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- Jun 21, 2007
If you had the privilege to meet any skater, anyone at all, what would you say to him/her? 
Your words to skaters~
- Thread starter mirai_asada
- Start date
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2004
Well, when I met Todd for the first time (March 2002), I thanked him for adding to my CD collection (which has grown exponentially because I love most of the music he has skated to through the years, & that includes lots of those movie soundtracks).
If I had the chance to talk to Midori Ito (my all time favorite ladies' skater), I would tell her how much I loved her 1988 Olympic free skate and her "Rain" exhibition from the 1992 Olympics. I would also tell her that I just love it whenever she smiles!
I would thank Brian B. and Brian O. for giving providing the most memorable men's Olympic competition ever ... and therefore getting me hooked on figure skating!
If I had the chance to talk to Midori Ito (my all time favorite ladies' skater), I would tell her how much I loved her 1988 Olympic free skate and her "Rain" exhibition from the 1992 Olympics. I would also tell her that I just love it whenever she smiles!
I would thank Brian B. and Brian O. for giving providing the most memorable men's Olympic competition ever ... and therefore getting me hooked on figure skating!
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I've been fortunate enough to meet a few who I truly enjoy on the ice, and that was basically what I said to them. That I appreciate their skills and performances, and that I feel an emotional attachment to their skating, and to thank them for all the hard work they put into what they do. There have been a few that I have been lucky enough to have more extended conversations with (including a recent debate with an ice dancer on whether or not the electric slide would count as American "folk" for the OD this year! 
) I think it is just like any other person. We all like to know that our efforts at our job are appreciated. Their job is just more publicly performed than most of us.
) I think it is just like any other person. We all like to know that our efforts at our job are appreciated. Their job is just more publicly performed than most of us.
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2003
you know, I never know what to say, which normally means I chicken out and won't even go up to a skater...
like Scott Hamilton. Saw him countless number of times during nationals in 06, but couldn't get the nerve to go up to him at all... He's been my hero since the age of three, and I would love to just thank him for all the joy and inspiration he's given me over the years... but yeah lol...
like Scott Hamilton. Saw him countless number of times during nationals in 06, but couldn't get the nerve to go up to him at all... He's been my hero since the age of three, and I would love to just thank him for all the joy and inspiration he's given me over the years... but yeah lol...
If you had the privilege to meet any skater, anyone at all, what would you say to him/her?
If that happened in a public place, like in an ice rink, after my fave skater had finished his/ her performance, I'd most probably not make a use of such a "privilege". I think I'd feel stupid standing in a row, waiting for my chance to mutter a bunch of banalities (but I have not done this before, so maybe I should try it some day and see how I really feel about it).
I do throw stuffed animal though, with a card with my name attached to them. It's my way of saying thank you (and I can't think of saying anything else to ppl I don't know personally). It's easy and time saving, but maybe a bit impersonal? I don't know. Oh and I also write (good stuff only, I don't write if I have nothing nice to say)! At least, this gives ppl a choice to register or otherwise ignore ('oh no not her again!') my gushes of admiration.
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2006
I havd had so many chances and always chicken out so I can only dream..
I was lucky enough to have the chance to shake hands with Hongbo Zhao at the end of CSO in 2006 and I somehow managed to say "I love your skating," although my friend sitting next to me swears I actually said "I love you." 
The other thrill of my skating fandom was meeting Victor Kraatz at SA last year. Of course it took me two days to find the courage to approach him but I finally did and I simply told him that I really enjoyed his skating and he seemed touched.
Then again when I met Shae-Lynn Bourne, I couldn't say a word. Heather had to speak for me.
The other thrill of my skating fandom was meeting Victor Kraatz at SA last year. Of course it took me two days to find the courage to approach him but I finally did and I simply told him that I really enjoyed his skating and he seemed touched.
Then again when I met Shae-Lynn Bourne, I couldn't say a word.
Heather had to speak for me.
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2003
If I had a chance to meet Plushenko, I's hope to say the same thing I say in my e-mail, simply Bozhe tebya khrani (God bless you) and I wish him the best in his health because I know he needs that more than anything right now, and I'd say I hope he gets some time to rest this year LOL.
