Every time the Winter Olympics roll around, I find myself wishing I was a good figure skater. In fact, a few years ago, I actually took a figure skating class at the local ice rink just to learn how to actually stay on my feet. It was a big moment when I was able to move away from the wall. 
Don’t get too excited — I’m not going to be doing triple lutzes anytime soon. I’d be more likely to land a triple klutz. I’ve never been particularly coordinated when it comes to things like riding bikes, roller skating (one less-than-fun experience, not doing that again), skateboarding (never could do that), etc. But when I watch the figure skating, there’s something magical about it, and I imagine myself gliding over the ice to soaring music in the background like Shizuka Arakawa did tonight to Turandot, the soaring music I fell in love with when I heard part of Pavarotti’s performance of it at the opening ceremonies of these games. You can tell when the magic is with a skater, and tonight it was Japan’s Shizuka Arakawa. Perfect costume, perfect music, the best free skate. She was beautiful, smooth, a joy to watch. And so much coverage had been shone on Sasha Cohen and Irina Slutskaya that Shizuka’s win was extra thrilling.
The saddest part of Shizuka winning the gold was that Irina will likely not get another chance. She’s 27, she’s been fighting vasculitis, and her mother is ill and waiting for a liver transplant. Irina seems like a really sweet person and is very talented. But it was Shizuka’s night, and deservedly so.
And I have to say I loved many of the skaters’ costumes this year. Tonight, Swiss skater Sarah Meier’s black-and-red pantsuit really caught my eye.
Have you ever dreamed of being an Olympian? If so, in what sport?
TK with Ziyi Zhang in House of Flying Daggers:
February 24th, 2006 at 12:35 pm
I also felt bad for Sasha. She just can’t seem to keep it together in the big matches. Her artistic impression is worth a triple lutz, but what do I know?
I’d like to do curling - might just be able to still learn to do that sport.
Loved the Swiss girl’s costume also.
Paarotti’s performance gave me goose bumps, I’ve always loved opera.
About 3 years ago, I did a mommy and me ice skating class. SHE hated every moment of it, but I really enjoyed it. But I’m with you - moving away from the wall is a major improvement.
Have you seen Ice Princess?
February 24th, 2006 at 4:43 pm
I haven’t seen that one yet. Need to. My 9-year-old niece liked it.
February 24th, 2006 at 5:32 pm
Me too on the figure skating Olympic fantasy, Trish, And on the triple klutzes. *g* I’ve never even been to a rink, let alone left the wall, so you and Jill are way ahead of me! I suspect it’s the beauty and the romanticism of the music/costumes/performance combination that drew me to this particular Olympic fantasy over others which I might have actually been able to do (not at an elite level, but at least at some level.) Like, say, curling.
February 24th, 2006 at 10:25 pm
I can’t even stand on ROLLER skates. But I do love watching figure skating.
LOL on curling. My dh said that any sport you can do with hoop earrings on is not a sport. Three hours a match. No wonder MSNBC is showing it all the time.
February 25th, 2006 at 11:32 am
3 hours per match! Holy cow. Okay, here’s the thing — I think standing on roller skates is way harder than ice skates. But then, I don’t do well on anything that has wheels except a car.
February 25th, 2006 at 1:12 pm
I’ve always wanted to be an Olympic figure skater (despite only having been on the ice once in my entire life *g*) or a gymnast (never mind I’ve even been able to turn a somersault very well).
Shizuka’s performance was just plain beautiful. As for Sasha, I don’t know why (there’s nothing I can put my finger on), but I’ve just never liked her. And I haven’t got a clue why. Weird, huh?
February 25th, 2006 at 10:38 pm
Tori, I think the thing with Sasha is that she seems a little cool and removed. Snowboarder Shaun White joked about how he wanted to meet her, but when Bob Costas told her about it, she seemed very uncomfortable with the idea. I think Shaun is a hoot, but I can’t imagine the two of them ever going out on a date.