Figure skating
By Faye
@FayeHazel (40230)
United States
January 27, 2017 11:31am CST
To say that I'm not a sports fan isn't entirely accurate I just realized. I do get the odd thrill out of watching curling for some reason, and I can even somewhat get in to football and baseball without knowing much about them.
However as YouTube just reminded me, back in the mid-90s I was a big Figure Skating fan. The Harding/Kerrigan spectacle got me interested and then I grew to appreciate the sport, between the artistic aspect of it and the physical skill needed on the skater's part it really is a blend of art and sport. I don't recognize today's names in figure skating, however when I was watching - Oksana Baiul was big - having won the 1994 Olympics. Also when I was watching women were attempting triple jumps, and men were up to quad... I wonder if that has increased by now.
I'll include a link to one of my favorite figure skating performances. I believe I watched this as it was aired live.
Music: 'The Feeling Begins' by Peter Gabriel. Thank you @itspetergabriel! ?? The Empress of Ice Oksana Baiul competes at the 1995 Ryders Cup Watch how she tak...
14 people like this
17 responses
@DianneN (254949)
• United States
27 Jan 17
I loved the video. I remember her very well, especially since she trained near my son's inlaws Connecticut home. My granddaughter is an 8 year old figure skater who makes me so proud. She has lots more to learn and has a new coach who sent six of his girls to Nationals this year.
2 people like this
@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
28 Jan 17
@DianneN After you get that axel, the doubles start coming in quick . . . oh yah, with kids one year can make a huge difference! That's too funny you saw her routine before DIL 
. . . do you know what piece of music she is skating to? Even at the same exact level, there will be skaters who just got to there - and others who have been there a while . . . same level but at different points. It can make a huge difference in placement, but I think it's best if they gain good experience and confidence with competitions and just enjoy themselves - don't place too much importance in placement - not just yet.
. . . do you know what piece of music she is skating to? Even at the same exact level, there will be skaters who just got to there - and others who have been there a while . . . same level but at different points. It can make a huge difference in placement, but I think it's best if they gain good experience and confidence with competitions and just enjoy themselves - don't place too much importance in placement - not just yet.2 people like this
@DianneN (254949)
• United States
28 Jan 17
@much2say It was in Simsbury, CT. I hope she continues to climb up the ladder. Other Grammy sent me a few videos of her practicing her routine. I couldn't believe what she's learned. My son, her daddy, called last night and mentioned what a difference in her skating from last year. I told him that I saw the videos. My DIL laughed, because even she hasn't seen the routine. I can't wait for the competitions, but she will be skating with girls 2 and 3 levels above her. Not fair.
2 people like this
@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
27 Jan 17
I was a big figure skating fan and a skater at the time as well! I got into competitive skating as an adult - and loved it. Oksana was such a fantastic artistic skater at the time. Oh gosh, I had forgotten about this program . . . but I do remember that she did moonwalk in this - which was funny to me being that this was supposed to be an Arabic number.
2 people like this
@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
31 Jan 17
@FayeHazel I love skating because to me it's like dancing on the ice. Secret: If you can moonwalk on the floor, you can easily moonwalk on the ice as well (toepicks help with that 
).
).@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
29 Jan 17
OH wow! I admire your talent. It seems to be a challenging mix of art and sport. I know, the moonwalk bit didn't seem to fit really, still a favorite though
1 person likes this
@inertia4 (27978)
• United States
27 Jan 17
I was never a major sports fan either. I sort of like baseball but that's about it. I just don't go out of my way to watch them. However, what you are saying about figure skating is true. There is talent there. And it is hard to do what they do. All the training that goes into that is a lot. And they make it look easy. That goes for any profession or talent.
2 people like this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
29 Jan 17
I have also wondered about the effects of all those jumps and falls on their joints -- I wonder if that's why they don't seem to have long competitive careers
1 person likes this
@inertia4 (27978)
• United States
29 Jan 17
@FayeHazel Any sport is really short lived. Anything that we have to abuse our bodies with. And besides, we do get older. And as we age we just cannot do what we used to do.
