Louis DiCesari's commentaries

[what?meworry?]

i think the "louis" who posts is the same who is respected enough to have links on other figure skating boards and information sites.

i'd like to know about his background and experiences with the skating world, since i've read his stuff and found it quite in line with what i (think) i've just seen!

so, would you good folk, tell us about louis. and, autobiographical commentary would be greatly welcomed, too!

[Louis]

There's not much to my autobiography. My involvement in skating began with a crush on Jill Trenary and snowballed from there :). I don't have any competitive experience in skating. My background is in journalism and research, and I've done my homework about the sport, as the analytical side is my favorite part. I always "mock judge" the events I watch and test myself against the real panel. (Yes, I really do find it fun!) Other than that, there's not much to say. I pride myself on being technically accurate and reasonable in my analyses, but I don't ever expect or want people to present my opinions as the "final word" or anything more than one of many possible informed opinions.

[adrianchew]

I'll put in some words about Louis - having met him now at various events this season. Louis probably doesn't know this, but I had little regard for what he had to say generally in the past, about skating - and I have to admit I couldn't be more wrong about anyone, than my initial impressions of him was.

I know I was not alone in how I had initially viewed his viewpoints - perhaps most of us would rather not have that much accurate technical analyses said about our favorite skaters, expecially their weaker areas. I've seen people suggest that Louis' analyses are biased, and that his background doesn't lend itself to being a "subject matter expert" so to speak about skating (since he doesn't have competitive skating experience).

However, he's certainly done his homework thoroughly and knows a whole lot more about the skating than most fans do (or will ever know). I found that the more I learned, the more I understood exactly what angle certain comments were made from, and I have to admit finding myself largely if not almost always in agreement with him. It reached the point where another skating buddy, at Nationals in Dallas, told me - "you're beginning to sound like Louis". I guess I made a comment that sounded like something Louis would say. :lol:

While we may share favorites eg. Cohen at the top level, I found myself at lower level events being impressed with certain skaters, just by watching them compete... no influence of commentators. When I read Louis' reviews after the event, we were definitely on the same page - eg. two Jr. Ladies that I've mentioned throughout this season and been rooting for... Jane Bugaeva and Emily Hughes. Just read Louis comments of Jr. Ladies freeskate from Nats...

http://home.earthlink.net/~louis17/03nat-fri.html

Jane gush - not that I blame him - she's absolutely endearing to watch, and despite Emily's less than her best performance, he still found the good out of it. What I found most interesting was that he had something good to say about just about every skater in that field... including the last and second to last finishers.

While I wouldn't present his opinions as the "final word", I must say that I value them highly. Definitely would grade his report of Jr. Ladies freeskate (which I didn't get to attend myself) as an A+. ;)

[what?meworry?]

thanks for your response. as an example:
i thought louis'commentary insiteful and balancing for junior dance. even though i thought steed/hill were under-rated (i thought they should have placed first in the west and the od and second in the fd) his commentary made a great deal of sense and modified my thoughts. we agreed on m/z.

louis, i've noted your commentary over time, and found it balanced and thoughtful. i tend to look at the overall---mostly because i can't differentiate the technical details all that well---i'm a sucker for the overall "show." so you have helped in retrospect a great deal.

carry on! i need all the technical help you can offer.

[rack]

If we're revealing the truth about Louis, then the time has come for me to ask a question that's been burning within me for years now.

Is it Lou-is or Lou-ee?

rack (pretty much pronounced as spelled):lol:

[adrianchew]

Lou-is ;)

[AxelAnnie22]

I have been impressed by Louis' analysis since the first one I read. I love the level of knowledge, as well as the balance in what he says. I also appreciate the balance that he brings to his comments. It is fun to know a bit about his background. Thanks

[seahag]

For those who haven't met him, he is also good-looking.

[Doug]

Gotta picture? I'd love to finally put a face to the name!!!

Doug

[bleu]

yeah pic..I hear at the other board that he looks like a model.;)

[Louis]

The model thing is a joke started by Marge Simpson of FSU at Skate Canada. She told me I looked like a JCrew model, which was so :lol: that I had to run with it. Sorry, no pictures on a public board. :P

Now stop with the nice comments, or I'll have to register a pseud to start bashing myself. :)

[pilgrimsoul]

Uh oh, Spinner's got some competition!! ;)

[Lee]

Originally posted by pilgrimsoul
Uh oh, Spinner's got some competition!! ;) I think not...;)

[Rachel]

Originally posted by Louis
Now stop with the nice comments, or I'll have to register a pseud to start bashing myself. :)

Where is AllKnowledge when we need her????

[Rogue]

Louis is the one in the black briefs with a tattoo. ;-p

http://www.allamericanguys.com/

[haribobo]

LOL yup, that's our Louis! :lol:

[Trillian]

LOL...so is this the attire Louis typically wears to skating events? Might get a little chilly.

[vesperholly]

Originally posted by Louis
The model thing is a joke started by Marge Simpson of FSU at Skate Canada. She told me I looked like a JCrew model, which was so :lol: that I had to run with it. Sorry, no pictures on a public board. :P

Now stop with the nice comments, or I'll have to register a pseud to start bashing myself. :)

Louis, I think I saw you at the 2002 Grand Prix Final in Kitchener. I remember you mentioning online that you had front-row seats across from the judges. I was in the 9th row on the judges side. If you gave Ina & Zimmerman's second LP a standing O then I have a picture of you! :-) Don't worry, I promise I won't put it online anywhere.

Jocelyn

[loveskating]

I totally respect and also trust Luis and Ellyn...they don't contradict themselves more than is allowed for all of us by the natural entrophy of the universe!!

In trying to learn about skating, so as to enjoy it EVEN more, its so frustrating when you get all these mixed messages.

[manleywoman]

I wish Louis would come and do a play-by-play of Adult Nationals one year.

Or maybe he has.....?:?:

[ALLCONNAISSANCE]

Originally posted by Rachel
Where is AllKnowledge when we need her???? ALLKNOWLEDGE has entered the witness protection program and asked me to inform you all of that fact. Also, ALLKNOWLEDGE asks how you how it is a she??

[bleu]

Originally posted by ALLCONNAISSANCE
ALLKNOWLEDGE has entered the witness protection program and asked me to inform you all of that fact. Also, ALLKNOWLEDGE asks how you how it is a she??

Could it be that ALLCONNAISANCE = ALLKNOWLEDGE;)

[Rachel]

Originally posted by ALLCONNAISSANCE
ALLKNOWLEDGE has entered the witness protection program and asked me to inform you all of that fact. Also, ALLKNOWLEDGE asks how you how it is a she??

Because HER identity was screamingly obvious, poodles.

But it is SO hard to hide perfection, eh? :lol:

[ALLCONNAISSANCE]

Originally posted by Rachel
Because HER identity was screamingly obvious, poodles.

But it is SO hard to hide perfection, eh? :lol: Well, well... if that "poodles" is any indication, you're so far off the mark as to my buddy ALLKNOWLEDGE's actual identity that it's laughable. Don't jump to conclusions, my dear. More often than not you'll be proven wrong. :D

But nonetheless... yes, it is very difficult to hide perfection. <sigh> This is why I am at work as ALLKNOWLEDGE's partner-in-crime while he stays in hiding.

[adrianchew]

Not sure what this is all about, but the past few posts seem to belong more as PMs than a public exchange. :?: