March 29, 2009
Article by Elvin Walker
The 2009 World Figure Skating Championships concluded with the Ladies Long Program.
It wasn't a competition. It was a coming out party, and all of the other skaters were invited as guests. Korea's Yu Na Kim did not give another skater even a whisper of hope in this competition, and she ran away with the gold medal with a new world record score as well as the largest margin of victory by a lady at the World Championships.
"This has been a dream come true for me," admitted the two-time bronze medalist turned champion. "I have been dreaming of this happening since I was a little girl, and now it came true."
Kim entered the freeskate with an eight-point cushion over Canada's Joannie Rochette, and she left the ice with a 16-point lead over the silver medalist. Her competition total of 207.71 points marks the first time any lady has surpassed the 200 point mark since adopting the code of points.
"I never focused on hitting 200 points," Kim said rather philosophically. "It was more important to take each element at a time, and make sure that I was giving the best performance that I could. I felt that if I could do that, then I might be able to become World Champion. I stayed focused on what I had to do, and won the gold medal."
Kim opened with her trademark triple flip-triple toe loop, and landed a total of five clean triple jumps in her "Sheherazade" program, but the program was not without mistakes. Kim doubled an intended triple salchow in the middle of her program, and had her final combination spin scored as an invalid element earning the champion zero points.
"We changed the spin after the Four Continents to get a level four," Kim explained. "It is my fault that I did not have it checked to make sure that it was correct before I came here."
The ISU rules state that a skater must do three spins in the freeskate; a flying spin, a spin with no change of position, and a combination spin. Kim completed a flying spin and two combination spins, therefore receiving no credit for her final element. Still, it was Kim's night, and the audience at the Staples Center was clearly on her side from the start.
"There were so many Korean fans in the audience tonight," Kim said proudly. "But the American fans also supported me. I felt like I was skating at home, and that made me confident to do my best."
Kim is the first Korean skater to win the World Championships, and now heads into the Olympic season as the clear-cut favorite.
"I have not started thinking about the Olympic season yet," Kim admitted. "I had to focus on doing my best here, and I can start thinking about the Olympics tomorrow."
Rochette skated a lovely program to "Concierto de Aranjuez", earning the silver medal, and becoming the first Canadian lady to stand on the podium since Liz Manley won the same color in 1988. Manley offered her congratulations to the Canadian champion once the results were made official.
"She said that silver is the best color," Rochette said of the conversation. "She congratulated me, and told me that she knew that I could do it. It was so nice to have her here to share this with because she has been so supportive of me in my career."
The silver medalist opened with a triple lutz-double toe-double loop, and almost came to a complete standstill on the final jump. However, she recovered to land a nice triple flip before doubling an intended triple loop.
"Even on a night when I wasn't feeling my best, I was able to get the silver," Rochette said. "Even if I didn't do it perfect, this is unbelievable. I was able to deliver."
Read full article here: 2009 World Figure Skating Championships
Friday, May 8, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
Empathy for Kiira
Last week, the European elite of figure skaters gathered in Helsinki. Annual championships of the continent brought about a number of top performances as well as dramatic events. In spite of different scandals, which seem to have become inseparable from professional skating, the championships gave a unique possibility for the Finnish public to enjoy and appreciate the performances of their own top-rated skaters.
My interest here is not to speak about the competitive side of the championships. Instead, I would like to discuss some of the aesthetic qualities of figure skating. Professional figure skating, similarly to gymnastics and dancing, is a sport discipline, where the performance of a competitor is not only rated on the basis of measurement (seconds, meters, kilos), but is also evaluated by judges, implementing the professional, but none the less partly subjective evaluation category. A particular performance of a skater is never judged on one sole criterion, but on the basis of different competitive as well as artistic, i.e. aesthetic, qualities.
Referring to the theories of the phenomenological philosopher Edith Stein, Finnish dance researcher Jaana Parviainen has written about bodily empathy. According to her, a human being is able to understand the other not only on cognitive and emotional level, but on the somatic level as well. Empathy – literally the “feeling into” – of the body is our non-verbal awareness and tacit ability to perceive other beings. Seeing and perceiving the other person acting, performing, running, jumping, walking, skating or doing any other kind of movement gives us one possible way to feel connected to the others. Bodily empathy is therefore present not only in arts, but also in sports, entertainment, work, as well as in other activities of our everyday life.
Figure skating is one of the most popular sport disciplines in the world. Every year hundreds of millions of people all over the world enjoy skating competitions via the television. In addition to the glamorous world of the star-skaters, one of the reasons for the popularity of skating is bodily empathy. In addition to the strict evaluation of compulsory elements (i.e. the measuring), the skater is always expressing his/her artistic talent. The joy and drama of figure skating is often more connected to the personal (bodily) expression of a particular skater than to the quality of performing the compulsory elements. Simultaneously there is always the accompanying psychological aspect of success versus failure – a tension which is perceived differently as a skater and as a spectator.
A spectator who sees an athlete falling or getting injured during the performance is always a shock of a kind. The spectator spontaneously grasps his head or leg, arm or stomach when an athlete fails not only on the basis of rational analyses, but due to the bodily felt empathy. Kiira Korpi’s fall in the decisive ladies’ free program was a sad disappointment to all Finnish people. The tension and expectations were present in the skater as well as in the crowd. Sitting in the crowd and seeing Korpi falling made most of the spectators “jump from their chairs”. The spectators (as well as I) literally felt Korpi’s fall in their own body.
Bodily empathy is “at work” in the reality of seeing other people as well as through different media. Television is an intricate technological tool which is able to transmit the moves and activities of other people. Seeing a figure skater from a television screen is attractive because one can get a feeling of seeing the performance with a full detail and precision. Yet, even if bodily empathy works also with television, the quality and essence of it is clearly different from the direct experience.
Having had the possibility to compare the actual presence of a skater on the ice and simultaneously on the huge screens under the roof of the Hartwall Arena made me realize that television cameras flatten the impression of movement. Technologically transmitted movement gains a totally different quality – flattening the movement brings about the impression of movement as more dynamic, powerful, concrete and stronger than it really is. In case of a top performance the optics of the cameras partly seems to lose the fragility and imperfection of the human body.
Similarly, the cameras make the failures look more dramatic than they really are. Watching television, people often ask – how can they do that, meaning for example the performances of the figure skaters. Television lessens our bodily empathy and leaves us with a condensed, somehow inhuman experience of movement. Watching the ladies’ final competition from the arena, gave me the possibility to become to understand the importance of direct bodily perception and bodily empathy as the basis for the aesthetic appreciation of movement.
Source article: Empathy for Kiira
My interest here is not to speak about the competitive side of the championships. Instead, I would like to discuss some of the aesthetic qualities of figure skating. Professional figure skating, similarly to gymnastics and dancing, is a sport discipline, where the performance of a competitor is not only rated on the basis of measurement (seconds, meters, kilos), but is also evaluated by judges, implementing the professional, but none the less partly subjective evaluation category. A particular performance of a skater is never judged on one sole criterion, but on the basis of different competitive as well as artistic, i.e. aesthetic, qualities.
Referring to the theories of the phenomenological philosopher Edith Stein, Finnish dance researcher Jaana Parviainen has written about bodily empathy. According to her, a human being is able to understand the other not only on cognitive and emotional level, but on the somatic level as well. Empathy – literally the “feeling into” – of the body is our non-verbal awareness and tacit ability to perceive other beings. Seeing and perceiving the other person acting, performing, running, jumping, walking, skating or doing any other kind of movement gives us one possible way to feel connected to the others. Bodily empathy is therefore present not only in arts, but also in sports, entertainment, work, as well as in other activities of our everyday life.
Figure skating is one of the most popular sport disciplines in the world. Every year hundreds of millions of people all over the world enjoy skating competitions via the television. In addition to the glamorous world of the star-skaters, one of the reasons for the popularity of skating is bodily empathy. In addition to the strict evaluation of compulsory elements (i.e. the measuring), the skater is always expressing his/her artistic talent. The joy and drama of figure skating is often more connected to the personal (bodily) expression of a particular skater than to the quality of performing the compulsory elements. Simultaneously there is always the accompanying psychological aspect of success versus failure – a tension which is perceived differently as a skater and as a spectator.
A spectator who sees an athlete falling or getting injured during the performance is always a shock of a kind. The spectator spontaneously grasps his head or leg, arm or stomach when an athlete fails not only on the basis of rational analyses, but due to the bodily felt empathy. Kiira Korpi’s fall in the decisive ladies’ free program was a sad disappointment to all Finnish people. The tension and expectations were present in the skater as well as in the crowd. Sitting in the crowd and seeing Korpi falling made most of the spectators “jump from their chairs”. The spectators (as well as I) literally felt Korpi’s fall in their own body.
Bodily empathy is “at work” in the reality of seeing other people as well as through different media. Television is an intricate technological tool which is able to transmit the moves and activities of other people. Seeing a figure skater from a television screen is attractive because one can get a feeling of seeing the performance with a full detail and precision. Yet, even if bodily empathy works also with television, the quality and essence of it is clearly different from the direct experience.
Having had the possibility to compare the actual presence of a skater on the ice and simultaneously on the huge screens under the roof of the Hartwall Arena made me realize that television cameras flatten the impression of movement. Technologically transmitted movement gains a totally different quality – flattening the movement brings about the impression of movement as more dynamic, powerful, concrete and stronger than it really is. In case of a top performance the optics of the cameras partly seems to lose the fragility and imperfection of the human body.
Similarly, the cameras make the failures look more dramatic than they really are. Watching television, people often ask – how can they do that, meaning for example the performances of the figure skaters. Television lessens our bodily empathy and leaves us with a condensed, somehow inhuman experience of movement. Watching the ladies’ final competition from the arena, gave me the possibility to become to understand the importance of direct bodily perception and bodily empathy as the basis for the aesthetic appreciation of movement.
Source article: Empathy for Kiira
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Breakout year for men's U.S. Champion
April 26, 2009
Article by J. Barry Mittan
The 2008-09 season was a good one for USA's Jeremy Abbott, who scored his first major national and international wins this year.
The talented 23-year-old won an ISU Grand Prix event for the first time when he took gold at the Cup of China to start his season. With a fourth place at the Cup of Russia, he qualified for the ISU Grand Prix Final in Goyang, Korea - another career first - where he took the title and earned new personal best scores in all phases of the competition.
"My goal was just to make the Final and skate my best," said Abbott. "I had no expectations for the outcome. I felt horribly nervous for the free, but I had a good warm up. I was able to contain myself and keep composed and I felt that was more exciting than winning."
"I've been working with a sports psychologist, Gayle Davis, and she's given me techniques to keep myself focused and controlled," he continued.
His dream season continued as Abbott won his first gold medal at the senior level at the 2009 U. S. Figure Skating Championships after finishing fourth the last two years. "I felt a lot of pressure after the Grand Prix Final to win the title, so it was a big weight off of my shoulders when I won."
In his last tune up before Worlds, Abbott placed fifth for a second straight year at the 2009 Four Continents Championships in Vancouver, British Columbia. "I used Four Continents as a platform for Worlds," he said. "Nationals was physically and emotionally draining, and having such a short time period between Nationals and Four Continents was really difficult."
At Worlds, Abbott again finished 11th, the same as in 2008. "I didn't expect myself to be in this position," he said. "I gave my full heart. I really didn't feel that the mistakes that I made were great enough to justify my scores."
In the short, Abbott touched down at the end of his opening triple flip-triple toe and stepped out of a triple Axel, which was downgraded by the judging panel. However, he recovered with a great triple Lutz and earned positive Grades of Execution on all of his non-jumping elements.
In the long, Abbott struggled again with his Axels, but landed a good triple Lutz, triple flip, triple Salchow, and triple loop.
This season, Abbott decided not to focus much on the quad in order to improve his artistry, choreography, and transitions.
"I'm confident in my ability to do the quad and I feel comfortable with it," Abbott said. "I've been able to do a quad Salchow. In fact, I did it first but I prefer the quad toe. I may do the quad again in the short program like I did last year. We'll evaluate during the summer to see what I need for next season."
"I've done a quad-triple-triple and even tried a quad-quad for fun," he added. "I landed the second quad, but it was about three and a half."
Abbott, however, did perform a very nice quadruple toeloop in his long program at last week's 2009 ISU World Team Trophy Championships. He finished fifth overall.
Tom Zakrajsek and Becky Calvin coach Abbott, who trains in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He usually trains for 2-3 hours a day, six days a week. "I don't change my schedule in the summer except to increase my off ice work a little bit," he said.
