Winter Olympics

[Disneylover99]

The way all the commentators were gushing over the French pair made us really worried for Virtue & Moir. And I did think the French pair were great & had a lovely, artistic routine, but Virtue & Moir have that extra little "something" that makes me get more involved w/ their routines.

My DD was so nervous watching! After it was over she declared, "This must be how it feels to watch the Super Bowl & actually care who wins!"

That's what it is for me. I don't pay attention to the technical details. For me, it's all about the chemistry of the couples in ice dance. When I watch Tessa and Scott, they make me believe they're in love. I don't see the same chemistry with some of the other skaters, so while they maybe had an amazing skate, I'm just not feeling it.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I would have loved to watch Moir and Virtue win gold but my DVD cut out a few moments before they skated. Where can I watch their awesome skate??

Go to NBColympics.com-you can watch their performance- as well as another option is what the other poster mentioned.

 

[declansdad]

Every time I watch one of the alpine events I think of hill you see in an episode of MASH.

 

[Disney_Alli]

NBC pretty much handed them the title - I think they're exact words were something like, "Unless something major happens, Virtue and Moir will be gold medalists."

And on CBC they said that they didn't think they could win as they needed more than 3 points over their personal best to win the title and that it would be virtually impossible.

ETA sorry I didn't realize this had been discussed to such lengths before I answered and I wasn't trying to single you out.

 

[Disney_Alli]

I think that's partially true.

However, I honestly didn't even remember Tessa & Scott from Sochi. I just barely watched Davis & White.

Figure Skating used to be my favorite Winter Olympic event. However, I don't know if I've changed or if the sport changed because over the last couple of Olympics, I found figure skating to be somewhat boring. I wasn't as invested in any of the routines.

This year the pairs & dancing gained my interest again due to the couples like Virtue & Moir.

I remember watching all the routines in Lillehammer (Gordeeva & Grinkov!) & just loving them... it seemed the routines were more passionate & dramatic. I don't even remember who the Americans were, but I was rooting for Gordeeva & Grinkov then. I also loved Katarina Witt. And there was a Russian dancing pair I remember & the girl had this beautiful flame-red hair - their routines were so passionate & beautiful.

In Vancouver, I do remember the Canadian pair - Jamie Sale & her partner (can't remember his name) & really liking them.

Oh, & remember the Canadian pair from years ago - His name was Lloyd & I can't remember her name, but I loved them too.

For me, I need some drama & passion to go w/ my figure skating. LOL! That's why the Shib Sibs just don't really interest me. They're very talented, & I wish them well. I'm just more interested in the other couples.

This time around in the pairs, I loved the French couple who skated to Disturbed's "Sound of Silence".

G&G were the most lyrical and amazing skaters ever! Watching them was a true joy, I was devastated when he passed away.

Jamie Sale and David Peltier were memorable to many after Salt Lake City where they were awarded a second gold medal after a judging controversy (partially responsible for the changes in the scoring system) and competing at home in Vancouver. Their chemistry was electric at times (and their daughter is adorable too)

Isabelle Braseur and Lloyd Eisler were the pair that really drew me in to figure skating in Lillehammer, seeing them live is amazing as their energy just radiates out to the crowd!

And to those talking about the cheer for the move in Tessa and Scott's performance - was it when they performed the lift they'd originally cut out as it was too "sexy" for the Olympics? I remember that getting quite a cheer as many were happy to see it back in the program.

 

[Cogswel_Cogs]

Okay I did not inderstand that mating thing at all.

 

[ashley0139]

And on CBC they said that they didn't think they could win as they needed more than 3 points over their personal best to win the title and that it would be virtually impossible.

ETA sorry I didn't realize this had been discussed to such lengths before I answered and I wasn't trying to single you out.

Also I don't think the judges care at all what NBC said.

 

[declansdad]

Okay I did not inderstand that mating thing at all.

???

 

[ashley0139]

Do any skating fans know why the US has three ice dancing pairs, three female figure skaters, three male figure skaters, but only one pairs figure skaters? Is that all they qualified for?

 

[Wendy31]

G&G were the most lyrical and amazing skaters ever! Watching them was a true joy, I was devastated when he passed away.

Jamie Sale and David Peltier were memorable to many after Salt Lake City where they were awarded a second gold medal after a judging controversy (partially responsible for the changes in the scoring system) and competing at home in Vancouver. Their chemistry was electric at times (and their daughter is adorable too)

Isabelle Braseur and Lloyd Eisler were the pair that really drew me in to figure skating in Lillehammer, seeing them live is amazing as their energy just radiates out to the crowd!

And to those talking about the cheer for the move in Tessa and Scott's performance - was it when they performed the lift they'd originally cut out as it was too "sexy" for the Olympics? I remember that getting quite a cheer as many were happy to see it back in the program.

Yes, & I'm like, "If you're not skating like these couples, then I'm just not interested!" LOL!

And the couple from Russia that ended up getting joint gold w/ Sale & Peletier were really wonderful too & had a sweet backstory.

I think the cheer in Tessa & Scott's performance is for right after they do their twizzle sequence in the "Roxanne" portion & they throw their hands down & give each other a saucy look.

