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Interview with Philippe Pelissier, French EuroSports Commentator at 2010 Torino World Championships
Translated by SquallB @ YNKF YNKF ( Original Article )
Q: I have watched your commentating with much pleasure. Your commentaries on Dance Macabre at last year’s Worlds were especially memorable. Now that you have more time, could you freely share your thoughts [about Yu-Na]?
P.P: To me, there are four legends in figure skating: Sonja Henie, Peggy Fleming, Katarina Witt, and Yu-Na Kim. I don't know the right adjectives to describe Yu-Na Kim. She is like a fantasy that is not real. Or maybe Plato's Idea. And the most fantastic thing is, of the four legends, she is a living legend, who exists right here with us, and competes right now. Her existence itself is a miracle. It is not only a miracle for figure skating, but for the entire realm of sports and art.”
Q: Did you see her short program yesterday?
P.P: I broadcasted it of course. Did you see the broadcast? No, you didn’t. There is no need to be sad or disappointed about her short program performance. I noticed that Brian Orser didn’t seem happy, but there is no need for her to feel disappointment, and neither do we. Even her short program yesterday was beautiful. And it allowed us to confirm that she is human, just like the rest of us. She missed her spin, and shook her head after the performance, showing us she is made up of flesh and blood, just like us. And incredibly, until now, she continuously showed us only perfection. A level seemingly unobtainable by mere humans… transcendental performances that take us to some holy, divine place… When she performs on ice, doesn’t she appear to be an angel from the sky, or a goddess who has borrowed the shape of a human? Her performances at the Olympics are prime examples. Everything was perfect and flawless. When we watch something like that, we are lost for words. EuroSport’s policy is to refrain from heavy commentating during the actual performances, and providing focused commentary while the replays are being played. But when I watch her, I forget that I need to commentate, as I am overwhelmed by her presence on the ice. She is at such an absolute level.
Q: You mean like art’s concept of absolute beauty?
P.P: Right. There is no need to go to museum or gallery. Yu-Na Kim herself is like a painting or sculpture at a museum. And, yesterday, she showed us that she could also be tired, that she could make mistakes. And we realized that she is human. Being imperfect is to be human, and the universal reason we pursue art is our desire to get closer to that ideal, perfect beauty despite our imperfections. Her short program was very meaningful in that way. What Yuna’s skating shows us is that while we are all imperfect humans, with tremendous effort, one can actually reach a divine level. I was not at all disappointed by her short program yesterday. If she can perform her free program like at the Olympics, the gold medal is hers, I have no doubt. While her performance yesterday was not transcendental like her previous performances, her presence on ice alone is something, and gave us an opportunity to reflect upon it. So it was very impressive, and perhaps even more meaningful. At least that is my interpretation.
Q: From the perspective of objective TV commentating, it seems that your observation that her performance yesterday was even more meaningful takes on a different perspective from other regular media.
P.P: The thing I am most cautious about, is art losing its subtleties as an art. When we talk about perfection and idealism, we must not think that such things are fixed and immutable. A perfect skating is not something that is fixed. It’s always flowing, and changing. It has flexibility. A perfection as in automated machine is what we must guard against. Yu-Na is not a robot. She is human, just like us. At times, she makes mistakes, and shakes her head in disappointment. Should I feel surprised or disappointed for her revealing such subtleties as a human? To my eyes, it looks beautiful. And that is also the truth. You think this is all too subjective? Do you believe that articles you write are objective? What is really objective in this world? When a writer or journalist writes, he does it with a purpose. And when a “fact” is transmitted through sentences and words, there can be no objectivity. What is the meaning of laying out the scores and the results? You can just check the protocols on the internet. But there is no meaning in simply reading the results. At least in figure skating. To me, figure skating is art, before it is a sport. What objectivity is there in art? Even the judges are not objective. They try to appear objective within the system, but they already start from subjective grounds - that is figure skating. Of course, there are people who think differently than me. When watching yesterday’s short program, they would say that was disastrous, and feel disappointed, by clinging to the facts on the surface. And that is another way of interpretation, although a bit superficial and shallow. If they don’t like my commentaries, they can watch a different channel. Figure skating is art. Yes, it is a sporting event, and technical aspects play a huge role, but without artistic side, it is not a figure skating. Otherwise, all you need is jumping contest and speed skating. If you can’t accept such difference in perspectives while discussing figure skating, you shouldn’t be watching figure skating.
I was a figure skater, and coached figure skating until 2004. And I still give lessons. I taught students before you were born. Today’s commentaries focus too much on technical aspects or general things. Such one-sided commentaries are not good commentaries. I know figure skating, and figure skating is a part of my life. In short, I am an expert. I think I know what I am talking about. In my commentaries, I commentate on both technical skills and the artistry and emotions that the skater brings to the ice. My commentaries are not too different from my writing (Interviewer’s Note: Phillip Pellisier also wrote a script for a theatrical play which was produced and performed for 6 months in Paris).