"I've changed a lot of little things in my day to day routine," Abbott said. "How I think about training matters a lot. I've changed the way I use my time and I've added an off ice dance class to improve my presentation."
"Working with Jeremy is like being a master painter and painting a masterpiece," Zakrajsek said. "It is a challenge because we work on so much detail in all of his movements. I think when people watch his skating they can see that."
"I've tried to focus on the consistency of the whole program," said Abbott. "I want to produce a solid reliable program each time I compete."
Both of Abbott's programs were new for the 2008-09 season. Catarina Lindgren choreographed his short program to Adagio by Tomaso Albinoni.
"Before Worlds last year, I was working on a kind of Greek god imagery with Tom," Abbott stated. "Catarina wanted to use the same imagery and it kind of went from there. She even designed the costume for me. Then Tania Bass agreed to sponsor me and did the costume for free."
Tom Dickson choreographed Abbott's free skate using Eight Seasons by Gidon Kremer and Kremerata Baltica. "Tom brought that music to me," Abbott said. "I wanted to play with movements, and that music fit me very well. I felt very comfortable with it."
Abbott used Treat by Santana for his show program. "Since Nationals was in Cleveland, we wanted something to go along with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame," he stated.
"Working with Tom and Catarina gets the most out of you," Abbott said. "They work naturally to put out the best programs. I don't even have to think about it because they do the fine tuning and polishing and tweaking."
"I'll change at least one of my programs for next season, Abbott said, "but I haven't decided on anything yet."
Off ice, Abbott said, "I like very low stress mindless things. I hang out with my friends. I read books that can draw me in – fiction, humor and mysteries. I love to rock climb, both indoors and outdoors.
Abbott has put off further studies until after the 2010 Olympics. "I admire kids who can do both school and skating," he said, "but I have to put myself completely into one thing."
"I'd like to do a few shows this summer, but not tour," he noted. "I need time to develop my Olympic programs."
Before the shows, however, Abbott will be taking a vacation in Spain.
Source article: Jeremy Abbott
Article by J. Barry Mittan
The 2008-09 season was a good one for USA's Jeremy Abbott, who scored his first major national and international wins this year.
The talented 23-year-old won an ISU Grand Prix event for the first time when he took gold at the Cup of China to start his season. With a fourth place at the Cup of Russia, he qualified for the ISU Grand Prix Final in Goyang, Korea - another career first - where he took the title and earned new personal best scores in all phases of the competition.
"My goal was just to make the Final and skate my best," said Abbott. "I had no expectations for the outcome. I felt horribly nervous for the free, but I had a good warm up. I was able to contain myself and keep composed and I felt that was more exciting than winning."
"I've been working with a sports psychologist, Gayle Davis, and she's given me techniques to keep myself focused and controlled," he continued.
His dream season continued as Abbott won his first gold medal at the senior level at the 2009 U. S. Figure Skating Championships after finishing fourth the last two years. "I felt a lot of pressure after the Grand Prix Final to win the title, so it was a big weight off of my shoulders when I won."
In his last tune up before Worlds, Abbott placed fifth for a second straight year at the 2009 Four Continents Championships in Vancouver, British Columbia. "I used Four Continents as a platform for Worlds," he said. "Nationals was physically and emotionally draining, and having such a short time period between Nationals and Four Continents was really difficult."
At Worlds, Abbott again finished 11th, the same as in 2008. "I didn't expect myself to be in this position," he said. "I gave my full heart. I really didn't feel that the mistakes that I made were great enough to justify my scores."
In the short, Abbott touched down at the end of his opening triple flip-triple toe and stepped out of a triple Axel, which was downgraded by the judging panel. However, he recovered with a great triple Lutz and earned positive Grades of Execution on all of his non-jumping elements.
In the long, Abbott struggled again with his Axels, but landed a good triple Lutz, triple flip, triple Salchow, and triple loop.
This season, Abbott decided not to focus much on the quad in order to improve his artistry, choreography, and transitions.
"I'm confident in my ability to do the quad and I feel comfortable with it," Abbott said. "I've been able to do a quad Salchow. In fact, I did it first but I prefer the quad toe. I may do the quad again in the short program like I did last year. We'll evaluate during the summer to see what I need for next season."
"I've done a quad-triple-triple and even tried a quad-quad for fun," he added. "I landed the second quad, but it was about three and a half."
Abbott, however, did perform a very nice quadruple toeloop in his long program at last week's 2009 ISU World Team Trophy Championships. He finished fifth overall.
Tom Zakrajsek and Becky Calvin coach Abbott, who trains in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He usually trains for 2-3 hours a day, six days a week. "I don't change my schedule in the summer except to increase my off ice work a little bit," he said.
"I've changed a lot of little things in my day to day routine," Abbott said. "How I think about training matters a lot. I've changed the way I use my time and I've added an off ice dance class to improve my presentation."
"Working with Jeremy is like being a master painter and painting a masterpiece," Zakrajsek said. "It is a challenge because we work on so much detail in all of his movements. I think when people watch his skating they can see that."
"I've tried to focus on the consistency of the whole program," said Abbott. "I want to produce a solid reliable program each time I compete."
Both of Abbott's programs were new for the 2008-09 season. Catarina Lindgren choreographed his short program to Adagio by Tomaso Albinoni.
"Before Worlds last year, I was working on a kind of Greek god imagery with Tom," Abbott stated. "Catarina wanted to use the same imagery and it kind of went from there. She even designed the costume for me. Then Tania Bass agreed to sponsor me and did the costume for free."
Tom Dickson choreographed Abbott's free skate using Eight Seasons by Gidon Kremer and Kremerata Baltica. "Tom brought that music to me," Abbott said. "I wanted to play with movements, and that music fit me very well. I felt very comfortable with it."
Abbott used Treat by Santana for his show program. "Since Nationals was in Cleveland, we wanted something to go along with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame," he stated.
"Working with Tom and Catarina gets the most out of you," Abbott said. "They work naturally to put out the best programs. I don't even have to think about it because they do the fine tuning and polishing and tweaking."
"I'll change at least one of my programs for next season, Abbott said, "but I haven't decided on anything yet."
Off ice, Abbott said, "I like very low stress mindless things. I hang out with my friends. I read books that can draw me in – fiction, humor and mysteries. I love to rock climb, both indoors and outdoors.
Abbott has put off further studies until after the 2010 Olympics. "I admire kids who can do both school and skating," he said, "but I have to put myself completely into one thing."
"I'd like to do a few shows this summer, but not tour," he noted. "I need time to develop my Olympic programs."
Before the shows, however, Abbott will be taking a vacation in Spain.
Source article: Jeremy Abbott
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
US wins World Team Trophy figure skating, Canada places second
Apr 18, 2009
TOKYO — Canada finished second in the inaugural World Team Trophy figure skating championship Saturday.
Japan's Mao Asada won the women's free skate with 126.03 points to cap the event, followed by world silver medallist Joannie Rochette of Ile-Dupas, Que., with 120.08 points.
Jessica Dube of Drummondville, Que., and Bryce Davison of Cambridge, Ont., added a third-place finish in pairs.
"It has been a fantastic week," said Canadian team captain Scott Moir. "The American team obviously really delivered this week, so hats off to them. The Canadians are just extremely pleased to be in the mix and had some personal bests as well."
The United States won the three-day event with 60 points, followed by Canada with 54 and Japan with 50.
Earlier in the week, Moir, from Ilderton, Ont., finished second in ice dance with partner Tessa Virtue of London, Ont. World silver medallist Patrick Chan of Toronto rebounded from a shaky short program to finish fourth in men's singles.
Caroline Zhang and Rachael Flatt helped lead the United States to victory. Zhang, the 2007 world junior champion, finished third in the women's free skate while Flatt placed fourth to secure the win for the Americans.
It was a better showing for Asada coming off a disappointing fourth in the world championships last month.
Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao of China won the overall pairs competition.
-With files from The Associated Press.
Source article: US wins World Team Trophy figure skating, Canada places second
TOKYO — Canada finished second in the inaugural World Team Trophy figure skating championship Saturday.
Japan's Mao Asada won the women's free skate with 126.03 points to cap the event, followed by world silver medallist Joannie Rochette of Ile-Dupas, Que., with 120.08 points.
Jessica Dube of Drummondville, Que., and Bryce Davison of Cambridge, Ont., added a third-place finish in pairs.
"It has been a fantastic week," said Canadian team captain Scott Moir. "The American team obviously really delivered this week, so hats off to them. The Canadians are just extremely pleased to be in the mix and had some personal bests as well."
The United States won the three-day event with 60 points, followed by Canada with 54 and Japan with 50.
Earlier in the week, Moir, from Ilderton, Ont., finished second in ice dance with partner Tessa Virtue of London, Ont. World silver medallist Patrick Chan of Toronto rebounded from a shaky short program to finish fourth in men's singles.
Caroline Zhang and Rachael Flatt helped lead the United States to victory. Zhang, the 2007 world junior champion, finished third in the women's free skate while Flatt placed fourth to secure the win for the Americans.
It was a better showing for Asada coming off a disappointing fourth in the world championships last month.
Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao of China won the overall pairs competition.
-With files from The Associated Press.
Source article: US wins World Team Trophy figure skating, Canada places second
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Lysacek and the Lakers: Just a bunch of champions
8:10 PM, April 26, 2009
Evan Lysacek and the Lakers practice in the same facility, the Toyota Center in El Segundo. They've won major titles as the result of their performances at Staples Center, where the Lakers won three NBA championships and Lysacek last month claimed the world figure skating championship.
So it makes sense for Lysacek, an Illinois native who has enthusiastically adopted Los Angeles as his home, to share the floor with the Lakers -- if only briefly -- before they resume their first-round playoff series against the Utah Jazz.
Lysacek will be introduced at the game Monday and will present the game ball for the opening tipoff, a well-deserved honor. It will also be a rare occasion when he's surrounded by athletes who are taller than he is: He's about 6 foot 1, extremely tall for a figure skater.
-- Helene Elliott
Source article: Lysacek and the Lakers: Just a bunch of champions
Evan Lysacek and the Lakers practice in the same facility, the Toyota Center in El Segundo. They've won major titles as the result of their performances at Staples Center, where the Lakers won three NBA championships and Lysacek last month claimed the world figure skating championship.
So it makes sense for Lysacek, an Illinois native who has enthusiastically adopted Los Angeles as his home, to share the floor with the Lakers -- if only briefly -- before they resume their first-round playoff series against the Utah Jazz.
Lysacek will be introduced at the game Monday and will present the game ball for the opening tipoff, a well-deserved honor. It will also be a rare occasion when he's surrounded by athletes who are taller than he is: He's about 6 foot 1, extremely tall for a figure skater.
-- Helene Elliott
Source article: Lysacek and the Lakers: Just a bunch of champions
Monday, April 27, 2009
Olympian exchanges skates for Syrah
by Julia Hollister
These days you won’t find Olympic gold medal skater Peggy Fleming on ice. Instead, she might be checking winegrape vines at her family’s Santa Cruz Mountain winery.
“In 1999 we planted an acre of Chardonnay and loved the look and began to learn more about winegrape growing,” she said. “My husband (retired dermatologist Greg Jenkins) took classes in viticulture at University of California-Davis to learn more science and chemistry.”
Fleming, who grew up near Morgan Hill (Santa Cruz County), won several national and world figure skating titles before winning the gold at the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France. But, Fleming does not sit on her laurels. When she is not at the winery she makes personal appearances throughout the nation to promote Fleming Jenkins Winery and Vineyards. As a breast cancer survivor, she remains a fierce advocate for breast cancer awareness and research. “Victories”, a dry rose, was created to raise funds for this research.
“Although we had a vineyard we were not making our own wine,” Fleming said. “We were selling the grapes to a local winery. Just like in cooking, we wondered how our grapes tasted and that desire hooked us in.”
From the small beginning on one acre, the winery began to take root and reality in 2003 and the wines were first released for sale in 2005. The cool climate and rocky soil makes it ideal for winegrape growing. Four years later the winery, which has a tasting room in Los Gatos, produces 2,200 cases a year.
“We want to produce the best,” she said. “It’s not just slapping our name on a bottle. It’s about our repetition -- mine as an athlete and Greg’s as a physician. I believe competitive skating and winegrape growing are tied together. In both areas, you have to have patience because you don’t become a champion overnight.”
