Champion skaters on and off the ice

[Mathman]

At one point during Kwan's peak, I had a talk about skating with one friend, and she said that she didn't like Kwan because "she cried." I thought, when was that? Probably 2002 sometime; I couldn't recall, and neither could my friend.

I don't mean any harm, but I think your friend is a big meanie.

Michelle burst into tears when she left the ice at Nagano in 1998. Not because she lost (Tara hadn't skated yet), but just out of sheer relief of emotion that it was finally over.

http://rinksidecafe.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/frank-carroll.jpg

And here she is announcing her withdrawal from the 2006 Olympics.

http://imgs.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2006/02/13/mn_zxig_tr2_oly.jpg

In 2002, just after she skating the long program the press wanted an immediate interview, but Michelle sent out word that she did not want to face the press until the competition was over. Which she did, graciously.

 

[Olympia]

I was taken by surprise when my friend said that too, Math. You know how I love and admire Michelle, and her sportsmanship is one of the reasons I feel so warmly toward her. That beautiful interview she gave in 2006 when she withdrew still gets me. It was said that throughout her years of competing, she was always available for press and USFSA business. I almost scolded my friend, but I restrained myself and forcibly reminded myself that a misunderstanding of skating marvelousness is not a hanging offense! My friend is normally not a meanie, but for some reason she must have been in a mood when she saw that moment of Michelle's, and it stuck with her. I think she just didn't spend enough time watching skaters to understand their rhythms and stresses.

But she illustrates a point that skaters' reactions and behavior can strike different people in different ways. For another example, a lot of fans are kind of put off by Johnny Weir's outrageous behavior. But it's frequently been said that he is very patient with fans and was very obliging with press during his competitive years.

 

[brightphoton]

I'm not a fan of crying. Makes the sport look too ... girly, too pageant-y. Especially when it looks like the girls are crying over nothing. Michelle tended to weep after finishing her free skates, before she even got her scores.

Didn't Frank Carroll say something about this once, after someone asked him about Mirai's tears? When you receive your scores, nod stoically. Don't weep.

 

[Buttercup]

I've seen the guys in tears, too. Yags at SLC, Stephane in Turin, Joubert on the podium at 2007 Worlds and Dai in the K&C at the same event when his marks came up. Things can get emotional when you've worked so hard and achieved something special (or not achieved it, as the case may be). There's nothing wrong with reacting to that.

 

[seniorita]

I'm sorry you find it harsh, but it stands. I think he could've sucked it up and waved at least. As someone who used to dance and be quite the headcase, there were many times I had to suck it up after I screwed up a performance big time and my coach yelled at me in front of everyone. There is a time and place for disappointment, IMO.

ETA - and I know you're gonna call me out for a double standard. But I remember when Mao stood on that podium I immediately thought of Brian's incident. Mao, however, smiled for the press and waved to every one in the stands and waved during the victory lap. Brian did none of this. My point is he had every right to be "disappointed" but he could've not shown it like that.

I never get along with people who think someone else should behave in his life the way they think. There is not could have, it is not you there, and I m glad most skaters dont behave like people expect them to be 24 h per day. It would not be normal. I ve never met a skater rude or misbehaving in a competition or show, , on the other hand I always have in mind that they put physical and emotional effort and I cant bother them anytime I want, if Patrick, Evan or whoever didnt stay long enough for autographs or if Joubert wasnt happy or if Plushenko opened his mouth, it means that is what they needed to do the certain moment. It must be the only sport that fans are more drama queens than the athletes, if I wanted a fake comme il faut behavior I would watch Miss Universe.

I'm not going to sit with you and debate over the internet. It's not worth it. You won't change your opinion nor will I. We're just gonna have to agree to disagree.

Unless everybody agrees with us right?

 

[R.D.]

Interesting thread. Here is my take.

The talk about Kwan- I tend to prefer those who are honest/candid and sincere about their feelings. I never felt this way about Kwan. I know the Kwaniacs will once again lay into me, but I always felt MK was trying too hard to be who people expected her to be, as opposed to just being who she really is. Again, that is only my view and most of you likely don't feel that way anyway.

________________

Now to the topic of the thread. My view is that different people have different personalities, and different comfort levels with strangers/fans, and I try to keep that in mind. That said, being nice to fans really DOES make a difference (whether we or they want to admit it or not), even if they are not that way in their everyday dealings. As a fan, that first impression you get upon encountering a skater, particularly if it's your favorite, is really quite powerful stuff. It could mean conversion to fandom if you were on the edge previously, or if you were a fan but have an unpleasant experience, it could turn you against them. Then again, maybe you're the type that doesn't care about how they act personally and you just limit your admiration to the product they create on the ice. But I'd say for most people it's a factor.

