What skating moment broke your heart the most?

[jenji124]

Heartbreaking -

The tribute to Sergei and Katia skating alone broke my heart, that is so tough to watch

Sale/Pelletier at the '02 Olympics - the looks on thier faces when they realized the marks

Dubreil's fall in the '06 Olympics and then the subsequent withdraw

Joy -

Shen/Zhao at the '03 Worlds

 

[twinsissv]

The televised shot of Johnny and Priscilla waiting for his final placement at World's in 2005. He was in bronze medal position and shortly thereafter was bumped off the podium. That melancholy scene seemed to mark the beginning of his current "skid" in international competitions. I cannot help but wonder how much this has contributed to his most recent problems with his self-confidence. Funny how it only takes ONE negative to obliterate all of the positives.

 

[Chrystia Mee]

There are many moments which is one of the reasons I love skating:
Sad moments that I cried over:
1. MK withdrawing from 06 Olys after working so hard to stay competitive the last cycle
2. The look on Fumie's face and stories of tears about Fumie after the placement in the 06 olys. And I will stand that in my book, Fumie should have been on the podium. She skated the most inspiring program of all of the skaters that night imo.
3. MK during FOG in 02 Olys. I was ok during the lp and ceremony but FOG did me in and I sobbed like a baby for her.

Happiest Joyful Moments:
1. Shen/Zhao 2003 worlds lp! Nuff' said!
2. Lu Chen during 1998 olys lp, I still can't watch this without tears gathering! I was so happy for her!
3. Fumie Suguri 2004 worlds lp, I always love her. She works so hard and she's just a great person.
4. MK 1998 nationals! PerfectioN!
5. Yagudin 2002 olympics and when he got his scores.

 

[googleplex]

Heart Breaking:
-As mentioned in a class by itself: Ekaterina Gordeeva's tribute to Sergei...of course the skating at the end with everyone was also heart breaking.
-Brian Orser realizing he was so close to the Gold.
-Michelle Kwan's "Fields of Gold" in 2002
-Torville and Dean at the 1994 Olympics

Joy:
-Alexei Yagudin's programs (short and long) at the 2002 Olympics followed by receiving gold after he had done so poorly in 1998 (how skaters can even stay upright when skating sick is amazing to me)
-Todd Eldrigde giving his Mom his National's Medal
-Shizuka Arakawa being the only medal for Japan
-Gordeeva and Grinkov at the 1994 Olympics after all the other “pro” skaters were pretty much out of medal contention...if I remember that correctly...I was in third grade then so I could be wrong.

 

[blue_idealist]

*

"Elvis at the 1998 Nagano Olympics - The gold medal should have been awarded to Elvis not Urmanov."

I forget who said this, but just a correction, it was Kulik and not Urmanov. Urmanov was '94.

 

[equestrianguy]

One that stands out and I watch it over and over again is when Lu Chen came back to the 98 Olympics and got her second bronze medal. The year before she was 27th I believe at the 97 Worlds. Everyone, had written her off completely. What an amazing comeback for her! She is one of the only few that has stood next too MK's artistry. During her Butterfly Lovers performance..it always gives me goosebumps.. I always thought she had the most beautiful bodyline in figure skating..

 

[Eeyora]

I know how Kwanford Wife feels. I could write a book on my Michelle Kwan emotions. The 97 season was also very emotional. As a Kwan fan I would have to list 97 Nationals as heartbreaking in a addition to the Olympic defeats. All of which were emotionally draining. However She has given me many happy emotions as well such as 98 Nationals, 2000 and 2001 Worlds, 2003 Nationals and Worlds as well as 2004 Nationals. I will also never forget 96 Worlds in which both Michelle and Lu Chen left me in tears. Not to forget the mens competition with Todd Eldredge and Rudy Gailindo.
Other Joyful Moments
Nancy Kerrigan's free program in Lilihammar
Alexei Yagudin in Salt Lake City
Angela Nikodinov's Nationals free program in 2001
The US ladies sweep in 1991
Fumie capturing the bronze at 2002 Worlds
Paul Wylie's Olympic programs in 1992
Shan and Zhao's heroic skate at 2003 Worlds

Moments of Sadness
Sergei's death
The death of Angela's mother
Angela not making the Olympic team in 2002

 

[KwanFan1212]

I also have to list Angela's mom... I was on my way to the arena and my best friend called with the news. When I got to the arena the only ones who knew in my group were me and I think Heather had just found out as well... USFSA officials overheard us and began calling and texting for more info. We were right there by the ABC moniters behind the judges booth and saw footage of the wreck... it still gives me chills and sick feeling in my stomach. They held a moment of silence that night and I don't think anyone had a dry eye.

