DREAM CRUSHERS: The Tara Lipinski Edition

When I was 15 I quit Figure Skating. At that time I was doing preparations for my Senior Bronze Free Skate Test. This test (at least in my day) required, among other things, a Double Salchow, a Double Toe Loop and a single Axle. I failed it miserably on my first try.

As a skater up to that point I wasn’t particularly natural, especially not with the jumps. I was a good spinner and flexible with an excellent Spiral extension… but alas I skated pretty slowly, cautiously and with very little lift when it came to the jumps. My Axle was criticized for it’s low height and my Double jumps were always cheated. I just didn’t have that confidence to really GO for it.

This was the late 1990’s…there was no You Tube yet. I didn’t know what the skill level was for every skater in the whole wide world…I knew enough to realize my little recreational club wasn’t a mecca for the sport though, and I was well aware that I wasn’t the best there either. But still..I figured I had time to get better. Up until that point most of the skaters I saw competing at the Senior level on television were a bit older. Back then top skaters were generally much later in their teens than is the norm today. Michelle Kwan was an anomaly I figured…a rare prodigy. And  Oksana Baiul was just as unusual a case…an orphan with huge, sad eyes that seemed many years older than 16. Most other girls, normal girls, took a bit more time to develop, I figured. I could develop too! Basically I was, like, this dumb kid living in a tiny town, I wasn’t that good at skating, and yet I held a very sincere belief that I would someday soon be a world class figure skater.

One thing I was kinda noticing though was that the technique, which was really difficult for me in the first place, was actually getter even harder. To my dismay I began to realize I would have to train with a lot more focus than I had thought to really master the skills and become a real figure skater… the hard work began to put me off as it does so many of us…sigh!

Back then, when I was 15 at the ice rink, I felt pretty torn. Should I really commit to this and try to make a go of it, for real, or am I gonna quit? It’s funny to remember now, because to everyone else involved in my skating it was just considered a hobby anyhow…. but to me it felt so important. I genuinely loved the sport. What should I do???

Then….. the 1998 Olympics in Nagano rolled around and Tara Lipinksi beat The Kwan. Re-live that incredible upset here:

Minds were blown, even Michelle Kwan’s I suspect.

Watching that event was my turning point, I can remember it like it was yesterday. When Tara Lipinski hit that famous Triple Loop/Triple Loop combination of hers with such ease in the Long Program, it was a sobering moment for me and it shoved me abruptly into reality.

I was NEVER going to be a competitive skater. I was struggling to pass my Senior Bronze Free skate test! Tara was a few months younger than me and she had beat THE KWAN. The prodigy. People were good at this I realized, so much better than I had even thought.

The upside to this story is that I wasn’t devastated by this realization. Not in the least. It was kind of a relief to let those dreams go actually. It freed me up to smoke pot in the parking lot BEHIND the arena, for example, and hang around after school with non-figure skating kids instead of trying to do Double Flips over and over all evening, and I wouldn’t trade those parties and escapades of my youth for anything. For me, being an educated figure skating FAN has turned out to be even better than being an actual skater. When I’m a little baked, sipping hot cocoa in a cozy sweater, judging the skills of world class athletes at a world class event from the bleachers…I’m in my happy place, I’ll tell you that fellow ice nerds. So I guess it’s good to know that the 8 years me (and my parents, God bless them) put into the sport were not for nothing. Skating has brought me such joy through my life, in ways i hadn’t planned for in the beginning.

Crushed dreams don’t always mean a broken heart. Sometimes dreams, even ones that are never realized, can be the fuel that feeds another passion.

To this day I lovingly think of Tara Lipinski, and her devastating Triple/Triple combinations, as an important icon of my personal growth. Tara was a true Dream Crusher, and I admire her chops today as much as I did then! Ruin-your-life AMAZING!

Until next time ice dorks…

xxxxo
HBelle

THROWBACK THURSDAY: Tonya Harding

With all the chatter last week about female figure skaters doing Triple Axles, and all the much deserved respect going to Elizaveta Tuktamysheva for nailing hers so beautifully in the Short Program at Worlds this year, it got me thinking….. The women of note who have successfully completed Triple Axles in competition, in the whole history of the sport, are a small group. They are kind of like the Knuckle Ballers of women’s figure skating. These types of competitors are unusual, and when they hit that elusive jump when it counts…. they are tough to beat.

