I found it hard to respond to Michelle Kwan until the 2002 Olympics. She had just lost the Gold Medal to someone whose name escapes me, and the next night she came out for her solo. I had no idea what to expect. She began skating to "Fields of Gold," and I was stunned to heartfelt emotion. It was the perfect song. First, I was struck that it was Eva Cassidy, whose death still felt fresh. Second, win or lose the Gold Medal, it guaranteed maximum emotional impact. Absolutely one of my all-time ...
I think the best word to describe Kwan is "authentic." There is no acting in her skating; she lays her emotions all out there for her audience, and that type of generosity is extremely rare, and why she is still probably the most loved skater in the world.
When you put the glorious talents of Michelle Kwan and Eva Cassidy together, the emotional impact for me is almost indescribable. Simply in a class of her own here...
We use the term "breathtaking" a lot to describe skating, but, for me, no one has outclassed this. And the joy on her face melts my heart!
But of course in SLC she was awarded Sasah's bronze...out of pity for poor poor Michelle. And then the ever so dramatic skate to Fields of Gold in her Gold costume...arrogant much? What, no backup song or costume...oh no, I am going to be given that Olympic Gold Medal...puked up short and lousy simple long and she still bungles it. And then her ugly trick in 2006...well, again I hope it eats away at her every day of her life!! She's the LOL!
KWAN HAS BECOME A LEGEND, a hard and bitter slap on the face of the UGLY, CAREER-LESS HAS-BEEN Tara Lipinski, otherwise known on Youtube as getrealandsee, allengslandlawns, cleareyed, i thinkformyself, kwansangsog, woolagirl, and her other TROLL identities. And Kwan became one even without having to win the medal that was GIFTED to the UGLY, CAREER-LESS HAS-BEEN Lipinski. Look who's laughing now? Ha ha ha ha ha!
Michelle is the true winner(s) of the 1998 and 2002 Olympic Games!!! No female skater has matched this artistry so far...........Long Reign the Kween of Ice, Michelle Kwan!!!!!!!!!!!!
@GENTLEMENjay21 Hmm last I checked, Kwan has ZERO Olympic Gold Medals. Choked them away not once, but TWICE despite simple, downgraded, and rehashed programs and all the help she could get from the judges. Lots of unearned titles in her cabinet and the only one the world cares about (esp Kwan herself) she can NEVER EVER have.
You are obviously a bitter small person to take pleasure at another persons short coming.
She kept coming back is the point, She is a great skater and a good person.
As I recalled the reason she didn't win the gold in her first Olympics in 1998 is that they claimed she seemed too young. Watch the film of the aired performances and you will see.
The funny thing is at the next Oylmpics Tara Lapinsky won gold and she was a year younger. WOW! what ShiTaki!
Thank you so much for this! It was this exhibition that introduced me to Eva Cassidy and her stupendous talent that was taken far too soon. Michelle is incomparable; what a shame she never was allowed to skate in her own field of gold medals.
I am not at all a expert in this filed nor do I know much about it, but this, by far, is the most beautiful routine I have seen. Outstanding artistry. Who really cares about triple flips, double turns s and all that gymnastic trickery.
@waddleduckie1 Michelle the gold medal standard? Trip, splatter, butt prints...wow that standard must be really realllllyyy low. No wonder she has so much bling. Doesn't matter the pity worship or titles she owns bc none of that can melt into the Holy Grail of skating: the Olympic Gold. Even she said it herself "I don't think you can ever truly be a legend without winning it."
@allenglandlawns It's true that the Olympic Gold is the Holy Grail as you say, and yes, she had her chances. I do think tho', that the gold was lost to her by bad judging in her first Olympics in 1998. I know it's always easy to blame someone else, but I remember watching it, and I still think Kwan won over that other girl. I feel her skating were better. We all thought she had the gold. That being said, she did fall down when under pressure (not in '98) in subsequent Olympics. Nice girl tho'.
Sting's song, sung by Eva Cassidy, and the unbelievable skating of Michelle Kwan make this video the most beautiful I have ever seen and heard. No other words are necessary.
the sound her ice skate makes at 2:41 sounds so cool with the music. she's so talented i almost cried. so graceful, elegant and full of emotion in her fluent motion
Master class in skating. The backwards spiral with inside to outside edge change at the end is amazing. Why is no one else doing it? Cause it takes mastery of edge.
I have watched videos of the younger generation of ladies skaters with great technical skills.... but I always come back to this video and wonder why I always love Michelle the most. I guess that's because she's so graceful and has such an aura... like Margot Fonteyn in the ballet world... you're either blessed with it or you're not.
I think Michelle Kwan is/was the most gracefull skater in history. My daughter is named Michelle (Couwenberg) also and skates very gracefull too. I've got a few vids from her on youtube, I am sure you will enjoy watching them. She was 2nd in the finals of The Netherlands Junior Ladies.
Truly stunning. I loved the comment below about how Kwan seems to embrace the world when she skates!
I will never forget when she skated to this at the 2002 olympics, and when she made her final position, she had tears coming out of her eyes, and yet still had a smile on her face.. It was incredibly moving.
One of my favorite skating numbers of all time. Michelle sparked my continued love for figure skating and the proper way to combine talent and emotion. Simply wonderful.
Kwan's gift is so vast it is not measurable. The quality of her moves overall has not been matched. The flow in this program was superhuman and the flow in her 1998 Olympic program made that program the best on that night and to this date in female skating. The judges in 1998 that gave her 2nd place ordinals are probably still kicking themselves. Shame on them.
