Take a step back and stop being so worked up about it. (Gee, are you sure you are not a fanboy? You sound as emotional as any.)
Fanboy of any individual skatER? Hell no.
Fanboy of skatING in general? Well, one could make an argument.
Wanting to "skate one's best" is not equivalent to not admitting that one wants to win, or pretending one doesn't want to win.
By default, no. But some skaters *cough*Kwan*cough* used the phrase as a smokescreen when asked about their goals at various competitions when it was obvious (to me at least) that they wanted more than that. Sorry, but that's something I feel strongly about, and that won't change. (I will give MK this, though- at least she would admit to "going for gold" whenever the Olympics rolled around. Ironically, it ended up being the one event she never won.)
Skaters might say that for a number of reasons. Here are two:
- Someone who feels that she does not have a realistic shot at the podium (or Gold) might say that because that's the best she could actually hope for.
- Someone like YuNa who can win without always skating perfectly may want to reach for something besides just the win - "her best" is actually striving for more.
I would argue that EVERY competitor wants to skate his or her best. By doing so, naturally, you maximize your chances of winning. No?
Yes, if you are a lower-level skater, winning may not necessarily be within reach. But a medal might be within reach...or a top 5, or top 10 finish...at the lower levels, I would argue that in most cases, such goals would replace "wanting to win", although of course everybody would like that sooner or later.
Some lesser-known US skater (was it Sam Cesario?) said that she wanted to break into the top 6 at Nationals. THAT is another variant of the "I want to win" mantra, but for a lower-level skater who has not finished near that high before. It's the same as a top competitor saying "I want to win". She may have also said she wanted to skate her best- don't remember, but the point remains that every skater has at least SOME sort of placement goal in mind. All I'm saying is that it's OK not to be shy. Seems like some of these younger girls are getting it.
But wanting to skate one's best, as one's primary goal, is something that is separate from outcome--the outcome being something that few skaters can control.
Yes, you control how you skate, and the judges decide the outcome. But...if you're a top competitor...you skated near your best...and judges put you 3rd...would you be satisfied? Maybe other competitors outskated you...or you got marked down in presentation...but you skated your best! Are you still TRULY happy?
That's what I'm getting at here. There's more to it than just "skating your best". At least IMO.
- to say so.
