Brian Orser Interview with P. J. Kwong

[Magill]

A great interview by P. J. Kwong with Brian Orser is up on YouTube! Brian is looking back on his life and his career, first as a skater, then as a coach, and sharing his Olympic experience and some advice at the start of this new Olympic season. And his expertise is huge! He's the guy who won two Olympic silvers himself, and led his students to three Olympic golds and an Olympic bronze, having coached some of the most iconic skaters of our times including legendary OGMs Yuna Kim and Yuzuru Hanyu, and well-loved greats like Javier Fernandez, Jason Brown, Zhenya Medvedeva and Jun Hwan Cha. The man is the legend himself. Reflect and enjoy!

 

[ladyjane]

Thank you @Magill. I am going to listen tomorrow evening (I have to skate myself this evening, not that that's a punishment).

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Ah, the memories...

 

[TallyT]

A great interview by P. J. Kwong with Brian Orser is up on YouTube! Brian is looking back on his life and his career, first as a skater, then as a coach, and sharing his Olympic experience and some advice at the start of this new Olympic season. And his expertise is huge! He's the guy who won two Olympic silvers himself, and led his students to three Olympic golds and an Olympic bronze, having coached some of the most iconic skaters of our times including legendary OGMs Yuna Kim and Yuzuru Hanyu, and well-loved greats like Javier Fernandez, Jason Brown, Zhenya Medvedeva and Jun Hwan Cha. The man is the legend himself. Reflect and enjoy!

Brian is that rarity, a skater who had a glittering career most would envy, followed by the sort of coaching credentials that make for legends.

 

[el henry]

This is indeed a great listen, thank you. I also find PJ Kwong to be a good interviewer.

I had no idea for example, that Brian tested ice dance. Or that he would use his own Olympic experience, where appropriate, with a skater, because as he said, unless you have been through it, you have no clue. Many interesting nuggets.

 

[ladyjane]

Like to @el henry, it was a complete surprise to me that Brian tested Ice Dance. But fun to hear about. I also liked it that he understands that you can loose or be beaten (or, as he said, winning the silver medal (in 1984) was different from losing the gold (1988). Very interesting interview indeed!

 

[TallyT]

I had no idea for example, that Brian tested ice dance.

Imagine the changes had he gone that route...

 

[momrk]

Great listen! Thanks for sharing

 

[Mathman]

... winning the silver medal (in 1984) was different from losing the gold (1988).

Orser could easily have been a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, had things been structured a little differently.

In 1984 he beat Scott Hamilton handily in free skating. Orser won the short program, and then in the long Hamilton landed only three of his 5 planned triples. Didn't matter-- Hamilton was too far ahead in figures.

By 1988 against Brian Orser, the triple Axel had become the 800-pound gorilla. In the LP Orser did one and Boitano did two. The end.