Say at least 3 positive things about a skater(or skaters) that's not your favorite.

[danibellerika]

This came from the MK Spread Eagle convo so here goes.

Michelle Kwan:

No matter what program she has, when it's game time she knows how to play to win, and usually does.

Her falling split leaf is one of my favorite moves of hers. She's got one of the best w/o a doubt.

Her IE for her COE spiral is spectacular(saw it at Worlds last year) and was only one awesome aspect of an awesome short program(TFB of course which is my fave program of hers).

Her red dress from 2002 GPF, Nats, Olys and Worlds season was one of the best dresses I've seen her wear. It was just stunning and red looks great on her.

Irina:

Her technical ability is by far the best in the world in terms of edges speed, jumps quality, etc.

I personally believe she should have won the SP at the Olys so she should technically be Oly champ.

I think it's inspiring to see her motivated to trying to get back into shape for Worlds this year and I hope she places well for herself. I also hope to see her health improve because she's so young.

Sarah H:

She's got nerves of steel to do 2 3/3s in one program at the Olympic games.

I give her props for trying to come back the season afterwards.

She's got a great layback.

I think she'll be very successful in college.

Elena Sokalova:

She's inspiring for continuing to skate even after some discouraging times with her former coach(es).

Her 3/3s are wonderful.

I can tell she's really been working hard to up her game over the past few months and I think she's ready to take on the world again.

[icyboid]

Evgeny Plushenko:

In spite of its quality, at least he's brave enough to attempt a Bielmann.
EDIT>> And he does a catch-foot camel spin as well, better than some ladies

The past few events aside, he's been able to keep his technical content consistent.
EDIT>> After Yagudin retired, any men competing against him could hope for second place at best.

His choreography may be a bit too "expressive", but it's a smarter strategy since panels tend to be mostly East European judges who dig that stuff.
EDIT>> And it works, he has more than enough 6.0s.

[Debbie S]

Sasha Cohen:

She has fantastic extension on her spirals, jump landings, and camel spins.

She has great speed, when she's "on".

She is very gracious with her fans. I know this from personal experience. She smiles, looks people in the eye, and thanks them for their compliments.

[Italiano]

1- she seems like a very nice person. 2-her fans seem willing to commit hare-kare over her. 3- she seems satisfied to enter any and all contests without the 3/3.

[duane]

The only skater I ever had negative feelings towards is Yagudin. 3 Positive things:

Puts amazing emotion into each performance.

A true competitor.

Very handsome.

(ok posters...what are the positive things about Tonya? She is still the queen-of-mean-who-everyone-loves-to-hate-and-make-fun-of skater of figure skating! lol)

[Italiano]

1- Still, after 10 years, the only US. woman skater to do a triple axel in competition(4 times) 2-Apparently doesn't allow men to abuse her (hubcap incident) 3- Probably has the ability to kick the @ss of most anti Tonya posters. How's that?

[hiliairyh]

:lol: ROTFLOL

It seems like some poster has difficulty coming up with 3 things genuinely positive. Some of the so call positive things seems to be a round about way to criticize their non favorite all over again. ;)

[lilwish]

the only skater I really don't like to watch is Plushy and I still have great respect for his ability to jump with amazing height and gorgeousness. I love that he entertains crowds and is loyal and kind to his fans.

Sarah Hughes seemed to have a very strong work ethic and good relationship with her family. She rose to the occasion at Olympics and has gone on to do what is worthwhiile to her, Thiis is so admirable given the options she has been given. I look at her and her family with great respect.

Sasha, who used to not be one of my favorites has now become one of them because I have seen her work hard and be very gracious to fans. She is growing as a young lady on and off of the ice. On the ice, I see her coming into her own and off of the ice I see her being generous and giving to the people who support her. I have learned to love watching her mature. I look forward to that great performance she will give one day that will knock the socks off of everyone!

finally, my bias, Maria B., she chose nice costumes. she alway s looks lovely, she is better than the music and choreogrophy she has chosen ...I think she will be as a pro much more fun to watch. (that was generous wasn't it?) I see a playful part of her emerging that will make her a much more endearing skater to me.

