I have been watching ice skating for many years. Peggy Fleming is such a graceful skater and to this day skates beautifully. Dorothy Hamill was thought be an athletic skater in her prime. Katharina Witt and Kristi Yamaguchi still excite the crowds with their performances. I think the prettiest skater I have seen is Nicole Bobeck. I love Irina Slutskaya and she is currently doing well in competition. *update*-she won the European championships 2001.*UPDATE*-she lost the Worlds 2001 to Michele Kwan,ahhh if only for that one little bobble. Michele will now be favored for the Gold in 2002.UPDATE* Sarah Hughes-Gold/Irena-Silver/Michele-Bronze. BRAVO Sarah for both the most graceful AND skillful skate I have ever seen!
Two of my favorite skaters are Denise Biellmaan and Surya Bonaly. Both are very athletic skaters and although they do well I think are under appreciated by the judges constantly. My favorite male skaters are Brian Boitano, Ilia Kulik, Michael Weiss and Paul Wylie. My pair's favorites are Isabelle Brasseur and Lloyd Eisler-boy are they daredevils and good! Then there's G&G. Sergei Grinkov and Ekatharina Gordeeva-the most beautiful pairs skaters. His unfortunate death on the ice of a heart attack cut their pair's career short but Ekatharina has continued on in professional singles competition and her graceful and beautiful skating continues. His smile lives on in their daughter's face. I am/was a big fan of Alexander Zhulin and Maya Usova-breathtaking ice dancers.
Alex split up with Maya and has teamed up with "Pasha, Marilyn Monroe wannabe". Now Maya skates with Pasha's former partner. It is personally enjoyable every time Maya defeats Alex in competition. Hahhahhahhaha. *Update-Alex is now a dance coordinator for several of the skaters, including his wife,which is not Pasha! There is one more duo I love to watch, the Canadians,Shae-Lynn Bourne and Victor Kraatz. Their routines and skills are very good. They also incorporate a skill called hydroplaning that is awesome to watch! There's also a beautiful spinner from Switzerland named Lucinda Rue who just won a bronze at Worlds. Now that she medaled I'm sure we will see a lot of her!
And by the way the tune playing in the background, Bolero, skated to by Jane Torvill and Christopher Dean. A perfect 6 performance!!!
February 2002 and time for the Winter Olympics. You can see my special tribute HERE.
March 2002-World Championships-Irena finally gets the Gold!and Bourne & Kraatz have their best finish with a Silver! |
