What do you think of Abt? John Curry fans might want to read and comment.....

[Likethewind]

I am wondering what you here think of this guy.

I have been watching skating for 35 years and he is one of the most artistic guys I have ever seen. There is a FLUIDITY and flow and MUSICALITY about this guy that equals anyone I have ever seen. He is reminiscent of John Curry.

If some of you reading this have not ever seen Curry, try and locate some tapes of him. He flowed like butter. He was the quintiscential artist - always taking his time.

He was known for disguising his jump entrances on purpose so that eventually he ended up having to INTENTIONALLY show them so the judges could see what he was doing. His vision was that they ought to be disguised so that everything flowed and was like magic.

Abt has this fluidity and ease about him that reminds me of Curry. He is so loose and just so lovely to watch - like what Curry would have been had he loved jumping.

As an unabashed fan of USA skaters, I am delighted to say that I would LOVE to see this guy on the top step of the podium. He is a skaters skater in many ways. He does so many things with such ease and abandonment.

Anyone agree or care to comment?

[Alexeiskate]

I like the fluidity with which Abt moves across the ice but I have yet seen him put together a great long program with great artistry and technical difficulties. Some of his jumps are very obviously telegraphed, e.g. you can see the 3axel and 3flip coming from miles, and his constant lack of stamina in his long is very distracting. Abt has the goods to win a major title but just haven't quite been able to put together two outstanding programs yet, although he came close at last year's Europeans except that the judges were determined to hold up Yag that year.

[Hannahclear]

I really like Abt, but IMO no man has ever come close to Curry in term of pure flow and movement. It's almost an unreachable standard. He was so incredible, I wish that he had more time to share his gift with us. Can you imagine him as a coach or choreographer?

[PauAbd]

As much as I love Abt, I'm sorry, but he is no John Curry. Curry is untouchable. No one can point his toe like he did.

[Lee]

I wouldn't put Abt in with Curry either. In my mind, he is very reminiscent of Ilia Kulik -- long, flowing strides, appearing to be all arms and legs -- and not in a bad way either. I truly enjoy both these skaters, but like Curry? Nah...;)

[Likethewind]

WOW! SUch quick responses!

You are all so great! I AGREE and I forgot about Abt's lack of stamina and his telegraphing - something which Curry would never have done.

Too bad so many of the kids now have NEVER seen Curry. He ought to be required viewing for any skater before they are allowed to compete!

I guess what i was trying to say is that he seems to have the same natural sense of movement. It is likely that no one ever will equal the flow of CUrry - due to the emphasis on jumps -but Abt I think might have developed something very similar had it not been for this lamentable emphasis.

ANyway, I am sure that Curry fans would enjoy Abt as he seems to have some sort of musical vision. Unlike most right now!

I saw Curry live in the 1970s - lastly on New Years Eve of 1989 in Baltimore with a local skating company at the INner Harbor. He must have had aids and known it even then and I am so grateful I saw him live then

I wonder if Abt has SEEN TAPES of Curry ????????????

I wish we could know such details. Like WHO have our favorite skaters watched - do they realize what has come before??????

[Hannahclear]

I've only seen Curry once, from a tape of the 1976 Olympics, and I have the LP saved to my hard drive. It's got to be the best skating performance ever, really. Curry hit every note, every highlight, every NOTE of Don Quixote, he literally does not miss a beat. Fantastic, amazing, should be required viewing before yet another skater butchers that music. Because anything compared to Curry is just mincemeat....

[skateflo]

John Curry was a once in a century skater and I am fortunate to have about a dozen tapes of his various programs.

I never saw him live but seeing his films, reading the infamous 'Black Ice' and his BBC interview shortly before he died, his soul was in many ways tortured and he just couldn't reach the masses to survive financially.

The Next Ice Age out of Baltimore with Nathan Birch and his group is the closest you will ever see to Curry moves on ice. If you ever get the opportunity to see them, GO! Dorothy Hamill skates with them too. And Lorie Nichol was part of Curry's troup. Also Ice Threatre of New York, headed by Moira North, is another remmnant of the Curry tradition.

