Who was the most overhyped skater by commentators/writers/insiders in skating

[believed]

I don't really consider World and Olympic Champions "over hyped", but possibly they could be "over praised".

I think this is a key distinction that should be taken into account.

 

[mapleleafsk8fan]

Ice Dance - Galit Chait and Sergei Sakhnovski

 

[tony]

Ice Dance - Galit Chait and Sergei Sakhnovski

I respect them a lot more now. Back then, everyone was on the D/V train but a lot of Margarita’s weaknesses were ignored, much like the case with Margaglio.

It’s funny regarding C/S, though, because I can remember in the GP series in 2000-2001, they made a push at A/P in the OD at Skate Canada (at least based on Canadian audience reaction and message board musings), and then the next season everyone seemed to really dislike them.

 

[kittysk8ts]

The most disappointing thing for me was that Tracy Wilson gave a relatively recent interview (below) and she still maintains that Bourne & Kraatz should've had a chance at a medal in Nagano.

She meant they should have had a chance to win bronze before they skated. that their placement should not have been pre-determined.

 

[Triple loop]

The North American really robbed of an Olympic medal in dance was Judy Blumberg. Their 4th at the 84 Games was a farce. She was so classy about it though, always a class act, an incredible skater, interviewer and an incredible commentator. I love her so much. I love her commentary of pro events, especialy the World Pros, for many years.

It is funny how she mentions though the judges who was the split judge to cost them the bronze to K&P at the 84 Games was the exact same Italian judge who cost them silver at the 83 Worlds to B&B. The politics were definitely against them, as if it wasnt already tough enough for them to face unbeatable T&D and a slew of all time great Russians.

I totally agree Judy and Michael were totally robbed. They skated wonderfully to Scherezade and deserved an Olympic medal. So much politics involved in that Olympics. The Italian judge was horrible marking them down for their music choice. Heartless. And crazy that they win the bronze medal at the 1984 Worlds with a subpar performance.

 

[gk_891]

She meant they should have had a chance to win bronze before they skated. that their placement should not have been pre-determined.

I agree with that. But in terms of what they put on the ice, a medal should've been out of the question.

 

[savchenkoboss]

I totally agree Judy and Michael were totally robbed. They skated wonderfully to Scherezade and deserved an Olympic medal. So much politics involved in that Olympics. The Italian judge was horrible marking them down for their music choice. Heartless. And crazy that they win the bronze medal at the 1984 Worlds with a subpar performance.

The World was a bit of a gift to make up for being robbed at the Olympics. It is so stupid how they frequently do that in the sport. Same as 1980 when Linichuk & Karpanasov won the Olympic with gold with a big stumble/trip, then lost worlds and were only 3rd in the FD with a much better skate. 95 Kovarikova & Novotny totally robbed at Europeans due to home court advantage for Woetzel & Steuer, then win worlds with a much worse skate with major errors while defending World Champs Shishkova & Naumov were flawless but took 2nd behind them. It was a make up gift for the Europeans scandal.

What really gets me is the Eastern European bloc judges used their doing a theme program as the excuse to mark them down and out of the medals, the 5 who had them 4th anyway, yet T&D's incredible Bolero which got all those perfect 6.0s was also a theme prgoram. Essentialy I think they were screwed no matter what, if they did somthing by the rules the same 5 would be "they played it safe, and that is not what we expect from Judy & Michael who are usually so innovative, that is why they were 4th." Since T&D were pretty much guaranteed the gold the Soviets deemed they had to have 2 medals to compensate. Their attitude of self righteousness in pairs and dance is such.

Blumberg & Seibert were very classy about it though and didnt partake in even half the whining of the B&K camp, and the networks which had all these consipracy theories about B&K not winning a medal barely defended them. Even though B&S by far had a much bigger case to being robbed blind than B&K IMHO.

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

I respect them a lot more now. Back then, everyone was on the D/V train but a lot of Margarita’s weaknesses were ignored, much like the case with Margaglio.

It’s funny regarding C/S, though, because I can remember in the GP series in 2000-2001, they made a push at A/P in the OD at Skate Canada (at least based on Canadian audience reaction and message board musings), and then the next season everyone seemed to really dislike them.

If his commentary was anything to go by, Dick Button wasn't exactly a fan. Especially the year C & S skated to Bolero.

From memory, Button's on - camera quote went something like, "If you're going to sing the national anthem. Make sure you're Whitney Houston, and not Roseanne Barr."

 

[DreamSkates]

Cohen - jumps too small

True, but I remember the hype being more about her positions and style which was lovely to watch.

 

[DreamSkates]

I didn't vote for anyone. Media, writers, etc. are always looking for something to make into a story. Oh but I have to add, Kwan was not overhyped, given her trove of medals won over the years. There was something special about every skater/couple listed in the poll.

