Tonya Harding to appear at Alamo Drafthouse in Austin

[aftershocks]

There's a lot to ask I think @slicekw, but it would involve some serious reflection and looking back at some old footage and interviews to craft substantive questions. Thinking of questions off the top of one's head does not always provide the best samples to choose from.

So off the top of my head, I don't have anything very profound at the moment. Your reflection on the mechanics of men is interesting. Why should men have very different mechanics than women in the first place? I know their bodily structures and physicality are different, but I don't see why that would necessarily mean males are taught technique differently from females. That seems more like a faulty cultural approach to treating men and women differently when it comes to sports. There are countless examples of women who've set that misogynist notion on its head, including Tonya Harding, Midori Ito, Billie Jean King, Babe Didrickson, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, and many others.

Oh well, ask Tonya if she finds time to watch current skaters. Ask what she thinks of the technical advances the sport has undergone since her era, and the fact that there are few females who've been able to complete the 3-axel. I'm not certain Tonya's modesty will allow her to reflect thoughtfully on the latter, but what the hey, why not ask!

Also, perhaps ask about her stint on DWTS and the behind-the-scenes machinations by producers (as if she will go into that in any depth, so maybe keep it to general queries about that experience); ask about her breakthrough program and performance at U.S. Nationals in 1991. Does she remember her music selection process? Does she remember the performance? What was it that prepared her to skate so cleanly, especially when she knew that Kristi Yamaguchi was the favorite darling of USFS at the time?

Oh well, I guess it's fortunate Kristi had retired by 1994. That's partly what may have fueled Tonya's ire against Nancy. Tonya surely felt that after Kristi's retirement, she should have been the heir apparent, not Nancy!

Ask Tonya what was it like standing on the World podium in 1991 as part of a 1-2-3 U.S. ladies sweep? Again, I don't know if she has the humility to look back reflectively on that time. She might just think she should have been on the top step of the podium.

Ask Tonya what she thinks she might have been able to accomplish had she been able to continue her career in the sport. Perhaps two 3-axels in a fp, like the men? What about a quad-axel?

I'm sure there are plenty of questions to be asked about the movie too. Does Tonya currently have any offers to write a book I wonder?

 

[just tuned in]

Ask her if she was in Atlantic City around Memorial Day. I thought I saw her (or her doppelgänger) jogging/running on the boardwalk. There is a big rink in Ventor NJ and I've been wondering if she was training there in secret.

 

[sp555]

Also, I'm not sure how many people go to the trouble of cross-referencing written reports from the time against dramatized film re-enactments.

This really made me laugh because that is exactly what I did after I watched the movie! I loved the movie so much that I read and watched everything I could find about the whack afterwards. I already know the answer to most of the questions that have been asked in the thread. lol

Margot Robbie was hilarious as the present day Tonya. "What kind of friggin person bashes in their friend's knee?!"

Back on topic. Some things I would like to know:

1 - The two bowls from 91 Nationals!

2 - Has she spoken to Diane in the last 20 years?

3 - What was her favorite jump and least favorite jump?

4 - What does Tonya think of that Sandra Luckow woman that shows up in every damn documentary?
Luckow said that she invited Tonya to a screening of Sharp Edges a few weeks ago, and she declined to attend. Maybe I'm wrong but my guess would be that Tonya's reply was something along the lines of "Hell NO!" I would think she considers her just another person who profited from her misfortune since she sold the rights to 60 Minutes for $100,000 back in the day.

 

[slicekw]

There's a lot to ask I think @slicekw, but it would involve some serious reflection and looking back at some old footage and interviews to craft substantive questions. Thinking of questions off the top of one's head does not always provide the best samples to choose from.

So off the top of my head, I don't have anything very profound at the moment. Your reflection on the mechanics of men is interesting. Why should men have very different mechanics than women in the first place? I know their bodily structures and physicality are different, but I don't see why that would necessarily mean males are taught technique differently from females. That seems more like a faulty cultural approach to treating men and women differently when it comes to sports. There are countless examples of women who've set that misogynist notion on its head, including Tonya Harding, Midori Ito, Billie Jean King, Babe Didrickson, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, and many others.
.
.
.

Some great ideas, thank you!

As for the mechanics, what Marai said in interviews is that she and Tom had studied the top male jumpers to see what they do differently so that she could get some more speed to complete the 3A. Since it's virtually only men completing the 3A and 4 jumps, it makes sense that is the only cohort to study. As well as mechanics, I know that sports science looks at fast-twitch vs slow-twitch muscle fibers and Nathan Chen's talked a bit about how they have studied his composition.

