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Post by skaterswaltz on Aug 23, 2007 12:41:08 GMT -5
Thanks, Kirkland, for the links to the Russian Skating With The Stars show. I really enjoyed watching those clips. I can definitely see how some wouldn’t ‘click’ with Alexei. He can be a little too brash and honest at times. I like that though. Plus, I’ve heard so many stories about wonderful fan encounters with him and he just seems like the sweetest guy. Regardless of peoples’ personal impressions of him, everyone seems to respect his talent…even Plush has given him that and vice versa! I dislike Nancy and Tanya equally. I never found Nancy warm and fuzzy, even before ‘the incident’. She always seemed cold and, unfair as it is to say, it was always difficult for me to give credit to her skating. Even if I were being objective though, I think there are plenty of other ladies I’d put way ahead of her as my top favorites. I could never fathom her as an Olympic gold medalist. She was definitely a medal contender, but only because she didn’t have a strong field to contend with. I always liked Michelle, but she was always the bridesmaid, never the bride. I’m still dumbfounded that neither she nor Kirk will ever be Olympic gold medalists. That just ain’t right! Kat remains my favorite female skater to date, though admittedly, I don’t enjoy the ladies skating. She was a little spitfire on the ice, full of passion and charisma, competitive to the very end. I could never wait to see what she had up her sleeve, from her costumes, to her attitude against the other skaters to her flirtatiousness. Those were the good old days. I don’t even know that you have to be all that knowledgeable to enjoy or be able to converse about figure skating. I think you like what you like. Sometimes justification just isn’t necessary. Kurt is amazing. Very few can captivate an audience like him. His footwork alone should have garnered him a gold medal! Scott Hamilton. You gotta respect the man. He’s 49 years old and can still give many a run for their money! Scott, to me, he's the cream of the crop and what a guy much like our Apolo. I see so many great qualities mirrored in each other. I think they could be or maybe they even are great friends. What a life story Scott Hamilton also has ... all of his challenges when he was little, illnesses and then at the high point of his carear he was stricken again with a life threatening illness and he still stands strong today. He's such a plus to mankind because the man is kind. I agree with pretty much everything you've all said here about the past generations of skaters. It was so much fun to watch but like August mentioned ... Nancy Kerrigan was not warm and fuzzy and to me did not have what the other champions had. Outwardly she wasn't the best skater and inwardly she was hmm conceited. The media built her up as as the new Katharine Hepburn on ice. Not. It was a great era of skating. I was really into it. Great memories. And Di*ck Button ... loved to listen to his analogies. Yes, Rhiannon! Great analogy about Scott and Apolo. I always loved Scott on and off the ice, too -- another true gentle and gracious and very talented man. I like him a lot. |
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Post by skaterswaltz on Aug 23, 2007 14:21:27 GMT -5
I love this whole conversation. I am no way nearly as knowledgeable as all of you, but for years Winter Olympics=Figure Skating for me (well, now short track, too!). I love the skiing and the other events, but I am GLUED to the tv when it comes to figure skating. Started with Peggy Fleming in the 1968 Olympics. Of course Torvill and Dean's Bolero is legendary. But I have to say my favorite all-around skater is Kurt Browning, for this reason: "Antares" to the Tragically Hip song wrote especially for him: I, too, was watching the 2002 Winter Olympics like a fiend and that's when somehow I saw Apolo and he came into my consciousness and set up camp there and never left. Kurt has the same Gene Kelly vibe going on for me that Apolo does. OK - I know Apolo would of course NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER do this, but in my fantasies he would do something like Kurt's Nyah on ice: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgH3p1BrV-4OK - now I'm even more steamed up about going to the 2010 games somehow. Great clips skaterswaltz. I just love Kurt! (I have to admit rooting for him in the Olympics even though he's Canadian! I'm such a traitor!) And I know what you mean, about the same Apolo quality. Men figure skaters are often very artistic, but I wouldn't call them "sexy". Kurt is the exception-definately HOT. I could copy and paste away all the previous posts- but I'll just type the random thoughts. I have decided that going to a Winter Olympics in person needs to be put on my list of 1000 things to do before you die. (I'm not as much a summer olympics type of gal. I ski, skate & snowshoe-so I gravitate to watching sports I enjoy doing. Or maybe it has to do with this great line in TIME magazine. ) Summer Olympians do things we couldn't do, But Winter Olympians do things we WOULDN'T do. (... for which luge comes immediately to mind...) I have a friend with family in Vancouver- so room and board is already set. Tickets go on sale in 2008- so start saving your pennies. She went to the Calgary Olympics and said it is an experience you really must do at least once in your life- 'nuff said. Like I said, Nancy wasn't for everyone. I think a lot of people were put off