Does breathtaking skating make you cheer or cry?

[Marrymeyunakim]

I've never equated tears to great performance.

If the skater wanted people to cry at the end of her/his performance, sure, maybe we can say tears = great. But there are lots of programs that haven't been designed to make people cry. For example, no matter how astoundingly Akiko skates, nobody's going to cry at the end of her Westside Story LP. It's just not that kind of program -- it's a fun energetic program.

Great to me is a program that can move me emotionally -- whether it's sorrow/grief, thrill, excitement, joy, etc.

Good point, though I'm not sure if people were somehow equating tears to greatness... Though, the programs that might move us to tears are probably exceptional.

 

[sarahjane]

How about cheering and crying at the same time? That was my experience in the arena, watching Shen and Zhao at the 2003 Worlds ("Turandot") And I wasn't the only one doing both.

When I close my eyes, I can still see them, curving around the end of the arena at the end of the program, with people rising to their feet.

I still get misty-eyed when I hear the music.

Many skating moments (some even at practices) bring tears to my eyes; I'm a fool for grace and beauty, and proud of it.

 

[pupitre]

Hey everyone,

I was gleaning the Mao forum for Japanese Nationals news when I came across this: "Let’s face it, no one has a more charming, disarming smile than Mao Asada. All of Yu-Na’s dark, dramatic, divaness is no match for the megawatt power of Mao’s beautiful, beaming smile!! Yu-Na Kim might make the audience jump up and cheer, but I think only Mao can leave the audience speechless and in tears."

I don't want any Kim vs. Asada catfights. I've had enough of those, really (and I really love both skaters. I despise those silly bot fights). I'm actually curious as to what you guys think of this skating fan's comments. What's the biggest difference between Yu-Na and Mao? Can this difference be applied to the greater skating field? Are there two different groups of skaters? The ones that make you jump to your feet to root for them and the ones that reduce you to tears? If so, which skaters fall under each category? Rather, which specific performances? Is the demarcation actually very faint, and does brilliant skating accomplish both?

Are the big stylistic "camps" of ladies' figure skating "divaness" and"beauty and grace"? Is one to be valued over the other? Or is that a product of figure-skating-stereotyping -- the whole ladies skaters should be in pastel colors, gliding on the ice to soft ballet music?

I actually thought Mao would fall under the cheer "category", as her skating is an amazing feat of athleticism centered around jumps (the dominating thought is "will she successfully execute that 3A?"). Of course, that's not to say that her performance is just that; it's so much more, but no one can deny that key to her performance is that single jump, the 3A. I was jumping all over my living room when I saw her 2008 GPF LP (she became the first lady to ever land two 3As in one program. Simply mind-boggling). Kim's performances have reduced me to tears, not so much because the content itself was touching (it still was, but that wasn't the only factor), but because of the context of the performance (the 2007 World FS, the amazing "Lark Ascending", which is arguably the most emotion-evoking of her programs. Such a lyrical, graceful, delicately beautiful piece. Kim started out so strong, but eventually fell twice because of her injury. I thought her gold was fixed until she fell. She was just so beautiful that I cried.) Her success story is also touching. This is a skater who considered quitting after her junior world champion gold because she couldn't afford to skate. The mind-boggling talent almost came to an abrupt end because she could never get decent boots. I actually cried while watching a documentary named after that program, "Lark Ascending."

Well OK enough of my ranting. What do you guys think?

I think dlgpffps has gone through all the trouble of typing this lengthy and disguised post to really say "Mao is better than Yu-Na. svp, agree with me" dlgpffps must have really wanted to say that judging from the effort he/she put in here. I also think there are some details in the post that are not based on facts.

 

[Wicked]

Michelle's "Fields of Gold" program made me cry not only because of Michelle's performance but because she used the version by the great DC native Eva Cassidy, who died way too young of melanoma. If you have never heard Eva's version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" I urge you to Google it immediately.

 

[dorispulaski]

Mostly programs that move me do not make me cry..I cry when angry more easily than when I am sad. Mostly I'm cheering for the really good performances, clapping, stamping my feet, cheering.

However there are few that I did snivel during:

Debi Thomas's gala exhibition after the 1988 Olympics, skating in a gold dress to an improvised program, since she did not feel she could skate to her normal exhibition:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJj5bDkchiI

Michelle Kwan's Olympic Fields of Gold Exhibition.

And oddly enough, the Skate America version of Davis & White's Eleanor Rigby FD, which was very dark and heavy and about loneliness & depression (if it got to you at all-knowing all the worlds to Eleanor Rigby made it worse.). (It changed massively by Nationals) I was shocked to find myself crying--but then I was there, and all the emotions are bigger at live performances, I find.

