Idle gossip - S&P and Sato and Dungjen

[Likethewind]

This is pure and simple idle gossip.

I just watched the Hallmark pairs competition on tv and I could not help but notice something.

It is very difficult to fake being in love. The one and only pair I ever saw who succeeded in this dramatic coup were Underhill and Martini. They were NOT in love but APPEARED to be so.

The three couples who come to mind who ARE/WERE in love are Sato and Dungen, G&G and now - Gordeeva and Kulik.

As I watched there was ABSOULTELY NO DOUBT than Yuka Sato and Jason Dungen are not only married, but still truly deeply in love. There was a wonderful and ethereal CONFIDENCE and joy about their performance that I have honestly never seen before in 30 years of watching skating. - It was crystal clear that they are not only comfortable with their skating but that they are totally relaxed and comfortable with each other. I have never seen anything quite like it.

I expected the same from Jamie and David. But there was something distinctly wrong. I watched them in kiss and cry and he almost seemed like he was trying over and over again to move away from her while sitting there. It was noticeably awkward.

So - I thought they were a couple but they sure didn't look at all romantically connected now. I am wondering if perhaps they are infinitely more reserved than Jason and Yuka or if something is amiss??

Just idle gossip. I love it when skaters are in love!

[adrianchew]

I would add Meno & Sand - they weren't impressive as eligibles but as pros now I've grown to enjoy their skating and programs.

[SkateGuard]

I have not seen the coverage, but I do want to add something....

In 1996, ABC interviewed Liz Punsalan & Jerod Swallow for the Worlds, and they said they did have trouble with romatic themes. It was difficult for them to put their real love for each other on the ice. Now they got married in what, '93, and they are still married.

Just a thought.
Erin

[bleu]

Originally posted by Likethewind
This is pure and simple idle gossip.

I expected the same from Jamie and David. But there was something distinctly wrong. I watched them in kiss and cry and he almost seemed like he was trying over and over again to move away from her while sitting there. It was noticeably awkward.

So - I thought they were a couple but they sure didn't look at all romantically connected now. I am wondering if perhaps they are infinitely more reserved than Jason and Yuka or if something is amiss??

Just idle gossip. I love it when skaters are in love!

I think this one you got it all wrong. Maybe you need to see alot more of their interviews, live events or even articles in french and english. It may also help if you are interested to hop over to their site and investigate. There are tonnes of information confirming their love. In fact, some of it goes back 2 years ago. You are talking Hallmarks 2002 but I see evident going back years. There is so much to look at before you start saying they are not in love. As a fan and a very commited one, I have to say you got this 100% wrong.

By the way, I saw the Hallmarks too.

I see Sato&Dungjen AND Jamie&David in love. I don't care how each does it...whether one express it 80% on ice and the other express it 60% or vice versa. All that I care about is how they skated. Congratulation to Jamie&David for winning 2 pro-ams events and to Yuka(ladies event) and 2nd place in pairs with hubby Jason.

As a side note, hopefully you don't mind me saying this:

- keep in mind that there is always information out there that you don't have. Like my Economist professor used to say, always assume you don't know everything.

[cem]

Love is not the same for every couple. I think David and Jamie from an outsiders view seem to have a more fiery relationship than Yuka/Jason or Sergei/Katia. Remember last years Canadian Nationals where David basically took Jamie to carpet publically for her skating in the Long program. But they made up and are still together. Even in the Hallmark event you see David and Jamie after skating their second program discussing a little hitch in one of their lifts. She said to David "you need to hold me a little longer." David reponse was "I was holding you." :lol: Not all romantic relationships are created equal.

[Serenity]

Also keep in mind that Yuka Sato always radiates a sweetness and beauty, whether she is skating with Jason or by herself. I always find myself looking at her rather than Jason, so I can't remember offhand (without going back to look at tapes) how expressive he is. I do think that even if Yuka were skating with someone that she was not in love with, she could still create the illusion of love just because of her love for skating and the joy that is evident in every performance that she does.

[duane]

well, faking being in love is difficult for some, and not at all difficult for others. if people are "faking" being in love, how well they pull it off depends on how great they are at acting. also, people express their love differently. some are very public about it, while others prefer not to be public about it at all.

in other words, one cant base how much in love people are based on their public actions. for all we know, jason and yuka are sleeping in separate bedrooms! :)

[Biffer1997]

Do Katia and Ilalik (sp?) skate together as a pair? If so, when and where could I see this. If they do, I am glad she is back to skating! ;)

[erin_m]

I expected the same from Jamie and David. But there was something distinctly wrong. I watched them in kiss and cry and he almost seemed like he was trying over and over again to move away from her while sitting there. It was noticeably awkward.