Q: In your view, what separates Yu-Na Kim from other skaters?
P.P: Yu-Na has reached the level of divine, while others are just humans. On ice, she is like a goddess who descended from the heavens. She makes it look so effortless and easy. With other skaters, you can see how hard they are trying. The gap is too big, and it almost makes me feel sad for other skaters. Why? Because it is impossible for them to impress the audience more than Yu-Na. As an example, there are many technically good pianists. Even a pianist in the graduating class of Paris music school can play the most difficult musical piece without trouble. But even such virtuosos are not the same as a true master. They can be fresh, but can they deliver the kind of impact that makes your heart shake, your entire body tremble, and leave you breathless? Not to me. They are more like performing machines that march at full-speed. You can be impressed by their gimmicks, but it is a different kind of impression. The difference is between being limited to mimicking music that was written by composers from the past and being one with the music and creating something independent and unique - as you transcend simply performing the music and become the music itself. Like pianist Martha Argerich. That is the difference between Yu-Na and other skaters. Of course, even technically, there are currently no skaters superior to Yu-Na. But with great efforts, they can be virtuosos. But it will be at a different level. Mao Asada’s triple axel? Sure, when done right, that is very impressive technical feat. But that alone does not make figure skating. Figure skating is not a jumping contest. If we are going to judge figure skating only on the basis of difficulty of jumps, then why are we bothering with everything else? Why do we design costumes, why do we edit music, and why do we focus on choreography to the extent that even certain skaters have to make fool out of themselves as they “play” to the music? You know there are more than a few skaters who we can barely stand to watch as they play the music like a struggling violinist.
Q: What is impressive about your commentaries is your ability to express yourself, your word choices, and your display of confidence. Is there any special background that allows you to be so confident?
P.P: I majored in philosophy. I am a part of the generation that was taught by Emmanuel Levinas prior to the 1968 revolution (Interviewer’s Note: In 1968, national universities in France became standardized). I was lucky to be taught by him. I envy your youth, but I feel sorry for you that you can’t hear Levinas’ lectures. I coached figure skating until 2004, and I participated in two Olympics as a figure skater. Today, I paint and host art exhibitions in Paris, and also write plays. I was part of a play for 6 months last year. Of course, I also commentate for EuroSports. I see all of these not as separate activities, but all interlinked. I commentate in the same way as I choose words to write, and find inspirations to paint. I think it is futile to try to separate these fields from one another.
Q: Anything you hope to see from Yu-Na in the future?
P.P: You mentioned Schoenberg before. I agree with you that masterful art transcends time and allows you to always learn something new from it. Yu-Na’s skating is like that - it is transcendental. I want to see Yuna perform to a French music. As you may know, French music is not easy. It tends to be very delicate, subtle and difficult. Like French wine. It possesses certain color. I think Saint-Saens would have danced in his grave had he seen Yu-Na’s performance to Danse Macabre. It was really, so impressive. I still recall the last year’s World Championships vividly. Perfectly aligned with the passionate tunes of the violin, she became the musical notes - an immortal music itself. And it’s such a difficult piece of music. For her future program, I would like to recommend passionate music of the likes of Maurice Ravel or Claude Debussy. Music with Impressionistic colors. Pianists would have hard time fully conveying such music, and so would figure skaters. But with Yu-Na, it would be possible. She would be able to again deliver a performance that would sweep us away to another world. She is the only figure skater in the world who can depict the delicate colors of such music. And music by Ravel or Debussy also shares commonality with Asian melodies. I am not sure if you know, but in the early 20th century, Debussy was heavily influenced by Asian culture. Yu-Na is an international figure skater, but also Korean and Asian. If she were to select and perform to a music that allows her to display her self-identity, it would be very special.
Q: It was unfortunate that we could not listen to your commentaries during last year’s Grand Prix season. But at Trophee Eric Bombard in Paris, I did see you sitting in the front row and overheard your comments, which were very interesting.
P.P: ISU asked for too much for the broadcasting rights to the Grand Prix. There was a long discussion between ISU and EuroSports, and our Chairman ultimately gave up the broadcasting rights for all Europe. They refused to lower the price. I am so disappointed that I could not broadcast Grand Prix this season, when Yu-Na was so special throughout the season. When I watch something beautiful, I want to leave my own personal impression of it. Rather than being a commentator, I think of myself as an art critic, with figure skating as the subject. Sharing my sentiments, criticisms and insights through production of words. And French language, which is a very detailed language, makes such formulation possible. While I was able to see Yu-Na at Trophee Eric Bombard, I am sad that I couldn’t broadcast it.
