Thursday, May 12, 2016

Remembering JO ANN's Figure Skating Blog

Here's a link and copies of some of the posts of the memories of the figure skating blog that I kept from June of 2006 through April, 2011.

Figure Skating

By Jo Ann Schneider Farris,

I guess if you want to win a medal at Worlds in ice dancing you need to move to Michigan...

Saturday April 30, 2011

2011 World Ice Dance Medalists

April 30, 2011 will be remembered as the  day when the ice dancing students of Marina Zoueva and Igor Shpilband swept the podium at the World Figure Skating Championships!  I guess if you want to win a medal at Worlds in ice dancing you need to move to Michigan...
Michigan Figure Skaters Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, Coaches Marina Zueva and Igor Shpilband, Meryl Davis and Charlie White, and Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani Sweep the Ice Dance Podium At the 2011 World Figure Skating Championships - Photo by Alexander Nemenov/Getty Images
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Were the Germans the Only Pair Team at the 2011 World Figure Skating Championships That Entertained?

Thursday April 28, 2011
Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy - 2011 World Pair Skating Champions
As I watched pair after pair compete as I tuned into icenetwork for the 2011 World Figure Skating Championships, I kept thinking to myself that what I was watching was great, but not entertaining.
(Believe it or not, I missed the commentary!  I didn't realize, until today, that commentary helps viewers enjoy an ice skating event by bringing drama to a competition. )
Then...
The German pair team, Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy, took to the ice.  They were dressed in bright hot pink and blue costumes and skated to The Pink Panther.  They made interesting "faces" and gestures, and they danced as they performed.   They did more than the usual pair skating moves such as throw triple jumps, twist lifts,  death spirals, pair spins, and incredible pair skating lifts.
I think the German pair team's example needs to be followed by all figure skaters.  Our sport should not just be about the technical; otherwise,  there will be less and less figure skating fans watching skating events.
What are your thoughts on this issue?  Is it just my opinion, or was the pair skating at the 2011 World Figure Skating Championships kind of boring?
2011 World Pair Skating Champions Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy  - Photo by Yuri Kadobnov/Getty Images
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Photo of the Week: Patrick Chan of Canada Wins the Men's Short Program At the 2011 World Figure Skating Championships

Wednesday April 27, 2011
Patrick Chan of Canada Wins the Men's Short Program At the 2011 World Figure Skating Championships
Patrick Chan of Canada Wins the Men's Short Program At the 2011 World Figure Skating Championships - Photo by Yuri Kadobnov/Getty Images

Check Out the World Figure Skating Championships On Universal Sports Television

Monday April 25, 2011
Mao Asada's Wining Performance At the 2010 World Figure Skating Championships Was Shown On Universal Sports
I wish I had unlimited funds and time so I could be at this year's World Figure Skating Championships that is taking place in Russia, but I can at least get a bit of a feel for what it is like to be there through Universal Sports.  For only $9.95, viewers can see the entire event live and on demand.  Also, those who have Universal Sports cable television can watch the event from the comfort of their couch and on TV!   Today I got to see Olympic figure skating champion Kim Yu-Na practice her short program via Universal Sports!
Watch the 2011 World Figure Skating Championships On Universal Sports Television - All Times Eastern - Schedule Subject to Change
  • Wednesday, April 27, 2011 6 pm  Men's short program, pairs short program
  • Thursday, April 28, 2011 6 pm Men's free skate
  • Thursday, April 28, 2011 8 pm Pairs free skate
  • Thursday, April 29, 2011 6 pm Ladies' short program, Ice Dance short dance
  • Friday, April 30, 2011 6 pm Ladies' free skate
  • Friday, April 30, 2011 8 pm Ice Dance free dance
Mao Asada's Wining Performance At the 2010 World Figure Skating Championships Was Shown On Universal Sports - Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images
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Easter and Skating Go Together!

Sunday April 24, 2011
Ice Skating With the Easter Bunny
Happy Easter!  Many ice and roller rinks hold special events related to the holiday.  What could be better than skating with the Easter Bunny?  Also, since Easter should be a day of happiness, it is a perfect time to watch inspiring figure skating performances. Happy Skating and have a wonderful holiday!
Ice Skating With the Easter Bunny - Photo by Carlos T. Miranda/Pantagraph.com
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Icenetwork and Universal Sports Will Broadcast the 2011 World Figure Skating Championships

Friday April 22, 2011
Caitlin Yankowskas and John Coughlin, Competitors, 2011 World Figure Skating Championships
Icenetwork subscribers can watch the 2011 World Figure Skating Championships via a special event subscription fee of $4.95; non-subscribers can watch for $9.95. Also, Universal Sports is streaming live coverage of the 2011 World Championships for $9.95.
I've received several emails from figure skating fans who are disappointed that "Worlds" will not be shown on television, but I'm glad we get to see the event at all!

icenetwork.com LIVE broadcast schedule (subject to change)

All times Eastern
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
5:30 a.m.: Men's short program
10:45 a.m.: Opening ceremonies
11:30 a.m.: Pairs short program
Thursday, April 28, 2011
5:00 a.m.: Men's free skate
10:00 a.m.: Pairs free skate
Friday, April 29, 2011
5:30 a.m.: Ladies short program
10:30 a.m.: Short dance
Saturday, April 30, 2011
5:30 a.m.: Ladies free skate
10:30 a.m.: Free dance
Caitlin Yankowskas and John Coughlin, Competitors, 2011 World Figure Skating Championships - Photo by Elsa/Getty Images
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Photo of the Week: Kitty and Peter Carruthers - 1984 Olympic Pair Skating Silver Medalists

Wednesday April 20, 2011
Kitty and Peter Carruthers - 1984 Olympic Pair Skating Silver Medalists
Kitty and Peter Carruthers - 1984 Olympic Pair Skating Silver Medalists - Getty Images

An Ice Skater's Ten Commandments

Monday April 18, 2011
The Ten Commandments for Figure Skating Parents
Today, I wrote the central part of what could be a included in a figure skater's bible: Ten Commandments for Figure Skaters.  If you follow these guidelines, you will not only succeed in figure skating, but you'll succeed in what you do in your life.
The Ten Commandments for Figure Skaters - Courtesy Professional Skaters Association
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Figure Skating Inventor Nick Perna Invents a New Jump - The Baxel!

Sunday April 17, 2011
Nick Perna is a figure skating inventor.   He has recently invented the Baxel jump.   It is essentially a backwards Axel jump. The jump takes off from a back outside edge, rotates one and a half revolutions, and lands on a the opposite foot's forward outside edge.
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The Platter Pair Skating Lift Is a Cool Figure Skating Move!

Saturday April 16, 2011
Platter Lift
The platter lift looks scary, but....if a girl is lifted by a strong guy who is a good skater, not only is the lift fun, but spectacular!
Platter Lift - Photo by David Madison/Getty Images
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