The impression I got was that Jamie sat down first and when Dave sat down he motionned for her to sit closer so that Jan would have room to sit on the couch too...Jamie moved closer and Dave proceeded to move over more for Jan. I could be wrong though...maybe they are going through a rough time (none of our business if they are) but that isn't the impression I got.


Even in the Hallmark event you see David and Jamie after skating their second program discussing a little hitch in one of their lifts. She said to David "you need to hold me a little longer." David reponse was "I was holding you."

I saw that too and I think that is probably just the way their partnership works, a direct approach. They seem to be the type that would try to solve any problems (skating or otherwise) right away instead of leaving them to build.

Edited because I just read this over at the Jamie and David board and thought it applied.

Eventually, David did get his arm around Jamie over there as they sat a lot longer over there than it showed on TV. I think they were just relaxing and looking around at the crowd

If you want to read the rest...http://www.sale-pelletier.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=4&t=002537

[Rogue]

Originally posted by Biffer1997
Do Katia and Ilalik (sp?) skate together as a pair? If so, when and where could I see this. If they do, I am glad she is back to skating! ;)

Ilia and Katia have performed a couple of numbers together in prior year SOI tours. You might try to get a copy of the A&E broadcast of SOI for those years. I believe they are the 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 tours.

[Blade1]

I have to disagree TOTALLY on your thoughts about Jamie & David just by judging as to how they were sitting together in the Kiss & Cry .... I agree with Bleu's response as well .... I've seen these two both skate LIVE at shows/competitions and I've also seen these two off the ice as well, in many interviews on TV etc.... I'd definitly say these two are in love !! I wish them all the best !

[Emanfan]

Originally posted by Blade1
I have to disagree TOTALLY on your thoughts about Jamie & David just by judging as to how they were sitting together in the Kiss & Cry .... I agree with Bleu's response as well .... I've seen these two both skate LIVE at shows/competitions and I've also seen these two off the ice as well, in many interviews on TV etc.... I'd definitly say these two are in love !! I wish them all the best !

Ditto. I find that those who are less than enthusiastic about Jamie & David will always find a way to criticize. If you can't question their skills on the ice, question their personal relationship.

I'm sure they are just fine. Are they in "love". Who really knows? It's no one's business.

[Rachel]

Even people who are in love aren't in love all the time. If you think G&G never went out on the ice mad at each other and faked it anyway, well, I've got some lovely waterfront property to sell you.

Relationships are very tricky things to judge from the outside, partly because you are always going to see things from your own perspective of how love should be, partly because the longer a relationship lasts, the more layers there are underneath the surface. If people say they are in love, well, why not just accept that? It may not be the way you think it should be, but it may be just right for them.

[Jenny]

Some couples are just less showy in public. Some hold hands and kiss in front of others, some don't. Some will fight in front of others, some won't. I don't think it's an accurate measure of how in love people are.

At the same time, it *is* fun to speculate and gossip!

Jenny

[LAVENDER]

Originally posted by cem
Love is not the same for every couple. I think David and Jamie from an outsiders view seem to have a more fiery relationship than Yuka/Jason or Sergei/Katia. Remember last years Canadian Nationals where David basically took Jamie to carpet publically for her skating in the Long program. But they made up and are still together. Even in the Hallmark event you see David and Jamie after skating their second program discussing a little hitch in one of their lifts. She said to David "you need to hold me a little longer." David reponse was "I was holding you." :lol: Not all romantic relationships are created equal.

I saw that discussion Jamie and David had and I was thinking that they didn't want that to be shown. I thought it was a little interesting since they won but was discussing what went wrong at that time.

[AxelAnnie22]

Likethewind.

Interesting topic. I have no doubt that Jamie and David are in love......they just don't express it in the same manner as Sato and Dungen. They are different people and different personalities.

About the Kiss and Cry. That couch just looked darned akward! I don't think David was trying to move away from Jamie...I think he was trying to find a place where he didn't sink! Also, they may have been trying to make room for another person.

[smurf]

My observation on Yuka & Jason. Jason looks like a totally different person than when he skated with Ina. He looks happy and peaceful.
Just my 2 cents..

[meli]

Appearances can be deceiving. Elena Bechke and Denis Petrov were recently married when they competed in the 1992 Olys and they appeared more like business partners on the ice than a married couple. On the other hand, when they went through their divorce and afterwards, they appeared as a happy couple, even when they were in the middle of their separation and divorce proceedings.

[VGL]

I always find it fascinating when people try and analyse a skaters life based on a very brief appearance in the K&C when they're still trying to catch their breath after a performance.

[Likethewind]

VGL - As I said, it was idle gossip and I didn't criticize anyone or anything. I was just musing about it like many of us here do whether we admit it or not. People reveal a lot about themselves under stress and I just find it interesting. I don't judge the skaters by what they say except in rare occasions when they seem to repeat over and over rude remarks - I assume they are coached on every word that comes out and it is rare to get an honest spontaneous remark. That is why Slutskaya was so refreshing by the way.