I referred to Yu-Na as a goddess, but in reality, she is human, and as a human, you cannot stop the flow of time. Is there yet an ice rink dedicated to figure skating in Korea? How many figure skaters are there? What can we expect in post-Yuna world? Yu-Na made her own fate, and she shaped her own path and came this far from nothing. She opened the doors and emerged from a shell to capture the world with nobody being there to help. In that sense, she is unique among the four skating legends that I mentioned - she was not simply a blessed skater born into a pre-existing system. She is making history even though Korea had no figure skating tradition to speak of. Any medal she wins is the first for her country. When I think of the pressure she bore on her shoulders at the Olympics, it is shocking.
It is incredible how is she is technically and artistically perfect, but what is the most incredible about Yu-Na is her mental fortitude. It is an attribute of a true champion. It is a strength that a few skaters will ever have. What I can do, is to merely comment on her skating. As time passes, as we see our aging faces in the mirror, the day will inevitably come when Yu-Na stops to skate. I can already feel the sense of loss thinking ahead to such day. I can only hope that she continues to skate as long as she can, and continue to inspire rich and absolute impressions.
POSTSCRIPT:
The interview with Pelissier, whose favorite artists are Cezanne, Kandinsky, Monet and Van Gogh in that order, and who strongly recommended the author to read the works of Emmanuel Levinas, was then concluded, with the allotted time long having been passed. The next day, after the award ceremony was over, and as the skaters went around the ice rink to salute the crowd, he approached me once more. He said, “I just had a passing thought… the color of Silver actually goes along marvelously with that beautiful deep blue dress. I wanted her to win gold, and stand on the top of the podium, and I thought she could catch-up with her free skate, but to see that color combination, it’s also refreshing.”
@ Torino, March 27, 2010.
With Hendryk Schamberger:
Q: Hendryk, you seem to always accurately predict the scores. Your prediction for Olympics short program was astounding. What is your secret?
A: There is no secret (laugh). It's just natural. I think it's because I am a coach. I think a lot of coaches can predict the general range of scores pretty accurately. And my experience probably helps - I participated in 9 world championships and one Olympics, and I have “A-level” coach license. It's already been 10 years since I acquired the coaching license… and to a coach, predicting a skater's score after the program is over is no big deal. I happen to be the only active coach who is also working as a commentator. It's hard to explain, but I just feel it when I see it.
Q: You also paint. Can you tell us little bit about your favorite painter and art? and compare it to Kim Yu-Na's skating?
A: My favorite painters are Kandinsky and Klimt. I like Klimt's use of smooth colors and floating shapes - makes me feel like I am looking at a fascinating ray of light. Kandinsky, how should i say it, I think he has put into his painting everything I desire and want to express. His work is about lines and space, and very similar to figure skating. I lose my breath and get tongue-tied whenever I see his painting. Same with watching Yu-Na's skating. I cannot express in words the things she brings to the ice. I think I need more time to explain (like an entire day). Actually, I think it is impossible even if I have more time.
Q: The paintings you described are considered masterpieces. Is Yu-Na's skating like that to you?
A: It's even more. A painting is a stationary art, which does not move. But skating, like theater or dance, exists in temporal space, before the audience, in the present. I saw Yu-Na for the first time in 2006, and I knew immediately that she had amazing talent. But what makes her so different… how should i say it… is that every skater knows how to move on the ice. Many skaters even learn ballet for several years. But Yu-Na is different. She does not skate - she actually flies. To my eyes, she appears as flying across the ice. When she made those mistakes during the short program, and when she got tired toward the end during her long program, that was first time in a long time that I thought she was actually skating rather than flying. On the ice, Yu-Na is just so special. There is no adjective that can adequately describe the beauty of her skating.
When I was first asked this question, I thought I needed more time. That's why I asked you to meet me again. But, the more I think about it, it's getting more difficult. When you see something beautiful, you don't want to describe it. For any piece of art, appreciating and being seduced by the beauty of it is the starting point of art. And when a thing of absolute beauty approaches us and overwhelms us, we lose our ability to speak. While you may be trying hard to specify and describe what “it” is in words, for me, I have come to the limit of my expression. It's frustrating, but it is the truth. I cannot properly describe her in any words or adjectives.
As for whether something that amazing is a result of talent or effort - as you said, I think Yu-Na is a skater blessed with one-in-a-million natural talent, but at the same time, has tremendous focus and perseverance. I think in order to reach the level she is at, you need both marvelous talent and supreme effort. To be better than your competitors, you need both qualities, but to achieve something that great, you need both qualities even more.
Q: After 2008 Worlds, Mao Asada has been talking about the possibility of adding quadruple jump. What do you think about her pursuit for a quadruple loop jump?
A: I think it would be a big mistake for her to go down that path. The risk of downgrade would be too big. In order to compete with Yu-Na's perfect triple-lutz, tripe-toe loop combination, you need more than an imperfect single quadruple loop. Mao is very strong in loop jumps, but she has never landed a quad in a competition, and I don't think she can beat Yu-Na's flawless jumps with such attempt.
