Poor Fumie.... | Page 3 | Golden Skate

Poor Fumie....

phaeljones

On the Ice
Joined
Apr 18, 2012
Perspective. You think any past skater is still happy then, seeing as how they're no longer the calibre they once were?

It's not just about winning or getting results. As I said, there are plenty of skaters who have no shot at winning but they still compete because it makes them happy. The level at which you want to compete is up to you. Making the national team doesn't equate to happiness especially when it's not like making the Olympics or winning a World medal or making the Olympic team are goals that Fumie hasn't already achieved.

She has nothing left to prove, so why make it seem like she is trying to prove something by competing, instead of just skating for herself? I'm sure the last thing Fumie wants is pity, and the ridicule/criticism from haters who will be haters is water off a duck's back for her.

Yes. This is right. There is more to this sport than just winning.

I never really followed Fumie too closely, but in Canada we have Emmanuel Sandhu who is now 32. He is a total longshot for making our team (mind you, with our depth, he might . . . we have two skaters for a lock, but the third position is really up for grabs by anyone), but all he had to do was step on the ice last year at Nationals and it was a celebration. People (me included) were glad to see him skate for himself last year. Why does Fumie deserve any less respect? Harder home audience? Any skater who steps onto the ice to compete deserves everyone's respect for competing.
 

CanadianSkaterGuy

Record Breaker
Joined
Jan 25, 2013
Yes. This is right. There is more to this sport than just winning.

I never really followed Fumie too closely, but in Canada we have Emmanuel Sandhu who is now 32. He is a total longshot for making our team (mind you, with our depth, he might . . . we have two skaters for a lock, but the third position is really up for grabs by anyone), but all he had to do was step on the ice last year at Nationals and it was a celebration. People (me included) were glad to see him skate for himself last year. Why does Fumie deserve any less respect? Harder home audience? Any skater who steps onto the ice to compete deserves everyone's respect for competing.

Agreed. Of course, mind you, similar/same posters about Fumie had the same vitriol to spew about Sandhu wanting to skate, and crowing about his 11th place finish. It takes a great deal of fortitude physically and mentally to compete at an elite level, particularly when you were once at the top. Many people were thrilled at seeing Sandhu and it wasn't about his placement, it was about watching him do what he loves. But haters expect comeback people to fall flat on their face and then make rude and snide comments rubbing it in, as if the skater owes them anything. Not everyone competes to win... some compete to compete, and if it's good enough for them, then who are we to judge them for that.
 

Jammers

Record Breaker
Joined
Nov 4, 2010
Country
United-States
The problem is Fumie isn't even good enough to make it to Nationals now but she thinks it's still possible. That's being in denial that she will never be a elite skater ever again.
 

CanadianSkaterGuy

Record Breaker
Joined
Jan 25, 2013
The problem is Fumie isn't even good enough to make it to Nationals now but she thinks it's still possible. That's being in denial that that she will never be a elite skater ever again.

There are plenty of skaters who are supposedly in denial about their goals. But that shouldn't exclude them from competing if they earn the right to do so. You don't see threads pitying Czisny for thinking she's good enough to make the National team.
 

hurrah

Medalist
Joined
Aug 8, 2009
There are plenty of skaters who are supposedly in denial about their goals. But that shouldn't exclude them from competing if they earn the right to do so. You don't see threads pitying Czisny for thinking she's good enough to make the National team.

Alissa's situation is different in my mind. I would more compare Fumie from 4-5 years ago with Alissa now. If Alissa announced after this season her intention to try to carry on with competitive skating, aiming to make Pyongyang, and started blaming her outfit for her poor performance, there would be talk. And actually, she also got alot of harsh criticism for her poor performance before it came out that she was injured.
 

dorispulaski

Wicked Yankee Girl
Joined
Jul 26, 2003
Country
United-States
wasn't Scott supposed to be working on that last year? looks like he couldn't get it off the ground?

This year, immediately post Olympics, would be the time to try to resuscitate any ice shows or pro competitions, provided any skaters at the Olympics catch the imagination of the audience. Scott may have been laying the ground work, but may not have completed the project yet.

And yes, we do know about how returning skaters feel, because we have seen several of them in the past.

When I see a thread like this, I always think of Elaine Zayak's return to skating in 1994, when she was 29 or so. It had been 10 years since she skated competitively, and years since she had even competed professionally, and made her decision to keep going, month by month. She was competing for herself, not to make the Olympic team. She was thrilled to finish fourth, after Tonya Harding, Michelle Kwan & Nicole Bobek. Her goal was to get back in physical shape, to see whether she could manage triples again (and indeed, she got back her 3T, 3S, and 3Lp, which were the 3 triples she had in 1984. For all I know, Fumie skates to stay in shape, because it is the form of exercise she enjoys, and enters competitions to set a structure to her training year, which is pretty much what Elain was doing. The result was that she got some pro gigs in the year following Olympics, which is always when there are more pro gigs than other years.

It was a nice story. Here's her SP. Since it is 1994, the solo jump was a required double flip, AFAIR. The combination had to include a loop jump.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7kOLzvxxm8

She even did a triple loop in combination, something I don't remember seeing her do in her prime.

Note how super supportive the audience is of her!
 