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2003
I was lucky enough to have the chance to shake hands with Hongbo Zhao at the end of CSO in 2006 and I somehow managed to say "I love your skating," although my friend sitting next to me swears I actually said "I love you."
I wasn't there, but I'd believe it! On the Metro
On the Metro, for 2003 Worlds in Washington DC, I recognized Scott Williams (then Michelle Kwan's coach). We made eye contact and he knew I knew... and he lifted a finger to his mouth in the international gesture for "shhhh". I quietly slipped him my program and he signed it and neither of us said a word. In a place like the crowded Metro, I'm sure that kind of tact was appreciated.
Linny
On the Metro, for 2003 Worlds in Washington DC, I recognized Scott Williams (then Michelle Kwan's coach). We made eye contact and he knew I knew... and he lifted a finger to his mouth in the international gesture for "shhhh". I quietly slipped him my program and he signed it and neither of us said a word. In a place like the crowded Metro, I'm sure that kind of tact was appreciated.
Linny
If I have photographs of a skater at an event, this is me:
*hovers around the skater, but doesn't stare at them. waits for an opening*
"Hi, I just wanted to give you these photos"
<skater response>
"Can you sign this?"
<as skater signs>
"You were great tonight! I loved your xxx program!"
*grin* *slink away*
If I don't have photographs of a skater at an event, this is me:
*stares at skater. tries to think of something to say. gets shy. slinks away*
There's a lot I'd love to say about how good their skating is or how I enjoyed their performance or whatever, but my mouth and my brain do not cooperate with me =).
There have been a few exceptions - Victor Kraatz was really easy to talk to, and started talking to us about a show we had seen in Toronto. Josef Sabovcik is super-nice and we actually had a conversation (which is usually difficult for brain-stymied me). Same for John Zimmerman, who's really nice. Kurt Browning I've talked to too often to completely freeze up but it's usually easiest to let him do the talking =).
*hovers around the skater, but doesn't stare at them. waits for an opening*
"Hi, I just wanted to give you these photos"
<skater response>
"Can you sign this?"
<as skater signs>
"You were great tonight! I loved your xxx program!"
*grin* *slink away*
If I don't have photographs of a skater at an event, this is me:
*stares at skater. tries to think of something to say. gets shy. slinks away*
There's a lot I'd love to say about how good their skating is or how I enjoyed their performance or whatever, but my mouth and my brain do not cooperate with me =).
There have been a few exceptions - Victor Kraatz was really easy to talk to, and started talking to us about a show we had seen in Toronto. Josef Sabovcik is super-nice and we actually had a conversation (which is usually difficult for brain-stymied me). Same for John Zimmerman, who's really nice. Kurt Browning I've talked to too often to completely freeze up but it's usually easiest to let him do the talking =).
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You're not the only one! Everyone that I've told that story to thinks my friend is right.When I read the title of this thread, I didn't realize the context of it and thought it was what we would say to skaters (not in front of them) to get them to improve. Like, I'd say to Sasha - "get a therapist and work out your anxiety", to Weir I'd say "shut up and just skate", and to Tanith "eat something and make sure your roots match the rest of your hair when you preform". LOL
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2007
Wow. It seems that most of you had the lucky opportunity to speak and/or even SEE skaters with your own eyes. *sighs* I've never had such a privilege, but I do hope that after I have an income, I'd fly over to any competition (preferably Worlds ;D) and see them skate.
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2003
I was overly chatty :lol: and then I froze... I felt like an idiot lol people keep saying "They're just regular people" but duuuuuuudddde they're skaters, they're like the coolest people EVER
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2007
I think I'd tell Kimmie Meissner not to give up. I appreciate her on and off the ice and think she could outlast all the young upstarts.
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2003
Welcome, Yellow Cat! Enjoy your stay and jump right in on any and all threads! 
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2003
I finally got brave enough to approach Karen Magnussen (my all time figure skating heroine) and was still speechless - I think I said "thanks" as I gingerly handed her my program like a giddy teenager to sign!
I also met the great Toller Cranston. It was surreal. I can't remember what I said.