But, yes, I was so excited to see they put the "too sexy" lift back in their performance - and I think they got cheers for that too. I know I was cheering at home!

 

[BLAZEY]

Do any skating fans know why the US has three ice dancing pairs, three female figure skaters, three male figure skaters, but only one pairs figure skaters? Is that all they qualified for?

Yes.

 

[hopemax]

Do any skating fans know why the US has three ice dancing pairs, three female figure skaters, three male figure skaters, but only one pairs figure skaters? Is that all they qualified for?

The number of spots is determined by placing at the previous year's World Championships. Each country is maxed out at 3. According to the Wikipedia entry...1, 2 or 3 has to do with adding up the finishing order. To get 3 skaters the country has to get 2 skaters who finish in a way to have less than 14 points (ex. finishing 3rd and 7th = 10 points). To get 2 skaters the total needs to be below 29 (ex. 11th and 13th = 24).

 

[ashley0139]

So we just suck at pairs right now basically? Alright.

 

[cruiser21]

Yes but on the stream you don't have to listen to Tara and Johnny and their constant talking and negative comments.

I tried watching the Olympics one night and got turned off by NBC's identity politics crap. I tried watching skating another night and got turned off by Tara's yaping. She won the Oympics on a fluke at age 15 and then never competed again....and there are no words to describe Johnny....what's with the hair. I used to compete in figure skating as a kid and teen, but I'm lost with the new scoring. I think this is worst coverage I've ever seen of any Olympic games. Whats weird is how empty the stands are. Big loss for S. Korea.

 

[ronandannette]

It's fairly common for American coverage of international sports to highlight Canadian competitors with the spirit of covering a sibling.

Maybe super-rival siblings from a dysfunctional family! I am BITTER about the US beating Canada in curling! That's supposed to be our thing - y'all get most of the rest of the things. I'm telling mom...

 

[Adelle Dazeem]

I used to get annoyed by Tara and Johnny Weir, but now I like them and they make me laugh. I much prefer their honest critique versus fluff. Heck, I am way more critical of the skaters' performances than they are. Yes, Tara won by having her performance of a lifetime and was smart to just retire knowing she would probably never duplicate her gold medal win. However, she also was suffering from many injuries that required surgery after her retirement.

I miss listening to Dick Button and Peggy Fleming commentate. Dick could often be very critical, but I loved him for it. If he didn't like a spin position, he would say it - "That's a very unattractive position", "That camel spin was almost somewhat acceptable." He was great!

 

[Wendy31]

So we just suck at pairs right now basically? Alright.

I'm trying to remember... have we ever had a really good ice skating pair?

I tried watching the Olympics one night and got turned off by NBC's identity politics crap. I tried watching skating another night and got turned off by Tara's yaping. She won the Oympics on a fluke at age 15 and then never competed again....and there are no words to describe Johnny....what's with the hair. I used to compete in figure skating as a kid and teen, but I'm lost with the new scoring. I think this is worst coverage I've ever seen of any Olympic games. Whats weird is how empty the stands are. Big loss for S. Korea.

There's something about Tara & Johnny I like. They make me laugh, & I think Johnny could be fun to hang out with.

But I agree & think NBC's coverage is really poor. I miss seeing the medal ceremonies. And they're not doing a lot of the backstories like they used to do. And they're not going out in South Korea & telling us about the host country. (They may be doing this kind of thing on the morning shows, but I'm not watching the morning shows.)

And, remember, how they would take a little time to show/demonstrate different aspects of the sports - like the difference between a triple toe loop & triple axle or how the skiers' wax will affect their speed?

 

[Adelle Dazeem]

I'm not feeling either of Virtue and Moir's programs the way most everyone else seems to. If I'm being honest I find their style rather one-note.

I thought the Shibutani's short program was seriously overlooked, all kinds of sparkling energy. I truly think Coldplay was a safe spot they found where they maybe felt they could make something out of the music while avoiding the minefield that waits for them in so many other selections being siblings and wanting to avoid anything hinting of romance.

I find the other two American teams skilled but bland. They both suffer from something that bugs me but I don't have the skillset to understand, their knees don't have the right bend or something and they don't flow into the ice the way I like to see. I only know when I see it or when I don't, I don't have any training to understand it.

I wish that Meryl and Charlie had come back. I think they are my all time favorite ice dance team. I loved watching them skate. Back in 2012, I had center ice, front row seats to the nationals and watching them up close was just amazing. (Charlie was HOT!! LOL He and Tanith will make beautiful babies! I know they have one child, but I don't recall seeing anything about Tanith being pregnant. It feels creepy to google how they had their kid though so I haven't tried to find out what the deal is.)

 

[Adelle Dazeem]

I'm trying to remember... have we ever had a really good ice skating pair?

Well, you can always go back to Tai Babilonia and Randy Gardner if you want a great US Pair. We have had some decent pairs since then, but no one "outstanding". It seems over the past 10-15 years, pairs just don't seem to stay together anymore. You looks at ice dancing couples together for 15+ years, but most pairs seem to be together for a few years and then move on to other partners.

 

[ronandannette]

I was out this evening and DVR'd the ladies' short program; just watching it now. Seriously - how cute was that little button from Korea?!? She must be very young. She cried when she got her marks and my heart melted.