- Joined
- May 19, 2011
The Real Ice Princesses of the USFA? haha
The Real Ice Princesses of the USFA? haha
I'd say range of 0 to 2 for a clean jump (-1 for major turn-out). There wouldn't be much incentive to save jumps if two-footing/stepping out is only worth one point less. (0 = wonky landing/lean forward, 1 = okay jump 2 = height, flow in and out, great air position).
Hes a guy a week before the Olympics went on some bizarre tirade saying the games should be moved. This is what passes for journalism in America these days.
Great post Kwanatic. The sport will regain popularity in the US when the US can produce a skater who is capable of consistantly winning World medals.
However, I would never expect it to climb back to the levels of popularity it had in the 90s. All sports and other forms of entertainment have suffered from fragmentation and declining audiences as consumers are given more and more choice. In addition to that, prior to the 1990s skating was always a niche sport. A lot combined with Tonya & Nancy and then Michelle dominating to bring more attention to it in the US media, but even then it never had the profile of a sport like baseball or basketball, and it's futile to hope that it ever will. It's so dependent on individual stars, like Michelle or Yuna that unless a country can keep producing champions consistently, there will always be peaks & troughs in the popularity of the sport in different countries as they enjoy different levels of success.
Americans are not interested in pairs or dance.
No wonder figure skating is dying.
Countries with skaters who are making waves and winning titles are doing just fine in terms of the popularity of the sport. The sport is "dead" in the US b/c in the last 4 years the only Americans to stand on the world podium have been Davis/White and the Shibutanis in ice dance. It's been years since anyone else has stood on the world podium. Evan Lysacek won gold in 2009; Kimmie Meissner (gold) and Sasha Cohen (bronze) in 2006; and Ina/Zimmerman (bronze) all the way back in 2002.
You can't complain about lack of attention/popularity for the sport when the skaters aren't giving you anything to cheer for. "This is America! We're the BEST!" So naturally people aren't going to tune in to watch skaters finish 5th and 8th. This country is very finicky when it comes to sports. We want winners, not losers...and unfortunately, the majority of US skaters (by definition) are a bunch of losers. Harsh, but very true.
It's an eye-catching photograph. And the expression on President Putin's face does look like he is saying to Mr. Cinquanta, "OK, explain that to me!.
I have to disagree with the idea that the U.S. needs commentators who explain the scoring in detail (even though it has practically become conventional wisdom among fans). A lot of sports fans I know (and I'm not talking about skating fans) prefer to mute the commentary when watching most sports. People watch sports for entertainment and relaxation and don't want to be educated while they watch. I'm kind of fascinated that skating seems to have a core group of fans that are just geeky enough to crave a math lesson while watching. (And I by all means don't mean geeky as an insult at all--I read history and political science for fun...so who am I to talk?). But the casual fan is highly unlikely to fit that profile or desire that. What they actually want is judging and scoring that is simple enough to make sense.
During the Olympics I had many conversations with people who do not normally watch skating. Believe it or not, they thought Scott and team provided fantastic commentary
I Always wondered why is that?
However, I would never expect it to climb back to the levels of popularity it had in the 90s. All sports and other forms of entertainment have suffered from fragmentation and declining audiences as consumers are given more and more choice. In addition to that, prior to the 1990s skating was always a niche sport. A lot combined with Tonya & Nancy and then Michelle dominating to bring more attention to it in the US media, but even then it never had the profile of a sport like baseball or basketball, and it's futile to hope that it ever will. It's so dependent on individual stars, like Michelle or Yuna that unless a country can keep producing champions consistently, there will always be peaks & troughs in the popularity of the sport in different countries as they enjoy different levels of success.
Is it really, or the truth is what kwanantic said?
In the 90's figure skaters had programs that were unique. There was a difference in the feel, the elements, the styles, the music.
That's what the IJS has taken. To me, most of the programs look alike. The jumps and the combos are the same, the footwork comes at the end, the programs usually end in a spin, and I could go on.
Thank God for Meryl and Charlie and Jeremy. They had a freshness about their performances. Even with Jeremy's flaws, his are the programs I rewatch over and over again, and make me feel something. Just like Michelle. Just like Lu Chen. Just like Paul Wylie and Brian Boitano, and Kat. kat and Debbie Thomas could skate to the same music, and the performances were still unique. That's what's missing today. That's why my favorites bar has the oldie but goodies on them. I haven't watched Yuna's, Sotnika's or Hanyu's performances since the Olympics. I probably will not watch them again. Not because they weren't good, but because they had no emotional impact on me. They were just sport. I grew up with figure skating when it was both. And I hope it becomes that again. I miss the good old days.
Now, if you disagree, that's your right.
]
I haven't watched Yuna's, Sotnika's or Hanyu's performances since the Olympics. I probably will not watch them again. Not because they weren't good, but because they had no emotional impact on me. They were just sport.
The worse USA commentator that I could think of is Scott Hamilton. Not because he says something wrong but he talks waaaaay too much for me. :disapp: I hope he has improved a bit.
I agree with this post (Although I reserve the right to re-watch Yuna's Les Miz from 2013 worlds. )
Think about it. There are 1000 sports. Why would someone want to watch or to participate in figure skating rather than in one of the other 999? Because of jumping? No, there is plenty of that in the 999. Because it takes a lot of skill to do it? Ditto the 999. What is it then about the sport of figure skating that, in the past, made our hearts sing?
If it was for the artistry alone I would stick with ballet only.
In the 90's figure skaters had programs that were unique. There was a difference in the feel, the elements, the styles, the music.
That's what the IJS has taken. To me, most of the programs look alike. The jumps and the combos are the same, the footwork comes at the end, the programs usually end in a spin, and I could go on.
.Thank God for Meryl and Charlie and Jeremy. They had a freshness about their performances. Even with Jeremy's flaws, his are the programs I rewatch over and over again, and make me feel something. Just like Michelle. Just like Lu Chen. Just like Paul Wylie and Brian Boitano, and Kat. kat and Debbie Thomas could skate to the same music, and the performances were still unique. That's what's missing today. That's why my favorites bar has the oldie but goodies on them. I haven't watched Yuna's, Sotnika's or Hanyu's performances since the Olympics. I probably will not watch them again. Not because they weren't good, but because they had no emotional impact on me. They were just sport. I grew up with figure skating when it was both. And I hope it becomes that again. I miss the good old days.
Now, if you disagree, that's your right
That's a good point, too.
I guess I don't know what I think.
Really though. I do belive that what makes this sport so unique is the combination of both. Sport (high level tech) and artistry.
Scott Hamilton's screeching and groaning get on my nerves. I am not particularly a fan of Johnny and Tara either--at least, not together. They're okay when one or the other does commentary with Terry Gannon, but not when both of them are in booth with him. During the Olympics, they may have gotten word that they had a following and decided to play up their cuteness. I found that to be a turn off. I realize most don't agree, but that's how I feel about them.
And on that point we really do agree.
Really though. I do belive that what makes this sport so unique is the combination of both. Sport (high level tech) and artistry.
:agree: Indeed! Although that's also the thing that frustrates people when they don't understand or agree with the judging.
Not all of them.
I think that's part of the "game" also. I've given up since the early 90's (1991 I think?) at being mad with the judges.
I really do feel better and fully enjoy the skating since I did that. That's just me though.