Ice Dance vs. Singles vs. Pairs

[Diana Delafield]

I try to not be the person who when asked for one favorite thing, lists five, but I can't choose between my two favorite disciplines of Dance and Men. Pairs is close behind, trailed quite a bit by Women's.

What I'm finding interesting in this thread is that for years the Women's event was scheduled last for the big televised competitions, because surveys of viewership had showed that was the most popular event. There must have been a lot of non-skating viewers watching just to see the pretty dresses. I haven't kept statistics on the thread, but it does seem that a lot of skaters/skating aficionados here are putting the Women's event last regardless of the others' order.

 

[Weathergal]

What I'm finding interesting in this thread is that for years the Women's event was scheduled last for the big televised competitions, because surveys of viewership had showed that was the most popular event. There must have been a lot of non-skating viewers watching just to see the pretty dresses. I haven't kept statistics on the thread, but it does seem that a lot of skaters/skating aficionados here are putting the Women's event last regardless of the others' order.

I agree with you. At one point - at least in the US where I live - the US Women's event was the marquee event. I think that's changed because the US had some weaker years in Women's plus the retirements of Michelle Kwan and Sasha Cohen without other stars to immediately take their places.

Now, especially with Nathan Chen and Ilia Malinin, I think Men's is featured in US the most. With the US's strength in Dance, you'd think it would be featured more, but sadly it isn't.

When I was a child, I immediately gravitated towards the Women's skaters, but over time, I connected more with the other disciplines. I don't know how much is because of the way disciplines evolved or how much is my tastes have changed - or both.

For me though, my discipline preferences have nothing to do with what the US is strongest in because I like and cheer for skaters from all countries, and many of my favorites aren't from the US. I don't care what country someone is from - although I do confess a weakness for skaters from small feds.

I was surprised to read others have Women's last as well, although I didn't think I was the only one. There are, of course, Women skaters I enjoy watching, but if there's an event that I'm just selectively watching skaters for, it's gonna be Women's.

 

[4everchan]

For me, the Tonya Harding/ Nancy Kerrigan drama killed my interest in women skating.

I got interested again much later when Yuna Kim and Mao Asada were skating.

and then, Eteri disposable teenage phenoms killed it again for me.

Right now, I am appreciating Kaori and other Japanese skaters. I like some of the Koreans too... but I cannot say that I care as much as I did in the pre-Lillehammer era.

Nobody has replaced Midori Ito or Josée Chouinard for me .

 

[4everchan]

PS. I will never forgive Tonya for her laces shenanigans that pushed Josée to the ice a couple minutes ahead of schedule and wrecked her Olympic experience.

 

[maofan]

For me, these days is ice dance all the way! I like the creativity of the programs, the skating skills and close partnership of the couples, how much thought is put in every aspect of the dance, from the storyline to the music, costumes, etc, and at the very least the fact there is barely any fall during the routine!

I used to love pairs skating the most, but these days there are so many aborted lifts, hard falls on side by side jumps or throws, that I watch terrified, with my eyes half closed!
For singles, I love artistic skaters, although I do appreciate the technical prowess of some other skaters.
Would be wonderful if more single skaters will combine both, artistic and technical in equal measure.