@moffittjc (128831)
• Gainesville, Florida
28 Jan 17
I'm a huge Olympics fan, and the winter Olympics is my most favorite of all, so I definitely watch and enjoy the figure skating. I, too, remember the Harding/Kerrigan saga and got completely hooked on the sport of figure skating.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128831)
• Gainesville, Florida
29 Jan 17
@FayeHazel Yeah, prior to that incident, I never really followed figure skating. For me, it was always hockey and bobsledding that I loved watching in the winter Olympics. Now add figure skating to that mix!
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
29 Jan 17
I agree, winter Olympics are the best. Small world - the same event got the both of us into the sport
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (130150)
• Israel
9 Feb 18
@FayeHazel
Faye, that is so cool to have your own rink. Did other kids love to come to your home and skate on your rink?
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
9 Feb 18
@Hannihar Unfortunately I lived so far away from any of the nearest neighbors - it wasn't easy for anyone to come, though I imagine, had we been in town it would have been a great draw. It was so nice to skate and then come in and have a cup of hot cocoa
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
8 Feb 18
When I was much younger - my dad was great - he actually flooded a part of the yard with a garden hose - for my own rink. I was never too good at it though, unfortunate
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
29 Jan 17
I would tend to agree, you need to match your partner's movements too
@Orson_Kart (8261)
• United Kingdom
28 Jan 17
I'd a thought with you being an American an all, you call it Go Figure skating. 
I don't watch it now, but back in the heyday of Torvill and Dean, being a brit, I was entranced by their performances. Who could ever forget their mesmerising routine to Ravel's Bolero in the 1984 Olympics. Much better than Dudley Moore's performance to the same tune in 10 with Bo Derek.
I see there is a movie coming out about that Tonya Harding scandal. Hopefully one to watch. What a bad girl she was! 
I don't watch it now, but back in the heyday of Torvill and Dean, being a brit, I was entranced by their performances. Who could ever forget their mesmerising routine to Ravel's Bolero in the 1984 Olympics. Much better than Dudley Moore's performance to the same tune in 10 with Bo Derek.
I see there is a movie coming out about that Tonya Harding scandal. Hopefully one to watch. What a bad girl she was! 1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
29 Jan 17
Lol. Yeah really, go figure indeed. Torvill and Dean were amazing... I remember them from when I was watching.... As for Tonya - I can't help but think there's more to that story than we ever knew. I want to see the movie
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
28 Jan 17
I find it dull to watch though there is no doubt great skill and artistry and grace involved
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
30 Jan 17
@FayeHazel the music is always worthy of attention, and Rvel's Bolero really made Torville & Dean
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
29 Jan 17
I like it, and even I get bored if I am not interested in the music or the choreography
1 person likes this
@Letranknight2015 (52665)
• Philippines
29 Jan 17
Did she retire from skating? this was like decades ago. And I've only heard her from the Movie Blades of Glory. Not fan of skating though. I've watch her recent videos now, it's amazing she still got it.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
29 Jan 17
I loved Blades of Glory ...and you're right it is hard to believe that she was active 23 years ago already.... and I think you're right - she's retitred at least from competing.
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
29 Jan 17
I find it such an interesting blend of art and sport
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43579)
• Denver, Colorado
28 Jan 17
I love women's figure skating!
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
29 Jan 17
I like how you can, after awhile, get used to different people's styles
1 person likes this
@Friendlypink (3805)
•
28 Jan 17
I also enjoy watching figure skating competition and i enjoy comparing their costumes
1 person likes this
@harriskanne87 (94)
•
29 Jan 17
I have always been in love with figure skating and I enjoy most Olympic sports. I used to want to be an Olympic skater but quickly learned it's not for me. But watching it I can do all day!
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
29 Jan 17
I wanted to be a skater too. But I came to the same realization as you did. Ah alas....
@theBlock (2657)
• United States
29 Jan 17
@FayeHazel
Oh, that was a great performance by Oksana. She's one of my favorite skaters, along with Dorothy Hamill.
