Watching the events on television this week, I am reminded of my long-term admiration for figure skating. This combination of expression and athleticism holds a special appeal for fans of both sports and that arts.
I marveled at the graceful elegance of Dorothy Hamill during the 1976 Winter Olympics at Innsbruck. Anyone who was within the proximity of a television set at the time remembers Hamill's performances - and that amazing HAIR!
I missed Peggy Fleming's performance at the 1968 Olympics in Grenoble (French Alps), but for many years I thought of her as the most beautiful woman in the world.
Skating and Dance
At the tender age of 15, Tara Lipinski put on a joyous performance at the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Japan. As a youngster myself (okay, I was in my late 30's), I signed up for my very first dance lesson that year. That winter, I also made a trip to the famous rink in Central Park and tried ice skating for the first time.
There are obvious parallels between dance and figure skating. Both combine movement, music, and technical skill in an expression of creativity. Both can be improvised or choreographed, and performed in pair, groups, or solo. The more recent invention of ice dancing blurs the lines even further.
Brian Boitano is one of my favorite skaters to watch. In addition to his effortless technique, I love his flair for performance. There's always something playful and daring in his routines. I want my dancing to express that same combination of technique, creativity, and flair. I'm working on it, but I haven't caught up to Mr. Boitano just yet. ;-)
Sarah Hughes
I cheered like a manic when I watched Sarah Hughes skate at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games (Salt Lake City). By the end of her long program, I was breathless, gaping in disbelief, and a much bigger fan of figure skating than I had ever been before.
Hughes, a leggy kid from Long Island who looked as though she hadn't quite grown into her body, was in fourth place after the short program. I was thinking that this had been a respectable Olympic experience for her and that maybe she could come back and try again in four years. But Sarah Hughes had other plans.
When she hit the ice for the long program, Hughes surpassed all challengers with an electrifying, go-for-broke, leave-nothing-behind performance that I'll never forget. Sarah brought the crowd to its feet posted a Gold Medal score. To this day, I can't watch that performance without having tears well up in the corners of my eyes. It was that moving.
The Inspiration Continues
At the 2010 Olympics, Canada's Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir elevated the relatively new sport of ice dancing to prominence. Their long performance was one for the ages, and I would encourage anyone with an interest in either dance OR ice sports to watch it. And from what I've seen of the performances this year from all of the contestants, ice dancing is more acrobatic and more fascinating now than ever before.
(Best wishes to American ice dancers Meryl Davis and Charlie White, who have been skating together since they were both eight years old!)
At this year's Winter Games in Sochi, we have already been treated to the amazing skills and artistry of fifteen-year-old Russian phenomenon Yulia Lipnitskaya. Like so many great performers and athletes, Yulia is raising the bar and showing us possibilities that we have never seen before.
I love everything about the Olympic Games, both Summer and Winter. I love the spirit, the thrills, the drama, and the sense of global cooperation. Every sport is fun to watch, but figure skating is especially meaningful to dancers and to creative people everywhere. And to sports enthusiasts, as well.
For those who might not think that figure skating qualifies to be considered a sport, please head over to your local ice rink, strap on a pair of skates and give the old Triple Axle a try. Maybe Scott Hamilton will offer to stop by and critique your performance. :-)
¡Buena suerte, amigos, y muchas gracias!
Daniel
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