to catch interest towards a casual audience compared to dedicated fans, which is why the boom of Alysa is noteworthy to a lot of us.

Who knows if she's the next coming of Michelle Kwan in terms of longevity of popularity (and imagine if more skating events would ensure to sustain post-Milano hype; bring back the cheesefests that I actually come to love because I also love seeing Michelle and Irina Slutskaya skate and those archived broadcasts are a blast to watch) but right now I really like where figure skating is in now at least in women's.

 

[trixis_schinuba]

Going back, I'm amazed Alysa got a Nike deal and who knows what brand deals she gets next.

Also for the silly person within me - I hope she gets an SNL hosting stint. She will be way better than Nancy Kerrigan was at hosting for one thing.

 

[Mathman]

"Love, Hurts" the Nike best selling t-shirt for my fave QB

Jordan Love is your fave QB?

 

[rabidline]

Hang out with NIKE.

Alysa Liu is Winning on Her Own Terms

The gold medal–winning figure skater — and sport icon for authenticity — reflects on pressure, success and learning to trust her own path.

about.nike.com

This really is an excellent collection of quotes that hits every beat I expected her to beat. It may sound like super standard athlete speak, but it's great to have a profile like this of an American A-list female figure skater.

Once again, I'm very happy she's an English speaker because I don't have to stress over how fan or machine will translate her words.

 

[rabidline]

This is the average fortnite player.



I know we all should never say never, but still, I feel somewhat secure in saying he and others like him will never be skating or watching skating.

Send their little sis or daughter, sure. Maybe. If their eyes shift from the screen to what's happening around them.

On this Fortnite collab - it reminds me of what my younger brother said, a day after the Women's Olympic FS. My younger brother has never showed any indication he's aware of figure skating, but he came up to me unprompted because he knew I follow the sport and the skaters competing, and he got invested on Alysa's performances and how it's different from the other "figure skating girls" (yes I know I clocked this Not Like Other Girls speak as well), and so we ended up discussing figure skating for 3 hours.

What he said was, Alysa is rapidly gaining popularity among guys his age and younger because she looks like the perfect "E-Girl" / "Alt Girl" which the guys all have dreamed as the perfect girlfriend figure. I'm not gonna lie, it sounded very concerning, and I agree on your next post over how gamers may not really be the demographic figure skating want as a hardcore audience. However, something to think about is... there are a lot of people who play games but are not necessarily the streamers / pro gamers we see often.

It makes sense that Epic Games is seeking out a business opportunity with Alysa. Guys may just be interested in buying the Alysa Liu skin to game with, but I think the point is there's gonna be a possibility of a figure skater skin on a game that is played by around 1 million people a day (and can reach tens of millions during live events). Without having to pay that much additional money. I see it as another opportunity to familiarize normal people to the mere existence of figure skating, through a game that's quite accessible and affordable for normal people.

 

[yfan1]

Gucci had a controversy in China which caused it to lose a lot of supporters there (I'd actually wondered if Hanyu hadn't been chosen to bank on his ardent fans in China, at the time). Its previous creative director was considered a genius. The one at present... not so much.

I really really wish to not get into how ethical, unethical, controversial, non-controversial, major fashion logos are. Just on surface there seems to be a push to move away from them.

What he said was, Alysa is rapidly gaining popularity among guys his age and younger because she looks like the perfect "E-Girl" / "Alt Girl" which the guys all have dreamed as the perfect girlfriend figure.

Is this what we're looking for to make skating more popular? If so, I accept defeat. In many ways.

 

[rabidline]

Is this what we're looking for to make skating more popular? If so, I accept defeat. In many ways.

I know, I know it sounded very concerning and bleak when I talked about it but it really brought back figure skating to the top of mind for many people who are not usually interested in it. Is it that different from the days when people were thirsting over Yagudin and throwing underwear to.. Patrick Chan? Because it reminded me of those stories.

