Select your final picks for the Grand Prix podiums in each discipline (select three medalists per poll)! Since these polls don’t allow you to order your votes, please share those in comments. Review all GP season-to-date results here. My predictions may be rather predictable, but I gladly welcome surprises…go underdogs! (I’m recalling Sandhu in ‘03, Asada in ‘05, and Abbott last year.)

My bets:
1) Oda
2) Lysacek
3) Takahashi

My bets:
1) Yu-Na
2) Rochette
3) Ando

My bets:
1) Shen & Zhao
2) Savchenko & Szolkowy
3) Pang & Tong

My bets:
1) Virtue & Moir
2) Davis & White
3) Pechalat & Bourzat

My analysis

I feel Jeremy Abbott will peak closer to Nationals and Olympics (or, at least I hope so), so I’ve left him off the podium here (guessing he’ll garner the pewter medal). He himself has stated that he doesn’t want to peak too early, so I feel that being the reigning champion here will prevent him from really being on the attack. With Joubert, Plushenko and Chan absent, these men better take advantage of this opportunity to build their confidence. Can anyone tell me when the last time was that the USA had three men at the GP Final (and if we ever have)? This seems to me a big, but much overlooked achievement. It hasn’t happened in at least a decade, as per my perusal of results as far back as they appear to go online. [UPDATE: Aaron at Axels, Loops & Spins has confirmed that the USA has never sent three men to the GP Final!]

My ladies predictions are the same as last year’s Worlds. I don’t think Wagner has enough momentum yet to medal here, but she’s gaining on the competition.

I think Shen & Zhao will best Savchenko & Szolkowy this time, but it will be VERY close. This has to be the most difficult to predict match up in all four disciplines!

And, when stacked next to each other (which hasn’t yet happened this season), I think Virtue & Moir will edge out Davis & White. With Belbin & Agosto, Delobel & Schoenfelder, and Domnina & Shabalin out of the picture here, this will hardly be telling of the Vancouver smack down.

The following is a brief profile of one of the athletes I interviewed for my upcoming book, “Lessons for a Strong, Healthy Life from 50 Athletes Over 50.” To get an email update for future posts, subscribe on this site.

Suzy Devers In-line Skating

Suzy Devers is a 57 year old ice and in-line speed skater, who lives in Louisville, Colorado, but grew up on the East coast where she ice skated from age 5 with her sisters and father. Suzy played other sports through the years, and in her 30’s began in-line skating for fun and exercise. Suzy’s love for ice skating re-emerged at age 52, and had her looking for a pair of speed skates for ice. It was hard to find equipment for ice skating in Colorado, and her quest put her in touch with a skating coach in Boulder, Colorado. The rest is history, and she went onto race in-line skates on the road, indoors, and on a banked track; as well as ice, at a multitude of distances.

Suzy loves the variety of the various forms of skating she does. She also loves how it connects her with the fond memories of skating when she was a child.

This past week I reconnected with my runner-self. My current active passion is rock climbing, but I was a competitive runner for many years. This past week, I was visiting my family in New York, where climbing was not accessible, but running was. I ran several times to help get my blood flowing and get in a some sort of workout. My first day in New York, I ran a four mile loop around Collin’s Park; a run that I had probably done 1000 times. When I started, my lungs and legs rejoiced in the oxygen rich air of sea level. I felt as if I was ticking off six minute miles, just like I used to, but I knew I was probably running much slower. Regardless, I felt great. I charged up the hill at the back of the lake, floated over the turtle backed roads and uneven slate sidewalks, with visions of the runner I used to be flashing through my mind’s eye.

As I ran through the neighborhoods of my youth, I reflected on the denim and flannel town that taught me so much. It is where my family, friends, teammates, teachers, and coaches lived. It’s also where I grew to know so many people.

As fatigue began to grow, starting in my feet and traveling up my legs, to eventually engulf most of my body, I began to consider stopping to see some people I used to know. While it would be nice and give my body a chance to recover, I realized that I am now an outsider, looking in. Knocking on their door would be like intruding on their life, to just end up running away again. So, I kept on running, passing cats in windows, new buildings, and houses that differed in my memory only in the color of their paint.

As I rounded a corner and headed down Sacandaga road, the road I used to walk every day as I went to high school, fatigue began to retreat, and my legs regained their spring. I felt again the runner I was. I passed the house I grew up in, which is in much better shape than when I moved out. I thought it ironic that my old house was in better shape, while I was in worse shape. The run completed, I relished the sweaty afterglow.

A few days later, I ran again up in Northville, New York. When I finished that run, I thought about how running was my first active love. I thought how the past couple runs reconnected me with my first love. It reminded me of that photograph we all might have in the basement, packed away in a box, of our first girlfriend or boyfriend. One that probably looks nothing like them today; one that might be crumpled and faded, but that when we see it, reminds us of the cool feeling of a first love. While I can’t be the runner I was, I can still connect with what it was like to experience that first active love.

Apparently it's not enough to just put it on a bumper sticker.

I have just returned from a weekend trip with my eldest son to Portland, Oregon. Apparently, the unofficial slogan of the city – which I could not find any mention of on the city’s official tourism website – is “Keep Portland Weird.” After spending two days there, I can sort of see why. It is a bit of a weird place, but it in many good ways. And it was only at the very end of our trip that I witnessed something that reminded me of just how important it is in some cases to go against the grain.

In keeping with my son’s love of public transit, as well as our travel budget, we rode the city’s cable cars and MAX light rail system everywhere. This was also in keeping with the “weird” theme in that it is unusual for a relatively small city like Portland to have such a highly developed public transit system. Furthermore, the New Yorker in me found it absurd that this all runs on an honor system as far as fare paying goes. Not once did an inspector check our tickets to make sure that we – or any other riders – had actually paid. And city government (in this city and others that utilize an honor system, like San Francisco) wonder why public transit is running a deficit? Maybe I’m just too cynical from years of riding the New York subway, but I think fare-beaters should at least have the decency to let the rest of us know who they are by brazenly jumping the turnstile.

Mill's End Park. The smallest in the world, it is easy to miss - especially if you are rushing along the busy expressway on either side.

Among the weird attractions in Portland are the smallest park in the world, the deepest train tunnel in North America, and the most non-family friendly looking donut joint I have ever seen. The minute I saw my eldest boy smiling proudly at being able to stand next to (note: not in) the smallest park in the world, Mill Ends Park, I knew he was truly his father’s son (for more about my family’s adventures in gardening on busy street medians, read my Adam in the Garden post).

At the Robertson Tunnel at the Washington Park MAX station, you can take the elevator (probably the fastest I have ever ridden in, save for the one in the World Trade Center z”l) 260 feet up to ground level to the entrance of the zoo. Only according to the floor indicator, you are not moving from the train platform to the surface, but between 16 million years ago and the present. I felt like snarkily screaming at the elevator, “I’m aging fast enough without adding another 16 million years on top of my recently celebrated 43, thank you!“

You can pick up a pair of skimpy undies along with a dozen donuts.

