Jen Talks Skating, Part II: My Favorite Men('s Programs)
So I was more than a little tempted to just find my ten most-favorite Alexei Yagudin programs and put them in a post, done and dusted! But as much as I ADORE Yags, that would defeat the purpose of this series, which is ostensibly to get y'all acquainted with a variety of awesome skaters. Unlike ice dance, I've paid pretty much consistent attention to singles skating since the day I became captivated by Oksana Baiul, and the Russian(/former Soviet) men have always held a special place in my heart - I spent several years being utterly obsessed with Viktor Petrenko and Alexei Urmanov; eventually moved on to a babyfaced Alexei Yagudin (had a brief dalliance with Ilia Kulik but Alexei was always my fave) and grumped when Plushenko reigned supreme. (But Plushenko > Lysacek, ANY DAY.) I am currently despairing of men's skating generally (WHERE IS THE ARTISTRY?! And no, Patrick Chan is not "an artist". He just seems it in comparison to the rest of the field, which proves my point.)
1. Alexei Yagudin, "Man In The Iron Mask" Free Skate, 2002 Olympics
It's really tough to choose a favorite Yagudin program, because the majority of his programs are fucking genius. (I highly recommend Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, and Winter.) Alexei is pretty much the "ideal" in terms of men's skating - he's classically artistic, yet still "masculine", and he had the athleticism to back it up: two consistent quads and a flawless triple axel. But he was perhaps most renowned for his fast, exciting footwork (especially the straight-line sequences) and expressive abilities - as this program highlights. (It won him an Olympic gold, so. If you only walk away from this post with one new favorite skater, let it be Alexei.)
2. Evgeni Plushenko, "Tribute to Nijinksy" Long Program, 2003 Cup of Russia (?)
So, one of my most-repeated complaints about Plushenko has always been his general neglect of choreography (or at least expression) in favor of knocking out the difficult technical elements (of which he has many) at the start of the program. Not so with his Nijinsky tribute - this baby has it allllll. And even I, Yagudin fangirl extraordinaire, can admit that. You will note that Plushy's style is much more avant-garde than Alexei's, but perhaps a bit more balletic - but always remarkable.
3. Brian Joubert, "Time" Short Program, 2004 World Championships
Brian Joubert is what I refer to as "Yagudin Lite" - all of the appearance of Alexei, none of the substance. Like skating junk food, if you will - probably bad for you, but so very delicious. But he has fun footwork and solid technical elements - and he's not terrible to look at, let's be real. (His Matrix program is also very Yagudin-lite.)
4. Javier Fernández, Pirates of the Caribbean Free Skate, 2010 European Championships
Much as I loathe the things the new judging system has done to figure skating, a few gems have emerged: one of them is Javier Fernández, the first skater from Spain to medal at an international championship - and highly skilled imitator of Jack Sparrow on ice. Seriously, this program is worth it just for the circular footwork sequence where he pretends to be a drunken pirate. It's awesome.
5. Ilia Kulik, Aladdin Free Skate, 1996 World Championships
Continuing on the theme of my love for babyfaced Russian teenagers... Ilia had a fantastic triple axel and lovely artistry, though he doesn't surpass Yagudin in my books. I would've gone with his 1998 Olympic free skate but he also had some of the most unfortunate taste in costumes you'll ever see. (Makes Lambiel's orange/blue zebra costume look STYLISH, okay? Just trust me here.)
6. Viktor Petrenko, "Carmen" Short Program, 1992 Olympics
Viktor is probably best-known these days for his role in coaching Johnny Weir (and appearing in the associated reality show), but this is one of my favorite programs of his - check the MASSIVE triple axel combination at the beginning!
7. Rudy Galindo, "Swan Lake" Long Program, 1996 US National Championships
Rudy Galindo is one of those largely forgotten skaters who never really made it on the world scene, but his win at the 1996 US Nationals was a thing of beauty - think Johnny Weir-esque skating, without the inevitable crash. Also, he chose to play the role of the villain in Swan Lake - who does that? More reasons he's awesomesauce.
8. Daisuke Takahashi, "Blues for Klook" Free Skate, 2012 World Championships
Perhaps better known as "the gold medal that Patrick Chan stole", this program is technically flawless and Takahashi has some serious MOVES. (His style is very Plushenkoesque, dancey and avant-garde but extra-refined. The combination is really spectacular.)
9. Stéphane Lambiel, "Four Seasons" Free Skate, 2006 World Championships
Motion sickness-inducing costume notwithstanding, this program is absolutely beautiful, and Stéphane had some of the best spins in skating - as well as edges (almost) worthy of an ice dancer.