@desglacons Amen to that. No way Tara Lipinski could ever have skated this program--and Sarah or Sasha would need their best days ever to even come close.
@desglacons I've never forgiven those judges who voted her 2nd place over that brat who's name I can't even remember. Michelle totally deserved to get the gold that year and I think it was the French judges who screwed her over. Michelle Kwan is the greatest skater to never have won an Olympic Gold Medal and I have to think that it's something that must really eat at her. Her signature song, Fields of Gold, introduced me to Eva Cassidy, and I thank Michelle for that. I'm a huge fan of both..
@SoCalGal52 Surely you don't mean Tara Kristen Lipinski the 1998 Olympic Gold Medalist in Ladie's Figure Skating. Michelle got beaten big time by that little dynamo after coming to the Olympics expecting a coronation
Michelle is so arrogant that she thought that Gold was hers and it was great to see her on the second step just sobbing and sniveling...after all the times she was handed medals that 'screwed' other skaters out of their rightful recognition it was truly a delicious moment.
@getrealandsee Tell me how you really feel. You're very passionate about your feelings against Kwan. That's fine. Still like her better, as a person. Tara Lipinski had brat and snot written all over her face. I don't know where you get the arrogance part re: Kwan or all the times she screwed other skaters out of medals. Why do you say that? Is this your own opinion or is this something others have talked about too? She seemed like a great skater to me. You really hate her. R u a skater?
@SoCalGal52 It was 6 judges to 3 btw. Not even close and Kwan's little drama in the K@C was probably meant to go down in history...it did but not the way she expected it to. I hope it DOES eat at her...she did such damage to figure skating's credibilty and was held up, propped up, babied, praised...but the Olympic Judges saw right through her and she will never wear Olympic Gold for the USA!!! Kwan is a phony wannabe and an embarrassment to true competitors who have to EARN their own way.
@desglacons Nope! The Olympic judges were right and have every right to be proud in their decisions. The best skater with the best performance wins gold that night...that's how real sport works, no? And that was both Tara and Sarah ALL THE WAY!
@allenglandlawns I have no problem with your opinion. I just disagree with it. Things worked out pretty well for Michelle in the end and after all. She, not Sarah or Tara, can still do a triple jump and a double axel even with her hip surgery. In addition, Michelle has gone on and furthered her education lending a contribution to the community at large. So you and the judges in 1998 can agree to disagree with me.
Now let's talk about Lysacek's horrible 2010 LP with the shoulder "axel".
she just makes it look simple and easy. keeping that kind of smooth edging throughout a whole program is not that easy. if it was, we'd see a lot more skaters doing it. and they don't.
I will never forget the first time Michelle skated this number. It was and exhibition skate and it was generally assumed that she would have won the gold the night before but sadly, she didn't. She skated the number anyway, with grace and class...a gold medal performance and tremendous athlete.
@farrellesque: I completely agree! Watching it is an emotionally overwhelming experience, b/c it's so rare to see something this beautiful sustained for 4 minutes.
I would not say she always choked. She just never was her best at the olympics. in 1998 she was pretty much perfect, but it wasn't good enough. In 2002 she just wanted it TOO badly and was visibly very nervous. In 2006 she was hurt.
I'd forgotten how many spirals MK packed into this program and how well she was able to change the edge on her spirals without wavering. I love the backwards change edge spiral and how she finished it off by skating in a small circle. If the ice was completely smooth, I imagine the tracing would be a beautiful piece of calligraphy.
i remember i watched this performance since i was younger. it blew me away. i have a bad memory, but this was one of the few things i have remembered. today i just remembered michelle kwan and i knew i had to watch this again.
She is my idol. Michelle is a beautiful skater. I hope some day I can be as good as her. I am working tward the Regional competition. I hope I make it. She makes it look so easy. I love her.
amazing. truly amazing. O.O I don't know how to put it into words but Michelle just has this presence on the ice that most other skaters do not. Even those who can handle triple axles and whatever. After watching so many videos of other solo female skaters, I still think Michelle is the most outstanding and expressive.. :))
I love the lack of obnoxious commentators during this video. It's much easier to appreciate the routine wen you don't have a constant incessant babble over the music. Thanks for the upload!
Michelle was my all time Olympic gold medalist. Whenever it got slipped away, I cried for her. I have to give her a huge credit for being such a graceful and classy skater, and for being a great inspiration to many girls including Yu Na Kim.
after looking at the current skaters for some time and then coming back to look at michelle's performance it's even more striking to me that michelle has a big heart and passion for skating, which is just evident in her eyes, smile, hands, legs... basically the entire body! that's why she won over so many people despite not being the most technical skater!
she is the reason I started skating. I had to hang up skates this past week. Everytime I watch her skate it makes me want to drive to the rink and just skate.
Michelle skates as though embracing the world: she wears her heart on her sleeve. What a magical quality she possesses on the ice. There has never been anyone like her and isn't likely to ever be...
Michelle is an amazing skater! She is an amazing person as well. We had the rare opportunity to skate with her and get to know her father. They are a wonderful, kind, unpretentious family. And Lake Arrowhead is a beautiful place.
It's ethereal, it's something that cannot easily be put into words. She is majestic. Not only a legend and a stunning skater for over a decade, but a beautiful, warm, wonderful person.
well what the fudge do you care? even if her legs r short it doesn't mean she's bad at sk8ing! she can do better than you'll ever do. i think i speak 4 every Michelle fan out there when i say "shut the fuck up."