A warning to those of you who can picture a donut shop only as a squeaky clean, bright, cheery, child-friendly place. You may not be able to handle VooDoo Doughnut, where the decor is what can only be characterized as grungy goth. The lighting is dark, the walls are covered in sexy underwear imprinted with the VooDoo Doughnut logo (for purchase), and the staff could all be models for covers of magazines on extreme tattooing and piercing culture. The shop’s slogan is “The Magic is in the Hole.” Need I say more? Nonetheless, the place was packed with customers, the line snaking out the door and around the corner. And the vegan glazed cake donut my son and I shared sure was delish. Who says you have to look like the little guy in the Dunkin Donuts commercial to make good sickeningly sweet pastries?

The world's largest bookstore looks deceptively small from the outside.

The weirdest place we visited in Portland was weird in the most positive sense of the word. Powell’s City of Books is not a misnomer. It is the largest bookstore in the world, and it indeed feels like a city when you are in there. I once wrote that I could see myself moving into an IKEA, but I am now convinced that I would rather live in Powell’s, where a book lover like me could literally spend the rest of my life reading and not even get through a tiny fraction of all that printed matter before either reaching the end of my natural life span or dying from my brain exploding from literary overload. The Judaica section, where I spent much of our four hours (divided over two days) in Powell’s, while not including every Jewish book ever published, certainly boasted many rare finds (some worth reading, others not). I got so woozy in the store that I almost considered spending $7000 on a proof copy of the first edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Thank goodness my son, who although he is an avid reader is also very frugal, was there to figuratively catch me before I fell into debt whose depth not even the greatest of all wizards could make disappear.

Once you're inside you understand why it's called a city of books.

On the MAX train on the way to the airport at the end of our stay, I witnessed a most weird exchange. It was weird in the sense that it is did not play out as I expected it to, and it touched my heart. Midway through the ride, a couple of skater dudes plunked themselves down across from a casually, yet expensively dressed man who looked to be a few years older than I. The man was holding and looking at his PDA, and one of the skaters leaned right up to him and said,

“Hey mister, is that the new iPhone?”

“Yes,” the man replied.

“What’s it called?”

“The 3Gs.”

“What?”

“The 3Gs.”

The skater reached out his hand toward the iPhone and said, “Can I see it?”

My stomach clenched as I watched and listened from two seats away.

“Here, you can hold my skateboard,” offered the skater.

It was silent a moment as the man looked the skater in the eye.

“No need. Here, you can take a look at it,” he replied as he handed the skater the $500 phone.

The skater fiddled around with the phone a minute and handed it back to the man. “Cool. Thanks.”

A few stops later the skaters got off and the man continued his ride to the airport.

iPhone skateboard. Weird.

The true meaning of “weird” is something that is not natural. It has become natural not to trust others, especially if they appear different from you (as many in Portland do, owing to the rise in homelessness and living on the street due to extremely high unemployment in Oregon). Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers 1:6) teaches us, “hevei dan et kol ha’adam l’chaf z’chut,” judge every man to the side of merit. In other words, we need to give people the benefit of the doubt. My visit to Portland, and the episode on the train, reminds me that we all need to work on looking beyond stereotypes and pushing ourselves beyond our comfort zones. We need to not always do what comes naturally.

As we enter the season in which we bring light into the darkness through our various holiday observances, and we wish for peace on earth and good will toward people, let us all strive to be a little weirder.

© 2009 Renee Ghert-Zand

Fotógrafo: Alexey Lapin

Un tipejo subido a un monopatín destrozando un valioso bordillo y perseguido por otro tío que le graba mientras va encima del mismo “juguete” . Igual algo así eso es lo que piensa esa pareja, o quizás no… más de una vez he pasado patinando muy cerca de alguna anciana por las Ramblas y yo pensando que me devolvería una cara de mal rollo va y me devuelve unas risas y se agradece bastante. Lo que nunca falla la típica frase de: “Pero cuidado chico, ¡que te vas a partir la crisma!“

Pincha en la imagen para ver más fotos de Alexey Lapin.

Needless to say, I was NOT as motivated to get up and work out this morning as I was last night. I don’t know if I was just tired, or hungry and needing energy, but I felt out of it. But I did wake up an hour early and put it in my day.

The shred this morning was okay. I thought about doing Level 1, but I really love the arm work that is done in Level 2. (Especially when I put myself in front of a mirror ) I hate the oblique twists (cardio in circuit 2 I think?). I just hate it. I also hate the “skaters”. Sorry Jillian, but these things just aren’t my style. Today, instead of even ATTEMPTING these cardio exercises, I did jumping jacks for the oblique twists and did the beginner part of the skaters (not jumping side to side, just stepping). I think I will do Level 1 tomorrow, just to mix it up a little bit. I think it may be better for my body if I switched it up a little.

What do you think? Do you think after you do a certain workout so often it stops working? Would the shred, then, be a complete contradiction to this?

PS: I know I have viewers out there, so here is something fun I picked out for you to watch Enjoy!

Book cover

Every now and again someone asks me, “Who do you read?” I have a few favorite authors and some I follow more than others. (Wander on over to my website if you really want to know, www.joannaaislinn.com/Tidbits.html) Do I seek out books? Not particularly. I have a to-read list but generally speaking, most of my reads come to me, somehow wind up directly in my path. This was the case when I took my older son to the library a couple of weeks ago. As he browsed through the shelves for a book-report-biography, my gaze caught a familiar title, one I had to pick up: fairy-tale style love story of a hero, told through the heroine’s eyes, the kind that forces you to believe in romance at its highest level.

You see, this was real. The hero and heroine lived their love in our world, not one crafted at the keyboard. And, as in our stories, this heroine was faced with a life-changing inciting incident, yet her conscious choice to rise above proved an ultimately satisfying end.

I’m referring to the amazingly touching memoir, My Sergei, A Love Story, written by Ekaterina Gordeeva together with E.M. Swift. (Somehow, I could hear Ms. Gordeeva’s accent.) Together, they’ve shared a story so incredibly lovely, I’d have wanted to believe had it been fiction.  

Sergei and Ekaterina (a.k.a. ‘Katia’ or ‘Katusha’ to her beloved Sergei, Seroique or Serioza) met when both were very young. She was eleven, he fifteen and both training as figure skaters to represent communist Russia when they were paired. Long story short: they grew as friends, then closer friends, became lovers and married—all this by their very early twenties.