I would love to meet Kurt and thank him for all the wonderful skating he has done and continues to do. I would also like to tell him he is my all time favorite male skater.
I also met the great Toller Cranston. It was surreal. I can't remember what I said.
I would love to meet Kurt and thank him for all the wonderful skating he has done and continues to do. I would also like to tell him he is my all time favorite male skater.
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2007
The skater I most wanted to meet I just got to meet at Skate America, and that was Evan Lysacek!!! My friend and I were at the practice for the exhibition and at the end of the practice he skated by and my friend said we had presents for him. He stopped to get them and gave both of us a hug
He then came back after getting directions for the finale and signed the banner and signs we had and our t-shirts and we had pictures taken. We told him we really liked Tosca, even better than Carmen. I told him I was really glad he was using Boston for his exhibition. He was just the nicest person.
I also met my other favorite skater, Paul Wylie, at 2003 Worlds. I went up to him and asked if I could shake his hand, and I introduced myself and told him he was my favorite all time skater and that I was sorry he wasn't skating any longer. He said he should leave it to the younger kids. Then I told him a story about showing his program to Shindler's List to students of mine when I was teaching high school and their reaction to it and he was really surprised. It was a nice moment.
I also met Scott Hamilton. I just shook his hand and told him how much I enjoyed his skating. I met Todd Eldridge at 1995 Nationals and shook his hand and congratulated him, also Tonya Kwiatowski, and I got Elvis Stojko's autograph one summer when he came to train at the UofD arena. A lot of skaters came in and out of the UofD. I spoke once to Kitty and Peter Carruthers once when they were still performing, and were at the UofD working on a program.
I forgot to mention that I also met Steven Carriere and Ryan Bradley at Skate America. They are very friendly guys also.
If you go to a competition, your best bet to meet the skaters and get autographs and pictures is after practice sessions. Except for Evan Lysacek. He stays off to himself with his coach and sneaks out one of the other entrances after practice. He is so focused. However, we met him after an exhibition practice and he had all the time in the world.
He then came back after getting directions for the finale and signed the banner and signs we had and our t-shirts and we had pictures taken. We told him we really liked Tosca, even better than Carmen. I told him I was really glad he was using Boston for his exhibition. He was just the nicest person.
I also met my other favorite skater, Paul Wylie, at 2003 Worlds. I went up to him and asked if I could shake his hand, and I introduced myself and told him he was my favorite all time skater and that I was sorry he wasn't skating any longer. He said he should leave it to the younger kids. Then I told him a story about showing his program to Shindler's List to students of mine when I was teaching high school and their reaction to it and he was really surprised. It was a nice moment.
I also met Scott Hamilton. I just shook his hand and told him how much I enjoyed his skating. I met Todd Eldridge at 1995 Nationals and shook his hand and congratulated him, also Tonya Kwiatowski, and I got Elvis Stojko's autograph one summer when he came to train at the UofD arena. A lot of skaters came in and out of the UofD. I spoke once to Kitty and Peter Carruthers once when they were still performing, and were at the UofD working on a program.
I forgot to mention that I also met Steven Carriere and Ryan Bradley at Skate America. They are very friendly guys also.
If you go to a competition, your best bet to meet the skaters and get autographs and pictures is after practice sessions. Except for Evan Lysacek. He stays off to himself with his coach and sneaks out one of the other entrances after practice. He is so focused. However, we met him after an exhibition practice and he had all the time in the world.
I was overly chatty :lol: and then I froze... I felt like an idiot lol people keep saying "They're just regular people" but duuuuuuudddde they're skaters, they're like the coolest people EVER
Hehehe. Well, my justification for my constant brain freeze while talking to skaters is that I'm shy and I have a hard time coming up with stuff to say to *any* stranger. And while we may feel familiar with the skaters from following them on TV, they're still strangers... Which is not to say the "OMG factor" doesn't play at least a small part
.Oh I should mention that I haven't talked to Brian Boitano in person yet but I did get the opportunity to interview him over the phone once and he was the nicest, chattiest guy - started things off with a joke and then proceeded to ask *me* a bunch of questions when I was supposed to be interviewing him. Kind of threw me off, but he was very engaging.
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