Americans are no longer interested in competitive skating, because...let's face it, the American skaters suck out loud from fatass Emily Hughes on up to boring, White Trash looking Meissner. Rachel Flat looks like she's mugging herself when she does that shitty donut spin. Her surname is appropriate considering her chest. Caroline can only jump 3 inches high off of the ice. Damn, the American female skaters really are sucky as hell! And I thought Michelle Kwan was boring.
Poor choice of wording from an inexperience critic like pagilacci. Emily doesn't have obesity. She is filled with muscles like Midori Ito, Tonya Harding and others who are built differently from naturally slim skaters like Sasha, Caroline, Mirai and Alissa. Now, before you completely bore me out with your inconsistent comment, my advice to you is to find another topic to critique on.
I used to watch figure skating because of Michelle kwan.. I lost my interest now. She moves me to tears evertime I watch her even now. THe best ever figure skater....
I know exactly what you're saying--that was so beautiful even I was cryin' and I'm jist about the meanest, nastiest bitter old curmudgeon there ever was!! At least that's what my wife tells me all the time...
One of the most intriging things about Michelle is her artistry and expression throughout the whole program. You don't see tired, you see her doing something she obviously loves, and i think that's why so many people love her.
@frenchamigo243: Exactly. Even when others do perfect programs, they don't emit the magic and joy that Kwan does. It's almost like there's this aura around her when she skates, and it's glowing.
I have admired her for many years. I think one thing that sets her apart from many others, is that when she is out on the ice, the way she expresses herself on ice only shows how she truly enjoying herself.
She make it look so easy ... It's so graceful and beautiful ... Such neat footwork and her jumps show such elegance which I and other skaters hope for someday lol x x x
I had stopped watching figure skating since Michelle hasn't been on tv. I cant wait for her return!
Even today's jumping and axels, no one skates as finesse as Michelle. She makes her audience focus, feel and cry. The only ones that cry in figure skating today are the skaters themselves, not the audience. These skaters suck!
i still remember seeing this when i was younger. out of all performances this kept my attention and just touched me. everything flowed so beautifully shes such a beautiful skater. i still look up to her today because of her determination & for never giving up.
thanks so much for posting this, brought alot of memories back :)
I was told Michelle Kwan introduced this song to the world in an earlier performance around 2000, it wasn't well know then but the audience tried to avoid the applause to concentrate on the song and were very moved. Plus she has great legs
I was looking for a video of Eva Cassidy performing this song when I found the performance by Michelle Kwan. Awesome combination of two great talents. It's a shame that Eva Cassidy died so young.
Are skaters the most amazing athletes or what? Michelle is a doll and Eva's beautiful voice are such a great match! And this coming from a 21 year Martial Artist! Pure artistry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I prefer exhibitions over competitions for performances like these - you can see true passion and love for the sport when the athletes are allowed to relax and simply skate.
Skaters of today have proven high levels of skill and talent, but Michelle Kwan will remain a legacy. We love you Michelle!
@ThirdEarth: The cool part about Kwan is that she was able to bring the passion, emotion and tears even when the pressure was on. How many times has Kwan competed and brought an audience (and even the commentators) to tears?
Somebody told me that if I wanted to get into watching Kwan, I should come and look at this video. Was he right or what? That was pure perfection, and you can tell that she just loves it. Wow. I am so speechless.
I remember seeing her perform this live back in '03, it brought tears to my eyes then and still does now. Michelle is an amazing skater and a true artist!
This performance is a clear example of why I love to watch her skate. Michelle LOVES to skate. You see it in her eyes and on her face. Just beautiful!!
I totally agree with you! You can tell that not only does she have the skills, but she genuinely loves what she does, like it brings her joy! And watching her skate brings me much joy too! I love you Michelle!
Love the choreography by Sarah Kawahara. It brings out the subtleties and lines that Michelle has and allows her to express herself almost without having to think about technique. Of course, it also helps that she's a great technician in the first place!
And her performance, of course her performance!!!<3
lollopisemis 4 days ago
I feel like crying :| The expression on her face... The music... Fantastic!<3
lollopisemis 4 days ago
I found it hard to respond to Michelle Kwan until the 2002 Olympics. She had just lost the Gold Medal to someone whose name escapes me, and the next night she came out for her solo. I had no idea what to expect. She began skating to "Fields of Gold," and I was stunned to heartfelt emotion. It was the perfect song. First, I was struck that it was Eva Cassidy, whose death still felt fresh. Second, win or lose the Gold Medal, it guaranteed maximum emotional impact. Absolutely one of my all-time ...
EpiBound 1 month ago
Michelle is the best. She is and always will be.
lowdaisy1 2 months ago
I think the best word to describe Kwan is "authentic." There is no acting in her skating; she lays her emotions all out there for her audience, and that type of generosity is extremely rare, and why she is still probably the most loved skater in the world.
mlc2005 3 months ago
When you put the glorious talents of Michelle Kwan and Eva Cassidy together, the emotional impact for me is almost indescribable. Simply in a class of her own here...
We use the term "breathtaking" a lot to describe skating, but, for me, no one has outclassed this. And the joy on her face melts my heart!
mlc2005 3 months ago
At the end of this program she performs a backwards change of edge spiral......WHOA!