Skating governed their lives. Under the umbrella of Sergei’s quiet but constant protection and love Katia let Sergei rule her heart. She idolized him and recounted episode upon episode that showed what this pair meant to each other. Among the events that comprised their life together this one stands out. His skate caught in a soft patch of ice while they practiced a lift. She fell and landed on her forehead, spent the next six days hospitalized and resumed skating after another two weeks. During that time Sergei brought Katia her very first flowers and visited every day until she was cleared to return to the ice. Katia remembers he handled her that much more firmly and carefully after that, as if she were precious. They were skaters before the incident; a pair afterward.

 In 1988 they skated for Russia and won Olympic gold. Married and a daughter later their skating grew more extraordinary, touched not only by love but by an ability to bring their intimacy to the ice. Six years later, they commanded the podium a second time, this time for each other.

                                                                       Annaliese 2007 flickr.com

Then fourteen years ago today, Sergei died on the very ice this couple loved, the result of a heart attack. (They later learned he had a genetic type of undetected heart disease. His father had passed similarly, in Sergei’s mother’s arms, and ironically enough, so had his sister’s boyfriend). Ekaterina went on to give first hand insight into Sergei’s final moments and the hours that followed. “Yes, it’s clean,” were his final words, in reference to the fresh scent of his tee-shirt as they assumed a pose in order to initiate practice. He didn’t execute moves as he should, glided toward the boards and lowered himself to the ice. She forgot how to call for help in English. Later, at the hospital after he’d been declared dead, she sat with him, spoke to him at length and spent a very long time trying to warm his cold hands and feet. I still wonder what else she must have felt that day, and so many of the days after. She shared candidly how devastated she was, how she couldn’t remember a time when she hadn’t been loved and protected by Sergei, had never faced a situation without his wisdom to fall back on. Remember, she was eleven when they met. He’d been her greatest constant for more than half her life.  

              goordeeva.com                Annaliese 2007 flickr.com               

So like the heroines many of us read and/or write, she had to dig deep. She began by finding purpose through her dedication to her daughter and a return to skating. She did the ice alone. No one but Sergei had held her hand on the ice since they’d been paired so another partner was inconceivable. On the ice, the first time without him, at a memorial skating exhibition in his honor, she felt his strength and his presence, enough to make her bigger than the ice, she said. She skated that program twice and only for him.

Katia was twenty-four when Sergei died; he was twenty-eight. Recently I looked her up on online and wondered, fourteen years later, where she is? What turns has her life taken? I was glad to learn that several years later she’d met Ilia Kulik, loved again and gave birth to a second daughter. Seven years ago, she and Ilia married. They’ve skated solo and also as partners.

Sounds like a fairy-tale and wonderful character arc entwined? I say so. My Sergei, A Love Story is proof that romantic love exists in its purest form, can burrow its roots early in life and be the driving force I love to believe it can be. I have been inspired.

                                                                     Anneliese 2007  flickr.com

Three movement specialists come together for the first time in Toledo to offer dancers a rare opportunity:

DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE
A Body-Mind-Energy Experience for Dancers, Actors & Performers

Whatever kind of dance you do learn how to strengthen and magnify your stage presence

Move from the inside out

Clear out old injuries

Athletes have personal trainers, coaches & physical therapists to prep their bodies for competitions, keep them in top condition and connect them to the attitudes that help them move optimally and compete
in their field.

Now those who combine athleticism with art can have this too.

The Dynamic Performance retreat complements classes provided by the greater Toledo-area’s wonderful dance instructors

The Center at
Alternative Physical Therapy Ltd.
440 S Reynolds Road, Toledo

Sunday, January 31, 2010
1:00-4:00 p.m.

First Time In Toledo – Don’t miss it!

Deadline for $59 Early Registration is Jan. 1
Only 24 spots available first-come first-served

REGISTER NOW!
Please click on link below:

file://C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\EmbraceYourMagic\dancer pro bro final.pdf

Great for gymnasts, skaters, actors, singers and anyone who moves in performance!

BEAT STAFF REPORT

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Union Square.

The tree is up, the Holiday Ice Rink opens to skaters Wednesday. Some shots from this week when workers were busy getting the thing up and running in time for opening day.

Big shout out to Jessica Waight at Freebord Manufacturing, the group behind this awesome video that shows a group of 30 freebord skaters hurtling down a San Francisco street at night to re-enact a game of  Tetris.

Jessica kindly got in touch to tell me about this brilliant follow-up mini-documentarythat shows you how the group pulled off the stunt. It really is a feat of intense co-ordination and timing that comes off so well in the final video.

Check out the superb video, then head to the official Freebord website to see more great content.

Tony Alva y Ray Barbee hablan en estos vídeos de como empezaron en el mundo del skate, como era antes y como es ahora, las empresas y todo lo referente a la industria. Escuchadla con atención y aprendamos un poco todos de los que saben de verdad.

My last post (focusing on skaters) offers a natural dovetail into this one. Especially for those of you who haven’t yet seen much/any of the ‘09-‘10 season events to date (Grand Prix, as well as earlier Nebelhorn, Finlandia, or Liberty), or don’t feel skilled at identifying stand-outs, this serves as a short-list to acquaint you with the best programs. It’s impossible to completely separate out the skater or performance as a factor, but that isn’t the focus here. Also, these aren’t podium predictions, but they are in order of preference.

Program Diagram (Artist Larisa Gendernalik)

I’m covering only competitive programs, not exhibitions, and am skipping Compulsory Ice Dances. The focus here is on music selection and choreography (transitions, pacing, movement, ice coverage). I’m most drawn to programs that have a dramatic arc, musical contrast, or a strong emotional impact or levity. Here is one interesting look at the choreographic process, or evolution of a program.

Although fresh music selections were preferred, some tried-and-true selections still made the cut, because I love them so, or because their approach is new. For example, no Phantom of the Opera or Scheherazade programs were selected, and most latin/flamenco numbers (Suzuki, Rochette, Cohen and Chan SPs, Lambiel LP, etc.) need to be tabled for a good decade, as that style is so overused. Also, I’m allergic to Russian folk tunes and country music, of which there are many in the Ice Dance OD. Good costumes supported the selections, but weren’t pivotal. David Wilson wins here, with eight programs included, and Lori Nichol a close second, with five. Do they ever sleep?