 

[Nadine]

Thanks, dorispulaski, for posting Debi Thomas's gala exhibition skate. What a tearjerker.

And how apropos the music, the words, and Debi's emotional skate. Reminds me so much of Michelle's "Fields of Gold" gala exhibition skate; almost wearing the same gold dresses as well. Such moving emotional skates straight from the heart. This is the kind of skating that moves me.

As I've always said & felt, the way one skates is just an expression of the way one feels inside, brought outward for all of us to enjoy & appreciate. Truly amazing.

This all brings to mind my favorite painting of Toller Cranston's that I saw in a figure skating book once, and have never been uanble to attain *cry*. I would even settle for a copy, not the original of course. In it he had painted all the skaters & how he viewed each (circa 1996 btw). GORGEOUS!!!! The colors he used, the vibrancy, the representations of each (e.g. Oksana was painted as "The Swan", Michelle as "Salome", Katarina as "Carmen", etc.), all from an artist's point of view (as well as a great skater to boot!). There's nothing like beauty & art, nothing...

Back to the heart of this beautiful thread, I remember the first time I saw Sasha Cohen's R&J after she had missed winning the gold at Nationals (in fact she might have been 3rd even?). Anyhow, I got emotional when she came out & skated this gala exhibition, it said everything. But nothing came close to the R&J she did at the 2006 Olympics. To see her miss the first two jumps & then skate like that the rest of the performance, well it just made me cry.

A different type of crying was that moment when Sarah Hughes landed her second 3/3 combo. at the 2002 Olympics, I just fell to my knees & bawled, to see her give the performance of her life at the Olympics was one for the ages. To this day it remains my absolute favorite Olympic Program of all time.

What a beautiful thread, one of my favorites ever posted at GoldenSkate.:thumbsup:

 

[zanetka]

But there are lots of programs that haven't been designed to make people cry. For example, no matter how astoundingly Akiko skates, nobody's going to cry at the end of her Westside Story LP. It's just not that kind of program -- it's a fun energetic program.

There are some programs that were not melodramatic or sad at all but the skater skated so good that it made me have tears in my eyes. Like Michelle's Salome or Aranjuez or Yukari's Cappricio Espagnol at Worlds 2008 or Mao's LP at GPF 2005 or even Akiko's WSS when skated perfect. They were not tearjerker programs, but the skaters were so much on fire that the moment the skaters land their final jumps I was tearful.
Maybe it's empathy, like sharing the skater's happiness at perfect performance. But it only works with certain skaters, if the skater is moved to tears I'm moved too, but if the skater's like "yes! I'm so superior" then I can't connect to them.

 

[Pikachuusb]

I get a mix of cheering, crying(both happy & sad) and goosebumps/chills. It depends on the program and the occasion. Sometimes Im doing several at the same time

 

[shine]

I've never equated tears to great performance.

If the skater wanted people to cry at the end of her/his performance, sure, maybe we can say tears = great. But there are lots of programs that haven't been designed to make people cry. For example, no matter how astoundingly Akiko skates, nobody's going to cry at the end of her Westside Story LP. It's just not that kind of program -- it's a fun energetic program.

I did, starting during the straight line step sequence.

 

[Tinymavy15]

I did, starting during the straight line step sequence.

That is always when I burst into tears. She does it so perfectly....I have always dreamed of skating to that music and she hits every note in a way I have not seen since Sasha. I am so happy for her and so humbled by the great skating I have just witnessed.

 

[skatesindreams]

Many skating moments (some even at practices) bring tears to my eyes; I'm a fool for grace and beauty, and proud of it.

Michelle Kwan: 2005 Nationals - First SP practice. The "debut" of "Sparticus".
I will always be grateful to have been there.

 

[Phoenix347]

Probably the only time I was ever move to tears by an ice skating performance was when Ekterina Gordeeva skated to Adagietto in tribute to Sergei Grinkov. If that didn't move you, you're not human. Of course, you had to know the circumstances but it moves me even now.

 

[Tinymavy15]

Probably the only time I was ever move to tears by an ice skating performance was when Ekterina Gordeeva skated to Adagietto in tribute to Sergei Grinkov. If that didn't move you, you're not human. Of course, you had to know the circumstances but it moves me even now.

I can't watch that one too much, it is too emotionally difficult. I think it is the best use of choreography, music and skating...lighting, costume, emotion...the whole package. Nothing will ever top that. Even if you did not know the circumstances I think you would be moved.

 

[Phoenix347]

I can't watch that one too much, it is too emotionally difficult. I think it is the best use of choreography, music and skating...lighting, costume, emotion...the whole package. Nothing will ever top that. Even if you did not know the circumstances I think you would be moved.

