Last month I celebrated the five year anniversary of my blog! Somehow, this anniversary slipped my mind, until now. It's been five great years! I don't do much at all to advertise my blog, and surely it's not as popular as others, but I hope that in my own small way, I have been able to share my love of skating with those who read.
Admittedly, this last year hasn't been my best for posting new content. I started a new job, and now am in the midst of a job search. I haven't been swimming in free time, but still like to post when I can.
I hope you enjoy this Scott Hamilton performance to "Hair" from the 1996 Stars on Ice tour. Scott's entertaining routines, featuring storylines, props, and backflips galore, were a staple on the professional skating circuit in the '80s and '90s. But "tricks" aside, Scott had terrific basic skating skills--he always brought his "A-game" Triple Lutz, spins, and blurring footwork! Scott always showed us why he was such a decorated champion, both for his solid athletics, and his heart as an artist and performer.
I miss seeing Scott Skate today. He was such a warm and generous performer, who always brought his fans such happiness. There hasn't been another entertainer like him since.
Watching this program brought me back to my childhood and the glory days of watching professional skating on TV every weekend. I had no idea how lucky I was. Nowadays, I'm lucky if I catch one hour on TV.
I've said it once and I'll say it again: thank goodness for You Tube!
There is no one like Paul Wylie. I feel so fortunate to have become a skating fan at the time when Paul Wylie was front-and-center on the professional figure skating circuit. He was known for skating themed-programs to grand soundtracks, filled with drama, passion, and all the best skating has to offer.
But before Wylie capitalized on skating his classics, such as "JFK," "Apollo 13," "Schindler's List," and "On the Waterfront," he won the hearts of the American people by winning silver at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France. Wylie, always a gifted skater, was never able to live up to his potential in competitions. Though he medaled at the U.S. Championships for five consecutive years (88-92), and made the Olympic team in 1988, he never won National gold or made it onto the world rostrum.
At the '92 Games, up against 3-time World medalist and 1998 Olympic bronze-medalist Victor Petrenko, Wylie finally skated two terrific performances, and captured the silver, just behind Petrenko, in what could be considered an upset. Other more credentialed skaters--Kurt Browning of Canada, and Christopher Bowman of the U.S.--were medal hopefuls, but did not deliver under pressure. In fact, some felt that Wylie's performances were as good as gold, given Petrenko's poor showing. Wylie's freeskate wasn't perfect, but his overall musicality and presentation was as good as gold, in my opinion.
In addition to his outstanding skating, Wylie has always been known in the skating community for being an all-around nice guy. I've been impressed in my own interactions with him. A few years ago, I was teaching a Holocaust unit to a group of 8th graders that I was student teaching. Having always loved Wylie's "Schindler's List," program, I decided that I wanted to show it in class. I emailed Wylie to get some insights from him on the interpretation of the program. I wasn't sure if I'd get a reply, but was so thrilled and appreciative when I quickly received one. Wylie went above and beyond to answer my questions and provide some great insights into the artistic interpretation of his program. My students were really impressed that the skater had written to me, for their benefit! Then two years later, I received the opportunity to interview Wylie (by phone) for an article I was writing on a skating show in which Wylie was a performer. It was surreal to be able to talk to interview one of my skating heroes. Very down-to-earth and insightful. Definitely one of my best moments as a journalist! To top it all off, a few months later, I got to meet him at the 2014 National Championships!
In honor of Wylie's 51st birthday today, here are his 1992 Olympic programs--the programs that helped cement his place in skating history. Enjoy these wonderful works of Olympic glory and join me in honoring this awesome American skating star! Happy Birthday, Paul!
I know this might be a long-shot, but here goes. I am selling these beloved skating books because I have multiple copies. All three are great reads, and I'd recommend them to skating fans! In particular, I love Edge of Glory. I have had these books listed on Amazon, but haven't gotten any bites. Thought I'd reach out to fellow skating fans.