Midori Ito of Japan was the first to pull it off in 1988 at the NHK Trophy. Check it out at the 1:20 mark here:

Tonya Harding of the USA was next. Yep. Her. The girl everyone, even non-figure skating nerds, remember as an infamous piece of trash who arranged to have another skater hobbled in order to go to the 1994 Olympics in Lilihammer, was actually pretty famous BEFORE all that…for her Triple Axle.

Tonya Harding was the first American women to land the jump in competition. She did so to win her first National title in 1991. Tonya won this event fair and square guys. Nobody was injured.

Re-live the glory here:

Dick Button was lovin’ it huh? That’s high praise.

Tonya Harding landed 3 more Triple Axles that season. She did two at Skate America, (the one completed in the short program was even in combination!) as well one at the 1991 World Championships where she placed 2nd.

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva actually reminds me a little of Tonya when she jumps, do you guys see it? The first time I saw Elizaveta skate at the 2014 Worlds I thought, “…that’s what Tonya Harding would have looked like with nicer arms…” Eliza’s Lutz especially is a dead ringer for Tonya’s.

Check out Tonya’s Triple Lutz at the 1991 Worlds at the 0.51 mark here:

Now watch Elizaveta’s Triple Lutz at the 2015 Worlds at the 1:05 mark here:

Tonya and Eliza both have that dare-devil flair to their jumps. That exciting speed going into them and those solid landings. Oh God, I love the landings. There is no DOUBT, y’know? Not even a hint of a two-foot. Tonya and Eliza are the kind of jumpers who get that bad-ass delay in the air. They throw themselves into those jumps like fucking animals.

Remember Natural Born Killers?

Hear me out.

Remember when Mallory Knox (played by Juliette Lewis) runs head first into her jail cell door and knocks herself unconscious?

A refresher on that great cinematic moment at the 0.39 mark here:

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva and Tonya Harding have that same kind of maniac energy to their jumps. It’s polarizing, it’s breath taking and it’s kind of scary. Especially Tonya. But of course, that’s a given.

It really takes BALLS to throw yourself into these jumps and fully commit to trying to land them. It’s pretty terrifying. Anyone who has tried it will agree with me, I promise you. It’s not too surprising that one of the most amazing jumpers in the history of ladies figure skating turned out to be, well….sorta crazy. Maybe you just HAVE to be, in some way, to get that kind of air on the ice.

I wonder what brand of crazy Elizaveta Tuktamysheva is? Maybe it’s just the kind of focused crazy you get from being an athlete trained in Russia. Those dudes DO NOT mess around. I personally feel we should be taking a few cues from Russia, when it comes to training our skaters anyway, over here in North America. Rolling Stone has said as much recently in an article. Check it out here:

http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/features/why-is-american-figure-skating-losing-the-cold-war-20150325

It’s great to see female skaters of more recent years like Kimmie Meisner, Mao Asada and now Elizaveta Tuktamysheva bring the athleticism of their sport to greater heights! (pun intended, deal with it) It will be interesting to see how this affects competition in the ladies event moving forward.

Do you see the similarities in the jumping style of Tonya Harding and Elizaveta Tuktamysheva?

Do you think Tonya’s contributions to the sport deserve some accolades in the present day in spite of her sordid past?

Until the next time we chat ice nerds, remember….throw yourself into your jumps like a maniac.

It’s what the people want!

xoxox
HBelle

BOOK REVIEW: Push Dick’s Button by Dick Button

“A great skater is one who reaches the top, and leaves the sport different and better because they were in it.”
Dick Button

Where do I begin with Figure Skating icon Dick Button??? I LOVE Dick Button. Dick is one of the most acclaimed athletes in the history of the sport. He’s a two time Olympic Gold medalist (1948-1952), a five time World Champion (1948-1952) and a legendary, somewhat infamous, broadcaster. For the better part of 20 years I have listened to Dick Button call the programs of every relevant skater, in almost every phase of their career, at the most elite competitions in the world. Dick is known for being a true master of ice skating and isn’t delicate in expressing his opinion on others grasp of the technique.

