How much interest can Alysa Liu revive in figure skating in the US?

[Skater Boy]

I'm interested to know why you think it might not be. I think it is, because as you mentioned Olympic gold is the pinnacle of this sport whereas it isn't in hockey or tennis. Casual fans care about the sport during the Olympics, and I saw Alysa in the news more than I expected to. The popularity of US skating in the 1990s was unmatched and, unless our women are sweeping a Worlds podium like they did in 1991, it's won't ever be. And that's perfectly fine; the world changes and we all have do adapt to those changes.

Alysa could be the difference. Her personality. Her world and olympic gold medal are huge. While great skaters Ashley, Gracie Sasha Kimmie,Bradie, Rachel Karen, Mariah Mirai et aljust didn't win big enough and or big enough personality to bring figure sport up as a major sport of interest. Combined with a full quadrennial of Russans not competing the timing is right. NBC and US viewers aren't interested or can't related to the latest Eteri girl even if she can do a quad. And that's where the viewers and mone lies.

 

[TallyT]

She is not going to Worlds (which is perfectly fine and I'm glad she is doing what she feels necessary), so all her new fans may be disappointed there, but say if Amber could podium (or win! yes, I am hoping for someone else but I would be pleased for her nevertheless) that might keep the bubble bubbling away, as Amber imo appeals to a different demographic.

 

[moonvine]

She is not going to Worlds (which is perfectly fine and I'm glad she is doing what she feels necessary), so all her new fans may be disappointed there, but say if Amber could podium (or win! yes, I am hoping for someone else but I would be pleased for her nevertheless) that might keep the bubble bubbling away, as Amber imo appeals to a different demographic.

I tend to think that if they are new fans they will get bored waiting to see her again until sometime this fall on the GP. There are many other sports that are far less difficult to access as spectators. In fact I’d go so far as to say that figure skating may be the most difficult sport to access as a spectator.

 

[Zora]

stars on ice is for maybe those who like to be entertained but I don't think it creates fans long term. you go to a skating show once, you enjoy yourself but next time you go to cirque du Soleil or to the opera.

I wonder if there's maybe not enough contrast to competitions these days? In the past, skaters would skate to classical music, soundtracks, something serious, and in the galas and shows you could see another side of them. But now they skate to a pop song in the free program, to another one in their exhibition program, there's nothing interesting about it anymore, I would rather watch the competition. For example, Yuna Kim was a very serious competitor, but in her shows they could see a very different side of her.
Alysa could have only surprised me, if she had skated to something completely different in her exhibition.

I do think this will only partly fix it. One main, big problem with it all is that figures are no longer taught or emphasised in skating.

I remember Mao Asada doing a show program with mostly step sequences to Bach's music. I don't see any of the newer generations coming up with this type of creativity. Mao has become a successful show skater, not only because of her success, but because of her creative show programs which are so much more than just: look at me, I'm skating to a random pop song! There's a reason why for example Miki Ando, who was almost equally successful, does not have her own shows. And I'm very sorry to say that, but Kaori doesn't have that creativity either.

 

[yfan1]

I remember Mao Asada doing a show program with mostly step sequences to Bach's music. I don't see any of the newer generations coming up with this type of creativity. Mao has become a successful show skater, not only because of her success, but because of her creative show programs which are so much more than just: look at me, I'm skating to a random pop song! There's a reason why for example Miki Ando, who was almost equally successful, does not have her own shows. And I'm very sorry to say that, but Kaori doesn't have that creativity either.

And yeah, I don't feel any of the current skaters have the skill for it.

 

[Anna K.]

People watch cricket matches.

If people will do that, skating has a shot.

Well, figure skating can be entertaining if you let it be. Right now, I'm fresh from posting a happy reaction to Peruvian Championships in the Skate of the Nations section. They absolutely had a ball (for 4 hours or so) without even a double axel landed on the field. Of course, they also have an Olympic vision for some faraway future but it was not why I watched. I watched because I love to see children who live in the now and for whom the fact that they have the dress, the skate to the music, the flowers, the stuffies, the interview in the now, it is already is a dream fulfilled and they will have happy memories about it for the rest of their lives.

