Monday Memory: Exogenesis Symphony

While figure skating requires both athleticism and artistry, it is difficult to strike a perfect balance between these two components. A skater is expected to be both a technician, effortlessly executing multi-revolution jumps, and an artist, infusing his or her own emotion into a performance for the world to see. One skater who has consistently achieved this balance of technical skill tempered with artistic ability is Jeremy Abbott. Although barely two seasons old, one of his most impactful performances was his long program to “Exogenesis Symphony” by Muse at the 2012 US National Championships. Opening with a fluid quad toe, Abbott proved his command of the ice from the beginning of the program. He continued to set himself apart from his competitors with two steps sequences filled with novel variations of turns and other footwork elements. Perhaps the best way to describe Abbott’s skating is that he doesn’t skate by a formula. His transitions and footwork do not reflect mathematical equations to accrue the most points. Instead, they are a display of one artist’s genuine inspiration resulting in a very real, very personal performance. Without a doubt, the highlight of the program is when Abbott stops in the center of the ice during his second step sequence; the first time I saw that moment it gave me chills. In an unusual move, Abbott has stated that he will re-use the music “Exogenesis Symphony” for the upcoming Olympic season. We wish him luck on his road to Sochi.

The Road to Sochi

(editor’s note: the opinions expressed below are entirely those of The Platinum Edge. All information regarding skaters and coaches is accurate at this time to our knowledge; however, please leave a comment regarding any errors).

Right now, a significant countdown is underway. Ask someone on the street if they know what this countdown is, and they’ll guess “the end of the world,” according to the Mayan calendar. But ask any elite-level figure skater in the U.S.—or even in the world—and they’ll instantly respond that it’s the countdown to Sochi 2014.

Maybe they’ll even be able to tell you how many hours remain until the games begin. This is what fuels their training every day, helps them get up off the ice when their triple axel dumps them down, and makes every missed weekend, event, or party more bearable, because they are picturing the thrill of walking into the Olympic stadium with their close group of teammates.

The Olympics are always special, of course. Just their name can inspire athletes to perform in a way that wouldn’t have been possible at any sort of trial or qualifier, and it’s been well documented how television ratings spike when Olympic coverage comes on. It’s always slightly amusing and gratifying how, every four years, figure skating suddenly becomes a completely normal topic of conversation in the public sphere, such as overhearing coworkers talk about the odds for the ladies’ free skate final.

And to be sure, the last two winter Olympics have been particularly outstanding for skaters. In Torino 2006, heartbreak and headache abounded, particularly in the men’s and ice dance disciplines (click here for examples). In Vancouver 2010, most of the podium finalists were seasoned competitors who added a final piece of glittering hardware to their collection.

Both of these Olympics were exciting, but Sochi 2014 will bring back something that has been lacking ever since the new judging system began: unpredictability. Sochi will exemplify the three words of the Olympic motto. The competitors will be faster, higher, and stronger than ever before, and their programs will carry a special fervency. Sochi is both the beginning of an era and an end of one, and as such, it is one of the most important Olympics in skating history.

Even its location is significant. With the caliber of figure skaters that Russia has been known to produce, there will be extra pressure for the country to garner medals and prove that it can adapt to a more technical judging system without losing artistry in the process. Evgeni Plushenko was able to wedge in required elements alongside his personal stylistic moves, but the end result was choppy and somewhat tiring to watch.

A whole new crowd of junior-level skaters from Russia is set to change this. Skaters like Adelina Sotnikova and Elizaveta Tuktamisheva have the grace of ballet dancers, but are suddenly able to reel out triple jumps by the dozen. The storied history of skating in Russia has the power to affect performances of all who come to compete—who wouldn’t feel intimidated to compete in this vast country, with its rich past?

More than that, the current upheaval in the U.S. figure skating scene shows that this particular Olympics has the power to break and define dreams. For the past three years, American pair skaters have created more drama than Snooki on Jersey Shore. Rockne Brubaker has been through multiple partners; the top three or four pair teams have been playing musical chairs with each other’s partners; and many up-and-coming pairs have experienced the unfortunate circumstance where one partner quits…and the other subsequently disappears from the competitive scene.

If any partners can make it through one Olympic period, it will be a miracle. The exciting thing about this, though, is that there is so much raw talent on the ice. When a new team clicks, they are able to make magic, even if it is only for a season or two. The months preceding Sochi will surely test many couples’ relationships, training habits, and coaching choices.

Oh, and about those coaching choices—has the skating world ever been filled with so many transitions? The days where one coach would see a skater from first steps to triple flip are over, eliminating any powerhouse dynasties that could be built up. It almost seemed that Igor Shpilband and his posse of ice dancers would create such a dynasty, resulting in a medal overhaul, but recent events at Shpilband’s old rink have prevented that and cast yet another wild card into the pile. Take a look at a short list of skaters who have made huge coaching changes in the past year: Mirai Nagasu, Patrick Chan, Daisuke Takahashi, Yuzuru Hanyu, Armin Mahbanoozadeh, and Rachael Flatt . They’re restless, and want to find that one person who will give them the edge for Sochi.

Sochi matters. For many, it could be their first Olympics, and offer them the chance to become another national hero like Tara Lipinski, whose freshness and charm catapulted her to the podium in Nagano. Think of Gracie Gold, or Jason Brown, or even Haven Denney and Brandon Frazier. For others, it will be their last Olympics.

Jeremy Abbott, whose fierce competitiveness is always tempered by a humble work ethic and pure dedication, has said that he will retire after the Sochi season is over. One also has to wonder if the top U.S. ladies, many of whom are former wunderkinds, will have a mass retirement afterwards. Alissa Czisny’s recent hip surgery is one example of the difficulty of longevity in the sport.

The final reason Sochi 2014 will be the Olympics to be remembered? It could cast all of those previous stories into oblivion and provide the figure skating world with the rare occurrence of a rematch. Plushenko has expressed his interest in competing. Johnny Weir is training intensely. Evan Lysacek rocked the (internet) boards with his subsequent comeback several short weeks ago. Is this 2012, or is it 2010 again?

No matter your opinion on the talent or personalities of these three (and other veterans who are giving it one more shot), you must admit that their presence adds a far more complicated storyline to the Games. Why would they put themselves through the pain again, particularly when they must acknowledge that the sport has changed, as has its rising stars? The answer varies, but part of it must be because Sochi represents more to them than a competition.

Sochi will be a gateway. It is a door that will close on some, and end their careers with a rude letdown, yet it is also a door that can open for others and usher them into a period of personal fulfillment and worldwide recognition. It’ll take care of questions like, is it still possible to win without a quad? Or can the new ice dancing requirements survive? It’s a chance for glory, and more. It is a test of sincerity.

Anyone who is willing enough to sacrifice their next two years to reach the Games, braving media and pain and inner demons, will have made a significant statement in the world of sport, by saying that figure skating as a whole is worth it,  scandals and rule changes notwithstanding. Sochi 2014 will bring this new era, and be an Olympics to be remembered.