I've (finally) had the opportunity to meet a quite diverse group of skaters through the shows I've been attending for the past 3 or so years. My experience has varied depending on the skater and his/her persona, of course (glad to say no outright negative experiences). I should point out, however, that all my encounters took place in a dedicated meet & greet session, and I'm really not the type to chase them down outside of such a situation. First, I can back up what has been said about Lysacek being really nice to fans- even when rushed, he stayed and signed for the folks that surrounded him during the SOI pre-skate reception this year- and was nice to us last year at the SOI meet & greet. Alyssa Czisny and Davis/White I thought were exceptional in their willingness to sign stuff, talk with fans and pose for pictures. They went well beyond the "call of duty" so to speak. At the other end of the spectrum, I remember Sasha Cohen at the 2009 SOI preshow- not rude or mean, but standoffish, distant, not smiling in fan pics (even looking away from the camera in some of them). I saw her again at this year's preshow and she was kind of the same way there too, so there you have it.

 

[Jaana]

I've seen the guys in tears, too. Yags at SLC, Stephane in Turin, Joubert on the podium at 2007 Worlds and Dai in the K&C at the same event when his marks came up. Things can get emotional when you've worked so hard and achieved something special (or not achieved it, as the case may be). There's nothing wrong with reacting to that.

Yes, and Lysacek looked very emotional after his Vancouver sp.

 

[Tonichelle]

I'm not a fan of crying. Makes the sport look too ... girly, too pageant-y. Especially when it looks like the girls are crying over nothing. Michelle tended to weep after finishing her free skates, before she even got her scores.

Didn't Frank Carroll say something about this once, after someone asked him about Mirai's tears? When you receive your scores, nod stoically. Don't weep.

I've seen the "biggest, manliest men" cry in other sports. I doubt Football or basketball or baseball is considered "pagenty" but I've seen 'em cry many times...

 

[Wildstorm]

I can ASSURE YOU they are not cardboard cutouts.... -.-

 

[ryanbfan]

I've (finally) had the opportunity to meet a quite diverse group of skaters through the shows I've been attending for the past 3 or so years. My experience has varied depending on the skater and his/her persona, of course (glad to say no outright negative experiences). I should point out, however, that all my encounters took place in a dedicated meet & greet session, and I'm really not the type to chase them down outside of such a situation. First, I can back up what has been said about Lysacek being really nice to fans- even when rushed, he stayed and signed for the folks that surrounded him during the SOI pre-skate reception this year- and was nice to us last year at the SOI meet & greet. Alyssa Czisny and Davis/White I thought were exceptional in their willingness to sign stuff, talk with fans and pose for pictures. They went well beyond the "call of duty" so to speak. At the other end of the spectrum, I remember Sasha Cohen at the 2009 SOI preshow- not rude or mean, but standoffish, distant, not smiling in fan pics (even looking away from the camera in some of them). I saw her again at this year's preshow and she was kind of the same way there too, so there you have it.

I think Sasha is a hit or miss... I met her outside of the bus at SOI in Denver (it was freezing cold and I was the only one out there) and she was SO nice and sweet. Security wouldn't let me move from this 'designated square' but she wanted me to come over to her... but once I told her security wouldn't let me move she came over and gave me a hug. It was so sweet. She was so friendly and signed my program. She even talked to me for a bit. And what really got me is that she legitimately smiled in my picture (Sasha doesn't smile a lot, LOL)!!! I think the thing about Sasha is, and I've heard from those who know her, is she doesn't like the massive amounts of attention, and by that I mean I think it freaks her out a little. It really depends though. I've heard 50/50 on her.. either she comes off cold or she's super friendly.

Me and Sasha
http://i40.tinypic.com/2qncyls.jpg

 

[Mathman]

Me and Sasha
http://i40.tinypic.com/2qncyls.jpg

Great picture! :agree:

 

[Olympia]

Agreed! A wonderful photo, and a very nice story. I'm glad you had such a nice encounter with Sasha.

 

[R.D.]

I think Sasha is a hit or miss... I met her outside of the bus at SOI in Denver (it was freezing cold and I was the only one out there) and she was SO nice and sweet. Security wouldn't let me move from this 'designated square' but she wanted me to come over to her... but once I told her security wouldn't let me move she came over and gave me a hug. It was so sweet. She was so friendly and signed my program. She even talked to me for a bit. And what really got me is that she legitimately smiled in my picture (Sasha doesn't smile a lot, LOL)!!! I think the thing about Sasha is, and I've heard from those who know her, is she doesn't like the massive amounts of attention, and by that I mean I think it freaks her out a little. It really depends though. I've heard 50/50 on her.. either she comes off cold or she's super friendly.

