Men’s short program Yuzuru Hanyu’s old world record: 99.84 Hanyu’s new world record: 101.45 Difference between the two: 1.61 points Patrick Chan has 3.93 points to make up on Hanyu. Hanyu’s mark for his triple Axel: 11.49 Chan’s mark for his flawed triple Axel: 7.50 Difference between the two: 3.99 Javier Fernandez 14.47 points behind […]
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Plushenko abdicates
The men’s event in Russia was always about Evgeny Plushenko. His spot was virtually conceded at the beginning of the season by top brass in Russia: If he is well, he will go, they said. Then Maxim Kovtun gave him a run. A real run. He’s an 18-year-old Russian born into the new judging system […]
A star is born
In the midst of all of the drama of the pairs skating event at the Sochi Olympics, some stars were born: Ksenia Stolbova and Fedor Klimov. They were dark horses, it seemed, but not really. Only a month ago, they had defeated the current Olympic champs Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov in the free skate […]
Pair short program
Be still my heart. Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov were at it again today, leaving me to marvel at every step. Firstly, they skated to the Masquerade Waltz, with its compelling rhythms. And I know that everybody notices (or at least I hope they do) all of those elements that they do to the max, […]
Skate of the Day
How do I explain thee, Carolina Kostner? Let me count the ways. This, after watching her Ave Marie, as she delivered her team short program performance on Feb. 8. Are there words? We’ll try. The Olympics has never been her friend. Until now. She was spellbinding, saintly, glorious, beauteous. When Kostner skated, you forgot everything […]
Day One, Team Event
The dust has finally settled on the first part of the first Olympic team event, featuring the short programs of men and pairs. And these are the things you don’t necessarily see on TV: Evgeny Plushenko came out with his usual magnificence, looking as if he was at the top of his game, and outfooting […]
The allure of Jason Brown
What a journey Jason Brown has taken, since the first time I laid eyes on him at the Junior Grand Prix Final in Quebec City three years ago. I remember him not because he won the gold medal, but because of the way he did it. He had flair, this young man with the hippie-dippie […]
Introduction
I’ve always tinkered with the written word, starting from the time I was seven years old. But when I found figure skating back in 1981, my life took an immediate carpet ride to the most interesting spots imaginable. I had no idea how much fun it would be. I decided I wanted to know everything […]