If Mao wants to get closer to Yu-Na, then she should be working on her triple-lutz, triple-toe loop combination or triple-axel, double-toe loop combination. Assuming that she can receive GOE points rather than being downgraded, of course. I don't think her current approach of focusing on triple axel is a wise thing. The risk of failure or downgrade is too big. In free program, after completing two triple-axels, she loses her energy and makes mistakes on easy jumps.
I said “to get closer to Yu-Na” and not winning over Yu-Na, because that is the reality. Mao cannot be assured of winning even with a mistake-free performance - she can win gold if Yu-Na makes about 5 mistakes as she did this time. In fact, I think that rather than Mao Asada, it is Miki Ando who can get closer to Yu-Na. Ando does triple-triple combination in her short program. She is often downgraded, and I am not sure if the conservative approach of Nicholai Morozov is effective, but Ando is capable of doing a triple loop for her second triple combination. If she can develop triple salcow - triple loop combination or triple lutz - triple loop combination, I think she can be a more formidable competitor to Yu-Na.
I think Brian Orser's approach is fantastic. He has been able to get the best out of Yuna, and draw out masterful performances with perfect combination of jumps and choreography. Excuse my expression, but I think he is like a high-quality juicer that is able to squeeze out everything from Yuna.
Q: Why did you become an orthopedist?
It's very closely related to figure skating. I was always injured while I skated. I was healthy everywhere else, but I had to meet with many orthopedists. So after I got in to medical school, I naturally thought about orthopedics.
As a doctor, and as a skater, when I see Yu-Na, she doesn't appear as having lost her motivation. I think she is just physically tired a little. Her season, which started in October, has been especially long, and this was her 5th competition. If she had really lost motivation after the Olympics, I don't think she would have come to Torino. She would have just gracefully returned to Korea instead. But she didn't. That shows that she wanted to defend her title. But the trip from Vancouver to Seoul to Toronto to Torino would be very draining… even if she is physically and mentally strong, as a human being, it would be difficult to not feel physically tired after experiencing such schedule in a short span of time. And athletes are especially sensitive. No matter what, physical condition is the foremost factor.
Q: Sort of like Nietzsche's concept of body and spirit?
A: Yes. Figure skating is influenced by tiniest of things. Ice surface on the rink, boots, dress, music, make-up, warm-up, and nervousness… even if the tiniest single straw is out of place, it becomes evident to all. Such physicality and reality cannot be overcome by mental strength alone. We are all human beings made up of flesh and blood.
In order to display absolute beauty on the ice, no, to become the beauty itself, I believe you need to have a corresponding mind that is just as beautiful. Figure skating is a sport that is perfected through combining technicality and art. And Yu-Na has a good mind, and strong mentality. I don't know Yu-Na personally, but I have a feeling that, just like many artists, she is a person with the innocence of a child and beautiful disposition.
Q: What do you wish as far as Yu-Na's future is concerned?
A: I would like nothing more than for Yu-Na to win the Olympics gold again and become the only woman to win consecutive gold medals along with Katarina Witt. She will of course win several more gold medals at the Worlds. Since there is no guarantee that she will not make any mistakes, I cannot say that she will win gold every time she shows up, but I think she will win quite a few World Championships as long as she continues to compete.
Yu-Na is different than other Olympic gold medalists who rapidly disappear after the Olympics. Her Olympics gold medal was earned through skill, rather than luck. Tara Lipinski, Oksana Baiul, Sarah Huges, Shizuka Arakawa all won gold when luck was more of a factor than their own skill. They all won after the Olympic gold medal favorites made mistakes and fell. So for them, retirement was obviously the right choice. Because had they continued, there would be no guarantee that they would medal again. So with Olympics gold medal, it would be smart for them to immediately turn pro.
However, Yu-Na is different. In terms of skill, she should monopolize Olympic and World Championship golds. There is no competitor right now. As long as she doesn't make mistakes or makes only a few mistakes, who would beat her? To continue to compete is of course not an easy thing in many ways. I know, because I was a skater. No one can force her to repeat those hard and arduous journey again. And it is not easy to know when is the right time to leave as an eternal, unbeatable champion. It is very difficult to know when is the time to leave.
I want to see her skate for a long, long time, and provide commentary on her skating, but at the same time, I want her to be remembered by everyone as an unbeatable skater that she is. So whatever she decides, we should respect. And pray for her happiness.
Whatever you may personally feel, however, the truth is, it is too early for her to retire. She is only 19, and there are many sides that I want to see from her. There would be so many programs that she could perform as a even more ripe and mature woman in her early twenties. If Katarina Witt had retired after winning gold medal at Sarajevo in 1984, there would have been no 1988 Carmen that became a part of everyone's memory.