ITA Toni. I felt like someone had punched me in the stomach when I found out that news. Watching the coverage on the monitors before everyone in teh arena really knew what had happened was so heartbreaking. Angela is such a precious person and for her to have so much tragedy happen in her life was sad beyond words. I think seeing Timmy break down after his SP the next night was my other heartbreak from Portland and I know I had trouble keeping my own emotions under control at that point. What an emotional time that was in Portland.

I also agree that everything around Sergei's death was also very heartbreaking and seeing Katia skate alone for the first time was so weird and sad. I'm very glad that she's found happiness and a wonderful life now, but IMO his death is still one of skating's biggest heartbreaks.

 

[lisadotdash]

Slutskaya/co

The Olympics before last, Hughes was carried the torch into the next generation. She broke the "entitlement" mold. They were happy tears for me.

Unfortunately, the last Olympics where Slutskaya or Cohen didn't either one win the Gold, the opposite happened for me. Arakaya is a beautiful skater and deserving young lady but I just feel cheated out of the drama and excitement of either one of those two ladies pulling it off.

 

[blue dog]

I'm going to share the moments...

Tears of sadness--
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eywK_Ld9Z3M
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Tj7lo_ep18
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPpdLZQ7MXs
4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6fo26u_k4c
5. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgaEBKtY3KE

Tears of joy--

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj9q7UOqwQ8
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YulelmF1HZg
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBOvxdxRS4c
4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65ym-viD11E
5. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dtoe1lfea5w
6. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qqHEd0Bq9o
7. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVSx8HKcff0
8. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13Jk2M59GKs
9. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMoMwTJ2LkU
10. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoaZqJs4ROc I wish this last one had been perfect, but the fight in the end...
11. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOQ33elqobg another program that wasn't perfect but had "fight"

While skating has given sad moments, skating has given more happy ones...

 

[Tonichelle]

ITA Toni. I felt like someone had punched me in the stomach when I found out that news. Watching the coverage on the monitors before everyone in teh arena really knew what had happened was so heartbreaking. Angela is such a precious person and for her to have so much tragedy happen in her life was sad beyond words. I think seeing Timmy break down after his SP the next night was my other heartbreak from Portland and I know I had trouble keeping my own emotions under control at that point. What an emotional time that was in Portland.

I can barely look at the photos I took at the end of his SP... that was just awful... we were way too close to the ice to have to experience that... It felt like the whole arena wanted to just give him a big hug...

 

[jsteam4501s]

At 65, I am probably one of the oldest of the "oldsters" here, so my sad memories in figure skating go back to the beautiful Janet Lynn, who so many times skated so inspirationally, but lost because of the 60 or 70% given to compulsory figures in those days. Then there was the '72 Olympics, when she fell during the free skate and got up smiling. And then when the short program was created and the figures reduced for the '73 Worlds, she fell twice in the short and walked off the ice in tears and bewildered, then came back to a tremendous audience welcome and turned in a great free skate and took bows with a big smile on her face and stood on the podium all smiles with the silver medal. You can see that on Youtube, just key in the name "Janet Lynn" and there it is.

Even the hard-nosed Christine Brennan said "If Janet Lynn were skating today{meaning that if her actual career could be transposed to the present), she would be the most popular athlete on this planet".

Katy Gordeeva facing up to Sergei's death, Tai&Randy's 1980 Olympic withdrawal, and watching the look on Michelle Kwan's face on the Torino practice rink as she realized she would have to withdraw - these were other moments that brought tears to my eyes.

