Who Loves Figure Skating? I Do!

So tonight since I’m watching the Olympics religiously, I decided to blog on the beauty and grace that is figure skating. Figure skating of all forms is seriously my favorite Olympic sport (that includes the summer Olympics as well). Gymnastics are awesome, swimming is sexy (I’ll never turn down the chance to watch Michael Phelps!), skiing is intense, and speed skating is frightening (Hey Apolo, rumor has it you’re single)! But figure skating is the winner. There is no other sport that incorporates every intense cardio move and makes it glamorous. I seriously cannot get over how accomplished some of these women are! Rachel Flatt (17 years old!) is gracing my TV screen at the moment and her red skating outfit is to die for. She is only a senior in high school and has accomplished more in the skating world than I will probably ever accomplish in any world. It takes real poise to be a skater. The jumps are so difficult and yet she is hitting triple loops without batting an eye. The energy, intensity, and determination that goes into any sport is always impressive. I truly respect all athletes.

I was never much of an athlete myself. I used to want to sit on the sidelines of the soccer games, and got super stressed when my coach forced me to play. (I had this weird issue where I always thought I was going to blow the game. It was a serious anxiety problem that I should have received therapy for years ago!) I was an ice skater for a brief time in my life however. The ice rink in Bayonne, NJ was opened to me, and I even recall an ice skating show where we performed to the Green Acres theme song. I wore a cute red checkered outfit. Oh to be six years old again. I often ask myself: If I could have been awesome or famous at one thing, what would it have been? I’m pretty certain Broadway star is still at the top of my list, but I would love to have continued with figure skating. I'm not saying I could have ever been an Olympian (I'm seriously laughing at the thought of this Jersey Girl competing in any sport!), but just to be a talented skater could have been real fun. They have killer bodies and awesome posture. There also seems to be a certain confidence that comes from gliding around on the ice. And once again, those outfits are so cute! And sparkly! I attempt to get my friends to go to the ice rink in Brick, NJ every time I’m home, but we all go around in a big circle very slowly, never drifting far from the ledge. No one is really into the whole ice-skating thing like I am.

We are now on the third girl in the free skating competition. I hope an American can bring home a medal. American Evan Lysacek bringing home Gold last week was amazing. (Finding out he was a straight male figure skater was an even better treat!) I miss seeing familiar faces like Michelle Kwan, Tara Lipinski, and Kristi Yamaguchi. They were true American athletes. Let’s see if any of these young ladies can reach the bar that has been set. GO USA!

UPDATE: Okay so Kim Yu-Na of Korea will win Gold. That was the most incredible performance I’ve ever seen. Perhaps an American can get on the podium?

Peace and Love <3