3 main subjective and personal reasons why you follow figure skating

[Princessroja]

1) It's close enough to dance (my own career) that I understand it without being close enough where I stop enjoying it and start analyzing it. It's close but not too close if that makes sense.
2) There are some really beautiful artistic programs out there that fill my soul because good art fills my soul no matter where it comes from.
3) I dunno, I just like it?

edit: reading other responses, I have to second the community here as a major contributor. I watch far more skating if I can watch it live and comment on the live threads. I've been on GS for almost a decade and I just really like hanging out with you all.

 

[skatingfan4ever]

• The Skating Itself - blades on ice, edges, glide, spinning, footwork, how a program is choreographed and delivered, how skaters can make me hear music in new ways by how they interpret it (these last two are less frequent but they are there)

• Favorite Skaters - following their skating journeys for many years to see how they progress, and to see how each program outing goes because there can be differences, even subtle ones (especially since my favorite skaters are well-choreographed and care about executing choreography well). I also love listening to interviews of my favorite skaters to hear their thoughts and ways of doing things. I even can learn life lessons from skaters' journeys and interviews.

• The Music - I like that the programs are choreographed to music. I am introduced to music I would not hear otherwise. Do I like all of it? Heck no. But again, I'm interested in how the skater interprets it. I don't know how many pieces, especially instrumental ones, that I first heard because a skater skated to it, and I'll remember a program when I hear that piece again. It's got to be a program that really stood out to me for that to happen, but it happens.

Honorable Mention - It's fun to see skaters' various reactions when they skate well.

 

[snowball]

I am more of a mainstream viewer. It’s a sport that was on tv a lot and there were more stars (ie Kurt browning era). I tuned back in when Megan and Eric were doing so well. The sport has sure fallen off the map but if USA can boost it up Canada will probably get some attention as well (mainstream tv) I hope it makes a comeback. The athletes have to create their own sponsorships. I noticed piper Gilles has done this for herself. Great for her. I hope more athletes can do this too. Deanna is getting some success here also!

 

[gmyers]

1. Because I got into scratch spins
2. Like jumps
3. Russians make it amazing!!

 

[moonvine]

1. Because I grew up watching with my mom
2. Because Gracie
3. Because it is fun to go to competitions and throw stuffies and wave flags. And meet friends.

 

[skylark]

Why I love figure skating:

1. Because I love experiencing art in the world; and in moments at their best, figure skaters can create and provide moments for me to be living inside a work of art, with time suspended and with the feeling of being exquisitely in the moment with emotion, music, connection with others, grace, elegance, and beauty.

2. Because being in the presence of an art (which is also a sport with athletic ability involved) gives me a conviction that art is possible and happens in so many venues, sometimes unexpectedly; and it gives me hope for being a writer who can also connect with other people's desires, emotions and finest aspirations; and it gives me hope for being a musician who can connect with other people's emotions and unspoken thoughts.

3. Because figure skating is proof that the creative spirit not only exists but is alive and lively. And artistry thrives in sometimes unexpected places. It's like watching an exquisite sunset unfold, and trusting that there will be another one and a new opportunity for what you love.


for creating this thread, @Anna K.

 

[noskates]

1. I enjoy the blending of art and athletic ability
2. I enjoy a program that has good music and a performance that interprets the music
3. I enjoy following skaters and observing their growth

 

[Weathergal]

1. I enjoy the blending of art and athletic ability
2. I enjoy a program that has good music and a performance that interprets the music
3. I enjoy following skaters and observing their growth

Yes to all of this!

 

[pesto]

I'm not such a superfan as some here, I'm a longterm follower, but some years I'm more into it than others, depending on how stretched I am, and I only really watch the big events - GP series and Championships.

Lots of the things already mentioned resonate with me, but also - my partner also enjoys it, so it's something we can share. It's nice to cosy up on a winter evening to watch skating, and most of the other sports we follow are summer treats.

Also, recently, we've started to realise, some of the big European events are held in cities that would make a great winter weekend getaway. We went to Tallinn and Lyon/Grenoble this winter, and we're already planning next season. When you have an event like that on the horizon, it really intensifies your interest.