A strange subject perhaps but to me the joy in skating is such an important part of everything. Seeing skaters really enjoy themselves, actually makes me happy, moves me and also is a great part of my watching experience. I am not talking about standard smiles here, but about the enjoyment of competing, the enjoyment of performing, and - of course - the reaction of the audience to a skate which might not be high level point wise but which is just wonderful. Most of us will remember Donovan Carillo in 2018: his free skate might not have been technically up to par, but the enjoyment definitely was (as was his artistry, but that's something else).
Seeing Evan Bates really enjoying his part of the Snake Dance means more to me than a stumble on a twizzle, seeing Irina Slutskaya (years ago!) managing a triple lutz triple loop and being happy about it, means so much more to me than the value in points. Donovan Carillo actually enjoying what he is doing whether it delivers points or not moves me, while Aljona and Bruno's Worlds Free Skate in 2018 was a real thumper because they were enjoying it. We can discuss whether the Skate at Worlds was better than the one at the Olympic. To me that's not the point. They enjoyed it!
What do you think? Does enjoyment play a part in your own experience or do you think the point value is it? And, no, I'm not judging anything or anyone, it's just that I feel so much happier when the skaters enjoy what they are doing and you can see that. That the programme isn't a chore but something they/he/she love to do. I hate it when skaters are unhappy or when they feel they are just doing a job (even if in reality that's the issue). Let me know. I am looking forward to responses.
Seeing Evan Bates really enjoying his part of the Snake Dance means more to me than a stumble on a twizzle, seeing Irina Slutskaya (years ago!) managing a triple lutz triple loop and being happy about it, means so much more to me than the value in points. Donovan Carillo actually enjoying what he is doing whether it delivers points or not moves me, while Aljona and Bruno's Worlds Free Skate in 2018 was a real thumper because they were enjoying it. We can discuss whether the Skate at Worlds was better than the one at the Olympic. To me that's not the point. They enjoyed it!
What do you think? Does enjoyment play a part in your own experience or do you think the point value is it? And, no, I'm not judging anything or anyone, it's just that I feel so much happier when the skaters enjoy what they are doing and you can see that. That the programme isn't a chore but something they/he/she love to do. I hate it when skaters are unhappy or when they feel they are just doing a job (even if in reality that's the issue). Let me know. I am looking forward to responses.