Kimmie's and YuNa's Presentation

[dizzydi7]

Joesitz,


......In defence of Sasha. For me she is an exceptional skater the likes of which we will not see again for some time.......


That's a statement I agree with 100% except I would guess, I'm not likely to see another skater like Sasha again in my lifetime. Sadly!

Dizzy

 

[R.D.]

...but you did see Sasha, right?

 

[antmanb]

You have a good point about history. But as for the difference between her and Sasha, I don't think it amounts to much. Kimmie's gold at worlds will always be on the record books, but it was against a weak field. Whereas Sasha's silvers (and golds, and bronzes) were against the best.

But by that same token Sasha was competing in that weak field, so why didn't she win the gold? I think the argument about weaker/stronger fields falls away if the skater you're discussing was in all the competitions. You can't say Sasha won silvers in stronger fields and Kimmie only won her gold in a weaker field if Sasha won the bronze in that same weak field!

Ant

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Ant - There are no solutions to personal prolblems of skaters unless the skater works on them, I think what this thread intended to show was that as a skater matures, it is because he/she is finding the essence of the music.

Mimicing favorite skaters by young skaters is not difficult to do. One can easily follow the arm flow of their favorite. It doesn't have to be a crash course in port-a-bras. What is difficult for young skaters, imo, is to be themselves on the ice and take the choreography beyond the choreographer. That's not a 'show-off' thing. That's maturity - being one with the music.

Joe

 

[antmanb]

Ant - There are no solutions to personal prolblems of skaters unless the skater works on them, I think what this thread intended to show was that as a skater matures, it is because he/she is finding the essence of the music.

Mimicing favorite skaters by young skaters is not difficult to do. One can easily follow the arm flow of their favorite. It doesn't have to be a crash course in port-a-bras. What is difficult for young skaters, imo, is to be themselves on the ice and take the choreography beyond the choreographer. That's not a 'show-off' thing. That's maturity - being one with the music.

Joe

I totally agree with that. You can see it at local skating clubs at a very early age - the good kids can copy the choregorahper perfectly everytime but the kid who can take direction from a choreographer and make it their own is truly unique. There are many kids at our rink who can "play grown up" on the ice but there are none who can go out and do it from the heart...if i'm honest there aren't that many elites who can go out and do it from the heart either. Age and ability to understand the music and intention behind the choreograhpy is key, i just don't think 12-16 can manage it that well.

Ant

 

[rich7654]

I'm late, I'm late

It's very late to add to this thread, but I'd like to recommend an article by Sonia Bianchetti Garbato entitled "Music: The Magic of Figure Skating" (http://www.iceskatingintnl.com/current/content/magic_of_figure_skating.htm) She says, "Figure skating is music." And Joesitz mentions "being one with the music." How remarkably rare that is and how some of us yearn for that!

 

[LimeZest]

Both ladies are far accomplished for their age. Even thought she's not the ''stretchiest'' skater, I find Kimmie's basic stroking and positions in spins to be very pure. She's still learning how to project herself and how to really feel her music and choreography. Her honest attitude towards all this comes to me as the mark of a true fighter/champion who will steadily improve each year.

Yu-na is in a league of her own too. She makes you wanna watch her, although very shy. She's still unconfortable in places with her program and it will be interesting to see what programs she'll present, season after season.

Mao's SP at Skate America, was tremendous. So polished, early in the season... I can't wait to see what it will be at NHK. To me, this is truly what the true joy of skating his.... she'll improve like the ones along herself too!

What a season!

 

[waxel]

You know, this thread has got me thinking ... I have never been a "one skater" kind of fan. I am one of the few who can worship Michelle ( I was at Nats in Dallas in 2003 ... standing and weeping along with the rest of the crowd as she won the title), but also love Sasha ... and Bebe ... and Angela ... and Ann-Patrice ... and Alissa ... and so many other skaters along the way who have piqued our interest. I also admire Johnny ... and Evan... and Michael ... and the Ryan's (Jahnke and Bradley)... and Rohene ... and so many others. And the unsung coaches ... Diana Ronayne, Mark Mitchell, Delilah Sappenfield, etc. ...

