February 17, 2006
men's figure skating favorites
Before the power went out last night I wanted to blog a bit about Men's Figure Skating. I never really liked it until the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, when Alexei Yagudin and Evgeny Plushenko went head to head in a battle for the gold. The best skating I have ever seen in my life. You can actually watch Yagudin's long program here and Plushenko's long program here from those very games.
Yagudin won gold that year, and later, in the extra "free skate" that was purely for fun, he also proved how very good looking he is during a very quick costume change.
Last night Plushenko finally won his gold. It was wonderful to see him perform again, but with no one else even coming close to his talent, it was bitter sweet. I think the next Winter Olympics (when I am 27!) will have some steeper competition.
My over all favorite performance of the night was Evan Lysacek who overcame incredible odds to pull off a flawless performance (read about it here) and get forth place. (I loved how he and Plushenko wore coordinating black costumes with red accents.) I think he will be the man to beat next time. You can watch his amazing performance from last night here.
I wish I could have watched more men's figure skating. I really got into it in 98 when I was completely in love with Todd Eldredge. I might feel kinder toward Evgeny if he hadn't traumatized my fifteen-year-old self in some way that I can't remember right now, and if his nose wasn't so big.
Posted by: linnea at February 19, 2006 07:49 PMno, wait, I remember, it had to do with a fake-muscles costume and the song "macho man" and Plushenko trying to pull a Philippe Cadeloro and kiss members of the audience. It wasn't the Olympics, but it was way too much for even an exhibition.
Posted by: linnea at February 19, 2006 08:16 PM