ShamusMacGuffin 5 months ago 2
But of course in SLC she was awarded Sasah's bronze...out of pity for poor poor Michelle. And then the ever so dramatic skate to Fields of Gold in her Gold costume...arrogant much? What, no backup song or costume...oh no, I am going to be given that Olympic Gold Medal...puked up short and lousy simple long and she still bungles it. And then her ugly trick in 2006...well, again I hope it eats away at her every day of her life!! She's the LOL!
getrealandsee 6 months ago
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KWAN HAS BECOME A LEGEND, a hard and bitter slap on the face of the UGLY, CAREER-LESS HAS-BEEN Tara Lipinski, otherwise known on Youtube as getrealandsee, allengslandlawns, cleareyed, i thinkformyself, kwansangsog, woolagirl, and her other TROLL identities. And Kwan became one even without having to win the medal that was GIFTED to the UGLY, CAREER-LESS HAS-BEEN Lipinski. Look who's laughing now? Ha ha ha ha ha!
jgardell 7 months ago
Michelle, you would always be my all-time favorite, even without an olympic gold...no one comes close....simply incomparable...
yanna250 7 months ago
Comment removed
yanna250 7 months ago
Michelle is the true winner(s) of the 1998 and 2002 Olympic Games!!! No female skater has matched this artistry so far...........Long Reign the Kween of Ice, Michelle Kwan!!!!!!!!!!!!
GENTLEMENjay21 10 months ago 2
@GENTLEMENjay21 Hmm last I checked, Kwan has ZERO Olympic Gold Medals. Choked them away not once, but TWICE despite simple, downgraded, and rehashed programs and all the help she could get from the judges. Lots of unearned titles in her cabinet and the only one the world cares about (esp Kwan herself) she can NEVER EVER have.
allenglandlawns 7 months ago
@allenglandlawns
You are obviously a bitter small person to take pleasure at another persons short coming.
She kept coming back is the point, She is a great skater and a good person.
As I recalled the reason she didn't win the gold in her first Olympics in 1998 is that they claimed she seemed too young. Watch the film of the aired performances and you will see.
The funny thing is at the next Oylmpics Tara Lapinsky won gold and she was a year younger. WOW! what ShiTaki!
ellisdesign26 6 months ago
Thank you so much for this! It was this exhibition that introduced me to Eva Cassidy and her stupendous talent that was taken far too soon. Michelle is incomparable; what a shame she never was allowed to skate in her own field of gold medals.
twinks0813 10 months ago
I am not at all a expert in this filed nor do I know much about it, but this, by far, is the most beautiful routine I have seen. Outstanding artistry. Who really cares about triple flips, double turns s and all that gymnastic trickery.
pigjubby 11 months ago
oi
TheOnlybimanda 1 year ago
Michelle helped define a gold medal standard through her skating. She is a golden girl. My only wish is that I'd thought of this many years ago.
waddleduckie1 1 year ago
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@waddleduckie1 Michelle the gold medal standard? Trip, splatter, butt prints...wow that standard must be really realllllyyy low. No wonder she has so much bling. Doesn't matter the pity worship or titles she owns bc none of that can melt into the Holy Grail of skating: the Olympic Gold. Even she said it herself "I don't think you can ever truly be a legend without winning it."
allenglandlawns 7 months ago
@allenglandlawns It's true that the Olympic Gold is the Holy Grail as you say, and yes, she had her chances. I do think tho', that the gold was lost to her by bad judging in her first Olympics in 1998. I know it's always easy to blame someone else, but I remember watching it, and I still think Kwan won over that other girl. I feel her skating were better. We all thought she had the gold. That being said, she did fall down when under pressure (not in '98) in subsequent Olympics. Nice girl tho'.
SoCalGal52 7 months ago
@SoCalGal52 I meant to say her skating "was' better, not were better. I hate bad grammar.
SoCalGal52 7 months ago
one word: breath-taking
thefnsk 1 year ago
Michelle is superb.
ilovemylifesblog 1 year ago
Sting's song, sung by Eva Cassidy, and the unbelievable skating of Michelle Kwan make this video the most beautiful I have ever seen and heard. No other words are necessary.
rgsrobertg 1 year ago 3
dont know much about skating , but this song is one of the most wonderful live recordings ive ever heard , what a great musician
jakeycakeyz 1 year ago 2
the sound her ice skate makes at 2:41 sounds so cool with the music. she's so talented i almost cried. so graceful, elegant and full of emotion in her fluent motion
gemgen101 1 year ago 6
I remember watching this in 1998 like it was yesterday - I was 12, and close to tears, just 'cause she was so incredibly beautiful and touching...
ZaephyrSkies 1 year ago 2
@ZaephyrSkies 1998?
MissGreenDay7 1 year ago
definitely the greatest skater ever to not win olympic gold... :(
but still the best skater to me anyway!! i <3 u michelle!!!
novidsjustcomments96 1 year ago 6
In my opinion, Michelle Kwan is the GREATEST Skater of all time...and this video proves it.
proworkshop 1 year ago 11
damn rite it works- brought song to extra life
icklefee22 1 year ago 2
talking about Michelle's skating is like painting about Eva's singing :)
anasthasys 1 year ago 7
Master class in skating. The backwards spiral with inside to outside edge change at the end is amazing. Why is no one else doing it? Cause it takes mastery of edge.
bruintoo 1 year ago 8
@bruintoo too bad that's the only time we saw michelle doing it too, as far as i know.
moonlightresonance08 9 months ago
Smooth as room temperature butter! Nobody ever skated like her.
fiercejarret 1 year ago 11
I have watched videos of the younger generation of ladies skaters with great technical skills.... but I always come back to this video and wonder why I always love Michelle the most. I guess that's because she's so graceful and has such an aura... like Margot Fonteyn in the ballet world... you're either blessed with it or you're not.
stat1984geek 1 year ago 8
That was absolutely beautiful.
