The ""Other" Skating - Figure Skating

[August]

Mtnme, it would be my privilege to hang out with you in the minority of Paul Wylie fans, if indeed that's where it puts us. He's a magnificent skater, and appeared to be a real nice guy as well.

I'm hoping this won't cost me my Boitano fan club card, but here goes... Brian, bless him... was just a bit of a judges favorite sometimes. That's not to say he wasn't great and didn't work hard for his scores, but if he was competing and skated last the judges seemed to leave plenty of room for him at the top which is where they anticipated he would land. I mention this now because it was often poor Paul who would get robbed as a result. What was it, the World Championships that Paul only won once and that was a year Brian wasn't competing?

I know that judges have always scored that way but I do wish they could just give each program what it merits rather than worrying about giving out all the 10's too early.

One more thing mtnme, your skating favorites are from around the same era as mine. I admit to not following the new kids that closely particularly since 2002 when a certain speedskater caught my attention and refused to let it go. I liked everyone you listed, including G&G. I'm still hurt and confused by how their story had to end. I'll never forget the look of genuine sorrow on Viktor Petrenko's face as he marched through the street carrying his friend's picture at his memorial.

[olympia]

I don't post much but I have been following this thread since the beginning and mtmne---I have to agree--I also ice skated as a kid and now I don't follow it at all---after the Brian's, Kurt Browning, Kristi, and G&G I just kind of lost interest---Johnny Weir doesn't do a thing for me although I have been told to take a look at Daisuke Takahashi---just don't feel there is anyone right now I can latch on to and root for in the figure skating world--

[lexi]

I don't think you're in the minority at all, Mtnme. I enjoyed Paul Wylie as well. The unfortunate thing for Paul is that he was always overshadowed by the likes sof Elvis, Kurt, Viktor and even future Gold Medalist Alexei Urmanov. I was so glad his last amateur performance in the long program at the '92 Olympics made a lasting impact so that he could go out in style.

I also admire Paul away from the ice. He's very well educated and extremely family oriented. Just a well rounded guy.

The only skaters I have any interest in following at present are Denkova and Staviski. I'm praying they continue in amateur sport.

[August]

I recall one time all the power went out briefly in the middle of one of Paul Wylie's programs. He kept skating, trooper that he is, but said afterwards "Hey, who was turning the lights off and on? Chris Bowman, was that you?" Classic!

[lexi]

LOL! I'd never heard that story, August. What a hoot!

If it had been Chris Bowman turning the lights on and off, it wouldn't have surprised me in the least. Now there's a guy who had tremendous talent, but could never get his act together. Such a shame!

[mtnme]

olympia said:

I don't post much but I have been following this thread since the beginning and mtmne---I have to agree--I also ice skated as a kid and now I don't follow it at all---after the Brian's, Kurt Browning, Kristi, and G&G I just kind of lost interest---Johnny Weir doesn't do a thing for me although I have been told to take a look at Daisuke Takahashi---just don't feel there is anyone right now I can latch on to and root for in the figure skating world--

Hi Olympia, nice to hear from you.

Johhny doesn't do a thing for me either! - A little over the top for my tastes- if figure skating wants to be taken seriously as a "sport" - can we tone down the Vegas showgirl costumes a tad?? - and I don't like his attitude. You can call him the Anti-Apolo.

And embarrassingly enough, you just proved my point about not following the up and comers. Who is that guy? I'll make sure to pay attention this winter and look for him when the competition season starts.

[mtnme]

august said:

I recall one time all the power went out briefly in the middle of one of Paul Wylie's programs. He kept skating, trooper that he is, but said afterwards "Hey, who was turning the lights off and on? Chris Bowman, was that you?" Classic!

Hey August, I think I have that one on tape somewhere in storage!. It was during one of his pro competitions. As Lexi stated, he got to go out in style as an amateur, but that really gave him the opportunity to have a pro career he never dreamed of after the Olympics, when he really came into his own. I was lucky to see Paul a few times on tour with Stars on Ice. He was definitely the crowd favorite - a tough act -considering the master showman, Scott Hamilton was also in attendance.

And Oh Yeah, Lexi- agree one hundred percent about Christopher Bowman, talk about a tremendous natural talent never realized. Just goes to show you all the talent in the world isn't worth a d#%n if you're not willing to work hard and focus like our guy Apolo.

And just remember another great story. Paul was thought to have so much trouble in his short programs, because being a cerebral type of guy, he thought too much about it instead of relying more on muscle memory. Once the pressure was off he'd skate great. His coach Evy Scotvold was quoted as saying" Nothing a frontal lobotomy wouldn't cure..."

[olympia]

I can't take any credit for finding Daisuke I was pointed in that direction by skaterma over at OZ--he is still young and still working at it, tons of stuff at YouTube---this one is my favorite--he got the silver---

youtube.com/watch?v=fgbOHU-WsxI

[number1fan]

olympia said:

I don't post much but I have been following this thread since the beginning and mtmne---I have to agree--I also ice skated as a kid and now I don't follow it at all---after the Brian's, Kurt Browning, Kristi, and G&G I just kind of lost interest---Johnny Weir doesn't do a thing for me although I have been told to take a look at Daisuke Takahashi---just don't feel there is anyone right now I can latch on to and root for in the figure skating world--

olympia...i'm right with you on the heyday era of the brian's, kurt, kristi, g&g (will we ever see that much talent on the amateur ice at the same time again?)...for myself it wasn't because i lost interest, my role as mommy became more pronounced...so you didn't feel the passion from oksana and viktor eh?
i thank you for the intro to daisuke! besides being a sucker to any music from the 'phantom' he really mesmerized me with his silver medal performance at this year's worlds!!! he has the same kind of flow in routine as kristi had...seamless yet powerful...awesome!

[lexi]

olympia said:

I can't take any credit for finding Daisuke I was pointed in that direction by skaterma over at OZ--he is still young and still working at it, tons of stuff at YouTube---this one is my favorite--he got the silver---

youtube.com/watch?v=fgbOHU-WsxI

Ohhh - I like this guy. I'm wasn't familiar with him at all. Where is he in the standings presently? That was quite the combination spin about half way through his routine. He really skates very effortlessly. He was pretty emotionally spent after that program. I like his costume too and I don't often say that.

Question: Is that Nikolai Morozov in the Kiss and Cry with him?

[olympia]

Since I have been out of the figure skating loop for so long I don't have a lot of facts but I asked my source and she said that Nilolai Morozov is Daisuke's choreographer---she is not 100% sure either but she thinks he is ranked 2nd right now and he came in 8th at the 2006 Olympics---when I can I will do a little more research---glad you are liking him---I think he is a cutie with great potential

[kirkland]

Oooh, that was great! It reminded me of the emotional Yagudin programs... I so hope Yagudin's hip replacement allows him to compete. Everyone would be better for it.

[number1fan]

olympia...i recently read that daisuke is ranked #2.
kirkland...i agree, bring on the competition, the more the merrier!

[mtnme]

Thanks Olympia for the link, this guy was amazing, beautiful lines without being feminine ---and the speed! incredible. You certainly zero-ed in on the type of skater that intrigues me. I'll definately be watching for this guy. ( Now if I could just pronounce his name)...

[olympia]

I have trouble just spelling his first name--I have to keep looking it up---Takahashi I don't have a problem with--I went to school with a Scott Takahashi--but that first name I just can't get to roll off my tongue or type on the keyboard---