Which RUSSIAN skater(s) do admire NA fans most?

[Fandango]

If at all?

Since we have topics like this already here - and, please, feel free to specify to name different likes between Canadian- and US-fans! Personally I'd assume Gordeeva/Grinkov, because of their entire story, but I'd like to know your opinions!

[luvsasha2]

Do you mean what Russian skaters do NA fans like?

hmmm
I like the style of B/S-simply beautiful skating
Alexei Yagudin always seemed like a great skater to me as well

I respect the accomplishments of Plushenko and Slutskaya but I can't say that I really like their style of skating

[caseyedwards]

Basically only Gordeeva

[LadyNit]

Every one of these has my longstanding respect and admiration:

Yagudin.

Ilia Kulik

Artur Dmitriev (not so swoony now, but he was an adorable wooly bear in his prime) and both his partners

Klimova/Ponomarenko

Krylova/Ovsiennakov

Ber/Sikh

Evgeny Platov

A few of the baby Russians are intriguing. We shall see how they develop.

[Rex]

NONE!

I loved Klimkin, mainly because he was so different to my eyes, even if I didn't always like his music and costume choices.

[Willowway]

This NA fan and lot of her friends think Kulik!

Gordeeva of course.

[museksk8r]

Oh goodness, my list is so long, I'm afraid I may overlook someone.

Let's see:
Yagudin
Kulik
Urmanov
Abt
Klimkin
Griazev
Lutai
Dobrin
Uspenski
Grigoriev

Butyrskaya
Slutskaya
Volchkova
Makarova
Leonova

Gordeeva + Grinkov
Mishkutenok + Dmitriev
Bechke + Petrov
Shishkova + Naumov
Eltsova + Bushkov
Kazakova + Dmitriev
Berezhnaya + Sikharulidze
Kavaguti + Smirnov
Mukhortova + Trankov
Iliushechkina + Maisuradze
Bazarova + Larionov
Gerboldt + Enbert
Stolbova + Klimov

Klimova + Ponomarenko
Usova + Zhulin
Evgeny Platov
Krylova + Ovsyannikov
Navka + Kostomarov
Maxim Shabalin
Jana Khokhlova
Bobrova + Soloviev
Ilinykh + Katsalapov

[parasolka]

Those who live/used to live in NA (mostly in USA). The same goes to Russian coaches.

[dinakt]

Those who live/used to live in NA (mostly in USA). The same goes to Russian coaches.

?
Nah. Rather, I think, a lot of Russian elite skaters used to train in the US, and Russian coaches- coach in the US, so there is some overlap.

[PEKINGMOO]

Gordeeva & Grinkov and all old pairs skaters from the Moscow school - they seriously taught the best pairs technique in throws, lifts...pairs partnering in general.

Truly Diva Russian female ice dancers - any thing with long legs that could point a toe in skates and keep a straight back. GORGEOUS.

I've never been a fan of Russian singles skaters - for as gorgeous as the pairs skaters and dancers are with their balletic training, I've found this sort of line seriously lacking in their singles skaters. It's like they took all the rough and tumble boys and girls who didn't have the pretty body lines for pairs or dance and shucked them into the singles pool.

[Squibble]

From my experience (and not based on my personal preferences), I would say that the following Russian (or, in the first case below, Soviet) skaters have been popular in the United States:

The Protopovs: They had the combination of athleticism and artistry that Americans love in figure skating, plus their back story of being disfavored by the Soviet sports authorities struck a chord with Americans (cf. Olga Korbut).

Slutskaya: Especially in the early years, when she was cute and bubbly. She also gained admiration for battling back from being left of the national team in 1999 and from her illness in the following decade. (This was somewhat undercut by her snarky comments about Sarah Hughes and her lack of graciousness when she finished third at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games).

Butyrskaya: Pretty woman, pretty skating, and respect for her achievements after her federation put her on the back burner when she failed to qualify for the short program at Worlds.

Yagudin: An athletic and artistic master. Enough said.

Does Oksana Baiul count as a quasi-Russian? She was very popular too.

[Cloudy_Gumdrops]

I'm American, and I like a lot of Russian skaters.

Berezhnaya & Sikharulidze
Mishkutenok & Dimitriev
Obertas & Sokolov
Bazarova & Larionov
Stolbova & Klimov

Alexei Urmanov
Alexander Abt
Evgeny Plushenko
Ilia Kulik
Ilia Klimkin
Alexei Yagudin
Alexander Uspenski

Maria Butyrskaya
Viktoria Volchkova
Adelina Sotnikova

Klimova & Ponomarenko
Ilinykh & Katsalapov
Stepanova & Bukin
Romaniuta & Barantsev

Those aren't even all of them, I just didn't want to have an uber long post.

[AliasJohnDoe]

USA here:

Ladies: Sotnikova, Tuktamysheva, Makarova, Markova and Butyrskaya.

Men: Yagudin, Kulik and Klimkin.

Dance: Klimova/Ponomarenko, Usova/Zhulin and Navka/Kostomarov

Pairs: Mishkutenok/Dimitriev, Berezhnaya/Sikharulidze, Bechke/Petrov, Gordeeva/Grinkov and Iliushechkina/Maisuradze

Coach: Moskvina

There are more, but that's off the top of my head as favorites.

[IceAlisa]

Yagudin, early Plushenko, Berezhnaya/Sikuralidze, Gordeeva/Grinkov and Ukrainian Oksana Bauil.

[ChelleC]

Yagudin, Kulik, Abt

Gordeeva/Grinkov
Kazakova/Dmitriev
Berezhnaya/Sikharulidze
Iliushechkina/Maisuradze
Bazarova/Larionov


Klimova/Ponomarenko
Usova/Zhulin
Grishuk/Platov
Krylova/Ovsyannikov
Bobrova/Soloviev
Ilinykh /Katsalapov

[missflick]

Alexei Yagudin was a rock star in Canada.

G&G were also popular.

[PeterG]

Asking if North Americans like Russian skaters is like asking Europeans if they like any American entertainers.

Haven't had time to read everyone's answers, but I remember loving Olga Markova. Loving, loving, LOVING her!!! I see others have posted Artur Dmietriev and Ilia Klimkin. If I had more time on my hands I would make a much larger list. So many to choose from!

[paskatefan]

These are the ones I like:

Ilia Kulik
Alexander Abt
(early) Plushenko

The Protopopovs
Rodnina/Zaitsev
Gordeeva/Grinkov
Mishketunok (sp?)/Dmietriev
Kazakova/Dmitriev
Bechke/Petrov (especially as pros)
Berezhnaya/Sikharulidze
Bazarova/Larionov


Klimova/Ponomarenko
Usova/Zhulin
Krylova/Ovsyannikov
Navka/Kostomorov

Katia Gordeeva as a singles skater
Irina S. for her bubbly nature
Alena Leonova
Ksenia Marakova

[HisWeirness]

Yagudin, early Plushenko, Berezhnaya/Sikuralidze, Gordeeva/Grinkov and Ukrainian Oksana Bauil.

This list sounds about right for me. Most NA are watching on TV only, so these are the skaters that have earned fans.

Ksenia Makarova also has a following in New York near where she lives there.

[Ituriel]

Maxim Shabalin
Jana Khokhlova

Without partners