The wines include “Choreography” (a Bordeaux-style blend), Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Chardonnay and Syrah. Prices range from $20 to $50.
Fleming Jenkins gets Syrah grapes from sportscaster John Madden’s Livermore Valley vineyard. After the trip from the hot valley to the winery the grapes soak in cold water for three days. Dr. Jenkins says this process chills down the grapes and leaches out the color into the juice before fermentation.
As to their style of wine, he said their mission is letting the fruit shine through.
You can visit her site at Fleming Jenkins Winery www.flemingjenkins.com
Source article: Olympian exchanges skates for Syrah
These days you won’t find Olympic gold medal skater Peggy Fleming on ice. Instead, she might be checking winegrape vines at her family’s Santa Cruz Mountain winery.
“In 1999 we planted an acre of Chardonnay and loved the look and began to learn more about winegrape growing,” she said. “My husband (retired dermatologist Greg Jenkins) took classes in viticulture at University of California-Davis to learn more science and chemistry.”
Fleming, who grew up near Morgan Hill (Santa Cruz County), won several national and world figure skating titles before winning the gold at the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France. But, Fleming does not sit on her laurels. When she is not at the winery she makes personal appearances throughout the nation to promote Fleming Jenkins Winery and Vineyards. As a breast cancer survivor, she remains a fierce advocate for breast cancer awareness and research. “Victories”, a dry rose, was created to raise funds for this research.
“Although we had a vineyard we were not making our own wine,” Fleming said. “We were selling the grapes to a local winery. Just like in cooking, we wondered how our grapes tasted and that desire hooked us in.”
From the small beginning on one acre, the winery began to take root and reality in 2003 and the wines were first released for sale in 2005. The cool climate and rocky soil makes it ideal for winegrape growing. Four years later the winery, which has a tasting room in Los Gatos, produces 2,200 cases a year.
“We want to produce the best,” she said. “It’s not just slapping our name on a bottle. It’s about our repetition -- mine as an athlete and Greg’s as a physician. I believe competitive skating and winegrape growing are tied together. In both areas, you have to have patience because you don’t become a champion overnight.”
The wines include “Choreography” (a Bordeaux-style blend), Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Chardonnay and Syrah. Prices range from $20 to $50.
Fleming Jenkins gets Syrah grapes from sportscaster John Madden’s Livermore Valley vineyard. After the trip from the hot valley to the winery the grapes soak in cold water for three days. Dr. Jenkins says this process chills down the grapes and leaches out the color into the juice before fermentation.
As to their style of wine, he said their mission is letting the fruit shine through.
You can visit her site at Fleming Jenkins Winery www.flemingjenkins.com
Source article: Olympian exchanges skates for Syrah
Friday, April 24, 2009
Great moments in figure skating history: Chen Lu, Mendelssohn Piano Concerto
by Tina Molly Lang, April 5, 4:04 PM
Chen Lu is a Chinese figure skater who was most competitive during the 1990s. She holds two Olympic bronze medals and was the 1995 world champion. Chen Lu was the first figure skater from China to win an Olympic medal.
Chen Lu: Mendelssohn Piano Concerto
At the 1995 World Championships. She skated to the third movement of Mendelssohn's Piano Concerto.
Felxi Mendelssohn composed his G Minor piano concerto in 1830-31. The form of the concerto is late Classical, but many of the sonorities are early Romantic. The third movement begins with a trumpet fanfare followed by a joyful piano entrance. The third movement is in Rondo Allegro form.
This was one of my favorite programs from Chen Lu. The music fits with her clean, classical style of skating. The music and choreography showcase her clean lines, extended spirals, and straight-edged jumps.
Source article: Great moments in figure skating history: Chen Lu, Mendelssohn Piano Concerto
Chen Lu is a Chinese figure skater who was most competitive during the 1990s. She holds two Olympic bronze medals and was the 1995 world champion. Chen Lu was the first figure skater from China to win an Olympic medal.
Chen Lu: Mendelssohn Piano Concerto
At the 1995 World Championships. She skated to the third movement of Mendelssohn's Piano Concerto.
Felxi Mendelssohn composed his G Minor piano concerto in 1830-31. The form of the concerto is late Classical, but many of the sonorities are early Romantic. The third movement begins with a trumpet fanfare followed by a joyful piano entrance. The third movement is in Rondo Allegro form.
This was one of my favorite programs from Chen Lu. The music fits with her clean, classical style of skating. The music and choreography showcase her clean lines, extended spirals, and straight-edged jumps.
Source article: Great moments in figure skating history: Chen Lu, Mendelssohn Piano Concerto
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Figure Skating Champions Enjoy the Artistic Aspect of Shen Yun
CALGARY, Alberta—Mr. and Mrs. Bradshaw are former British figure skating champions and European medalists. They moved to Canada in the 70s and established a figure skating school in Calgary that has produced many great athletes over the years.
A sport involving challenging moves performed on ice with accompanying music, figure skating can be considered to have as much artistic aspect as its athletic facet. That is why the Bradshaws said they appreciated the talent and artistry greatly in the Shen Yun Performing Arts production after watching it on Sunday, April 13, at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium.
“We’re all figure skaters, so we appreciate this art form,” said Mrs. Bradshaw enthusiastically.
“We are in the arts too. So we really appreciate the costuming, the dancing, the artistic side of everything. We really enjoyed it,” she said.
Sharing his wife’s enthusiasm, Mr. Bradshaw said the show was “absolutely amazing” and that he was impressed by this world-class performance.
“It was all very impressive, very, very artistic, very elegant. The costumes were gorgeous, very colorful,” he said.
Mr. Bradshaw praised the cultural aspect of the show and how the performances presented China’s culture on stage.
“It was deep, effects were amazing with the costumes, and we really enjoyed the whole show,” he said.
“We were really enthralled with the show.”
Both former champions were also impressed by the skills of the performers.
“We appreciate the precision. Good technique,” Mrs. Bradshaw said.
Mrs. Bradshaw commended the show for being spiritual, while her husband explained further that, “spiritually, it brought you into your soul, and it brought out some culture, refinement, and respect for art, and we found it very uplifting.”
“We don’t see many shows like this that gives you that sense of sincerity, and we really enjoyed it,” he said.
Referring to one of the performances, Mrs. Bradshaw said she was “taken back” by how the piece shows the Chinese communist regime is suppressing the culture of China.
This dance performance, Heaven Awaits Us Despite Persecution, tells the story of a father in China who is persecuted by the Chinese communist regime for practicing Falun Dafa.
The couple’s son, who is also a coach and the figure skating school operator, said he likewise enjoyed the show and named the colorful performance Welcoming Spring as his favorite piece.
Source article: Figure Skating Champions Enjoy the Artistic Aspect of Shen Yun
A sport involving challenging moves performed on ice with accompanying music, figure skating can be considered to have as much artistic aspect as its athletic facet. That is why the Bradshaws said they appreciated the talent and artistry greatly in the Shen Yun Performing Arts production after watching it on Sunday, April 13, at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium.
“We’re all figure skaters, so we appreciate this art form,” said Mrs. Bradshaw enthusiastically.
“We are in the arts too. So we really appreciate the costuming, the dancing, the artistic side of everything. We really enjoyed it,” she said.
Sharing his wife’s enthusiasm, Mr. Bradshaw said the show was “absolutely amazing” and that he was impressed by this world-class performance.
“It was all very impressive, very, very artistic, very elegant. The costumes were gorgeous, very colorful,” he said.
Mr. Bradshaw praised the cultural aspect of the show and how the performances presented China’s culture on stage.
“It was deep, effects were amazing with the costumes, and we really enjoyed the whole show,” he said.
“We were really enthralled with the show.”
Both former champions were also impressed by the skills of the performers.
“We appreciate the precision. Good technique,” Mrs. Bradshaw said.
Mrs. Bradshaw commended the show for being spiritual, while her husband explained further that, “spiritually, it brought you into your soul, and it brought out some culture, refinement, and respect for art, and we found it very uplifting.”
“We don’t see many shows like this that gives you that sense of sincerity, and we really enjoyed it,” he said.
Referring to one of the performances, Mrs. Bradshaw said she was “taken back” by how the piece shows the Chinese communist regime is suppressing the culture of China.
This dance performance, Heaven Awaits Us Despite Persecution, tells the story of a father in China who is persecuted by the Chinese communist regime for practicing Falun Dafa.
The couple’s son, who is also a coach and the figure skating school operator, said he likewise enjoyed the show and named the colorful performance Welcoming Spring as his favorite piece.
Source article: Figure Skating Champions Enjoy the Artistic Aspect of Shen Yun
Monday, April 20, 2009
World champ Lysacek returns to Maine
Evan Lysacek, the 2009 world figure skating champion, became the first U.S. skater since Todd Eldredge to take the world crown. Read on.
By GLENN JORDAN, Staff Writer April 10, 2009
Evan Lysacek will be the only one wearing skates, but that doesn't mean he'll be skating alone.
No matter how large the crowd or how vast the venue, Lysacek – who two weeks ago became the first American man in 13 years to win the world title in figure skating – always tries to draw the audience into his performance, to feel something of what he's feeling, to make a connection beyond a simple appreciation of one man's skating skills.
He wants eye contact.
"Competitive skating now has become so technical, and less and less about truly performing," Lysacek said by phone from New York earlier this week. "So it's nice for us to do something performance driven, to develop not only our skating, but that side of our personality as well."
Lysacek brings his personality, and his skates, back to Portland this weekend for a Smucker's Stars On Ice production at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Cumberland County Civic Center. Tickets run from $25 to $115. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Another option for local skating fans: The North Atlantic Figure Skating Club will host its 11th annual show at 7 tonight and Saturday at the Family Ice Center in Falmouth, headlined by Marissa Castelli and Simon Shnapir, bronze medalists at the junior world championships. Tickets run from $7 to $20.
Scheduled to join Lysacek at the Civic Center on Saturday are Olympic silver medalists Sasha Cohen, Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto, 2006 world champion Kimmie Meissner, three-time U.S. champion Michael Weiss and 1996 world champion Todd Eldredge, among others.
Lysacek, a 23-year-old native of Illinois who now lives in Los Angeles, performed with Stars on Ice at the Civic Center last April on the heels of his 2008 U.S. title. The world title he earned two weeks ago in Los Angeles makes him the favorite at next February's 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
"I had done so much press and promotion for it that I felt a sense of heightened expectation," said Lysacek, referring to the world championships being held in his adopted hometown. "To do well, to succeed, was such a special moment, particularly in front of my hometown crowd. That's an experience and a moment I can carry with me forever."
Skating to "Rhapsody in Blue," Lysacek came from behind to win gold despite nursing a stress fracture in his left foot that prevented him from attempting any jumps of four revolutions. He has five triples in the abridged version of his free skate planned for the Portland performance.
The injury will require immobilization in a cast for four weeks, but Lysacek said he could put it off until June. He joked about his contractual obligations – he had already done 12 Stars on Ice shows this season – as the cause for not resting immediately.
The Stars tour ends this weekend with shows tonight in Manchester, N.H., and Saturday in Portland. Afterward, Lysacek will fly home to California, then set out for Tokyo for the inaugural World Team Trophy competition April 16-19 between the U.S., Japan, Canada, Russia, France and China.
He's also scheduled to skate in shows in Denver, Chicago and South Korea, where figure skaters are among the nation's biggest celebrities.
"Sometimes my schedule gets a little out of control, but I'm a yes person," Lysacek said. "And I feel so lucky to be able to have these opportunities."
At the 2006 Olympics in Italy, Lysacek was thrilled to make the team and hoped for a top-20 showing. He wound up fourth, and accompanied the medalists to doping tests, the press conference and awards ceremony.
"Watching them get that medal was so inspirational," he said. "This time around when I get there, I'll be all business."
Source article: World champ Lysacek returns to Maine
By GLENN JORDAN, Staff Writer April 10, 2009
Evan Lysacek will be the only one wearing skates, but that doesn't mean he'll be skating alone.
No matter how large the crowd or how vast the venue, Lysacek – who two weeks ago became the first American man in 13 years to win the world title in figure skating – always tries to draw the audience into his performance, to feel something of what he's feeling, to make a connection beyond a simple appreciation of one man's skating skills.
He wants eye contact.
"Competitive skating now has become so technical, and less and less about truly performing," Lysacek said by phone from New York earlier this week. "So it's nice for us to do something performance driven, to develop not only our skating, but that side of our personality as well."
