Yagudin vs. Kulik

[Lark]

If Kulik had stayed healthy and competed in Salt Lake City, would he have had a chance to beat Yagudin, or even Plushenko?

I personally do not think so. What do you others think?

[Alexeiskate]

I think Yag is a better overall skater than Kulik. Kulik has weaker spins, and he doesn't always hit the best positions.

[duane]

personally, i think the two skaters' styles are very similar. i dont think either is that much greater (or worse) than the other. however, i thought kulik's 98 Olympic-gold performance was better than yagudin's 02 Olympic-gold performance.

[loveskating]

Well, Kulik is my overall fave so...I'm emotionally biased.

I think they are both incredible...Yags is the more consistent of the two, but Kulik's jumps are...it doesn't get any better, more pure techically, and the very difficult entries added so much to the choreography. I suspect the height, ice covered and all that are about the same on the 3 axel, lutz etc. When Kulik trained as an amateur, his spins were fine, he let them go as a pro.

They are equal but different, but I love Kulik best of the two, yet I love Yagudin very much.

[Germanice]

Well, both are GREAT skaters and - not to forget - beautiful guys!!!!! I really like Ilia, but it's Alexei who conquered my heart in 1999, and since then nothing changed.

I think Ilia is the better "basical" skater, his jumps are a joy to watch, he's also more natural-talented, elegant and versatile. But IMHO he comes across a lil' "coolik", that's why it seems to me he cannot really touch an audience ....

Alexei is more consistant, but his basical skating is weaker than Ilia's. Yeah, sometimes he lands his jumps like a sack of potatos. But in the end it doesn't really matter, because he equalizes all his weaknesses with pure commitment, will, power, emotion, passion and charisma. Sometimes he overdoes, no doubt, but how often he has left a sheer awestruck audience?

Sorry, my English is a lil' shaky today, hope you don't mind!

Anke

[melanieuk]

It has to be Yagudin....doesn't it? ;)

[Meredith]

In my ever so humble opinion, it has to be Kulik. :D

[A.H.Black]

Your original question asked - " If Kulik had stayed eligible". I think that is a big question. It seems pretty clear to me that Ilia doesn't have the appetite for competition that Yagudin has. However, there would have been other factors. Would Kulik have stayed with Tarasova? If he had, would Yagudin have left Mishin for her? Would she have accepted Yagudin if Kulik had stayed?

I've tried choosing some scenarios but there are just too many variables.

Kulik's need to be choreographically creative
Kulik's laziness
Kulik's appetite for competition or lack of it.
Kulik's need for independence

Yagudin's laziness before 2001
Yagudin's "Habits" under Mishin/under Tarosova
Yagudin's presentation and artistry under Mishin/under Tarosova
Yagudin's motivation under Mishin/under Tarosova
Yagudin's emotional well being under Mishin/under Tarosova

An where is Plushenko in this whole equation. All this is nice to think about - impossible to come to a conclusion.

[tollerfan]

My heart says Alexei, but who knows....in skating, anything is possible!