Saturday, January 9, 2010

Michelle Kwan - East of Eden


I'm looking forward to the Winter Olympics, one of the few times I can actually become a TV nut. Especially during the figure skating. And I can't think about figure skating without remembering the single most beautiful performance I've ever seen: Michelle Kwan's legendary skate at the 1998 World Professional Championships. It truly transcended sport and made time stand still for a few minutes. I can barely stand to watch it, I get all emotional!

15 comments:

Micah Neff said...

mmmm.....that was powerful/beautiful. WIll have to throw that one notch above Kerrigan's short program.

Unknown said...

It is a lovely perfomance! She always looks so joyful.
I'm looking forward to the Olympics too! Go Canada! (sorry! LOL) My niece works for the Vancouver Organizing Committee, and my other neice is going to be participating in the opening ceremonies. My sister will be flying out to Vancouver and will be seeing several events including some of the figure skating! Colour me jealous!

Nusret Topuzoğlu said...

Thanks for this great video Nick,so easy to get emotional indeed!

Sandy Maudlin said...

Hi Nick,
WHen I click on the little box in the upper left hand corner, I can't get anything to open. Still, I agree that she is magnificient, dedicated and so powerful. What an art.

David Lobenberg said...

Guess I'm a day late and a dollar short as far as entering the Chinese international show?

Nick said...

Micah - the Russians are the best skaters, but Michelle Kwan is in a class by herself

Patty - man do I wish I could see that in person!

Nusret - I can't think of anything that approaches this, certainly not a painting I've ever seen...the music is the key, always is.

Sandy - you should be able to click on the arrow to play. If not, here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vN3DmQwCbc

David - I believe it's closed now, but you could email Ms. Jin at the address in the post and ask.

Nancy Lee Galloway said...

The Winter Olympics are my favorite! All that jumping, gliding and spinning on the snow and ice!
We won't see any skating with quite that drawn out elegance this time though- the jumps and footwork sequences are more important in this new judging system but watch out for South Korea's lady skater - she's simply wonderful - if nerves don't get to her. I believe she can hardly move for all the photogs swarming over her!! Lovely reminder of the fabulous Michelle, Nick Thanks for posting it!

Janet Belich said...

Oh, Nick, I LOVE Michelle Kwan ! And I can't believe it's time for another Olympics. Oh Boy. Do you remember this one from 1984 though ? This my ALL TIME favorite, forever. The ice dancers Torvill & Dean from Great Britian and their performance to Bolero. Too bad the audio is so bad. But talk about chills? I still get 'em. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAXTBiKwmgc

joel said...

we bought an entire cable channel ready for this!

apparently they are thinking that maybe there should also be a summer version of the olympics at some point. i don't think it'll get off the ground though.

i will be rooting for the nearest thing to a "Chappellet" in the "Great Race"...

:)

Nick said...

Nancy - ever hear that thing about how hitting a baseball is the toughest thing in sports? Give me some time in a batting cage and I'll eventually connect with a fastball. Give me a century and I'll never land one of those jumps on one skate...and look good doing it!

Janet - she's my fave, no doubt about that..I'll check out the link

Joel - wish I could get your cable channel. Over here you have to listen to morons blather all day about how many medals the US has won. (I always root against us)

joel said...

this really made me laugh! when i lived in the US i always rooted against the US (except Picabo Street)!

actually, i always root for the UNDERDOG. that is what i realized.

australia is not a winter sports nation. so there is no one for the australian commentators to promote. so that is a blessing.

the only time australia ever won an olympic medal was when all the other competitors fell over just before the finish line (really)...

Nick said...

Joel - ha ha, I've usually rooted for the Evil Empire nations, Communists, etc. Your story reminded me of the time I watched an Olympic figure skater fall on every single jump...gave me hope for a skating career, because I can do that!

Nick said...

Nice to see this listed on Michelle's site:
http://www.michellewingkwan.com/pages/news.htm

Anonymous said...

What a joy to find this on your site Nick. My daughter being a figure skater for 14 yrs, we are very proud of Mirai Nagasu. She is representing our very own Pasadena Figure Skating Club in the Olympics this year. The discipline and dedication that these girls and their families make to the sport is exceptional. Please stand up and clap for Mirai as she represents USA.

Nick said...

Robin - a great thing to have your children into. I've heard about that skater, haven't seen her yet. I stand up and clap for the people I like and think are the best and most-deserving, never because of where they come from....and usually find myself rooting against the USA in these things. Michelle Kwan was a great exception.