Also I know the quality of Alysa as a skater comes into question (compared to Yagudin and Patrick Chan at least), but truly she brought a trio of her best ever programs to Olympics and executed it the best she can at the right moment. I have to sit there for 2 hours listening to my younger brother tearing into Kaori for being stiff, having bad posture and generally being too technical in her Olympic performance, even if he did acknowledge she was better technically than Alysa. It was not a great moment as a Kaori fan.

 

[yfan1]

I wouldn't say Alysa's programs were all that special apart from the SP. Maybe they really were *her* best, but in the scheme of things we've seen at the Olympics, they really come nowhere even close to being great. Greatness is Sasha Cohen's spiral sequence that made her look 6 feet tall covering nearly the entire ice rink. Liu's skating, not so much.

Which is the entire point to me, but apparently not to others.

 

[rabidline]

I wouldn't say Alysa's programs were all that special apart from the SP. Maybe they really were *her* best, but in the scheme of things we've seen at the Olympics, they really come nowhere even close to being great. Greatness is Sasha Cohen's spiral sequence that made her look 6 feet tall covering nearly the entire ice rink. Liu's skating, not so much.

Which is the entire point to me, but apparently not to others.

They were the best programs of her entire (admittedly short) career. Which was what she can control. Whether it matches up with the greatest programs in figure skating history, obviously for fans who have been here for decades would say it doesn't compare. At their most subjectively generous, Alysa's programs are something different compared to those programs.

The EX which was basically a crossover extravaganza ft. Tiktok dance went supernova viral, got the song shooting up the charts, and got stuck in my head for weeks. You can't really predict what resonates with normal people who don't follow every single move of skating.

 

[gsk8]

Alysa Liu Sparks a Figure Skating Resurgence in the U.S.

How Alysa Liu Ignited New Fan Frenzy in Figure Skating Alysa Liu didn’t just provide a spark at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games; she ignited a total

www.goldenskate.com

Historically, U.S. Figure Skating sees a 10% increase in “Learn to Skate” enrollments following a Winter Olympics. However, preliminary data following Liu’s victory in Milan reports a shared 20% to 30% increase in sign-ups at various rinks around the country according to U.S. Figure Skating chief executive officer Matt Farrell.

“There is a level of relatability with our current Olympians that is translating into increased attention on our sport and interest in trying it out,” he told Golden Skate. “With Alysa’s down-to-earth personality being showcased across so many different industries, or Amber (Glenn) being an incredible advocate for mental health and the LGBTQ+ community, or Ilia (Malinin) statistically pushing the boundaries of sport, we’re tapping into so many new fan bases. We’re increasing an appreciation for who our athletes are and what they’re capable of. We continue to hear anecdotal updates from our clubs that their successes and likability quotients are encouraging new athletes and families to try our programs.”

 

[el henry]

What an interesting summary of the "Liu effect", @gsk8 thank you. Some lovely photos of Alysa gathered together as well.

Also I do love that even those whose job is to promote figure skating were caught unawares. From the article:

Even her coach, Phillip DiGuglielmo, remarked: “She is just exploding. Even her agents are overwhelmed.”

“She just is there to share her art with the audience, and she was so excited to do that on the world’s biggest stage,” he told Golden Skate. “She just enjoys skating. Now she’s enjoying all the things that come along with an Olympic gold medal. She is such a natural and is so relaxed no matter what situation you put her in. I’m so proud of her!”

 

[ladyjane]

To me this effect is strange, though that has nothing to do with Alysa as a person and champion, but with the public at large.

It's not as if there haven't been successes the last few years. But Alysa wins Olympic Gold in the women's category, and suddenly there's this positive effect. Don't get me wrong, I am happy for this effect. Anything that improves the popularity of Figure Skating is a positive thing.

 

[gsk8]

Anything that improves the popularity of Figure Skating is a positive thing.

Indeed.

I think one of the key factors in this case is the "relatability."