Who could liven up skating?

[Calgary88]

Many say that skating is in a dry spell and is boring. What skater would you most love to see come back to competing at their former levels to maybe boost interest? This is fantasy, so age is not a factor.

[Roma]

Where's Kristi Yamaguchi on your poll? Now there's a skater who had everything: athletic ability, artistry, versatility, and great consistency.

[quarkiki2]

I think skating should take a page from the Japanese game show Most Extreme Action Challenge on Spike TV. The skaters should perform their short program while being chased by two thugs in monster masks. There should be a tricycle riding segment. They should all have a long porgram which required them to fling themselves at a velcro wall and see if they stick.

I think that would liven it up!

No, seriously, as a fan I think it's pretty lively and exciting to see the improvements skaters have made in the off season. I find most competitions nail-biters in one way or another -- some good (X is skating their personal best, but will it be enough to defeat Y) and some bad (and Z shows us again their patented inconsistency...)

[supersk8er]

Originally posted by Roma
Where's Kristi Yamaguchi on your poll? Now there's a skater who had everything: athletic ability, artistry, versatility, and great consistency.

I completely agree; she's my favorite! However, because she wasn't on the poll, I voted Sale & Pelletier...So that was exciting!

[Calgary88]

Sorry guys! I considered her but I suppose my poll is a bit biased as I didn't consider her someone who could liven it up.

Glad to see there are some other Xtreme Elimination Challenge fans out there!:D :P

[sonora]

Pasha Grishuk, the most exciting and technically able ice dancer ever. Wasn't there a rumor she was going to come back and skate with Peter Tchernyshev?

[Calgary88]

Sonora, that's an interesting rumour I've never heard before!

[sasafrass452]

I would say either Brian Boitano or Midori Ito, since she was the first woman to complete the triple axel(I think). Although it would be nice to see Kristi Yamaguchi come back....

[IceDanceSk8er]

Actually, the skaters I'd like to see aren't on the list. Those that are listed are obviously great, and you can see most in SOI COI. There are so many other skaters making a name for themselves (Scott Smith, just to name one)that I personally find more entertaining.

[sonora]

Calgary, maybe it's just my wishful thinking!

[loveskating]

I don't find skating these days boring at all...to the contrary, I find it more interesting and far less offensive than I have in the recent past...there is somewhat more emphasis on the skating and the skaters...and so far, no dirty tricks off the ice this year.

[jcspkbfan]

I'm assuming this is a poll about which skaters we'd most like to see return to eligible competition (since many of the names on your list haven't quite hung up their skates for good yet!)

I voted for S&P simply because out of all the names on the list, I think they'd be most likely to still have all the skills and technical content they'd need to still compete at the eligible level.

For purely sentimental reasons, I would have liked to vote for Kurt, but although it's been years since he last landed a quad (or performed a program with seven triple jumps), most of the other elements of his skating have improved since turning pro, and I'm not sure I'd want to sacrifice his improved ability at most of those other elements in exchange for him getting his eligible-level jump content back. If this was a poll about which skaters you'd like to see compete at the Olympics at their former level again, OTOH...

[Mel On Ice]

I hope for Rohene Ward to make a big splash this year; he is one of the most interesting up and comers I have seen.

But Brian Biotano can do anything.

[CanadianSkater]

I'm sorry, but when I saw someone mention the show Most Extreme Elimination Challenge, I burst out laughing. That show is so stupid, and yet so funny. I recommend everyone check it out.

Back on topic, I would like to see Tara Lipinski come back. I don't think she ever reached her full potential.

[Madame Saccoche]

Gary Beacom and Toller Cranston.

[GoldSeals]

I would like to see Dick Button come back:D

[Dolly]

I'd like to see Oksana.

[mission99]

I would like to see Midori skate again. Her athletic ability is truely amazing to watch and would definatly liven up skating some more.

[mrnoname]

ITA with Mission99. I want to see Midori Ito skate again.

[bluerose]

My vote would be for Tara Lipinski, if only her hip was completely healed.

[sasafrass452]

What happened to her hip? I never heard about that.

Originally posted by bluerose
My vote would be for Tara Lipinski, if only her hip was completely healed.

[Dilng]

I picked Oksana from your poll because even when she wasn't skating her best her dramatics would liven up the pro competitions, but I think Tara would liven up skating today. One of my favorite things about Tara is the joy that she has when she is skating. She always looks like she loves skating. Also, I never held my breath when she jumped because she was alwasy so consistent. Today, you are hardly ever see a performance without a fall or several missed jumps. I wish Tara was healed and could come back to competitive skating!!