because she isn't all warm and fuzzy. But I understand the Katherine Hepburn statement. Physically she always reminded me of her. The broad shoulders and overall posture on the ice. I don't know, I guess I just liked "the look" of her on the ice- very elegant, but I guess to some in an "icy" sort of way. Hey, plenty of other great points everyone made-but this post is long enough and "sometimers" has just kicked in... Wow, mtnme - I love that TIME magazine quote: "Summer Olympians do things we couldn't do, But Winter Olympians do things we WOULDN'T do." So true! I'm not really a Summer Olympics person, either. Yes - I think it would be truly amazing to go to the games - just to be there and maybe walk through the Olympic Village - do you have to be an Olympian to do that? I used to ski and went to many ski areas in California, Colorado and Utah but one of my very favorites was Whistler outside Vancouver. There is nothing like the atmosphere and vibe at a ski resort. I need to get myself back in shape and maybe just hit the bunny slopes again at least. You're right -- gotta do this! And could you imagine if we actually got to see Apolo race!? Whoaaaaaaaaa! I know you have to buy your tickets in advance and it's basically like a lottery, but I wonder if you can buy tickets at the last minute/day of like at a Broadway show? |
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Post by mtnme on Aug 23, 2007 15:15:54 GMT -5
Wow, mtnme - I love that TIME magazine quote: "Summer Olympians do things we couldn't do, But Winter Olympians do things we WOULDN'T do." So true! I'm not really a Summer Olympics person, either. Yes - I think it would be truly amazing to go to the games - just to be there and maybe walk through the Olympic Village - do you have to be an Olympian to do that? I used to ski and went to many ski areas in California, Colorado and Utah but one of my very favorites was Whistler outside Vancouver. There is nothing like the atmosphere and vibe at a ski resort. I need to get myself back in shape and maybe just hit the bunny slopes again at least. You're right -- gotta do this! And could you imagine if we actually got to see Apolo race!? Whoaaaaaaaaa! I know you have to buy your tickets in advance and it's basically like a lottery, but I wonder if you can buy tickets at the last minute/day of like at a Broadway show? From the info I gathered from my friend, this is the scoop: The womens figure skating final (heck womens fs period- as well as ice dancing) is the toughest to get and the most expensive- we're talkin' to the tune of several hundred dollars and up a pop. (I was originally thinking I'd like to sign up for several events- until it became apparent I might have to pony up around 10 grand by the time all was said and done.) She sprang for the womens fs final, and though expensive, she said it was worth every penny. Speedskating wasn't "all that" at the time ( or was it even an event back then? I don't remember...)so cheaper and easier to get. But by the time 2010 rolls around Apolo will probably have whipped this all up to a frenzy and the closest you can get to the arena is binoculars from the parking lot. Last minute tickets?- maybe to something like "curling"- Snooze, bore me...Of course there are always the scalpers, but you will have to sell off your first born to afford them.... The athletes have their olympic housing, which you can't just stroll into. However there is the Olympic Village which everyone can go to, which my friend says was one of the best and most enjoyable parts of attending the games. People from all over the world beyond excited to be there, athletes wandering around, great food, fun entertainment and just the most incredible atmosphere of good will and good times. she said she had a blast! Skip the opening ceremonies-you're waiting around for hours- watch it on TV. It was more fun to pick a spot along one of the roads the olympic torch and it's holder were running down. Also, she said the events are really spread out, so to pick events that were clustered together or you'll get caught in the inevitable traffic nightmare getting from event to event. I think the ski events are being held at Whistler, -(The alpine events are always quite a distance from the main Olympic venues and village as a rule-so she steered clear of those- although I'll grant you, she's a complete whuss about being outdoors and standing around in cold weather-total city girl that she is.) The figure and shortrack skating are often in the same rink-or they're at least close by. I was hoping to see some skiing and half pipe myself- but since money to see everything I want to will be cost prohibitive- my bet is on maybe seeing the pairs skate and short track. That's all I know for now. Someone in an earlier post said to sign up for e-mail updates from the vancouver site. Oh Yeah, she also said the locals usually get first crack at the tickets and often at discounted rates- if you know anyone who lives there, that's an option too. So sorry all, another small novella.... |
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Post by lexi on Aug 23, 2007 17:18:38 GMT -5
