Evan Lysacek: "Men's skating has X Games appeal"

[Maofan7]

New article entitled: 'Evan Lysacek says men's skating has X Games appeal'. It reads:-

"People easily identify a snowboarder or an aerial skier as extreme, dangerous even to the point of death-defying tricks they're doing, but they don't necessarily identify a skater as that and what we're doing is much more dangerous if you're just basing it on rotation alone," Lysacek, the 2010 Olympic champion, said Sunday.

"The truth is the skills and tricks that the best guys in the world are doing are the most extreme tricks of any sport on any apparatus in the world. Am I wrong – 1,440 degrees of rotation is a quad. What other sport does that? Maybe a few divers did that in London off a three-story dive, but we're doing it on two feet."

Lysacek has a point, one further underscored by the number of the world's top male skaters who are landing quads at a dizzying rate. In Saturday's European championships, Spain's Javier Fernandez landed three quads in his free skate to win the title. The top four men in the competition nailed eight quads total.

Figure skating - an Extreme Sport? Given the fall Ashley Wagner suffered in the Grand Prix Final and the problems she has had with the injury since, it certainly has its dangers and comes with considerable injury potential. Hence, if it is an Extreme Sport, then its not just Men's skating that has X Games appeal, but all figure skating (Men's, Ladies, Pairs), apart from Ice Dance.

[BigB08822]

I could see it if they did in the same format as those jumping competitions they used to do. I actually found those interesting and wish they still did them. The skaters seemed to have a lot of fun with it.

[caseyedwards]

"we're" lysacek is getting quite nervy. But if he wants be a quad proponent now- that's good? Lol whatever if he competes and does them it'd be better a better use of "we're"! And I am pretty sure that clip of his quad triple was from 2007! So whenever he wants to do one again and land it would be something! But the Olympics of 2010 will be when quads took a break from mattering in the sport!

[Cherub721]

I was at his interview on NBC, especially when they dug out an old clip of him landing a quad from, like, 2008. He was all about the quad back then, too.

Also loved the NBC Sochi commercial that said something about athletes from the greatest country (not countries) will compete in the Olympics, with a clip of Shawn White followed by Plushenko landing a quad. That's a pretty big oops.

[Skittl1321]

The truth is the skills and tricks that the best guys in the world are doing are the most extreme tricks of any sport on any apparatus in the world.

I'm sorry, but there is just no way this is true, if it is- then ballet is an extreme sport, because men do similar jumps there. Skating is absolutely one of the most difficult and demanding sports out there. But it isn't one of the most extreme ones at all. Skaters do have some horrific injuries, and the training is intense, but they are way less likely to crash down and break their necks than someone doing aerial skiing or snowboarding- what those guys/gals are doing is extreme sport.

(I've also thought it was really funny how Lysacek was an 'all about the quad' skater, and then became "you don't need the quad" after he had an injury. Apparently he's back to being all about the quad!)

[skatingfan26]

The funny part here is that he said the same "ages" ago. I think around 2008 when he was all about the quad he also said that skating should be in the X Games.

[2sk8]

Evan did promote this idea in the past, and I actually wish it would gain some traction. It wouldn't really be "figure skating", but some combination of the more extreme elements in a competition format, along with those crazy Crashed Ice competitions, could bring more attention to ice sports other than hockey.

ETA: Recommend leaving the sequins home for the XGames.

[Mayra]

I think he's just doing his part to promote the sport (and himself), and expose it to a different type of audience. Not a bad thing in itself, but I don't think its going to catch on.

[Skittl1321]

Does X Games have any half-pipe skating events? I can see that (flips and twists) more than I can see the jumps that are used in Figure Skating. (I also see X-Games skating taking place in hockey skates...)

Before the men's competition NBC had Skate Racing on- it was Red Bull, not X-Games, but it was a downhill course with obstacles, winner crosses finish line first type thing.

[ballettmaus]

Does X Games have any half-pipe skating events?