Take a look HERE at a video montage of some of his most celebrated broadcasting moments.

Ha! Great right? I love when a skater has an unfortunate, horrific fall and he deems it “un-called for”…he’s so un-sympathetic!

Dick Button is hilarious, a tough critic and sort of like the Wayne Gretsky of Figure Skating. He’s The Great One….a Champion and an innovator. Dick invented the Flying Camel Spin (Originally called The Button Spin) and was the first to perform a Triple jump (A Loop) Dick loves Figure Skating more than anyone in the universe too. He truly gives a shit that it be done right, and because of that I myself am a more educated skating fan. Dick has trained me well over the years. Because of him I KNOW what a proper back position is and expect it from skaters. I notice when a boot isn’t pointed, when a leg isn’t turned out and when shoulders are rounded… and it BOTHERS me! It’s un-called for! Because of Dick Button I have a much better radar for ideal skating technique and a greater appreciation of truly beautiful skaters.

Dick is THE MAN!

So….his book: Push Dick’s Button

Well….he pretty much had ME at the title, but I’m the key demographic, so whatever.

This book is a lot of fun, doesn’t take it’s self too seriously and offers up some interesting technical information for true Figure Skating nerds. If you are a skating fan 25 years or older you will probably hear his voice in your head as you read it too, which is a bonus!

Dick can bring any subject back to Figure Skating in 7 degrees or less and he uses this skill to great affect to philosophize about life, love, success and failure. Dick also throws his hat in the ring on some pretty famous Olympic competition moments (Calgary 1988 “Battle of the Carmens”, Nagano 1998 “Kwan vs Lipinski” and Salt Lake City 2002 Pairs event for example) and he will have you running to your computer searching You Tube every other minute for his top notch recommendations of classic skating works from the last 50 years. He dishes about the new judging system (he hates it), the manner in which he developed his own technique, the ISU and how he would like to see the sport progress in the future. All in all a fascinating read for any avid Figure Skating fan.

If you are reading this page you are likely a big ol Figure Skating nerd like me, so take my advice and snag a copy of this book. You won’t regret it!

Until the next time kids…. bend your knees and keep your back straight! (anything else in uncalled for!)

xo
Hbelle

The Men. Worlds 2015.

Super-Hunk and Super-Athlete Javier Fernandez is the 2015 Men’s World Figure Skating Champion! Congratulations Javier! Can we just acknowledge his butt for a second though, before we discuss this any further?

It has to be said. This kid’s ass is as phenomenal as his jump technique. He’s the best looking Men’s champion of all time, no question, and a damn fine skater to boot, but more on that in a second.

This competition was very interesting wasn’t it? Some epic fails, and some exciting comebacks too, often wrapped into a single performance. There are definitely more male skaters on my radar after watching this event, how about you? We seem to have some new stars on the rise.

Ok, so first things first. Remember what I said about Phantom of the Opera? I am automatically a little harder on any skater who uses this music (or Carmen) because as all skating fans know, it has been used TO DEATH.

But every rule has an exception, and I want to come right out of the gate saying that I loved Yuzuru Hanyu’s Phantom themed Long Program this season. L-O-V-E-D it.

I probably have Brian Orser to thank for that partially, right? Brian Orser is a two-time Olympic medalist and Canadian coaching giant. He’s Yuzuru’s right hand man. I’m guessing he chose those sections of the score for his student? WHOEVER selected and edited that music was right on the money anyway. It was absolutely perfect for Yuzu. When he skated it so passionately and won the Grand Prix Final earlier this season….I was in love with him all over again. (I know, I know…that fuck up on the Lutz was a shame, but forgivable considering the rest of the content…c’mon) I was on team Yuzuru-for-Gold leading up to this World Championships, believe me.

So here we are at Worlds then. He’s reigning Champ, he’s Olympic Champ. He’s had a TOUGH season but proven to be a steely competitor no matter what.