So it is almost a rite of passage to criticize these young stars ... because if we, the true fans, don't hold these youngsters up against the standards of Lynn, Hamill, Fratiani, Sumners, Hamilton, Boitano, Yamaguchi, Eldridge, Kwan and Cohen ... who will? When we question the performances of these young stars, it should make them strive for greater accomplishment. I hope to not denigrate their performances but to encourage their 'reach for the stars.'

But for the moment, I have been thrilled this season with Mao, Yu-na, Miki, Evan (among several others), and ... what might be the truest LEGENDS in the sport for years to come... Shen & Zhao. There may be a 'post-Olympic' slump ... but I don't see it. I see fire in the eyes of these competitors ... I just hope this increasingly disillusional CoP can continue to field a strong fild of hopefulls ... because I love these kids. They have my total allegiance.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Nicely put, Waxel. The thread's original intent was not to say one skater is better than the another but to bring forth constructive criticisms so that Kimmie and YuNa can join the ranks of those fomer champs you mentioned.

We could argue ad infinitum on who was the best 'Martha': Hagen, Taylor or Turner and get no conclusive answer. But all three are head and shoulders above that school girl actress wannabee.

Joe

 

[MKFSfan]

Very nice post, Waxel. I like to believe I am a Michelle fan 1st, but figure skating fan 2nd. When Michelle is not competing, I can sit back and just enjoy whoever steps up to the plate and delivers. Before stumbling around on the internet, I never really had a strong favorite. Michelle grew on me over the years (I was much less disappointed with Nagano1998 when it happened than I am now!) so I think with or w/o all these forums, I would've become quite a fanatic. I think every skater brings something different to the ice, whether it be a technical or artistic standpoint, and I have tremendous respect and admiration for these athletes who have spent tireless hours working at their sport. It's easy to get caught up in the whole "My skater is better than your skater!" and the endless putdowns to build your favorite skater up. It's a shame, because there is so much to appreciate from so many skaters.

 

[R.D.]

^ ^

 

[dizzydi7]

Waxel,

What a lovely post. I agree with you that each skater has something special. I've always found something outstanding even among those who are not necessarily my favorites.

I do feel that some posters get carried away with their adoration of a favorite skater and just can't admit any flaws. Although I find this annoying, I also acknowledge their right to state their opinions.

My feeling is that the true figureskating fan does appreciate special qualities in every skater. Just the endurance and tenancity of these skaters to reach elite status is to be admired. They are all truly remarkable.

Dizzy

 

[Eeyora]

I think one issue is Yu-na's choreography works for her. She can feel the music while Kimmie on the other still hasn't found a style that works for her. She is obviously working hard at it but something is missing. The "jazz hands" also drive me nuts.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

It's all about opinions.

 

[LimeZest]

The "jazz hands" also drive me nuts.

Maybe she should skate to Sweet Charity, West side story or Chicago, next year!

 

[emma]

Waxel - i love your post! What I love most about figure skating is the diversity!!!! I love so many different skaters for so many different reasons and often find myself rooting for everyone at a comp.

Now, Michelle has made me cry more than most (in a good way, btw), and I treasure Shen/Zhao...so, yes, I have favorites but these favs don't mean I don't or can't see amazing qualities in othes. So -- for this thread: i'm amazed by Kimmie's competitive spirit which includes very clear cut hard work with improvements; I agree that her basics are good and that her arms and overall use of body is much much improved - yet there are certainly areas that can still improve. I too find Yu Na breathtaking - yet, I don't know if it is the youtube verisions I'm watching or not, but she doesn't come off as fast/strong as Kimmie on these versions (could be different live though) i've watched.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Having watched Mao on youtube I would suggest that YuNa has a much more fluid approach to her skating. As for poor posture, I would say that Kimmie's is far superior to Mao's rigid posture throughout.

Joe