Qtrademark 1 year ago 2
she has sooo much love. just lookit how happy she is
LopsidedCircle 1 year ago 8
incredible performance, really moving.
LisaJ4Liberty 2 years ago 2
I think Michelle Kwan is/was the most gracefull skater in history. My daughter is named Michelle (Couwenberg) also and skates very gracefull too. I've got a few vids from her on youtube, I am sure you will enjoy watching them. She was 2nd in the finals of The Netherlands Junior Ladies.
wilimini 2 years ago 10
the beginning spiral is beautiful and the ending backwards change of edge spiral is just breathtaking (does anyone do that at all?)!!!
moonlightresonance08 2 years ago 5
the story behind that dress because she thought she would win gold.....i watched her story from bio,,,,its heartbreaking!!!!
go michelle!!! ur an inspiration 2 me
padmei9021053 2 years ago 7
Yes, at the 2002 Olympics.
tinymavy 2 years ago
great combo.. michelles skating and this beautiful song by the great late eva cassidy..rip eva
blondekaylee22 2 years ago 5
Speachless!
scabbernacker 2 years ago 4
Truly stunning. I loved the comment below about how Kwan seems to embrace the world when she skates!
I will never forget when she skated to this at the 2002 olympics, and when she made her final position, she had tears coming out of her eyes, and yet still had a smile on her face.. It was incredibly moving.
mlc2005 2 years ago 5
One of my favorite skating numbers of all time. Michelle sparked my continued love for figure skating and the proper way to combine talent and emotion. Simply wonderful.
skating123456789 2 years ago 2
bellisimo!!!
wisewonder52 2 years ago 2
Kwan's gift is so vast it is not measurable. The quality of her moves overall has not been matched. The flow in this program was superhuman and the flow in her 1998 Olympic program made that program the best on that night and to this date in female skating. The judges in 1998 that gave her 2nd place ordinals are probably still kicking themselves. Shame on them.
desglacons 2 years ago 45
You are so right. That gold was hers in 1998, they undermarked her because she went first in the FS. It still feels like such a disgrace.
thesupremediva 2 years ago 11
@desglacons Amen to that. No way Tara Lipinski could ever have skated this program--and Sarah or Sasha would need their best days ever to even come close.
cherylannemason 1 year ago
@desglacons I totally agree with you. She is the true winner of the 1998 Olympic games. NO skater can match her artistry.
37tonya 1 year ago 3
@desglacons I've never forgiven those judges who voted her 2nd place over that brat who's name I can't even remember. Michelle totally deserved to get the gold that year and I think it was the French judges who screwed her over. Michelle Kwan is the greatest skater to never have won an Olympic Gold Medal and I have to think that it's something that must really eat at her. Her signature song, Fields of Gold, introduced me to Eva Cassidy, and I thank Michelle for that. I'm a huge fan of both..
SoCalGal52 7 months ago
@SoCalGal52 Surely you don't mean Tara Kristen Lipinski the 1998 Olympic Gold Medalist in Ladie's Figure Skating. Michelle got beaten big time by that little dynamo after coming to the Olympics expecting a coronation
Michelle is so arrogant that she thought that Gold was hers and it was great to see her on the second step just sobbing and sniveling...after all the times she was handed medals that 'screwed' other skaters out of their rightful recognition it was truly a delicious moment.
getrealandsee 6 months ago
@getrealandsee Tell me how you really feel. You're very passionate about your feelings against Kwan. That's fine. Still like her better, as a person. Tara Lipinski had brat and snot written all over her face. I don't know where you get the arrogance part re: Kwan or all the times she screwed other skaters out of medals. Why do you say that? Is this your own opinion or is this something others have talked about too? She seemed like a great skater to me. You really hate her. R u a skater?
SoCalGal52 6 months ago
@SoCalGal52 It was 6 judges to 3 btw. Not even close and Kwan's little drama in the K@C was probably meant to go down in history...it did but not the way she expected it to. I hope it DOES eat at her...she did such damage to figure skating's credibilty and was held up, propped up, babied, praised...but the Olympic Judges saw right through her and she will never wear Olympic Gold for the USA!!! Kwan is a phony wannabe and an embarrassment to true competitors who have to EARN their own way.
getrealandsee 6 months ago
@desglacons Nope! The Olympic judges were right and have every right to be proud in their decisions. The best skater with the best performance wins gold that night...that's how real sport works, no? And that was both Tara and Sarah ALL THE WAY!
allenglandlawns 6 months ago
@allenglandlawns I have no problem with your opinion. I just disagree with it. Things worked out pretty well for Michelle in the end and after all. She, not Sarah or Tara, can still do a triple jump and a double axel even with her hip surgery. In addition, Michelle has gone on and furthered her education lending a contribution to the community at large. So you and the judges in 1998 can agree to disagree with me.
Now let's talk about Lysacek's horrible 2010 LP with the shoulder "axel".
desglacons 6 months ago
@desglacons I certainly disagree with you on Michelle but thanks for being so polite and cordial in your response. Best wishes and happy posting!
allenglandlawns 6 months ago
my name is michelle, and i love watching ice-skating!!