Yes, it is one of those moments that completely transcended the sport of figure skating and into the heart of a woman in mourning for her beloved. Nothing will top that.

I have to also add that G&G's Moonlight Sonata also brought tears to my eyes. I just love them so much... there will never be anyone like them.. ever.

 

[dlgpffps]

I think dlgpffps has gone through all the trouble of typing this lengthy and disguised post to really say "Mao is better than Yu-Na. svp, agree with me" dlgpffps must have really wanted to say that judging from the effort he/she put in here. I also think there are some details in the post that are not based on facts.

Actually, I'm slightly biased towards Kim. I prefer her skating over Mao's, but I still like Mao. If you read my past posts, this will become evident. She's a wonderful skater. I hope you don't misconstrue my meaning. I was actually just sincerely curious as to what people think of two possibly different reactions. The Kim vs. Mao was just a starting point, so I was happy that people responded as I hoped (focusing on the cheer vs. cry... I was also hoping they would answer the other questions concerning style, but that's OK). I wish you wouldn't make such false assumptions. It's so easy to call someone a bot these days, but really that is offensive when you joined this forum because you like and have liked figure skating since 4th grade (I rooted for Kwan then).

Also, I think whatever facts are given (such as the fact that Mao landed two 3As in last year's GPF) are in fact true, but you have to notice that this whole topic is very subjective.



I will also add my choice:
"Fields of Gold." That made me bawl like a baby.

 

[Nadine]

There have been so many programs/performances over the decades that have affected me that I honestly cannot recall them all. More than anything else I love skating, and anybody that knows me in real life knows that's the truth. Lol, I seriously even have my own little personal figure skating museum, mostly dominated by the incomparable Sonja Henie (btw if anyone out there has an original 1930's card of Sonja as the "Dying Swan" please contact me; I keep missing out on this rarity! Willing to pay a reasonable sum of money, as I know how much it is worth. ).

***NOTE: also have been looking literally forever for Sonja's performance of the "Dying Swan" captured on film. If anyone has it, please contact me via PM, thanks!***

Back on topic, Elvis Stojko's 1994 Olympic FS was one for the ages, my favorite of his, especially when he landed the 3A (after he had popped it the first time round), and Scotty said in reply to Verne Lundquist "you have to be great, and Elvis is great!" when Verne asked him about it. I felt the same way about Elvis as I do Evgeni ~ they give me chills more than all else, but also make me cry from happiness, like my heart is bursting out & going to explode from pure joy! All this I felt & more when Evgeni skated at Rostelecom Cup in October. It truly was one for the ages. When he takes to Olympic ice in February I'll probably pass out, lol!

Oh wow I remember the moment right before Katarina Witt took to the ice for her Olympic FS, it was just so surreal, her look of pure & utter confidence, you just knew she was gonna do it even before her foot touched the ice. No doubt whatsoever. She was magnificent in the sense that you knew you were seeing a superstar ~ the energy & excitement she radiated affected everybody ~ the audience, the people in the stands, the people watching on tv., everybody!

Odd that, but I think people know beforehand deep down inside if a skater will do it or not. It all comes back to confidence, something that I'm not sure that can be taught, certain people just have it in spades (aka Katarina Witt & Evgeni Plushenko). I mean even Scotty & Sandra knew that Sasha Cohen was in trouble the moment before she skated her 2006 Olympic FS because of the *doubt* they saw in her eyes, that we ALL saw, unfortunately. If only confidence could be forumated, put in a jar, and given to each skater before they skate. But, nah, that would take away the beauty of skating ~ both the ups & downs, the trials & tribulations, everything.

And how can I forget the following, I was up cheering & screaming & laughing & crying & jubilant, et al:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdC5G7CDvbI

 

[Phoenix347]

And how can I forget the following, I was up cheering & screaming & laughing & crying & jubilant, et al:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdC5G7CDvbI

Tonya Harding was truly the most powerful woman jumper ever. Better than Ito and Bonaly, more powerful than any of the current ladies. Too bad about her lack of training discipline and the path she took in her life.

 

[penguin girl]

I admit I cry for even a good basic skills performance. I love seeing skaters develop their beauty on ice.

 

[Tonichelle]

my dad cries while watching old school G&G and S/P's Love Story... everytime...

I love my dad, he cries at the drop of a hat

 

[Kitt]

G&g

my all-time favorites; they just take my breath away. Agree with other posters on Moonlight Sonata.

And then Shen/Zao 2003 Worlds. That one makes me cry. That look of triumph on her face .... with that stirring music of Turandot is just all too much! Gives me chills to just think about it.