If you'd ask me, what ISU needs to make figure skating popular again, I'd put it in two words: happy children. Right, kids are kids, there are tears, there are bruises, there are problems, but if you can get a beaming happy child on the top of the rollercoaster: mission accomplished.

If you'd ask me, if Alysa Liu could push things to the right direction here, I'd put it in three words: she already did.

 

[noskates]

I don't think it's unusual for an Olympic Gold Medal winner to skip Worlds in that same year. If you've been watching the news or YouTube or whatever you would know that Alysa has been on a major media tour in New York and hasn't had time to prepare for this competition. I'm sure someone will go back and fact check but it's rare when an OGM goes on to skate Worlds. And I also don't think her skipping Worlds will detract from her popularity or the interest in her. Rumor has it that most of the SOI's are near sold out - HELLO! That show hasn't been as popular for quite some time. Who do you think people are attending the show to see? Much as I love him, I doubt Andrew Torgashev is the big draw!

 

[el henry]

Hey folks, as the conductor of the train: Alysa Liu. What will the effect on US figure skating be?

There are many threads for other subjects or other fixes for figure skating. This train is not scheduled to stop at those stations.

Just a few more points, and I am sorry I am not quoting directly, I am lazy.

I understand that SOI is a different experience than comps. I do not watch galas half the time, I prefer competitions.

But I would not discount the SOI crowd. As skating fans who watch competitions regularly, we know the difference, but a newbie? Much of SOI is bowdlerized competition skates. The fascination of Jason skating Sinnerman live didn't change because he didn't do a 3A. If they see the joy of Alysa skating MacArthur Park live, they can see that at a show and at a comp. They won't know or care about the triple combos until we tell them.

I do agree that if someone's favorite part of SOI is the group numbers (my least favorite) comps may not be for them.

And the break is long, I agree. We will see if it is a flash in the pan come autumn.

 

[Mathman]

People watch cricket matches.

If people will do that, skating has a shot.

For me, it's baseball that has all the ingredients for exciting. The continual rise and fall of internal crescendo and resolution. Like figure skating.

Picture it. 2000 World Championships. Michelle Kwan mired in third place after the short program. The heel of her boot becomes detached and her father frantically hammers it back on as best he can, leaving Michelle to skate with one heel higher the the other. She goes out in the free skate -- and hits a triple! The third base coach raises his had -- hold up.

BUT NO! LOOK! She's rounding third and digging for the plate! Here comes the throw! The opposing catcher rushes up the line in a futile attempt o deny her destiny. Cleats flashing like scimitars in the desert sun, Michelle....

Well, you get the idea.

Jump forward to 2026. Bottom of the ninth, two out, nobody on. Alysa at the bat.

WHAM... she's off! She waves at second base while zipping past, now third..

Ninety feet to go, she's charging home!

When was the sport of figure skating the more exciting? 2000? 2026?

[Edit: This post is relevant to the topic of the thread because people will see Alysa's thrilling performance and want to experience more, more, more sporty goosebumps. ]

 

[yfan1]

Interesting. I'd say Michelle Kwan hit a home run at the 2003 World Championships.

OTOH, I'd never even think about describing other sports with figure skating metaphors. That hit was equivalent to a triple axel. IDK. Doesn't work. Also goes to show how a sport like Baseball is mired into our consciousness more, that its metaphors have entered common usage.

 

[Mathman]

But I would not discount the SOI crowd.

Ditto. Although I was more of a Champions on Ice guy back in the day. The big names drew 'em in, but it was the "guts and glue of whole damn crew " -- led by Surya Bonaly,Victor Petrenko (Mrs. Mathman's skating crush, and the only way I could get her to attend an ice skating show), the acrobats and the hula hoop girl (Irina Grigorian, who still performs in Las Vegas I believe) -- who bring 'em back.

 

[Mathman]

OTOH, I'd never even think about describing other sports with figure skating metaphors.

The serious point that I was striving for, though, is that, in my opinion , as a sports discipline igure skating is neither more nor less exciting to watch now than it was in past eras.

Is it more thrilling to watch Roger Banister run a mile in 4 minutes in 1954 than to watch Hicham El Guerrouj do it in 3:43:13 i45 years later? Which provides fans with the bigger "thrill of victory, agony of defeat" experience that lies at the heart of competition?

