Shizuka is a skater who has great basics but somewhat lacking in ice presence. On the other hand, a skater like Sasha had great presence on the ice. I think that's why she was under the radar for most of her competitive career, though her inconsistency certainly contributed to it. But I do think she can thrive if there's a revival of pro-skating.
Shizuka Arakawa's beautiful 3lutz/3loop(!!) and professional skaters techniques
- Thread starter hikki
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That would be fantastic! The way professional skating has gone from (not knowing pre 90s) the 90's to the current state is a bit sad especially when you make me realise the rich pool of skaters out there. Maybe not a grand prix, but World Professional Championships once a year, and maybe more 'intense' pro-am like Ultimate Four (remember Kwan vs. Yamaguchi in 97? Wow).
Believe it or not, that clip is from August 2010! She has her own shown in Japan called Friends On Ice, and she's a regular at shows in her native land called Prince Ice World. She also does commentary for Grand Prix etc.
The Torino practice clip might be my all time favourite moment ever. Still somewhat under the rader yet so poised, looking stunningly athletic and beautiful in the simple outfit. It's wonderful to hear Hamilton and Pertier gush about her too.
I LOVE it! Never seen Shiz skate to up tempo music so comfortably. What is this fun looking Dancing with the Star mock show lol? So there must be a fair number of shows out there- it's just that we don't talk about it as much. Or just me- Lots of catch up to do.
Do these shows make good money? TV ratings?
Agreed!
Aren't they both wonderful? I'd say Yuna has more out-there quality like speed and attitude. Shizuka on the other hand seems a bit quieter, with deeper edges and more refiened lines. Yuna to me is a loud and classic diva while Shiz is a quiet ice-queen diva, if that makes sense.
I remember watching Kristi and Brian winning competitions after competitions, with 3lutz and 3 axels and spread eagle and crazy things! ISU did officially kill the pro world when they allowed amateur skaters in the World Pro (the year Michelle won).
You must have started watching skating quite a while ago- I'll have to check out all the skaters you mentioned on youtube (not that I don't know them, but I've just seen only a couple of programs). ITA about Yuka. I think her prime time as a pro skater was in 96 (?) when she won World Pro- she was athletically stunning yet more expressive. I have to confess I'm not a big fan of her post 97 programs to similar sounding ballad songs which didn't show off her crisp skating, which was ironically happening in the period of the demise of professional skating
My ultimate favourite Yuka performance is : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOcSjJ-bfCQ
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Hikki, that performance to Spartacus by Yuka is wonderful. I'd forgotten it. She has such beautiful carriage, and her skating, as you say, is so crisp. She's one of the skaters that camera people often focus on from the ankles down just to show her beautiful foot quickness. I love that she's coaching now. Her parents must be so delighted with the way she has carried on their work.
By all means look into the earlier skaters. Curry's pro skating is very different from what you expect from pro skating. He's not really so interested in the jumps but wants to create a balletic line on the ice. It's almost like ice dancing for soloists. But if you check out his Olympic long program, you'll see that he has the whole package. You have to ratchet down your jump expectations because it's 1976, but you'll still be wowed, I think. I think the link below is the whole program, but if it's not, you can easily find it elsewhere on YouTube. He also does beautiful spins in both directions, a lost art nowadays.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z79TMsYRnEc
By all means look into the earlier skaters. Curry's pro skating is very different from what you expect from pro skating. He's not really so interested in the jumps but wants to create a balletic line on the ice. It's almost like ice dancing for soloists. But if you check out his Olympic long program, you'll see that he has the whole package. You have to ratchet down your jump expectations because it's 1976, but you'll still be wowed, I think. I think the link below is the whole program, but if it's not, you can easily find it elsewhere on YouTube. He also does beautiful spins in both directions, a lost art nowadays.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z79TMsYRnEc
Since I'm re-discovering Shizuka thanks to this thread I'd thought I'd post this in case others are, too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anx0qaEc0XM&feature=related
It's stunning! I love how she uses her fan. Checkout the layback spin where she holds it open against her back and how she flourishes after coming out of her double axle. Just gorgeous.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anx0qaEc0XM&feature=related
It's stunning! I love how she uses her fan. Checkout the layback spin where she holds it open against her back and how she flourishes after coming out of her double axle. Just gorgeous.