When I saw Yu-Na for the first time at Ljublijana in 2006, not only did I see a girl who could skate exceptionally. but I knew that this girl would lead the sport of figure skating for the next 10 years. And at some point, I realized that she had stopped skating, but was actually flying. From a shy girl with braces to being a mesmerizing bond girl, Yu-Na has never taken a single step backward. Every single year, she has progressed and developed to almost a shocking degree, and I hope that she can fly even higher. I know that she will have many worries and agony. Figure skating is a tough sport, and she will have to cope with the pressure of the entire world watching her. However, that is a challenge one must face when one wants to test the limit of one's ability. As a fan of Yu-Na Kim, I hope that she can give many more memorable performances that the entire world will treasure, like Katarina Witt's Carmen and Yagudin's Iron Mask. I think she can do it. To seduce and spellbind the entire world, and to open a new dimension in figure skating and lead us to a new world.
March 28, 2010 (at the Torino World Championship Gala)
Words by: Hendryk Schamberger
Source: Ddanzi Ilbo
Article: The 2nd interview with German Eurosport commentators
Author: Nana
Translator: SquallB @ YNKF
Date: Mar 28, 2010
(Katarina talks about her first Olympics, how she started figure skating, special trainings, how she enjoyed the pressure that comes with competitions, and “Carmen”.)
……….The wisest decision Yu-Na made was choosing Brian Orser. He really is a good person. I'm not saying this just because I spent a lot of time with him through “Carmen on ice”. Anyone who has just a small chat with him, wouldn't be able to help themselves falling for Brian. He's that much of a great person; personality wise, and him as an athelete as well as a skater. You know the vibes/energy you get from those kinds of people. The people Brian can bring, like Tracy and David, as well as the Canadians. I saw that she was blossoming as she met many people in Toronto. I also searched Yu-Na on Youtube. After watching the Worlds I thought that she just might not be human (because she's so flawless), but in the most recent video, she proved to be human. I thought, “So she does make mistakes too..” Who else was there. I searched a few more other than Yu-Na, but I can't really remember their names. Anyway, I think she's making new history. And she looked so attractive in the way she moves in so many of those advertisements! There were milk, lipstick, cell phone, yogurt commercials, as well as sport ads…she's a mega superstar. When I look at the current Bondgirl, she looks more like a young lady than when I performed “Carmen”. She's only 19, right? So as of now, she has a stronger 'young lady' image, but at the same time, she's at a point where she's about to blossom into a woman. If my “Carmen” was a fully blossomed rose, Yu-Na is yet a bud. I look at Yu-Na at that fresh and strangely appealing point, and find her very attractive. Also, the level of purity in her skating is high. Of course, I haven't seen Yu-Na's skating LIVE, but just by watching through Youtube, I can feel it. There are class and quality in skating. The reason Yu-Na's skating is special is because of the innocence and that authentic feeling you can only get when it's without any blemishes. She's also musical, and at times, the way she delivers the drama is so strong that it shakes the audience. More than anything else, her technicality is unbelievably accurate. Being able to jump like that is the proof of how much she has practiced.
(Katarina speaks of how there is a point where she becomes skating itself while she performs, and to do that, you must be able to do them during practice, or else you won't be able to do it at the real competition.)
…….Yu-Na doesn't have any flaws technically, so it makes me wonder how much she practiced. Skaters must devote themselves to practice and training. That rule applies even when you move onto the Pros. What I was happy about the most after my “goodbye” performance in 2008, was that I didn't have to go wander around to look for an ice rink. Wherever I went, the first thing I used to do was to ask, “is there an ice rink around here?” and find a place to practice. I lived all my life doing that.
(Katarina explains how she believes everything that happened to her were all luck, and about the playground facility she built for disabled children in Germany)
…….I'm not doing this because I am morally better than other people, nor is it because I posess a great personality. The capacity and scale, it's really not that great. How many people in this world are helping others in secret? Look at Yu-Na. Her acts of sponsoring and donating are what surprised me the most amongst the articles you've sent me.
Words by: Katarina Witt
Source: Ddanzi Ilbo
Article: The interview with Katarina Witt
Author: Nana
Translator: iceballet @ YNKF
Date: February 22, 2010
With Hendryk Schamberger:
Q:When did you first see Yu-Na? You were the very first to comment on her talent with such faith (conviction) without any doubt.
Hendrik: The first time I saw Yu-Na was at the 2006 Junior Worlds in Ljubljana. She was the Junior World Champion of that year. As soon as I saw her, I foresaw that she would be the World Champion in the near future, and that she will dominate the single ladies figure skating scene in the next 10 years. That's why in the 2007 Worlds in Tokyo, I told Sigi to keep a close eye on her before we went into the studio. At the Ljubljana banquet, I requested to the people around me and took a picture with her. Truthfully, I don't like my pictures being taken, so I rarely go out of my way to have a photo taken.
Like I said last time, Yu-Na's got a one-in-a-million talent, but somehow she grew even stronger this season. She has shown to have a very strong mind, and that she is an extreme perfectionist when it came to herself, but now, she looks to have toughened up to outside sources, like the pressure and the judging. Remember I used to say that no one would be able to beat her if she skates clean? I'll have to change my words a bit. Even if she makes a few mistakes, it'll be hard to beat her.
