Who is/are the most popular FOREIGN skater(s) in North America?

[Overr8ed sk8er]

OK, I'm relative new, out-of-North America and QUITE CURIOUS!!!! Who, do you think, is the most popular non-US-American- and non-Canadian skater over there? I'd LOVE to know! Of course I'm aware there're differences in skaters popularity between the USA and Canada, so please specify. I'm not even sure if I chose the right skaters ... :oops:, so use the "Others"-option, please! THANK YOU!

[calypso56]

Alexei Yagudin is tremendously popular in Canada. If he weren't "one of theirs" you would swear he was "one of ours". I think it has a lot to do with his competing even when injured, and his obvious enjoyment of being on the ice. It helps that he is a superb craftsman who looks good and responds to the audience. I really hope we see Alexei again, once his hip problem has been settled.

[FunnyBut]

I think the US and Canada diverge on this one. In Canada, where many people in the street know skating, Yags rules. In America, where the average person only sees the Olympics and only the Ladies' comp, old Kat Witt might still be the most popular. Oksana might have given her a run for her money if not for her post-Olympics drama.

[Lee]

Another Canuck checking in here who says Yags is the most popular at the moment. However, in the past both Witt and Gordeeva have been very well received here -- I remember the standing ovations Gordeeva got at every SOI stop up here following Grinkov's death. B&S have also been well-received here -- even AFTER the Oly's fiasco.

[tollerfan]

No question in my mind....Alexei! :D But I do agree that this changes from time to time.

[Artemis]

ITA with what others have said: definitely Yags right now, but that's only right now.

However, I would also say that Canadian fans don't think of "North American skaters" vs. "Foreign skaters", but rather "Canadian" vs "Foreign." And I'd imagine it's the same in the US. Canadian fans feel very passionate about our "own" skaters, but I don't think we feel any more ownership or sentimentatlity toward US skaters than those from outside North America. So with that in mind, I'd say Michelle Kwan is probably the favourite "foreign" skater, with Scott Hamilton a past favourite.

The exception would be those "foreign" skaters that we do feel some ownership of or regard as honourary Canadians because they've trained here for a long time or adopted Canada as a second home: Takeshi Honda and Stephen Cousins spring to mind.

[rack]

Sonja Henie. All the others are skaters. She was a skater/movie star/celebrity.

No one else comes close.

[bleu]

Actually, Alexei is not the skater that spring to mind when it comes to non-Canadian skaters. I think Michele Kwan! He is popular within the *canadian skating world* but outside it, Michele is far popular.

[loveskating]

Kulik is my fave...both as an amateur and very much so as a pro but for some reason, he never seemed to be embraced by the public...although his face should be "household" judging from how much his movie, Center Stage, runs on cable television! Its kind of like it was for Julia Roberts in "Mastic Beach"...people noticed her, but she only hit it big later.

Sonja Henie overall...

Lately, I'd say that Oksana Baiul and Gordeeva & Grinkov, then Katia alone were the most well known foreign skaters amongst Americans...Katia's book was on the bestseller list, so I'd say that is "well known". Oksana was everywhere for a time, then everywhere negatively for a time...she still runs as bio on cable, so she draws an audience.

Torvil and Dean were very well known...but from people I know, its like, "Oh yeah, Torvil & Dean, I've heard of them", like everyone has heard of Yo Yo Ma but might not know what instrument he plays.

Amongst skating fans, it would be Kurt Browning probably, if you consider Canada "foreign".

[Josef]

I voted for the obvious choice to me--Katarina Witt! :)

[RoaringSkates]

Alexi Yagudin is well known here in the US, especially with his recent Olympic win. Anyway, he's just a Jersey boy hidden inside a Russian shell. ;)

[Blue Ridge]

It depends on whether you are talking about skating fans, the general public, people who go to skating shows. I have to say at every show that I have been at that Surya Bonaly has skated in she has gotten some of the loudest and most enthusiastic cheers.

[cafelife]

Among the average fan (not the hard-core ones like we have on the board here!!!) in the US, I'd have to say Surya and Philippe Candeloro. But the more knowledgeable fans favor Yagudin.

[duane]

IMO, among US skating fans, yagudin is the most popular. however, if casual skating fans and nonskating fans are added, i think oksana is the obvious choice. the famous WACK caused hundreds of millions of people to watch the 94 olympics, and oksana became recognized all over the world. the drunk driving incident later made the headlines as well, so i think more americans are familiar with "oksana" than "yagudin".

[IrishDancer]

Yags Yags Yags Yags Yags! :)

[RoseAugust]

I voted for Victor Petrenko, but also considered Surya and Philippe. None are among my favorites, but every year at COI I am astonished at the audience reaction when they step on the ice! I don't get it, but people LOVE them!

[Meredith]

I agree with Lee the favorite -- at the moment, anyway -- is Yags. One of the most beloved is Katia Gordeeva, and though she hasn't skated a lot lately her popularity hasn't seemed to have diminished.

Since it's my understanding that you were interested in THE most popular as opposed to MY favorite, I voted that way.

It's interesting to note how different fans view skaters from other countries. National origin hasn't mattered to me in years. Perhaps it should, but it doesn't.

[sequin]

I voted for Yags (I see I'm not alone) He is extremely popular in Canada. Right up there with Kurt and Elvis. He always says he loves Canada and we definately love him. I think Katarina Witt will always be popular and well loved. Maybe not so much for the 'younger' fans but for those that have been watching skating for years she'll always be a favourite. (Especially all the dad's in the audiences LOL!) To add some names that haven't been mentioned, I think Irina Slutskaya, is very popular , Drobiazko and Vanagas and Mandy Wotzel and Ingo Steuer (What are they up to now anyway?) and Jumpin' Joe were always crowd faves in Canada.

[IceDreamer]

[SIZE=3]Takeshi Honda is my favourite! That guy is an amazing skater! I love his artistry just as much as Alexei...although Takeshi could smile a bit more in his programs!:) But he is my favourite, and he is almost one of us because he has been training here soo long! well i hope others agree with me but if not.....i still think he is great and will get a medal at the next Olympics!! :D