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- May 15, 2009
Thanks for the link - I really love that program!
Shizuka is a wonderful professional skater and I wish I could see her skate Live sometime.
ETA: Here is a look back at 15 year old Shiz skating at the Nagano'98 Olympics.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwX_0IuwKIM
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- Joined
- Nov 12, 2009
ITA! They are both wonderful and your descriptions are spot on. I just love their confidence, good looks, solid technique in all aspects, and great presentation! They are both soo elegant
.Very nice. She had nice musicality and finished off her movements even then, although she obviously improved a lot over the years. Bummer about that fall right at the end of the program!
So, two of the 2006 medalists _ Shiz and Irina _ were at their third Olympics. Nice that they both peaked as ladies rather than teenagers, I think.
Shizuka's a truly professional skater now. As well as preserving her skills, she continues to expand her horizons as a performer. Here's her latest programme from the show in August. Who'd though she'd pull off a programme like this when she was eligible?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJpN2OURTuk
She looks stunning too - what a gorgeous dress!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJpN2OURTuk
She looks stunning too - what a gorgeous dress!
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- Joined
- May 15, 2009
Shiz was not selected for the '02 Japanese Olympic team..........so Irina skated at three but Shiz only two.
Who did Japan send to SLC? Fumie and ........??
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- Mar 27, 2010
Yoshie Onda?? I think...
this is from wikipedia:
I guess Japan had only one spot for the 2002 games!
ETA: Hmm but Wiki also says Yoshi Onda went and placed 17th at SLC. I'm confused.
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- Dec 16, 2006
this is from wikipedia:
I guess Japan had only one spot for the 2002 games!
ETA: Hmm but Wiki also says Yoshi Onda went and placed 17th at SLC. I'm confused.
Yoshie Onda qualified for the GPF that year. The JSF told her that since she qualified, she would get an automatic spot in the Olympics. The other spot went to the national champion (Fumie).
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- May 15, 2009
I don't think so. Yukari beat Miki at Natls but Miki was sent to Vancouver because she made the GPF.
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- May 15, 2009
It certainly did not work out for Yukari who was passed over twice for a chance at the Olympics.
But Japan has done well in singles skating the last five years so I doubt they will change.
Many fans think USA does it all wrong by making Natls the determing factor to be chosen for the Natl team
I like our Natls alot and like the way we choose our Natl teams. But we have been doing it that way for a long time.
The Japanese system seems OK too.
As long as the system was established ahead of time, I don't see any reason why one is better than the other.
The girl who made it to the GPF had to do well in at least 2 events. (or in the case of Ashley Wagner, a lot of luck)
Yukari knew the rule before TEB and NHK. She messed up at NHK, so it's all her fault. Miki got her spot fair and square in 2010.
In 2006, Yoshie Onda placed 4th at Nationals, Yukari placed 5th, so she wouldn't be able to go in place of Miki anyway.
Nothing controversial here. Can't believe I'm defending Miki Ando.. I like Yukari a lot more, btw.
The girl who made it to the GPF had to do well in at least 2 events. (or in the case of Ashley Wagner, a lot of luck)
Yukari knew the rule before TEB and NHK. She messed up at NHK, so it's all her fault. Miki got her spot fair and square in 2010.
In 2006, Yoshie Onda placed 4th at Nationals, Yukari placed 5th, so she wouldn't be able to go in place of Miki anyway.
Nothing controversial here. Can't believe I'm defending Miki Ando.
. I like Yukari a lot more, btw.- Joined
- Jun 3, 2009
One might argue that Ando got Suzuki's spot, given that Suzuki had the SOHL at the GPF and probably should've beaten Ando (it's not the top qualifier for the GPF, it's the top performer).
That stated, I don't see one system as inherently better than the other either.
That stated, I don't see one system as inherently better than the other either.
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- Jul 30, 2009
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