Anyway, I wish them all well !

[Mistyeyed]

Hello, Likethewind! I just said almost this same thing under show/reviews and Hallmark thread. Wow! Someone who see's them the same as I do. It's so true. They so obviously love and respect one another that it show in gestures and facial expressions and is not faked whatsoever. It is just a joy to watch them. How wonderful not only for Yuka that she has found a soulmate and partner for life but for Jason as his former skating artner did not appear to be so lovely nor so gracious as Yuka. Yuka is like this little China doll. She just smiles and no matter what, she smiles some more. I said this about another skater. It was G. All she had to do was smile and everyones heart was captured. It is the same with Yuka. What a joy to watch Jason and Yuka skate together! Thanks for starting this thread. I wanted to say this the other nite but I have been so busy and well, you said it for me;)

[Mistyeyed]

I hate to say it. I just read everyone else post and I have to agree again with Likethewind. I also love JandD and I was rooting for them at the olympics but I also wondered alittle at this apparent "moving" away from Jamie, that David did???? That was not the only thing either. They just didn't have that same spark and flirty attitude towards one another as 9 months prior, however, the respect appears to still be as apparent as ever. Perhaps it is just all they have been through. I am not suggesting anything just something I too noticed and wondered about.

[LadyNit]

Originally posted by Serenity
Also keep in mind that Yuka Sato always radiates a sweetness and beauty, whether she is skating with Jason or by herself. I always find myself looking at her rather than Jason, so I can't remember offhand (without going back to look at tapes) how expressive he is. I do think that even if Yuka were skating with someone that she was not in love with, she could still create the illusion of love just because of her love for skating and the joy that is evident in every performance that she does.

I think Serenity is on to something here.

I'll never forget seeing a Nancy Kerrigan special in which Sergei Grinkov partnered her in a couple of nmbers. It kind of freaked me out that he seemed to give her the same adoring look that he gave to Katia during so many of their performances, and created the impression that Nancy was the most fragile, beautiful, perfect being that he was blessed to skate with. (I'm really NOT kidding). I think he was doing the "handsome and attentive cavalier" role...but still, the look was so tender, expressive, and "sincere" that it made me realize that in some ways the performances we see from skaters are truly that: performances.

In no way do I doubt the love between G&G or D&S. I think it shines through quite beautifully. But some stuff is really the performing mode of the skater (Yuka --joyful and tender; Sergei --noble and adoring). I do think that Jason Dunjen's feelings are truly OUT THERE for Yuka when he pairs with her. He projects such joy during his partnering. I never noticed much emotion from him except maybe relief and pride when he accomplished a good performance with Kyoko.

[Twizzler]

I loved watching Yuka and Jason on and off the ice. I too was struck by the love they have for each other. That's very special. Jason looked like he felt that he was the luckiest guy on earth to be married to such a wonderful woman. I also think that his pair skating has improved. He is more expressive and he is more smooth and into the ice. I imagine this comes from both skating with the woman he loves and learning or trying to emulate her style. How lucky they are to have each other and to share their love for skating and to be able to make a living from it.

[bleu]

Originally posted by Likethewind
VGL - As I said, it was idle gossip and I didn't criticize anyone or anything. I was just musing about it like many of us here do whether we admit it or not. People reveal a lot about themselves under stress and I just find it interesting. I don't judge the skaters by what they say except in rare occasions when they seem to repeat over and over rude remarks - I assume they are coached on every word that comes out and it is rare to get an honest spontaneous remark. That is why Slutskaya was so refreshing by the way.

Anyway, I wish them all well !

you see the problem with this topic is that you had only one 10 sec clip as evidence for saying these two are not as romantic as the other pair. I mean isn't that a bit like picking crumbs or strays...

The part that got me to delurk and post is not so much that I care about their relationahip like it is my business but how you went about to make an argument on a 10 sec clip. Summarizing the relationship of a couple based on a 10 sec clip..geez...that is definitely a new thing.

Seriously, a 10 sec clip is not a whole lotta information to go by.

[Blade1]

Originally posted by bleu
you see the problem with this topic is that you had only one 10 sec clip as evidence for saying these two are not as romantic as the other pair. I mean isn't that a bit like picking crumbs or strays...

The part that got me to delurk and post is not so much that I care about their relationahip like it is my business but how you went about to make an argument on a 10 sec clip. Summarizing the relationship of a couple based on a 10 sec clip..geez...that is definitely a new thing.

Seriously, a 10 sec clip is not a whole lotta information to go by.