David Wilson with Kim Yu-Na, and Lori Nichol with Salé & Pelletier

Men’s SP:

1) Adam Rippon: Dear Father, from Jonathan Livingston Seagull, by Neil Diamond (Choreo: David Wilson)
2) Evan Lysacek: Firebird, by Stravinsky (Choreo: Lori Nichol)
3) Stéphane Lambiel: William Tell Overture, by Rossini (Choreo: Salomé Brunner)

Men’s LP:

1) Jeremy Abbott: Symphony No. 3 in C minor (Organ Symphony), by Saint-Saëns (Choreo: Pasquale Camerlengo) – my overall season favorite
2) Jeffrey Buttle: Eclogue, by Finzi (Choreo: David Wilson) – why’d he retire!@#$
3) Nobunari Oda: Charlie Chaplin (Choreo: Nikolai Morozov)

Ladies’ SP:

1) Kim Yu-Na: 007 Medley (Choreo: David Wilson)
2) Alissa Czisny: Mask of Zorro (Choreo: David Wilson)
3) Caroline Zhang: Zigeunerweisen, by Sarasate (Choreo: Lori Nichol)

Ladies’ LP:

1) Kim Yu-Na: Concerto in F, by Gershwin (Choreo: David Wilson)
2) Akiko Suzuki: West Side Story, by Bernstein (Choreo: Shae-Lynn Bourne)
3) Joanie Rochette: Samson and Delilah, by Saint-Saëns (Lori Nichol)

Pairs’ SP:

1) Pang & Tong: Le Pêcheurs de Perles, by Bizet (Choreo: Nicolai Morozov)
2) Shen & Zhao: Who Wants to Live Forever, by Queen (Choreo: Lori Nichol)
3) Langlois & Hay: Fascination (Choreo: David Wilson)

Pairs LP:

1) Shen & Zhao: Adagio, by Albinoni (Choreo: Lori Nichol)
2) Dube & Davison: The Way We Were, by Hamlisch (Choreo: Wilson)
3) Pang & Tong: Impossible Dream, by Hisaishi (Choreo: Bourne, Wilson)
+) Savchenko & Szolkowy: Out of Africa, by John Barry (Choreo: Ingo Steuer) updated 11.2.09!

Ice Dance OD:

1) Davis & White: Indian Folk Dance (Choreo: Marina Zueva, Igor Shpilband)
2) Navarro & Bommetre: Brazilian Folk (Choreo: Renée Roca)
3) Chock & Zuerlein: Afro Cuban Folk (Choreo: Igor Shpilband)

Ice Dance FD:

1) Virtue & Moir: Symphony No. 5, by Mahler (Choreo: Zueva, Shpilband)
2) Faiella & Scali: Gli Emigranti, by Rota (C: Paola Mezzadri, Ludmila Vlasova)
3) Belbin & Agosto: Ave Maria / Amen, by Caccini / Rossini (C: Natalia Linichuk)

Neither Domnina & Shabalin’s, nor Delobel & Schoenfelder’s programs were considered for this, since both have yet to perform their new programs in intl. competition (if you find videos, please share them). It was difficult to leave out Ashley Wagner’s (Polovtsian Dances) and Sasha Cohen’s (Moonlight Sonata) LPs, and Jeremy Abbott’s (Beatles) SP! On the flip side, there is a bit of a drought of memorable programs among the ladies’ SPs.

Click on these links to view complete programs by discipline (some details are not up-to-date): Ladies’, Men’s, Pairs’, Ice Dance.

Are there any glaring omissions, or your favorites that I overlooked?

Check out these awesome videos of sick girl skaters!

ALL GOOD SKATERS KNOW THAT THERE’S DAYS WHEN LUCK IS JUST NOT ON YOUR SIDE. ON THOSE DAYS IT’S BETTER TO JUST PACK IT IN, MEDITATE ON THAT RUN,  &  PREPARE  FOR ANOTHER DAY. THESE GIRLS  HAD ONE THING & ONE THING ONLY ON THEIR MINDS

NEVER SAY DIE!

Harrison St. Mix is a collaboration between filmers and skaters in Oakland, Ca. This video consists of old and new footage mixed together highlighting the Harrison St. skate scene.

Created By:
BackwoodBurner and Tres Reyes

Featuring:
Rob McGuinness, Mike Reyes, Ben Winslow, Errol Langdon, D’ontae Smith, Jon Stallings, Major Jones, Ray Artis, Holden Tal, Ali Karayel, Nick Yniguez and other Bay Dudes.

Premieres:
Wednesday Nov 18th at The Avenue (between 48th St & 49th St)
4822 Telegraph Ave. Oakland, Ca

Details:
Must be 21+
$2 PBRs and $4 Jager Specials

As the skating season drives madly onward, I find myself measuring my pulse, as I watch each Olympic hopeful, to see who makes my heart beat the faster. But, instead of falling easily head over heels for one favorite per discipline, I discover that it’s just not that simple. It dawned on me that the familiar facebook.com “Relationship Status” categories best define my feelings.

Inevitably, this does begin to hint at a wish list for Gold in Vancouver. I know, it’s supposed to be more about the journey than the destination, more about the battle than the glory, yadda yadda yadda. But, I’m an immediate gratification kinda guy, so I want the results! And, if you were honest with yourself, isn’t that where your head goes as you watch the Grand Prix events unfold?

However, this is in NO way a prediction of the champions, or a comprehensive look at the possible podiums (that will come much later), just an attempt to figure out who I may need to dump…or, if I can comfortably swim in this two-timing and non-monogamy! More simply, who am I really going to root for as this season progresses?

Pairs’ Status: “It’s Complicated”

My long-time, all-time favorites Shen and Zhao (CHN) have already proven themselves in their comeback bid. At Cup of China they accrued the highest total pairs’ score this season. More than any other pair, they have an ability to send me reaching for the tissues. Their on-ice connection is so deep, so passionate, so real…like a true expression of who they are individually, and as a couple. I felt that only his injury robbed them of the gold that would have been theirs in Torino. They have also grown immensely since they first hit the international scene. At first they seemed to be purely technical skaters, but then their artistry emerged. I love it when skaters evolve in this way, especially when their artistry doesn’t appear to be so innate (I also think of Sarah Hughes, who was positively coltish when she debuted at Nationals).

However, Savchenko and Szolkowy (GER) have worked so hard over the past four seasons, and consistently delivered (well, except at Trophée Eric Bompard) stunningly difficult choreography and technical content: transitions, triple jumps, and expression. They, with their coach Ingo Steuer have a very unique vision of who they are and what they want to put out on the ice. Their moves look like no other pairs team, including their refreshing mirror footwork. And, although noone’s talking about it, I believe Robin would be the first black figure skating Olympic gold medalist (or, perhaps of any color medal). That would be a wonderful history-making precedent! (I invite you to proove me wrong.)

Sadly, because of Sav/Szol’s meltdown at TEB, we don’t have a solid apples-to-apples comparison of how they’ll match up. And, the same may be true at the GP Final, since Sav/Szol may not make it there. Perhaps in Vancouver we’ll have another pairs’ tie, so I won’t have to settle on one team!

Men’s Status: “In an Open Relationship”

I feel as if my status with Johnny Weir (USA) has been downgraded to “Widowed” after Rostelcom Cup, and being largely let down by his new programs. So, I’m shifting my focus for now. There is such a buffet of exceptional men to choose from, I’m opting for the freedom of this “Open Relationship”.