Hit or miss, eh? More miss than hit I bet, based on a) my personal experience and b) what I've heard from other fans about her. (Glad you were able to get such a positive reaction out of her, though)

Anyway, looks like a third encounter with her could very well happen...

____________
Other skaters I've had really good experiences with: Tanith Belbin at the SOI pre-show, I had her sign my program and she actually initiated a brief conversation with me. Put me completely at ease (I occasionally tense up in these M&G situations sometimes, perhaps due to the excitement). Ashley Wagner, Agnes Z and the Kerrs at the Weiss show. Ben Agosto at the SOI aftershow in 2010.

Of course, individual experience depends on several variables, but again- the first impression on fans can be huge for reasons previously mentioned.

 

[brightphoton]

I've seen the guys in tears, too. Yags at SLC, Stephane in Turin, Joubert on the podium at 2007 Worlds and Dai in the K&C at the same event when his marks came up. Things can get emotional when you've worked so hard and achieved something special (or not achieved it, as the case may be). There's nothing wrong with reacting to that.

I get that. I just don't like tears in general. I don't like crying if other people can see me. I don't even like other people crying either. For my favorite skaters, I empathize and feel really sad for them.

I've seen the "biggest, manliest men" cry in other sports. I doubt Football or basketball or baseball is considered "pagenty" but I've seen 'em cry many times...

I would be weeping too if I had to play football or basketball or baseball ...

 

[dorispulaski]

I'm a huge fan of both Ben Agosto & Susie Wynne.

I rode up in the elevator with Susie with Mr. Ski on his motorized wheelchair, and towing a bunch of suitcases I couldn't handle. Susie helped me get my suitcases to my room, and worse, I didn't recognize her till just before she left. She couldn't have been more lovely or pleasant.

Ben Agosto also helped us out with directions when we were looking very, very lost. The rink people had sent us through the Zamboni area to get to our seats (Mr. Ski was in the motorized wheelchair) and we just had no clue. Ben spotted us, and pointed us in the right direction. Again, we didn't ask; he just offered to help.

 

[Tonichelle]

I get that. I just don't like tears in general. I don't like crying if other people can see me. I don't even like other people crying either. For my favorite skaters, I empathize and feel really sad for them.



I would be weeping too if I had to play football or basketball or baseball ...

I don't like crying in front of people either, but that doesn't mean those that are fine with it are somehow wrong or it makes a sport less so... I think teh sequins and ballet like movements make skating far more about pagentry than a few tears.

And I'm sorry to see you have such a dislike for other sports such as those listed. But then again, it takes all sorts I suppose...

 

[brightphoton]

Takes all sorts to watch those sports frequently enough to see multiple men cry multiple times. Once was enough for me.

 

[heyang]

i don't know much about plushenko, but i remember after the olympics when he lost to evan he came off kinda snooty and with the feel that he was full of himself. a sore loser. his coach was kind of the same too. and yeah i'll be honest, the way a skater acts off the ice reflects my opinions of them somewhat. such as tonya harding. NO RESPECT.

I've never been a particular fan of Plushenko's choreography - too much posing and stopping, not a lot of connecting movements. During his post competition interview, I gave him some leeway for being ESL (English Second Language). However, I didn't care of his jokingly stepping up onto the gold level platform - that felt a bit disrespectful to me, more than anything he said.

 

[heyang]

Evan....he is just so plain boring. I doubt he would want to sign autographs if he wasn't paid to! I met him at the "meet and greet" for Stars on Ice, he was monotone and sounded so insincere. Not surprised he wouldn't stay long to sign autographs haha

After winning, he might've had obligations to meet with the media for a news conference. As someone else mentioned, some athletes are reserved on a personal level; so, they don't interview as well or as fun as someone is more extroverted. Doesn't mean they aren't nice, but just shy or reserved with new people.

 

[Becki]

After winning, he might've had obligations to meet with the media for a news conference. As someone else mentioned, some athletes are reserved on a personal level; so, they don't interview as well or as fun as someone is more extroverted. Doesn't mean they aren't nice, but just shy or reserved with new people.

I am not saying he's not a nice person, or mean for that matter. He just left a negative first impression on me....he didn't seem shy or reserved, just really bored.