Maria, Irina and Tanja are all so transparent in their emotions and I LOVE it. "We" Americans try too hard I think sometimes to put on a polite face for everything, so it's refreshing to be able to celebrate (or commiserate) with the top European skaters. And these three are among my very favorites - Maria's long line and balletic moves, Irina's speed and athletic approach to her skating, and Tanja's sheer joy of performing. I really miss skating in the 90s - nothing has come close to that kind of enjoyment for the audience, at least!
I prefer the Canadian feed as well (American here). When Irina came along, the American commentators were very excited about her, but as Michelle Kwan worked her way up the national ranks and then appeared on the world stage, they did tend to get protective of her artistry. Looking back on it now, it's pretty clear they were quite biased so much towards Kwan's artistry that they almost pooh-poohed her competitors' skillsets (unless they were American - Lipinski, Hughes and Cohen primarily).
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Maria, Irina and Tanja are all so transparent in their emotions and I LOVE it. "We" Americans try too hard I think sometimes to put on a polite face for everything, so it's refreshing to be able to celebrate (or commiserate) with the top European skaters. And these three are among my very favorites - Maria's long line and balletic moves, Irina's speed and athletic approach to her skating, and Tanja's sheer joy of performing. I really miss skating in the 90s - nothing has come close to that kind of enjoyment for the audience, at least!
Nice to have the Canadian feed. I remember the Americans being pretty negative especially about Slutskaya
I prefer the Canadian feed as well (American here). When Irina came along, the American commentators were very excited about her, but as Michelle Kwan worked her way up the national ranks and then appeared on the world stage, they did tend to get protective of her artistry. Looking back on it now, it's pretty clear they were quite biased so much towards Kwan's artistry that they almost pooh-poohed her competitors' skillsets (unless they were American - Lipinski, Hughes and Cohen primarily).
@@scottw6704Yeah, they didn't even bother to hide it