Michee1298 2 years ago 3
I love her skating, costums and everything!! ㅎㅎ
sb2069 2 years ago 3
Absolutely Beautiful:)
ymanganelli 2 years ago 3
WOW...
she's so beautiful!!! one of the best figure skaters I know.... O.O
anbo2594 2 years ago 3
everything she does here is very simple and easy for somebody of her level, but it works somehow.
tinymavy 2 years ago 2
she just makes it look simple and easy. keeping that kind of smooth edging throughout a whole program is not that easy. if it was, we'd see a lot more skaters doing it. and they don't.
Satellitegirl41 2 years ago 21
Don't we just all LOVE Michelle????
She rules, and she'll never be replaced! x
joaqmad 2 years ago 10
Labai grazu:)
Ciuozeja 2 years ago
I like the way Michelle kwan skates!:)
diana644 2 years ago 8
I will never forget the first time Michelle skated this number. It was and exhibition skate and it was generally assumed that she would have won the gold the night before but sadly, she didn't. She skated the number anyway, with grace and class...a gold medal performance and tremendous athlete.
johnepes 2 years ago 12
Her skating is as touchingly beautiful as the music. Watching it is overwhelming.
farrellesque 2 years ago 11
@farrellesque: I completely agree! Watching it is an emotionally overwhelming experience, b/c it's so rare to see something this beautiful sustained for 4 minutes.
mlc2005 2 years ago 2
SHE IS THE GREATEST...The other skaters lack emotion
Empiren1 2 years ago 5
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She is a choker. She always choked in the Olympics.
You need three things to be considered a great athlete:
1: Tremendous athletic ability
2: Great skill
3: Mental toughness in the clutch
Michelle had the first two, but she always choked in the clutch. Quite sad, because she could have been one of the greatest athletes of all time.
WhoLueYou 2 years ago
She is the greatest figure skater of all time, she will be far remembered more than any Olympic medalist. She did not choke in 1998 she was robbed!
No other skater has reached the pinacle of what she accomplished and that will never be forgotten!
JogaOhio 2 years ago 8
I would not say she always choked. She just never was her best at the olympics. in 1998 she was pretty much perfect, but it wasn't good enough. In 2002 she just wanted it TOO badly and was visibly very nervous. In 2006 she was hurt.
tinymavy 2 years ago 6
That's harsh, but there is some truth in it. But she is still one of the greats.
1814Brandan 2 years ago 2
what song is this?
CathyxCathy 2 years ago
Eva Cassidy - Fields of Gold
princessecastor 2 years ago 2
Wow. This was her best program hands down. She just felt the music in her soul and it showed.
tinymavy 2 years ago 2
I'd forgotten how many spirals MK packed into this program and how well she was able to change the edge on her spirals without wavering. I love the backwards change edge spiral and how she finished it off by skating in a small circle. If the ice was completely smooth, I imagine the tracing would be a beautiful piece of calligraphy.
ConstanceMirabella 2 years ago 4
i remember i watched this performance since i was younger. it blew me away. i have a bad memory, but this was one of the few things i have remembered. today i just remembered michelle kwan and i knew i had to watch this again.
she is awesome.
strawberryplatinum 2 years ago
just beautiful!
eddieyou1018 2 years ago
She is my idol. Michelle is a beautiful skater. I hope some day I can be as good as her. I am working tward the Regional competition. I hope I make it. She makes it look so easy. I love her.
naabgirl 2 years ago
amazing. truly amazing. O.O I don't know how to put it into words but Michelle just has this presence on the ice that most other skaters do not. Even those who can handle triple axles and whatever. After watching so many videos of other solo female skaters, I still think Michelle is the most outstanding and expressive.. :))
eAppleGal02 2 years ago 3
I love the lack of obnoxious commentators during this video. It's much easier to appreciate the routine wen you don't have a constant incessant babble over the music. Thanks for the upload!
tryxr4kids 2 years ago 3
Michelle was my all time Olympic gold medalist. Whenever it got slipped away, I cried for her. I have to give her a huge credit for being such a graceful and classy skater, and for being a great inspiration to many girls including Yu Na Kim.
ji94552 3 years ago 3
after looking at the current skaters for some time and then coming back to look at michelle's performance it's even more striking to me that michelle has a big heart and passion for skating, which is just evident in her eyes, smile, hands, legs... basically the entire body! that's why she won over so many people despite not being the most technical skater!
moonlightresonance08 3 years ago 2
*extreme jealously moment* lol! amazing performance
pinkiflowerx 3 years ago
she is the reason I started skating. I had to hang up skates this past week. Everytime I watch her skate it makes me want to drive to the rink and just skate.
nubi37179 3 years ago
Michelle skates as though embracing the world: she wears her heart on her sleeve. What a magical quality she possesses on the ice. There has never been anyone like her and isn't likely to ever be...
God bless Michelle!
silmalila2 3 years ago 3
I love this program. Michelle just flows over the ice so effortlessly. It is just beautiful to watch.
michellechasez81 3 years ago
this made me cry. so beautiful
onesongaboutagirl 3 years ago 4
@onesongaboutagirl: It's a magical gift to be able to use one's talent to cause joyful emotions in so many people.
mlc2005 2 years ago 3
Michelle is an amazing skater! She is an amazing person as well. We had the rare opportunity to skate with her and get to know her father. They are a wonderful, kind, unpretentious family. And Lake Arrowhead is a beautiful place.
cookedcokecrack10 3 years ago 2
It's ethereal, it's something that cannot easily be put into words. She is majestic. Not only a legend and a stunning skater for over a decade, but a beautiful, warm, wonderful person.
tomass423 3 years ago
There will be no other like Michelle Kwan. She defined her generation.
lucinders 3 years ago 8
wow. normally i'm more of a sasha fan but this was simply stunning. loved her charlotte spiral
sammywright07 3 years ago 5
I too am a big Sasha Cohen fan but this has got to be one of if not my favorite program ever! It is just so graceful and beautiful!