Lysacek brings his personality, and his skates, back to Portland this weekend for a Smucker's Stars On Ice production at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Cumberland County Civic Center. Tickets run from $25 to $115. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Another option for local skating fans: The North Atlantic Figure Skating Club will host its 11th annual show at 7 tonight and Saturday at the Family Ice Center in Falmouth, headlined by Marissa Castelli and Simon Shnapir, bronze medalists at the junior world championships. Tickets run from $7 to $20.
Scheduled to join Lysacek at the Civic Center on Saturday are Olympic silver medalists Sasha Cohen, Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto, 2006 world champion Kimmie Meissner, three-time U.S. champion Michael Weiss and 1996 world champion Todd Eldredge, among others.
Lysacek, a 23-year-old native of Illinois who now lives in Los Angeles, performed with Stars on Ice at the Civic Center last April on the heels of his 2008 U.S. title. The world title he earned two weeks ago in Los Angeles makes him the favorite at next February's 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
"I had done so much press and promotion for it that I felt a sense of heightened expectation," said Lysacek, referring to the world championships being held in his adopted hometown. "To do well, to succeed, was such a special moment, particularly in front of my hometown crowd. That's an experience and a moment I can carry with me forever."
Skating to "Rhapsody in Blue," Lysacek came from behind to win gold despite nursing a stress fracture in his left foot that prevented him from attempting any jumps of four revolutions. He has five triples in the abridged version of his free skate planned for the Portland performance.
The injury will require immobilization in a cast for four weeks, but Lysacek said he could put it off until June. He joked about his contractual obligations – he had already done 12 Stars on Ice shows this season – as the cause for not resting immediately.
The Stars tour ends this weekend with shows tonight in Manchester, N.H., and Saturday in Portland. Afterward, Lysacek will fly home to California, then set out for Tokyo for the inaugural World Team Trophy competition April 16-19 between the U.S., Japan, Canada, Russia, France and China.
He's also scheduled to skate in shows in Denver, Chicago and South Korea, where figure skaters are among the nation's biggest celebrities.
"Sometimes my schedule gets a little out of control, but I'm a yes person," Lysacek said. "And I feel so lucky to be able to have these opportunities."
At the 2006 Olympics in Italy, Lysacek was thrilled to make the team and hoped for a top-20 showing. He wound up fourth, and accompanied the medalists to doping tests, the press conference and awards ceremony.
"Watching them get that medal was so inspirational," he said. "This time around when I get there, I'll be all business."
Source article: World champ Lysacek returns to Maine
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Broadmoor skater Mroz learning as he goes
By BRIAN GOMEZ The (Colorado Springs) Gazette
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—Putting a priority on learning, Brandon Mroz has discovered an awful lot. So much, he has become like a sponge, eager to soak up every drop of figure skating knowledge.
He learned that stamina is important, especially in the free skate. That a four-rotation quad toeloop carries big points but hardly matters if the rest of the program contains errors. That senior-level skaters are way more competitive than junior skaters.
"You always learn, whether it's rough or your personal best," Mroz said. "You take that and run with it and apply it for next year, and that's what I plan on doing."
The Broadmoor Skating Club member doesn't feel guilty looking forward after a successful season in which he edged eventual world champion Evan Lysacek for second at the U.S. Championships and had four top-10 international finishes.
His ninth-place showing last month at the world championships in Los Angeles, coupled with Lysacek's gold medal, enabled the Americans to qualify the maximum three men's skaters for the 2010 Vancouver Games.
Which guys fill those positions—Lysacek is a lock, given his world title and fourth-place finish at the 2006 Olympics, meaning Mroz must outdo Broadmoor member Jeremy Abbott or 2006 Olympian Johnny Weir—will be determined at the next nationals in January in Spokane, Wash.
"It definitely will be hard," said Mroz, a senior at Cheyenne Mountain High School in Colorado Springs. "Everybody wants a spot. I'm sure people don't want a little runt like me coming ahead, so they'll be pushing their programs as much as I am."
Over the summer, Mroz plans to work with coach Tom Zakrajsek and choreographer Lori Nichol to increase the technical components of his routines. He desires the fancy moves Weir once displayed, the top-notch stuff Lysacek typically brings.
Mroz executed a quad and seven triple jumps in his long program at the worlds. Next season, he may open with a quad toe and a quad salchow—something attempted recently only by five-time world medalist Brian Joubert of France.
"Maybe we could have two quads," Mroz said. "I do have a capable mind of doing that. And I have the physical strength to pull off a program like that."
Source article: Broadmoor skater Mroz learning as he goes
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—Putting a priority on learning, Brandon Mroz has discovered an awful lot. So much, he has become like a sponge, eager to soak up every drop of figure skating knowledge.
He learned that stamina is important, especially in the free skate. That a four-rotation quad toeloop carries big points but hardly matters if the rest of the program contains errors. That senior-level skaters are way more competitive than junior skaters.
"You always learn, whether it's rough or your personal best," Mroz said. "You take that and run with it and apply it for next year, and that's what I plan on doing."
The Broadmoor Skating Club member doesn't feel guilty looking forward after a successful season in which he edged eventual world champion Evan Lysacek for second at the U.S. Championships and had four top-10 international finishes.
His ninth-place showing last month at the world championships in Los Angeles, coupled with Lysacek's gold medal, enabled the Americans to qualify the maximum three men's skaters for the 2010 Vancouver Games.
Which guys fill those positions—Lysacek is a lock, given his world title and fourth-place finish at the 2006 Olympics, meaning Mroz must outdo Broadmoor member Jeremy Abbott or 2006 Olympian Johnny Weir—will be determined at the next nationals in January in Spokane, Wash.
"It definitely will be hard," said Mroz, a senior at Cheyenne Mountain High School in Colorado Springs. "Everybody wants a spot. I'm sure people don't want a little runt like me coming ahead, so they'll be pushing their programs as much as I am."
Over the summer, Mroz plans to work with coach Tom Zakrajsek and choreographer Lori Nichol to increase the technical components of his routines. He desires the fancy moves Weir once displayed, the top-notch stuff Lysacek typically brings.
Mroz executed a quad and seven triple jumps in his long program at the worlds. Next season, he may open with a quad toe and a quad salchow—something attempted recently only by five-time world medalist Brian Joubert of France.
"Maybe we could have two quads," Mroz said. "I do have a capable mind of doing that. And I have the physical strength to pull off a program like that."
Source article: Broadmoor skater Mroz learning as he goes
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Don't Expect U.S. Figure Skaters to Perform Well at 2010 Olympics
Well, I'm rooting for Canadian figure skaters to do well in here as it is their turf. Read on.
April 09, 2009 by Arlene Miles
Don't expect the United States to have its customary shine in figure skating at the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010. Unless something drastically changes between now and next February, the best the American team can hope for is to not mop up the ice with inconsistent performances.
Unlike previous most recent Winter Olympics, the US will only field three skaters or teams in two events—men's singles and ice dance, thanks to the respective gold and silver medal finishes of Evan Lysacek and Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto at the recent 2009 World Championships in Los Angeles. Olympic berths are predicated on the previous season's placement at the World Championships. Thanks to Lysacek's gold medal finish and the overall standings of US ice dancers at worlds, both disciplines will field three entrants.
Particularly disappointing is the women's singles event, long considered the Cadillac draw of the Winter Olympics. Since the retirement of Michelle Kwan, the US has not been able to field a consistent cadre of female athletes. Instead, what has passed for top-level athletes have been a revolving door of generally unremarkable skaters such as Kimmie Meissner, Alissa Czisny and Emily Hughes, who have the ability to do the jumps and spins, but are lacking consistency and artistic flair.
Also disappointing in 2009 is the performance of United States Pairs Champions Keana McLaughin and Rockne Brubaker. Considered to be the best American hope for a pairs medal since Jenni Meno and Todd Sand won a silver in 1998, the pair finished a disappointing 11th, following a season plagued by injury and illness.
What is plaguing United States figure skating is two-fold. One is the emergence of top programs and consistent skaters in China, Korea, and Japan. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, is the absence of go-to coaching here in the United States. During figure skating's heyday in the 1990s, there were a number of prominent coaches on the scene, whether it was Christy Kjarsgaard-Ness, Carol Heiss-Jenkins, Kathy Casey, or Mary and Evy Scotvold, as well as Frank Carroll.
Source article: Don't Expect U.S. Figure Skaters to Perform Well at 2010 Olympics
April 09, 2009 by Arlene Miles
Don't expect the United States to have its customary shine in figure skating at the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010. Unless something drastically changes between now and next February, the best the American team can hope for is to not mop up the ice with inconsistent performances.
Unlike previous most recent Winter Olympics, the US will only field three skaters or teams in two events—men's singles and ice dance, thanks to the respective gold and silver medal finishes of Evan Lysacek and Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto at the recent 2009 World Championships in Los Angeles. Olympic berths are predicated on the previous season's placement at the World Championships. Thanks to Lysacek's gold medal finish and the overall standings of US ice dancers at worlds, both disciplines will field three entrants.
Particularly disappointing is the women's singles event, long considered the Cadillac draw of the Winter Olympics. Since the retirement of Michelle Kwan, the US has not been able to field a consistent cadre of female athletes. Instead, what has passed for top-level athletes have been a revolving door of generally unremarkable skaters such as Kimmie Meissner, Alissa Czisny and Emily Hughes, who have the ability to do the jumps and spins, but are lacking consistency and artistic flair.
Also disappointing in 2009 is the performance of United States Pairs Champions Keana McLaughin and Rockne Brubaker. Considered to be the best American hope for a pairs medal since Jenni Meno and Todd Sand won a silver in 1998, the pair finished a disappointing 11th, following a season plagued by injury and illness.
What is plaguing United States figure skating is two-fold. One is the emergence of top programs and consistent skaters in China, Korea, and Japan. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, is the absence of go-to coaching here in the United States. During figure skating's heyday in the 1990s, there were a number of prominent coaches on the scene, whether it was Christy Kjarsgaard-Ness, Carol Heiss-Jenkins, Kathy Casey, or Mary and Evy Scotvold, as well as Frank Carroll.
Source article: Don't Expect U.S. Figure Skaters to Perform Well at 2010 Olympics
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Kim Yu-na sets new world record
I watched Kim Yu-na's replays at YouTube.com www.youtube.com, and she was magnificient. She had taken my heart away.
Korean figure skater, Kim Yu-na set a new record in world figure skating *history. She scored a total of 207.71 points at the World Figure Skating Championship and won the first gold medal for Korea at this competition. Kim is the first female skater to receive a score over 200 points.
Kim also set a new world record for the female short program by scoring 76.12. The previous record was set by Kim Yu-na herself at the 2009 Four **Continents event.
Everyone who was watching Kim's program was *mesmerized by her performance. After Kim's finished her program everyone stood and clapped *in response to her *brilliant performance.
**Commentators and reporters of foreign media also praised the Korean skater. The AP quoted that "Kim skates with *ease and lightness, seeming almost to fly across the ice, but has an *incredible power and strength."
Now that Kim has won the gold at the World Championship her next goal is to win a gold at the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Source article: Kim Yu-na sets new world record
Korean figure skater, Kim Yu-na set a new record in world figure skating *history. She scored a total of 207.71 points at the World Figure Skating Championship and won the first gold medal for Korea at this competition. Kim is the first female skater to receive a score over 200 points.
Kim also set a new world record for the female short program by scoring 76.12. The previous record was set by Kim Yu-na herself at the 2009 Four **Continents event.
Everyone who was watching Kim's program was *mesmerized by her performance. After Kim's finished her program everyone stood and clapped *in response to her *brilliant performance.
**Commentators and reporters of foreign media also praised the Korean skater. The AP quoted that "Kim skates with *ease and lightness, seeming almost to fly across the ice, but has an *incredible power and strength."
Now that Kim has won the gold at the World Championship her next goal is to win a gold at the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Source article: Kim Yu-na sets new world record
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
A Canadian gold rush? Hosts determined to improve in '10
As the only country to host both the Winter and Summer Olympics without winning a gold medal, Canada is determined to "Own The Podium" next year in Vancouver.
While they may not be able to push past the Germans and Americans on the overall count, our northern neighbors figure to improve on the two dozen medals they won in Turin. Matching the US in the gold count will be more of a challenge. The Yanks, who won nine to Canada's seven last time, could win at least 14 based on actual and projected results from this winter's world championships.