Stéphane Lambiel (SUI) was my first love out of the current competitive field. By now, we’re practically “old and married”. But, I’m so pleased he is returning this season, and his new William Tell SP suits his sophisticated yet youthful approach very well. The footwork is perfectly choreographed to the famous up-tempo portion of the overture. I would love to see him claim the gold that he missed in Torino.

After years of playing hard-to-get with Evan Lysacek (USA), I have finally caved and accepted it as my fate. He has proven his character and the depth of his competitive fire and fight, and reached a new level of elegance this season. With his 6′ 2″ stature, he glides across the ice like a statuesque ballet dancer. It’s quite a vision! He has finally opened up to his inner girl, appearing much more vulnerable and expressive (complete with Vera Wang). That’s oh-so-much more appealing than the more one-note masculine caricature he was in the past.

Who hasn’t been wooed by Charlie “Nobunari” Chaplin (JPN) this season? He certainly picked the right season to peek in, with his inner comedian emerging in full bloom. And, his oft discussed soft knees on jump landings are as beautiful as ever. The spring he gets in his jumps is not of mere mortals. His short stature is icing-on-the-cake, as it makes him all the more endearing and loveable.

Early last season Daisuke Takahashi (JPN) seemed on top of the world, and was laying down his cutting-edge hip-hop Swan Lake SP. No other competitive male dances like him on the ice, or uses their body as fully as he does in his footwork. He displays power, with a cool, contemporary edge. However, he has lost that momentum, and I’m not a fan of his new programs. I hope he can return to at least some of his former glory.

I am developing a crush on Adam Rippon, but I’ll wait til 2014 for the real thing. Jeremy Abbott’s new LP to Saint-Saëns’ Organ Symphony No. 3 is a revelation, but he still needs to “let it go” to draw me in more fully.

Ice Dance Status: “It’s Complicated”

Virtue & Moir (CAN) have the most palpable connection of any of the ice dance teams. Their passion and expressivity feel the most real to me…not a “performance”. Their Mahler FD is perfection, and touches me because of the music selection alone, not to mention the execution. There is a stillness, and yet a controlled abandon to the program. Sure, their lifts and twizzles are at mach speed, but that’s not what makes you fall in love.

But, Delobel & Schoenfelder (FRA) are my sentimental favorites, and are at/near the end of their competitive careers. She is fighting an uphill battle to get back in shape after her pregnancy, and I haven’t yet seen their new programs, but, they have so much heart and warmth, and innovativeness. Their maturity and experience have surely nurtured these qualities.

I would love for the U.S. to snag its first ever ice dance Olympic gold medal, and I always enjoy Belbin & Agosto and Davis & White, but neither yet captivate me entirely. Tanith’s expression can ring a bit false for me, and I feel Davis & White need a few more years develop an even deeper and truer sense of storytelling and who they are. Navarro & Bommentre are personal favs, but not medal contenders.

Ladies’ Status: “In a Relationship with…”

This is the one discipline in which I’m relishing a honeymoon phase. And, she certainly ain’t no underdog. It is Kim Yu-Na (KOR). I can’t think of a skater who provides me with such complete satisfaction. She has owned this season, and the last, dominating as the clear favorite. I think the field is a lot less interesting with this sort of dominance, and I certainly root for the underdogs (and U.S. ladies), because that’s part of what makes the Olympics really come alive (ie: Arakawa, Hughes, Lipinski, etc.), but it will take a lot for another skater to stage an upset.

Yes, I love aspects of other skaters…Sasha’s spirals and extensions are unbeatable, Alissa’s spins and glide are perfection, and Alena has more spunk than Richard Simmons, but Yu-Na has enough of all that, in one package. If Mao could return to her former glory, well, then, my ladies’ status might need to change. But, hopefully, it’ll soon be upgraded to “Married”!

Disclaimer:

Please note that none of the relationships alluded to above are real. I am purely delusional, and having too much fun. And, it appears I’m somehow immune to the wooing of the current Russian crop of skaters.

Hosted by the Elite Masters!

Announcing an ALL NEW series of clinics, just in time for Halloween. Young skaters take notice, these are offered ONLY at jcm. They’re positively nightmarish, frightful, macabre, and diabolical!

Triple Axe-L Murder: OFF your chances at scoring high! If you’re a skater with great promise, and otherwise perfect technique, this is the clinic for you. Led by Mao Asada and Stephane Lambiel. Johnny Weir will provide stylish merch.

Spooky Arms Clinic: Hide a lack of choreography with this deceptively difficult technique. Learn this creepy art of “wavy”, sewn-on looking arms, with Miki Ando and Plushy. See results quick!

Mummy Wrapped Leg: Find out how to do the horrendous and altogether distracting leg wrap on your triple flips, lutzes, and toes, with Yukari Nakano. Word has it Midori Ito may show up to offer some special tips.

B-Movie Horror Melt-Down: Horrify the audience with over-the-top techniques, from the new queen of the on-ice melt-down, Carolina Kostner. Featuring a primer in how to “pop” jumps and throw it all away in four minutes. Alissa Czisny is the emcee for the evening.

Guillotine Leg Take-Offs: Sever your chance of getting on the podium with a monstrous raise and swift downward drop of ye old leg, before your triple lutzes and flips! Sarah Hughes became an Olympic Champion doing it. Now, learn by Caroline Zhang’s example.

Linda Blair Head-Spot: Are your jumps or spins feeling too fast or just plain easy? Incorporate a head-spot, with help from its sole elite exponent, Kevin van der Perren. It’ll be positively hair-raising, and will help slow ya down! Sponsored by Emanuel Sandhu.

Death By Drowning: Sink your programs with famous Russian coach and Tsarina Tatiana Tarasova. Why look vibrant and full of life on the ice when you could adopt a cold austerity, and dark, melodramatic programs? And you thought you couldn’t fall through rink ice?! (Cue evil laughter.)

Devilish Behavior: Flaunt your cockiness with lackadaisical program endings, and faux confident hand poses and finger points. Be the next alpha male on ice, thanks to input from Plushy and Brian Joubert.

Zombie Face: Capitalize on the recent mainstream obsession with zombies, and suck all the life outta your own programs with Caroline Zhang’s new techniques in lack of facial expression. Find out how to act like you just don’t wanna be there.

Freaky Perfection: Acquire a frightening Stepford Wives’ perfection, with Kim Yu-Na. Assure that your strength is your lack of weakness, and make people wonder if you can possibly be real.

Ghastly Costuming: Why save your Halloween costumes for Halloween? Wear them all season long! Learn how to dream-up and “work” costumes that get talked about more than your skating! Savchenko and Szolkowy offer the first half in applying clown makeup. Next up is Johnny Weir, showing you how to imagineer your own corset and Skeletor rib set. Rounding it out, Ekaterina Rubleva will share fun with feather boas!