Ironically that you mention Abt...I also immediately thought of Sandu from Canada when he is really 'on.' I first really noticed Abt as the opening performer in the special 'Winter Solstice On Ice' with the Ice Threatre of New York. While Curry was mostly self taught and naturally artistic in his feel for music and body movement, others who have studied dance extensively, and most importantly know the difference between skating to music and skating with music, also show that special connection between ice, music and body movement.

Mastery of the blade and as an extension of the body is a very rare ability these days. It is a lost Art.

As for skaters even watching skaters from the past, I doubt it. I remember being so shocked when in an interview Boitano was shown a clip of Janet Lynn skating, he was truly impressed, and had no idea who it was. And the famous Belitta....ah, the old days had a few truly talented artists.

Sorry for the digression....

[twofour]

ITA about what was said about Abt reminding me of Ilia Kulik. If you only watch Abt from the waist down, his approach to jumps and stretch is almost indentical to Ilia. Their triple axels are very, very similar. And of course, IMO, Kulik is much, much sexier!! :D

[Skatewind]

Originally posted by skateflo
The Next Ice Age out of Baltimore with Nathan Birch and his group is the closest you will ever see to Curry moves on ice.

Mastery of the blade and as an extension of the body is a very rare ability these days. It is a lost Art.
Both Nathan Birch & Tim Murphy skated with the John Curry Skating Company. Rob McBrien who trains many of the young skaters who have skated with the Next Ice Age was the company skating teacher, like a dance master, for the John Curry skaters. He also used to be affiliated with the Ice Theatre of NY, but IMO the Next Ice Age is much more like the John Curry Skating Company.

I regularly hear rave reviews at qualifying competitions from skaters, officials, parents, & coaches regarding the competitive programs choreographed by Nathan Birch for some of the advanced skaters. So there's certainly something to be said for the quality of their work.

Back to the original topic... ... ...No way is Abt on the same level as John Curry. Not even close.

[pilgrimsoul@work]

In terms of carriage and arm movement, the male skater who reminds me most of John Curry is Matt Savoie. Every time I see his LP this year, I think he's channeling John, LOL! And I completely agree with the poster who said John Curry's 76 Oly LP ranks up there with the greatest performances of all time. It never fails to bring me to tears of joy whenever I watch it. An absolute treasure.

[La Rhumba]

What an interesting discussion. Thank you so much for all the thoughts on John Curry, they were a pleasure to read.:)

Probably the last time John was on TV was a coaching series for the BBC, filmed at the Dundonald rink in Northern Ireland with several young British skaters at the time - 1990 - including a very young, but talented, Neil Wilson. One of the lessons included sitting down to watch skaters John admired on video - principally Janet Lynn skating to Debussey's "Faun", which he couldn't compliment enough. In fact for those who say he would've preferred to be a Ballet dancer, Curry described the ability to express and interpret the "sweep of classical music" on the ice unrivalled as a medium, compared to the static stage.

I only have a few performances on the great man on tape, but in my opinion, the two Olympic performances that remain unequalled are "Don Quixote" in 76 and "Bolero" in 84 - and both happen to be British. :)
We don't produce many champions, but when we do, they are uniquely gifted and beautiful artists, who leave an indelible mark on the sport.

[icenut84]

Originally posted by La Rhumba
I only have a few performances on the great man on tape, but in my opinion, the two Olympic performances that remain unequalled are "Don Quixote" in 76 and "Bolero" in 84 - and both happen to be British. :)
We don't produce many champions, but when we do, they are uniquely gifted and beautiful artists, who leave an indelible mark on the sport.

I like how you put that, Huriye. :) I agree. Not forgetting Robin Cousins and his 19ft axel!

[La Rhumba]

Cheers Rach! :D I loved Robin's huge open axel too! :o But, as Robin was only 21 when he won the 1980 Olympics, I think his most acomplished work was as a Pro - the superb style he developed to go with his athleticism, inventing the proper backflip in the pike position [no somersault for him!]. His classy routines and excellent work as a choreographer - another unforgettable British contributor to the sport we love! :D