The difference is breadth across sports: The US could win golds in nine, ranging from bobsled to speedskating to Nordic combined to snowboarding to figure skating. The X factor for the Canadians is home advantage, which was huge for the Americans in Salt Lake City in 2002. While it didn't do much for the hosts in Calgary in 1988, the addition since then of sports such as freestyle skiing, snowboarding, short-track speedskating, and curling should help.
Holding pattern
The brouhaha over the US Olympic Committee's take of TV and sponsor revenues has quieted, now that the IOC has agreed to put off negotiations until 2013, with nothing changing until 2020. The Olympic summer sports federations are outraged at the size of the USOC's share in the current open-ended agreement - 12.75 percent of TV rights fees and 20 percent of sponsorship cash - even though the vast majority of the IOC's income is derived from NBC and American corporations. Left unsaid has been the sweet deal that European and Asian broadcasters get from the IOC. NBC paid $894 million to show the Beijing Games, double what the EBU paid for all of Europe and well over 100 times what the Chinese paid . . . The US women's ice hockey team will go after its third world title in four years this week in Finland. Its chief rival, as always, will be Canada, which won eight straight titles before the Americans prevailed in 2005. Sixteen of the 20 players were on last year's gold-medal squad. This one includes 11 collegians and is coached by Wisconsin's Mark Johnson, whose varsity won the NCAA title. Eight New Englanders are on the squad: goalie Molly Schaus (Natick and Boston College), defensemen Kacey Bellamy (Westfield and UNH), Caitlin Cahow (Branford, Conn.), and Helen Resor (Greenwich, Conn.), and forwards Julie Chu (Fairfield, Conn.), Meghan Duggan (Danvers), Hilary Knight (Hanover, N.H.), and Erika Lawler (Fitchburg). Playing for Canada are Harvard star Sarah Vaillancourt and grad Jennifer Botterill. The Americans open with Japan on Saturday.
Source article: Hosts determined to improve in '10
While they may not be able to push past the Germans and Americans on the overall count, our northern neighbors figure to improve on the two dozen medals they won in Turin. Matching the US in the gold count will be more of a challenge. The Yanks, who won nine to Canada's seven last time, could win at least 14 based on actual and projected results from this winter's world championships.
The difference is breadth across sports: The US could win golds in nine, ranging from bobsled to speedskating to Nordic combined to snowboarding to figure skating. The X factor for the Canadians is home advantage, which was huge for the Americans in Salt Lake City in 2002. While it didn't do much for the hosts in Calgary in 1988, the addition since then of sports such as freestyle skiing, snowboarding, short-track speedskating, and curling should help.
Holding pattern
The brouhaha over the US Olympic Committee's take of TV and sponsor revenues has quieted, now that the IOC has agreed to put off negotiations until 2013, with nothing changing until 2020. The Olympic summer sports federations are outraged at the size of the USOC's share in the current open-ended agreement - 12.75 percent of TV rights fees and 20 percent of sponsorship cash - even though the vast majority of the IOC's income is derived from NBC and American corporations. Left unsaid has been the sweet deal that European and Asian broadcasters get from the IOC. NBC paid $894 million to show the Beijing Games, double what the EBU paid for all of Europe and well over 100 times what the Chinese paid . . . The US women's ice hockey team will go after its third world title in four years this week in Finland. Its chief rival, as always, will be Canada, which won eight straight titles before the Americans prevailed in 2005. Sixteen of the 20 players were on last year's gold-medal squad. This one includes 11 collegians and is coached by Wisconsin's Mark Johnson, whose varsity won the NCAA title. Eight New Englanders are on the squad: goalie Molly Schaus (Natick and Boston College), defensemen Kacey Bellamy (Westfield and UNH), Caitlin Cahow (Branford, Conn.), and Helen Resor (Greenwich, Conn.), and forwards Julie Chu (Fairfield, Conn.), Meghan Duggan (Danvers), Hilary Knight (Hanover, N.H.), and Erika Lawler (Fitchburg). Playing for Canada are Harvard star Sarah Vaillancourt and grad Jennifer Botterill. The Americans open with Japan on Saturday.
Source article: Hosts determined to improve in '10
It's all about the figures.
Is it time to put the figures back in figure skating?
Lots of response to last Sunday's column about the demise of figure skating as a major spectator sport, particulary in these United States. And some of it was quite interesting. A couple common themes emerged:
-- Nobody really disputed the central point, that figure skating is not held in the same regard as it once was (whether that regard was deserved or not is another question, for another time.)
-- Many readers from around the country said they don't get the Oxygen Network, to which most of NBC's coverage of the Figure Skating Worlds was relegated last week. And even some people who went out and looked for progamming information couldn't find it. For the record: I had the same experience. No word from NBC's usually alert PR department about where to find the figs. Are they embarrassed to be the current contract holder? Why spend the money to televise something no one can find?
-- Contrary to what I wrote ("nobody is asking for a return to the old scoring system"), it turns out many people are, in fact, asking for a return to the old scoring system. A movement has begun on (where else?) Facebook to lobby the International Skating Union to go back to where things were. Reader Monica says it's called "Bring Back the 6.0 Judging System." And, she notes:
"It currently has more than 1,200 members, including reigning Olympic champion Evgeni Plushenko, world champions Debi Thomas, Tai Babilonia, Elaine Zayak, and dozens of other prominent skaters, famous coaches, officials, and fans." (Add to that: Brian Boitano.)
It's a nice effort, but let's be real: Getting the ISU to admit it screwed up that badly by reverting to the old system flies in the face of political realities. I'd argue: Stick with the art of the possible, which is why I suggested altering the Code of Points.
-- Lots of people believe the lack of interest in the winning-is-everything U.S. is more related to the lack of any tangible female American skating pixies than anything else. Clearly, that's part of it, as I indicated. But I don't believe it's the whole story. A lot of fans in other countries don't get, and don't like, the new scoring system, as well.
-- The most interesting responses came independently from people who really know skating -- former skaters, coaches, and parents, who struck a common theme: It's all about the figures.
Source article: It's all about the figures
Lots of response to last Sunday's column about the demise of figure skating as a major spectator sport, particulary in these United States. And some of it was quite interesting. A couple common themes emerged:
-- Nobody really disputed the central point, that figure skating is not held in the same regard as it once was (whether that regard was deserved or not is another question, for another time.)
-- Many readers from around the country said they don't get the Oxygen Network, to which most of NBC's coverage of the Figure Skating Worlds was relegated last week. And even some people who went out and looked for progamming information couldn't find it. For the record: I had the same experience. No word from NBC's usually alert PR department about where to find the figs. Are they embarrassed to be the current contract holder? Why spend the money to televise something no one can find?
-- Contrary to what I wrote ("nobody is asking for a return to the old scoring system"), it turns out many people are, in fact, asking for a return to the old scoring system. A movement has begun on (where else?) Facebook to lobby the International Skating Union to go back to where things were. Reader Monica says it's called "Bring Back the 6.0 Judging System." And, she notes:
"It currently has more than 1,200 members, including reigning Olympic champion Evgeni Plushenko, world champions Debi Thomas, Tai Babilonia, Elaine Zayak, and dozens of other prominent skaters, famous coaches, officials, and fans." (Add to that: Brian Boitano.)
It's a nice effort, but let's be real: Getting the ISU to admit it screwed up that badly by reverting to the old system flies in the face of political realities. I'd argue: Stick with the art of the possible, which is why I suggested altering the Code of Points.
-- Lots of people believe the lack of interest in the winning-is-everything U.S. is more related to the lack of any tangible female American skating pixies than anything else. Clearly, that's part of it, as I indicated. But I don't believe it's the whole story. A lot of fans in other countries don't get, and don't like, the new scoring system, as well.
-- The most interesting responses came independently from people who really know skating -- former skaters, coaches, and parents, who struck a common theme: It's all about the figures.
Source article: It's all about the figures
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
No matter how you write it, skating's Yuna Kim spells greatness
I had a nice e-mail from a South Korean reader who suggested that the phonetic — or transliterated — spelling being used in English for his country's great figure skating star, Kim Yu-Na, was incorrect.
He said it should be Kim Yun-A or Kim Yeon-A because it is as much a pronunciation issue as a spelling issue, and there should not be a break after the "u'' sound.
I replied that the English-language media have taken the Yu-Na spelling from the way her name is listed by the International Skating Union.
But I figured it was time to do a little more research to make sure I respect Korean culture by getting it right, especially since I will be writing and saying this young woman's name frequently between now and the 2010 Olympics, where she will be a gold medal favorite based on her performances in winning the world title last week in Los Angeles.
First of all, I have chosen to write it with the family name (Kim) first because that is the Korean manner: family name, then given name. That also is the case in Chinese, but I eventually wrote the name of Chinese figure skating world champion Chen Lu as Lu Chen because she told U.S. media that was her preference for English usage.
I called the South Korean consulate in Chicago to check on the correct way to write Kim's given name, and this is what Lee Eun (who signed her e-mail Eun Lee) told me:
"According to her official website, the preferred spelling of her name is 'Yuna.' Your reader was correct in pointing out the subtle differences between 'Kim Yu-Na' and 'Kim Yun-A' (or 'Yeon-A') because her Korean name is pronounced 'Gim Yuhn Ah.' ''
(That pronunciation has a hard "G,'' like "gimmick,'' and a short "u,'' like "un.'')
"Having said that,'' Lee's e-mail continued, "Ms. Kim is a world-class athlete who is competing on an international level and may have made a conscious choice to make her name . . . easier for foreigners to understand and remember. The ISU lists her name as 'Yu-Na Kim' and so does NBC. I doubt it would have been written as such without the consent of her team.''
The same could apply to the order of the names, Lee said, suggesting it might be better to avoid confusion by putting the given name first.
So what would Ms. Lee's personal choice be for English use of her countrywoman's name?
"Yuna Kim.''
OK by me.
Now let's see if I can get everyone else to go along.
But, as Shakespeare might have said, a Yuna by another name, like Yu-Na or Yun-A, would skate as great.
— Philip Hersh
Source article: No matter how you write it, skating's Yuna Kim spells greatness
He said it should be Kim Yun-A or Kim Yeon-A because it is as much a pronunciation issue as a spelling issue, and there should not be a break after the "u'' sound.
I replied that the English-language media have taken the Yu-Na spelling from the way her name is listed by the International Skating Union.
But I figured it was time to do a little more research to make sure I respect Korean culture by getting it right, especially since I will be writing and saying this young woman's name frequently between now and the 2010 Olympics, where she will be a gold medal favorite based on her performances in winning the world title last week in Los Angeles.
First of all, I have chosen to write it with the family name (Kim) first because that is the Korean manner: family name, then given name. That also is the case in Chinese, but I eventually wrote the name of Chinese figure skating world champion Chen Lu as Lu Chen because she told U.S. media that was her preference for English usage.
I called the South Korean consulate in Chicago to check on the correct way to write Kim's given name, and this is what Lee Eun (who signed her e-mail Eun Lee) told me:
"According to her official website, the preferred spelling of her name is 'Yuna.' Your reader was correct in pointing out the subtle differences between 'Kim Yu-Na' and 'Kim Yun-A' (or 'Yeon-A') because her Korean name is pronounced 'Gim Yuhn Ah.' ''
(That pronunciation has a hard "G,'' like "gimmick,'' and a short "u,'' like "un.'')
"Having said that,'' Lee's e-mail continued, "Ms. Kim is a world-class athlete who is competing on an international level and may have made a conscious choice to make her name . . . easier for foreigners to understand and remember. The ISU lists her name as 'Yu-Na Kim' and so does NBC. I doubt it would have been written as such without the consent of her team.''
The same could apply to the order of the names, Lee said, suggesting it might be better to avoid confusion by putting the given name first.
So what would Ms. Lee's personal choice be for English use of her countrywoman's name?
"Yuna Kim.''
OK by me.
Now let's see if I can get everyone else to go along.
But, as Shakespeare might have said, a Yuna by another name, like Yu-Na or Yun-A, would skate as great.
— Philip Hersh
Source article: No matter how you write it, skating's Yuna Kim spells greatness
Outstanding week for Canadian figure skaters
It was an outstanding week for the Canadian figure skating team at the world championships in Los Angeles. For the second year in a row, Canadian skaters claimed a medal in three of the four disciplines.
The story of the week had to be the unbelievable performances from eventual world women’s champion, Yu-Na Kim of Korea.
To start with, Kim posted the highest recorded score ever in the short with 76.12 after an exquisite program to Danse Macabre. She followed it up with another personal best in the free program and with a total overall score of 207.71, she broke the 200-point barrier for women.