BroadwayDreams13 3 years ago 2
Amazing
nkaujhmoob1 3 years ago
Simply beautiful...
herm712 3 years ago 3
Bravo!!!!!!!!
lilasvia 3 years ago
One of the best female singers of all time, and one of the best female figure skaters of all time. A pure joy to watch and listen!
elvaquerito22 3 years ago 8
Michelle Kwan is the best skater ever! She's so graceful in all of her performances. But I didn't really like this song...
FigureSkater2009 3 years ago 2
omg i love feilds of gold its the best song ever is my fav!!!!!
kt135911 3 years ago 2
Truly a Moving Performance!
gadogado123 3 years ago 3
she's such an inspiration
imyoursummerlove 3 years ago 2
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Michelle Kwan's legs are too short. She looks like a damn Norfolk Terrier, for God's sake.
pagliacci213 3 years ago
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I don't think it's short for Asian..
samanthacheng 3 years ago
well what the fudge do you care? even if her legs r short it doesn't mean she's bad at sk8ing! she can do better than you'll ever do. i think i speak 4 every Michelle fan out there when i say "shut the fuck up."
chocabubble 3 years ago 9
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Americans are no longer interested in competitive skating, because...let's face it, the American skaters suck out loud from fatass Emily Hughes on up to boring, White Trash looking Meissner. Rachel Flat looks like she's mugging herself when she does that shitty donut spin. Her surname is appropriate considering her chest. Caroline can only jump 3 inches high off of the ice. Damn, the American female skaters really are sucky as hell! And I thought Michelle Kwan was boring.
pagliacci213 3 years ago
Poor choice of wording from an inexperience critic like pagilacci. Emily doesn't have obesity. She is filled with muscles like Midori Ito, Tonya Harding and others who are built differently from naturally slim skaters like Sasha, Caroline, Mirai and Alissa. Now, before you completely bore me out with your inconsistent comment, my advice to you is to find another topic to critique on.
waddleduckie1 3 years ago 2
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Poor suffering bastard could never when Olympic Gold, could she?
pagliacci213 3 years ago
This one was really really beautiful, almost cried!
catloverdi 3 years ago 2
in one part i heard her blades skating
mycajona 3 years ago
wow...she is soooo goood....
pinaiiladiiee 3 years ago
I used to watch figure skating because of Michelle kwan.. I lost my interest now. She moves me to tears evertime I watch her even now. THe best ever figure skater....
eviebrown48 3 years ago 11
I agree, the other younger skaters in my opinion don't have the same artistry or emotion when skating ): it's a shame really
xProblematiquex 3 years ago 3
I agree. I'm not interested anymore... :/ She was just special.
TheHighRoad7 3 years ago
I know exactly what you're saying--that was so beautiful even I was cryin' and I'm jist about the meanest, nastiest bitter old curmudgeon there ever was!! At least that's what my wife tells me all the time...
wakeupchamp 3 years ago
Breathtaking from my Michelle. The best skater of all time. I have to say, other skaters look so cold, but she emits something like no other.
ferency98 3 years ago 3
A beautiful performance by Michelle Kwan. To me she seemed inspired by Eva Cassidy's singing to put on this brilliant skating interpetation.
LBM10030 3 years ago 4
She is soo graceful!What a talented skater!
lilasvia 3 years ago
Muito bonito esse video
um dos melhores do youtube
pinaffoleo 3 years ago
One of the most intriging things about Michelle is her artistry and expression throughout the whole program. You don't see tired, you see her doing something she obviously loves, and i think that's why so many people love her.
frenchamigo243 3 years ago 31
@frenchamigo243: Exactly. Even when others do perfect programs, they don't emit the magic and joy that Kwan does. It's almost like there's this aura around her when she skates, and it's glowing.
mlc2005 2 years ago 7
i love this!!! amazing gala peaice n.n
darcyadele 3 years ago 2
I love the smile on her face throughout the program
asmara87 3 years ago 4
I have admired her for many years. I think one thing that sets her apart from many others, is that when she is out on the ice, the way she expresses herself on ice only shows how she truly enjoying herself.
combat88k 3 years ago 2
she couldn't have chosen a better piece for her performance....
zniesmaczony 3 years ago
Michelle Kwan is my gf ido
and i no that she will be as good or better no i think she will be better pritty soo
maxice40 3 years ago
wooooow michelle tht was beutiful i luk upto u ur my idol!!! im gonna do wt u do sumday(i hope)
mcrevilla 3 years ago
She make it look so easy ... It's so graceful and beautiful ... Such neat footwork and her jumps show such elegance which I and other skaters hope for someday lol x x x
Phyr3fl1 3 years ago 3
I'm curious about the necklace Michelle wears every competition~ kk
SapphireDew 3 years ago
the necklace was something given to her by her grandmother, I believe. She's never taken it off or so it has been said.
combat88k 3 years ago
oh I see~ kk it's because I see her wear it every competition~
SapphireDew 3 years ago
She no longer wears it because she replaced the chain on it and it broke off during tour she still has the charm though :D
EmoPhobiaMaster07 3 years ago
that was really awesome and i love the song too!
