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Archive through March 18, 2004

The TVClubHouse: Archives: 2004 January - Arpil: Figure Skating Championships: Archive through March 18, 2004 users admin

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Colordeagua

Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 2:51 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Exhibition from competition is on now!

Konamouse

Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 3:07 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Hey folks, lets not forget about the ice dance teams. My cousin (Ben Agosto) and his partner (Tanith Belbin) won the gold and are competing very well at the international level (and should be on the podium at worlds).

'squeek

Fanny

Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 3:37 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Did anybody else notice that in Michelle's short program, her left boob about popped out of her Vera Wang costume? I would think she'll make some adjustments to that one before she wears it in front of the cameras again! LOL

edited: Kona, they're a great team! Tanith is breathtakingly gorgeous.

Whoami

Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 4:28 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Wow Kona! Ben Agosto is your cousin? How cool is that? I bet its been exciting for you to watch them grow each year. They are definetly the best and biggest hope the US has had for Ice Dancing on the international stage. I really think they have a great chance to medal this year at Worlds.

Now, IIRC, Tanith still doesn't have her US Citizenship, so they won't be eligible for the 2006 Olympics?

Fanny, I'm always perplexed why they can't seem to get a costume to fit Michelle up top.

Colordeagua

Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 6:09 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
One of the commentators said Melissa Gregory and Dennis Pechukov (sp?) can't go to the Olympics because he's not a U.S. citizen. They're married. Isn't that kinda automatic citizenship?

Colordeagua

Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 6:41 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Since my above post, I found this on a web site about the couple:

Quote:

The skaters began dating within two weeks, fell in love and were married on February 2, 2001, a significant date for both families. "It was Denis' grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary and my grandparents also celebrated their 50th anniversary two weeks later," Gregory said. "We had a small ceremony just for us and later another ceremony for Denis' family in Russia. We'll wait for a big ceremony when everyone can come, hopefully when Denis gets his citizenship." He expects to become a citizen within the next two years, which would make the couple eligible for the 2006 Olympics.




Llkoolaid

Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 8:14 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Kona, don't get your hopes up for a podium finish, although your cousins team may deserve it, in my opinion ice dancing has the most corrupt judges. Bourne and Kratz were repeatedly robbed of medals. It all goes to the Europeans. I will look for them at worlds when I watch it. I love the ice dancing but don't recognize the names.

I love pairs to and am sad that Sale and Peltier have retired amateur ranks in pairs as well as Bourne and Kratz in dance. Brausseur and Isler are still favorites of mine and they haven't slowed down as pros, I just love to watch them.

Whoami, I can't agree more with you on your comments of Underhill and Martini, pure heart in their performances.

Who are the up and coming male skaters in U.S.A., I haven't watched it a lot lately. My favorite all time American male skater is that short guy who does all the funny stuff now as a pro, ( god I am getting old, I know as soon as I post this his name will come to me). The guy that had cancer. He is loved in Canada. I remember Scotty Hamilton, there I knew if I ranted long enough it would come to me. My most unfavorite is Brian Botano, just don't care for him at all.

And another thing, what do you guys have in your water. You have the best woman skaters every year of all the countries competing. I love Michele and Sasha is amazing, but you have had so many others. Sarah Hughes is good, not many countries can go to the Olympics and have 3 on the podium. I am jealous, I just want one good woman from Canada so we can start sending 3 again. We seem to excel in pairs, do ok in men's and dance but suck in woman's, I wonder why?

Colordeagua

Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 8:36 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Ll, Has Josie Chinard (I know the spelling is waaay off?) totally retired. I always loved to watch her -- especially her "sweater program". I believe that was for the pros.

How do you spell her name? Like to look her up on the web, but nothing turns up for any of my spelling tries.

Crossfire

Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 8:42 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I think the spelling is Josée Chouinard.

Teachmichigan

Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 9:10 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Mags...I have the evening competition on TIVO. I watched the afternoon one, but didn't tape it. If you want a tape, email me at teachmichiga at yahoo dot com (only do it normal way! :) ). I'd be happy to transfer from TIVO to tape and mail it out. Michelle's performance is really worth watching!

Teachmichigan

Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 9:13 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Whoami...meant to say...THANKS for the hysterically funny pictures!! Those are prime candidates for funny postcards, if you ask me!

