23 years later, I finally saw the 1988 ladies figure skating competition on Universal Sports' Olympic reruns (Sunday they had Calgary, Saturday they had LA summer Olympics, etc. I guess they'll have Seoul today?) They showed the 3 medalists, although I didn't catch all of Katarina's, I did see Liz and Debi's skate (probably not in its entirety, but at least what they showed.)
Anyway, the style of skating seems to have changed dramatically since then, and frankly, I liked it better then. The ladies were all graceful, but they weren't trying to be dainty ballerinas. They seemed to be skating faster than anyone today--and the music was fast! There was a slow part in the middle, but the beginning and ends of the programs were quite peppy. Also, there were a lot of split jumps--like every few seconds, it seemed, LOL. They weren't doing all the triples, but despite that, in a way it was more entertaining.
My question: why has it changed? Has the increase in triples expected led to a decrease in speed and energy (perhaps because they have to "save themselves" and can't exhaust themselves skating fast or doing split jumps?) Are they not skating slower, but choosing very soft, slow, heavy music that makes them look like they are? And if so, why? Because that's the trend since Michelle's Angel skate of 1998 (she was the best at the graceful skate to the slow music, and I think started the trend.)
I realize there are a few exceptions, like Yu-Na's 007 short program, and I know that people still skate to Carmen (boy, do they ever!) but it still seems like Debi's version was much different, than say, Mirai's.
Anyway, the style of skating seems to have changed dramatically since then, and frankly, I liked it better then. The ladies were all graceful, but they weren't trying to be dainty ballerinas. They seemed to be skating faster than anyone today--and the music was fast! There was a slow part in the middle, but the beginning and ends of the programs were quite peppy. Also, there were a lot of split jumps--like every few seconds, it seemed, LOL. They weren't doing all the triples, but despite that, in a way it was more entertaining.
My question: why has it changed? Has the increase in triples expected led to a decrease in speed and energy (perhaps because they have to "save themselves" and can't exhaust themselves skating fast or doing split jumps?) Are they not skating slower, but choosing very soft, slow, heavy music that makes them look like they are? And if so, why? Because that's the trend since Michelle's Angel skate of 1998 (she was the best at the graceful skate to the slow music, and I think started the trend.)
I realize there are a few exceptions, like Yu-Na's 007 short program, and I know that people still skate to Carmen (boy, do they ever!) but it still seems like Debi's version was much different, than say, Mirai's.
) got tenth at the 1936 Olympics at age 12. She also got 10th at Worlds the same year and 9th at Europeans (!)