 

[PaulE]

Ditto. Although I was more of a Champions on Ice guy back in the day. The big names drew 'em in, but it was the "guts and glue of whole damn crew " -- led by Surya Bonaly,Victor Petrenko (Mrs. Mathman's skating crush, and the only way I could get her to attend an ice skating show), the acrobats and the hula hoop girl (Irina Grigorian, who still performs in Las Vegas I believe) -- who bring 'em back.

I loved seeing the hula hoop girl at the last Champions of Ice show I got to go to. Go Irina!

 

[dorispulaski]

And ABC Sports was right-It is the thrill of victory (Alysa) and the agony of defeat (Amber SP, Ilia FS) that makes a sporting event memorable !

 

[dorispulaski]

And I never saw something like this before





An Alysa Liu cat video.

This insta profile from Japan posts sport figures as cats.
This one of Alysa captures the joyous essence of her performance.

Google translates the caption as

Check out Poco's stunning performance, who won the gold medal in the women's figure skating at the Milan-Cortinha Olympics.


It's a shame that Kaori Sakamoto didn't win the gold medal in her final Olympics, but Alysa Liu was incredibly charming!

 

[rabidline]

So who knows when or if they would even see Alysa again. If people don’t follow skating already they don’t know about GP, Nationals, etc. They’re every 4 year fans. Just like I’m an every 4 year fan of short track. Sorry, I’m rambling. Short answer is she can’t increase interest if she’s not skating.

I mean, with 7,4 million followers on Instagram, Alysa can easily film a video of her skating and post it there and it would make the news at this point. One of the things that I followed Alysa on Insta for was that she was somehow able to post both of her Worlds 2025 SP and FS in full, on her Instagram (the NBC commentary version) which I thought was nice because the NBC version of those skates are geoblocked for me. I don't think anyone else did that, but I can be wrong. She curates her Instagram quite well (random observation but important if fans are flocking to her socials).

I'm kinda wondering if Alysa, Amber and Ilia (and more team USA skaters) are tapped for Met Gala this year. No SOI show on May 4th and they're in Long Island on May 3rd. Not that far from the Met.

 

[Jammers]

I don't think it's unusual for an Olympic Gold Medal winner to skip Worlds in that same year. If you've been watching the news or YouTube or whatever you would know that Alysa has been on a major media tour in New York and hasn't had time to prepare for this competition. I'm sure someone will go back and fact check but it's rare when an OGM goes on to skate Worlds. And I also don't think her skipping Worlds will detract from her popularity or the interest in her. Rumor has it that most of the SOI's are near sold out - HELLO! That show hasn't been as popular for quite some time. Who do you think people are attending the show to see? Much as I love him, I doubt Andrew Torgashev is the big draw!

Yeah the last two times the Olympic champion competed at Worlds it was a struggle for both of them. Yuna looked all out of sorts in her SP in 2010 probably because she was undertrained and just mentally exhausted and Zagitova didn't even medal when she had a uncharacteristic bad LP and only finished 5th. I still would have liked to have seen Alysa go for the double of winning both the Olympics and Worlds in the same year that was last done by Kristi in 1992. If anyone could have pulled it off it would have been Alysa.

 

[Anna K.]

I mean, with 7,4 million followers on Instagram

Whaaat didn't you say 6.7 million in the post #28 a week ago?

The avalanche keeps rolling...
Can't wait to see where it takes us!

 

[Anna K.]

Hey folks, as the conductor of the train: Alysa Liu. What will the effect on US figure skating be?

There are many threads for other subjects or other fixes for figure skating. This train is not scheduled to stop at those stations.

The effect on "us" figure skating?

So this is basically the question: how much of the interest revived by Alysa Liu can "us" the figure skating sustain? - I don't think that the U.S. figure skating is that much a different body from the international skating in general.

All those stations are on the route then

Having said that, I still appreciate your effort on keeping the train from fleeing straight into the wide open

 

[dorispulaski]

Btw the Japanese caption on Alysa as a skating cat says:

Check out Poco's stunning performance, who won the gold medal in the women's figure skating at the Milan-Cortinha Olympics.

It's a shame that Kaori Sakamoto didn't win the gold medal in her final Olympics, but Alysa Liu was incredibly charming!

Poco is the cat's name

Alysa needs to do shows in Japan!