Certainly studying other's technique and flow could always help if you're looking to get just a teeny bit more oomph. A time-honored teaching method, made even more detailed with slow-mo video and computer simulations.

 

[Japanfan]

I remember reading somewhere that she was freaking out backstage and actually smoked a cigarette to calm her nerves before she went back out to skate the second time! LOL

How dare she?

More skaters smoke than we realize, especially those in Europe and Russia, which don't have as strong anti-smoking cultures as Canada and the US.

Yes, Tonya had/has ashma.

My wife and I have six questions for Tonia.

QUOTE="Carolla5501, post: 5390008, member: 14492"]Oh that’s good. A person with asthma smoking. LOL. She’s a riot. But I still am not paying to watch the sideshow. Actually find it kind of sad that at her age she is still milking this incident. Lots of us make mistakes and move on, this many years afterwards it just seems sad that people even want to go see her and that she still willing to be exploited this way. I think it’s a lot about her self image and that’s just sad
or as I reefer to them Satan's straws?

Um, there is this addictive substance called nicotine. I am sure that you and your wife have heard of it.



2. How could you of continued to smoke when representing USA at highest levels?

3. How dare you make people pay there money to see you any-where but in the slammer where you should be.

4. You are a sad woman who will be remember for nothing but use of addictive substances and a cold blooded crime, how can you accept this!

5. Every time you are given a mike you say oh here are my excuses no one gave me the benefit, poor me my sad story of sadness. When are you going to stop saying the same thing so many times you are like a broken record.[/QUOTE]
, post: 5390172, member: 74515"]My wife and I have six questions for Tonia.

1. What lead you to becoming addicted to cigarettes or as I reefer to them Satan's straws? [/QUOTE]

Hum. There is this is addictive substance called nicotine. I assume you and your wife have heard of it?

2. How could you of continued to smoke when representing USA at highest levels?

Again, there is this substance called nicotine.

Also people who are dieting may smoke because they can't eat. I don't recall reading anything about Tonya being worried about her weight, but it must have been an issue. It always is for female skaters SFAIK. Especially for a muscular skater like Tonya.

Gabrielle Daleman - an athletic female skater like Tonya - did an interview in the past year where she discussed being ashamed of her muscles and wanting to hide her biceps. It would have been the same when Tonya was skating and unfortunately not much has changed with regard to female skaters being athletically built.

Joannie Rochette also said that building muscle too easily was a problem for her.

Don't think I've ever heard a male skater say the same.

3. How dare you make people pay there money to see you any-where but in the slammer where you should be.

Tonya is not making anyone spend anything. She did not organize the Q&A. She was invited. She is not the producer of the film who decided to make a movie about her.

No one has to attend.

Perhaps you and your wife should stage a protest.

4. You are a sad woman who will be remember for nothing but use of addictive substances and a cold blooded crime, how can you accept this!

I remember Tonya for her 3A. For her sassy personality. And for moving on with her life after the incident to build a career as a landscaper, sustain a marriage, and raise a child.

You and your wife never did anything stupid in your youth

5. Every time you are given a mike you say oh here are my excuses no one gave me the benefit, poor me my sad story of sadness. When are you going to stop saying the same thing so many times you are like a broken record.[/QUOTE]

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

I remember many years ago at a local national competition, I was waiting outside during the ice resurface.

A lot of the older skaters were there having a puff or three. Some of them said to me much later, they smoked mostly to calm their nerves, and suppress their appetites in a bid to keep their weight down.

 

[arakwafan2006]

I’m glad she’s being redeemed.

 

[Skittl1321]

I remember many years ago at a local national competition, I was waiting outside during the ice resurface.

A lot of the older skaters were there having a puff or three. Some of them said to me much later, they smoked mostly to calm their nerves, and suppress their appetites in a bid to keep their weight down.

I had a coach recommend I take a shot before a moves in the field test to calm my nerves. So I can totally see people smoking if that's their thing.

 

[StasiyaGalustyanLove]

Hi Japan, I was hoping to hear answers to my questions from Tonia, I appreciate that you spent so much effort though!

I would love to go to the Alamo but after this "event" I will need photo proof that a Priest was there to exercise it especially the basement which I have heard is the most interesting part of this American Land Mark.

 

[Carolla5501]

I remember Tonya for her 3A. For her sassy personality. And for moving on with her life after the incident to build a career as a landscaper, sustain a marriage, and raise a child.



.

[/QUOTE]

Except she hasn’t moved on. Had she moved on she would not be at this event. (Note. You don’t see Nancy here do you? She moved on). Tonya is more that willing to sell out for a few bucks. That’s not moving on IMHO. What she is doing is milking it for a few more dollars.