It was hard to watch him loose his focus and leave the door open for Javier Fernandez, wasn’t it? I was kind of shocked when he popped that Salchow first thing in the Free Skate. When he crashed down on the second jumping pass, right in time with the most iconic notes in the whole Phantom score, I knew it was over. It was cringe worthy. He knew it too I’m sure, and that makes his recovery all the more impressive. He really knows how to take one element at a time doesn’t he? And have you ever seen a crowd more supportive of a skater? Holy Hell! He truly is a rock star in the sport and I enjoyed this flawed performance just as much as any other of his. Yuzuru is an undeniably beautiful skater. A World Silver medal at the end of a rough and tumble season…..it’s not the worst thing. He’s going to continue to be a major player moving forward no doubt.

So Denis Ten got in there. Good for him. He certainly fought for every second of his programs, which is always great to see.

What did you think of his Programs by the way? I liked the Short a lot more than the Long, even with the flawed jumping passes.

Certainly both programs were sophisticated. He had a few small jumping errors in the Long program as well, but more or less rose to the occasion. I thought his Spins were weak in the Long though, especially toward the end. That second to last combination spin? The one that ended in that retched tuck position? He lost all his speed on it! I’m nit-picking, I know, but i guess it’s because i don’t see the fascination with this kid. He’s got an incredible team working for him, Frank Carroll and Lori Nichol namely, so I feel like I should be more excited about him…. but I never am. He’s really good, but I just don’t care you know? What about you guys? Do you like him?

Can we talk about the Babelicious Javier Fernandez now!!!? He did it. Kind of….

I’m sorry! I don’t mean to be mean, but he wasn’t completely satisfied with that Long Program himself, you could tell. Such a shame about the second Quad…the Salchow….it looked great in the air, am i right? He just got too far back on his heel to hang on to the landing, unfortunately.

Having said that, I REALLY like this kid. It’s hard not to. He’s charming, handsome and a powerful athlete. He absolutely deserves to be recognized as a World Champion. I just have one complaint……Is it me or does he have to get in his head a bit to complete elements in a competitive setting? I have been noticing it all season. His programs are great, don’t get me wrong, and he skates them beautifully, but i can’t help but notice that glazed look in his eyes when he competes. He seems to be going through the motions of the choreography a little bit to focus on the athletics. Is it me? Am I reading it wrong? I don’t know…again, I’m nit-picking.

Javier is one of the most well-rounded male competitors on the scene right now and I loved watching him execute those routines so strongly at this important event. Did you see how fucking wacked that Triple Axle was in the Short program? I don’t know how he saved it. Amazeballs.

Javier, and his sexy rump roast, are sure to be very popular moving forward. I know I’M looking forward to next season.

So the Americans…….not so strong in the Mens event right now are they? Certainly we have seen tremendous potential in recent years in the likes of say, Jeramy Abbott (who didn’t qualify for Worlds this season), but unfortunately that potential was never realized. So who’ve we got right now? Well, we’ve got the adorable Jason Brown, who put together two strong skates to finish a respectable 4th.

Pretty damn good considering he doesn’t have a Quad AND he two-footed both his Triple Axles in the Long Program! (watch the replay on that first Axle if you doubt me. It was very minor, but it WAS two-footed) Anyway, it just goes to show you how far you can get on quality skating skills, beautiful spins, fierce presentation and consistency with the jumps you CAN do. Figure Skating is a real underdogs game if you play up your strengths properly, and that definitely seems to be Jason Browns approach. I like it. When he’s at his best he’s delightful and i was proud to see him skate so well in both events.

Just throwing out there that I absolutely hated his Short Program though. Sorry, but it was so cheesy and repetitive. He did the slick-ma-hair-back move, like, 5 times. Oy.  He skated it well, but he’s better than those silly shenanigans, am i right?

The Long Program is another story though.

He skated the shit out of it. I thought it was great.  Did you see him fighting for those Triple/Triple combinations too? Good boy!!! A little tight on the second one but he got it done. Over all a great showing for a lovely, passionate skater. Congratulations Jason, you did your country proud!!!

Now last but not least….. Canadian SUPER cutie Nam Nguyen! He skated two clean programs to finish up in 5th place.