Q: What is your favorite program performed by Yu-Na?
Hendrik: My favorite program used to be “Danse Macabre”. I like the fierce image that only she can bring onto the ice. Now, the James Bond medley is also an outstanding piece of work. Amongst her gala exibitions, I like the most recent one, “Please don't stop the music”. I've been keeping my eye on that one ever since she first performed it in Korea.
But it's so hard to pick just one. I think every single program has its own worth in their complete forms. I'm not saying her other programs weren't good, but the reason my heart leans towards the recent programs is because Yu-Na is always coming up with something new, is growing, and we are mesmerized by that.
My favorite technique from Yu-Na is the perfect triple flip-triple toe loop, which unfortunately, we don't see anymore. It's rare even amongst the male skaters to jump the second jump like Yu-Na does. The speed and the height is phenomenal. It's like magic; like something invisible in the air is pulling her down. She flies in the air like a main character in an action film. Even the characters in action movies fly in the air with ropes, but Yu-Na escapes gravity like a feather without relying on anything. And she does that to the beat of the music!
Q: Will you skate if you were to be born again?
Hendrik: (he explains he won't, because it's boring now that he knows what you need to do in order to become a figure skater and goes on to talk about speed and its importance)
…….One of the reasons that Yu-Na is distinctive amongst other skaters is her speed. It's hard to skate with great speed on ice, and it's also hard to be elegant while doing so. Despite being top leveled skaters, some will never learn how to move elegantly nor gracefully, and other skaters will never be able to skate fast. The reason Yu-Na is special is because she has both of the qualities, where it's rare for other skaters to even have one. I am fully confident that she'll win the gold medal in Vancouver.
With Sigi:
Q: You received a “2008's best sport journalist” award.
Sigi: (he talks about how time passed by so quick, his experience as a gymnast, his passion in being a figure skating commentator, and with what kind of programs he's touched)
……Who ever questions Katarina Witt's “Carmen”? Even after 20 years, she resides in everyone's memories. She really was amazing. Nowadays, figure skating isn't as popular as back then, so I don't know if Yu-Na will be able to become a phenominally world-wide icon like Katarina Witt was back in the day. That is, if we're speaking in terms of her being able to appeal to people that don't know a thing about skating, even though everyone who watches figure skating knows her. Could yould teach me how to prounced Yu-Na's name correctly? I heard that Yu-Na Kim isn't the correct way to pronounce her name. If I can, I want to be able to say her name correctly. Yu-Na is a phenomenal skater. She has everything that takes to win. To witness her continuing growth, especially her growing into a woman, is one of many joys in watching her. The more surprising fact is that she herself chose Brian Orser as a coach, chose to train in Canada, and she chooses to do things herself. To think that such an adventurous/risky decision (because at the time, Brian Orser was an exceptional skater, but his talents as a coach wasn't confirmed) is this successful! How proud must Brian Orser be, to have an apprentice with such talent? I personally think Yu-Na has a very attractive face. And her ability to sing is also astounding. Many skaters move around the music and are often dragged on by music itself. I believe the reason Yu-Na is able to move on the ice, while controlling/dominating the music, is because she herself understands the music. Because Hendrik told me to pay attention to Yu-Na, I kept my eyes on her since the 2007 Worlds in Tokyo. She set the world record for the short program as soon as she appeared. It was so incredible to a point I have to doubt my own eye sight. And now, there are no need for words to describe her. If every skater were to perform like Yu-Na, where every facet shines and is above the norm without any doubt, how happy would we be as commentators? In most competetions, the skaters that stand on the podium and the rest of the skaters perform programs that are of such different levels. Of course, I'm sure they're trying their best in their own ways, so I'm not trying to disparage them. It's just that I sometimes question the justification of figure skating being a “beautiful sport” when I watch skaters that aren't at the top. You probably know what I mean. Once they make a mistake, they seem to half give up on the program, doesn't know what to do, are being dragged by their own music, and they barely make it through by jumping and gliding. I've been a commentator for 11 years now, and sometimes I think, “Zigeunerweisen, stop”, “Rachmaninov, no more!” I'm so sick of some of the music, that I hope I don't have to listen to them anymore. And because of that tiresomeness, there was a point where I thought that I wouldn't be able to see anything new in figure skating. However, Yu-Na's superior performances reflect the future of this sport called figure skating, and I think it's special. Simply the word “genius” is a bit lacking in describing her. People say, “Yu-Na's graceful movements make her look like a ballerina on ice, it's beautiful,” but figure skating is still a sport with levels. Therefore, Yu-Na is the proof of figure skating's future, and an existence that defines the ongoing progress of a sport. Even Yu-Na herself, an extreme perfectionist, said she wants to continue to progress and step forward! I truly hope that as she takes steps forward, figure skating too, will take steps forward.
