Re: Michelle is just a competitor at heart
Sk8m8,
I couldn't agree more with the Vegas idea. In fact, I've wondered before if Brian B. and Michelle, who are good friends, have talked about starting a skating show with a permanent home.
Joe, I hate to keep disagreeing with you, but the things you're saying about pro shows just are not true. You say the most the women do is a 2Axel and the men leave it at a 3Axel? For one thing, this is not true and for another, since when is 3Axel a wimpy jump, even for men? I've been to SOI every year since '93--live, not just what they show on TV--and COI almost every year over about the same time period, though I haven't seen it live since 2000. Once at SOI I counted the number and kinds of jumps Kristi did throughout the show. True, she would only do three or four triples per program, but she would do three solo programs plus the groups numbers. She did all the triples, including a true Lutz and 3/2 combos. Of course a skater like Witt doesn't do more than a 2Axel, but age does become a factor at some point. Also, the skaters do many more creative things with their programs that they just cannot do in eligible competition. For me, the challenge and difficulty in skating is not all measured by the jumps. The depth of performance ability the top pro skaters develop, the creativity in the choreography and music, and the variety of styles they try--not all my taste, but at least there is the variety--makes quality pro skating more interesting to me than eligible skating.
At COI, the technical difficulty very much depends on the skater. Skaters like Todd, Brian, Sarah, and Michelle do four to five triples in their COI program. But like I said, I wouldn't be happy skating with COI either. One 3-4 minute program per night, a one-minute intro, and a group finale. Not much there given all that traveling. However, for people who want to see top skaters live--and there is an enormous difference between seeing skating on TV and live--pro shows are the only option. SOI does try to hire skaters who will and are able to maintain high technical standards as well as those who can grow and communicate artistically. Some years the shows are not as good as others, but one thing I've found is that I can never judge the quality by what's shown on TV. Also, without an outlet like SOI, Paul Wylie never would have become the Paul Wylie so many fans love so dearly. Same with Kurt and Scott. The fact that Scott has to depend on humor and "gimmicks" now is a function of his age. It's either quit or find another way to keep the audience enthralled. From audiences' reaction to Scott, they love him whether he jumps or not.
Of course if Michelle is only interested in eligible competition, that's her prerogative. She is who she is and people love her for it.
And of course you are entitled to your opinion. You don't like pro skating or pro skaters and that's fine for whatever reason. However, if you haven't seen these shows, I don't think you should comment on what the skaters do and do not do.
Rgirl