I'm selling the books for the following prices (includes shipping):
Robin Cousins book--It's a signed copy!: $30
Edge of Glory: $25
Johnny Weir: $25
If you're interested, email me at susanLfield@gmail.com
"One thing you have to note about this; how elegant this is, the fact that nothing is hard-edged, how honesty is central to her skating, the gentility of the positions."~ Dick Button
On January 24th, the skating world lost a great icon, artist, and personality. Toller Cranston, world-renown for his flair, drama, sharp wit, keen insights, and avante-garde artistic ability, passed away at age 65, presumably from a heart attack,
Cranston passed away the evening of the men's freeskate at the Canadian National Championships. News of his passing traveled to the U.S. and was announced during the television coverage of the U.S. National Championships. Scott Hamilton, 1984 Olympic Champion, who had grown up watching Cranston skate, and had subsequently toured with him on Stars on Ice, told the world that upon hearing the news, his "heart was broken."
I, too, was moved by the news of Cranston's passing. Though I was not alive during his competitive career, and had limited access to his skating while growing up (before the days of Youtube!), I do vividly remember seeing a clip of Cranston's Olympic performance on my Magic Memories on Ice video. I remember being intrigued. Cranston was always a mystery to me, but soon I started cracking into the mystery, and couldn't get enough.
When I was a senior in high school, Cranston's book, Ice Cream--Thirty of the Most Interesting Skaters in History, co-written with Martha Lowder Kimball, came out. I believe I received it for Christmas. I had no idea what to expect, given that I knew nothing of Cranston's personality and had a limited understanding of the scope of his skating expertise. My sister got to it before I did. My sister could not stop raving about the book. She talked so much about how witty Toller's comments were, how humorous his anecdotes were, how much knowledge he shared about the sport and its many unique and misunderstood athletes. I couldn't wait to read it, and when I did, my expectations were exceeded. (I absolutely LOVE the book Ice Cream and highly recommend it to any skating fan, or just anyone, in general, who enjoys a really interesting and funny anecdotal read).
From that point, I quickly read all the other Toller books that I could get my hands on (Zero Tollerance,and When Hell Freezes Over, Should I Bring My Skates being two of them), and was equally fascinated by his commentary and his very unorthodox skating career--and life. I became a huge fan of Toller the personality. I devoured his opinions and commentaries.
Toller faded a bit into obscurity in the last decade or so, primarily by choice, as he enjoyed his life of quiet solitude in San Miguel, Mexico, where he passed away.
Gone from sight, but not from our hearts. Toller never reached the heights in the sport that he dreamed of, yet still claimed 6-Canadian titles, one World bronze medal, and an Olympic bronze in 1976. But it's his other contributions, such as passionately pushing the limits to go where no artist had ever gone before on the ice, bringing a theatrical spirit and heart into every show, and sharing his beautiful gift for painting with the world, that will truly make us never forget.
In an interview with Daily Xtra, Debbie Wilkes, a former Canadian pairs skater, said this about Toller:
"He was brave, and determined, and would not compromise, in any way, and it was great for skating."
RIP Toller.
Toller's 1975 Skate Canada short program. As the caption reads: "Toller at his virtuostic best!"
Today Michelle Kwan turns 35th. Most skating fans will remember first seeing Michelle Kwan as a young teenager in the early-mid 1990s. I have a clear image of Michelle in a bubblegum-pink dress, hair in a ponytail, holding the edge of her double-axel for what seemed like forever. It's hard to believe that Michelle is 35, but time does fly...
Michelle Kwan gave us all such magnificent memories over the years. It only seems fitting to enjoy one of those magical moments on this special occasion. "East of Eden" was always one of Michelle's signature pieces. To paraphrase Sandra Bezic, Michelle translates the feeling of flight better than anyone. This piece truly captures the feeling of flight, freedom, and joy!
Thank you for everything, Michelle--hope you have a beautiful day!!