Most of what I like about all are who currently competeing is that they have their own personalities and strenghths and they challenge each other and will hopefully show their strenghts soon. I am happy to root for all (still for Michelle my heart) and as long as they give us moments of joy (and even my less faves do) I will be happy.

sorry that was pedantic but I am off to bed.
lw

p. s. even skaters who I am not enamored of have my emmense (sp) respect., the work ethic they show and the discipline they have and the love for the sport we love can not be discounted to me. They are all my favorites when I look at it from that point of view.

[Mel On Ice]

I never disliked Tonya Harding as a skater, but disliked the circus it became. I can easily list 3 positives:

She skated with power and glee, never with mock-girlishness. Nice layback too.
Liked her decision to wear nude boots vs. fake flesh over-the-boot tights.
Would surprise you with a dash of elegance, like her Platters exhibition.

List positives for skaters I dislike or skaters NOT my favorite? Big difference, there's many skaters that aren't in my top 3 that I like, and very few I dislike. That's why it's hard for me to participate in the Michelle vs. Sasha debates. I'll stick with high profile skaters that aren't in my top 3. And I'll pick one per discipline to be an equal opportunity offender.

Tim Goebel:
His quad-triple combos are amazing.
Impressed with his finishes at SLC and Worlds: higher than any US man in a long time.
Never bowed to the pressure of wearing fancy, flouncy costumes that appeal to the Eastern European judges.

Nicole Bobek:
Her huge spirals started it all
big showman, can get a crowd going
elegant costuming during her eligible career, inspired many other gorgeous costumes

Irina Lobacheva and Ilia Abverbuk (sp?):
He did one thing immediately after a performance of "JC-Superstar" that will forever endear himself to me, kissing his wife's knee. I think it was supposed to be a quick, private moment that I was glad I got to witness.
She makes some brave hair color choices!
Many of their routines were daring and interesting.

Ina and Zimmerman:
Really meshed their last year of eligibility, and could honestly compete with the top tiers in the world.
Took the Russian-inspired moves and modified them to make them thier own.
Loved their music choices.

[icenut84]

Originally posted by icyboid
Evgeny Plushenko:

In spite of its quality, at least he's brave enough to attempt a Bielmann.

The past few events aside, he's been able to keep his technical content consistent.

His choreography may be a bit too "expressive", but it's a smarter strategy since panels tend to be mostly East European judges who dig that stuff.

Interesting. Every "positive" thing is half-negative.

Originally posted by Mel On Ice
Irina Lobacheva and Ilia Abverbuk (sp?):
He did one thing immediately after a performance of "JC-Superstar" that will forever endear himself to me, kissing his wife's knee. I think it was supposed to be a quick, private moment that I was glad I got to witness.

IIRC that was after the FD at 2001 Worlds, their Toccata & Fugue FD. I agree it was a nice moment. :)

[icenut84]

3 positive things about skaters not in my top-3 of favourites (I don't *dislike* any skaters, I just have my favourites):

Sale & Pelletier - they had some great lifts and a very crowd-pleasing style.

Timothy Goebel - his 4salchow-3toe is terrific, and he also has some very good spins.

Todd Eldredge - his spins are great and his performance at the 2001 Worlds was amazing. (I'd have given him silver.)

[icyboid]

Originally posted by icenut84
Interesting. Every "positive" thing is half-negative.


Except the second one, that's a fact. ;)

[MizEdiesBoy]

Michael Weiss
his costumes usually aren't as flamboyant as the other men;
the "tornado" is interesting to see
he's in excellent physical shape

Amber Corwin
She wears interesting costumes.
She has a triple-triple
Oh, God, I can't DO this....