The other big story was the quiet confidence and ability displayed by Canada’s Joannie Rochette. With her silver medal, Rochette became the first Canadian woman in 21 years to stand on the world medal podium. The 2008 world champion, Mao Asada of Japan, dropped from third in the short to fourth overall after being hampered by a free program to the repetitious strains of Waltz Masquerade, which didn’t do a lot to showcase her talent. Her teammate Miki Ando, the 2007 world champion, took the bronze.
The men’s free was a nail-biter.
Canada’s Patrick Chan was the first of the last group to skate and had to wait for the final five skaters before knowing the result.
Chan didn’t disappoint and with a very strong free program was able to move from third to take the silver medal France’s Brian Joubert, the 2007 world champion, had a less than stellar free program where he doubled two jumps and fell on his final double Axel, which dropped him from first to third overall. Evan Lysacek won the first title for an American man in 13 years in front of his home crowd and posted a personal best score of 159.53 in the free and 242.33 overall.
In ice dance, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, Canadian champions and 2008 world silver medallists, captured the bronze. It was on the strength of the points they earned in their third-place finish in the compulsory dance that they were able to hold off the competition for the medal.
Americans Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto won the silver and were back on track after missing the Grand Prix Final and U.S. Nationals due to Agosto’s back injury. Gold went to Russia’s Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin whose power, presence and dramatic flair must have been the qualities to land them in the top spot because, in my opinion, timing, creativity and finesse did not.
In pairs, Canadian champions Jessica Dube and Bryce Davison, the 2008 world bronze medalists, seemed tentative and finished in seventh place, the highest of the three Canadian teams.
Germany’s Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy were able to claim the world title for the second year in row with two very solid performances. China’s Dan Zhang and Hao Zhang looked stronger and more secure than they had all season in earning the silver, while Russia’s Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov’s elegant Swan short program set them up to take the bronze.
Based on world championship results, Canadian skaters secured two spots in each discipline for next year’s Olympic Games.
Canada also qualified as one of the top six nations at the worlds, which means they can send a team to the first-ever ISU World Team Trophy in mid-April in Tokyo. Two men, two women, one ice dance and one pair team from each of these six countries will go head to head.
Source article: Outstanding week for Canadian figure skaters
The story of the week had to be the unbelievable performances from eventual world women’s champion, Yu-Na Kim of Korea.
To start with, Kim posted the highest recorded score ever in the short with 76.12 after an exquisite program to Danse Macabre. She followed it up with another personal best in the free program and with a total overall score of 207.71, she broke the 200-point barrier for women.
The other big story was the quiet confidence and ability displayed by Canada’s Joannie Rochette. With her silver medal, Rochette became the first Canadian woman in 21 years to stand on the world medal podium. The 2008 world champion, Mao Asada of Japan, dropped from third in the short to fourth overall after being hampered by a free program to the repetitious strains of Waltz Masquerade, which didn’t do a lot to showcase her talent. Her teammate Miki Ando, the 2007 world champion, took the bronze.
The men’s free was a nail-biter.
Canada’s Patrick Chan was the first of the last group to skate and had to wait for the final five skaters before knowing the result.
Chan didn’t disappoint and with a very strong free program was able to move from third to take the silver medal France’s Brian Joubert, the 2007 world champion, had a less than stellar free program where he doubled two jumps and fell on his final double Axel, which dropped him from first to third overall. Evan Lysacek won the first title for an American man in 13 years in front of his home crowd and posted a personal best score of 159.53 in the free and 242.33 overall.
In ice dance, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, Canadian champions and 2008 world silver medallists, captured the bronze. It was on the strength of the points they earned in their third-place finish in the compulsory dance that they were able to hold off the competition for the medal.
Americans Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto won the silver and were back on track after missing the Grand Prix Final and U.S. Nationals due to Agosto’s back injury. Gold went to Russia’s Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin whose power, presence and dramatic flair must have been the qualities to land them in the top spot because, in my opinion, timing, creativity and finesse did not.
In pairs, Canadian champions Jessica Dube and Bryce Davison, the 2008 world bronze medalists, seemed tentative and finished in seventh place, the highest of the three Canadian teams.
Germany’s Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy were able to claim the world title for the second year in row with two very solid performances. China’s Dan Zhang and Hao Zhang looked stronger and more secure than they had all season in earning the silver, while Russia’s Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov’s elegant Swan short program set them up to take the bronze.
Based on world championship results, Canadian skaters secured two spots in each discipline for next year’s Olympic Games.
Canada also qualified as one of the top six nations at the worlds, which means they can send a team to the first-ever ISU World Team Trophy in mid-April in Tokyo. Two men, two women, one ice dance and one pair team from each of these six countries will go head to head.
Source article: Outstanding week for Canadian figure skaters
Koreans celebrate Kim Yu-na's skating victory
By Hyung-Jin Kim, Associated Press Writer
SEOUL, South Korea — All of South Korea seemed to be celebrating figure skater Kim Yu-na's historic weekend win at the world championships, with her victory at the top of newscasts and newspapers carrying photos of "Queen Yu-na" on their front pages Monday.
Kim, 18, is already a star in her native South Korea, with a slew of endorsements and TV commercials for everything from cosmetics and milk to air conditioners and laundry detergent.
Her performance at the World Figure Skating Championships in Los Angeles on Saturday night brought the world to attention as well, with her commanding, skillful and graceful free skate to "Sheherezade" bringing the audience to its feet.
"The whole world falls for her," the JoongAng Ilbo newspaper declared.
Nearly every newspaper and many online news portals featured large photos of Kim -- wrapped in the South Korean flag or wiping away tears during her country's anthem -- on their front pages. News of Kim's win got top billing on broadcasts over North Korea's plans to launch a rocket.
Source article: Koreans celebrate Kim Yu-na's skating victory
SEOUL, South Korea — All of South Korea seemed to be celebrating figure skater Kim Yu-na's historic weekend win at the world championships, with her victory at the top of newscasts and newspapers carrying photos of "Queen Yu-na" on their front pages Monday.
Kim, 18, is already a star in her native South Korea, with a slew of endorsements and TV commercials for everything from cosmetics and milk to air conditioners and laundry detergent.
Her performance at the World Figure Skating Championships in Los Angeles on Saturday night brought the world to attention as well, with her commanding, skillful and graceful free skate to "Sheherezade" bringing the audience to its feet.
"The whole world falls for her," the JoongAng Ilbo newspaper declared.
Nearly every newspaper and many online news portals featured large photos of Kim -- wrapped in the South Korean flag or wiping away tears during her country's anthem -- on their front pages. News of Kim's win got top billing on broadcasts over North Korea's plans to launch a rocket.
Source article: Koreans celebrate Kim Yu-na's skating victory
Monday, March 30, 2009
French figure skating champ tumbles
LOS ANGELES (AFP) — If they gave out marks for courage at the World Figure Skating Championships, French champion Candice Didier would probably take home the gold medal.
The 21-year-old from Strasbourg dusted herself off after a hard tumble into the end boards to complete her performance and post a respectable 71.92 free skate score on Friday at Staples Center arena.
"She gets painkillers now," French teamleader Eric Millot said. "She was almost fainting in the kiss and cry area because of the stress of the shock.
"But she said to us, 'Give me some water and sugar.' She wanted to finish her programme by all means."
Didier fell while attempting a triple toe-loop jump, landing hard on her right hip before slamming shoulder-first into the end boards.
She lay in a heap on the ice for several seconds before Staples Center security officials came on the ice to assist her.
Didier was taken off the ice to the kiss and cry area to meet with her coaches before she reappeared to a huge ovation. She completed her long programme and then clutched her stomach in pain before exiting the ice and going straight to the on-site medical clinic.
Doctors said she suffered a badly bruised hip but no major injuries.
Source: French figure skating champ tumbles
The 21-year-old from Strasbourg dusted herself off after a hard tumble into the end boards to complete her performance and post a respectable 71.92 free skate score on Friday at Staples Center arena.
"She gets painkillers now," French teamleader Eric Millot said. "She was almost fainting in the kiss and cry area because of the stress of the shock.
"But she said to us, 'Give me some water and sugar.' She wanted to finish her programme by all means."
Didier fell while attempting a triple toe-loop jump, landing hard on her right hip before slamming shoulder-first into the end boards.
She lay in a heap on the ice for several seconds before Staples Center security officials came on the ice to assist her.
Didier was taken off the ice to the kiss and cry area to meet with her coaches before she reappeared to a huge ovation. She completed her long programme and then clutched her stomach in pain before exiting the ice and going straight to the on-site medical clinic.
Doctors said she suffered a badly bruised hip but no major injuries.
Source: French figure skating champ tumbles
Underhill, Martini and Orser into World Figure Skating Hall of Fame
LOS ANGELES — Barbara Underhill, Paul Martini and Brian Orser were part of one of Canadian figure skating's most successful eras some two decades ago.
The three were honoured Saturday for their contributions to the sport when they were inducted into the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame in a ceremony at the world figure skating championships at the Staples Center.
Underhill and Martini captured gold for Canada in pairs 25 years ago in Ottawa, and went on to a successful pro career.
"Time goes too fast, man, it just goes way too fast," Martini said. "You don't realize how much has gone by until something like this comes along and slaps you hard in the face, and 25 years has gone by. It seems like yesterday."
The Canadian pairs team captured the country's first gold medal in 11 years when they won the 1984 world championships at the Civic Centre, and their long program is still considered one of the greatest moments in Canadian sports history.
"I was standing out there thinking, this is the end of a really great long run in skating and we couldn't have picked a better time," Underhill said. "Our timing was impeccable in terms of when we won worlds, when we turned professional and just the ride that we took."
Orser, the 1987 world champion and '88 Olympic silver medallist, received the Hall of Fame honour just hours before taking his spot along the boards to coach South Korean sensation Kim Yu-na.
"The timing for this is really good," Orser said.
"I'm believe I'm being honoured because of my skating contribution to the sport, but now that I'm coaching, do I get to go in again if I get great success? I don't know," Orser added laughing.
Kurt Browning was the last Canadian to go into the Hall, inducted in 2006.
The other 2009 inductees were Aja Zanova, a Czech who was the first world skating champion to defect from communist Europe; Willy Bietak, a skating choreographer from Austria; and Nikolai Panin-Kolomenkin of Russia, who won the 1908 Olympics.
Source: Underhill, Martini and Orser into World Figure Skating Hall of Fame
The three were honoured Saturday for their contributions to the sport when they were inducted into the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame in a ceremony at the world figure skating championships at the Staples Center.
Underhill and Martini captured gold for Canada in pairs 25 years ago in Ottawa, and went on to a successful pro career.
"Time goes too fast, man, it just goes way too fast," Martini said. "You don't realize how much has gone by until something like this comes along and slaps you hard in the face, and 25 years has gone by. It seems like yesterday."
The Canadian pairs team captured the country's first gold medal in 11 years when they won the 1984 world championships at the Civic Centre, and their long program is still considered one of the greatest moments in Canadian sports history.
"I was standing out there thinking, this is the end of a really great long run in skating and we couldn't have picked a better time," Underhill said. "Our timing was impeccable in terms of when we won worlds, when we turned professional and just the ride that we took."
Orser, the 1987 world champion and '88 Olympic silver medallist, received the Hall of Fame honour just hours before taking his spot along the boards to coach South Korean sensation Kim Yu-na.
"The timing for this is really good," Orser said.
"I'm believe I'm being honoured because of my skating contribution to the sport, but now that I'm coaching, do I get to go in again if I get great success? I don't know," Orser added laughing.
Kurt Browning was the last Canadian to go into the Hall, inducted in 2006.
The other 2009 inductees were Aja Zanova, a Czech who was the first world skating champion to defect from communist Europe; Willy Bietak, a skating choreographer from Austria; and Nikolai Panin-Kolomenkin of Russia, who won the 1908 Olympics.
Source: Underhill, Martini and Orser into World Figure Skating Hall of Fame
Canada's Joannie Rochette makes history, takes silver at world figure skating finals
LOS ANGELES - It was even better than she imagined.
“This was my little girl dream,” Joannie Rochette said. “I always dreamed to do it, but this year, I believed it.”
The 23-year-old from Ile Dupas, Que., skated off with the silver medal at the world figure skating championships Saturday — just the second Canadian woman in 36 years to stand on a world medals podium — and immediately afterward fell into an enormous hug from the first.