Wow, mtnme - I love that TIME magazine quote: "Summer Olympians do things we couldn't do, But Winter Olympians do things we WOULDN'T do." So true! I'm not really a Summer Olympics person, either. I really like that quote too, Mtnme. Like you and Skaterswaltz, I'm not a fan of the Summer Olympics either. I think it's living in Canada where our more popular sports revolve around the cold. The womens figure skating final (heck womens fs period- as well as ice dancing) is the toughest to get and the most expensive- we're talkin' to the tune of several hundred dollars and up a pop. Several hundred….... a pop?  Wow – it’s a good thing I don’t like the ladies event as much as the others, but I’m sure the men’s isn’t much less expensive. Speedskating wasn't "all that" at the time ( or was it even an event back then? I don't remember...)so cheaper and easier to get. But by the time 2010 rolls around Apolo will probably have whipped this all up to a frenzy and the closest you can get to the arena is binoculars from the parking lot. LOL. You can bet on that! I wonder if NBC will focus on him in the pre-advertising or focus on some new up and comers. I’m suspecting the former since he has a pretty tight relationship with them still and he will always be a draw regardless if his sport isn't the most popular there. The athletes have their olympic housing, which you can't just stroll into. However there is the Olympic Village which everyone can go to…. Seriously? Am I misunderstanding – do you mean the general public can access the Olympic Village for a price? Wow – I had no idea. Can you even imagine the security? I might skip the events and splurge on this.  Oh Yeah, she also said the locals usually get first crack at the tickets and often at discounted rates- if you know anyone who lives there, that's an option too. It’s sounding like its more tough and more expensive to get access and tickets than first thought. Thanks to you and your friend for the great information and tips. Very helpful! |
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Post by number1fan on Aug 23, 2007 18:38:33 GMT -5
a couple of goodies for all you kristi fans 
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aG7Jw5cW4ho
Kristi's exhibition number to "Pretty Woman" at the
'91 World Champ where she won her first World title!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDu_S49W_ts
Kristi skating her AP '95 World Pros to "It's Oh So Quiet"
dwts4 fans will recognize this song!
i loved her love of performing for the fans, her musicality,
her effortlessness on the ice, her artistic interpretation...
i better stop... 
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Post by mtnme on Aug 23, 2007 19:23:47 GMT -5
Seriously? Am I misunderstanding – do you mean the general public can access the Olympic Village for a price? Wow – I had no idea. Can you even imagine the security? I might skip the events and splurge on this. [img src="www.gotapolo.com/galleries/albums/userpics/10001/lmao.gif"] Oops, Sorry Lexi, Wasn't quite correct on the info. The Olympic Village is where the athletes and coaches etc. stay. But it is usually within or near the olympic park, which is where the general rif-raf (meaning us) is allowed to go. It sounds like it is where most of the venues are held and has shops, restaurants,etc.
I've attached a link to help give you the "lay of the land" for Torino. There is a map that shows how spread out things are. Vancouver of course will do their own thing, but you get the gest of it.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_Winter_Olympics
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Post by skaterswaltz on Aug 23, 2007 19:54:23 GMT -5
Seriously? Am I misunderstanding – do you mean the general public can access the Olympic Village for a price? Wow – I had no idea. Can you even imagine the security? I might skip the events and splurge on this. [img src="www.gotapolo.com/galleries/albums/userpics/10001/lmao.gif"] Oops, Sorry Lexi, Wasn't quite correct on the info. The Olympic Village is where the athletes and coaches etc. stay. But it is usually within or near the olympic park, which is where the general rif-raf (meaning us) is allowed to go. It sounds like it is where most of the venues are held and has shops, restaurants,etc.
I've attached a link to help give you the "lay of the land" for Torino. There is a map that shows how spread out things are. Vancouver of course will do their own thing, but you get the gest of it.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_Winter_Olympics mtnme - thanks for all the great information!!! |
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Post by lexi on Aug 23, 2007 19:59:54 GMT -5
Seriously? Am I misunderstanding – do you mean the general public can access the Olympic Village for a price? Wow – I had no idea. Can you even imagine the security? I might skip the events and splurge on this. [img src="www.gotapolo.com/galleries/albums/userpics/10001/lmao.gif"] Oops, Sorry Lexi, Wasn't quite correct on the info. The Olympic Village is where the athletes and coaches etc. stay. But it is usually within or near the olympic park, which is where the general rif-raf (meaning us) is allowed to go. It sounds like it is where most of the venues are held and has shops, restaurants,etc.
I've attached a link to help give you the "lay of the land" for Torino. There is a map that shows how spread out things are. Vancouver of course will do their own thing, but you get the gest of it.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_Winter_Olympics Well you know what they say....if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. LOL Thanks for clarifying and I'll definitely check out that Torino layout. |
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Post by number1fan on Aug 23, 2007 23:32:16 GMT -5
mtnme...thanks for the up and up...
it's really appreciated and thank your friend too! 