Again I've got to agree with bleu on this. That is exactly what my thoughts were when I first read this thread. How can you base someone's relationship by watching a 10 sec. clip of them sitting in the kiss and cry. And as VGL stated, they just came from skating a wonderful, well skated program, let them at least catch their breath. And I do understand likethewind it was "idle gossip" as you stated, just its how about you came about it.

[HeatherC]

Geesh, one 10 second clip from the Hallmark and suddenly there are issues between J&D? 8O I was there in person and I didn't see anything like that. And I was there ALL day too. They were absolutely fine. Not happy about that handstand lift (which was hard for me to see during the program as it was on the other side of the arena when they did it, I caught the problem on the NBC broadcast) but very happy overall. And that couch was barely even a couch! It was more like a loveseat and three people could barely fit on it at all! The K&C was a LOT smaller than it looked on TV too. We were right across from it so I saw everything over there. It was quite a bit smaller than it looked. Plus you had Andrea Joyce busting through to interview them after they skated BOTh times and they originally started to get up to wave to the crowd after the marks were read, but Andrea made them sit back down again and you can see that Dave just didn't fit back onto the couch after Andrea sat down on the other side of Jamie. It was actually rather amusing from my angle...;) Anyway, they were just fine. Speculation like this is only how rumors and gossip get started and then it gets way out of hand. 8O

BTW-During the awards ceremony, J&D were goofing off along with all the other skaters and everyone was having a ball. This was directly in front of me. After they got their awards for first place, Jamie made a very funny comment about being cold out there on the ice waiting for everyone else to get their stuff (I laughed cuz I was like Duh Jamie, its ice! LOL) and Dave gave her a big hug to warm her up (VERY cute....). I think they all had fun at this competition! :D

[Likethewind]

Heather and Blade et al:

I apologize for starting this thread. I had no intention of starting any rumor. You know more than I do and none of it is my business anyway. No excuse. I was just musing on something that struck me at the moment. I have nothing against any of these people - quite the contrary - I respect them and I think they are incredible. I should not have started the thread as it could be mis interpreted and start a rumor unintentionally.

Mea Culpa.

[loveskating]

There was a little blip on camera where Jamie was saying, "I need you to hold me for one second where..." and David replied, "I did for one second".

They were apparently summing up their performance, which I found really neat. I was thinking, Gee, I'd like to sit in on that discussion, bet I'd learn a lot.

Everyone has a different personality, its ok, would be a terrible bore otherwise.

[duane]

Originally posted by Mistyeyed
They just didn't have that same spark and flirty attitude towards one another as 9 months prior.

one possible reason...

David is such a hottie--and now a very popular, internationally known rich hottie--that i'm sure women are throwing themselves at him left and right!

(dont take my post too seriously, anyone. :) )

[Toepoint]

I'd add Punsala & Swallow. They always skated like they were in love.

[Blade1]

Originally posted by Likethewind
Heather and Blade et al:

I apologize for starting this thread. I had no intention of starting any rumor. You know more than I do and none of it is my business anyway. No excuse. I was just musing on something that struck me at the moment. I have nothing against any of these people - quite the contrary - I respect them and I think they are incredible. I should not have started the thread as it could be mis interpreted and start a rumor unintentionally.

Mea Culpa.

Likethewind I understand and I hope that I didn't come across as to "attacking" you inregards to your post. If I did I do appologize.

[bleu]

Apology accepted

[HeatherC]

Oh I hope I didn't come across that way either. 8O I sure didn't mean it to sound that way and if I did and I apologize too. There have just been so many rumors and stories going around in skating this year and since I was there in Columbus, I figured I would cut any new ones from this competition off at the pass. ;) Anyway, I agree that on TV things can look different and get people talking though. Happily, J&D and Y&J are all happy and loving life and had a great time in Columbus. And I got my pics back today so I am VERY excited about that!! Most of them turned out great!! LOL :D

[Likethewind]

Blade 1 and Heather - no problem at all. I didn't feel attacked and you were quite right to make your points. And your points were right. I was just being idly gossipy and didn't think about the possibility of rumors. I just wonder about what these people are like in real life - you know, eating dinner, shopping.....

One tends to think that famous people are different and I am sure they are quite normal one on one with the exception that ipso facto anyone with the sort of dedication and drive it takes to become an olympian is NOT like everyone else! In my imagination they must be a lot more intense, confident, focused, and driven than most of us.

Which has nothing to do with who is in love with who anyway......

[Blade1]

I do understand now where you were coming from. And I do know how people like to talk and gossip. It is apart of life. Everyone does want to know the scoop.

S&P did an interview during the Sears Open this month, which aired on CTV, and one of the questions that was asked by one of the fans that was asked during the interview was if they both had plans on getting married. They were very nice about it and sounded like they want to someday, however they are just taking it day by day and just enjoying each other, and enjoying their skating and touring with SOI. Just thought I'd share ...