I can’t say enough good things about this consistent little showman. Early on in the season I watched him skate live at Hilton Honors Skate America in Chicago and he impressed me there too. Ok yeah, it’s pretty glaring that he skates much slower than he rest of the field, he needs to pick up the pace, but his elements are strong otherwise. This kid has a solid jump technique and he’s REALLY reliable. I haven’t seen him miss much all season. He loves to put on a show too. Once he gets a little bigger and stronger he’s going to be a real contender, mark my words! He shares his big wig coach Brian Orser with the likes of Yuzuru Hanyu and Javier Fernandez. This kid is only going to get better, and he’s already really good. LOVE little Nam Nam.

Looking forward to seeing what these boys will be doing next season.

Tell me what you thought of the event? Who stood out to you?

Until the next time…bend your knees and keep your back straight!

xoxoxoxo

Hbelle

Can we talk about the Ladies event at Worlds 2015?

Watching Elizaveta Tuktamysheva this season has been fascinating. I was lucky enough to catch her live early on at the 2014 Hilton Honors Skate America in Chicago, Illinois. She placed 2nd in that event. Even though it was a bit of a shaky skate for her there one couldn’t help but notice her huge jumps and impressive ice coverage. That, and her strategic approach to the competition. For example, instead of going for the Triple Lutz/Triple Toe combo like all the other girls (most of whom struggle with it by the way) she does the much easier Triple Toe/Triple Toe combo instead. The thing is, she almost always nails it and accumulates extra points for placing it late in the program. Even though she hadn’t hit her stride yet at Skate America you could clearly see that Elizaveta is an exquisitely packaged skater. She skates programs that she can sell, wears dresses that flatter her athletic build and all her elements are things that not only she can do, but she can do exceptionally well. Her Triple Lutz is my pick for the best Lutz in the competition at Worlds this year, hands down. And yeah OK, her spin positions suck, I can admit it, but they are fast and centred and garner a lot of technical points as well. When I saw her at Skate America I noticed all of this, but I didn’t love her, yet as the season continued on and she took title after title and I watched her get more and more consistent, I began to feel smitten by her sassy, almost cocky kind of style. She has the goods to back it up. By the time she wiped out the competition at the Grand Prix Final AND Europeans I knew (like everyone else) we had a World Champion on our hands.

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva SP Worlds 2015 HERE

How about that Short Program huh? I haven’t seen a Triple Axle like that since Tonya Hardings salad days back in 1991! And lets get serious, Tonya never had that kind of grace with her jumps. Elizaveta is the most exciting female World Champion in a long time and it has been inspiring to watch her build to this all season. Bravo Eliza!

OK, so what about the other Russian ladies?

We’ve got Elena Radionova, our Bronze medalist this year.

I was also lucky to catch her live at Skate America early on this season. She won that event and as I watched her skate then I felt the same way I do now. I hate her skating style but admire her jump technique. Not a ton of height, but fast, tight air position with precise, clear edges. And consistent!! Whew! That girl has a technique that she can count on, and I respect that. It’s also hard not to love her genuine, uncontrived passion for skating. It’s endearing, no doubt. But her flailing arms and stiff shoulders really distract me. It takes away from that admirable technique and really reveals her immaturity. She IS only 15 years old though, and has absolutely gorgeous long legs and a flexible back, so I keep her on my radar. Certainly one to watch develop. There’s potential there.

Oh God, then there is poor Anna Pogorilaya, the 3rd ranked Russian, who ended up in a dismal 13th place this year. Holy Torture Porn Batman! This girl takes the most brutal falls in competition, have you noticed this? This Long Program was no exception.

I actually don’t blame her though. I feel she is a huge talent who is being horribly mismanaged. Here is a girl who is BEAUTIFUL, just a stunning figure on the ice. She has considerable athletic ability and is totally capable of first rate elements. But these programs….AWFUL. A beautiful blonde skating to dark, almost angry, classical selections in dated costumes. It’s a CRIME! She always looks like she’s skating for her life. She appears stressed and frantic trying to keep up to that awful music. And I swear to God her coach……

Anna Tsareva…..? Who is she…? She looks pure evil man. Such cool eyes and she doesn’t seem to feel any empathy for her student at all either. I like Pogorilaya, but she needs better suited programs for herself and some more modern dresses. With the right team this girl could be a major player! We’ll have to see what happens with her. My fingers are crossed that she finds an identity for herself next season.