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Post by number1fan on Aug 23, 2007 23:38:31 GMT -5
I love the skiing and the other events, but I am GLUED to the tv when it comes to figure skating. Started with Peggy Fleming in the 1968 Olympics. Of course Torvill and Dean's Bolero is legendary. But I have to say my favorite all-around skater is Kurt Browning, for this reason: "Antares" to the Tragically Hip song wrote especially for him: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Tcy--wXe5w I, too, was watching the 2002 Winter Olympics like a fiend and that's when somehow I saw Apolo and he came into my consciousness and set up camp there and never left. Kurt has the same Gene Kelly vibe going on for me that Apolo does. OK - I know Apolo would of course NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER do this, but in my fantasies he would do something like Kurt's Nyah on ice: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgH3p1BrV-4OK - now I'm even more steamed up about going to the 2010 games somehow.
btw, love yout lil' apolo siggie  |
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Post by kirkland on Aug 24, 2007 0:44:47 GMT -5
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Post by lisam on Aug 24, 2007 1:10:56 GMT -5
I just adore Scott Hamilton! When I mentioned a while ago that I wasn't really into the mens figure skating I was forgetting about Scott. Duh, he is so awesome! He is so much fun to watch, has so much energy, especially love those back flips! I love how he plays with the audience and skates with humor and personality.  Here's are a few of his performances, make sure you watch from beginning to end or you'll miss the good stuff, but you probably already know that. Scott Hamilton Hungarian Rhapsody youtube.com/watch?v=1Evg3eTAgJ4&mode=related&search=Scott Hamiltion Walk This Way youtube.com/watch?v=2z-6O9p7RPw&mode=related&search=Scott Hamilton In The Mood(I love how the one of the announcers says "Scott, 36 yrs old, yeah right!") youtube.com/watch?v=1Evg3eTAgJ4&mode=related&search=I watched the Kurt Browning vids and I think I remember him. I enjoyed his performances, hes very good, great foot work. Thanks for the Kristi Y vids. Her cute personality really shows through in her performances, especially in Its So Quiet and Doop Doop. Her and Scott are just so fun to watch. I looked up Kats vids and watched the Calgary Olympics one, her second gold medal. I remember it now and just an amazing performance. Heres the vid of that:http://youtube.com/watch?v=49SPJNcknA0 Then I was trying to remember who was the girl that represented the US and found out it was Debi Thomas. I remember her now after watching her program and she was good but definitily not as good as Kat. She won the bronze medal and that was basicly the end of her skating career. I looked her up to see what she did after that and she became a orthopedic surgeon and she graduated from Stanford University in 1991 with a degree in engineering and from the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in 1997. It also says that she still remains involved in the figure skating world as a frequent committee member and judge. Just thought I'd share that little bit of interesting info. And one more thing, Im not much of a Summer Olympics person either. I do however like watching the gymnastics but I dont get too involved in it like I do with figure skating. But I do try to watch some of the sports, see whos out there representing the US. |
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Post by skaterswaltz on Aug 24, 2007 1:15:14 GMT -5
I love the skiing and the other events, but I am GLUED to the tv when it comes to figure skating. Started with Peggy Fleming in the 1968 Olympics. Of course Torvill and Dean's Bolero is legendary. But I have to say my favorite all-around skater is Kurt Browning, for this reason: "Antares" to the Tragically Hip song wrote especially for him: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Tcy--wXe5w I, too, was watching the 2002 Winter Olympics like a fiend and that's when somehow I saw Apolo and he came into my consciousness and set up camp there and never left. Kurt has the same Gene Kelly vibe going on for me that Apolo does. OK - I know Apolo would of course NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER do this, but in my fantasies he would do something like Kurt's Nyah on ice: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgH3p1BrV-4OK - now I'm even more steamed up about going to the 2010 games somehow.
btw, love yout lil' apolo siggie Wow - thank you, number1fan! I totally missed the Kurt Browning Extravaganza on those two pages!! I am so thrilled to see you and others love him, too. But I have to tell you, I am still crying over the 2002 and 2006 Olympic closing credits you posted. I hadn't seen them, or don't remember seeing them. And especially the 2006 footage when Apolo won the gold and then the unexpected, joyful meeting with Shani that you pointed out - I just lost it. That was such a pure moment. The Winter Olympics always get to me -- just the triumph of the human spirit and how hard and millions of hours all those kids worked and suffered and the grace under pressure. I am always so blown away by it all - for years now. But Apolo was extra special. Funny - he has no idea that some lady is sitting alone in her house looking at the 2006 closing credits on YouTube and BAWLING when he yells out and runs and hugs Shani. No clue at all. But I sure thank him for the the wonderful ride!  (I know - how cute is he in the picture below... I can't stand it -- that little Olympian in the making.) |
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Post by lisam on Aug 24, 2007 1:31:29 GMT -5
I feel like a dork for asking this but what are the names of the Canadian pair figure skating that won the silver in the SLC where there was some controversy about them and how they should of won the gold? I didnt watch the pairs skating so I didn't see their performance and I want to find it on youtube. What was the story again about the couple that won the gold, what happen?
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Post by vegas on Aug 24, 2007 1:41:19 GMT -5
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