I was just reading an article on Icenetwork.com (click HERE to read article) that featured an update on 2001 U.S. National Champion, 2-time World Silver medalist ('02, '03), and 2002 Olympic Bronze medalist, Timothy Geobel. Upon reading about what Timothy is up to these days, I was inspired to post his terrific freeskate at the 2002 Winter Olympics. "An American in Paris" by Gershwin, choreographed by Lori Nichol was the perfect vehicle for Timothy. And by the way, his quads are out of this world!!!
Congratulations, Timothy, on 10 years since your Olympic bronze medal!
Well done to Ashley Wagner, the reigning U.S. Champion for skating a beautiful, polished, engaging freeskate at the Four Continents Championship in Colorado Springs,Colorado a couple of weeks ago. Ashley's win was the first major ISU Championship win for American ladies in five years. Congratulations to Ashley! It's so nice to see Ashley's progress this season. She skates with maturity and attack! Good luck to Ashley for the World Championships next month in Nice, France.
Here is Lynn Kriengkrairut & Logan Giulietti-Schmitt's "I Belong to You" by Muse, skated at the 2011 U.S. Nationals in Greensboro, N.C. Though they had an unfortunate fall that perhaps kept them from earning the pewter medal, or higher, I was captivated by this freeskate last year and was equally captivated by their terrific, entertaining freeskate at this year's U.S. Nationals, which I'm looking to find a good recording of so I can post it for you all.
Logan and Lynn are a well-matched pair, who in some ways, remind me of Kimberly Navarro and Brent Bommentre, in the sense that they are very authentic, likable, warm performers. They are a pleasure to watch. Just lovely skating and I wish them the best of luck as their careers progress. Looking forward to seeing them again next season!
Four-time German National Champions, Mandy Wöetzel and Ingo Steuer skated this courageous freeskate to the music of the film "Basic Instinct" at the 1994 world Figure Skating Championships in Chiba, Japan, where they finished 4th. At the 1994 Olympics in Lillehammer, the Germans were the reigning World silver medalists and though their hopes of reaching the podium looked bleak as they entered the freeskate in 8th place, they still hoped to improve on their ranking and perhaps move into the top five. Mid-way through their freeskate, Mandy caught and edge and plunged forward, slamming into the ice with her chest and chin. She and Ingo had been skating forward, he holding her hands at the time her edge caught, so when she pitched forward, she couldn't not break her fall with her hands and pitched directly into the ice without buffer. Stunned, the wind knocked out of her, and chin bleeding, a trembling Mandy was carried from the ice by Ingo, who immediately handed his partner over to the medical team. Mandy was rushed to the medical station in the arena and received stitches in her chin. The pair withdrew from the event.
Only a few weeks later at Worlds, the Germans wanted to redeem themselves and finish the freeskate that they never got to complete in Lillehammar. The team skated remarkably well and finished their program triumphantly, skating it the way they hoped they could have at The Olympic Games. In a humorous touch, Ingo carried Mandy off the ice at the end of their Worlds skate, reminiscent of what he had done in Lillehammer, but this time, the mood was celebratory.
Mandy and Ingo weren't always the most consistent team, but they did hover atop the elite teams in the World for six seasons, which shows their strength and tenacity as competitors. They finished their careers in 1998 with three world medals: 2 silvers ('93, '96) and a gold medal ('97), a European Championships ('95) and an Olympic bronze medal ('98). Ingo now coaches 3-time World Champions, Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy.
Just discovered this video of Taryn Jurgensen, a 19-year-old from Arcadia, California,skating to "Hallelujah" by Alexandra Burke. This was the winning performance from the Funakoshi Trophy at the 2010 Los Angeles Showcase, Burbank, California. The program was choreographed by Karen Kwan-Oppegard, sister of Michelle Kwan.
At the U.S. Nationals two weeks ago, Jeremy mesmerized the audience with his performance to "Exogenesis" by Muse. His skating was in a class by itself. No other skater evoked such honest, raw emotions, casting a spell on all who watched.
I was so proud of Jeremy for his fantastic performances in San Jose! I wish him all the best for the World Championships next month in Nice, France. I hope Jeremy can show that he is in fact the best artist in all the world!