A little extra. The interviewer's note:
I slowly repeated Yu-Na's full name to Sigi, who was having a difficult time pronouncing it correctly. After repeating it several times, he asked me what her name means. I explained to him that if you interpret the Chinese characters, it means “A beautiful girl of golden light”, and he couldn't contain his amazement, by saying that Yu-Na is living her life exactly as her name means. As they were heading to another city in haste, due to their busy schedules, Sigi asked me to explain everything in greater depth thgouth e-mail, so they may be able to correctly say her meaningful name.
A few days ago, I received an e-mail from Sigi from Vancouver. He stated that it's such a shame that he couldn't watch figure skating LIVE because he has to commentate in a studio outside of the facility where they're holding the event. He also said that it's such a waste that only the German EuroSports gets to pronounce Yu-Na's beautiful name correctly, and that he has given out my e-mail address to all the different EuroSports Countries' commentators in wishes that many more people will be able to correctly say her name, and that many more people will be able to hear the correct prounciation of her name.
Words by: Hendryk Schamberger, Sigi Heinrich
Source: Ddanzi Ilbo
Article: interview with German Eurosport commentators
Author: Nana
Translator: iceballet @ YNKF
Date: February 16, 2010
Translations by Moogoonghwa@YNKF
Coach Orser “Leave Yeon-ah's to future to Yeon-ah”
(Torino=Yonhap News) Reporter Go Dong Wook = 'Regardless of the decision Yeon-ah makes, it has to be a decision that come from deep within her heart and it has to be a decision that she can be happy with.”
Coach Orser, who developed Kim Yeon-ah (20, Korea University) emphasized that Kim Yeon-ah has to decide her future for herself.
Coach Orser said this as he met with the reporters with the last day's gala show ahead after the curtain fell on the 2010 ISU World Championship at the Palavela ice arena in Torino Italy.
Coach Orser said “As Kim Yeon-ah accumulated a lot of experience from Olympic, world championship and ice shows to make it her own and digesting it, her future will also be bright” about her prospects and that “She will make the decision about her future path herself.”
Coach Orser said “Kim Yeon-ah could devote herself to education or she could decide to just appear in ice shows. But I don't want to pressure her” showing that he'll will respect her decision.
Coach Orser was the main person who taught Kim Yeon-ah for the past 4 years to make her into the “Figure Skating Queen.”
As he spent 4 years raising a young skater with many immature aspects to a world renown star athlete, he could not hide his heart that does not want to see her leave.
Coach Orser said “I've enjoyed watching her mature as a skater and as person over the past 4 years.” and that “I was proud like a father as I experience the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic. During the Olympic, I also changed a lot emotionally. It was a surprising experience.”
And he said “For the first two years with me for Kim Yeon-ah practice was like work. As it is for many people, Kim Yeon-ah also did not enjoy training. But for the next two years, Kime Yeon-ah really enjoyed training. Also she became friendly with other skaters and matured socially.” as he looked back in time.
Coach Orser confessed that “I still hope that she will continue to compete, of course. I would like for her to compete with the same passion as before.”
However even as he said this, coach Orser firmly expressed that he has no thoughts of forcing Kim Yeon-ah to a particular path.
Coach Orser as he looked back when he was ending his completive career said “You have to give Kim Yeon-ah time to think too.”
He said “I did not talk about my future even after the Olympic and the world championship. After time past, one morning I opened my eyes and decided. That decision was for me and only me. It was the right decision.” looking back at his experience.
Coach Orser said “I want Kim Yeon-ah to be happy. When I asked her after the competition yesterday, she said she was happy. I was also happy after hearing that.” while smiling.
Source: Coach Orser "Leave Yeon-ah's to future to Yeon-ah"
Translator: Moogoonghwa @ YNKF
Date: March 29, 2010
Translations by Moogoonghwa@YNKF
Season wrap-up, Kim Yeon-ah “Good result thanks to your support”
“Future path is a choice between amateur and pro.” (Torino=Yonhap News) Reporter Go Dong Ok = “I feel good that the season that the season that I and my fans have been anticipating the most has concluded well.”
“Figure Skating Queen” Kim Yeon-ah, who concluded the dramatic season by winning the silver medal at 2010 ISU World Championship, expressed her carefree feelings. Kim Yeon-ah met with the reporters after performing beautifully in the competition's gala show on the early hours of 29th (Korea time) wearing a comfortable smile as she reflected back on the past season. She did not lose her smile even as she confided about the difficult period when she had to prepare for the world championship that came right after the Olympic ended.
“The difficult world championship… looking back after it ended, I think it was good that I came.”
