Olympics thread for those watching and who are interested- Page 7
Olympics thread for those watching and who are interested
#150Olympics thread for those watching and who are interested
Posted: 2/18/14 at 3:14pmI thought the Canadians were sensational. The Russians had neat tricks, but the whole program couldn't compare to Virtue & Moyer and, especially, Davis & White.
LaurenB
Broadway Star Joined: 6/17/04
#151Olympics thread for those watching and who are interested
Posted: 2/18/14 at 8:56pmAnyone watch Sarah Hughes on the NBC Olympics website doing her Olympic Ice commentary? I'm sort of shocked by her lack of presence. Also, for an educated woman, I think she has lousy diction. Meow. LOL.
#152Olympics thread for those watching and who are interested
Posted: 2/18/14 at 9:14pmI never liked her, especially when she won the gold.
#153Olympics thread for those watching and who are interested
Posted: 2/18/14 at 9:42pmI never liked her either. I didn't think she had anything special going on. She kind of just skated the moves with not much personality or style.
#154Olympics thread for those watching and who are interested
Posted: 2/18/14 at 9:51pmShe had the skate of her life when it counted, and then did nothing after that!
NYadgal
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/04
#155Olympics thread for those watching and who are interested
Posted: 2/19/14 at 12:33pm
I'm home sick today (caught a cold/cough on the endless flight home), so am watching the Ladies Figure Skating short program live on NBCSN (silver lining).
Yuna Kim just skated a gorgeous program! Absolutely beautiful.
I also have to say that I am really enjoying Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski doing the commentary.
It's the one thing you miss being there - not hearing the commentary. I'm really enjoying their insight, opinions, and explanations.
#156Olympics thread for those watching and who are interested
Posted: 2/19/14 at 1:02pmAddy, I wish those two were doing the commentary during prime time. I taped today's short program just to hear what they had to say.
NYadgal
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/04
#157Olympics thread for those watching and who are interested
Posted: 2/19/14 at 1:04pmI think I'll do the same for tomorrow!
#158Olympics thread for those watching and who are interested
Posted: 2/19/14 at 1:10pm
Addy, I know you're not feeling well but I need you to kidnap Gus Kenworthy (the puppies too!) and bring him back for me.
Can you do that?
All kidding aside, feel better!!!!
NYadgal
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/04
#159Olympics thread for those watching and who are interested
Posted: 2/19/14 at 1:34pm
Taz, I'm already home!! Bummed I couldn't go through with the kidnapping plan for you! 
I did get a chance to meet him, though. At the Today Show on Friday 2/14 - he was there with his fellow medalists, and we had the chance to go 'backstage' to meet him. I posted a photo on Facebook.
Too adorable!
And those puppies! *melt*
NYadgal
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/04
#160Olympics thread for those watching and who are interested
Posted: 2/19/14 at 1:35pm
oh, and Robbie and PalJoey - I am holding you to those serenades you promised!
Next time I see you! 
Borstalboy
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/9/04
#161Olympics thread for those watching and who are interested
Posted: 2/19/14 at 1:41pm
A unique tour of the village the athletes are staying in!
#162Olympics thread for those watching and who are interested
Posted: 2/19/14 at 1:43pm
I'm so glad you're home safe and sound!
I'll make alternate arrangements to woo Mr. Kenworthy. 
#163Olympics thread for those watching and who are interested
Posted: 2/19/14 at 3:03pmWatched the ladies figure skating short program. No spoilers, but that was certainly interesting in the last 2 groups.
#164Olympics thread for those watching and who are interested
Posted: 2/19/14 at 5:20pm
"I never liked her [Sarah Hughes]either. I didn't think she had anything special going on. She kind of just skated the moves with not much personality or style."
I honestly haven't tuned into the 2014 Winter Olympics but do recall one distinguishing aspect of Sarah's skating; she rotates clockwise unlike most skaters of Olympic caliber. I remember watching the 2002 coverage from Salt Lake City when she upset Slut... [sic] and Kwan, marveling at her jumps solely due the counter rotations in the air and take offs on the opposite foot. When I used to roller skate I always hated stroking forward in a counter clockwise direction because the crossovers felt backwards to me.
#165Olympics thread for those watching and who are interested
Posted: 2/19/14 at 5:32pmWell, yes, the skaters are judged primarily on the technical excellence of their jumps and not on style. that's how she won.
#166Olympics thread for those watching and who are interested
Posted: 2/19/14 at 5:36pm
I'd argue that she won because she skated flawlessly and with genuine emotion...and the others in the top three (Kwan, Slutskaya and Cohen) did not. Kwan fell. Slutskaya was sloppy and nearly bashed her head into the ice and Cohen...well...let's not speak of that.
Hughes had the absolute best skate of her life...and of the night. The others all choked to some degree (and it KILLS me to say that about Kwan). Hughes was terrific.
#167Olympics thread for those watching and who are interested
Posted: 2/19/14 at 5:55pmI think that the appreciation of all art, including styles of figure skating, is subjective. In fact, one of the olympic skaters said the same thing. So arguments about who is best could go on forever. Hughes' skating never did a thing for me.
#168Olympics thread for those watching and who are interested
Posted: 2/19/14 at 6:18pm
Jane,
Call me a Neaderthal if you must but I prefer watching skaters who have womanly figures, not teen-aged pixies who are fearless because they are...well, teen-aged pixies.
I much prefer Oskana Baiul's performance (and presentation) in the 8-yr old clip at the jump than her Olympic gold medal performance when she still looked like a starving war refugee. The jiggle adds to the performance
Oksana All Grown Up
#169Olympics thread for those watching and who are interested
Posted: 2/19/14 at 6:45pm
Javero, whoever said anything about bodies of skaters? I sure never did, you did.
Oksana Baiul was a favorite of mine. And talk about Neanderthals, my all time favorite female skater is Denise Bielmann, a skater who you might say had a Neanderthal approach, with her power and strength. The spin where the skater grabs their ankle from behind and lifts their leg up is named after her - the Bielmann spin.
#170Olympics thread for those watching and who are interested
Posted: 2/19/14 at 6:55pm
JUST WATCH THE NEXT VIDEO.
I haven't seen a woman or man skater with that much speed, energy, skill, stamina and power ever. And she's 31 there
#171Olympics thread for those watching and who are interested
Posted: 2/19/14 at 6:57pm
UNBELIEVABLE SPEED, ENERGY, STAMINA AND STRENGTH. AT 31
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrI-L34_Jh0
#172Olympics thread for those watching and who are interested
Posted: 2/19/14 at 8:48pmI don't know if Michele's performance in 2002 would be considered a choke, but that fall definitely cost her. Sarah skated amazingly well when it counted, but she never came anywhere close to the artistry that Kwan demonstrated. I will always have respect for Michele Kwan for her longevity and staying on top for as long as she did. The only one of our two most recent Olympic gold medal winners who actually skated to defend a title.
#173Olympics thread for those watching and who are interested
Posted: 2/20/14 at 9:20amWith the modern scoring system and the elimination of compulsory figures, there's no telling how many World and Olympic titles Bielmann could have won. She revolutionized women's skating, but is usually overlooked when discussing all-time greats.
#174Olympics thread for those watching and who are interested
Posted: 2/20/14 at 9:44amyes, she is, madbrian. I favor her because like my men's favorite, Plushenko, they are no nonsense skaters. I tend to go for that rather than the delicate, more graceful skaters.
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