Wanna see a skater with REAL attitude--Go back to 1955!!!

[yazmeen42skater]

With all the comments here and some upset about some of Sasha's remarks after Worlds, I thought I'd post this in the spirit of giving everyone something to smile about and lighten the mood and show you how diplomatic Sasha and most of today's skaters really are!!!

Sasha has an attitude???!! Go back, way back, to the February 5th, 1955 issue of SPORTS ILLUSTRATED if you want to see a real 'tude!" I purchased this issue recently on eBay for the lovely Carol Heiss cover, but you should read her quotes on the inside blurb.

Please note, Carol was all of FIFTEEN at the time and had yet to win a Nationals or Worlds. While I don't have it in front of me, she essentially was quite confident about winning Worlds that year (she didn't, Tenley Albright regained the championship). Carol essentially said that "Gunde (54 Champion) beat Tenley last year and I beat Gunde in the free program two years ago, so I think I should win this year."

Here's my favorite part: Carol went on to say "Only Tenley and I have the double axel but I land it on the back outside edge. SOME people land it on the inside edge and have to switch over to the outside." (Gee, I guess we know who "some people" are, don't we...) :rollin :o

She went on to airily declare the she would "hold onto the Championship throught the Olympics" and then her younger sister Nancy could "take over." The great thing is the writer seemed to think she was utterly charming and refreshing. Of course, she also did live up to the hype, but boy, you have to admit, she was confident (or should I say, cocky????)

Could you imagine how Michelle or Sasha would be skewered by the press or the fans today if they dared to snark about each other's technique? My, how times have changed. So the next time someone complains about Sasha or any other skater, you can tell 'em about the QUEEN of attitude in the post-Henie years, Miss Carol Heiss!!!

(By the by, I'm a big fan of Carol's and have had the privelege of attending an on ice seminar with her at the ISI convention. She's a great teacher, and I loved the article. I thought her remarks were frankly adorable.)

[MarcellaMichelle]

And that was even back in the "Good Old Days" when everybody was nice and life was perfect (at least according to the president of my homeowners association)!

Thanks for sharing. That was very interesting and, yes, I agree that if Michelle or Sasha were saying such things, they would indeed be skewered by the press. Then again, they don't have to. They have message boards to do it for them:rollin

[berthesghost]

And that was even back in the "Good Old Days" when everybody was nice and life was perfect (

I've read that Carol threw such a huge hissy fit in public after winning the Oly silver in 56, that she had to be officially repromanded by the USFSA for unsportsmanlike behavior. :eek

[yazmeen42skater]

She did seem to a pistol, didn't she, and its especially funny now, since she seems so low key. She really pitched a FIT at not winning O's in 56????? :eek Whoa!!!! Does anyone know how she skated in comparison to Tenley? That was a bit before my time.

[berthesghost]

All I know is that the US judge was the only one to put her in first, every other judge had Tenley 1st, Carol 2nd.

[lavender]

Carol has never been a favorite of mind. I was glad that Tim went to Frank.

[kwanluv]

I met and spoke at length with Carol a few years ago, and she is a lovely woman who is VERY gracious and kind.

That said, wasn't she a little spitfire back in the day. :lol :p

Thanks for posting that yazmeen

[GardenKitty]

Marcella's comment about the message boards was said in jest, but there is a lot of truth to it. I do think that the instant news access available today puts everyone in the public eye under much closer scrutiny.

There's very little "local" coverage anymore. An article from a Cleveland paper is on the internet that day and will be analyzed by skating fans around the world. There would have been two or three major events and a few interviews associated with them. Now skaters are on tv being interviewed after each event and the schedule can include up to 8 or so events for a skater in one year (plus press associated with tours or tv specials).

Message boards allow fans to reach one another and share information with others. Conversations can continue on a topic around the clock with people all over the world. I agree with Yaz, if those comments were made today they'd provide fodder for discussions for years to come.

Thanks for sharing, Yaz, those are interesting quotes.

[SusanBeth]

I just wanted to add that 1956 was around the time that Carol's mom died of cancer. I remember reading a short biography many years ago. Carol really wanted to win in 1956, because she knew her Mom wouldn't be there in 1960. She did win her first worlds that year, which meant a great deal to her.

After her Mom died, Carol had to step up and help with her younger brothers and sister. She did that while going to school and training too. This was back in the ''good old days'' when skaters couldn't earn a dime to help pay for anything. Her father had a small bakery and there wasn't a lot of money.

So, she wasn't being as big a princess as it sounds. She really went through hell those years. Considering all she accomplished, she really was a great champion.

[LeftyBev]

Ahhh yes, ye good ol' days indeed. Thanks for posting that -- interesting!

[Fumbilicious]

Ah-ha!! Remembered! Could y'all imagine what everyone's reaction would be if Michelle or Jenny Kirk were to say before a competition: "Yeah, just give me my gold medal right now. These ladies don't have chance against me." :eek I would definitely be shocked by something like that!

[berthesghost]

It's a silly statement anyways. Figures were 60% back then. Heiss may have beaten Busch in the free skate in 53, but she finshed 4th overall to Busch's silver medal. Heck, 52 Oly champ Altwegg only finished 4th in her free skate. Anyway, I believe that Busch had retired after 54 anyway, so why bring up someone who wouldn't even be there?

[beachgirl205]

I never cared about a skaters attitudes, just what they could do on the ice. For me it was never a "nice" contest. The first lady skater I can remember having any respect for was Midori because she could actually do something on the ice.

[ceap]

What happened to Carol's younger sister, Nancy? Did she go on to win anything?