Kim Yeon-ah who won the gold medal after receiving a 'Beyond the limits of imagination' score of 228.56 points wasn't able to rest much and had to prepare for the world championship right away. Because she had achieved her biggest goal, it was inevitable to suffer from despondency and lack of drive. Kim Yeon-ah smiled as she said “I had decided to come to the world championship after concluding the first competition of the season last October at Paris. At that time I gained confidence because the results were so good so I thought 'I should be able to do that no problem'.” Kim Yeon-ah said “I didn't think it would be so difficult after the Olympic. I regret it after it ended because it was so difficult.” and also “After winning the gold medal at Olympic, I was shaken by the though 'Why do I have to do it again when no one would say anything to me (if she had withdrawn)?' In addition, I was afraid to show a poor performance when I'm the Olympic champion.” she confessed. But she said “Coach Brian Orser said he also experienced the same thing and told me that 'It's something any athlete will experience, not just you.'” explaining how the preparation for the participation became stronger. While saying that she said “It wasn't as if I had a cursory training. In the last week, I trained similarly to the Olympic and it wasn't that I made mistakes because of cursory training. I gave it my all” However the aftereffect of the Olympic was huge. Kim Yeon-ah received 0 points for her layback spin by making a mistake that she normal doesn't at this competition's short program to finish in 7th place. The short program failure shook even the “stout heart” Kim Yeon-ah. Kim Yeon-ah said “As soon as the short program ended, I felt 'I shouldn't have come'. After the night past I felt okay again but as the morning practice didn't go well I thought till right before the competition 'I will quit and withdraw If it feels undoable as I'm skating'.” Kim Yeon-ah said “Fortunately I found calm as my condition was good during the 6 minute warm up just before the competition. I didn't worry after that.”
“Future path is a crossroad between continuing in competition or becoming a pro.”
The curtain came down on Kim Yeon-ah's 2009-2010 season after showing dramatic performance to the end. As much as the gold medal that she's been dreaming about hang around her neck, now the time to think about the future has come to even Kim Yeon-ah. Kim Yeon-ah said “There two paths for the future: to continue competing or to appear in show and going to school at the same time if possible.” “I have not given any thought to a plan of resting a bit and coming back later. That's because the state of mind at that time is important. Athletes who came out of retirement also thought that they did much as they could at the time but as they skated their minds changed again.” Kim Yeon-ah confessed that she has been agonizing about “maintaining skill level” and “stress”. “If I decide to continue competing, I think it would be because I think I could continue to maintain my current skill level. If not, it would probably because of the thought that I don't want to get stressed out for each competition.” Kim Yeon-ah said “Every time I trained the thought 'I don't think I could do this if I were to do this again' a lot. I get scared when I think about having to anticipate the next competition even after finishing a competition” confessing the stress felt as a skater. Also during her times as a young skater she had said “I was sad about missing out on having time with friends and not being experience school life.” However on the other hand she said “I was able to get to the highest place in the thing that I could be the best at. To come to this place from a young age is a huge result.” Also she added that “Even though it's difficult, because skating is ingrained in my body I once again skate proficiently. I skated well with my mind at ease during time when I skate after resting in Korea for a bit.” Even though she gets hesitant when asked about plans for even further future she said “I think I will be able to skate even 10 years from now. Wouldn't I be able to be like coach Orser who skated in ice shows just prior to becoming my main coach?” and she cause laughter after adding the conditional “If I don't gain weight.” Kim Yeon-ah also said “I trained with Kwak Min-jung for just a short time but there are a lot of things that I want to show her. When I look at things like that, I want to try to be a coach too. Though people around me try to discourage me, I want to try to help like an assistant coach too.”
“I want to eat a lot of delicious things.. interested in studying too”
Kim Yeon-ah will now return to Korea for the first time in a long time.
Even though she briefly returned after the Olympic but it was a short overnight stay not long enough to get the feeling of home coming.
Kim Yeon-ah said “It looks like I won't have time to get a driving license so I would like to eat delicious things without limit till my belly busts” and she cause laughter when she added “Don't say anything even if I gain weight.”
Of course it's not as if a leisurely vacation is waiting for Kim Yeon-ah as she hopes. Before returning to Toronto at about the end of May or beginning of June there are things that will keep her from breathing easy that remains like appearing in ice shows, shooting backed up advertisements and attending signings.
It's already difficult for her to live like friend of same age as she is treated as a top star.
Kim Yeon-ah said “I would like to have a life as a student but it's not easy. Even when I went just for greetings it became difficult as many people gathered. It's a bit scary too.”
“When I meet friends in Toronto, even though we wanted to do thing freely, we couldn't because of me. My friends stood up to protect me,” expressing her sadness about her life as a celebrity.
Kim Yeon-ah said “I did assignments as substitute for class work and there was a training dairy I wrote. While writing about things I experienced, it became fun.”
Especially she said “I took a course that was similar to counseling and it was interesting. Since I have a lot of experience as an athlete, it might be fun to study sports psychology” revealing her interest in academics.
Source: Season wrap-up, Kim Yeon-ah "Good result thanks to your support"
Translator: Moogoonghwa @ YNKF
Date: March 29, 2010