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karne

in Emergency Backup Mode
Record Breaker
Joined
Jan 1, 2013
Country
Australia
Three years straight and she can not even make it to her Nationals. Who the heck is funding her??????? And she is still in search of that perfect program? I gave it up at 19 and got a doctorate. She's still clawing for it, and it's funny how cordial they are being about it. Fumie is a delusional mess. Poor Fumie...

So basically the whole reason for this thread is that you're bitter and twisted that you gave up on skating to get a doctorate. How's that working out for you? Clearly you're not happy. There was no reason for you to stop skating, you know.
 

LiamForeman

William/Uilyam
Medalist
Joined
Nov 24, 2006
Um no, Karne. You have a lot of false assumptions, dear one. That's all I have to say to you. But have a blessed day. And Doris, shouldn't that go under a personal attack???? I thought we raised the bar over FSU??? This is just the same old same old.
 

LiamForeman

William/Uilyam
Medalist
Joined
Nov 24, 2006
It was a nice story. Here's her SP. Since it is 1994, the solo jump was a required double flip, AFAIR. The combination had to include a loop jump.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7kOLzvxxm8

She even did a triple loop in combination, something I don't remember seeing her do in her prime.

Note how super supportive the audience is of her!

Thank you Doris for that youtube clip! I loved Elaine since I was eight years old. I thought she was robbed in Sarajevo. She was clearly better than Roz.

I think what is a bit disconcerting about poor Fumie is that she seems to be dreaming the impossible dream. She talks about the Olympics, a medal. And I think any normal person in their mid 30s should be saying "Isn't it awesome that I am still sort of an elite? I don't train for medals, I train to keep my body slamming and to show how even in your 30s you can still strive for your best". That is the difference with Elaine's comeback, she outspokenly said she didn't come back for the Olympics or skating glory but to prove to herself she is still a champion in her heart, and man did she succeed in that. Her programs were WONDERFUL. And I believe you can be a champion even placing 9th in your regionals. Fumie appears to still be searching for a childhood dream. It is very sad, and if she changed her mantra to "I just love to compete and stay in shape" it would be IMO more palatable. Instead it is still all about the Olympics, the medal, the excuses for a poor showing, etc. It has made her a laughing stock.
 

Kunstrijdster

Rinkside
Joined
Feb 17, 2009
[...] And I think any normal person in their mid 30s should be saying "Isn't it awesome that I am still sort of an elite? [...] It has made her a laughing stock.

You go and do your own thing, Fumie. Don't be "normal", be unique. That's a nice thing about life, not having to say what other people think you should be saying or what other people think you should be doing and how. And even if you don't make Nationals again, you tried on your own terms, what's there to laugh at?
 

Jaana

Record Breaker
Joined
Jul 27, 2003
Country
Finland
If it makes Fumie happy to continue skating and she is not bankrupting anyone because of it, what is the harm? And if she is not unhappy because she is not reaching what she dreams of, why shouldn´t she do what she enjoys of doing? Fumie is the only person who has the right to decide what is best for her.
 

Tonichelle

Idita-Rock-n-Roll
Record Breaker
Joined
Jun 27, 2003
This year, immediately post Olympics, would be the time to try to resuscitate any ice shows or pro competitions, provided any skaters at the Olympics catch the imagination of the audience. Scott may have been laying the ground work, but may not have completed the project yet.

True, but a couple of years ago we heard a lot of buzz, even into last season and now not a peep. Makes me think it fell through. :no:
 

CoyoteChris

Record Breaker
Joined
Dec 4, 2004
Thanks, Mathman! To dispel the Spokane gloom yesterday I lit a fire in the fireplace, made home made chili, a Margaretta, and put on the 2009 Worlds LA ladies long on the telly...one of the best ladies comps I ever attended...and I wondered what ever happened to Fumie....and found this thread.....it seems to have always taken awhile for her face to come alive in her programs but I really enjoyed watching your link!

It seems like only yesterday…2006 Olympics SP. :love:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8RNoX5Catw
 

CoyoteChris

Record Breaker
Joined
Dec 4, 2004
Just in case you missed the short… ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjYdlFIhtgU
Oh Yeah.....Saw her live do her Bond Girl SP at Lake Placid less than a year latter and her long also, of course, and her LP live at London Ontario CA this year.....that LP made the whole trip to London worth the effort....as well as our ladies getting three spots at the Olys. But the nice thing about skating is, if we are in awe of someone like YU-Na, we can still appreciate the Fumies of the skating world....
or, in the case of this evening....the 2010 version of Mirai Nagasu....hang the URs.....I love this program....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rJX0_QqCTE
 

pangtongfan

Match Penalty
Joined
Jun 16, 2010
I think what is a bit disconcerting about poor Fumie is that she seems to be dreaming the impossible dream. She talks about the Olympics, a medal. And I think any normal person in their mid 30s should be saying "Isn't it awesome that I am still sort of an elite?

Exactly. It is one thing to shoot for the stars, but when you set such insanely out of touch with reality goals for yourself while still competing at that age, it is a troubling sign. It would be one thing if it was just for personal challenge, but she instead seems to have navigated completely through the boundaries of what is an almost scary fantasy World she has fully invested herself into.
 
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