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

I didn't vote for anyone. Media, writers, etc. are always looking for something to make into a story. Oh but I have to add, Kwan was not overhyped, given her trove of medals won over the years. There was something special about every skater/couple listed in the poll.

I was fortunate enough to see Kwan skate in person five times. (1992 US Nationals, 1994 World Junior Championships, 1994 US Nationals, 1996 World Championships, and 2001 World Championships).

The last time I saw her skate, she had well and truly earned her reputation as one of the sport's significant artists. Compared to her biggest rival at the time, when Irina Slutskaja skated, I saw the individual elements. Whereas when Michelle skated, I saw only the performance.

 

[dramagrrl]

The last time I saw her skate, she had well and truly earned her reputation as one of the sport's significant artists. Compared to her biggest rival at the time, when Irina Slutskaja skated, I saw the individual elements. Whereas when Michelle skated, I saw only the performance.

One can say what they will about skaters who have had greater technical difficulty since then, choreography that was more to their personal preference, etc. etc., but having also had the privilege of seeing Michelle compete live several time, I still truly believe that no skater since then - possibly in any discipline, although I suppose an argument could be made for Hanyu - can throw down competitive performances as epically and consistently as Michelle Kwan. Even though she wasn't the absolute best at any one element or style of skating, overall she had a quality that to me has been unmatched to this day.

 

[Japanfan]

I actually thought both Drobiazko & Vanagas (in spite of returning to an old free dance which reeked of desperation) and Denkova & Staviski (who only finished a disappointing tenth) should've finished ahead of Bourne & Kraatz at those Worlds, at least in the free dance.

I loved loved loved D&V!

IIRC there was an outcry at the 2002 Worlds, when they finished fourth behind the Israelis.

 

[Japanfan]

One can say what they will about skaters who have had greater technical difficulty since then, choreography that was more to their personal preference, etc. etc., but having also had the privilege of seeing Michelle compete live several time, I still truly believe that no skater since then - possibly in any discipline, although I suppose an argument could be made for Hanyu - can throw down competitive performances as epically and consistently as Michelle Kwan. Even though she wasn't the absolute best at any one element or style of skating, overall she had a quality that to me has been unmatched to this day.

One Kwan fan told me that she felt that watching Kwan skating was a spiritual experience. I'm sure she was not alone in that.

 

[DimaToe]

Honestly the two that come to mind are Gracie Gold and Ashley Wagner (and diva Wagner is literally my favorite) and all that when on during their “rivalry” maybe because I live in the states I see it that way.

 

[tony]

I loved loved loved D&V!

IIRC there was an outcry at the 2002 Worlds, when they finished fourth behind the Israelis.

An outcry is putting it lightly. The entire internet give or take 5 people thought it was wrong and EVERY competitor in the dance event besides C/S themselves and the winners (L/A) signed a petition right after the event.

 

[gk_891]

An outcry is putting it lightly. The entire internet give or take 5 people thought it was wrong and EVERY competitor in the dance event besides C/S themselves and the winners (L/A) signed a petition right after the event.

Grushina & Goncharov also didn't sign it. I think it was because they had a jump in the rankings at those Worlds and my guess is that they didn't want to rock the boat by signing that petition.

 

[Frau Muller]

I don't really consider World and Olympic Champions "over hyped", but possibly they could be "over praised".

When I think of "over hyped", I think of Caroline Zhang or Gracie Gold to some extent. They were both "the next best thing" and Ashley Wagner ended up having a more successful career than either of them. Caroline basically did nothing as a senior. Gracie,at least, has two national titles, and Olympic Bronze, and she went to Worlds 4 times.

I think Sasha was over hyped and over praised because everyone and their brother was saying she was "the "greatest skater in the world" and anticipated multiple World Championships and possibly Olympic Champion, but she couldn't even win her own Nationals and Kimmie Meissner beat her at Worlds. I mean how great can she really be?

Emily Hughes was kind of over hyped due to being Sarah's sister. I don't think she would have gotten the attention she did if it was not for Sarah. She would have been in Bebe Lang world.

I think skaters can seem to be over praised without being over hyped- such as Kwan. She has 9 National Titles, 5 World Champion Titles, 9 World medals, 11 National podium medals, Olympic Gold and Silver, and she never placed lower than third from Fall 1995 until Worlds in 2005. I mean...sure Olympic Gold would help here but is someone really considered over hyped with that career?

AGREE 100% ABOUT CAROLINE ZHANG. Remember “Pweety Pwincess” hyping by TV commentators?

 

[briancoogaert]

Sasha Cohen for me. She had amazing qualities, but she had such a small glide, her basics were not at the level of her other elements (spiral, spins), so I've always found it strange that every commentators wanted her to be a heavy favorite.

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

Sasha Cohen for me. She had amazing qualities, but she had such a small glide, her basics were not at the level of her other elements (spiral, spins), so I've always found it strange that every commentators wanted her to be a heavy favorite.