Disclaimer: This was inspired in part by some recent highly creative posts by Laura over at Required Elements. In the spirit of Halloween, everyone should be able to laugh at themselves, right? (Yes, me included!) So, I took advantage of this holiday to lampoon the quirks of some of the best skaters in the biz, and even some of my favorites. It’s out of love for them and the sport…otherwise it wouldn’t be half as fun. I hope you had fun! Any other clinic concepts I missed (especially in Ice Dance)?

Due to my new project of sticking my nose into the intriguing world of alternative sports, I come across roller derby quite often.

Did you know? Derby is criticized for not being a sport. It’s good to know that golf is called a sport but major disputes arise over derby… hmm…

If you have been following my rushmonkey blog, then you would know that early on, I did a small expose on derby. It didnt last long though. I realized that I am sucky on the 4-wheels and I had to turn away for a while. In addition, for personal reasons, I chose not to get myself involved in derby.

Recently, I got invited to participate on the recreational league of roller derby. This rec league consists of a few primer classes then a few competitive classes. This way, I can get some experience.So, I decided, what the hell. There is a fabulous opportunity!

Derby is like tsunami surfing, you cant just jump in and get involved! There is much practice that needs to be acquired.

So, here I am. My first primer class is this coming Sunday. Not only does the time change, but it’s the day after Halloween; my BIRTHDAY!!

I may be hurting a lil, just a little. But i’m counting on the experience to pull me out of my Halloween fog!

Wish me luck!~~~

Check out the Texas Rollergirls here and the rec-n-roller derby league here…

-xoxo

Matthew Deak, DVS Director de Arte.

…Lo que ves es lo que obtienes. Si tuviera que explicar en términos muy básicos, habia una pila de madera y no había skate. La mejor parte acerca de skate al igual que todas las otras formas de actividades que pueden ser elevados al arte, estan obviamente abiertas a discusión subjetiva. Entre “buenos” y “malo” o “sí” y “no”, pero lo bueno es que aqui pasan un montón de cosas interesantes entre los extremos. Y no importa las ideas que tuve, la verdadera está en la creatividad de los seis patinadores y el fotógrafo que hicieron posible esto. Debido a que muchas veces no hay historia, no hay explicación, sólo el concepto y ejecución. Si el resultado son fotografías de la ejecución,si son desconcertantes mejor, esa es la explicacion. En nada siempre hay algo, es algo que deja a los espectadores interpretar por sí mismos…

Link | ProyectoAurora

Pairs’ SP

What a relief to see the old (yet new) “McBru” back!!! They appeared so relaxed and calm. Their 3T had great height, and is close to competitive with the best in the field. On an aesthetic note, I’d vote for Rockne to wear a single color/piece costume, as it would lengthen his line. His current two-tone top and tights ensemble instead accentuate his stockiness.

I was once again reminded that the gamine Yuko Kavaguti (of Kavaguti & Smirnov) is indeed THE most flexible contemporary ladies skater. Her extension appears unstoppable. Every position and even jump seems to be finished off with a spiral position or pointed foot. It is both beautiful, and yet coltish at the same time.

I was thrilled to discover that Pang & Tong’s SP music was from Bizet’s opera Les Pêcheurs de Perles (The Pearfishers). I’ve never heard it used by a skater, and it was ripe for the pickin’. I’m, of course, a big proponent of using fresh operatic selections for skating programs (that of course excludes Carmen, Turandot, and much of Madama Butterfly). It is the tenor aria “Je crois entendre encore”, sung by the character Nadir. Enjoy this most beautiful rendition of it, sung very idiomatically by the great french tenor Alain Vanzo. Amusingly, a pop recording of this aria was also made in ‘05 by Alison Moyet (formerly of Yaz)

They proved to be in top form, even at this early phase. I hope they medal in Vancouver (just below Shen & Zhao, that is).

I have a new skater crush (which could land me in jail, as he was born the year I graduated from high school) on Alexei Rogonov, of up-and-comers Martiusheva & Rogonov. This team, new to the Seniors, has a beautiful aura and presentation. They have great “backs” (ie: posture), and she looks like a young Grace Kelly, and he a young Val Kilmer…well, sort of.

Men’s SP

It was so great to finally get to see Johnny’s new SP. Unfortunately, I do agree somewhat with Paul Wylie’s assessment that the sizzle was greater than the steak. BUT, in some ways I feel like this program presents Johnny in a light more true to himself than any before (ala pop star/diva-on-ice, or runway model)…that is, more flirtatious, and less restrained. I feel that Johnny was more passionate and told more of a story than he has for several seasons. The costume is certainly his most flamboyant to date, complete with man-corset. I love the daring black and hot pink color combo. However, the music itself (by di Blasio), which I believe is in part Plushenko’s old music (perhaps from his ‘01-’02 LP?), resembles tinny elevator music. I didn’t see much of David Wilson’s stamp on this program, and it just doesn’t feel on the level of his programs for Yu-Na.

Speaking of “Plushy”…he layed out perhaps the most beautiful 3A I’ve ever seen (not to mention his 4/3 combo). It had a delay, before the set down. I suppose I have to learn to live with his wavy arms, as they are just part of his signature movement, and I’ve decided to surrender my previous judgement of him and welcome him back enthusiastically (not that he needs it). He offers a competitive excitement that I’ve missed, and I honor his chutzpah. Who else can sit out of this current COP field for four years, and come back like that? In the old days, when the bar was lower it was easier…now it’s close to miraculous.

My partner, CJ, was complaining that Plushy had “had his time”. I replied, “skaters aren’t like bread…they don’t have an expiration date!” Hell, my argument is always, if they can get back into fightin’ shape, it is their right, and our privilege to see things shaken up a bit!!!

Also, amusingly, when Florent Amodio went down on his 3S, CJ called it “Salchow Tipping” (see right). BTW, it was great to see Florent on Senior ice. He has a lot of promise. And, keep an eye on that Artem Borodulin!

Ladies’ SP

Alissa is starting to put the sizzle back in Czisny again!!! She looked so composed, and yet so engaging. I was very proud of her for not rushing her jumps, and skating a nearly clean program. I hope this is a continuing trend!

Amber Wagner really has evolved into a very sophisticated and sexy skater. The details and nuance of her SP are notable. I felt she was a bit undermarked, especially as there were no visible mistakes. Perhaps her jumps were not as big or her glide as fast as Júlia Sebestyén’s (who staged a major upset, and is in first).

Many years back I often found myself rooting for Júlia. When she won her European title in Hungary, I was ecstatic. However, much of her glow wore off for me in recent years. Well, the joy and energy in her skating was visible again, and she looked positively renewed. Even her physical appearance and hairstyle are much more warm and “open” than in recent years, which offered a much less appealing (to me anyways), edgy, Euro-trash look.

