How many people will really remember Slutskaya skating to Tosca as opposed to Michelle Kwan skating to Tosca in 2004? On second thought, I think I will remember that weird melodramatic ending to Slutskaya's program with a chuckle.
Lol so true.. So that ending was choreographed like that? Haha. I'd just assumed she finished her spin too early so added some odd movements to stall till the music finished.. I don't know what she or her coach were thinking when choreographing that conclusion, it must of been some misguided attempt to add artistry to her program in a bid to improve her presentation marks, and somehow the judges bought it.. And Michelle's 2004 performance to Tosca is probably my favorite program of her's, so much better imo than what we see here. In my mind Michelle's closing moments, timed to the music, are especially superior to Irina's final moments. (I get goosebumps with the final minute of Michelle's, from her final jump into the straight line step sequence and closing spin).
I too, thought that Irina Slutskaya was the better skater. But now, she still skates which is absolutely fantastic. She still haven't lost her moves and her energetic streak. I saw one video where she skates in two shows alongside Shizuka Arakawa and Joannie Rochette.
Why does Dick keep talking about the judges being biased? There are four strictly eastern bloc judges (Slovakia, Hungary, Russia and Belarus) but there are also judges such as those from Italy, France, Sweden and Poland who would not automatically favor Slutskaya. (Especially Poland which has not had good ties with Russia)
I don't think this program deserved to beat Michelle's one: technically, there is no doubt, Irina was better, but Kwan had a more difficult and well-choreographed program!
@karrtt1234 I am with you there, Irina had been around long enough to improve her presentation (and although she might have), it was very juniorish... and she was totally over marked !!
I have neverrr enjoyed watching her... Though her jumping ability's amazing, her programs were dull and her artistry greatly lacking... Love her earrings and her sportsmanship though! Seemed to always be smiling, as Dick says at the end!
idolfan9495 for me irina 5.7 and 5.8. michele 5.8 and 5.9. michele 1st and i would have given her a better technical mark too because she put the 2nd lutz at the end which is more difficult than putting the 2 lutzes in the first part as irina did
Gymnastics (as figure skating) is an 'artistic' sport. There's nothing more beautiful than perfect lines on ice (such as the ones from John Curry and Sasha Cohen). Flexibility is a conditio per quam of the beauty in ballet and also in artistic sports (gymnastics, rhytmic gymnastics, diving, figure skating).I don't get your dismissal on gymnastics. You really don't know what you're writing about. Sorry.
I think the judges were right to put Irina ahead of Michelle, but I would have given the gold to Fumie Suguri. Irina had better skating skills such as speed and edge control and she was actually rather elegant (from the knees down), her jumps were bigger and to me had more beautifully tight symmetry and the 2 Biellmann spins at the end sealed the deal, while Michelle was more graceful with her body movements and she held her spirals better, but not enough to put her ahead of Irina. However I thought Fumi had the right balance of elegance, energy and a touch of profound melancholy that suited the music. Her jumps were aesthetically pleasing in the tightness of the spiral, I liked the sincerity of her artistry and she was the most emotionally compelling. I would definitely give her the highest artistic scores. She is the only one that really moved me and that is most important I think.
She's a great strong skater....I wish she could have more elegance and then I think she'd really be truly fantastic IN MY MIND I PREFER skaters who don't skate like they are doing gymnastics on blades, one example that makes me nuts is sasha cohens spin at the end of her programs when she holds her blades and spins it looks like gymnastics not artistic AT ALL not elegant not delicate not beautiful, moving hands around doesn't get it done, it's the entire message the body is sending out........
![[HD] Irina Slutskaya - 1998 Nagano Olympics - SP イリーナ・スルツカヤ Ирина Слуцкая](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/_20Hbb-spXw/mqdefault.jpg)
I will forever love the 3 turns into the 3loop. That is such a brilliant move when she does that.
To me she's the greatest female Russian skater ever.
The turns into the 3loop get me everytime. I love that move.
How many people will really remember Slutskaya skating to Tosca as opposed to Michelle Kwan skating to Tosca in 2004? On second thought, I think I will remember that weird melodramatic ending to Slutskaya's program with a chuckle.
My thoughts exactly :-/
Lol so true.. So that ending was choreographed like that? Haha. I'd just assumed she finished her spin too early so added some odd movements to stall till the music finished.. I don't know what she or her coach were thinking when choreographing that conclusion, it must of been some misguided attempt to add artistry to her program in a bid to improve her presentation marks, and somehow the judges bought it..