“Silver’s a great colour, you know,” beamed Liz Manley, who followed up her 1988 Olympic silver with the same finish at the subsequent worlds. Before that, Vancouver’s Karen Magnussen had been the last Canadian female medallist, in 1973.
“I know, I know!” Rochette said to Manley. “I’m following your program.”
In her seventh world championship, Rochette finally broke through with the skating week of her life. She had no chance to catch the runaway leader after the short program, Korea’s Yu-Na Kim, who was magnificent again Saturday to shatter the world record. No woman had ever cracked the 200-point barrier for combined points in the two programs, and Kim recorded a staggering 207.71 to win by more than 16 points.
“I don’t think about points, but I made a good performance here,” said Kim, who shook her head in disbelief when he marks came up. “I kind of thought I could win because I had a very high score in the short program — but a short program is just a short program. I knew I still had to skate very well in the long. But I think I did pretty good.”
You might say that. Kim’s tour de force, at the head of a field of exceptional women skaters, sets up a terrific scenario for the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, and so does Rochette’s silver, which she won narrowly over 2007 world champion Miki Ando of Japan, with 2008 world champ Mao Asada well back in fourth place.
“This is the last world champioships before the Olympics,” said Kim, “so I really wanted to get this title. So I’m prety proud of that.”
Rochette made one major error, doubling a scheduled triple loop that was doomed by a slow entry, and stepping out of her second triple Lutz. She also had a little extra hop on the end of her opening Lutz-double toe-double loop combination, but the deductions were mostly minor and she fought through them to deliver a very attractive package that obviously resonated with the judges.
When her marks came up and she was ahead of Asada, who had landed a triple Axel and tried two, Rochette’s face was a mixture of joy and incredulity.
‘Yes, because I made those mistakes, and thought after the last one, I have to be perfect from now on, and I kept fighting and I’m really proud of that,” she said.
Ando followed with a terrific skate that had the first sellout crowd of the week at Staples Center on its feet and roaring its approval several times during the performance, but she came up less than a point short of Rochette’s total of 191.29.
The week was pretty much a disaster for Canada’s other skater, Cynthia Phaneuf.
The 21-year-old from Sorel, Que., whose career nosedived after a growth spurt following her precocious Canadian championship at age 16, finally made it back to the worlds after a three-year absence only to skate two badly flawed programs here and finish 15th.
She fell three times on attempted triple jumps, put a hand down on a fourth, and lost any attempt to create a mood with all the technical errors coming in the first half of the program.
“I was just a little bit slow today,” said Phaneuf, after a long, deep discussion with coaches Annie Barabe and David Pelletier. “I tried until the end, and didn’t give up. I don’t think anybody could try any harder than what I just did. I didn’t pop anything, I tried everything, went for it. I was just slow — I had no explosion [in the jumps], I don’t know why.
“It was better than the first world championship (she finished 20th in 2005), and I had a good week, it was just my two programs that wasn’t the best that I can do.”
Alas, the programs are the bottom line at a world championships.
The women on the podium aced theirs.
Source article: Canada's Joannie Rochette makes history, takes silver at world figure skating finals
“This was my little girl dream,” Joannie Rochette said. “I always dreamed to do it, but this year, I believed it.”
The 23-year-old from Ile Dupas, Que., skated off with the silver medal at the world figure skating championships Saturday — just the second Canadian woman in 36 years to stand on a world medals podium — and immediately afterward fell into an enormous hug from the first.
“Silver’s a great colour, you know,” beamed Liz Manley, who followed up her 1988 Olympic silver with the same finish at the subsequent worlds. Before that, Vancouver’s Karen Magnussen had been the last Canadian female medallist, in 1973.
“I know, I know!” Rochette said to Manley. “I’m following your program.”
In her seventh world championship, Rochette finally broke through with the skating week of her life. She had no chance to catch the runaway leader after the short program, Korea’s Yu-Na Kim, who was magnificent again Saturday to shatter the world record. No woman had ever cracked the 200-point barrier for combined points in the two programs, and Kim recorded a staggering 207.71 to win by more than 16 points.
“I don’t think about points, but I made a good performance here,” said Kim, who shook her head in disbelief when he marks came up. “I kind of thought I could win because I had a very high score in the short program — but a short program is just a short program. I knew I still had to skate very well in the long. But I think I did pretty good.”
You might say that. Kim’s tour de force, at the head of a field of exceptional women skaters, sets up a terrific scenario for the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, and so does Rochette’s silver, which she won narrowly over 2007 world champion Miki Ando of Japan, with 2008 world champ Mao Asada well back in fourth place.
“This is the last world champioships before the Olympics,” said Kim, “so I really wanted to get this title. So I’m prety proud of that.”
Rochette made one major error, doubling a scheduled triple loop that was doomed by a slow entry, and stepping out of her second triple Lutz. She also had a little extra hop on the end of her opening Lutz-double toe-double loop combination, but the deductions were mostly minor and she fought through them to deliver a very attractive package that obviously resonated with the judges.
When her marks came up and she was ahead of Asada, who had landed a triple Axel and tried two, Rochette’s face was a mixture of joy and incredulity.
‘Yes, because I made those mistakes, and thought after the last one, I have to be perfect from now on, and I kept fighting and I’m really proud of that,” she said.
Ando followed with a terrific skate that had the first sellout crowd of the week at Staples Center on its feet and roaring its approval several times during the performance, but she came up less than a point short of Rochette’s total of 191.29.
The week was pretty much a disaster for Canada’s other skater, Cynthia Phaneuf.
The 21-year-old from Sorel, Que., whose career nosedived after a growth spurt following her precocious Canadian championship at age 16, finally made it back to the worlds after a three-year absence only to skate two badly flawed programs here and finish 15th.
She fell three times on attempted triple jumps, put a hand down on a fourth, and lost any attempt to create a mood with all the technical errors coming in the first half of the program.
“I was just a little bit slow today,” said Phaneuf, after a long, deep discussion with coaches Annie Barabe and David Pelletier. “I tried until the end, and didn’t give up. I don’t think anybody could try any harder than what I just did. I didn’t pop anything, I tried everything, went for it. I was just slow — I had no explosion [in the jumps], I don’t know why.
“It was better than the first world championship (she finished 20th in 2005), and I had a good week, it was just my two programs that wasn’t the best that I can do.”
Alas, the programs are the bottom line at a world championships.
The women on the podium aced theirs.
Source article: Canada's Joannie Rochette makes history, takes silver at world figure skating finals
Sochi 2014 Honors New Athlete Ambassadors after ISU World Figure Skating Championships Successes
29 March 2009, Los Angeles, USA: Fresh from their medal-winning performances at the ISU (International Skating Union) World Figure Skating Championships in Los Angeles, USA, two elite Russian athletes were honored by Sochi 2014 President and CEO, Dmitry Chernyshenko, as ambassadors for Russia's first ever Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Pairs gold medalists Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin were presented with special Sochi 2014 certificates immediately after wowing audiences at the competition's renowned Staples Center venue.
Epitomizing Russia's passion for Winter Sports, Mr. Chernyshenko arrived for the presentation directly from SportAccord in Denver, Colorado, where the International Olympic Committee (IOC) expressed satisfaction with the progress made in its Games preparations. The visit gave Sochi 2014 further insights into staging world-class competition, while also providing opportunities to revel in the memorable performances of competitors from Russia and across the globe.
Sochi 2014 President and CEO, Dmitry Chernyshenko, said:
"The support of Russia's athletes for Sochi 2014 continues to be overwhelming. I am delighted to present special awards to these inspirational Russian skaters, and to announce them as new Sochi 2014 ambassadors. Their successes have come through the dedication with which we are building towards an Olympic and Paralympic Games that will live long in the memory and provide an incredible sporting legacy for Russia and the entire Olympic Movement."
Oksana Domnina, ice dancing gold medalist and 2014 ambassador, said:
"To win a medal at my sport's World Championships and then be honored as an ambassador for my nation's first ever Winter Games has made this a day I will always remember."
"We are honored by this and are so excited for Sochi 2014," added Domnina's partner, Maxim Shabalin, ice dancing gold medalist and Sochi 2014 ambassador.
Dmitry Chernyshenko added:
"Experiencing top class Winter Sports such as the ISU World Figure Skating Championships continues to inspire Sochi 2014. We are intent on absorbing the expertise of the global sporting community wherever possible, and this visit has therefore been of immense benefit coming off the back of our latest positive feedback from the IOC at SportAccord."
The most prestigious of the ISU's championships, the 2009 World Figure Skating Championships are taking place between 22 and 29 March. Skaters compete in the categories of men's singles, ladies' singles, pairs, and ice dancing.
As a service to our readers, Around the Rings will provide verbatim texts of selected press releases issued by Olympic-related organizations, federations, businesses and sponsors.
These press releases appear as sent to Around the Rings and are not edited for spelling, grammar or punctuation.
Source Article: Sochi 2014 Honors New Athlete Ambassadors...
Epitomizing Russia's passion for Winter Sports, Mr. Chernyshenko arrived for the presentation directly from SportAccord in Denver, Colorado, where the International Olympic Committee (IOC) expressed satisfaction with the progress made in its Games preparations. The visit gave Sochi 2014 further insights into staging world-class competition, while also providing opportunities to revel in the memorable performances of competitors from Russia and across the globe.
Sochi 2014 President and CEO, Dmitry Chernyshenko, said:
"The support of Russia's athletes for Sochi 2014 continues to be overwhelming. I am delighted to present special awards to these inspirational Russian skaters, and to announce them as new Sochi 2014 ambassadors. Their successes have come through the dedication with which we are building towards an Olympic and Paralympic Games that will live long in the memory and provide an incredible sporting legacy for Russia and the entire Olympic Movement."
Oksana Domnina, ice dancing gold medalist and 2014 ambassador, said:
"To win a medal at my sport's World Championships and then be honored as an ambassador for my nation's first ever Winter Games has made this a day I will always remember."
"We are honored by this and are so excited for Sochi 2014," added Domnina's partner, Maxim Shabalin, ice dancing gold medalist and Sochi 2014 ambassador.
Dmitry Chernyshenko added:
"Experiencing top class Winter Sports such as the ISU World Figure Skating Championships continues to inspire Sochi 2014. We are intent on absorbing the expertise of the global sporting community wherever possible, and this visit has therefore been of immense benefit coming off the back of our latest positive feedback from the IOC at SportAccord."
The most prestigious of the ISU's championships, the 2009 World Figure Skating Championships are taking place between 22 and 29 March. Skaters compete in the categories of men's singles, ladies' singles, pairs, and ice dancing.
As a service to our readers, Around the Rings will provide verbatim texts of selected press releases issued by Olympic-related organizations, federations, businesses and sponsors.
These press releases appear as sent to Around the Rings and are not edited for spelling, grammar or punctuation.
Source Article: Sochi 2014 Honors New Athlete Ambassadors...
Kim Yu-na Wins Korea’s 1st Figure Skating World Title
When Korea’s national anthem began playing, figure skating star Kim Yu-na burst into tears, which glittered like jewels.
“Queen Yu-na” won the women`s title at the World Figure Skating Championships held at Staples Center in Los Angeles yesterday, the first by a Korean skater.
After taking a huge lead in the short program Saturday, Kim earned 131.59 points in the free skate yesterday, winning the title with 207.71 points. She is the first to top 200 points in the women`s event.
Kim had shattered her own world mark with a score of 76.12 points in the short program.
Showing spectacular jumps and spins as well as a superb facial performance, she overwhelmed her competitors and enthralled the audience. “I was confident of winning. I wasn`t nervous,” she said.
Except for a botched triple salchow that cost her 0.4 points, she was perfect in her program.
Both the audience and judges seemed fascinated by her dazzling performance. When her scores were announced, the audience gave Kim a standing ovation.
Kim finally won the championship after finishing third in the previous two years.
Joannie Rochette of Canada won second with 191.29 points and Miki Ando of Japan third with 190.38. Mao Asada of Japan, Kim’s longtime rival, finished fourth with 188.09.
Another Korean female skater, Kim Na-young, finished 17th, up two notches from the previous championship.
Source: Kim Yu-na Wins Korea’s 1st Figure Skating World Title
“Queen Yu-na” won the women`s title at the World Figure Skating Championships held at Staples Center in Los Angeles yesterday, the first by a Korean skater.
After taking a huge lead in the short program Saturday, Kim earned 131.59 points in the free skate yesterday, winning the title with 207.71 points. She is the first to top 200 points in the women`s event.
Kim had shattered her own world mark with a score of 76.12 points in the short program.