Satoko Miyahara from Japan earned the Silver.

What can I say? Great athletics and classy style. I loved her changes in speed, her edges, her spins. She has lovely, clean jumps for the most part as well. This is really my first time paying her any attention this season, I have to admit, she just wasn’t on my radar before….I’m not sure why. She really rose to the occasion here at Worlds though. There was an awkward stumble on a Lutz in the middle of her Long Program, but she didn’t let it phase her at all. It was an impressive recovery. Over all I kind of hated the program, unfortunately. Cheesy music, am I right? She’s better than that program. Satoko Miyahara has got some serious skating chops, no question, and I’m looking forward to seeing more of her next season.

Japanese girls are really bringing it in general right now don’t you think? It’s because of prodigy Mao Asada’s impact on skating in Japan right? They have a true legend in the sport to aspire to. It’s wonderful to see.

Well what about the Americans?

We have the hugely talented Gracie Gold who managed to move up to 4th place after a tough Short Program,

the insufferable Ashley Wagner rising up to 5th after an even worse Short Program,

and the under-rated Polina Edmunds in 8th after two solid skates…

All of these girls are good. All are typically American in that they have stylish programs and even more stylish costumes. Wagner particularly has exquisite choreography in both her programs. Wagner is dressed great, she looks GREAT, however her larger-than-life personality over shadows her skating package some of the time.

I would admire her gutsy commitment to the sport and her competitive spirit a lot more if she was less cocky about it. You would think she was known for her jumps the way she talks smack, yet I watched her fail to deliver a solid Triple/Triple combination at this key championship….again. Ashley’s melodrama and theatrics feel cheesy sometimes to me…am I crazy here?

That shit doesn’t don’t make up for her lack of technical prowess in comparison to the rest of the field, not in in my books. She could stand to take a page from the Elizaveta Tuktamysheva book of strategy and maybe try for the Triple Toe/Triple Toe combo instead of the Lutz? Would her ego allow her to go in that direction I wonder? I guess we will see.

Now Gracie Gold can fucking jump, am I right? She’s the only girl on the scene who can even compare to the likes of Elizaveta Tuktamysheva in that department. When she cracks off those jumps it’s exciting! Gracie was another gal I was lucky enough to catch at Skate America this season. Very interesting. Talk about a package. Gracie. Gold. I mean, she IS the package.

Gracie is old school. She’s sparkly. Gracie doesn’t try to be a ballerina or an actress, she’s a figure skater. I wish more of the girls had the clarity of image that she has……Anyway, it’s been a tough season for her, she hasn’t been skating to her potential. So after that rough Short Program I was proud of her for attacking the Free Skate like she did. Do you guys like this program by the way? It’s not my favourite for Gracie. Too emo and too Phantom.

Here’s a thought. How about an automatic .5 deduction for skating to Phantom of the Opera or Carmen? Who’s with me?

She committed to it though and skated with sophistication. Girl has got the goods. I strongly believe that Gracie Gold will be a World Champion someday.

But what about the strange and enchanting Polina Edmunds….Oooohhhhhh.

She is SUCH a fascinating weirdo. I’m in love with her quick feet and soft arms. She has a patient technique with her jumps too, don’t you find? It seems to consistently work for her. She may be a little rough here and there, in her head to get the elements done sometimes, but she is so charismatic and focused. Wow. Look out for that one. She’s going to be a big player down the road..I’m calling it now. The judges were overly harsh on her at this event though, do you agree? Didn’t she deserve higher marks in general? A lot of people seem to think so…..Either way, Polina Edmunds is one worth discussing.

What did you think about the ladies event? What got your attention?

Omg….then there’s the MENS event right? Jesus, it was crazy too wasn’t it?

That’s another post.

Until then….bend your knees and keep your back straight!
xo
HBelle