crowd involvement?

[popeye-blade]

Crowds have always been a main part of skating,
Cheering, and S/O's ( standing ovations), Clapping. Its a great way to show how you feel about a skaters performance. These expressions, show a very positive cheer factor of crowds. And are a joy to deal with.

Crowds, also have those negative annoyances.
Such as flash photography,
Do these people not understand that its a danger to a skater to flash them during a pairs lift, or going into a triple axle? Is the memento really that special,being able to go home and say, look at this picture of jeffrey buttle ( example only ) just as he went into his triple axle. Oh yea and he crashed into the boards after it...

I just feel so bad for competitors who train all year long and yet are shown such disrespect from the "fans".

Another annoyance, is when crowds boo,.
They really have no right. Whether they are booing judges or skaters.
I recall, Emanuel Sandhu being boo'ed. After skating a bad short program and the judges kept him in the final flight. Sandhu doesnt control what points the judges gave him, and the crowd booing, his performance is horrific, an athelete who trains for years having their performance boo'd by people who paid a couple of bucks to gain entry to a competition.

Crowds need to learn there place,

 

[laceup]

I think last year in Halifax the crowd booed not at Eman but at the judges. This was out of frustration because the new system is suppose to put people where they belong and it was obvious that Mabee outskated Eman last year.

The crowd in Vancouver was more subdued. When they felt the judging was off ... such as Poiriers bad skates being rewarded nicely .... they were just quiet ... hardly anyone clapped after Poiriers marks came up after the long because no one could believe the judges had the nerve to place him so high. No applause isn't great, but I guess it's better than booing.

 

[PolymerBob]

I have read disturbing reports of the behavior of Michelle Kwan's fans at some of her competitions.

 

[hockeyfan228]

There weren't a lot of people in the arena during the Junior Men's LP, and there wasn't a lot of noise for anyone but Balde, who deserved it. The kid has charisma to spare.

I disagree with your interpretation of the reaction to Paul Poirier's marks. He had a program full of transitions and dance steps (unsurprisingly), his jump technique is very solid for the jumps he landed -- it wasn't like he splatted seven times, but I don't think a single one of them skated clean -- his posture and edging are very fine, and he had good speed. His skating skills were second to none among the Junior Men. There was a mini-buzz about him among those in my section who stayed after the Free Dance until the bitter end.

 

[laceup]

I too stayed with a large group to the bitter end. I do not in any way questions Poiriers skating skills ... they are amazing and when skating clean I would put him ahead of Blade (even with his 3 axel)... however, in the short Poirier popped his lutz(got credit for a downgraded 2), fell on a very cheated 3 loop (got credit for it though) and had a bad 2 axel (for which he got a +1 GOE) ... very obvious they wanted him in the last warm up group by putting him 6th in the short. His footwork is amazing but I didn't think he spun in either program the way he is capable of or up to par with many other skaters. I admit the long was a bit better than the short. In my area the audience was not that quiet during the event .... only after Poiriers marks .... the stunded looks on peoples faces said it all.

 

[Winnipeg]

I have read disturbing reports of the behavior of Michelle Kwan's fans at some of her competitions.

At 2004 Worlds in Dortmund, a crazy , selfish fan jumped onto the ice before Michelle's routine. The judges were finishing the marks of the previous skater and she was out on the ice getting ready to be called. I could not believe it.

Security went after him but they were not on skates and could not catch him until he voluntarily gave up........................to her credit, she was able to regain her nerves and skated quite well.

 

[Mathman]

I have read disturbing reports...:

There are many interesting things to read on Internet forums and blogs...

 

[fumie_fumie]

Security went after him but they were not on skates and could not catch him until he voluntarily gave up.

Good for laughs
:chorus::chorus::chorus:

 

[Winnipeg]

Good for laughs
:chorus::chorus::chorus:

I admit, it was funny watching them run around after the guy - they ewre exerting so much effort and the guy on skates hardly needed to do anything to avoid them...............fortunately, he was just a gut wanting to advertise a web page but it was scary for Michelle.