Alexandra Leaving

We all know that whatever the judges say, figure skating is all about costumes. These Olympics have been very fruitful in bad figure skating fashions, the Original folk dance in particular (there were so many terrible costumes there I felt my eyes were constantly bleeding!) . We all know who the worst were; but there were some other almost equally atrocious offenses against fashion and common sense, committed right under the nose of the Olympic committee.

(  Your guide to Olympic Figure Skating costume faux-pas in pictures. Part 1 )

1. Oksana Dominina Maxim Shabalin (Russian Federation): The worst of the worst , wrong on so many levels that I can't even count them all. By the words of dianora77: " I've decided to interpret their dance as something from the dawn of mankind, not as an insult to modern day tribesmen and their customs. That way I don't feel as mortified. "



This is all for now, I intend to continue this list as the Olympics progress. If you know of any costumes you feel should be included in the list – I would appreciate any suggestions!!!!

In general, I was quite underwhelmed by Men's figure skating programs during these Olympics. There was no-one I really liked. Everyone fell into one of three categories: 1) quite non-inspiring (Lysacek, Takahashi) 2) divas more concerned with their costumes than with their skating (Weir) 3) Non-successful jumpers (Lambiel) . No-one at all to write home about. I am ready for the new generation of male skaters so that I can find someone to follow.

Gosh, one person I can never decide what should I think about is Evgeniy Plushenko. I start these Olympics liking him because : a) my mother likes him, b) I love his jumps. Then I do 180% turn after his 2010 Olympic free program because of a) his idiotic sore-loser remarks, b) because he let me down and didn't jump all that well, and c) because he was a bit silly/overconfident and didn't pad his program with valuable elements (how stupid is that!). But!! As soon as I was ready to join Plushenko-haters , seven_trees brought the following video to my attention.



I'm afraid I won't be able to hate him . EVER. Genya!!! Look at what you used to be! Give up you sore-loser diva ways, find your ability to laugh again , train more and come back. I'll forgive everything.

I am on holidays for two weeks! Hurray! And even more hurray! because these holidays coincided with Winter Olympics!
BUT!!!! The main-stream British television doesn't pay any attention to the Winter Olympics 2010. I am absolutely flabbergasted here - the coverage of Winter Olympics is confined to shortish "highlights" program during the day (at 13.45, when everyone is at work) and 1.00-4.00 programs on BBC2. Nothing on BBC1 or anywhere else. These slots couldn't be chosen any better if the purpose was NOT to show any Olympic coverage. I am absolutely and entirely shocked here! Not showing the main sporting even of the year????? Whyy???

No wonder the count of British medals is nil so far, no wonder!!!!

Fortunately, we have Eurosport channel with our cable package and they show Olympics 24 hours a day.

Highlights so far:

- Canada won 18:0 in Women's ice-hockey match against Slovakia. My good-will towards Canadian ice hockey is quickly evaporating. I don't want them to win anymore. Anyone but Canadians, please (and by "anyone" I mean "anyone but USA").

- USA has won lots of free-style skiing medals. I have no idea what "Ladies moguls" means, though.

- So far we had days and days of Ski-jumping and Luge. My attention span is too short for anything that lasts that long.

- I usually like to watch Biathlon but the weather conditions were really bad this year which made Biathlon events totally predictable: the athletes who were lucky to start first won the races (as it started raining or snowing after the first 20 minutes).

Britain so far hasn't got any medals. But our best hopes are apparently in two entirely opposite sports:

1. Curling: the safest sport in the history of ever. I am still debating with myself which sport is safer: golf or curling. Hmm, it might still be golf, curling takes place on ice , after all. So, I have read up on this: curling is the matter of national pride and importance here in Britain and we hope to get a medal. And I will fight all of you nay-sayers and protect the glorious sport of curling.

2. Skeleton: probably the most dangerous Winter Olympics sport of all (the name "Skeleton" says it all, doesn't it?). Luge is bad enough, but at least you go down legs first; but going down icy hole with high speed near 130-140 km. per hour (I don't drive that fast in my car!) with your head (and face) down and without too much protection seems to be even worse. Yes, this is not for faint-hearted. I will be really cheering for Shelley Rudman (who also lives near by, in Sheffield). Plus, there already have been one death on the Vancouver Luge track which casts shadow over all tobogganing events - my support goes to everyone there.

PS My apologies in advance - during the holidays I might not be on LJ as much as I usually am . School-holiday time is always RL-intensive time. I hope everyone is well!!