Miki Ando’s SP is billed as the “Mozart Requiem”. Well, it’s really a musical mash-up, also incorporating what sounds like some generic horror movie soundtrack music. That was a disappointment. Perhaps I’m a purist, but Mozart’s Requiem doesn’t need anything added to it, and should stand on its own. On the whole though, I think the drama and severity of her program actually suit her style of movement and look. Having just watched my fifth suspense/horror film of the Halloween season, “Drag Me to Hell”, I kept expecting her program to summon up a demon (ie: the “Lamia”!). Cue evil laughter!

In the sea of the average Russian Seniors ladies’ skaters, Alena Leonova has won me over. No, I don’t consider her to be a real contender for an Olympic medal, I despise folk song programs (Americans don’t skate to Peter, Paul & Mary, or Woody Guthrie, why do singles skaters feel the need to explore their folk roots on ice? In ice dance, I know it’s often a requirement.), and her style is not very evolved, but she has the most infectious smile, and a genuine verve…shades of Slutskaya.

Signing off, for now…

Any More Superlatives Left?

So often in contemporary operagoing and opera critique there is a bemoaning of talent on the level of the famed “Golden Age”…at least the second Golden Age (‘60–‘70s). The first one was in the mid-to-late 19th century, but noone’s around to remember that, thank God! It gets rather tiresome, and it especially disrupts the explorations of people experiencing the art for the first time. If I am a proponent of such talk (and I know I periodically digress), just slap me.

So, what a relief it is that in the current skating world we have a talent so undeniably great no such critique needs to be endured. It’s not exactly a new concept to praise “PHENOM” Kim Yu-Na, but that’s because it is so justly deserved. Does one person constitute a Golden Age? In this case, yes!

I just finished watching her FS at Trophée Eric Bompard (not to mention her SP!). This girl LEFT OUT a triple flip and still ended up with a personal best AND world record final score of 210.03, beating Mao Asada by 36 points. The missed jump was no more than a hiccup, and had no impact on the overall program. (Imagine what her score would have been had she not skipped the flip!) Thankfully, her program and costume support her Tiger Woods-scaled perfection. David Wilson’s (choreo.) “Piano Concerto in F” LP (Gershwin) enables her to flirt with the audience, judges, and cameras (ie: benefiting us couch potatoes)! Honestly, it looks like only Jeff Gillooly could stop her from being Olympic Champion now.

The Joy of Skating

It is truly inspiring to experience the art and athleticism of someone who is so complete in every way. “The House of Orser”, as I like to call it, which includes both Yu-Na and Adam Rippon, clearly nurtures not only skating excellence, but also the joy of skating. Isn’t that what it’s all about? Both of these skaters were among the few singles skaters at this competition who really portrayed that spirit on the ice. And, congrats to Adam for being the only U.S. skater on any of the podiums! What a great way to start his senior intl. career! I loved his “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” SP. It had shades of Matthew Savoie’s “Mission” LP…with a real soul, and spirituality.

I can’t leave out Nobunari Oda, who gave 120% in both programs. It’s so good to see him back on top! His Charlie Chaplin LP has loads of character, and really tells a story, something that is getting lost in the demands of the current COP. And, Tomas Verner’s SP to “Zorba the Greek” was also effervescent, boyish, and charming (costume included…I want one!).

Yukari Nakano’s “The Firebird” (Stravinsky) LP deserves a big thumbs-up. Marina Zueva (choreo.) has actually selected a piece of music that is fresh in the ladies’ field, and created a real dramatic arc, with emotion inducing moments. Yukari’s exotic unitard also supports the uniqueness of the program, and accentuates her exceptional athleticism.

Let ‘Er Rip!

Since the television commentators can’t say it, I will! Tatiana Tarasova, however great a coach she may have been for Yagudin, is sinking Mao Asada (and, apparently wasn’t a great fit for Shizuka or Sasha either). BOTH her programs hang around her neck like dead weights, when her former effervescent spirit likely wants to “sing” across the ice. I feel as if Tarasova is trying to turn Mao into Russia’s Pride (since they don’t have a realistic female Olympic Champion), rather than celebrating what makes her special, and bringing out what would really allow her to thrive. It reminds me of a chef who takes a traditional dish and works way too hard to make it new or different, thereby rendering it unrecognizable, OR like a heavy-handed conductor who is so eager to leave an imprint on a piece of music that they rob it of its inherent attributes. Please, call Lori Nichol before it’s too late!!! Kim’s timing to peek is proving to be as good as Mao’s is bad, in this Olympic season.

Who kidnapped the real Caroline Zhang and replaced her with a fembot? Perhaps it was what the commentator referenced as her outlook on these earlier competitions as “practice”, but NONE of her former spirit was in evidence, and her face was utterly expressionless. It was as if she didn’t want to be on the ice. Any chance it could be attributable to Anne Patrice McDonough-style “stage mother”-related burn out? She did skate very cleanly, excepting one step-out on a landing. Dig deep Caroline, you are VERY special and highly skilled…don’t get bogged down by the COP and downgrade concerns so much so that you offer up a flatlined performance (worthy of a fast-forward on TiVo).

Pairs/Ice Dance Overview

Inoue and Baldwin landed their throw triple axel for the first time since 4CC in ‘07. It was a beauty. I hope it gives them the needed kick in the pants to push themselves…I feel like they’re sort of going through the motions in the rest of their program, so if they’re going to beat out younger U.S. teams for an Olympic berth, they better really “bring it”, and proove they deserve to be there again.

I was horrified to see Savchenko and Szolkowy’s melt down. It was SO uncharacteristic, and I don’t believe they’ve ever done that before. But, perhaps it offered them some good learning, so they won’t “lose themselves” too much in their LP at the critical end of the season, leaving behind any details. I love their LP music (“You’ll Never Walk Alone”), but their costumes looked like they were ready for a Carmen Miranda or Brazilian Carnaval number!?

It was shocking to see Mukhortova and Trankov look as if they’ve spent the past year in pair’s therapy (“…and, Maria, how does that make you feel?”). Clearly they’ve successfully channeled their angst into their skating. Good for them. They do have a beautiful Russian classicism.

I was expecting Dubé and Davison’s “The Way We Were” LP to be on the level of Sale and Pelletier’s “A Love Story”, but I was let down. They have some great qualities, but there was very little story telling or one-ice flirting going on, for which the program begs. And, I didn’t get the feeling it is just early in the season…the program just didn’t seem to have that element at all, really.

In Ice Dance, I was only able to watch Virtue and Moir’s FD (“Symphony No. 5″, by Mahler), and it was/is an unqualified masterpiece. They will be nearly unbeatable in Vancouver. They embody passion, beauty, perfection, grace, to name just a few of their attributes. On the U.S. side, I have always been a Navarro and Bommentre fan, so I hope they can raise their placement as the season progresses.

