Which foreign skaters do Russian fans like?

[olympic]

The Japanese thread made me think about Russian fans. Is there a certain type of skater that Russian fans like? Any particular skater? Any particular style? Is it perhaps regional [other Eastern European skaters]?

[Autumn_girl]

Well, I can't say for all Russian fans, but I like many foreign skaters.
Ladies: Mao and Yu-Na of course for their elegance and easy-looking jumps
Men: Joubert for his powerful, athletic skating, and Takahashi, he is an amazing performer
Ice dance: I prefer European teams like Pechalat/Bourzat and the Kerrs, but I also like Virtue/Moir
Pairs: only S/S and Russian teams, don't really like Chinese teams

[Margaret]

I'm not Russian but I think Russians like balletic and/or artistic skaters. Think Tarasova's programs for non-Russian skaters like Mao or Johnny (please, let's not turn this into another Johnny-bashing thread). Russian broadcasters go absolutely crazy about Lambiel. But at the same time they seem to appreciate Joubert kind of atheticism as well.

[Squibble]

Yuka Kawaguchi, Jérôme Blanchard, Tatiana Volosozhar, Ksenia Makarova, and Jonathan Guerreiro

[pani]

I think in Russia every skater could find fans
I think the bigest fan community have Stefhan Lambiel
Johny have a big fan-club in Russia - russians Johny Angels
Joubert, Takahashi - are very popular too.
Mao is very popular in Russia (maybe more popular, then Yu-Na)
Faella-Scalli, Kerrs have big support too. A lot off russians fans like french skaters.
One skater, who didnt have a lot off supporters in Russia - Patrick Chan

[olympic]

One skater, who didnt have a lot off supporters in Russia - Patrick Chan

That is interesting

[sus2850]

I think Chan not being that popular might have to do with exposure: he's not been to cup of russia, and cannot be seen skating that often in Europe (TEB 2008 + worlds 2010 were the last 2 times if I remember correctly), no gala appearances.

I actually wonder how well Ksenia is liked - as she is not training in Russia, is this a disadvantage?

[museksk8r]

I think Chan not being that popular might have to do with exposure: he's not been to cup of russia, and cannot be seen skating that often in Europe (TEB 2008 + worlds 2010 were the last 2 times if I remember correctly), no gala appearances.

Patrick was at 2008 Worlds in Gothenburg, Sweden where he finished 9th. He also competed at the 2007 TEB, which he won. Chan's supposed lack of exposure has nothing to do with the dislike of his skating; the constant over-scoring with his very flawed programs does, granted he can't help the scores he receives from the judging panel.

[moebius]

What is the Russian's attitude toward Evan Lysacek, B/A, D/W, VM, I/B?

[Eris]

As a Russian I can say that my most favourite skaters are from France and the USA: Pechalat/Bourzat and Nagasu. I do like lots of Japanese and American skaters, S/S in pairs. But I'm strange: the're very few Russian skaters I love

[Fashionista]

What is the Russian's attitude toward Evan Lysacek, B/A, D/W, VM, I/B?

Lysacek is definitely less hated in Russia than here on FSU. There's no any attitude towards him actually, he looks like non-existent in Russian fans' eyes. He's neither loved, nor hated and his victory over Plushenko in Vancouver didn't change things much.
Russians mostly love V/M but usually dislike D/W thinking with their skating style they are killing ice dance.

Yes, definitely, Russians mostly love balletic and dramatic skaters (that's why Chinese pairs were never popular in Russia, even S/Z).

[let`s talk]

That is interesting

Why?

[let`s talk]

As a Russian I can say that my most favourite skaters are from France and the USA

As a Russian woman I can say that Italians, men especially, are loved. Margaglio was adored every time when he came to St-Petersburg.

[let`s talk]

he looks like non-existent in Russian fans' eyes.

True.

[attyfan]

Just curious ... is Johnny Weir popular in Russia?

[Sylvia]

Just curious ... is Johnny Weir popular in Russia?

http://weir.ru/

[sk8tingfan]

What is the Russian's attitude toward Evan Lysacek, B/A, D/W, VM, I/B?

Making generalisations is dangerous, but I'll walk on the wild side and make some opinions based on me and friends of mine.

For Lysacek it is really just a neutral feeling. Nothing special in the love or hate department.

B/A were seen as good competitors but I and lots of friends thought their style didn't mature over the years until they went to Linichuk but by then there were new NA darlings in dance and B/A got chacked. I think we all wanted a good rivalry with B/A and D/S and are a little dissapointed we didn't really get it.

D/W are seen as technicians and athletes but not asthetically pleasing. Mostly they are seen as points accumlating machine and no "soul".

V/M are mostly liked or thought of fondly. They have a soft and more balletic style which seems to appeal with the skating fans in Russia.

If by I/B you mean Inoue and Baldwin, they are the non-entity.

As for others, I think Fede and Massimo, Nathalie and Fabian, Savcheno and Szolkowy, Takahashi, and Mao are all well liked.

Now please don't come after me.

[Margaret]

Just curious ... is Johnny Weir popular in Russia?

Well, there were several Johnny banners ("Johnny we miss you" etc) at CoR and he is not even competing.

[krenseby]

Well, there were several Johnny banners ("Johnny we miss you" etc) at CoR and he is not even competing.

Has he done shows in Russia lately? If you have a fan base in a country, you might as well capitalize on it.

[olympic]

Why?

Interesting that Pani noted Chan specifically being unloved. He has nice skating skills, but is it Chanflation, big mouth? Interesting...