ABC probably thought that manufacturing drama was good for ratings.

That's why they tried to create rivalries between Allen vs Fratianne, Zayak vs Sumners, Trenary vs Yamaguchi, etc.

 

[Japanfan]

Sasha Cohen for me. She had amazing qualities, but she had such a small glide, her basics were not at the level of her other elements (spiral, spins), so I've always found it strange that every commentators wanted her to be a heavy favorite.

IMO it was a sign of the bias towards/against female skaters.

Sasha exemplified the baby ballerina ideal and struck picture-perfect poses. Her spiral may not have been the most difficult technically, but even I admit that it was a thing of beauty. But commentators and judges overemphasized her strengths and ignored her weaknesses to a certain extent.

Strength and power have never been seen to be important for ladies as for men. The more athletic female skaters have had to struggle somewhat to gain recognition.

For example, how many times did we hear on this board that Slutskaya skated like a truck driver?

I like to think that bias is changing somewhat with skaters like Osmond and Daleman being at the top of the field. However, in reality it is slow to change. Look at the programs skated by the current Olympic champion.

 

[Japanfan]

True, but I remember the hype being more about her positions and style which was lovely to watch.

Yes. And I'm probably repeating myself - having commented on her picture-perfect positions - but her weaknesses such as relatively weak edges and lack of power were ignored.

You could pretty much always count on Sasha to make two mistakes, like stumbling out of a jump or missing a jump.

 

[UGG]

I think the "thing" with Sasha was that no one had ever hit those types of positions or had such flexibility on every single move. People were gaga over it and I can see why...the flexibility aspect to a program was really something new...no one had ever skated like that before. I do feel that it was a true statement when the commentators would say "She never hits a bad position". Now everyone does so IMO even though Sasha never won a major championship other than her 1 US National Title, she really left her mark on the skating world in terms of style. I am sure every coach alive saw the marks she received and skaters everywhere probably started taking Pilates LOL. Mirai and Caroline were mini Sasha's as juniors. Now it seems like everyone can lift their leg over their head or behind their back...even people like Ashley Wagner.

Her amazing positions and toe point really overshadowed her flaws, it probably did not help her in the long run that at 15 everyone was hyping her as the next great thing.

 

[screech]

I also think Fumie Suguri was a bit overhyped at times. I remember watching a competition once, I think in the early 2000s, and the Canadian commentator was over-praising her, saying "her biggest strength is her complete lack of weakness." Sorry, but Fumie did have many weaknesses to her skating.

ETA: I was just reading her Wikipedia page and I had no idea that she came out as bisexual in 2014. Kudos to her!!

 

[PDilemma]

AGREE 100% ABOUT CAROLINE ZHANG. Remember “Pweety Pwincess” hyping by TV commentators?

The whole "Pweety Pwincess" rhetoric on the skating boards is androcentrism at best, complete misogyny at worst. There is nothing wrong with a female skater having or expressing feminine qualities. There is, in fact, nothing wrong with a male skater doing the same.

Find another criticism. Like her jumping technique as a junior that was bound to catch up with her as she grew.

 

[Japanfan]

I remember watching a competition once, I think in the early 2000s, and the Canadian commentator was over-praising her, saying "her biggest strength is her complete lack of weakness." Sorry, but Fumie did have many weaknesses to her skating.

Not IMO. I seriously lurrved Fumie and will never forget her 'Paint It Black'.

 

[DimaToe]

Y’all had to bring up Fumie, I unfortunately wasn’t able to ever see her skate live at her peak but she was one that I just loved, but I can see the argument there, she was the Wagner of her time pretty much.

 

[Japanfan]

Y’all had to bring up Fumie, I unfortunately wasn’t able to ever see her skate live at her peak but she was one that I just loved, but I can see the argument there, she was the Wagner of her time pretty much.

I don't quite get the comparison, although I'm sure you have your rationale.

Just wanted to point out that Fumie was a very light and gentle presence on the ice, with a touch of whimsy. Ashley in comparison was/is much 'heavier' - she has identified herself to be "a warrior" on the ice.

 

[DimaToe]

I don't quite get the comparison, although I'm sure you have your rationale.

Just wanted to point out that Fumie was a very light and gentle presence on the ice, with a touch of whimsy. Ashley in comparison was/is much 'heavier' - she has identified herself to be "a warrior" on the ice.

My comparison was basically that both carried their countries’ programs during their time/their grit. Of course there was
Arakawa during Suguri’s time but to me Shizuka was the Gracie that actually managed to make a home run a couple times while it was Fumie that carried the program for a while. That might seem like a stretch but...yeah

 

[Inessence]

One Kwan fan told me that she felt that watching Kwan skating was a spiritual experience. I'm sure she was not alone in that.

Probably also why she’s a front runner on this poll.