I’m turning 33 this week and I’ve asked my wife to take me to see Where the Wild things are a movie directed by a Spike Jonez.  I grew up skateboarding and Spike Jonez used to photograph skaters for tha magazines I worshiped…  He has a great style that I appreciate and is a good example of someone who has made their “path”.

This morning I am paper macheing myself a halloween costume.  I’ll be sure to post the results!  I think I’m in need of a home studio…  sure of it actually.

My theme for 2010 is to be my creative self.

wild things illustration

I used the Mojo Monday Sketch #107    

I used the Stampin’ Up! Winter post stamp set , Soft Suede cardstock and Christmas Cocoa Specialty Designer Series Paper.

You’ve heard the saying, “Birds of a feather flock together” right? The very old proverb that has been in use since the 16^th century, it’s a pretty simple concept; people with similarities, whether likes, dislikes or common interests, always seem to associate with each other.

What is it that makes us want to hang out with people who are like us; it seems so monotonous doesn’t it? Maybe even a little bit safe, or comfortable.

In my realm of living and breathing, I see this all the time. It’s kind of funny to watch people and the discomfort they seem to feel when someone who is different comes into the circle. It’s like they go from being completely normal too totally inept.

How do I talk to them? What do they like? Will they think I’m weird? They look mean…etc.

I’m sure we’ve all had moments like this. It’s not easy stepping outside your comfort zone, into a world of people you may not know how to interact with. I know there are times when I don’t like it. I automatically put someone in a box and don’t give myself a chance to get to know them. I assume they are a certain way, and then I assume I won’t like it and then I just continue on with my life.

Funny thing is this. Whenever I actually decide that I’m not really all that great, and go ahead and talk to somebody that I ordinarily wouldn’t…I find I really enjoy it! I like hearing about things I don’t normally hear about, or learning things from other people, or having a friend who is totally not what anyone would expect!

It all starts when we are very young. We are taught to put people into groups and to make sure we know which ones not to be around and which ones are okay. In schools you have the Goths, Preps, Tomboys, Nerds, Jocks, Cheerleaders, Losers, Bullies and everyone else in between. What would happen if people  past the façade of humanity, and what we’ve been taught, and looked a little deeper before jumping to conclusions about someone based on race, gender, religion, ethnicity or appearance? Would it be so bad to reach out a hand of kindness to someone who doesn’t fit into your version of the world?

“I can relate to anyone. I can hang out with stoners, skaters, surfers, stockbrokers, lawyers, athletes, rappers. I feel I can hang out with any group of people and find common ground to talk with them.”  - Barry Zito 

You may not need any new friends, or want any new “birds” in your flock, but someone else may need you. It’s not always about what we want, or what works for us, but about breaking barriers and doing something for someone else. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it.

Thanks for reading!

Anche lo skateboarding, un po’ come l’hip hop, inzia ad avere una vecchia scuola proprio a livello anagrafico, non più solo per qualche anno di militanza in più nel giro. Oggi lo skater e regista Stacy Peralta infatti compie 52 anni. Nel 2002 al Torino Film Festival ho visto il suo Dogtown and Z-Boys. Il seguente articolo, su quel notevole documentario di Peralta, lo scrissi all’epoca per la rivista cinematografica on line ENOL – Effetto Notte On Line.

Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, prima metà degli anni Settanta: nelle ville in cerca di acquirente, temporaneamente abbandonate, le piscine sono vuote anche a causa di una grande siccità. Qui, dopo un’accorta ricognizione, s’intrufola un gruppo multirazziale di adolescenti provenienti da Dogtown, quartiere malfamato e fatiscente della metropoli californiana. Attrezzati per svuotare e pulire le piscine (all’occorrenza anche attaccandosi di nascosto alla corrente elettrica della villa limitrofa), i ragazzini sanno che da un momento all’altro potrebbe arrivare la polizia. Perché sono qui? Beh, la loro tavola da surf si è rimpicciolita, ha messo le ruote e da qualche tempo le onde che cavalcano sono diventate d’asfalto. Dogtown and Z-Boys è la storia degli ingenui pionieri delle evoluzioni sullo skate (loro sono arrivati a scoprire vertical e aerial), veri rivoluzionari nel loro ambito, in primis perché, puntando tutto su uno stile “radical”, hanno definito le regole di un nuovo sport anche infrangendo la legge. Una crew nata attorno al negozio di surf dei mentori Jeff Ho e Skip Engblom, i cui membri diventano presto gli idoli di Ian MacKaye dei Fugazi o ancora di altri personaggi del mondo musicale come Henry Rollins e Jeff Ament dei Pearl Jam, che li scoprono grazie alle foto pubblicate sulle pagine della rivista ‘Skateboarder’.
È Stacy Peralta (1957), uno degli z-boys (dove z sta per Zephyr, come il nome del negozio), l’autore di questo orgoglioso e appassionato ritratto di un team di skater da molti visto come l’equivalente di una qualsiasi gang di strada, ma che applicando le tecniche del surf, ha determinato la sorte di quella tavola supportata da ruote in uretano. Proprio questa sostanza chimica ha costituito un aiuto fondamentale per la crew, la cui peculiarità principale può così diventare la completa torsione del corpo con le mani che automaticamente vanno a poggiare, senza controindicazioni (con altri materiali il rischio caduta era nettamente maggiore), sul terreno, non più sul mare. Una storia coinvolgente, con numerose e preziose immagini di repertorio che restituiscono il sapore e, soprattutto, i colori di un’epoca rimpianta da più parti. Una storia rovinata dal violento ingresso degli sponsor, dall’avvento del professionismo o, è il caso di Jay Adams (attualmente in carcere), dall’abuso di droga. Proprio Adams e Tony Alva sono ancora considerati dal resto degli z-boys i membri che meglio incarnano lo stile del gruppo, tutto grazie a un talento puro e alla capacità di trovare e sviluppare nuove tecniche con una pratica costante. Mentre i due si raccontano non si può fare a meno di notare i loro denti scheggiati, e il nesso causale con le acrobazie che facevano sullo skate, spesso senza alcuna protezione, è automatico.
L’albero genealogico del surf ha dato vita allo skateboard e, più recentemente, allo snowboard. Stacy Peralta ha portato sul grande schermo una storia collettiva creatasi attorno a questa famiglia e il suo documentario, che si apre sulle note di Ezy Ryder di Jimi Hendrix, riesce a divertire e interessare anche chi non ha mai avuto niente a che fare con questo mondo. Dogtown and Z-boys funziona, un po’ come tutti i racconti riguardanti persone che, quando si mettono in gioco per una passione, lo fanno senza mezzi termini, spesso correndo dei rischi sulla propria pelle; attributi spesso latitanti in chi sceglie di fare cinema, a parte rare eccezioni come quella di Werner Herzog che, proprio con un documentario autoreferenziale (Kinski – il mio nemico più caro), ha definitivamente svelato questa sua attitudine.