Showing spectacular jumps and spins as well as a superb facial performance, she overwhelmed her competitors and enthralled the audience. “I was confident of winning. I wasn`t nervous,” she said.
Except for a botched triple salchow that cost her 0.4 points, she was perfect in her program.
Both the audience and judges seemed fascinated by her dazzling performance. When her scores were announced, the audience gave Kim a standing ovation.
Kim finally won the championship after finishing third in the previous two years.
Joannie Rochette of Canada won second with 191.29 points and Miki Ando of Japan third with 190.38. Mao Asada of Japan, Kim’s longtime rival, finished fourth with 188.09.
Another Korean female skater, Kim Na-young, finished 17th, up two notches from the previous championship.
Source: Kim Yu-na Wins Korea’s 1st Figure Skating World Title
Russians edge Americans for ice dance title
By Nancy Armour
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin don't mess around. Their first medal at the world championships, and they Russians make it a gold.
Domnina and Shabalin's powerful yet composed free dance was just enough to hold off training mates Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto, giving the Russians the ice dance title at the World Figure Skating Championships on Friday night. Domnina and Shabalin finished with 206.30 points, 1.22 ahead of the Americans.
Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir of Canada won the bronze medal. Barely. They edged Meryl Davis and Charlie White by a mere 0.04 — a margin usually seen in swimming, not figure skating.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Move over, Kobe. A new world champion just rocked your house.
Feeding off the energy of the crowd in his adopted hometown, Evan Lysacek won the title at the World Figure Skating Championships on Thursday night, the first by an American man in 13 years. And he did it with the passion and flair the folks at the Staples Center usually see from Bryant, pounding his fists like he was banging on a drum before he'd even finished his final spin.
"This whole event, I knew it was going to be special because I always loved skating in this building. It's such an electric building and the people of L.A. have been so supportive. I just wanted to do well for them tonight," he said. "To get out there and perform the way that I imagined it hundreds of times and visualized in my head, I couldn't have asked for anything more.
"I'll never forget this incredibly special experience."
Neither will anyone who saw him skate.
Lysacek was devastated by the tentative, restrained performance that cost him a third straight title at the U.S. championships, and a week spent with choreographer Lori Nichol earlier this month reminded him to let loose and skate with abandon and joy. He set the tone for his "Rhapsody in Blue" program with his very first element, a triple lutz-triple toe loop combination he landed with confidence and security. He did eight triples in all, including a triple flip as part of a three-jump combination.
But it was his showmanship that won over the crowd — and the judges.
While other skaters look like they're checking things off element by element, he flowed from one trick to the next. His spins were quick and so perfectly centered he could have drilled a hole through the ice, and his footwork was wonderfully expressive, matching the lightness and playfulness of the music.
The audience was caught up in his emotion, a roar of applause rising as he danced across the ice in his footwork that led into that final spin.
"Well, tonight I wasn't thinking about winning, I wasn't even thinking about medaling," Lysacek said. "I just wanted to skate well for my hometown crowd of L.A."
Making it even more impressive: He did it with a bum foot.
Lysacek had downplayed the injury all week, but finally admitted afterward he has a stress fracture in his left foot. It kept him from doing a quadruple jump, and had limited the number of toe loops and salchows he could do leading up to the event. Eventually, he'll have to get it treated.
"It sounds so bad but it's really not that bad," he said.
When you're a world champion, all is good.
"We were not really expecting this," longtime coach Frank Carroll said. "It really was our desire to just come here and skate clean."
Brian Joubert had bigger goals in mind and, had he skated cleanly, the 2007 world champion would have another gold medal.
Read the full article here: Russians edge Americans for ice dance title
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin don't mess around. Their first medal at the world championships, and they Russians make it a gold.
Domnina and Shabalin's powerful yet composed free dance was just enough to hold off training mates Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto, giving the Russians the ice dance title at the World Figure Skating Championships on Friday night. Domnina and Shabalin finished with 206.30 points, 1.22 ahead of the Americans.
Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir of Canada won the bronze medal. Barely. They edged Meryl Davis and Charlie White by a mere 0.04 — a margin usually seen in swimming, not figure skating.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Move over, Kobe. A new world champion just rocked your house.
Feeding off the energy of the crowd in his adopted hometown, Evan Lysacek won the title at the World Figure Skating Championships on Thursday night, the first by an American man in 13 years. And he did it with the passion and flair the folks at the Staples Center usually see from Bryant, pounding his fists like he was banging on a drum before he'd even finished his final spin.
"This whole event, I knew it was going to be special because I always loved skating in this building. It's such an electric building and the people of L.A. have been so supportive. I just wanted to do well for them tonight," he said. "To get out there and perform the way that I imagined it hundreds of times and visualized in my head, I couldn't have asked for anything more.
"I'll never forget this incredibly special experience."
Neither will anyone who saw him skate.
Lysacek was devastated by the tentative, restrained performance that cost him a third straight title at the U.S. championships, and a week spent with choreographer Lori Nichol earlier this month reminded him to let loose and skate with abandon and joy. He set the tone for his "Rhapsody in Blue" program with his very first element, a triple lutz-triple toe loop combination he landed with confidence and security. He did eight triples in all, including a triple flip as part of a three-jump combination.
But it was his showmanship that won over the crowd — and the judges.
While other skaters look like they're checking things off element by element, he flowed from one trick to the next. His spins were quick and so perfectly centered he could have drilled a hole through the ice, and his footwork was wonderfully expressive, matching the lightness and playfulness of the music.
The audience was caught up in his emotion, a roar of applause rising as he danced across the ice in his footwork that led into that final spin.
"Well, tonight I wasn't thinking about winning, I wasn't even thinking about medaling," Lysacek said. "I just wanted to skate well for my hometown crowd of L.A."
Making it even more impressive: He did it with a bum foot.
Lysacek had downplayed the injury all week, but finally admitted afterward he has a stress fracture in his left foot. It kept him from doing a quadruple jump, and had limited the number of toe loops and salchows he could do leading up to the event. Eventually, he'll have to get it treated.
"It sounds so bad but it's really not that bad," he said.
When you're a world champion, all is good.
"We were not really expecting this," longtime coach Frank Carroll said. "It really was our desire to just come here and skate clean."
Brian Joubert had bigger goals in mind and, had he skated cleanly, the 2007 world champion would have another gold medal.
Read the full article here: Russians edge Americans for ice dance title
American Evan Lysacek wins gold medal at figure skating championships
By Linda Robertson
LOS ANGELES — Evan Lysacek couldn’t contain his excitement. In the closing seconds of an error-free long program, as he spun faster and faster in front of the judges and his hometown fans, he pumped his fists.
The gesture wasn’t part of his planned choreography but it reflected his feelings. Lysacek, so often an also-ran on the international stage, won the gold medal at the World Figure Skating Championships on Thursday night at Staples Center.
Lysacek, who lives in nearby El Segundo, became first American man to win the world title since Todd Eldredge in 1996.
“This is such an electric building,” he said. “I’m here to cheer on the Lakers and Kings whenever I can. I turned that nervous energy into adrenaline.”
In a preview of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, Lysacek boosted his reputation and proved he could win without the ultimate weapon in skating – a quadruple jump.
Lysacek landed eight triple jumps and scored a personal best of 159.93 points in the long program to win by a comfortable margin with a total of 242.23 points.
Lysacek upset Brian Joubert of France, who skated last and likely had the title in hand until he tripped and fell face first on the ice after landing his final jump, a triple salchow. Joubert, in first place after Wednesday’s short program, slid to third. He opened with a flawless quadruple toe loop but stumbled on a triple axel.
Canada’s Patrick Chan, the 18-year-old who has captivated the skating world this season, finished second. He also nailed eight triple jumps.
Lysacek wore a velveteen midnight blue tuxedo outfit and skated with vigor and panache to Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin. His fluid footwork and tight spins earned him the highest component – or artistic – score of the night.
Read the full article here: American Evan Lysacek wins gold medal at figure skating championships
LOS ANGELES — Evan Lysacek couldn’t contain his excitement. In the closing seconds of an error-free long program, as he spun faster and faster in front of the judges and his hometown fans, he pumped his fists.
The gesture wasn’t part of his planned choreography but it reflected his feelings. Lysacek, so often an also-ran on the international stage, won the gold medal at the World Figure Skating Championships on Thursday night at Staples Center.
Lysacek, who lives in nearby El Segundo, became first American man to win the world title since Todd Eldredge in 1996.
“This is such an electric building,” he said. “I’m here to cheer on the Lakers and Kings whenever I can. I turned that nervous energy into adrenaline.”
In a preview of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, Lysacek boosted his reputation and proved he could win without the ultimate weapon in skating – a quadruple jump.
Lysacek landed eight triple jumps and scored a personal best of 159.93 points in the long program to win by a comfortable margin with a total of 242.23 points.
Lysacek upset Brian Joubert of France, who skated last and likely had the title in hand until he tripped and fell face first on the ice after landing his final jump, a triple salchow. Joubert, in first place after Wednesday’s short program, slid to third. He opened with a flawless quadruple toe loop but stumbled on a triple axel.
Canada’s Patrick Chan, the 18-year-old who has captivated the skating world this season, finished second. He also nailed eight triple jumps.
Lysacek wore a velveteen midnight blue tuxedo outfit and skated with vigor and panache to Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin. His fluid footwork and tight spins earned him the highest component – or artistic – score of the night.
Read the full article here: American Evan Lysacek wins gold medal at figure skating championships
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Kim Yu-Na wins world figure skating title
By Philip Hersh
LOS ANGELES — Perfection may be the only thing left for Kim Yu-Na to shoot for.
She made history and made an Olympic gold medal next year seem a foregone conclusion by utterly dominating the World Figure Skating Championships.
Before a large contingent of compatriots in a sellout crowd Saturday night at the Staples Center, Kim not only became the first South Korean to win a world figure skating title but did it with a record score and won by a whopping 16 points despite two significant errors in her free skate.
"Tonight she skated so good there was no doubt," said Joannie Rochette, whose silver was the first medal for a Canadian woman at worlds in 21 years. "Anything is possible, but of course she is a tough competitor."
Kim, 18, botched one jump, a planned triple salchow, which became a downgraded double. And she scored no points on her final spin because she had not fulfilled the spin requirements.
"That is a lesson learned," Kim said. "I would like to do better the next time and make sure I do what I need to."
After consecutive world bronze medals, Kim won gold despite completing only five triple jumps. The rest of her skating was of surpassing quality.
Miki Ando of Japan, the 2007 world champion, was third, completing a fine comeback after being forced to withdraw midway through the 2008 worlds because of shoulder and leg injuries.
"I thought about not skating anymore," Ando said.
Kim's presumed archrival, 2008 world champion Mao Asada of Japan, finished only fourth, almost 20 points behind. Kim's total of 207.71 not only broke Asada's old record score but made her the first woman to top 200 points.
Read the full article here: Kim Yu-Na wins world figure skating title
A talented young lady from Korea has grabbed a gold medal from this prestigious competition this year.
LOS ANGELES — Perfection may be the only thing left for Kim Yu-Na to shoot for.
She made history and made an Olympic gold medal next year seem a foregone conclusion by utterly dominating the World Figure Skating Championships.
Before a large contingent of compatriots in a sellout crowd Saturday night at the Staples Center, Kim not only became the first South Korean to win a world figure skating title but did it with a record score and won by a whopping 16 points despite two significant errors in her free skate.
"Tonight she skated so good there was no doubt," said Joannie Rochette, whose silver was the first medal for a Canadian woman at worlds in 21 years. "Anything is possible, but of course she is a tough competitor."
Kim, 18, botched one jump, a planned triple salchow, which became a downgraded double. And she scored no points on her final spin because she had not fulfilled the spin requirements.
"That is a lesson learned," Kim said. "I would like to do better the next time and make sure I do what I need to."
After consecutive world bronze medals, Kim won gold despite completing only five triple jumps. The rest of her skating was of surpassing quality.
Miki Ando of Japan, the 2007 world champion, was third, completing a fine comeback after being forced to withdraw midway through the 2008 worlds because of shoulder and leg injuries.
"I thought about not skating anymore," Ando said.
Kim's presumed archrival, 2008 world champion Mao Asada of Japan, finished only fourth, almost 20 points behind. Kim's total of 207.71 not only broke Asada's old record score but made her the first woman to top 200 points.
Read the full article here: Kim Yu-Na wins world figure skating title
A talented young lady from Korea has grabbed a gold medal from this prestigious competition this year.
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