[SusanBeth]

She finished 2nd at nationals to Carol one year. That's all I've ever been able to find out about her career. I am sure Carol was thankful Nancy didn't take over for her considering the tragedy in 1961.

[fkriesler]

Yazmeen
"you can tell 'em about the QUEEN of attitude in the post-Henie years, Miss Carol Heiss"

Sasha is no match of Carol Heiss in all areas of skating so far: ATTUTITUDE, overall achievement in terms of medal count, and competitive mental toughness.

There are firy competitors like Heiss, and the Grace under fire competitors like Xue. Xue's immortal performance in worlds 2003 after an ankle injury, and Xue's ability to "eat bitter". She is humble and gracious in victory, and defeat.

I don't find Sasha's attitude as particular "gracious" like you said. To me Sasha is neither Heiss or Xue, just average run of the mill in terms of attiutde and ability to rise above adversity, and pressure.

[EigthAv]

I imagine it was even more "dog eat dog" in "the good olde daze" than it is now. And yes,Carol and Tenley didn't have all us fiesty board surfers as advocates back then.The original concept of "keepers" was organized groups of fans loyal to specific skaters with a mission to keep and protect their chosen faves and pets on the big internet.I even got into it for awhile. It got a bit ridiculous when time passed and keepers boards signatures were a mile long and the same keepers were trying to keep almost every player in the sport at the same time.<!--EZCODE BR START--><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE BR START--><!--EZCODE BR END-->Tenley and Carol are my all time faves in this sport......period.They seem to be getting along fine with each other nowadays.They were larger than life lionesses in their USFSA/ISU warriors days.One of my earliest childhood figure skating memories is my dearly departed Grandmomma Rosa listening to the Olympics on the radio and being so jublilant when Carol Heiss brought it on home in 1960.She was also a HUGE fan of Liberace and Lawrence Welk and quite a sporty lady.:D Thanks for this thread.It brings back some really sweet memories.I've been lucky enough to run into Ms.Heiss-Jenkins 3 times and get to chat a bit with her.2002 EGL regionals,2002 NACS-Huntsville and 2004 Big Nationals.Quite a lady! I hope she and I both live long enough for me to one day meet Tenley Albright.

[yazmeen42skater]

EightAv: You and me, both, I'd love to discuss both skating and medicine with the wonderful Tenley Albright.

Dr. Yaz

[Aria]

Here's my favorite part: Carol went on to say "Only Tenley and I have the double axel but I land it on the back outside edge. SOME people land it on the inside edge and have to switch over to the outside." (Gee, I guess we know who "some people" are, don't we...)So, is this faxeling? And was faxeling as controversial as flutzing?

[yazmeen42skater]

There really is such a thing as "Faxeling?" I've been working on the toeloop, and my coach explained the "toe waltz" to me to help me understand what NOT to do.

[berthesghost]

She was 8th at 57 worlds, 6th in 58 and 8th again in 59. I think she actually retired before Carol.

[attyfan]

As I understand it, the attempt to reprimand Carol for her behavior after Olys was dropped after she explained that she was upset because her mom wouldn't live to see her in Olys again.

[EigthAv]

Nancy Heiss won US senior silver in 1959 and is also amongst the long list of US junior champions.<!--EZCODE BR START--><!--EZCODE BR END--><!--EZCODE BR START--><!--EZCODE BR END-->So,Carol Heiss won a US senior silver medal when she was 13.She also placed 4th at big Worlds at 13. So,was Lipinski "Next Carol".? :eek Tara was fit to be tied after having to settle for junior silver at the 1995 Nats. "I'll beat her next year! I'll be back and I'll bring the cameras with me." She did "beat her next year" and in 1995 Tara Mania created a media circus at the junior ladies events.In 2004 during the junior ladies' freeskates the media section was mostly empty chairs.Silver medalist,Katy Taylor was smiling all over after the event and proudly wearing her medal. Then again,Katy didn't come back the following year and beat the 2004 junior champ.Maybe the 'tude helps.

[edenlover]

Speaking of Tenley and Carol, didn't they both do a bit of commentating for ABC before Peggy? I seem to remember Tenley as being a little more laid back than Carol. Carol's confidence level as a commentator was very high as I recall. I'm glad she really is a nice person, though, becuase to me she seems a little rough around the edges at times. I wish I had seen her skate--I was just a tad too young in 56 and 60; my earliest memories are of 1962!

Bertha, you have a remarkable memory and knowledge of skating. I think I've said this before, but I so much enjoy it when you share it with us!

[olympic]

She was born and raised in Ozone Park, Queens IIRC. You know that many New Yorkers are stereotyped as being blunt to a fault:lol

[SkateWorlds1]

Carol's attitude didn' t bother me back then. I was just a kid but followed skating pretty close for a kid, maybe because my mother did. All I can remember about back then is wishing the women could do more on the ice and that there were no figures. Now that was boring. I would have to wait until the late 80's to see women start evolving at all. That's how I looked at it at the time. As far as attitude, it didn't bother me then and still doesn't. I just want to know what they're planning to do on ice. If they want to brag about it, so what? As long as they get the job done. That's what I'm looking for. Nice attitudes do not a gold medal make.

[fkriesler]

skateworld

If they want to brag about it, so what? As long as they get the job done

Sure figure skating is an olympic sports, and trash talking and bragging is part of it. Heiss bragged but she delivered the goods. Also consistent with sports, is what happen to athletes who trash talks or brags but fail to deliver, there are consequences e.g. instant replay. Cohen trash talked about her programs were so much more superior to the others skaters "too chiseled and too choreographed programs" and failed to deliver, don't be surprise that there would be instant replays