Given the looks of a half pipe I'd say that would be pretty much impossible. I cannot see how you could land safely on two blades in a half pipe. (Let alone creating a half pipe made of ice... Not sure how that would work)

I agree with your earlier comment about ballet being an extreme sport then as well. That was my first thought as well.
As for the comment from Lysacek, I find it a very odd comment to make and a very odd comparison.

[Skittl1321]

Given the looks of a half pipe I'd say that would be pretty much impossible. I cannot see how you could land safely on two blades in a half pipe. (Let alone creating a half pipe made of ice... Not sure how that would work)

Well, a much smaller halfpipe than snowboarding uses. I've seen youtube videos of homemade ones, but no major tricks- just little jumps. A google search appears it isn't a 'thing' though.

I really want to know how the ramp/course used for the skate racing is made. It seems like it would be the same thing.

[ballettmaus]

Well, a much smaller halfpipe than snowboarding uses.

I'm wondering if it would work with the general form though. I think the sides are more or less perpendicular to the surface. At least they look to be, so the question is if it was possible to land on blades on something like that. No idea.

I've seen youtube videos of homemade ones, but no major tricks- just little jumps. A google search appears it isn't a 'thing' though.

I really want to know how the ramp/course used for the skate racing is made. It seems like it would be the same thing.

Not clue about that. I know that the skiing/snowboarding half pipes are made by those large snowcats that take care of grooming the slopes. There's no ice involved at all, it's all real snow. At least the one I saw being made in Snowmass is and I think they built the ones for the X Games in very much the same way as snow cats were busy doing just that.

[moebius]

Mr. Quadless is only making those remarks because he has no quad to compete with the top men.

[query5]

agree, comments about guys and quads, really,
he won without one, now he states he has two quads. expect me to believe it --not.
why if he had one, why didn't do at olympics, he has none, and has to puff up himself to think he has one.\
practice maybe competition none

[mtnskater]

I love Evan. That is all.

[Sylvia]

The article simply says "He plans to work on having two quads in his long program." Lysacek was training and landing quads last spring and summer, according to eyewitness reports. It remains to be seen, obviously, if his body will cooperate so he can compete with quads in his programs next season.

[2sk8]

Before the men's competition NBC had Skate Racing on- it was Red Bull, not X-Games, but it was a downhill course with obstacles, winner crosses finish line first type thing.

The Red Bull competition is the "Crashed Ice" event I was referring too. Here is a link to some of the events:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Inw-NGscNZM

There are sections that have similarites to a small half-pipe, so I am sure it could be done. Very cool, but not figure skating!

[overedge]

he won without one, now he states he has two quads. expect me to believe it --not.
why if he had one, why didn't do at olympics

Maybe he didn't have one then, and he does now.

[caseyedwards]

agree, comments about guys and quads, really,
he won without one, now he states he has two quads. expect me to believe it --not.
why if he had one, why didn't do at olympics, he has none, and has to puff up himself to think he has one.\
practice maybe competition none

Fall on underrotated quad was worth nothing. Happened to him at US nationals. Then ruined Takahashi's chance at GPF and Olympics to win gold.

[NadineWhite]

I love how Evan is promoting the sport, he makes an excellent ambassador for skating, even I didn't know that bit about 1,440 degrees is a quad! Whoa, that fact there hooked me, line & sinker complete.

Here's hoping it also hooks those that have never seen figure skating before, or only in passing, et al.

Last note, I truly hope to see Evan compete at US Nationals next season, to earn one of 2 or 3 spots for the Olympics. And am glad he's listening to his body, taking much needed time off to heal his injuries, and come back smoking next year!

ps: I hope they same for my favorite, Evgeni Plushenko, as well. He's already shown he's a warrior by competing at his Nationals (and winning it no less for the 10th time!), that's enough, time to listen to his body and his doctors and seriously take time off (spinal surgery is nothing to mess with). NEXT year is thee most important year, thus rest now, recuperate, and start preparing for his final competiitve year in June/July.