 

[gkelly]

Perhaps it's more that some fans/members of the general public have not moved on, if they are assuming that the point of this event is to rehash "the incident."

If Harding wants to make an appearance to discuss her childhood, her skating career, her appearance on Dancing With the Stars, etc., how would that be any less "moving on" than any other has-been celebrity making an appearance for similar purposes?

 

[Amantide]

I don't blame you for being angry at her. I'm one of the few people in the middle of the love/hate for Tonya.

Tonya was raised to do one thing and one thing only, skate, and the USFSA encouraged that; and they were aware of her situation and did nothing. The USFSA never answered for their complicity in shaping her to be what she was. And they topped this off by making millions of extra dollars over the next decade riding on the prurient interests of the crowd (and failed miserably on converting it to long-term fandom) and they cut her a raw deal by stealing the one thing that she could do from her.

I just think that sports organizations have a limited guardian responsibility to ensure that children involved in their sport at a high level have a safe, sane and well-rounded situation. It could have made a great difference for Tonya. I don't excuse her behavior, and yeah, it's crossed my mind that calling her on her shit could be interesting. I'm an American and we're supposed to be about second chances. I'll go and hope to see that maybe she's learned something.

I agree. However, what I do not like about her is more the fact that even after all these years, she refuses to take her responsabilities and continues to lie about it. That's the main reason I do not feel sympathy for her. And I should, because I am a firm believer in second chances. But she just makes it so hard for you.

 

[WillyElliot]

This one I never quite understood. As I see it, they called her name and then it took her nearly full 2 minutes to get to the ice. She started her program, skated for almost a minute, and then went over to the boards for a good minute or two.

By the time Josee’s name was called, she was probably only a minute or so earlier than she would’ve been otherwise. Didn’t Oksana have to skate around in circles for much, MUCH longer later in the night waiting to start (aside from the typical extended time it took her to get into place)?

That combined with the fact that Josee was never the model of consistency..

I agree fully. Though Josee had lovely moments in her skating, she was a headcase in competition. She did not whine and cry as much as say Jamie Sale, but I would roll my eyes whenever this "Poor pitiful harmed Josee" topic was brought up. What was her excuse a few weeks later in Japan Worlds? Basically the same performance and no evil Tonya to blame.

 

[sp555]

Think any skater would ever have the guts to skate to the I, Tonya soundtrack?

 

[WillyElliot]

Think any skater would ever have the guts to skate to the I, Tonya soundtrack?

Tonya already did it. I hope I've heard the last of programs that start with Batman/RobinHood into SendintheClowns/KennyG and ending w ith WildThing/ZZTop. I'm too old to try to make sense of it all.... The movie was pure nostalgia for me. As in, wow, but let's put that all behind us.

 

[sp555]

Tonya already did it. I hope I've heard the last of programs that start with Batman/RobinHood into SendintheClowns/KennyG and ending w ith WildThing/ZZTop. I'm too old to try to make sense of it all.... The movie was pure nostalgia for me. As in, wow, but let's put that all behind us.

Ahem! It was a Carlos Santana song. Not Kenny G - that came later. LOL

 

[watchthis!!]

The referee also mentions that Tonya kept re-tying her right skate during the practices and she was wondering why. When she saw her boot up-close she understood that it was because the actual boot was in horrible shape. IIRC, Tonya had broken/torn her right skate in practice before nationals. Jeff's sister was a seamstress and put it back together for her. I guess with everything else going on, she didn't have time to break in new boots before the Olympics?

I think more likely it was that she was fortunate enough to be able to afford laces, let alone skates.

 

[watchthis!!]

Well here's an event I would NEVER bother to attend. Paying to listen to her whine that nothing is ever her fault and she's a misunderstood saint? No thanks!

I can’t imagine paying money to see her.

Oh that’s good. A person with asthma smoking. LOL. She’s a riot. But I still am not paying to watch the sideshow.

I am unclear. Will you or will your not be attending this event?

 

[StasiyaGalustyanLove]

Think any skater would ever have the guts to skate to the I, Tonya soundtrack?

If this means that some-day, a skater will perform with a fake bird connected to their shoulder and there are audio clips of the shocking and un-christian language I have heard the movie is loaded down with, that is the end of figure skating for me! Seeing the awful rap music programs and all the skaters who "do" Micheal Jackson, thrusting their jewels forward like it is an x-rated show!

There is a wonderful movie with all family accepting language and moral themes, we watch it every year during the holiday's. It is called Christmas With Capital C and that is what skating should be in spirit, and programs choosing it's music would bring us back from the pres-a-peace.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_U6RGt8V88

 

[slicekw]

I'm going to be honest here. I'd rather have this thread closed than continue to see StasiyaGlustyanLove continue to hijack it with their terrible English and hot hate for Tonya.