Whoami

Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 9:59 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
As for up and coming US Male skaters, I would say Johnny Weir can certainly qualify now! He's only 19 I think, and I also think this was not only his first Senior title, but his first time on the podium at Seniors.

I'm certainly no expert, but I'm led to believe that the US (and other countries) often send their up and comers to Jr. Worlds, and 4 Continents. Here's a link to this years teams that have been named for each event...

U.S. Figure Skating Names International Teams

Of those names at 4C and Jr. Worlds, I recognize Matt Savoie (well, I think he's been around a while), Ryan Jahnke, Evan Lysacek, and Ryan Bradley. But those are mostly from their names being mentioned on the figure skating forums I browse.

As for Josée Chouinard, I typed her name in Google, and came up with several hits. I'm sure you'll find a lot to read about her there. On the message boards, there was a recent thread about her...

Josée Chouinard on Skating Forums

And as far as the US Ladies having incredible depth in the ranks, there's no argument there. However, we better all be watching closely those coming from Japan. If I remember reading the message boards right, the ladies are landing Triple Axles and Quads over there....and thats in the junior ranks! China seems to be taking over the Pairs events too.

Glad you liked the photos! Think we should use one in the "Write a Caption" thread?

Lumbele

Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 10:08 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Did anyone catch why Victor Kraatz has decided to retire from skating all together? You would have thought he'd want to rake in a few big bucks professionally before going on to other things. Why is he hanging Shae-Lynn out to dry? It won't be easy for her to skate all alone. Quite a feat for a dancer after all. But then again Katya Gordeeva did it, why not Shae-Lynn.

Whoami

Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 10:31 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Here's a past discussion on Victor Kraatz. Again, take it for what its worth (rumor mills and all)....

Victor Krattz on Skating Forums

Kimmo

Monday, January 12, 2004 - 7:24 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Bourne and Kraatz were my favorite ice dancing team, too-- It seems like I've been watching the past 8 or so years hoping they would win Worlds just to see them get ripped off. For the past 3 or so years, I've been surprised they haven't just called it quits, just because the judging is so biased and discouraging. Their "Riverdance" is one of my favorites, too.

That thread on them breaking up-- That's too bad it wasn't a mutual decision to break up. I don't see why, if Victor wanted to do Stars on Ice as a "farewell tour," why Shae-Lynn wouldn't do it as well-- Instead of not doing it to point out to everyone that she doesn't want it to be farewell. :( (That's from what someone posted from a newspaper interview with Bourne in the thread Who posted.)

Color, thanks for posting about the skating exhibition-- I got to see the replay of Michelle's performance! Even though it is the same elements all the time, the music was more dramatic, and she really gets in a zone-- Wow, the closing footwork was great. It's weird, I guess with Michelle I am not watching "what" she is doing, but "how" she is doing it. She's great!

But really enjoyed Sasha Cohen's exhibition performance. I guess she also has several signature moves but she does everything so, well, as "they" keep saying, "with style"-- She has alot of impact in her skating, it's interesting to watch.

Skootz

Monday, January 12, 2004 - 9:06 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I love Bourne & Kraatz too. I was at their home coming show in London, Ontario. It was great to see them there.

We couldn't believe it after the intermission they showed on the big screen recaps of when they did riverdance...then as the music was playing they came on the ice with their costumes on and skated to it. It was tremendous to see.

After the show..didn't get a picture of Victor, but talked to him and he said he had to dig the green costumes up.

Shae is such a nice person...here is a picture of me and her after the show.

shae

Cablejockey

Monday, January 12, 2004 - 9:27 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Do we have to wait til March to see anymore competiton? I hope something comes before that.
I'm surprised nobody mentioned Jenny Kirk from US National on Sat night. I thought she brought a fresh energy to the competition, that few others had. Maybe the story about her mother dying and having her sister get closer to her, got to me.

Lumbele

Monday, January 12, 2004 - 9:59 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Skootz, they'll always be remembered for their Riverdance routine. Still can't believe they didn't get the gold for that one.

Wink

Monday, January 12, 2004 - 12:48 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I was at the Canadian Championships in Hamilton when they won their first Senior Dance title in 1993 and again in Hamilton when they won the Grand Prix final with Riverdance which I think is one of the finest crowd pleasing dance routines ever seen on ice. That program along with Underhill and Martini's Unchained Melody, altho two different disciplines, are two of my all time favourite skating memories.

Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto seem to have that same kind of chemistry on ice and I hope they do well on the international stage.

Johnny Weir from the US looks like he has a very bright future. He has all the technical skills and is much more artistically gifted than Tim Goebel and I think, barring injury, he may be US Champion for a long time to come. I'm looking forward to seeing him skate in person at Nation's Cup next week along with Ryan Jahnke, Tanith and Ben and of course the Canadian contingent.

Kimmo

Monday, January 12, 2004 - 5:31 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I didn't think anything of Johnny Weir last year, and again I didn't get to see him compete this year, but I loved his exhibition performance on Sunday! He looks fantastic on the ice, he is so lithe and the skating was wonderful.

I haven't been really enthusiastic about the US Men's since I don't know when...Probably since Michael Weiss first broke through. Timothy Goebbel doesn't seem to have "It". I really like Matt Savoie, too, though. He always tries to do something different.

Whoami
Member

08-03-2001

Wednesday, February 04, 2004 - 5:25 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
FYI to anyone interested....

The Four Continents Championships will be televised Saturday on ABC and Sunday on ESPN2. I only have my local listings (11:00am on Saturday, 6:00pm on Suday...Mountain Time), but you can check your local times at TV Guide OnLine

Whoami
Member

08-03-2001

Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 12:18 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
A lot of skating coming up on TV (all times Eastern)....


2004 European Championships 3/18 1-3 pm ESPN
2004 European Championships 3/18 8-10 pm ESPN2
2004 World Championships 3/25 7-9 pm ESPN2
2004 World Championships 3/25 9-11 pm ABC
2004 World Junior Championships 3/26 8-10 am Lifetime
2004 World Championships 3/27 5-7 pm ESPN
2004 World Championships 3/27 8-11 pm ABC
2004 World Championships 4/3 4-6 pm ABC
2004 World Championships 4/3 9-11 pm ESPN
2004 World Championships 4/5 9-11 pm ESPN
2004 U.S. Synchronized Team Skating Championships 4/9 8-9 am Lifetime
2004 World Championships 4/10 4:30-6:30 pm ESPN
2004 World Synchronized Team Skating Championships 4/16 8-9 am Lifetime

Naturally, I'm looking forward most to Worlds. Looks like Irina Slutskya has passed her test with the Russian Federation, and has been deemed fit to compete (she's been out all season with a serious illness).

I'm also going to check out the synchronized skating. I've heard of it before, but never seen it. I think it would be interesting. I'm glad that as well as Junior Worlds is getting some sort of coverage. They all work hard enough to deserve it.

FYI, I got all the above times/dates from the USFSA site.


Melfie1222
Member

07-29-2002

Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 8:57 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Who, I've never heard of synchronized skating... is it as it sounds, like synchronized swimming... ? Is it mens or womens or both?

Just last week bought tickets for the Champions Exhibition thing they have after the US Figure Skating Championships, they are coming to my town in 2007. Only 3 years to wait, lol! . I would love to see the competitions themselves, hopefully some of my friends/family who buy those packages will split them out and I'll get to see one.

Whoami
Member

08-03-2001

Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 10:12 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
All I can do is make assumptions about the synchronized skating, since I've never seen it before.

The skaters compete as a team, and perform a routine that I would call a drill (seeing as I come from a marching background). I have no idea on what they are judged on, but one would have to assume unison would be one biggie.

Hopefully someone with a background in skating can come along and explain better.

Here's a link to the USFSA website where there are some pics of synchronized skating in action....

Synchronized Skating pics

My layman's assumption would be that these would be group numbers somewhat similar to the group production numbers that Stars on Ice and Champions on Ice do in their shows (but with more focus on execution).

Skootz
Member

07-23-2003

Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 5:30 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I think you pretty well summed it up whoami. Also Melfi..it is similar in some way to syncro swimming.

There is a large number of girls (guys can skate syncro but it not common) They have a song and do a routine. It is judged on speed, dificulity and unison. The higher level teams can have jumps and spins in their routine too. One of the most common element of syncro skating is the "pinwheel" this is where the skaters are in a line, 1/2 of the team faces one way and the other face the other way and they skate in a straight line in one direction. It is really neat to see. My daughters skating club has about 8 syncro teams and we have the chance to see them at the year end carnival. They are amazing and it is a lot of work.

That is about all I can say about it..but I do hope you get a clear picture. It is amazing to watch.