Taped recently in Washington, D.C., Hallmark presented the 2000 World Professional Figure Skating Championships. While I was only able to catch the free skate, it turned out to be a very exciting program indeed. The professional events are judged differently than the amateur events, and there is more flexibility with tricks and musical selections. Even the lighting on the ice is different. In fact, Ilia Kulik (RUS) even stated that the dim lights and the red theatre lights that were in the ice made his jumps a little more difficult to land. He was not able to judge properly, and his planned triple jumps turned into doubles. I should also mention that he was wearing dark glasses as part of his costume, which attributed to part of his disorientation.
The Pairs, Men's and Ladies free skates were aired, starting with the Pairs. First to skate was the German team of Woetzer and Steuer, next was Kazakova/Dmittriev (RUS), followed by Meno/Sands (USA), and lastly Leonova/Khvalko (RUS). Finishing first was Leonova/Khvalko, followed by Kazakova/Dmittriev, Meno/Sands, and Woetzer/Steuer.
The Men skated next, and leading off was Alexei Urmonov (RUS). Next was Ilia Kulik (RUS), Rudy Galindo (USA), and finally Phillipe Candeloro (FRA). Finishing first was Phillipe Candeloro, followed by Rudy Galindo, Ilia Kulik, and finally Alexei Urmonov.
Lastly, the Ladies took to the ice, and was started by Surya Bonaly (FRA). Next was Lucinda Ruh (SUI), Nicole Bobek (USA), and finally Yuka Sato. Winning the Event was Yuka, followed by Nicole Bobek in second, Lucinda Ruh in third, and Surya Bonaly in fourth.
I thoroughly enjoy the professional competitions, as the artistry and theatrical interpretations tend to be less conservative than in amateur competitions. Professional events tend to give the skaters more flexibility to express themselves without the usual constraints and rules that amateurs face. You are certainly able to see creativity at its best, and I think that the audience really enjoys this.
