|
|
Post by linmiste on Feb 15, 2008 9:52:16 GMT -5
Just want to drop in and say 'thanks' for all the pics! Blake from New Zealand is a cutie, Lori. And I think I understand everyone's attraction to Charles Hamelin... it's the long hair, just like Apolo.  Of course, a cute smile and a good heart help.  |
|
|
|
Post by lilyover76 on Feb 15, 2008 13:10:55 GMT -5
Some have questioned Apolo's demeanor during the awards presentation for the 1000m race, receiving his gold medal.
To some, he may have appeared solemn, but I'm sure he was very pleased, silently. As the host country for WC 6, I think he conducted himself admirably, not appearing to gloat, of his win over his foreign competitors. Japanese, traditionally, do not show a lot of emotion. I don't know if some of this characteristic is ingrained in Apolo; he certainly was on an emotional-high during his Olympic wins. But a lot has passed since then and Apolo's composure has certainly matured. This, of course, is just my humble opinion!      
|
|
|
|
Post by mtnme on Feb 15, 2008 14:00:02 GMT -5
I couldn't agree more Lily. Apolo's elation (or emotion, if you will) was MORE than evident after he won the 1000m and circled the rink, fist pumping and hands slapped in victory along the way. (By the way, have any of you ladies who were the recipients of said hand slaps actually washed your hands yet after that?)  After two tough competitions, he delivered the goods, and was back on top, where he wanted to be. Let's face it, the guy doesn't like to lose- none of them do. (That attitude was certainly apparent with Jeff Simon. He skated his heart out. He didn't want to just qualify on every round- he wanted to win. Sometimes that didn't always work in his favor, but such is the exuberance of youth. It was amazing how many times he fought his way back.) As far as the podium awards, let's face it, after 10+ years of being in the sport and winning its accolades, Apolo probably has enough medal hardware that he needs to re-support the foundation under his dresser/sock drawer to handle the weight. The podium ceremonies, unless they are at the Olympics, no doubt have some degree of monotony about them. When it's your first one, it's beyond exciting- when it's your 100th, I'm sure it gets a bit ho-hum. "I did what I came here to do, can I go get something to eat now?"  |
|
|
|
Post by lilyover76 on Feb 15, 2008 15:16:07 GMT -5
I couldn't agree more Lily..... "I did what I came here to do, can I go get something to eat now?" thanks for your additional comments... ;D ...and about eating, he did just that... went out and celebrated, enjoying a hearty dinner!  |
|
|
|
Post by susie on Feb 15, 2008 19:55:09 GMT -5
I couldn't agree more Lily..... "I did what I came here to do, can I go get something to eat now?" thanks for your additional comments... ;D ...and about eating, he did just that... went out and celebrated, enjoying a hearty dinner! We all got out of there around 8:00 PM, and I'm going to guess that Apolo was way more than hungry. He probably all but inhaled his dinner, LOL! He would be a joy to cook for, no? |
|
|
|
Post by mtnme on Feb 15, 2008 20:31:59 GMT -5
Mtnme... thanks for your additional comments... ;D ...and about eating, he did just that... went out and celebrated, enjoying a hearty dinner! We all got out of there around 8:00 PM, and I'm going to guess that Apolo was way more than hungry. He probably all but inhaled his dinner, LOL! He would be a joy to cook for, no? My experience has been that guys whose culinary skills (self admittedly) are somewhat limited to "I can make a mean bowl of wheaties" are an easy to please crowd, especially when someone else is doing the cooking! ...and I had always thought the 'momism' - "A man's heart is through his stomach" was just a joke- until I moved out of the house and tried it! I VERY quickly found out she was right!  (Come to think of it, it's not just limited to guys- my married female friends are the first ones to RSVP when I throw a dinner party. Nothing short of live grenades placed under their a$$es usually gets them out of the house - But mention the word 'Food' and 'I'm cooking', and suddenly I have 'friends' crawling out of the woodwork!)  |
|
|
|
Post by lilyover76 on Feb 15, 2008 23:41:06 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by skaterswaltz on Feb 16, 2008 0:17:21 GMT -5
Wow, Lily -- it's like we caught him at the exact same moment. But the clarity of your shot is absolutely gorgeous!! (I wonder what he was thinking right then?)
|
|
|
|
Post by gasp on Feb 16, 2008 0:30:41 GMT -5
WOW, just plain WOW! The pics are awesome! Lily, I'm so glad you caught that moment in time when Apolo was bearing his teeth during the relay. When Simon fell, the excitement of the speed of Apolo AND Jordan Malone was incredible. They were feeding off one another's energy & came so close, so very close to bringing ib a2nd place during prelims. I was breathless at the end of that race and in total awe of how Jordan and Apolo nearly pulled it off.
Regarding Apolo's expressions at award ceremonies--not much diff than Nationals. If anything he may have been disappointed in the total medals count more than anything.
To me the most interesting thing to see in Apolo is his metamorphosis from dancing champ weight back to his lean fighting machine skating weight. It will be interesting to watch him as we approach the countdown to the Olympics!
GO TEAM USA!
|
|
|
|
Post by mtnme on Feb 16, 2008 0:45:53 GMT -5
Here are some awards ceremony pics from aj.com I'm waiting until Lily, Lori, and Skaterswaltz have exhausted their supply of incredible pictures before I post my unbelievably blurry, you can barely tell it's Apolo pics. That way you'll be so incredibly desperate for new ones you'll take anything!   |
|
|
|
Post by tdav on Feb 16, 2008 2:25:19 GMT -5
He looks really hot in that orange shirt.
|
|
|
|
Post by apolostarr on Feb 16, 2008 7:13:00 GMT -5
These pictures are so hot, Apolo is a handsome man and (a talented short-track speedskater)  ! |
|
|
|
Post by evie5 on Feb 16, 2008 8:36:45 GMT -5
Regarding Apolo at the awards...His demeanor could be a combination of several things. I'm sure he was dead tired after the awesome effort he put into the relay plus the disappointment in the relay. He's probably hungry. Who knows, there could have been other factors involved.
Regardless, he looks fantastic in that orange shirt.
|
|
|
|
Post by mtnme on Feb 16, 2008 11:16:48 GMT -5
Realize too, that unfortunately, the stands cleared out to practically empty right after the races. By the time the awards ceremony started, there were only a handful of fans still left. Kind of rude actually, but now we know who the REAL fans are. I was just happy that they were skating in front of a packed house. So kudos to the locals of SLC for at least making the effort to come, even though they may not be as into the sport as we are. Speaking of which, after going to two competitions in almost as many months, my brother has now dubbed me a short track 'groupie'. But I think I have also convinced him to come to WC1 in SLC in October and see for himself. |
|
|
|
Post by gasp on Feb 16, 2008 12:59:23 GMT -5
..regarding the high fives mtnme...since it was a "gloved" high five--yep washed my hand on my next trip to the ladies room! LOL and he actually did my fingertips...made me wonder if in the past he has done a full-on hi-5 and the fans have inadvertently knocked him off balance or pulled him into the crash pads...
|
|
!