10. Kurt Browning, Free Skate, 1988 World Championships
(Start around 2:25 to skip the fluff piece.) So, Kurt Browning probably deserves to be higher on this list. He is, without a doubt, one of the greatest artist/technicians skating has ever seen - he landed the first-ever quad in competition (in this program!) and continues to choreograph some incredible skating as a professional. (Seriously, his Singing in the Rain show program is THE SHIT. Gene Kelly on ice.)
1. Alexei Yagudin, "Man In The Iron Mask" Free Skate, 2002 Olympics
Click to viewIt's really tough to choose a favorite Yagudin program, because the majority of his programs are fucking genius. (I highly recommend Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, and Winter.) Alexei is pretty much the "ideal" in terms of men's skating - he's classically artistic, yet still "masculine", and he had the athleticism to back it up: two consistent quads and a flawless triple axel. But he was perhaps most renowned for his fast, exciting footwork (especially the straight-line sequences) and expressive abilities - as this program highlights. (It won him an Olympic gold, so. If you only walk away from this post with one new favorite skater, let it be Alexei.)
2. Evgeni Plushenko, "Tribute to Nijinksy" Long Program, 2003 Cup of Russia (?)
So, one of my most-repeated complaints about Plushenko has always been his general neglect of choreography (or at least expression) in favor of knocking out the difficult technical elements (of which he has many) at the start of the program. Not so with his Nijinsky tribute - this baby has it allllll. And even I, Yagudin fangirl extraordinaire, can admit that. You will note that Plushy's style is much more avant-garde than Alexei's, but perhaps a bit more balletic - but always remarkable.
3. Brian Joubert, "Time" Short Program, 2004 World Championships
Brian Joubert is what I refer to as "Yagudin Lite" - all of the appearance of Alexei, none of the substance. Like skating junk food, if you will - probably bad for you, but so very delicious. But he has fun footwork and solid technical elements - and he's not terrible to look at, let's be real. (His Matrix program is also very Yagudin-lite.)
4. Javier Fernández, Pirates of the Caribbean Free Skate, 2010 European Championships
Much as I loathe the things the new judging system has done to figure skating, a few gems have emerged: one of them is Javier Fernández, the first skater from Spain to medal at an international championship - and highly skilled imitator of Jack Sparrow on ice. Seriously, this program is worth it just for the circular footwork sequence where he pretends to be a drunken pirate. It's awesome.
5. Ilia Kulik, Aladdin Free Skate, 1996 World Championships
Continuing on the theme of my love for babyfaced Russian teenagers... Ilia had a fantastic triple axel and lovely artistry, though he doesn't surpass Yagudin in my books. I would've gone with his 1998 Olympic free skate but he also had some of the most unfortunate taste in costumes you'll ever see. (Makes Lambiel's orange/blue zebra costume look STYLISH, okay? Just trust me here.)
6. Viktor Petrenko, "Carmen" Short Program, 1992 Olympics
Viktor is probably best-known these days for his role in coaching Johnny Weir (and appearing in the associated reality show), but this is one of my favorite programs of his - check the MASSIVE triple axel combination at the beginning!
7. Rudy Galindo, "Swan Lake" Long Program, 1996 US National Championships
Rudy Galindo is one of those largely forgotten skaters who never really made it on the world scene, but his win at the 1996 US Nationals was a thing of beauty - think Johnny Weir-esque skating, without the inevitable crash. Also, he chose to play the role of the villain in Swan Lake - who does that? More reasons he's awesomesauce.
8. Daisuke Takahashi, "Blues for Klook" Free Skate, 2012 World Championships
Perhaps better known as "the gold medal that Patrick Chan stole", this program is technically flawless and Takahashi has some serious MOVES. (His style is very Plushenkoesque, dancey and avant-garde but extra-refined. The combination is really spectacular.)
9. Stéphane Lambiel, "Four Seasons" Free Skate, 2006 World Championships
Motion sickness-inducing costume notwithstanding, this program is absolutely beautiful, and Stéphane had some of the best spins in skating - as well as edges (almost) worthy of an ice dancer.
10. Kurt Browning, Free Skate, 1988 World Championships
(Start around 2:25 to skip the fluff piece.) So, Kurt Browning probably deserves to be higher on this list. He is, without a doubt, one of the greatest artist/technicians skating has ever seen - he landed the first-ever quad in competition (in this program!) and continues to choreograph some incredible skating as a professional. (Seriously, his Singing in the Rain show program is THE SHIT. Gene Kelly on ice.)