But none can compare to the heartbreak - nor the smiles - of Janet Lynn.
.

 

[flying camel]

Watching poor Alissa skate last year was heart breaking for me. Eventhough she was smilling you could tell she was so upset. I don't know if I would have had it in me to continue after that. I am thinking Alissa is stronger then some of us think.

 

[discoduck]

This would be my first post here. Just thought I'd mention that.

Tears of sadness:

1.Watching Tai and Randy's withdrawal in 1980. I was 12 and they were the first team I ever really followed. It still brings tears to my eyes when I think about it.
2.Bourne and Kraatz' breakup. Especially the way it happened.
3.The deaths of Sergei Grinkov and Rob McCall
4.Include me along with Toni and Heather about Timmy at 05 Nats. The three of us were sitting together and seeing him break down was painful. I don't think anyone in that arena wasn't crying along with him.
5.Brian Boitano in 94. Watching his face after his SP broke my heart. He had worked so hard to prove that he could come back and then to pop a jump that he had landed hundreds of times.

Tears of joy:
1.B and K finally winning the world title in 2003
2.Shen and Zhao at the Olympics this year. While their win in 03 certainly falls under the category of tears of joy..this one touched me more. When I think that Hongbo couldn't even walk a few months before Torino and to see them go out there and win a medal. Wow. There really aren't any words to say how that affected me. Well okay so ask Heather who talked to me shortly after. She can tell you how it was.
3.Boitano's win in 88. I loved both him and Brian Orser but that night, Boitano delivered the performance of his life. I never get tired of watching it.
4.Shizuka's gold medal in Torino. I have been a fan for the last three years and I was so happy for her. Not to mention that it happened three days before my birthday and it was a very special present even if she didn't know it.

I think that's it. I could write a novel just about my B & K and S & Z moments but I'll spare you all.

 

[Tinymavy15]

My sad heartbreaking moments
2. Sasha placing second at 2006 Olympics


agree with you 100%. you are the first to consider the 2006 sasha perfomances on your list.

 

[Tonichelle]

.
4.Include me along with Toni and Heather about Timmy at 05 Nats. The three of us were sitting together and seeing him break down was painful. I don't think anyone in that arena wasn't crying along with him.

That he was able to skate at all much less with so much heart - I know I say this a lot - I don't think he skated better before or since...

btw, good to see you FINALLY over here!

 

[Mathman]

Hi Discoduck, thanks for joining us. Post often, post long!

 

[Mathman]

3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBOvxdxRS4c

Watching this again (Michelle's Lyra Angelica from U.S. Nationals) brought home to me how much of a disservice the new judging system has done to spins.

Michelle's spins in this program are exquisite and blend in seemlessly with the choreography. But under the CoP I guess they would only be level 1s. I greatly fear that we will never see a program like that again.

 

[Kwanford Wife]

Watching this again (Michelle's Lyra Angelica from U.S. Nationals) brought home to me how much of a disservice the new judging system has done to spins.

Michelle's spins in this program are exquisite and blend in seemlessly with the choreography. But under the CoP I guess they would only be level 1s. I greatly fear that we will never see a program like that again.

This is why I get so annoyed with the opinion that Kwan fans are so against CoP because its believed that she wouldn't score well, even healthy, under this system... which I totally disagree with... but whatever... CoP hasn't improved the quality of skating programs one iota and instead rewards falls, forces skaters to contort in order to receive points and simply makes the sport look sloppy... it's very sad...

 

[SeaniBu]

This is why I get so annoyed with the opinion that Kwan fans are so against CoP because its believed that she wouldn't score well, even healthy, under this system... which I totally disagree with... but whatever... CoP hasn't improved the quality of skating programs one iota and instead rewards falls, forces skaters to contort in order to receive points and simply makes the sport look sloppy... it's very sad...

:agree: Not only that but MK would have adjusted her programmes most likely better than most have under the CoP. I don't think she would have had much of a problem holding a rotation or two and adding a transition. MK would have done wonderful, but it MAY have SLIGHTLY sacrificed her "artistry" just a touch.