starfragments 3 years ago 2
absolutely beautiful
CarmenDelaPlaya 3 years ago 6
she is so gracefully! she gives you the impression that she levitates over the ice and not that she is skating.
anaarkadievna 3 years ago 3
Exquisite!! Bravo Michelle!!
azsk8fan 3 years ago 5
She's so graceful, its amazing i cant believe it, watching this has made me fall in love with the art of figure skating...Totally Amazing..5 Stars!
mannequin2412 4 years ago 9
I give six :D
sziha 3 years ago 7
couldn't have been more beautiful! it made me cry. wooooooow
nantayyy716 4 years ago 8
michelle kwan is amazing!!!!
liuxgrace 4 years ago 7
...simply wonderful,i cry everytime!!!
elliesaf 4 years ago 5
I had stopped watching figure skating since Michelle hasn't been on tv. I cant wait for her return!
Even today's jumping and axels, no one skates as finesse as Michelle. She makes her audience focus, feel and cry. The only ones that cry in figure skating today are the skaters themselves, not the audience. These skaters suck!
I so miss Michelle Kwan. Pls come back!
delpa1986 4 years ago 10
How I miss Michelle Kwan' beauty, artistry and talent! No one can replace our GREAT MICHELLE!!!
freefree2222 4 years ago 4
Absolutely fantastic!!
freeejda 4 years ago
i still remember seeing this when i was younger. out of all performances this kept my attention and just touched me. everything flowed so beautifully shes such a beautiful skater. i still look up to her today because of her determination & for never giving up.
thanks so much for posting this, brought alot of memories back :)
dperron 4 years ago 3
I was told Michelle Kwan introduced this song to the world in an earlier performance around 2000, it wasn't well know then but the audience tried to avoid the applause to concentrate on the song and were very moved. Plus she has great legs
ealingbroadway2000 4 years ago
Everytime I watch this, I cry. It touches my heart. It makes my day complete...
Michelle your the best...
ptrzAlyson823 4 years ago 2
Two great performances
apverbin 4 years ago
I agree... but the song was so good, I found myself concentrating on the song and not the vid. What a voice and skater
jkiene 4 years ago 5
I was looking for a video of Eva Cassidy performing this song when I found the performance by Michelle Kwan. Awesome combination of two great talents. It's a shame that Eva Cassidy died so young.
apverbin 4 years ago 7
iTunes carries the album and song, but I don't know about a video.
combat88k 3 years ago
Good ... now that video me charm
I find it amazing ...
I am a man of 15 years that I enjoy doing that
But here in Argentina there is unfortunately Currents
But never mind some day soon the hare
I have a question ...
There is a leap that they do in a film that is one of my favorite is called passion for the triumph is the second part which starred
Ross thomas and christy carlson Roman ...
Good here is a link to view it youtube
Continued on the other hand!!!!!!!!!!
XjuanjoseX 4 years ago
Are skaters the most amazing athletes or what? Michelle is a doll and Eva's beautiful voice are such a great match! And this coming from a 21 year Martial Artist! Pure artistry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
countrysamurai 4 years ago 2
I prefer exhibitions over competitions for performances like these - you can see true passion and love for the sport when the athletes are allowed to relax and simply skate.
Skaters of today have proven high levels of skill and talent, but Michelle Kwan will remain a legacy. We love you Michelle!
ThirdEarth 4 years ago 4
@ThirdEarth: The cool part about Kwan is that she was able to bring the passion, emotion and tears even when the pressure was on. How many times has Kwan competed and brought an audience (and even the commentators) to tears?
mlc2005 2 years ago 7
Somebody told me that if I wanted to get into watching Kwan, I should come and look at this video. Was he right or what? That was pure perfection, and you can tell that she just loves it. Wow. I am so speechless.
Gina10179202 4 years ago 2
I remember seeing her perform this live back in '03, it brought tears to my eyes then and still does now. Michelle is an amazing skater and a true artist!
isiriu 4 years ago 4
fllllllawless!!
IngerNilsen 4 years ago 2
This made me cry....wow
MLKindel 4 years ago 7
wow! she's soooo graceful. no 1 can ever beat her, she's ma best s8er!!!!
joaqmad 4 years ago
GOsh! Michelle is the best ever figure skater!
eviebrown48 4 years ago
No skater can touch my heart. ONLY MICHELLE KWAN!!! She makes me feel so light. I love her so much...
ptrzAlyson823 4 years ago
She is THE BEST skater I have ever seen! I dont care about Sasha Cohen and other skaters only Michlle Kwan!!!!!!!!!
ptrzAlyson823 4 years ago
This performance is a clear example of why I love to watch her skate. Michelle LOVES to skate. You see it in her eyes and on her face. Just beautiful!!
ninjapoodle22 4 years ago 4
I totally agree with you! You can tell that not only does she have the skills, but she genuinely loves what she does, like it brings her joy! And watching her skate brings me much joy too! I love you Michelle!
eden1437 4 years ago 3
Every peice she does ROCKS!!!
ptrzAlyson823 4 years ago
Love the choreography by Sarah Kawahara. It brings out the subtleties and lines that Michelle has and allows her to express herself almost without having to think about technique. Of course, it also helps that she's a great technician in the first place!
Qwenton007 4 years ago 5
woah. 2.55 to 3.00 is just the whole meaning of the song. Grats Michelle, that's wonderful.
Kalhorn247 4 years ago 3