Jonathan Cassar: "spread eagles to die for"

[shan]

I love that in interviews at Nats he said that he wanted to make the audience feel something. He has done that over and over again. Amazing skater who will be greatly missed.

Love this photo from Sarah and Drew's twitter:

https://twitter.com/SarahandDrew/sta...297024/photo/1

[aftershocks]

I love that in interviews at Nats he said that he wanted to make the audience feel something. He has done that over and over again. Amazing skater who will be greatly missed.

Love this photo from Sarah and Drew's twitter:

https://twitter.com/SarahandDrew/sta...297024/photo/1

Wow, the angle on that spread eagle is even more incredible-looking in this photo than it is during the live-action broadcast.

I too echo my well wishes to Jonathan! He will be greatly missed at U.S. Nationals, and I sincerely hope that he will be able to do some professional skating and ice shows. He's a natural performer!

[shan]

For anyone who would like to send Jonathan a message of appreciation, here's the link to the Contact page of his official site : http://www.figureskatersonline.com/j...ar/contact.htm

Thank you for the link. I hope he is flooded with emails!!

[apatinar]

I guess I am another one who is not all that impressed with his presentation. I don't know whether it is the 1970's bell bottom pants that distracted me from the skating or the fact that he is not anywhere near the league of someone like a Jason Brown or Joshua Farris or even Wesley Campbell..In fact, when I rewatch the mens LP, he is one of those performances that I fast forward through....zzzzzzzzzz. Are people just saying he is so great because Sandra and Scott and telling them how fabulous he is?

[my little pony]

i'm so sad, he's been my highlight of the season for such a long time

if i win the lottery i might ask him to skate for me every day. fingers crossed.

[mgobluegirl]

I guess I am another one who is not all that impressed with his presentation. I don't know whether it is the 1970's bell bottom pants that distracted me from the skating or the fact that he is not anywhere near the league of someone like a Jason Brown or Joshua Farris or even Wesley Campbell..In fact, when I rewatch the mens LP, he is one of those performances that I fast forward through....zzzzzzzzzz. Are people just saying he is so great because Sandra and Scott and telling them how fabulous he is?

I'm a big Cassar fan, and I don't think this year's FS was his best program. Go watch his SP from this year, or his "Schindler's List" FS from 2011 (?). Those programs give me goosebumps.

He's a wonderful skater, even if he was never a great jumper, definitely a "skater's skater". I wish him luck in whatever he decides to do next.

[apatinar]

I'm a big Cassar fan, and I don't think this year's FS was his best program. Go watch his SP from this year, or his "Schindler's List" FS from 2011 (?). Those programs give me goosebumps.

He's a wonderful skater, even if he was never a great jumper, definitely a "skater's skater". I wish him luck in whatever he decides to do next.

....still don't see it - besides the spread eagle which lasts a few seconds, I don't see the edge quality, quality of spins or jumps....I really think it has more to do with music selection than anything else.. The music of Schindler's List brings out emotions just because of what the movie was all about and Bring him home is such a beautiful piece of music, it wouldn't matter if even Max Aaron was skating to it....

[my little pony]

if you think anyone here is swayed by anything scott and sandra say, you really arent paying attention

[shan]

I noticed Jonathan at 2009 Nationals. I think he skated to "We Insist" by Zoe Keating in his SP and "Cinema Paradiso" in the LP. He's a captivating skater even beyond the amazing spread eagles. I have seen many "Schindler's List" programs, but his movement on the ice is very moving and one of my favorite interpretations. I'm a sucker for skaters/teams that are fully committed to their choreography and bring music to life. For me, Jonathan is one of those skaters.

[apatinar]

LOL I must be in a different universe!

[shan]

Maybe you are...

But I don't think everyone has to like the same skaters. There are plenty of skaters that are extremely popular that I find meh. And no matter how many times I watch their programs, they just seem boring...

[Sylvia]

Jonathan has announced his retirement from competitive skating in Sarah and Drew's latest blog -- scroll down: http://web.icenetwork.com/news/artic...&vkey=ice_news

"I kept skating because it's something I loved to do," he said in a long, emotional phone conversation. "I knew my dreams of the Olympics were over, but I could still make an impact on the sport. I have no regrets, and that's how I wanted to leave it. I feel like [my career] had some really special moments."
...
Cassar plans to stay in the sport, as a coach and choreographer; he would also like to skate in shows.

"I've started to choreograph quite a bit," he said. "I feel almost more comfortable in these shoes than I do as a skater. The more that I teach, the more programs I've done; I feel really excited every time I do it.

"Sometimes, you know exactly what you're going to do, and I feel like this is what I'll spend the rest of my skating life doing: teaching and choreographing."

[skatesindreams]

Jonathan will be missed in competition.
However, I'm sure that he will be much "in demand" as a coach/choreographer.
If only he can channel his passion and artistry into the next generation of skaters.

[genevieve]

Love this photo from Sarah and Drew's twitter:

https://twitter.com/SarahandDrew/sta...297024/photo/1

I especially love the grouchy faces in the background