At this point, the tickets are sold out and the original purpose has been realized. This thread should be closed.

 

[meggonzo]

I hope you'll still give us a recap after the event! I'm curious to know the answers to the technical questions.

 

[slicekw]

I hope you'll still give us a recap after the event! I'm curious to know the answers to the technical questions.

Will do.

 

[WillyElliot]

I remember many years ago at a local national competition, I was waiting outside during the ice resurface.

A lot of the older skaters were there having a puff or three. Some of them said to me much later, they smoked mostly to calm their nerves, and suppress their appetites in a bid to keep their weight down.

You should go to a major skating competition. In between breaks we would all huddle outside no matter the weather! I'd even see skaters out there puffing too, like Eville Mia Ussova.

 

[Japanfan]

Except she hasn’t moved on. Had she moved on she would not be at this event. (Note. You don’t see Nancy here do you? She moved on). Tonya is more that willing to sell out for a few bucks. That’s not moving on IMHO. What she is doing is milking it for a few more dollars.[/QUOTE]

She did move on. The film required her to revisit the event and her past. But she hasn't stopped living.

Doing Dancing with the Stars and events like this probably gives Tonya $$ (not sure about the Q&A).

And possibly she's flattered that people are interested in her. That's not a crime.

 

[Yazmeen]

I think what will be interesting is to see what she does once the rest of the world moves on from "I, Tonya" and their newfound interest in her, which is bound to happen. Will she be able to transition back to a quiet life and finally be over her decades of resentment that everyone else got the attention and the money but her? It waits to be seen.

 

[Japanfan]

I think what will be interesting is to see what she does once the rest of the world moves on from "I, Tonya" and their newfound interest in her, which is bound to happen. Will she be able to transition back to a quiet life and finally be over her decades of resentment that everyone else got the attention and the money but her? It waits to be seen.

She got over it some time ago and moved on with her life.

I think she'll use whatever money she gained to make a better life for her family and put some away for her son's future.

At the end of the film "I, Tonya" the words "Tonya wants you to know that she is a good mother" (something to that affect) appeared on the screen. It was obviously a condition she was able to put on the film producers.

Some may argue that she has not accepted responsibility for the event. But even, she would have gone through a lot of shame, especially given her history of abuse.

 

[aga412]

So what did Tonya end up saying?!

 

[overedge]

I must have missed the rule that said if a skater gets granted a time-out to fix their equipment, they can take their time if the skater following them is a loser headcase who has no chance at a medal

 

[gkelly]

I must have missed the rule that said if a skater gets granted a time-out to fix their equipment, they can take their time if the skater following them is a loser headcase who has no chance at a medal

It was in the same ISU communication with the rule that if a skater who is a loser headcase who has no chance to medal stops skating for any reason they should be automatically withdrawn.

Of course, then the ISU had to issue another communication with clarifications of the official meanings of "loser," "headcase," and "no chance to medal."

 

[slicekw]

Postscript: The show was Wednesday night.

I have to say I was very disappointed. How much? I actually skipped out on getting my photo taken with Tonya.

The movie, if you haven't seen it, is very good, if somewhat fictional and revisionist.
As for the rest, I will start with saying that I'm not a "Dancing with the Stars" fan and the audience was mainly millenials who were fans of the show.

I think I was the only person in the room that remembered what actually happened. I was offended by the audience's willingness to buy revisionist history when Tonya proclaimed that the movie gave her a chance to show her son that she was entirely innocent. People applauded her! In no logical world was a dark-comedy semi-fictionalized movie that the movie makers will tell you is only based on the truth a way to vindicate her; in fact it indicts her on planning to screw up Nancy's chances to go to the Olys.

Innocent of premeditation? maybe. A victim of an abuser? quite likely.
Did she know that the people around her had done something wrong and didn't tell anyone? also quite likely.
I just can't believe she's "innocent". and I will always hold that she got shafted, and that little speech to the judge in the movie made a great point...USFSA screwed her and themselves.

They made us write questions on cards and then they did a softball session that was very general, avoided "the controversy" entirely and was basically an extended, rehearsed interview. The only card that they referred to asked a question that they already were answering. A whole platter full of PR-dream rehearsed answers, smirks, cute remarks and platitudes, laced with a big dose of classic 12-step rhetoric.

The most interesting thing skating-wise is that she said that she still skates with Dodi as her teacher and she says she's got all her doubles.

Good for Tonya for turning things around. I hope she really is a good mom. The movie was fun, and my friend who hadn't seen it enjoyed the movie. I just wish there'd been a little more reality and a little less Trump-style rewriting of history.