And Michelle's 2004 performance to Tosca is probably my favorite program of her's, so much better imo than what we see here. In my mind Michelle's closing moments, timed to the music, are especially superior to Irina's final moments. (I get goosebumps with the final minute of Michelle's, from her final jump into the straight line step sequence and closing spin).
Love her dramatic ending. All that’s missing is the death scene where she lays her head on the ice like Katerina.
Браво!!!!!!!!
Had Slutskaya done a 3Lutz3Loop or 3Salchow3Loop she would had convincingly won the title. But here, I would have had Kwan in 1st place.
Incredible Mann the problem was Kwan was in 3rd going into the free skate. Someone had to finish higher than Slutskaya for Kwan to win.
I too, thought that Irina Slutskaya was the better skater. But now, she still skates which is absolutely fantastic. She still haven't lost her moves and her energetic streak. I saw one video where she skates in two shows alongside Shizuka Arakawa and Joannie Rochette.
I would have given it to Michelle. Michelle: 5.8 & 5.8 Irina: 5.8 & 5.7.
Why does Dick keep talking about the judges being biased?
There are four strictly eastern bloc judges (Slovakia, Hungary, Russia and Belarus)
but there are also judges such as those from Italy, France, Sweden and Poland who would not automatically favor Slutskaya. (Especially Poland which has not had good ties with Russia)
I don't think this program deserved to beat Michelle's one: technically, there is no doubt, Irina was better, but Kwan had a more difficult and well-choreographed program!
A very intelligent skate...not opening up any doors for the other competitors.
...at least this program wasn't Irina's "Carmen" -- BLECH.
@karrtt1234 I am with you there, Irina had been around long enough to improve her presentation (and although she might have), it was very juniorish... and she was totally over marked !!
Good girl Irina..that is how Michelle won so many gold medals, she skated safe ..no triple triple combos and take no chances.
no triple triple combinations from Irina in this long program.
@macassar88 Because, if you look at her marks, the highest marks actually came from the Italian judge and her lowest came from the Hungarian judge.
5.9 for presentation?
I have neverrr enjoyed watching her... Though her jumping ability's amazing, her programs were dull and her artistry greatly lacking... Love her earrings and her sportsmanship though! Seemed to always be smiling, as Dick says at the end!
За эту же программу итальянский судья поставил 5.6 на олимпиаде
Irina: 5.8/5.6. Michelle: 5.8/5.9. Michelle should have won the LP.
idolfan9495 for me irina 5.7 and 5.8. michele 5.8 and 5.9. michele 1st and i would have given her a better technical mark too because she put the 2nd lutz at the end which is more difficult than putting the 2 lutzes in the first part as irina did
Michelle needed the 3/3.
she was so goooooooood! T_T
Gymnastics (as figure skating) is an 'artistic' sport. There's nothing more beautiful than perfect lines on ice (such as the ones from John Curry and Sasha Cohen). Flexibility is a conditio per quam of the beauty in ballet and also in artistic sports (gymnastics, rhytmic gymnastics, diving, figure skating).I don't get your dismissal on gymnastics. You really don't know what you're writing about. Sorry.
I think the judges were right to put Irina ahead of Michelle, but I would have given the gold to Fumie Suguri. Irina had better skating skills such as speed and edge control and she was actually rather elegant (from the knees down), her jumps were bigger and to me had more beautifully tight symmetry and the 2 Biellmann spins at the end sealed the deal, while Michelle was more graceful with her body movements and she held her spirals better, but not enough to put her ahead of Irina.
However I thought Fumi had the right balance of elegance, energy and a touch of profound melancholy that suited the music. Her jumps were aesthetically pleasing in the tightness of the spiral, I liked the sincerity of her artistry and she was the most emotionally compelling. I would definitely give her the highest artistic scores. She is the only one that really moved me and that is most important I think.
lol at olympics 5.7 for artistry even 5.6 and at worlds 5.8 and 5.9....for the same programm....poor juries lol
She's a great strong skater....I wish she could have more elegance and then I think she'd really be truly fantastic IN MY MIND I PREFER skaters who don't skate like they are doing gymnastics on blades, one example that makes me nuts is sasha cohens spin at the end of her programs when she holds her blades and spins it looks like gymnastics not artistic AT ALL not elegant not delicate not beautiful, moving hands around doesn't get it done, it's the entire message the body is sending out........
Lolol @ iron trying to be dramatic
The judges are absolutley out of touch giving her anything over a 5.7 for presentation... her program suck...
Yeah, like your mind, baby. Well, what CAN you expect from a yankee...
Uncle Dick and Aunt Peggy = Irina Hate Club... those two could never compliment her and complained about her every move. Grating.
I'm sorry but,
Irina SLUTskaya
What a shameful comment.