What makes a skater beautiful to watch?

[Tinymavy15]

Musicality and line are crucial. I consider "line" to include posture, turn-out and flexibility, toe point and port de bras.

Probably the most important factor is the one most difficult to define--- that is the sense of emotional connection, commitment and communication. It is often called star quality. Can't be taught. Can't be learned. You either have it or you don't.

Agree 100%:agree:

 

[Dodhiyel]

The "ethernal beauty" comes from the perfect technique first of all.
When your techique is brilliant, you can make me believe that the all impression comes from your heart. There is no poesy without this.
If you forgot your words you cannot be a good Actor also.
If you have this perfect techique you need to have a talent and artistry to make me cry.....

bigdeal, I love your whole post, but I thought it best not to reproduce all of it, in order to save on length here. I especially love the line, "If you forgot your words you cannot be a good Actor also." I think that nails it. First comes technique; as you wrote, "There is no poesy without this".

 

[Ladskater]

What makes a skater beautiful to watch?

To me, it is the effortless flow across the ice. It is also the union of body and soul to music.

I think for me it is how much the skater really loves to figure skate. Because I was a figure skater, I can almost picture myself out there skating with the skater. I can feel the music and how I would feel moving to the music.

A skater like Toller Cranston for instance, really transcends his love of moving to the music to his audience. Kurt Browning and Jeff Buttle do the same for me. Their love for the sport of figure skating comes across when they are performing. I can't take my eyes off these types of skaters. They make even the basics look like magic and inspire me to want to get my skates on and head to the nearest ice rink.

 

[Kwanford Wife]

Joanna Glick

Thanks so much iluvtodd...

 

[julietvalcouer]

Deep, strong, proper edges, smooth flow, speed, strength, height on jumps (needless to say Ladies' isn't my favorite division) with clean landings, interesting strong body lines--not nescessarily flowy, as that's not always appropriate, but a definite awareness that they're performing with every part of their body. For dance and pairs, seamless transitions between elements.

 

[BravesSkateFan]

Its really a mix of things for me. Flow, posture, line, musicality, ease of movement. Also there is a tension that a lot of good skaters are missing that could make them great if they had it (Alissa, Caoline Zhang). But really all of this means nothing if I don't feel any connection to the skater or the skater doesn't seem to connect to the music.

There's also something to be said for a skaters vibe on the ice. You've got skaters who go out and you can tell they are enjoying every second of thier program, and others who just seem ho-hum (partially why I perfer Evan over Johnny, Johnny seems bored when he skates).

And honestly music choice and costuming play a role as well. If I can't get into the music there is less chance I'm going to be able to enjoy the skating. Same for costmues. Some costumes are so distracting I just can't get past them. They aren't vital in my opinions but certainly play a role.

 

[ks777]

I really love the way Shizuka, Michelle and Yuka glide on the ice. I can watch them skate forever!

Who is the best skaters(just pure skating) when ask the accomplished skaters such as, Dorothy Hamil, Peggy Flaming, Brian Boitano, and Dick button?

 

[blue dog]

You all have named the best qualities of what makes a skater moving and beautiful, and I agree as well. Sometimes, though, when "the stars align" for a skater, even the skaters who seem stiff and wooden have that one magical night where it all falls into place, and they just have the night of their life.

You've all named the skaters that I would've had on my list, so I'll name some who had that ONE performance that I am sure they will never forget where everything came into place...

Tara Lipinski's 1998 LP at the Olympics
Tanja Szewczenko's LP at the 1997 Champions Series Final
Volosozhar and Morozov's LP at this year's worlds (he is PAINFULLY stiff)
Midori Ito's 1992 Oly LP (yes, most people are quick to point out her fall on the 3A, but after that fall, like Sasha in 2006, she was ON FIRE)
Tonya Harding's 1991 Nationals LP
Maria Butyrskaya's 1999 worlds LP

 

[Tonichelle]

Line, flow, posture, musicality. But also, for me, skaters are more beautiful to watch if I feel some kind of emotional attachment to them on the ice, and that is just a "some have it, some don't" kind of thing for me. That is what makes some skaters more exciting to me, and why I feel more connection to some programs than others.

^^ Yeah, that.

 

[Mafke]

I've given this a lot of thought and all I can come up with is:

1. Fringe and illusion cloth (and maybe ragged fabric as if the sakter was attacked by a puma moments before taking the ice)

2. Colored boots!

3. That wide-eyed opened mouth expression that's supposed to indicate how moved a skater is by something (fleur maxwell is the best at this but yagudin had his moments too)

 

[blue dog]

I've given this a lot of thought and all I can come up with is:

1. Fringe and illusion cloth (and maybe ragged fabric as if the sakter was attacked by a puma moments before taking the ice)

2. Colored boots!

3. That wide-eyed opened mouth expression that's supposed to indicate how moved a skater is by something (fleur maxwell is the best at this but yagudin had his moments too)

So you must like Ice Dance?

Don't forget the constant head-grabbing done by some skaters. That just shows drama and interpretation like no other!

 

[Mafke]

So you must like Ice Dance?

Don't forget the constant head-grabbing done by some skaters. That just shows drama and interpretation like no other!

Oh! and Arm Waiving! A program can _never_ have too much Arm Waiving!!!

 

[Richard_M_Nixon]

A long and slander skater gliding over the ice in long in-between strokes with passion, grace, power, technique, and precision. That is FS at its best and beautiful to watch.

 

[feraina]

Musicality, more than anything else.

A beautiful skater should bring music to life, using their body to convey the nuances of the musical phrases and intricacies. And a truly amazing skater should be able to add to the beauty of the music itself by emphasizing the highs and the lows, the dynamic and the lyrical, and move like an extra instrument in the piece -- better yet, the lead instrument in the combined auditory+visual performance.

 

[skatingfan04]

Effortless movements that seem to melt into one another. Deep edges and knee bend. A real feel of the music, and choreography that suits both the skater and the peace. For a pairs or dance team, all of the above with unison, beautiful lifts, and believable chemistry. Above all, a performance is always the most enjoyable when the skater is enjoying themselves. That joy translates to the audience.