Viewing World Championships - A Tradition

[Ladskater]

The post on how many World's MK has skated in got me to thinking about how many world championships I have watched over the years.

I started figure skating in 1967 and have watched every world's pretty much since about that time. Of course, when I skated I was more involved in the skating world and used to see a lot of championships live. It's much more exciting to be there.

I do remember seeing Donald Jackson on tv in 1962 when he won the worlds - I was a just a kid then, but it sparked my interest in skating. I guess that memory stayed with me. I wanted to learn to skate like that. When we moved to Prince George, I got my opportunity!!!

Still, though I rarely get to the rink these days, I never miss watching the Worlds. It's a Tradition!

 

[treeskater]

Ladskater - oh the memories you must have!! Perhaps after this Worlds you can come back here and do a little piece on some of the changes (good and bad) in skating as it has evolved over the years, in your opinion.

I do so love traditions and people who can look at the long term view, rather than the flash in the pan items....

Have you gone to a local competition of late? The joy and enthusiasm, even though the skills are not World level, can renew your love of skating even if you on not on the ice yourself.
Just a thought.....

 

[Ladskater]

treeskater:

So true....thanks for the reply.

 

[Ptichka]

My first recollection of watching figure skating was when I was 8 when my mom woke me up so I could see Torville and Dean skate Bolero in exhibition (I guess I just gave away my age). I think I have always looked at figure skating as art since then.

 

[Ravyn Rant]

I remember being 5 years old and watching Peggy Fleming win at the Grenoble Olympics. I can't remember what I had for lunch two hours ago, but I remember Peggy Fleming!
As an adult, I have found that the best thing about watching Worlds is watching with your family. (And a big shout-out to Amazon Princess - you are coming over next Thursday night, right? Love, Mom)

 

[Jaana]

I have watched World championships since 1964 (or 1963). There are a few (or one or two disciplines) I have miseed because of being on winter holiday or because of some other plans. Before Internet the dates of the competition were a surprise...

Marjaana
Ilia Kulik photos & photolinks
http://koti.welho.com/mjylha2/index.html

 

[NJSk8Fan]

I guess you could say I'm still building my tradition of watching Worlds....I'm one of those fans that got drawn into skating because of the media hype over the Kerrigan/Harding incident, but once I watched the Ladies Olympic performances in '94, I was HOOKED on skating. I haven't missed any skating aired on tv since then, as far as I know, and try to get to everything that comes to Philly, which is 20 minutes away from me.
I would've loved to have gone to World's in Washington, DC, last year, but finances and my husbands schedule didn't allow it. It's my dream to someday be able to plan vacations around different skating events--to travel to them and see some of the sights of the city the event is being held in. (We'd be able to do that NOW if my husband hadn't lost his job in 2000--starting over with low pay and no vacation time in your 40's isn't fun or easy!)

 

[show 42]

My first memory of watching any skating was on an old black and white television we had, and watching ABC's wonderful world of sports and seeing John Misha Petkovic completing a magnificent death drop, rivaled today only by Brian Boitano........I was hooked, and have watched every televised World competition and Oympics since............42

 

[Tonichelle]

my first real "taste" of skating came when I was three when Scott Hamilton made his first skating appearance in Alaska... in 89... so maybe that's why I like show skating more than competition... it seems our first look at skating helps determine how we look at the sport...

 

[mariana]

Well, I guess I'm a baby, because I started watching worlds in 1999. That's the first time it was broadcast here in Argentina, but I have watch them every year since then.

Thanks ESPN, I love you.

 

[aliaschick]

Watching Worlds has always been tradition here. I don't even remember a time when I didn't watch worlds! My first real memories of worlds are of Kristi, Kust, Viktor, Isabelle & Lloyd and Midori, so it must have been at least sine 91 or 92. It is such a tradition for my family

 

[BronzeisGolden]

I usually watch by myself....and can most often be found huddled in an anxious ball of nerves on the floor (especially during the ladies event!). I also became a dedicated fan after the Kerrigan-Harding affair and have watched everything there is to watch from 1994 on.

 

[heyang]

I don't think I became a regular viewer of World's til 1992 - mostly because I never knew when it was on. I started watching skating in 1980 Olympics, but didn't pay much attention in 1984 because I was away at college and the only regular TV i watched was All My Children, Generanl Hospital & Cheers. That probably explains why I really don't remember Witt's reign and never thought she was all that (until I started enjoying her pro skating post 1990).

I'm with Bronze is Golden in a sense - I watch by myself. Everyone else I know who vaguely watches skating isn't as big a fan as I am - and I'm not even as ardent as many on this board. Anyway, they tend to chatter throughout the broadcast and I can't stand the distraction. I really get annoyed when people feel compelled to tell me who won when there's a delay due to time differences. Usually they try to be clever and give a clue, which is dumb because I know more about it than they do. I'll look up my own spoilers if I want to know.

Enjoy World's everyone.

 

[LadyM76]

Worlds

I enjoy watching Worlds with a friend of mine, who also enjoys skating. I do the best I can to get everyone out of the house, especially my kids....lol. My husband thinks skating is boring, so always finds something else to do. Last year during Worlds, I "waltched" the results online, and then watched them on TV. I'm on the west coast, so we almost always get tape delayed coverage. This year I will be work during the actual skating, so I will have to wait till I get home to check the results online. I definately like to be "Spoiled" , makes it easier on the nerves. I am very excited and a little nervous for Worlds this year.
LadyM76